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ToursTransformative

Transformative Tours & Trips

493 Transformative trips. Tours from 209 tour companies. 419 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

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493 Trips match your criteria (1 - 20 shown)

Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
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Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

By Intrepid Travel
premier
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Hakone, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Takayama, Tokyo

Highlights

  • Soar high above Lake Ashi and (on a clear day) get a glimpse of glorious Mt Fuji on a ride on the Hakone ropeway.
  • Be impressed by the efficiency and ultra modernity of Japan’s bullet trains as you zip from place to place.
  • Explore traditional Japanese culture in Edo-period Takayama and visit a folk village, tour a 600-year-old market and a enjoy a sake brewery tasting.
  • Visit the Peace Park for moving insight into the devastation of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, then cruise to peaceful Miyajima Island where wild deer roam the streets.
  • Finish your trip with three nights in Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital and home to literally thousands of temples, the Gion District where Geisha entertain the wealthy elite and renowned Kyoto sushi.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."

Trip dates & details
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$7,378
13 days From$5,465

Health Safety +

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Golden Triangle
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Golden Triangle

By SafeHands Travels
none
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Agra, Delhi, Jaipur

Highlights

  • Visit to manufacturing of marble artwork
  • Explore the majestic Qutub Minar
  • Take a visit to Amber fort and palace
  • Visit Abhaneri and Fatehpur Sikri
  • Visit to the Taj Mahal

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, Religious, Transformative, Holy Land

What travelers are saying

"We had a new year family trip to Rajasthan in Dec 2019 with Safehand Travels and the overall experience was amazing. Some key highlights as below: 1. The driver was very jovial and helpful throughout the trip and was driving with all safety. 2. Guides in each city were amazing. Would especially like to callout the Jaisalmer (Mr. Khatri) and Udaipur (cannot recall name) guides for their unique way to present the history to us. 3. Rohit from safehands was always a call away to solve any problem and used to do regular check-ins from his side to ensure that our trip does not have any hiccups. We got a bit late in reaching Jaisalmer sand dunes and missed the evening Camel ride. Rohit helped us to compensate the same with an early morning Jeep safari the next day. 4. Driver was always ready to make minor detours from the charted path to meet any of our immediate needs."

Trip dates & details
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7 days
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All Transformative, expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Transformative

North India Revealed
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North India Revealed

By Intrepid Travel
premier
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Agra, Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Udaipur, Varanasi

Highlights

  • Travel into the Thar Desert, spending a memorable evening eating Rajasthani food under the stars in a camp set among sand dunes.
  • Have your expectations smashed by the spectacular Taj Mahal during a guided tour that illuminates the building’s fascinating back story.
  • Snap incredible photos of the immense Chand Baori, a grand ninth-century stepwell in rural Abhaneri that extends over 20 metres into the earth.
  • Explore the centre of India’s spiritual heart – Varanasi – on a guided walking tour through the alleyways of the Old Town right to the bank of the Ganges.
  • India can be intimidating, but with your local leader there the whole way, you’ll be dodging cows, navigating market stalls, and eating from the best chaat stalls in Delhi in no time.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."

Trip dates & details
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$1,254
22 days From$896

Health Safety +

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Indian Getaway
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Indian Getaway

By Intrepid Travel
premier
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Agra, Amber Fort, Delhi, Jaipur, Taj Mahal, Varanasi

Highlights

  • With so much going on in the chaotic capital of Delhi, a local leader is a must. Get to know the city with your leader helping you navigate.
  • Have your expectations smashed by the spectacular Taj Mahal during a guided tour that illuminates the building’s fascinating back story.
  • Spend sunrise along the holy Ganges River in Varanasi, watching thousands of Hindu pilgrims bathe in the water as the sun soaks everything in warm light.
  • Tordi Garh is a place few travellers get to see, but you’ll stay in this rural Rajasthani village in style during a night at a 16th-century palace.
  • Travelling across India wouldn’t be complete without a journey on a sleeper train. With padded bunks for comfort and vendors selling chai and samosas, it’s a quintessential Indian experience.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."

Trip dates & details
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$923
11 days From$659

Health Safety +

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Cinque Terre Magnifica Hiking Tour
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Cinque Terre Magnifica Hiking Tour

By Tourissimo
none
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Portofino, with its tall colored houses and exclusive small harbor
  • Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino: Villas and Flowers
  • Abbey of San Fruttuoso
  • Oil, pesto, and many other Ligurian delicacies
  • Panoramic wine tasting
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"Great routes, guides, hotels and bikes!"

