The Most Amazing Kayaking Experiences With Culture Trip

Looking for the most beautiful kayaking spots in the world? Paddle away with these Culture Trips that feature kayak experiences you’ll never forget.

Close up of African penguin in Simons Town, South Africa

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$2899

Next available from 3rd Feb 2024

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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

View Trip

Winter Sale

Group of people kayaking in bright blue waters

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$1529

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

View Trip

View of a temple from the waters of the Nile in Aswan, Egypt

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$2239

Next available from 23rd May 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

View Trip

Kayaking during sunset on the ocean in the Galapagos

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$2499

Next available from 13th 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

View Trip

Winter Sale

Kayak boats in Nam Song river at Vang Vieng, Laos

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$2299

Next available from 13th Jan 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Bangkok, Thailand

ENDS AT

Bangkok, Thailand

DURATION

14

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

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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.