It’s hard to believe that 2018 marks our 5th-year anniversary of launching our very first adventure! To celebrate, we’ve recently put the finishing touches on no less than 10 new Discovery Tours experiences, all of them debuting next year and available for booking now.
From the soaring heights of the Himalayas and the desert sands of the Arabian Peninsula … from the rich heritage of the British Isles to natural and cultural wonders of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, we invite you to join us as we offer even more ways for you to explore the world in a small group!
AMERICAS:
Galapagos, Ecuador, Andes & Amazon
12 days
Ecuador is home to some of South America’s most iconic wonders, and you can experience them up close in a small group. Discover the magnificent Galapagos Islands, Darwin’s living laboratory of giant iguanas, massive tortoises, and more. Relax in steaming Andean thermal baths. And explore deep into the Amazon, the “lungs of the world,” a lush forest of vibrant birdlife, howling monkeys, and incredible beauty. You’ll also witness the lively cultures of Guayaquil and Quito.
Discovery Tours Small Group Highlights:
- Meet welcoming Ecuadoreans at a working cocoa plantation, at a Kichwa Interpretation Center, and at the home of a glass artist.
- See the sea lions, turtles, iguanas, and whitetip reef sharks of the stunning Tintoreras Islet.
- Commune with Ecuador’s unrivalled nature when you fish for piranha, hike a volcano, walk in the treetops along a canopy walkway, and more.
- Take a nocturnal walk with a local guide in the Amazon.
ASIA & SOUTH PACIFIC:
14 days
Step into the ancient and seductive world of Old Ceylon, shrouded in mystery and beauty. Witness a surprising blend of timeless temples and edifices, wildlife preserves, and misty tea-covered hills. You’ll view the island’s wild elephants, gaze up at the Sigriya Rock Fortress, and learn about one of history’s most thriving and vibrant ancient societies. Seek out Sri Lanka’s astonishing wildlife in Yala and Minneriya National Parks and along the Madu River. And absorb the local culture in the cities of Kandy, Galle, and Negombo.
Discovery Tours Small Group Highlights:
- Immerse yourself in local culture during visits to the lively Negombo fish market, Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth, and a Tea Estate Factory.
- Search for the island’s magnificent elephants and other wildlife during tours and safaris in Minneriya and Yala National Parks and during a Madu River cruise.
- Meet today’s Sri Lankans during home-hosted meals of island specialties.
- Marvel at the immensity of the Sigriya Rock Fortress, a hulking mass of rock on a wide open plain.
India, Nepal & Bhutan: Tradition & Majesty
26 Days
Immerse yourself in the splendid Mughal architecture, soaring Himalayan peaks, and deep spirituality of these three unforgettable cultures. Marvel at the stalwart fortresses and colorful culture of India. Discover the diversity of Nepal, from the high Kathmandu Valley with its mountain stupas and ancient palaces to the low-lying Chitwan National Park, home to astonishing wildlife. And experience the spiritual and rustic Himalayan country whose success is measured by the happiness of its people. This is an epic adventure that opens doors to some of Asia’s most elusive cultures.
Discovery Tours Small Group Highlights:
- Stroll the grounds of Shah Jahan’s enchanting Taj Mahal, a spellbinding testament to the power of love, and explore the immense Agra Fort.
- Seek out the amazing wildlife of Nepal’s Chitwan National Park during an elephant-back safari.
- Explore the bustling and colorful medieval streets of Kathmandu amidst the wafting of incense and spices.
- Get to know those who call these countries home during a Nepalese village lunch and a visit with monks at Bhutan’s National Memorial Chorten.
EUROPE:
12 Days
The authentic side of Provence awaits your small group. You’ll explore this storied region of sunflower and lavender fields, lush vineyards, and a history that spans from the Roman age to the City of Popes—all brought into sharp focus by that celebrated light that inspired the world’s great Impressionist artists. Stroll the narrow lanes of hilltop villages carved from stone. Explore the sophisticated cities and coastal beauty of the sun-splashed French Riviera. And witness the stunning landscapes of the Camargue, France’s wildest region, home to wild horses and flamingoes.
Discovery Tours Small Group Highlights:
- Visit the Riviera’s most sophisticated cultural capitals, from Marseilles and Nice to Monaco’s glamorous city of Monte Carlo.
- Absorb the true spirit of Provence when you join locals for a game of boules, share lunch with Camargue cowboys at a ranch, and enjoy a cooking lesson with dinner.
- Stroll typical Provencal villages lined with stone-carved buildings and colorful markets selling honey, linens, lavender and other regional treasures.
- Take time to linger over two of the region’s most spectacular architectural triumphs: the Palace of the Popes and the three-tiered Pont du Gard aqueduct.
13 Days
The luck of the Irish is with you when you explore the land of Eire in a small group with Discovery Tours. You’ll traverse this magical island, taking in the history, culture, and magnificent beauty of Northern Ireland and Ireland, from up-and-coming Belfast and legendary Dublin to historic Cork and the breathtaking Ring of Kerry. Along the way, vast farmlands tinged with green and criss-crossed by ancient stone walls create an astonishing canvas that you’ll only see in Ireland. And locals greet you with their smiling Irish eyes.
Discovery Tours Small Group Highlights:
- View Ireland’s magnificent natural wonders, from the hexagonal rock columns of the Giant’s Causeway and the soaring Cliffs of Moher to the coastal and mountain splendor of the Ring of Kerry.
- Meet the Irish where they live and work during visits to a whiskey distillery, the Irish National Stud Farm, a sheep farm, and over a home-hosted farm lunch.
- Uncover the cultural and historic treasures of Belfast, Dublin, Cork, Killarney, and Adare.
- Explore Ireland’s legendary castles and manses, featuring the Rock of Cashel, Russborough House, the Muckross Estate, and Blarney Castle, where you can kiss the famous stone!
