A Steppes group tour is about more than where you go. It’s about who you travel with, who leads the way and what they help you notice along it.
So, we asked the people who know these journeys well: our tour leaders. In their own words, they share what they’re most looking forward to, why these places continue to fascinate them and what they hope Steppes travellers will take from the experience.
Uzbekistan in Winter: Artisans of the Silk Road with Chris Aslan
5-16 December 2026 | From £3,695pp (excluding international flights)
“Uzbekistan is having a moment with its arts scene, textiles, fine dining and boutique hotels all adding to the mosques, mausoleums and madrassahs that have always drawn the crowds. In fact, it’s getting hard to enjoy sights without battling for space.
That’s why I’m so excited to be visiting off-season this December. With crisp, clear weather, our pick of the best boutique hotels and escaping the desert heat, we can enjoy all the breath-taking Silk Road sites, but have them almost to ourselves.” – Chris Aslan, Expert Group Tour Leader
See Uzbekistan without the crowds
Bhutan 4×4 Self-Drive Adventure
27 February – 11 March 2027, 12-25 March 2027 | From £5,695pp (excluding international flights)
“A combination of vertiginous roads, hairpin bends and high mountain passes provided an exciting backdrop to recceing our new Bhutan 4×4 self-drive but it was the warmth of the people we met along the way and the stories they shared that made the most lasting impression.” – Jarrod Kyte, Steppes Travel Product & Impact Director
India: Kings of Tiger Conservation with Julian Matthews
9-22 March 2027 | From £8,295pp (excluding international flights)
“The success of India’s conservation story is not just about preserving landscapes, but the resilience of its people — a resilience that has allowed humans and wildlife to co-exist. This trip celebrates those stories, while learning from the experts who have been at the forefront of the challenges that have defined our national parks today.” – Amit Sankhala, Encounters Asia
Central Anatolia – Hittites, Seljuks and Sufi Traditions with Ian Colvin
22 April – 1 May 2027 | From £3,695pp (excluding international flights)
“I’ve always loved central Anatolia. It’s a region where every stop reveals another layer of history, from some of the world’s earliest settled communities to the Hittites, Byzantines and Seljuks. Cappadocia is my Byzantine happy place, and the journey from the Anatolian highlands through the Taurus Mountains to the Mediterranean is a delight in spring. I’m looking forward to sharing it with fellow enthusiasts. Steppes clients always ask thoughtful questions, and those conversations are one of the real pleasures of leading a tour.” – Ian Colvin, Expert Group Tour Leader
Cruise the Galapagos Islands with Kate Humble
13-22 June 2027 | From £7,250pp (excluding international flights)
“The question I want this trip to answer is ‘what is it like to live & work in one of the most iconic wildlife habitats on earth?’ So it will celebrate both the wildlife of the Galapagos and the people who live alongside it and dedicate their lives to protecting it. It will encapsulate all the things I love about travel: unforgettable wildlife encounters, inspirational people & great stories.” – Kate Humble, Expert Group Tour Leader
Meet the guardians of the Galapagos
Pakistan & Uzbekistan: The Legacy of the Great Game with Sophie Ibbotson
23 September – 10 October 2027 | From £7,395pp (excluding international flights)
“The Great Game is one of the least well understood but most intriguing parts of Britain’s imperial history. Finally, hazardous territories which were long out-of-bounds are open, welcoming foreigners who desire to understand and appreciate, rather than possess, all that they have to offer.” – Sophie Ibbotson, Expert Group Tour Leader
Travel through Imperial history
The Great Congo Basin Expedition
5 December 2027 | Price TBC
Journey into the heart of one of the world’s last great wildernesses on an extraordinary group expedition through the Congo Basin, the second largest forest in the world. Cruise the mighty Congo River and its tributaries, exploring ancient rainforests rich in remarkable wildlife and untouched landscapes. Discover some of the least visited places on Earth, where gorillas, bonobos and forest elephants thrive. If you’re drawn to authentic adventure and in-depth exploration, register your interest to be among the first to hear about this exceptional journey.