Choosing the right tour operator can be as difficult as picking the right destination. But you, our ever-discerning readers, have spoken, and have deemed these nine companies to be the best at taking you around the globe. Yes, these are the top tour operators, as voted for by you in our 2015 Reader Travel Awards.
When? Apr-Oct
How long? 16 nights
Potala Palace in Tibet (Shutterstock)
Bamboo Travel’s quintessential Train to Tibet tour is like the most satisfying stew. Throw in a handful of the most beautiful monasteries; mix in abundant avifauna (think the tangerine-feathered ruddy shelduck at Lake Namtso); sprinkle in the heady spices of the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor market; and finally add a pinch of adventure – including a stay at Everest Base Camp and a trek through Kathmandu Valley.
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Tibet travel guide | All you need to know before you go
The ethics to visiting Tibet | Be informed before you travel
When? Year-round
How long? 15 days
Luang Prabang (Shutterstock)
This trip blends two award-winners – not only was Selective Asia your second-favourite tour operator, but you voted the laid-back Laotian hub of Luang Prabang your favourite city too! Selective Asia’s Laos in Style itinerary covers the country from south to north. You’ll zip among the treetops in Pakse, cook up a storm in Vientiane, take a tuk-tuk night safari, meet minority hilltribes and – of course – temple-hop in Luang Prabang.
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Luang Prabang and beyond | Discovering lovely Laos
Luang Prabang, Laos: The Top 5 Guide | What's all the fuss about?
The Wanderlust guide to the best of Laos | The inside scoop on this South-East Asia gem
When? Year-round (Apr-Sept best)
How long? 15 days
Tea estates in Sri Lanka (Shutterstock)
From must-see highlights such as Kandy, to little-known destinations like Gal Oya National Park – home to the Sri Lankan leopard, wild elephants and mugger crocodiles – Holiday Architects’ Sri Lanka’s Hidden Gems tour is an in-depth exploration of the island’s nature and culture. There’s time for tea-tasting too.
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Sri Lanka's best national parks | Where to spot elephants, leopards & more...
8 highlights of Sri Lanka's hill country | Be inspired!
The Wanderlust guide to the best of Sri Lanka | All you need to know
When? Year-round (Mar-Oct best)
How long? 14 nights
Proboscis monkey (Shutterstock)
TransIndus’s signature Mystical Borneo trip takes you deep into the untouristy interior. Discover proboscis monkeys in Bako NP, orang utan at Semenggoh Sanctuary, prehistoric caves at Niah NP, impressive peaks at Kinabalu and Iban rituals on a traditional longhouse stay.
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The hidden corners of Borneo | An insider's guide
5 reasons why you must visit Borneo now! | As if you needed an excuse
Borneo travel guide | Essential tips for your trip
When? Various dates, to Mar 2016
How long? 9 nights
Arenal volcano in Costa Rica (Shutterstock)
Best of Costa Rica from Llama Travel combines the lively capital of San José with the cloud forest of Monteverde, a road trip around active Arenal volcano, and the jungle-fringed waterways of Tortuguero, famed for its nesting turtles.
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9 super-cheap holiday rentals in Costa Rica | You'll be amazed how far your budget will stretch
Off-beat Costa Rican eco lodges | From the jungle, to the deserted beaches
The Costa Rica conundrum | How to travel responsibly
When? 14 Aug 2015
How long? 11 days
Pod of humpback whales, Alaska (Shutterstock)
Wildlife Worldwide’s Bubble-net Bonanza heads to chilliest North America to observe humpback whales as they breach, leap, tail-lob, pectoral-slap and show-off their intriguing ‘bubble-net’ feeding technique. It’s not all about the humpbacks though: look out for orcas, sea lions, porpoises, grizzly bears, glaciers and icebergs too.
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4 ways to explore Alaska's great outdoors | Which adventure do you fancy?
Practically cuddling brown bears | One of Alaska's many wildlife treats
First 24 hours in Alaska, Anchorage | Hit the ground running
When? Oct-Mar
How long? 16 days
Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia (Shutterstock)
Tick off the lot on Journey Latin America’s Signature Patagonia: The Lake District and the South. Take in the atmospheric isle of Chiloé; explore Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine NP; and visit peak-hugged Bariloche and shimmering Lake Nahuel Huapi.
