North America Small Group Tours & Trips

2,834 North America trips. Tours from 388 tour companies. 3,241 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

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Small Group Tour
Central America in Depth
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Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • This overland adventure allows you to see some of the best of central america in one trip, covering big parts of mexico, belize and guatemala.
  • Eat your way through arty oaxaca. mole, mezcal and chocolate for dinner? delicioso!
  • Escape the mexican heat in san cristobal de las casas. this old-world town is surrounded by ancient tribal villages that still have their traditional customs and roots.
  • Chichen itza is one the new seven wonders of the world and it's not hard to see why – strolling around these ancient mayan ruins feels pretty amazing.
  • Extended time in caye caulker and antigua offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy laid-back island vibes as well as buzzing colonial city life.
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Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"FANTASTIC. Start to finish it is such a fantastic taste of Central America, all the destinations are interesting and you can do as much or as little as you choose."

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Ultimate Alaska Wildlife Safari
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Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Sleep on a private island, set amongst the glaciers, icebergs and marine wildlife of Kenai Fjords National Park
  • Search for bears, wolves and moose with a stay in the heart of Denali National Park
  • Experience close encounters with grizzlies at Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Fantastic holiday in Iceland. Great service, everything running perfectly for us. From flights, car hire, hotel, advanced tickets etc. Well done and thank you."

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Alaska by Water, Land, & Air
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Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Take in the best sites of Southeast Alaska by catamaran, kayak, boat, tram, helicopter, foot, and plane!
  • Enjoy a two-night camping excursion to Chichagof Island to see incredible marine wildlife including humpback whales
  • Take a thrilling helicopter ride, land on a glacier, strap on your crampons, and learn the basics of glacier travel
  • Stay two nights in Glacier Bay National Park and spend a whole day visiting this crown jewel by high-speed catamaran

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"First, let me say our tour guide Tomomi S. is hands down THE best tour guide I’ve ever had - knowledgeable, fun and made great efforts to ensure that we were comfortable and happy (MTSobek tour guides are independent contractors. Tomomi also works for other Adventure/Tour companies) Secondly, Japan is beautiful, clean and the Japanese people are very welcoming. The hiking in the national parks was amazing. It could have been a truly five-star experience if MtSobek had not cut corners so egregiously. The website said (at the time) group tours are 5-22 people. The tour gets canceled if the minimum is not met. When I paid there were TWO other people booked-a mother and daughter duo. Shortly before our departure date I called to see if the tour would be cancelled. I wanted my money back but Mt Sobek was “pleased to say that the trip would not be canceled”. In other words, I could not get a refund. At the last minute a guy named Matt signed up so there were four of us. Five days into the trip Matt left and took a train back to Tokyo. I said to him “You realize Mt Sobek is not going to refund you”. He said, “I don’t care, Mt Sobek scammed us.” With tax, the tour costs $11,645 for 13 nights. For that price there is an expectation that the accommodations Mt Sobek chooses would be decent and clean. We all fully expected a ‘traditional Japanese experience’ which often means no private bath and 8 out of the 13 nights we slept on futon mats on the floor. However, Mt Sobek consistently booked us in the cheapest Ryokans (hotels) in each area in which we travelled. Most of these hotels were unclean and very out-dated. One Ryokan they booked us in was listed on a hotel website for $40 USD/night when there were much nicer accommodations nearby for $100 USD/night. (The Japanese yen is way down, the luxury Park Hotel in Tokyo was $200 USD/night. A comparable hotel would have been about $800/night in Austin.). We were the only people staying in several hotels that accomadated many more people. The most egregious example of MtSobek’s booking the cheapest rooms is when we were booked at a large traditional ski lodge at the base of a spectacular mountain. It was beautiful on the website but had two very different wings. One wing was modern, clean and beautiful with simple beds. The other wing was very old (similar to a cheap Motel 6 that had not been updated since the 1970’s). The carpet and bathrooms were disgusting and like many of the Ryocans where we stayed the futon mats seemed as though they had not been cleaned In 30 years. Only after our tour guide checked us in did we realize we had been booked in the cheap rooms. I asked Tomo why. Immediately someone from MtSobek reached out to me and said, “gosh, I’m sorry you did not realize you were going to have a traditional Japanese experience”. Really? “Traditional” experience depends upon one’s budget. In the US, “traditional” to some people may be the Marriott, a Motel 6 or the Four Seasons Hotels. We were paying for a Marriott experience and received the one-star Motel 6 experience. Upon arrival in Tokyo I expected to be met at the airport by a driver (as many tour companies do). However, several days before our arrival dates in Tokyo, MtSobek sent an email telling us how to locate taking a city bus from the bustling Tokyo airport. That is interesting if you do not speak Japanese. MtSobek cleverly uses great photography and elaborate descriptions of the national parks and the hiking while using terms like “traditional Japanese experience with tatami-mat sleeping” to disguise sub-standard accommodations. At one point we were looking on-line at the very hotel where we were staying and did not even recognize it from the website pictures. The hiking was amazing. The group size was disappointing with just the three of us. I would absolutely recommend a hiking tour through Japan, just not with MtSobek."

