If you find the idea of crowding onto coaches or following a guide while holding an umbrella unappealing, a small group adventure tour is most definitely for you. In fact, we believe that travelling in a small group has a lot of undiscovered advantages. In this blog we talk about 5 of its advantages.
First of all, check our website specialised in small group tours!1. Shrinking footprints
Small groups naturally reduce the pollution, harm to flora and fauna, and other ecological problems rather than inundating a community at once with tourists.
The imprints of their trips are being tracked and countered by a number of businesses. The bulk of emissions produced by travel, lodging, and garbage are meticulously measured and offset through a partnership between Intrepid Travel and Carbon Trade Exchange.
In order to urge travellers to be mindful of the effects and impressions they leave on local people and habitats, the majority of ethical small group tour operators include some kind of pre-trip education.
These recommendations typically follow the UNWTO Ethical Traveller Guidelines and provide suggestions like «learn a few local words» and «take nothing except pictures… but ask permission beforehand.»
2. Impact travel
Genuinely devoted tour operators of small groups are not only concerned with limiting unwanted outcomes.
Travel agencies increasingly feel it is their duty to use tourism as a vehicle to foster mutual value exchange by strengthening the communities they visit.
As a starting point, ethical overland tour operators of small groups will try to boost the local economy by, whenever possible, making purchases at locally owned eateries and lodging. They will also try to find reasonable local guides to employ.
A number of well-known businesses have even established foundations with the sole objective of empowering local communities all over the world by assisting with the development of interventions to address regional issues or supporting already-existing social enterprises.
National Geographic is popularising their own travel method known as «geotourism,» which they consider to be a pioneer and inspiration for eco-friendly travel.
National Geographic webGeotourism is defined as «tourism that sustains or enriches the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its population» by Jonathan Tourtellot, the founder of the National Geographic’s Centre for Sustainable Destinations (CSD).
3. Enjoy the experience as if you were a local
Throughout the course of your small tour, you’ll come face to face with fascinating cultures, customs and wildlife, as well as staying in local accommodation, which is an integral part of any adventure.
Depending on where you stay, that could mean camping, small hotels/pensions, maybe even a yur. You’ll also be travelling by local transport which is another opportunity to meet local people and gain real insight into the country you’re visiting.
4. Be more adventurous
If you want to travel independently but are short on time and want to do more than just the bare minimum of planning, taking a tour is like autonomous travel without the stress.
Along with the famous landmarks, your tour guide of a small group will lead you off the main path to see authentic local culture and find hidden locations undiscovered by tourists.
You won’t have to wait in line for bus tickets or haggle over the price of lodging because the logistics will be handled for you, allowing you to spend more time seeing the area.
5. Learn more from your experienced guide
A knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guide of a small tickets is frequently what distinguishes a good tour from a great tour.
Your knowledgeable, local tour guide of small groups will handle all the time-consuming tasks like purchasing train tickets and arranging for national park permits in addition to serving as an invaluable resource for information on the area’s history, culture, and tourist attractions.