What do the chirps of a Costa Rican tree frog, the thunderous roar of Iceland's Dettifoss waterfall, and the echoes rebounding from the walls of Norway's fjords have in common? They're all part of the great song of nature – what some might term "the call of the wild."
For travelers drawn to answering this call and exploring the great outdoors, the list of destinations is nearly endless. That's why we offer a wide range of small group tours that are perfect for outdoorsy travelers. Scroll down for 14 of our top picks.
Odysseys guests exploring 200-foot-tall Skógafoss, one of Iceland's largest waterfalls
Iceland’s dramatic, geothermally active landscape is so unique that it looks like it could be from a different planet. Situated just south of the Arctic Circle, this tiny island nation is home to enormous glaciers, cascading waterfalls, bubbling mud holes, smoking volcanoes, abundant wildlife, striking black-sand beaches, and more – offering seemingly limitless opportunities for exploration on our Exploring Iceland small group tour.
Patagonia Explorer & Patagonian Frontiers
Odysseys guests aboard a Zodiac, heading for a close-up glacier encounter in Patagonia
Encompassing parts of Chile and Argentina on the southern tip of South America, Patagonia reigns as one of the last great vestiges of truly unspoiled wilderness on earth. Here, soaring mountains and vast grasslands give way to dramatic fjords, turquoise lakes, and imposing glaciers, while endemic wildlife roam unbothered. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike, cruise, and walk through Patagonia on our two distinct tours here: Patagonia Explorer, a 14-day land-only sojourn, and Patagonian Frontiers, a 15-day exploration by land and sea.
Odysseys guests admiring the majesty of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
America’s 49th state is home to endless swaths of rugged, largely undeveloped wilderness that make for an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. On Alaska’s Untamed Wilderness, our small group embarks on a glacier and wildlife cruise, hikes to Root Glacier, explores three national parks (Denali, Kenai Fjords, and Wrangell-St. Elias), visits an Iditarod sled dog kennel, and so much more.
Norway's breathtaking Geirangerfjord
Scandinavia is renowned the world over for its natural beauty – particularly when it comes to the Norwegian fjords – and after visiting the region for yourself, you’ll see why. Guests on our Norwegian Splendor small group tour experience this land’s many wonders firsthand as they ferry across stunning Geirangerfjord (above), embark on a memorable train ride through the 2,900-foot-deep Flåm Valley, and view Norway’s “most beautiful” waterfall of Voeringfoss, among other natural excursions.
National Parks of the Southwest
Odysseys guests exploring Bryce Canyon National Park and its famous hoodoos
The wide open spaces of the American Southwest have long been the stuff of legends. From the red-rock landscape of Sedona to the unique rock formations of Bryce Canyon to the sheer majesty of the Grand Canyon, it’s easy to see why so many outdoors enthusiasts hold the region in such high esteem. We explore all of these destinations and more on our National Parks of the Southwest small group tour.
This tour offers an optional pre-tour excursion to Tortuguero National Park, where we engage in two boat safaris
Costa Rica might be smaller than West Virginia, but it makes up for its size with stunning biodiversity. On our Costa Rica’s Natural Heritage small group tour, guests admire the flora and fauna at Monteverde’s biological reserve, walk through the jungle along the Arenal hanging bridges, take a float safari along the Tempisque River, and more.
Alpine Splendor & Majestic Switzerland
Looking over the Swiss Alps from Gornergrat, just outside of Zermatt
With stunning natural beauty around virtually every corner, it’s no wonder the Alps have served as the backdrop for so many films, television shows, and novels, from The Sound of Music to Heidi to several installments of the James Bond franchise. Odysseys Unlimited offers two distinct tours for adventurers drawn to this dramatic region: 14-day Alpine Splendor, which includes a private cruise on Lake Lugano, a cogwheel train ride to Mt. Pilatus, and more, and 13-day Majestic Switzerland, complete with a Lake Como boat excursion, a gentle 2-mile hike through postcard-worthy Lauterbrunnen valley, and more.
Scenic Doubtful Sound, which we explore via catamaran on Day 14
New Zealand is known the world over as a dream destination for outdoorsy travelers thanks to its high concentration of rainforests, glaciers, mountains, fjords, and more. Guests on our New Zealand Adventure small group tour experience all these natural wonders for themselves as they crisscross from island to island, all while learning about the local indigenous Māori people and the deep connection they share with the nature that defines this land.
Odysseys guests exploring South Plaza Island in the Galapagos
If it’s unique wildlife you’re after, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better destination than the Galapagos Islands. Renowned as the inspiration for 19th-century naturalist Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution through natural selection, this Ecuadorian archipelago boasts a staggering 1,500+ endemic wildlife species, including the blue-footed booby, giant tortoise, marine iguana, Galapagos sea lion, and more – many of which our guests see for themselves on our Machu Picchu to the Galapagos small group tour.
Brilliant Lake Louise, where we stay for a night during this tour
With so many stunning natural vistas, each more breathtaking than the last, it’s no wonder the Canadian Rockies grace the front of so many postcards. Guests on our Canadian Rockies Explorer small group tour dive into the region’s natural beauty as they travel from mountain roads to glacial lakes to rustic towns, all while looking out for moose, bears, deer, bighorn sheep, birds, and more of the area’s diverse wildlife.
Odysseys guests exploring the dunes of Sossusvlei
Our Southern Africa Odyssey offers the best of both worlds for outdoorsy travelers: unique wildlife and staggering natural beauty. In addition to two days’ worth of safari activities, guests also visit Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, as well as Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert – one of the oldest deserts on earth – where we have the option to climb the legendary Big Mama sand dune (above). Guests who wish can also extend their time in South Africa to enjoy several more days of safari and wildlife activities.
Vast Wadi Rum, where we stay for a night at a luxury tented camp
If you’re just as passionate about ancient history as you are about the great outdoors, then Exploring Jordan & Egypt – a brand-new tour offering for 2027 – might be the adventure for you. On this 16-day sojourn, guests visit the iconic Giza pyramid complex, tour the Grand Egyptian Museum, explore the ancient rock-cut city of Petra, and so much more. A highlight of the tour comes when we visit the otherworldly Wadi Rum desert, spending two days in a luxury tented camp amidst the red sands and sandstone mountains of this “Valley of the Moon.”
Ready to tackle the great outdoors with Odysseys? Our Travel Counselors are standing by to help you book your next great adventure – when you’re ready to reserve your spot, do so online or by giving us a call at 1-888-370-6765. We look forward to exploring the world with you soon!
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