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Custom Designed Trip
Lodging level
lodgingLevelName
Physical level
N/A

Highlights

  • Fully customized trip based on preferences
  • Matched with a local specialist
  • From $150 per person per day
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Canada: Across Ontario & Quebec Tour
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Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Take a boat to nearby islands to see the beautiful skyline of Toronto.
  • Get captivated by powerful Niagara Waterfalls.
  • Discover the rich architectural heritage of Ottawa – Canada’s political capital.
  • See numerous worn-down tops of ancient mountains in the Thousand Islands National Park.
  • Get lost in medieval streets of Quebec City’s UNESCO-listed historic center.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"I went on a private 3-day tour of Mexico City with Vibe Adventures and our guide, Jorge, and it was absolutely amazing! The tour took us to the national anthropology museum, the historic center, Xochimilco, Coyoacan and its Frida Kahlo museum, and the incredible Teotihuacan ruins. Jorge was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Mexican history and culture, which made the tour even more interesting. Visiting the National Anthropology Museum was a highlight, as we got to see artifacts from ancient civilizations. Exploring the historic center, Xochimilco, and Coyoacan allowed us to experience the city's vibrant culture and beautiful surroundings. The trip to the Teotihuacan ruins was breathtaking, and Jorge's explanations made it easy to understand the significance of this ancient site."

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Friendly Whales & Ancient Paintings of Baja
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Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Enjoy Loreto
  • Relax at our coastal campsite in San Ignacio
  • Visit the prehistoric cave paintings and rock art near Mulege
  • Visit Cueva de la Soledad

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking, Birding, National Parks, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

"When my partner and I went on a whale watching trip with Sea Kayak Adventures five years ago, we concluded that it was one of the best things we had ever done - especially the encounters with the grey whales in Magdalena Bay. I decided that I wanted an excuse to visit the whales again and I found this in a plan to go back with my family so that we could introduce them to my family and share their joy in this trip. As always, when organising such a treat, I was desperate that it would be as good a second time. I need not have worried, under the expert guidance of Monica (who amazingly had been a guide on our first trip) and Fabian our family group were wowed by whales that swam close, sky-hopped, breached and swam to our boat, rubbed against it, looked us in the eye mammal-to-mammal and then let us rub their skin. Wow oh wow! My niece even discovered that one whale had shared two of its sealice with her! Simply amazing and thanks to Monica and Fabian for sharing their knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise with us, and to Vicky for the excellent food."

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Alaska Wildlife Explorer
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Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Explore Southeast’s Alaska’s largest protected wildlife habitats, Glacier Bay National Park and the Tongass National Forest, with the pioneers in adventure travel
  • Watch for humpback whales, porpoises, sea lions, sea otters, seals, and a variety of sea birds at Point Adolphus and have your camera poised and ready for bald eagles, bears, and moose in the Tongass!
  • Visit the remote Anan Bear Observatory and witness the rare spectacle of brown and black bears coming together at the river to fish for salmon
  • Ride a catamaran, a tram, and bush planes through pristine wilderness