England & Scotland: Castles & Countryside
15 Days
Span England south-to-north, exploring its compelling cities and citadels along the way, and delve into the treasures of pretty Edinburgh, Scotland’s stately capital. This is a grand panorama of two of Europe’s most beloved countries, introducing you to fascinating histories of the ancient, royal, literary, and political sort. From London to Stratford and beyond, you’ll visit the major sites central to the nation’s most pivotal moments and home to the Crown’s most influential figures, from Shakespeare to Churchill. And you’ll slow down along the way as only a small group can, sipping tea at Harrods, strolling in the bard’s footsteps, and visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Discovery Tours Small Group Highlights:
- Visit the United Kingdom’s most renowned castles and palaces, from Blenheim, birthplace of Winston Churchill, and Hever, home to Anne Boleyn, to Edinburgh, where the crown jewels glitter in all their glory.
- Immerse yourself in England’s rich literary past during visits to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage.
- Take in the charming English countryside when you cruise Windermere Lake and stroll past the thatched-roof cottages of the Cotswolds.
- Tour the breathtaking medieval city of York by foot, an historic treasure encircled by remarkably preserved walls.
12 Days
Surround yourself with the sky-piercing peaks of the snow-capped Alps during this epic small-group journey into Switzerland. “Breathtaking” does not even begin to describe the staggering scenery you’ll witness as you traverse the southern and central reaches of this storied country. As you travel from one magnificent cultural center to the next—ascending as high as Zermatt at the base of the Matterhorn and riding one of the world’s most scenic trains—you’ll pass steeply sloped massifs, sweeping valleys, and pristine lakes. From Lausanne to Lugano, from St. Moritz to Lucerne, this sweeping small-group tour of Switzerland is the peak of inspiration!
- Ride the Swiss Glacier Express, celebrated as the slowest express train in the world and one of the planet’s most spectacularly scenic rail routes.
- Take in the splendor of pedestrian-free Zermatt, high in the Alps, and embark its thrilling open-air cogwheel railway to the summit of Gornergrat.
- Take in splendid vistas when you stop at the Simplon Pass near the Swiss-Italian border, visit Italy’s Lake Maggiore, cruise Lake Lugano, marvel at the thundering waterfalls of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and so much more.
- Get into the spirit of Switzerland when you sample locally made chocolate, enjoy a savory lunch of cheese fondue, taste locally produced wines, and visit a woodcarving museum.
MEDITERRANEAN:
12 Days
The United Arab Emirates and Oman must be seen to be believed. These starkly beautiful nations, risen from desert sands, provide exhilarating glimpses into lands of ancient frankincense traders, warm and inspiring spirituality, and mesmerizing cityscapes glittering in the Arab sun. There is no place like this on earth, at once futuristic and deeply traditional, a land of plenty amidst an arid sea of sand, a pocket of Old-World Arabia and desert camps juxtaposed against towering glass skyscrapers. Your Discovery Tours small group helps you experience it all up close and personal.
Discovery Tours Small Group Highlights:
- Experience Arabia’s traditional and hospitable ways during a cruise on Dubai Creek, a visit to Heritage Village, and an overnight at a desert camp.
- Witness the glittering spectacle of Dubai, home to the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa, and the Burj al-Arab, the famous sail-shaped hotel.
- Marvel at the gleaming whitewashed city of Muscat and its enormous Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, able to accommodate 20,000 worshippers.
- Learn about the region’s deep connections to its animals during visits to the Meydan Stables, a camel dairy farm, and the Falcon Hospital.
Jordan: Tradition & Inspiration
12 Days
Israelites seeking the Promised Land. Muslims making their way to Mecca. Crusaders leading the charge to take back the Holy Land. They all passed through Jordan, leaving behind fantastic monuments to history and infusing its cities, stark sands, and dramatic desert valleys with legend and lore. A rich biblical history resides here, too. And the red sandstone ancient city of Petra is impossible to forget once you’ve laid eyes on its splendidly carved facades. Now it’s your turn to pass through this breathtaking nation. And with Discovery Tours, you’re sure to savor every moment, thanks to our small group size.
Discovery Tours Small Group Highlights:
- Delve into Jordan’s biblical past when you walk in the footsteps of Moses on Mt. Nebo, view the 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in Madaba, and visit the sacred site of Bethany.
- Witness Jordan’s stunning natural beauty in Wadi Rum, where spectacular rock formations litter the desert floor, and the Ajlun Nature Reserve, home to diverse wildlife.
- See the magnificent rose-red city of Petra, sculpted into towering cliffsides by the Nabateans in the 3rd century.
- Visit Jordan’s most important historic and modern cites, from the old trading hub of Al-Salt and the ancient site of Jerash to the thriving capital and cultural center of Amman.
AFRICA:
10 Days
It is a rare privilege to “sit with” the primates of East Africa, and Discovery Tours has arranged for you to do so on this thrilling itinerary into the beating heart of Uganda. You’ll explore the astonishing national parks of this incredible nation—Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable, and Murchison Falls—trekking deep into the jungled hills in search of chimpanzees and mountain gorillas and setting out in safari vehicles on traditional game drives and river cruises. This is an exploration unlike any other.
Discovery Tours Small Group Highlights:
- Explore Murchison Falls National Park by safari vehicle and by a cruise on the Nile River, spotting elephants, hippos, more than 450 species of birds, and marveling at the fantastic Murchison Falls.
- Set out into the jungle in search of the chimpanzee, whose habitat is deep in the forest amidst dense flora.
- Seek out the big game in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where diverse ecosystems of savanna, forest, lakes, and wetlands host a huge array of wildlife.
- Sit with majestic mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, amid the rough rainforest terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gate 1 Travel Blog 