8 Hidden benefits of small group travel

What is small group travel? 

Small group tours (also known as adventure tours) emphasize adventure and take you off the beaten track to experience a country from the inside. Group sizes are normally limited to about 15 people, and the idea is to be a traveller rather than a tourist. There’s a vast array of tours to choose from, whether you fancy trekking to Everest Base Camp, sailing around the Galapagos Islands, exploring Antarctica, or driving across the Serengeti in search of the Big Five.

Why choose a small group tour with G Adventures? 

Small group tours are a wonderful way to meet like-minded, curious people and to get off the beaten track with the added support from an expert guide. Rather than being lost in a crowd, you'll be part of an intimate group excited to explore your destination. It’s a direct route to a stress-free adventure with a built-in safety net. 

Small group travel offers cultural immersion and authentic experiences that directly benefit local communities, by making sure that the money from your visit goes into the right pockets. This is the magic of G Adventures – it offers a gateway to a more personal and enriching travel experience. 

Small group tours always work brilliantly as part of a bigger trip. I booked a group tour at the beginning of a four-month solo trip to India. By the end of the tour, I had found my feet in India, and I had the confidence to strike out alone. It was the perfect ‘soft landing’ that I needed.

Which type of tour should I choose? 

There is a G Adventures for every type of traveller in every age bracket. No matter your personal travel style, G Adventures will have something that ticks all the boxes. 

There are Classic Tours, Family Tours, 18-Thirty Something Tours, Active Tours, Geluxe Tours, and National Geographic Journeys, which feature upgraded accommodation, specialist guides, and more included experiences. The Classic Tours are the most popular, offering comfortable accommodation, local transport, and authentic experiences. We can explain the differences between each tour type.

So that's what we mean when we're talking about small group travel - and here are some reasons why we rate this kind of travel so highly: 

1. See the world with like-minded companions 

You’ll get the unique chance to meet like-minded travellers who are taking time to explore the same part of the world as you, in the same way. Shared interests bond people together very quickly, whether you’re trekking up Kilimanjaro or travelling across Japan. These can often be life-changing experiences and you’re likely to leave the tour with a new bunch of friends. 

2. Get further off the beaten track 

Taking a tour is like independent travel, but without the organisational hassle. It’s especially beneficial if you’re short on time but want to do more than scratch the surface of a destination. In addition to the iconic sights, your tour guide will take you off the beaten track to enjoy a real taste of local life and discover tucked-away places untouched by tourism. No queuing for bus tickets or haggling over the cost of accommodation – the logistics will be organised for you.

3. Enjoy authentic, local experiences 

Throughout the course of your tour, you’ll come face to face with indigenous cultures, ancient customs and exotic wildlife. You’ll also stay in local accommodations packed with regional character, which is an integral part of any small group adventure. Depending on where your destinations, this could mean camping or glamping, small hotels, family-run guesthouses, homestays, and maybe even yurts! 

You’ll also be travel by local transport, which will be another chance to meet local people and gain real insight into the country you’re visiting. In addition, your tour will be peppered with local experiences ranging from cooking classes in a family home to guided village walks and visits to community projects, giving you a deeper understanding of the culture in the area.

4. Learn from your experienced tour guide 

An enthusiastic and knowledgeable tour guide is often the difference between a good tour and a great tour. Your G Adventures CEO (Chief Experience Officer) will be an invaluable source of information about local culture, history and sights. They’ll also know all the hidden local hotspots, such as the best restaurants, street food stalls and hole-in-the-wall bars. If you follow the recommendations of your guide, they will take your trip to a whole new level! 

5. Budget in advance for your trip and get great value for money 

Group tours offer outstanding value for money and many people find that booking a tour makes it easier to budget for their whole trip. Essentially, you’ve paid 90% of the costs before evening leaving your home! Once you’ve paid for your tour, all you need is some spending money for snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.

6. Reduce your impact 

G Adventures works tirelessly to reduce any negative impact of its tours. By choosing a small group tour, you're supporting travel that is less intrusive and more mindful of its impact. It's travel that gives back in meaningful ways, contributing to local economies and conservation efforts. 

Each G Adventures tour has a ‘Ripple Score’, which measures the positive impact of the trip. The scoring system was created by Planeterra, G Adventures’ non-profit partner and Sustainable Travel International. The Ripple Score clearly shows the percentage of money spent locally on trip services like accommodations, restaurants, and transportation. It’s a brilliant innovation that allows you to see just how much you’re giving back to the local community. 

7. Never worry about paying a single supplement

If you’re travelling alone, a tour won’t penalise you when it comes to single-person supplements. On average, around 50% of tour groups are made up of people travelling on their own. By default, G Adventures will pair you up with a roommate of the same sex, so that you don’t have to pay an extra supplement. 

However, if you would prefer your own room, that’s fine too. You can simply choose to pay a small supplement, which is outlined in the overview of each tour.

8. Enjoy safety in numbers 

If you are part of a travel group, you and your possessions are much less of a target for criminals. Similarly, if you happen to fall ill, lose something, or get injured, you have the immediate help of your tour leader. It’s a wonderful way to travel with total peace of mind.

Ready to book a small group tour with G Adventures? 

You can choose from a whopping 786 group tours with G Adventures on our website, ranging from Classic Trips to National Geographic Journeys and Active Adventures. Cruise to Antarctica, explore Southeast Asia or plan an epic African safari – anything is possible! Take a look at our group tours page to find out more. 

See our group tours