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"First, let me say our tour guide Tomomi S. is hands down THE best tour guide I’ve ever had - knowledgeable, fun and made great efforts to ensure that we were comfortable and happy (MTSobek tour guides are independent contractors. Tomomi also works for other Adventure/Tour companies) Secondly, Japan is beautiful, clean and the Japanese people are very welcoming. The hiking in the national parks was amazing. It could have been a truly five-star experience if MtSobek had not cut corners so egregiously. The website said (at the time) group tours are 5-22 people. The tour gets canceled if the minimum is not met. When I paid there were TWO other people booked-a mother and daughter duo. Shortly before our departure date I called to see if the tour would be cancelled. I wanted my money back but Mt Sobek was “pleased to say that the trip would not be canceled”. In other words, I could not get a refund. At the last minute a guy named Matt signed up so there were four of us. Five days into the trip Matt left and took a train back to Tokyo. I said to him “You realize Mt Sobek is not going to refund you”. He said, “I don’t care, Mt Sobek scammed us.” With tax, the tour costs $11,645 for 13 nights. For that price there is an expectation that the accommodations Mt Sobek chooses would be decent and clean. We all fully expected a ‘traditional Japanese experience’ which often means no private bath and 8 out of the 13 nights we slept on futon mats on the floor. However, Mt Sobek consistently booked us in the cheapest Ryokans (hotels) in each area in which we travelled. Most of these hotels were unclean and very out-dated. One Ryokan they booked us in was listed on a hotel website for $40 USD/night when there were much nicer accommodations nearby for $100 USD/night. (The Japanese yen is way down, the luxury Park Hotel in Tokyo was $200 USD/night. A comparable hotel would have been about $800/night in Austin.). We were the only people staying in several hotels that accomadated many more people. The most egregious example of MtSobek’s booking the cheapest rooms is when we were booked at a large traditional ski lodge at the base of a spectacular mountain. It was beautiful on the website but had two very different wings. One wing was modern, clean and beautiful with simple beds. The other wing was very old (similar to a cheap Motel 6 that had not been updated since the 1970’s). The carpet and bathrooms were disgusting and like many of the Ryocans where we stayed the futon mats seemed as though they had not been cleaned In 30 years. Only after our tour guide checked us in did we realize we had been booked in the cheap rooms. I asked Tomo why. Immediately someone from MtSobek reached out to me and said, “gosh, I’m sorry you did not realize you were going to have a traditional Japanese experience”. Really? “Traditional” experience depends upon one’s budget. In the US, “traditional” to some people may be the Marriott, a Motel 6 or the Four Seasons Hotels. We were paying for a Marriott experience and received the one-star Motel 6 experience. Upon arrival in Tokyo I expected to be met at the airport by a driver (as many tour companies do). However, several days before our arrival dates in Tokyo, MtSobek sent an email telling us how to locate taking a city bus from the bustling Tokyo airport. That is interesting if you do not speak Japanese. MtSobek cleverly uses great photography and elaborate descriptions of the national parks and the hiking while using terms like “traditional Japanese experience with tatami-mat sleeping” to disguise sub-standard accommodations. At one point we were looking on-line at the very hotel where we were staying and did not even recognize it from the website pictures. The hiking was amazing. The group size was disappointing with just the three of us. I would absolutely recommend a hiking tour through Japan, just not with MtSobek."

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Day of the Dead Oaxaca
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Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Party it up with the locals and discover why the dead are the life of the party.
  • The mayan people and their culture are far from extinct! visit the san juan chamula church and see it for yourself.
  • Relax in the brilliant azure waters of the caribbean, swimming with sea turtles and exploring underground caves.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"FANTASTIC. Start to finish it is such a fantastic taste of Central America, all the destinations are interesting and you can do as much or as little as you choose."

Trip dates & details
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Waterfalls, Mountains & Sea
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Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Get to know Mexico City – the largest city in Latin America and a world-class cultural hub.
  • See fearsome 4.5m-high stone warrior figures in Tula Archeological Zone.
  • Relax in Grutas de Tolantongo – a collection of hot spring pools built into a cliff in a picturesque canyon.
  • Visit impressive waterfalls in Huasteca Potosina.
  • See original UNESCO-listed voladores (“flyers”) dance in Papantla.
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"I went on a private 3-day tour of Mexico City with Vibe Adventures and our guide, Jorge, and it was absolutely amazing! The tour took us to the national anthropology museum, the historic center, Xochimilco, Coyoacan and its Frida Kahlo museum, and the incredible Teotihuacan ruins. Jorge was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Mexican history and culture, which made the tour even more interesting. Visiting the National Anthropology Museum was a highlight, as we got to see artifacts from ancient civilizations. Exploring the historic center, Xochimilco, and Coyoacan allowed us to experience the city's vibrant culture and beautiful surroundings. The trip to the Teotihuacan ruins was breathtaking, and Jorge's explanations made it easy to understand the significance of this ancient site."