Trip dates & details
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7 days From$3,995
Price updated 1 year+ ago
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South Africa – Wildlife Conservation Experience
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South Africa – Wildlife Conservation Experience

By Discover Corps
preferred
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Going behind the scenes of the conservation efforts to protect endangered species
  • Visiting an elephant sanctuary to learn about South Africa's gentle giants
  • Tracking the “Big 5” throughout Kruger National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
  • Learning firsthand about wildlife conservation from experts at the country’s largest reserve
  • Reading and playing with disadvantaged children who want to learn English
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Safari, Family Friendly, 50 Plus, Birding, Education / Learning, National Parks, Volunteering & Community Service, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"Our trip started off with a lunch at Maya Gardens. We went to see the poultry in their pens while waiting for lunch, thinking it was a petting zoo. The poor birds did not have water or any indication that they ever had water. One of the turkeys was lying on it's side looking very sick. No one would give them water when I asked them to. The lunch was so awful I did not eat meat for the rest of the trip. I sent a video to Angela Bailey telling her this is not what we want to see when on a conservation trip and she acted like I was lying. Our guides were lazy and not caring about us. They took us to overpriced markets to get fleeced by the sellers there. At the anti-poaching farm tour, we had to walk over a bridge with wires on it, to keep wildlife in. One of our travelers, who was 65 years old, tripped over it and had to go to the hospital. No one warned her about the wires. Then, trying to get off the safari trucks, she was so very very sore and no guides helped her to get out of the truck. Completely appalling. The guides had very poor communication skills that worked for Discover Corps. I was forced to get vaccinated while in Kenya, because the laws changed while we were there. I asked if I could try to get out of the airport first and if I could not then get the vaccine. Discover Corps said "If you choose to do that, you are on your own". The conditions of medical in Kenya is not like the US and it was awful. The airport didn't even ask me for my vaccine card on the way out. DC could have worked with me on trying this first before forcing me to get this vaccine in a poor 3rd world country. Also, my vaccine card had the wrong date of birth and my name did not match what is on my passport. The doctor tried to get me to tip the nurse giving me the vaccine. The guides dropped us off curbside at the airport and left us there to navigate. I will NEVER use this company again. They did not have my back on anything that happened and Angela Bailey never contacted me to follow up about my experience after this trip was over."

Trip dates & details
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10 days From$3,495
Price updated 1 year+ ago
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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 $200 per person per day
From$200per person per day
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Puglia and Matera Magnifica Tour
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Puglia and Matera Magnifica Tour

By Tourissimo
none
Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Two night stay and a walking tour of Matera where they have just filmed the remake of the colossal Ben Hur movie with Morgan Freeman
  • Captivating clusters of conical trulli structures
  • Discover the white-washed town of Ostuni and the beaches near the fishing village of Savelletri
  • Spectacular fields of ancient olive trees
  • Savory cuisine: grilled vegetables, handmade pasta and fresh seafood!
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Culinary & Wine, Cycling & Biking, Local Immersion & Homestays, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"Great routes, guides, hotels and bikes!"

Trip dates & details
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7 days From$4,695
Price updated 1 year+ ago
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Rejuvenating Journey to Himalaya India- Reiki, Yoga & Trekking: A Retreat
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Rejuvenating Journey to Himalaya India- Reiki, Yoga & Trekking: A Retreat

By Evergreen Adventures & Consultancies
none
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Himalayas

Highlights

  • Trek to Lahas Cave
  • Visit H.H. Dalai Lama Temple
  • Practice Reiki & Yoga

Themes

Cultural, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness, Relaxing Retreats, Transformative

Trip dates & details
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6 days From$604
Price was last confirmed this year
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Transformative Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
419  Reviews
Write a review
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Excellent
1,188
Great
316
Average
1
Disappointing
2
Terrible
10
E

Emma

Oct 2015

Written on

Extremely well organised, great mixture between organised

Extremely well organised, great mixture between organised and free time. Great travelling by train

Tour:  Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

J

John

Oct 2015

Written on

The format of the trip enabled two

The format of the trip enabled two significant factors to coincide to make the entire experience overwhelmingly positive. 1. Our trip guide - Yuri Awanohara, made th...

Tour:  Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

F

Fenella

Oct 2015

Written on

Great introduction to the country. Variety of

Great introduction to the country. Variety of activities and all well planned by guide Yuri

Tour:  Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

P

Paul

Sep 2015

Written on

well organised we appreciated not going to the

well organised we appreciated not going to the expensive, flashy and touristy restaurants, which gave us a good varied eating experience good mix of organised and ...

Tour:  Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

T

Tailor made tours of India and Nepal

Apr 2018

Written on

Tours of Kathmandu, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Khimsar, Jodhpur, Udiapur, Marari and all point between.

We spent three weeks touring Nepal and India. We can really recommend Safhands Travel and especially Mr. Rohit. The tour and itinerary suggested by Rohit was excelle...

Tour:  Golden Triangle

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Transformative Tour Selection Trips

  • Transformative travel may sound like a lofty term, but it really is one of the best ways to describe certain tours. Keep an open mind!
  • These kinds of tours are often challenging emotionally. You may find yourself in the midst of poverty, or learn about some devastating effects on local wildlife due to human activity.
  • Discovering and learning about different cultural perspectives is a key component of transformative travel. Ask a lot of questions and listen closely - you may be surprised as your perspective begins to shift.
  • Being out in nature is another key component on transformative tours. Reconnect with your soul on a fundamental level through outdoor meditation and invigorating activity.
  • The world today is very individual focused. Particularly younger people are used to maintaining their own world from their palm - across social media platforms and other apps. Transformative travel will present you with the unique opportunity to challenge this way of life and participate in a community atmosphere off the internet - both with your tour companions and with the people you meet.

Additional details

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