The Most Beautiful Sunrises on Earth You Can...

Watching the day’s first light emerge is always an ethereal experience, but spend the break of dawn amid truly special surrounds and you’ll discover a new level of wonderment. Join Culture Trip on one of these small-group adventures and you’ll get to watch the most beautiful sunrises in the world shine right in front of your eyes.

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The Great Wall of China

Your first encounter with the famous Great Wall on our 10-day Icons of China by Train trip will actually be a sunset hike but, having spent the night at a hotel in nearby Badaling, you’ll also have the chance to get up early the next day to see the sun return over one of the world’s most bucket-listed sights. A walk on the wall at any time of day offers incredible viewpoints looking out over the region’s seemingly endless range of lusciously forested peaks, with the old stone structure snaking its way up, down and across the mountains themselves. However, seeing the bright gaze of the sun poking its head above the uneven horizon, while walking along the Wall itself, is a moment you will never ever forget. It’s the majesty of Mother Nature matching, even elevating, the majesty of one of humankind’s greatest architectural achievements.

From US$2137

Next available from 9th Dec 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Beijing, China

ENDS AT

Shanghai, China

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Himalaya hills aerial panoramic view from Sarangkot hill viewpoint in Pokhara city in Nepal at sunrise

The Himalayas, Nepal

It quite literally doesn’t get any bigger than the Himalayas and, as you can imagine, some of the sunrises at the top of the world are extraordinary. One of the most famous sunrise spots in Nepal can be found on Sarangkot Hill, which boasts a stunning panoramic view over the Annapurna Range, part of the Himalayas. That’s exactly where we’ll head early on the fifth day of our All-Action Nepal trip, when you’ll go from half-asleep to astounded in an instant, as the sweeping valleys and snow-capped peaks before you become plunged in hues of red, orange and purple.

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Next available from 1st Jan 1970

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STARTS AT

Kathmandu, Nepal

ENDS AT

Kathmandu, Nepal

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Angkor Wat, Cambodia

We touched on the wondrous blend of human creation and natural splendour with the Great Wall of China, but this concept takes on a whole new level of meaning when the structure in question is a religious site. There is something inherently spiritual about the breaking of dawn, so why not fully embrace that feeling and watch the sun come up over the world’s largest religious structure? This 900 year-old temple complex has a tangible atmosphere. Whether it’s the intricacies of ancient Buddhist designs or the parts of Angkor Wat that have been slowly reclaimed by nature, something in the air makes this place feel as colossal as it looks. We challenge even the staunchest non-believer to remain unmoved by the gentle glow of the morning sun, rising above the temple and shimmering across its surrounding moat, soaking the entire area in an otherworldly reddish tint. That’s what you’ll get to experience on day four of our Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam trip. It’s not an itinerary short of beautiful temples or natural beauty, but it’s hard to argue that anything but an Angkor Wat sunrise will be the highlight of your holiday.

From US$1874

Next available from 14th Jan 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Bangkok, Thailand

ENDS AT

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

DURATION

11

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Flash Sale

Mount Batur, Bali

The main challenge on this list so far has just been getting up early which, guess what, you’re going to have to accept wherever the sunrise. If you really want to ramp up the feeling of reward, however, have we got the experience for you. Bali as a destination is pretty spiritual all over – be it in the ancient temple way or the expat yoga retreat way – but there’s no feeling quite as magical on this island as the feeling you get at the summit of Mount Batur at daybreak. You’ve climbed one of the island’s highest peaks – and an active volcano, for that matter – and now, just as dawn emerges, you get to bask in the beauty of Bali in its finest light. Depending on the weather, you might even find yourself above the clouds, making views across the island even more spectacular. If that isn’t worth a deep, soul-centering breath, we don’t know what is. Join our 12-day Blissful Bali trip and you’ll get to experience the beauty of Batur at sunrise for yourself.

From US$1350

Next available from 7th Oct 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Bali, Indonesia

ENDS AT

Bali, Indonesia

DURATION

12

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Taj Mahal, India

Let’s look at one last religious site before hitting the road. The iconic Taj Mahal, much like Angkor Wat, is best experienced at the break of dawn. Watch the magnificent dome atop India’s most famous attraction turn into a glowing orange orb, watching over the splendid surrounding gardens and pools, with golden light streaming through onto the onlookers below. Again, it’s a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, but visiting the Taj Mahal early also means you get to avoid the masses of crowds who visit this bucket-list classic every single day. Don’t get us wrong, you won’t be alone even at the crack of dawn, but most people aren’t morning people and this is as good as proof as any that the early bird does indeed get the worm. Join us on our 10-day Regal Rajasthan trip and have the most rewarding early start of your entire life.

From US$

Next available from 1st Jan 1970

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Delhi, India

ENDS AT

Udaipur, India

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

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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.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points

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.