There‘s a particular ease to small group travel when it’s done properly.
Many of our trips open doors that are difficult to unlock independently, from areas not easy to reach on your own, to guides impossible to book otherwise, to sights and private places reserved only for the privileged few.
Our small group tours are not about rushing from one highlight to the next but creating shared memories with a handful of like-minded travellers. We’ve asked our experienced team for their top tips on getting the most out of group trips.
Settle In
The first day or two are simply about getting your bearings and it helps to start with a little curiosity rather than a big introduction.
A couple of easy questions, perhaps over lunch in Shanghai’s former French Concession or on your flight from Quito to Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos, can set the tone without turning it into small talk for the sake of it.
Our favourite conversation starters:
- What drew you to this trip?
- What are you hoping to come away with?
You also do not need to be sociable from dawn to dusk to enjoy group trips – some people will be chatty, others will be quieter. The best groups make room for both.
If I had one tip, having been on a number of Steppes group trips, it would be this: go early; spend a couple of days in destination before the others arrive so you feel settled and ready to go for when then they do; nothing builds confidence more than feeling part of the furniture; and stay late: don’t rush home. Stay for a day or two. Decompress. Say a long goodbye before journeying home. Let the memories settle.
– Giles Cross, Director of Marketing
Pace Yourself
The advantage of well-run small group travel is that it’s designed to flow. There’s a plan but there’s also space, with that balance key to making the days feel satisfying rather than relentless.
It helps to keep one or two small personal habits in place during group trips. A short walk before breakfast, a few lines in a notebook at the end of the day, a particular cafe you return to when the timing works. These quiet constants are what ground you in a destination.
If there are optional experiences, choose the ones that match your interests and your energy. Whether it’s sampling fresh Georgian bread in Tbilisi for the foodies, a walking safari in Gorongosa National Park for the explorers or visiting the Antique Bazaar in Baghdad for the culture lovers, small group tours should still feel like your personal trip.
The greatest joy of travelling to India on our Deccan Odyssey private group journey was sharing the experience with our clients. Each of us sees and feels the world through a different lens, creating our own memories. It may be a simple meal or a quiet sense of joy beside a river. These shared encounters are intangible, yet they lie at the heart of what makes group travel so rewarding.
– Sally Walters, Head of Client Services
Share the Moment
Most groups settle into their own rhythm quickly. A little consideration early on tends to pay dividends later, whether that’s a smoother day on the road or a meal where conversation flows more easily.
Some habits that we’ve noticed help group trips run well:
- Being ready at the agreed time
- Keeping luggage and day bags manageable
- Respecting quiet moments, particularly at religious sites and memorials
- Remembering that everyone’s pace changes in heat, humidity or at altitude
On small group tours, little courtesies go a long way. Send across a photo you’ve taken of someone, save a seat during a short stop or point out a detail you’ve noticed in a market. It’s an easy way to be a good travel companion.
It’s great fun to make new associations with others. A small group tour offers a lot of opportunity to find out about other people, their travels and their opinions – and it certainly helps when travellers gel well and get on. The easiest way to do that is to stay curious; sometimes that means asking and listening more. In my experience, the Steppes traveller is a multifaceted, well-travelled, jolly soul with much to give. They’re often just as interesting as the destination you’re travelling through.
– Illona Cross, Africa Specialist
Bring It Home
Good small group travel tends to stay with you for the same reason it works so well: the shared moments, the guiding that adds context in real time, and the conversations with fellow travellers that shift how you understand your destination.
Before the trip ends, ask your guide for one or two follow-ups. It might be a book to read, a film to watch, or something local to try at home, such as a recipe or a piece of music. It’s a simple way to keep the journey alive once you are back.
It’s also worth taking ten minutes on the flight home, or the next morning, to jot down a few lines:
- What surprised you
- What moved you
- What you would do differently next time
- One place you would return to, and why
If you’d like to stay in touch with fellow travellers, keep it simple. Swap details, set up a WhatsApp group if it feels natural, and let it take its own course. Some groups stay connected for years; others fade gently.
I often try to take some time during my travels to stop, to try and identify one thing I will either add to or detract from my life at home. Travelling gives you a sense of distance and perspective which you can apply on your return. A notebook or diary is handy for this; sometimes a note scribbled on the stub or your boarding card will suffice.
– Kate Hitchen, India Specialist
If you’re thinking about joining one of our small group tours, start with what you want more of: wildlife, culture, history, landscapes, or simply the pleasure of travelling with everything taken care of.
Take a look at our group tours calendar to see what’s coming up, then speak to our specialists about finding the right departure for you.
