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Self-guided tours and trips in the United States

Self-Guided Tours

For travellers that want to feel inspired but love their freedom, self-guided tours are the answer. Whether you want to walk the world, bicycle the world or sail it, we bring the map, and you bring your sense of adventure! Learn more about becoming your own tour guide below! 

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What is a Self-Guided Tour?

On a self-guided tour, you'll have everything you need at your fingertips courtesy of detailed trip notes, but with the added freedom to pick and choose what you want to do and when. You could be hiking and trekking, or road-tripping, or city-hopping, all at your own pace with the luxury of knowing a tour operator will have your back whenever you need assistance or advice!
 

And who is it for?

For experienced travellers who are looking for new challenges. If you find yourself a little overwhelmed planning trips or thinking up things to do, a self-guided tour is great! 

For families travelling with children. Kids have their own schedule and travelling as part of a tour group doesn't always align with that. A self-guided tour will give the whole family plenty of options and things to do, without the pressure of having to stick to someone else's schedule. 

For groups of friends who want to enjoy each others company. Travelling with friends is fun, and a self-guided tour will take the hassle of planning away, leaving all of you free to do what you do best: enjoy each other's company! 

Other Ways to Travel

Custom or Tailor-Made Tours
A custom or tailor-made tour is created especially for you. Craft the vacation of your dreams based on what you want to do.
Independent Tours
Independent tours are for travellers that want to go it alone. Do what you want and reach out for support to make it happen!
Self-drive Tours
Self-drive tours put the steering wheel in your hands. Travellers take to the open road with a car and trip notes.
Private Tours
A private tour is a vacation where you get your own vehicle, your own guide and everything to yourself.

Types of Self-Guided Trips

  • Woman hiking up a path towards mountains.

    Self-Guided Walking Tours

    If you love hiking solo but need a little more assistance, self-guided walking holidays are perfect. You'll be free to wander breathtaking landscapes in your own time armed with route information and recommendations. 
    See all self-guided walking tours
  • A man cycling alone on an empty road among hills.

    Self-Guided Cycling Holidays

    Self-guided cycling holidays are a wonderful way to get some much needed me time while being out in nature. Depending on the operator, you'll get maps, GPS equipment, and anything else you need to make sure you get off to a flying start! 
    See all self-guided cycling tours
  • Male tourist enjoying the view of a canal in Venice.

    Self-Guided Cultural Tours

    For an immersive experience that allows you to make the most of your time in a city choose a self-guided cultural tour. Enjoy travelling at your own pace along with the perks of a tour: expert tips and hand-picked accomodation. 
     
    See all self-guided cultural tours

Benefits of Booking a Self-Guided Trip

  • Choose your pace

    Tours are great, but on vacation, sometimes it's just nice to wake-up when you want and be free to make your own decisions. On a self-guided vacation, you get the perks of a multi-day group tour: an expertly planned itinerary but with more flexibility to pick and choose what you want, spend more time somewhere, and never wory about keeping up with the tour group.  

  • Pick your travel buddies

    For some people, travelling with a group of strangers can be intimidating, but travelling solo can feel just as daunting. A lot of people say when you go on a multi-day group tour, you start off as strangers but by the end, it's like travelling with good friends, so don't be put off! If you want to pick your own travel buddies, then a self-guided tour is a great way to make that happen. 

  • Save time on research

    Most people love to travel, but not everyone loves planning their own vacation: finding accommodation, places to eat, things to do, it can all be a little tiresome. Which is why tours are such a great option! Of course, on a self-guided vacation, you get tour operator tips courtesy of their excellent trip notes, and also the opportunity to spend the day however you want. 

  • 24/7 emergency support

    When booking a travel experience, you can't plan for everything, and sometimes things are just not in our control. The unexpected always has a way of happening, and that's exactly what we hope for when travelling, a break from the mundane. For those times when things really get out of hand, even on a self-guided tour, you can rest easy knowing that operator support is just a phone call away. 

     

  • Rely on pre-booked transportation

    Figuring out train schedules and bus schedules on vacation is a hassle and time-consuming. This is why tours usually come with pre-booked transportation. Don't worry though, you'll get all the comfort of detailed information on transport routes, bus and train times on a self-guided tour as well - so you can always be in the right place at the right time!  

     

  • Follow expert advice

    On a self-guided tour, you have the luxury of an expertly crafted itinerary based on years of experience and knowledge of a destination, which will help you make the most of your time and ensure you can travel worry-free. Because of course, the other thing you have at hand is expert support. For example, self-guided walking tours often come with a luggage transport service. 

Best Destinations for a Self-Guided Holiday

Most Popular Self-Guided Adventures

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Self-Guided Tour Reviews

  • Spain - Catalonia Gastronomic Cycling Tour with Pure Adventures

    "(...) The hotels, food, GPS and all personnel were excellent and helpful. We very much loved the places we saw (Ullastret, Empuries, etc). The villages were beautiful and charming. Nora a Terra Bikes and her staff were great and gave an excellent orientation. (...)"  Read more

  • Puglia: Self-Guided Cycling in the Heel of Italy with Exodus Travels

    "A really lovely part of the world and even nicer to see it from a bike! Each hotel base was in an interesting town with plenty to see and lots of great restaurants. Instructions were mostly easy to follow, we only made one mistake! (…)" Read more

  • Salzburg Lake District with The Natural Adventure Company

    "Our Austrian Lake District tour was absolutely fantastic and was the best holiday we have ever have. The hotels were lovely, in great locations and all breakfasts were great. The walk guidebook was really detailed and completely foolproof. Overall, the tour was superb value and we are really excited to book our next trip!" Read more

  • Best of Portugal: Porto, Douro Valley & Lisbon with Flag Travel Holidays

    "This was an excellent tour and highly recommended for others. The itinerary left open time which we filled with additional day tours out of both Porto and Lisbon. The hotels were well located near metros and were nice 4 star accommodations. The itinerary was detailed and well organized with clear instructions. (...)"  Read more

  • Varanasi Independent Adventure with G Adventures

    "I really enjoyed the way that everything is fixed and arranged for you, so that you can just enjoy the experience!" Read more

  • 5-day Kayak & Wild Camp the Archipelago - self-guided with Do The North

    "Absolutely fabulous. I was a bit nervous as not really a camper or canoeer but it was great. Very nice and relaxed guys at Do The North and totally hassle-free kit. Takes no time to pack up the camper before you are off and the kit is of serious quality. Luxury package well worth it (although never used the hammock). Had such a good time we extended our trip by one night. it's beautiful, you are totally alone, swimming in the sea or in little lagoons. Food is really good,(obviously, we are great chefs), fire building is easy. Best holiday ever!"  Read more

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Book your self-guided trip today!

  • Book your self-guided trip today!
  • Book your self-guided trip today!
  • Book your self-guided trip today!

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