For over five decades, VBT and Country Walkers have led guests to explore the world through active adventures and cultural connection. Now, we’re taking everything we’ve learned—our award-winning expertise, trusted local leaders, and seamless travel packages— and channeling it into something entirely new: Discovery vacations.
Think home-hosted meals, markets buzzing with life, and moments that open doors to a culture’s heart. It’s travel re-imagined—crafted with the same quality you trust, designed for curious explorers like you.
Stay tuned! Discovery tours and our new online experience will be available by early 2026—sign up now to be the first to know when they’re ready!
Warmly,
Timo Shaw, President VBT | Country Walkers
Small-Group Cultural Experiences for Active Minds
Discovery is our newest style of travel—immersive, hands-on, locally led, and low-impact by design. It opens doors to destinations we could never reach with biking or walking routes alone, from the Nile to the outback. Now, nothing is off the map.
→ More Hands-On Experiences. Culture isn’t something you see—it’s something you do. From cooking with locals to exploring vibrant markets, every moment is immersive.
→ More Local Insight. Each itinerary is shaped by the people who live there, ensuring you experience their culture as they want it shared.
→ More Opportunities to Make It Yours. Built-in unscheduled time gives you freedom to follow your own path, with expert suggestions always close at hand.
→ Low Impact, High Immersion. Stimulate your heart and mind without pushing your physical limits— travel that’s engaging, authentic, and welcoming.
→ Everything You Expect from VBT | Country Walkers. We crafted these itineraries with all the hallmarks that have led guests to trust us for over 50 years—from seamless Tour + Travel Packages to unforgettable included meals.
The Thrill of Discovery— Every Day.
Everywhere you go, moments unfold that are authentic, low-impact, and unforgettable— crafted by locals, enriched by tradition, and shaped by VBT and Country Walkers’ years of expertise. Discovery isn’t sightseeing. It’s living the culture.
In India, you might tie a colorful turban before joining a family in their kitchen, stirring fragrant curries while laughter fills the air.
Australia invites you to sail the Great Barrier Reef with a marine biologist or stand in awe before Uluru as the desert sky turns crimson.
In Egypt, picture waving at passing boats as you glide down the Nile on a private dahabiya, stopping in quiet riverside villages and watching the Karnak Temple come alive at sunrise before the crowds arrive.
In Colombia, ride through Bogotá’s bustling streets with a local guide who reveals hidden gems only residents know.
Don’t stop discovering.
We’re designing a new collection of Extra Experiences to complement your Discovery tour—like stargazing in Jordan or tasting your way through New Zealand’s wine country. More details will be available soon, but each will include elegant stays, meals, and more meaningful exploration.
Don’t Miss the Launch! Join the Waitlist Now →
Egypt Discovery Tour to Cairo, Luxor & the Nile
Experience the architectural wonders of Egypt the way they’re meant to be seen: without the crowds. We’ve designed this unique Nile River adventure to include a traditional Egyptian dahabiya rather than a cruise ship. This small, private vessel has a flexible timetable—so you’ll explore fascinating archeological sites at sunrise and sunset when the crowds are at their thinnest—and other marvels the crowds never even reach. Meet a camel merchant and his animal companions, visit a family’s home where you’ll enjoy fresh bread baked in their wood-fired oven, and ride a rickshaw to an outdoor market known only to locals. As your nimble dahabiya glides into small island ports along the way, your local Trip Leader, a trained Egyptologist, introduces you to authentic daily life on the Nile.
Departure Months: Feb, Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov
Don’t Miss the Launch! Join the Waitlist Now →
Australia Discovery Tour with Uluru & the Great Barrier Reef
Few Australia vacations focus on cross-cultural discovery with an eco-friendly twist, making this adventure a rare gem. Cruise the Great Barrier Reef on a sailing catamaran—preserving the fragile ecosystem as a local marine biologist guides your discovery. Visit an indigenous artist enclave, where you’ll learn the fine art of traditional dot painting—a technique used by locals to protect their sacred traditions. Experience a stunning sunset dinner at Uluru, where the Field of Light art installation highlights the mesmerizing red glow of the sandstone monolith. Explore the Daintree rainforest with a local indigenous guide and enjoy a traditional bush tucker lunch. In sophisticated Sydney, you’ll visit the Opera House, explore Bondi Beach and meet some of their famous Life Savers, and take a scenic bushwalk just outside the city, led by a local guide.
Departure Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
Don’t Miss the Launch! Join the Waitlist Now →
India Discovery Tour to Jaipur, Udaipur & Agra
While many tours of India focus only on major sights, we’ve designed this journey to take you further. Ride a camel cart through the golden sands of the Thar Desert, returning to your oasis for music and dance beneath the stars. Explore Jodhpur’s brilliant blue streets, then practice yoga with an Indian yogi who shares meditation techniques and ancient asanas. In Ranthambore National Park, search for the orange flash of tigers and meet a nonprofit working to protect them. Head to Jaipur to meet a local businesswoman and ride in her rickshaw, then marvel at the jewel-like shimmer of the Taj Mahal. Throughout, your Indian Trip Leader reveals the vibrant contrasts and authentic colors of India known only to locals.
Departure Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Don’t Miss the Launch! Join the Waitlist Now →
Patagonia Discovery Tour with Torres del Paine
We’ve designed an itinerary that contrasts the sophistication of Argentina’s cities with the raw beauty of Patagonia. Begin in Buenos Aires, where vibrant art, Michelin-starred dining, and lively milongas invite you to tango the night away. Then venture south to soaring peaks and turquoise lakes, with the chance to walk along the icy blue Perito Moreno Glacier. Across windswept steppes, meet gauchos and share an authentic estancia lunch. Explore the prehistoric Midolon Caves and marvel at Torres del Paine’s granite towers on a scenic walk and picnic. Sample vintages in Chile’s Maipo Valley, then try your hand at pottery in a local artisan’s studio. Conclude in Santiago, exploring colorful shops, leafy parks, and architectural gems framed by the Andes.
Departure Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
Don’t Miss the Launch! Join the Waitlist Now →
Colombia Discovery Tour to Medellín & the Cocora Valley
Explore Colombia’s rich traditions as you meet families and farmers along the way. Visit a cacao plantation to discover the aromatic beans behind fine chocolate. In the Cocora Valley, marvel at the soaring wax palms and help plant one with area farmers. Journey to a coffee estate for a cupping workshop, then wander an orchid garden bursting with color. In Medellín, experience the city’s innovative “green corridors” that cool its vibrant streets. Join a hands-on cooking class in Cartagena to prepare classic Colombian dishes, then travel to a coastal fishing village to connect with a community nonprofit providing education and nutrition for children. Guided by your Colombian Trip Leader, you’ll uncover the authentic contrasts of this country—its flavors, landscapes, and stories destined to stay with you.
Departure Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
More to Discover in 2027
Don’t Miss the Launch! Join the Waitlist Now →
These itineraries are only the beginning.
In 2026, you’ll have the opportunity to reserve seven more extraordinary adventures—each crafted with the same hallmarks of hands-on experiences, comfortable exploration, and insight from those who know their homelands best—for travel beginning in 2027.
Sail through the emerald isles of Indonesia or drift across the turquoise lagoons of Tahiti
Explore the timeless traditions of Japan, the vibrant colors of Morocco, and the sweeping landscapes of Southern Africa. Walk among ancient wonders in Türkiye, or trace the Silk Road through Uzbekistan
Every itinerary is designed to immerse you in culture, connect you with people, and reveal the beauty that lies beyond the expected. Discovery is growing—and the world is waiting.
