National Geographic Traveler Magazine Selects Its 2015 Tours of a Lifetime

In addition, the editors picked five of their favorite expeditions of a lifetime offered by National Geographic. The list and details about the trips can be viewed in National Geographic Traveler magazine’s May 2015 issue and online at https://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/tours/.

“This year marks 10 years of our editors selecting the world’s best guided tours,” said Norie Quintos, acting editor in chief of National Geographic Traveler magazine. “In that time, the types of immersive and experiential trips have only multiplied; tours are going farther and deeper than ever before.”

From stalking lion tracks in the Serengeti to kayaking secret coves in Croatia to following the wine trail in the Republic of Georgia, the 50 best guided tours selected this year offer authentic travel experiences that are sure to leave participants engaged and ensconced in culture. The additional five unique tours from the National Geographic Travel family include inspiring expert-led adventures from Australia to Ireland to the Pacific Islands.

The 2015 Tours of a Lifetime and their tour operators are:

–AFRICA–

“Mountain Biking Safari in Namibia,” Namibia — H&I Adventures (pictured above)

“Malawi Service and Safari,” Malawi — Elevate Destinations

“Ancient Kingdoms of Sudan,” Sudan — Mountain Travel Sobek

“Namibia: Secrets Revealed,” Namibia — Africa Adventure Consultants

“The Great Serengeti Traverse,” Tanzania — Mark Thornton Safaris

“Sourcing the Perfect Cup: A Coffee Connoisseur’s Tour,” Kenya, Tanzania — Micato Safaris

“Mobile Walking Safari,” Zambia — Robin Pope Safaris

“Ibo Island Dhow Safari,” Mozambique — CW Safaris

“Algeria Colours,” Algeria — Wild Frontiers

“South Africa Ultimate Adventure,” South Africa — REI Adventures

–ASIA–

“Myanmar and Southern China: Places Unexplored,” China, Myanmar — Global Basecamps

“Persia Past and Present,” Iran — Journeys International

“Snow Leopards—Snow Mountains Fundraising Trek,” India — Hidden Places Travel

“Gujarat: The Land of Legends, Culture & Crafts,” India — Immersion Journeys

“Komodo Snorkeling Expedition,” Indonesia — Wilderness Travel

“Kyoto and Beyond by Bike,” Japan — Explore!

“Cruising the Land of the Rising Sun,” Japan, South Korea — Tauck

“Laos With a Heart,” Laos — Myths and Mountains

“Wrangel Island: Across the Top of the World,” Russia — Heritage Expeditions

“Istanbul-Bangkok via Burma,” Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan,
China, Myanmar, Thailand — Dragoman

“Vietnam’s UNESCO Discovery,” Vietnam — Audley Travel

–EUROPE–

“Dalmatian Coast Hiking & Kayaking,” Croatia — Boundless Journeys

“Holland and Belgium Bike & Barge Amsterdam,” Belgium, The Netherlands — VBT Bicycling and
Walking Vacations

“A Wine Lovers Journey Through Budapest, Vienna, and Prague,” Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic
— Exeter International

“Bike Paths of Lake Garda and Veneto—A Sightseer Tour,” Italy — ExperiencePlus!

“Compelling Corsica—Sea Kayaking and Mountain Hiking,” France — ROW Sea Kayak Adventures

“Blazing Saddles Family Adventure,” Portugal — KE Adventure Travel

“Wildlife for Beginners,” Scotland — Speyside Wildlife

“Switzerland E-biking,” Switzerland — Butterfield & Robinson

“Wolf Tracking in Winter,” Sweden — Naturetrek

“Greenland Traditional Dogsled Expedition,” Greenland — WANT Expeditions

“Georgia’s Food, Wine & Culture,” Republic of Georgia — Great Canadian Travel Company

“Budapest to Krakow Walk,” Slovakia, Hungary, Poland — Freewheeling Adventures

–OCEANIA & PACIFIC ISLANDS–

“The ‘Other’ Sydney, Rock & Reef,” Australia — EverGreen Escapes International

“Ultimate South Island Adventure: Rimu,’” New Zealand — Active Adventures New Zealand

“Fiji Sea Kayak Adventure,” Fiji — Southern Sea Ventures

–NORTH AMERICA–

“Best of Kenai Fjords National Park,” Alaska — Alaska Heritage Tours

“Vail to Aspen Interconnect—Summer/Fall,” Colorado — Paragon Guides

“Mighty Saint Lawrence,” Canada — Adventure Canada

“Day of the Dead: Michoacán,” Mexico — Tia Stephanie Tours

“Portland to Missoula,” Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana — Trek Travel

“Chicago and New Orleans Roundtrip,” Illinois, Louisiana — Pullman Rail Journeys

“Manatees’ Ecosystem and Conservation,” Florida — Oceanic Society

“Cuba Family Vacation: Cultural Exchange,” Cuba — Classic Journeys

–CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA–

“Argentina Vision and Vine,” Argentina — Ciclismo Classico

“Quyllur Rit’i Trip,” Peru — Aspiring Adventures

“Lionfish Dive,” Belize — Blue Ventures Expeditions

“Undiscovered Brazil,” Brazil — Adventure Life

“Volunteer with Children in Costa Rica,” Costa Rica — Global Vision International

“Bogotá to Santander Biking Adventure,” Colombia — Colombia Adventure

“Amazon Kayaking Trip,” Ecuador — Tofino Expeditions

–NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRIPS–

“India by Rail Photo Expedition,” India

“Mysteries of Prehistoric Ireland and England,” Ireland, England

“Fiji to Cook Islands: Polynesian Discovery,” Fiji, Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands

“The Human Journey: Tracing Legendary Peoples & Sacred Places,” Worldwide

“Australia Family Adventure,” Australia

Top photo credit: travelsommelier.com