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Road trip Patagonia | One of the world's greatest roadtrip destinations
The awe-inspiring Torres del Paine | Photo gallery
When? Year-round (Jun-Oct best)
How long? 14 days
Etosha National Park, Namibia (Shutterstock)
Audley’s Tribes and Wilderness of Northern Namibia trip will teach you the ways of indigenous peoples. Walk and forage with the San Bushmen, learn about the cultures and traditions of the clay-cloaked Himba, and keep an eye out for wildlife too – especially in Etosha National Park and dramatic Damaraland.
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5 things I wish I'd known before driving in Namibia | 4 wheels are better than 2!
A journey into north-east Namibia | The terrain of the bushmen
When? 29 Jun, 13 & 27 Jul, 24 Aug 2015
How long? 14 nights
Karwendel mountains in Austria (Shutterstock)
Ramblers Worldwide Holidays’ Tirolean Eagle’s Path crams the best of the Austrian Alps into two weeks, exploring the Karwendel and Rofan mountains. Navigate snowfields, rocky terrain and exposed ridges to be rewarded with some of the region’s best walking and hutting, starting at Kufstein on the German border and ending in Innsbruck.
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A lavish hiking trip in Austria | Is that an oxymoron?
A short break in Innsbruck, Austria | A great city break all year round
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Main image: Sri Lanka, local fisherman is fishing in unique style (Shutterstock)
1. See the highlights at a relaxed pace, Tibet
Train to Tibet, Bamboo Travel – Gold award winnerWhen? Apr-Oct
How long? 16 nights
Potala Palace in Tibet (Shutterstock)
Bamboo Travel’s quintessential Train to Tibet tour is like the most satisfying stew. Throw in a handful of the most beautiful monasteries; mix in abundant avifauna (think the tangerine-feathered ruddy shelduck at Lake Namtso); sprinkle in the heady spices of the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor market; and finally add a pinch of adventure – including a stay at Everest Base Camp and a trek through Kathmandu Valley.
Like this? Don't miss...
Tibet travel guide | All you need to know before you go
The ethics to visiting Tibet | Be informed before you travel
2. Traverse the country in style, Laos
Laos in Style, Selective AsiaWhen? Year-round
How long? 15 days
Luang Prabang (Shutterstock)
This trip blends two award-winners – not only was Selective Asia your second-favourite tour operator, but you voted the laid-back Laotian hub of Luang Prabang your favourite city too! Selective Asia’s Laos in Style itinerary covers the country from south to north. You’ll zip among the treetops in Pakse, cook up a storm in Vientiane, take a tuk-tuk night safari, meet minority hilltribes and – of course – temple-hop in Luang Prabang.
Like this? Don't miss...
Luang Prabang and beyond | Discovering lovely Laos
Luang Prabang, Laos: The Top 5 Guide | What's all the fuss about?
The Wanderlust guide to the best of Laos | The inside scoop on this South-East Asia gem
3. Explore the hill country, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s Hidden Gems, Holiday ArchitectsWhen? Year-round (Apr-Sept best)
How long? 15 days
Tea estates in Sri Lanka (Shutterstock)
From must-see highlights such as Kandy, to little-known destinations like Gal Oya National Park – home to the Sri Lankan leopard, wild elephants and mugger crocodiles – Holiday Architects’ Sri Lanka’s Hidden Gems tour is an in-depth exploration of the island’s nature and culture. There’s time for tea-tasting too.
Like this? Don't miss...
Sri Lanka's best national parks | Where to spot elephants, leopards & more...
8 highlights of Sri Lanka's hill country | Be inspired!
The Wanderlust guide to the best of Sri Lanka | All you need to know
4. Go off the grid, Borneo
Mystical Borneo, TransIndusWhen? Year-round (Mar-Oct best)
How long? 14 nights
Proboscis monkey (Shutterstock)
TransIndus’s signature Mystical Borneo trip takes you deep into the untouristy interior. Discover proboscis monkeys in Bako NP, orang utan at Semenggoh Sanctuary, prehistoric caves at Niah NP, impressive peaks at Kinabalu and Iban rituals on a traditional longhouse stay.
