Top 10 Trips for First-Time Group Travellers
If you’ve ever thought about joining a small-group adventure but weren’t sure where to start, you’re not alone. Many first-time travellers feel the same – excited by the idea of exploring somewhere new, but unsure what to expect. The good news? Joining a small-group trip with Exodus takes care of all the moving parts so you can focus on the fun.
You’ll share the journey with a small group of like-minded explorers, typically 8 to 16 people, guided by expert local guides who know their countries inside out. They take care of the logistics, bridge the language gap, and connect you to places and people most travellers only glimpse.
These are the trips our first-time group travellers love most, and the ones that keep them coming back for more.
1. Discover Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a paradise for new travellers, especially if wildlife makes your heart beat a little faster. Visit both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, travel deep into the Esquinas rainforest and cruise through the waterways of Tortuguero National Park, spotting howler monkeys, toucans and, if you’re lucky, nesting green turtles. With our naturalist guides leading the way, you’ll gain an in-depth appreciation of the country’s incredible biodiversity.
Discover Costa Rica
Join eagle-eyed guides for a wildlife-watching trip through the mountains, rainforest and coast
Trip highlights
Perfect for: wildlife lovers who want variety and comfort in equal measure.
2. Walking the Amalfi Coast
Few places capture the romance of walking holidays quite like Italy’s Amalfi Coast. On our expertly run trips, we stay in the family-owned Hotel Due Torri in the quiet village of Bomerano – our base for over 20 years – and explore the region on foot with local guides who know every turn of the trail.
Walking the Amalfi Coast
Discover the highlights of Europe’s most dramatic coastline on foot with true experts of the region
Trip highlights
Perfect for: walkers who love culture, sunshine and expert company.
“This adventure captures the best of the Amalfi Coast; but it’s our exclusive, family-run hotel that sets this apart with a warm welcome, authentic food and pizza demonstrations. If you haven’t been already, now’s the time to find out why it’s so popular . ”
3. A Week in Jordan
Jordan is a superb introduction to adventure travel. On our compact A Week in Jordan adventure, our local leader guides you from Amman to Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. You’ll spend two full days exploring Petra and experience Bedouin hospitality at our private desert camp in Wadi Rum.
A Week in Jordan
From Amman to the Dead Sea via Petra and the Wadi Rum desert, visit Jordan's essential stops
Trip highlights
Perfect for: travellers seeking ancient history and hospitality.
4. Cycling Vietnam
Is there any better way to discover Vietnam than by bike? Our fully supported Vietnam cycling holidays take you from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, with each pedal revealing the country’s real character through fishing villages, rice paddies and mountain passes.
Cycling Vietnam
Ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, witnessing Vietnam’s beauty unfold
Trip highlights
Perfect for: active travellers and cyclists ready for an immersive, guide-led adventure.
5. Mont Blanc Highlights
For mountain lovers, a week in the French Alps offers a taste of one of Europe’s finest trekking regions. Guided by an International Mountain Leader, you’ll hike sections of the celebrated Mont Blanc Circuit, taking in views of glaciers and wildflower meadows before returning each evening for a heartwarming home-cooked meal.
Mont Blanc Hiking Highlights
Walk the best of Mont Blanc Circuit in France and Italy
Trip highlights
Perfect for: walkers keen to combine comfort, scenery and expert support.
“With an upgraded chalet for the 2026 season, you can experience some of the finest hikes in the world with even more comfort when you return home. Our friendly chalet teams provide a warm, family-style atmosphere throughout your stay, meaning you can fully relax, ready for tomorrow’s adventure ”
6. Cape Town & The Garden Route
South Africa’s Garden Route is called the Garden Route for a reason: every stop seems to bloom with something new. Travelling with our local guide, you’ll journey from the coastal city of Gqeberha to Cape Town, spotting elephants in Addo National Park, exploring the Cango Caves and visiting penguins in Simon’s Town. Between June and November, there’s also the chance to see whales from the coast.
Cape Town and the Garden Route – Premium Adventure
Dramatic coastal scenery and world-class wine
Trip highlights
Perfect for: walkers keen to combine comfort, scenery and expert support.
7. Discover Sri Lanka
Small in size but rich in experiences, Sri Lanka is ideal for first-time group travellers. Guided by a knowledgeable local leader, you’ll visit ancient temples, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress and travel through tea-covered hills. Add a few relaxing beach days and you’ll experience the country’s warmth and variety in one perfectly paced trip.
Discover Sri Lanka
Spend two weeks exploring the delights of this diverse island
Trip highlights
Perfect for: culture seekers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
8. Essential Peru
If you want a single trip that captures Peru’s greatest hits – plus a few hidden gems – this is it. Guided by our expert local leader, you’ll trace ancient Inca pathways, watch condors rise on the morning thermals above Colca Canyon, and stay with a family on the peaceful islands of Lake Titicaca.
Essential Peru
Southern Peru's archaeological and natural wonders
Trip highlights
Perfect for: walkers ready for a challenge and a sense of achievement.
9. Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise
Egypt’s ancient wonders are best explored in expert company. Accompanied by an Egyptologist, you’ll marvel at the Pyramids of Giza, cruise the Nile from Luxor to Aswan and visit temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise
Discover temples and tombs and travel by Nile cruise boat
Destination highlights
Perfect for: history lovers
10. Discover the Baltics
For something a little different, this journey through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania combines rich culture with striking natural beauty. You’ll explore medieval old towns, mysterious pine forests, and learn about Cold War history at the once-secret Plokstine missile base. .
Discover the Baltics
Visit three countries in twelve days, through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Trip highlights
Perfect for: culture-curious travellers after a relaxed, offbeat adventure.
Why These Trips Are Great for First-time Group Travellers
Each of our small-group adventures has been carefully designed to balance discovery with comfort. You’ll travel in small groups – never more than 16 people – so it’s easy to make connections and feel part of something from day one. All logistics are handled: accommodation, activities and most transfers are included.
These trips also feature clear itineraries, moderate activity levels and comfortable stays. For first-time group travellers and new travellers, that structure provides reassurance without limiting your freedom. And because your guides are locals, they’ll help you navigate language, customs and menus with ease, turning every encounter into a chance to learn something new.
How to Choose Your First Group Adventure
Choosing your first group trip is as much about personality as destination. Think about what excites you most – wildlife, culture, walking or something more active – then match it to the trip that fits your pace and comfort level.
FAQs for First-Time Group Travellers
Absolutely – around one-third of Exodus guests join solo. You can choose to share or upgrade to enjoy your own room.
Most travellers book six to nine months ahead for peak seasons, though many trips run year-round.
Accommodation, transport, meals depending on the trip, guided excursions and expert local guides are all covered.
Usually between 8 and 16 people – enough for good conversation, never a crowd.
Many first time group travellers say they started alone but finished with new friends and memories to last a lifetime – proof that the right small group makes all the difference.
Ready to start your adventure?
Explore all Exodus small group adventures.
