The Most Amazing Kayaking Experiences With Culture Trip
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Looking for the most beautiful kayaking spots in the world? Paddle away with these Culture Trips that feature kayak experiences you’ll never forget.
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Paddle with penguins in South Africa
Simons Town is most famous for one thing – it’s waddling inhabitants. This gorgeous coastal town, not far from the Cape of Good Hope, is the lunchtime stop on day three of our epic 11-day Garden Route tour of South Africa. There’ll be plenty of time to lunch here, before you have the opportunity to join an optional kayaking session on the calm waters of the town’s bay. The beach will be crowded with African penguins, and these adorable little creatures can be very friendly. You might even have one hop onboard your kayak when you’re out in the waters, and either way you’ll be treated to lovely coastal views on the Western Cape.
From US$2129
Next available from 2nd Dec 2023
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cape Town, South Africa
ENDS AT
Cape Town, South Africa
DURATION
11
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Explore Khao Sok Lake in Southern Thailand
Our 11-day retreat in Southern Thailand is full of water-based activities across the regions lakes, bays, beaches and islands. That starts when we reach Khao Sok Lake, where you’ll be spending the night in a charming floating raft house. You’ll have a little porch to yourself that offers easy access to the lake’s waters and, if you don’t fancy swimming, you’ll have free access to a kayak of your own, so you can head out to explore epic limestone karsts up close. On day four there’ll be more kayaking time, as we head to Bor Thor mangrove forest, where you’ll hop into a kayak and paddle gentle through the overgrown water forest, discovering caves along the way that feature drawings dating back at least 3,000 years.
From US$1657
Next available from 19th Dec 2023
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
ENDS AT
Phuket, Thailand
DURATION
11
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Cross colourful crater lakes in the Azores
This unique volcanic archipelago, far off the coast of Portugal, is like one big adventure playground for lovers of the great outdoors. There’ll be time for canyoning, swimming, hiking and cycling, but arguably the highlight of this trip comes at Sete Cidades crater lakes. These twin lakes were both formed by a volcano, one is affectionately known as Green Lake, the other as Blue Lake – no prizes for guessing why. The surrounding area is covered in flourishing vegetation, which we’ll explore by 4×4, before cycling around the lakes themselves. The best bit, without doubt, is actually getting out onto the vibrantly coloured waters, which you’ll have the chance to do as we spend an afternoon paddling about in the Azores.
From US$1386
Next available from 29th Mar 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Ponta Delgada, Portugal
ENDS AT
Ponta Delgada, Portugal
DURATION
6
GROUP SIZE
8
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Paddle down the Nile in Egypt
Egypt doesn’t jump out to most people as an obvious kayaking destination. You come here more for the ancient wonders and bustling city bazaars, right? Well, don’t forget that this North African nation is also home to one of our greatest natural wonders, the Nile, which most of this country and its most famous sights were originally built around. Now paddling down the world’s largest river sounds daunting but, trust us, it isn’t. It’s actually the main activity on the last full day of our nine-day Ultimate Egypt tour, when you and the group will hop into a kayak and go exploring the waters around Aswan, getting up close to some of the islands here, which include Elephantine and Philae.
From US$2116
Next available from 11th Jan 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cairo, Egypt
ENDS AT
Aswan, Egypt
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Discover true serenity on Lake Atitlan
Guatemala is most notable for three things – a rich Mayan history, the gorgeous town of Antigua and the epic sight of Atitlan volcano. We’ll explore all three on this five-day trip, which ends with an exploration of the serene crater lake formed by its namesake volcano, high in the Sierra Madre mountain range. We’ll take kayaks out onto the lake to enjoy stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains, dominated by Atitlan itself. It’s a truly majestic spectacle, made even more surreal by the fact you’re floating atop Central Americas deepest lake – maybe don’t think about that too much, but there will be around 340m (1,120ft) of water below you, so try not to capsize!
From US$934
Next available from 24th Jan 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Guatemala City, Guatemala
ENDS AT
Guatemala City, Guatemala
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Culture
Paddle past sea lions and sharks in the Galapagos
The Galapagos, made a household name by Charles Darwin and giant tortoises, are a remarkably biodiverse set of islands off the coast of Ecuador. A visit here promises countless encounters with the world’s most exotic creatures, as well as a range of adventurous activities on land and sea. On this trip we’ll hike, go on a boat tour, swim, snorkel and paddleboard our way around the islands, spotting iguanas, penguins, tortoises and rare birds along the way. On our very first day in the Galapagos we’ll head out onto the Itabaca Channel, which separates the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz, on kayaks. As you paddle along the coastline keep an eye out for unique creatures back on the land, on the ocean surface and below the water – you might even see some white-tipped reef sharks, but don’t worry, these ones are harmless to humans.
From US$1869
Next available from 6th Jan 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
ENDS AT
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Head downstream on Nam Song River in Laos
You’ll have to wait a little while before getting into a kayak on our two-week Rail Trip extravaganza from Thailand to Laos. Before that you’ll be using trains, bamboo rafts and a river cruiser to explore ancient ruins, elephant sanctuaries and rural Mekong villages. Having discovered Chiang Mai, the jungles of Northern Thailand, the winding streams of the Mekong and the spectacular Kuang Si Falls, you’ll hop on a high-speed train to Vang Vieng. On day 11 you’ll finally have the chance to go kayaking on the Nam Song. The river flows through the centre of town and passes through a landscape characterised by towering limestone karsts cloaked in dense foliage. You’ll pass green-carpeted crop fields, locals doing their laundry on the rocky banks and shack-like bars that have opened up and down the river to serve cold beers to sun-kissed day-trippers – now that’s quite the angle to see rural Laos life first-hand.
From US$1957
Next available from 2nd Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
ENDS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
DURATION
14
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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