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986 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Group Tour

North America Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
3,241  Reviews
See all North America tour reviews
Excellent
1,471
Great
457
Average
73
Disappointing
24
Terrible
13
I

Ida

Oct 2015

Written on

A great variety of experiences (learning about

A great variety of experiences (learning about culture, but also being in nature and doing some more physically challenging activities). Great tour leader and great ...

B

Begum

Oct 2015

Written on

I love our tour leader Edith and

I love our tour leader Edith and the support we got from her was excellent!

P

Paul

Sep 2015

Written on

I felt we covered a lot in

I felt we covered a lot in a short time and there was a flexible app...

g

geraint

Sep 2015

Written on

Great country, people, food and quality of

Great country, people, food and quality of the trip & leader

X

Xiao

Sep 2015

Written on

I thoroughly enjoyed my Intrepid tour and

I thoroughly enjoyed my Intrepid tour and all the optional activities on offer. It's great to travel with the comforts of having transport and accommodation already ...

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North America Tour Selection Trips

  • To keep your tour manageable, think regionally: the Northwestern or Southwestern U.S., the Canadian Maritimes, Canadian Rockies, etc.
  • U.S. national parks are some of the finest in the world and a good place to keep tour prices down, especially if you like camping.
  • While most of its citizens live near the U.S. border, Canada is the world’s second largest country, with vast wilderness, mountain and coastal areas awaiting exploration.
  • Greenland, one of the least visited islands in the world, is part of North America, too – and has a fascinating Arctic culture and landscape.
  • Mexico is far more diverse than you might imagine: think Mayan culture vs. modern-day Mexico City, Oaxacan marketplaces vs. Cancun party scene.

Additional details

What Countries are in North America?

North America consists of Canada, Mexico, and the United States (including the Hawaiian Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

What is the best time to visit North America?

The best time to visit North America will vary based on destination. 

Travelers booking a trip to Alaska or northern Canada may want to avoid the cold, dark winters as most guided tours only operate in the warmer months and transportation may be difficult to find. If you are hoping to see the Northern Lights, the “shoulder seasons” of late fall and early spring may be your best bet; the skies will be dark enough to see the beauty of the lights, but the climate won’t be as harsh. 

The best time to visit Mexico is the dry season between December and April. Temperatures are warm enough during this time to enjoy the beach and the sun while avoiding the rainy season of late summer to early fall. Keep in mind that prices peak around the holiday season. 

The southern and eastern regions of the United States can get extremely hot and humid in the summer and freezing in the winter-- avoid weather extremes by visiting in the fall or spring. The Pacific Northwest tends to be warmest and driest during the summer and fall, but don’t be surprised if you encounter rainy skies at any time of year. 

Skiers and snowboarders will naturally want to head to the mountains during winter or early spring when there is enough snow on the peaks. Hikers can avoid snow-covered or muddy trails during winter by visiting in the late summer or fall. 

Safety tips for traveling in North America

North America is generally considered a safe place to travel, although there is crime in the big cities and in some areas of Mexico. Of course, it is important to use common sense and be aware of your surroundings when traveling to any new place. 

Safety tips for traveling in North America:

  • Watch out for pickpockets. Keep your phone, wallet, and other valuables close and out of sight.
  • Don’t carry large sums of cash.
  • Use certified taxicab companies to avoid being ripped off.
  • Ask your tour guide or hotel staff about areas to avoid. 
  • When around wildlife, never get too close. Most national and state parks provide instructions online or at visitor centers on what to do if you encounter wildlife.
  • If you will be driving a car in an unfamiliar country, get familiar with the driving laws and customs of the country to avoid accidents and traffic stops.
  • When traveling alone, give a friend or family member a copy of your itinerary and don’t mention to any strangers that you are alone.

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