Multi-day small group tour operators

[n7of9]

I've been on probably 10 group tours over the years. I like that all I have to do is choose a region and I'm guaranteed to see great things over 7 to 15 days, without any hassles or stress. Years ago I was fine traveling cheapest Y and touring with Geckos or Intrepid, then I upgraded to Peregrine and Y+.

These days I mostly fly J and have found my last couple of Peregrine tours to be a bit of a hard slog. I think it's a combination of me getting older and less tolerant, and Peregrine trying to squeeze out every cent wherever they can. I don't require 5* accommodations wherever I go, but the Peregrine itineraries these days are more like Intrepid with 1/2* better accommodations.

I just got back from a South Africa-Botswana-Zimbabwe Peregrine tour and though the countries themselves and the safaris/Vic Falls were amazing, the Peregrine parts of the tour were quite sheeit - the transport, the organisation, the location and choice of lodgings, all stemmed from bad to just bearable. The best part of the whole 10 days was the hotel in Botswana - when we arrived we found they had NO rooms available for us in the hotel we were meant to stay at, so we got to stay at a really nice lodge right on the Chobe river where we could watch the sun set over Zambia.

I think my next destination is Morocco and I've cast a wide net on tour operators, but all I've found is cheap and nasty, or super expensive (should I really expect to pay $800+ a day in Morocco?). I've looked at Luxury Escapes and ATP, but I don't need Junior Suite accommodations, I'd just like something better than 3.5*.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experiences?

 

[RooFlyer]

I thought most of the well known tour groups offered 'Premium' tours - not whether those have the accommodation level you want (not too low, not too high), I don't know.

For instance, Exodus' Premium collection (including Morocco):

Trip Search

www.exodustravels.com

Morocco certainly can be $800/day! The top accommodation is world class - boutique riads can be an exquisite experience. But I note on the Exodus trip there they only rate the accommodation as 3*. Be warned that virtually any hotel below 5* in Morocco will five you firm to hard beds.

Travel Directors is up-market ... maybe too far up market. Tours | Perth | Travel Directors

 

[n7of9]

Thanks for the suggestions @RooFlyer, your post highlights exactly what I've encountered: Exodus cheap and nasty $2300 for 15 days (this is their premium selection) vs Travel Directors $18K for 20 days.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Not sure if this helps with Morocco - but a couple of years ago we did a private tour in Morocco (about 12 days) organised with a 'specialist' Morocco agent in Sydney - but all they did was outsource it to a local agent in Morocco (with a huge markup) - so I would encourage you to Google local agents in Morocco - various reviews should sort out the dodgy ones. I also totally agree with @RooFlyer anything less the 5* in Morocco could be more like a 2* - we even checked out early from what was supposed to be the most upmarket riad in Marrakech we were so disappointed - I won't name it because they were very gracious when we left even refunding us the pre-paid night.

 

[cgichard]

I usually travel with UK tour companies because I have family in the UK whom I vist before or after an overseas trip. Given that you are posting here, I assume you don't necessarily need the main there & back flights included. Most UK tour companies will give you a "without flights" price, though it may not be posted on the website. You can find a good range here.

The Ciceroni one looks good, but next one is not until 2022. If you are still up to walking, Kudu Travel is one I would recommend; limited to 14, guides always excellent. Martin Randall has one, run in March & October but pricey. I usually also look at ACE Cultural Tours and Andante but can't see anything there for next year.

 

[RooFlyer]

usually travel with UK tour companies because I have family in the UK whom I vist before or after an overseas trip. Given that you are posting here, I assume you don't necessarily need the main there & back flights included. Most UK tour companies will give you a "without flights" price, though it may not be posted on the website. You can find a good range here.

Exodus (UK company) are like that - their UK site quotes in pounds with flights included, but their Australian site quotes in A$ without flights.

I'm also a fan of private tours - I did those in many eastern countries but when I retried the cost got a bit much, so I went the small-group tour thing. I organised my own hotels and got the benefit of a guide with flexible timing!

@n7of9 , the organisation of that African trip sounds pretty bad and I don't blame you for looking for better!! We got into a bit of a discussion about accommodation standards on my '5 Stans' trip report, which was one by Exodus. Because of where it went, the accommodation was mostly 3*, with some home-stays (2*) and one or two 4* nights; this was well advertised in the trip notes and the on-trip organisation was very good, in spite of the logistical challenges. When I travel, I would normally do 4* (ie Novotel type), but like an occasional 5* - on arrival, and when I need a 'rest' during a long journey. But of course on that trip, you got what was available!!

 

[n7of9]

I've been researching all day and I think I'll fly upgraded on SQ SYD-SIN-BCN, then splurge a bit in Tangiers and Chefchouen. That would give me the option of joining either a 3-4 star tour for the remainder of my stay, or just saying fckit and joining a luxury one (highly likely).

I also totally agree with @RooFlyer anything less the 5* in Morocco could be more like a 2*

Thanks, that's actually very helpful. I can do long road journeys (as would be needed in Morocco) if my accommodation is nice, or lesser accommodations if the itinerary has lots of free time - but I don't want 3* hotels AND long days.