Like this? Don't miss...
The hidden corners of Borneo | An insider's guide
5 reasons why you must visit Borneo now! | As if you needed an excuse
Borneo travel guide | Essential tips for your trip
5. Romp in the rainforest, Costa Rica
Best of Costa Rica, Llama TravelWhen? Various dates, to Mar 2016
How long? 9 nights
Arenal volcano in Costa Rica (Shutterstock)
Best of Costa Rica from Llama Travel combines the lively capital of San José with the cloud forest of Monteverde, a road trip around active Arenal volcano, and the jungle-fringed waterways of Tortuguero, famed for its nesting turtles.
Like this? Don't miss...
9 super-cheap holiday rentals in Costa Rica | You'll be amazed how far your budget will stretch
Off-beat Costa Rican eco lodges | From the jungle, to the deserted beaches
The Costa Rica conundrum | How to travel responsibly
6. Gawp at sea giants, Alaska
Bubble-net Bonanza, Wildlife WorldwideWhen? 14 Aug 2015
How long? 11 days
Pod of humpback whales, Alaska (Shutterstock)
Wildlife Worldwide’s Bubble-net Bonanza heads to chilliest North America to observe humpback whales as they breach, leap, tail-lob, pectoral-slap and show-off their intriguing ‘bubble-net’ feeding technique. It’s not all about the humpbacks though: look out for orcas, sea lions, porpoises, grizzly bears, glaciers and icebergs too.
Like this? Don't miss...
4 ways to explore Alaska's great outdoors | Which adventure do you fancy?
Practically cuddling brown bears | One of Alaska's many wildlife treats
First 24 hours in Alaska, Anchorage | Hit the ground running
7. Plunge into the wild, Patagonia
Signature Patagonia, Journey Latin AmericaWhen? Oct-Mar
How long? 16 days
Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia (Shutterstock)
Tick off the lot on Journey Latin America’s Signature Patagonia: The Lake District and the South. Take in the atmospheric isle of Chiloé; explore Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine NP; and visit peak-hugged Bariloche and shimmering Lake Nahuel Huapi.
Like this? Don't miss...
Road trip Patagonia | One of the world's greatest roadtrip destinations
The awe-inspiring Torres del Paine | Photo gallery
8. Learn from the tribe, Namibia
Tribes and Wilderness of Northern Namibia, Audley TravelWhen? Year-round (Jun-Oct best)
How long? 14 days
Etosha National Park, Namibia (Shutterstock)
Audley’s Tribes and Wilderness of Northern Namibia trip will teach you the ways of indigenous peoples. Walk and forage with the San Bushmen, learn about the cultures and traditions of the clay-cloaked Himba, and keep an eye out for wildlife too – especially in Etosha National Park and dramatic Damaraland.
Like this? Don't miss...
5 things I wish I'd known before driving in Namibia | 4 wheels are better than 2!
A journey into north-east Namibia | The terrain of the bushmen
9. Hike the high Alps, Austria
Tirolean Eagle’s Path, Ramblers Worldwide HolidaysWhen? 29 Jun, 13 & 27 Jul, 24 Aug 2015
How long? 14 nights
Karwendel mountains in Austria (Shutterstock)
Ramblers Worldwide Holidays’ Tirolean Eagle’s Path crams the best of the Austrian Alps into two weeks, exploring the Karwendel and Rofan mountains. Navigate snowfields, rocky terrain and exposed ridges to be rewarded with some of the region’s best walking and hutting, starting at Kufstein on the German border and ending in Innsbruck.
Like this? Don't miss...
A lavish hiking trip in Austria | Is that an oxymoron?
A short break in Innsbruck, Austria | A great city break all year round
Austria travel guide | Essential reading for outdoorsy types
Main image: Sri Lanka, local fisherman is fishing in unique style (Shutterstock)