If you are still up to walking,

Heeheee, thanks. I'm only in my mid 40's! My comment about age was more about being able to afford better quality, and wanting to avoid tour groups made up of heavy-drinking 20-somethings, which is who the cheaper tours tend to attract.

I'm also a fan of private tours - I did those in many eastern countries

I'm a single female who travels alone, I don't think I'd enjoy a one-on-one multi day trip with my new best friend local guide, Mohammed, just him and I traveling the countryside taking pictures of sunsets and shopping for scarves

 

[p--and--t]

I have taken 4 tours so far with Gate1travel . com .au

I have been more than satisfied each time. They usually don't offer 5* but somewhere 3.5-4.5 depending on the tour and country. Sometimes they offer an upgrade option for a little more.

If you are looking for a "small group" tour they can be as pricey as many others, but if you take their "classic" tours where you will often be travelling with 35-50 others, they are generally good value and consistently good guides.

Guests are usually middle-aged to pensioners.

(BTW: Touring Morocco is on my list for March 2020 and I also have been looking at options from a number of companies - all of them under $300 per day)

 

[cgichard]

n7of9: I made the point about walking because, sadly, at 79 I can no longer manage the walking and cycling holidys I used to do in Europe. Yet I do prefer country to cities so that is difficult to arrange solo as a non-driver.

I really enjoyed the Kudu trips that I've done in the Cévennes and in Georgia, and my trip to Morocco was similar to the latter in that we stayed 2-3 days in each place, walking out each day into the countryside including the North Sahara and the Middle Atlas, but with a day or two in Marrakesh at start and end. But it was nearly 20 years ago and I have no record of what company it was with (Headwater, possibly, but I don't think they go there any more).

I just looked up Headwater and found myself here with several Moroco offerings, including a Cox & Kings for solo travellers, but I'd be very wary of them at the moment

Cox & Kings faces cash crunch, cancels Europe tours; panic among employees

Business Standard (India) 3 October.

 

[Ric]

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't Luxury Escapes owned by Gate 1?

 

[n7of9]

all of them under $300 per day

That's exactly what I'd like to avoid, but I'm finding the next step up is $800+. I'm trying to find a middle ground. I'll check out Gate1, thanks so much.

 

[p--and--t]

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't Luxury Escapes owned by Gate 1?

As far as I am aware, Gate1 is a US company. Luxury Escapes is an Aussie Company.

The small group product of Gate1 is Discovery Tours

I just realised Gate1 has a set of "Luxury" tours as well - gate1travel.com.au/ deluxe-tours /2020/deluxe-morocco-10ddlxma20.aspx

Their "regular" tour to Morocco uses a 5* hotel in Rabat called Le Diwan and Marriott's and Meridien's etc (which is the one that I am most likely to take - 13D)

 

[p--and--t]

I'm a single female who travels alone, I don't think I'd enjoy a one-on-one multi day trip with my new best friend local guide, Mohammed, just him and I traveling the countryside taking pictures of sunsets and shopping for scarves

From various accounts, a single female travelling alone in Morocco is not advised.

Not been there yet and not female so obviously I am speaking from ignorance on the subject.

 

[RooFlyer]

From various accounts, a single female travelling alone in Morocco is not advised.

I've visited 3 times and never gained that impression, including from single female travelers there. I'm not one though.

 

[Ric]

As far as I am aware, Gate1 is a US company. Luxury Escapes is an Aussie Company.

The small group product of Gate1 is Discovery Tours

I just realised Gate1 has a set of "Luxury" tours as well - gate1travel.com.au/ deluxe-tours /2020/deluxe-morocco-10ddlxma20.aspx

Their "regular" tour to Morocco uses a 5* hotel in Rabat called Le Diwan and Marriott's and Meridien's etc (which is the one that I am most likely to take - 13D)

I think I got confused by Luxury Escapes selling Gate 1's products?

 

[n7of9]

I just realised Gate1 has a set of "Luxury" tours as well - gate1travel.com.au/ deluxe-tours /2020/deluxe-morocco-10ddlxma20.aspx

I did see that deluxe tour but it doesn't go into the desert and I think I'd really like to. I've spent a few days in Wadi Rum in Jordan and it was quite special.

I like this one, I've sent them a question about the accommodations: Majestic Morocco

From various accounts, a single female travelling alone in Morocco is not advised.

That's why I always travel in tour groups especially in non-Englisg speaking countries

 

[cgichard]

Did you look at Kudu Many more meals included and about the same price.

 

[jeng]

Have you looked at Two's A Crowd? Australian company that do tours for solo travellers. You get your own room all the time and are never asked to share!! I have been on several tours with them and have always found them great for the price charged. The hotels we stayed in have always been good. They have a trip to Morocco Morocco (April 2020) |

PS I am not affilated with this company - I am just a happy customer

 

[n7of9]

Have you looked at Two's A Crowd?

Thanks so much, will look now.

 

[p--and--t]

Gate1 Australia reduced their 13D Morocco tours by $300pp today until end of month. Discount code DLKMRC300A .

Yay - I've booked