Travelers looking beyond the usual sightseeing circuit will have more options in 2027 as Explore Worldwide introduces 14 new small-group tours. The itineraries venture into lesser-visited regions, from the volcanic landscapes of northern Sumatra to the cultural and culinary traditions of northern Sri Lanka.
Rather than simply adding new destinations, the B Corp-certified adventure travel company is focusing on different sides of familiar countries. Travelers can explore the quieter approaches to Mount Fuji, visit the white hill villages of Andalusia or experience Mexico through historic cities, archaeological sites and regional food traditions.
Explore Worldwide’s first collection of new tours for 2027 includes both classic small-group adventures and four additions to its premium Upgraded range.
Exploring a Different Side of Indonesia
The eight-day Highlights of Sumatra tour swaps Indonesia’s better-known beach destinations for rainforests, volcanic highlands and traditional communities in the north of the island.
One of the journey’s central experiences is a trek through Gunung Leuser National Park near Bukit Lawang. This biodiverse rainforest is one of the few remaining places where critically endangered Sumatran orangutans can still be observed in the wild. A guided night walk also introduces travelers to some of the park’s nocturnal wildlife.
The itinerary continues with a sunrise climb to the crater of Mount Sibayak, an active volcano overlooking the highlands of North Sumatra. Travelers then visit Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake, where a boat trip to Samosir Island offers an introduction to the architecture and traditions of the Batak people.
Departures are planned between May and September 2027.
Tokyo, Kyoto and the Quieter Side of Mount Fuji
Japan’s major cities remain part of Explore Worldwide’s new Essential Japan – Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Kyotoitinerary, but the eight-day journey also looks beyond the country’s most familiar attractions.
In Tokyo, travelers can participate in a wagashi sweet-making experience, attend a traditional tea ceremony and try a lantern-painting workshop. The tour then travels by bullet train to Shizuoka, one of Japan’s most important green tea-growing regions.
Here, the itinerary includes a visit to a gyokuro tea farm and views of Mount Fuji from Nihondaira Yume Terrace. Gyokuro is among Japan’s most highly regarded green teas, grown under shade to produce its distinctive flavor.
The final portion of the journey takes place in Kyoto. Along with time to discover the ancient capital, travelers join a Zen meditation session led by a Buddhist monk and hike the Kurama-Kibune trail through the forested Kitayama Mountains.
Tours are scheduled from February through November 2027.
A Culinary Journey Through Northern Sri Lanka
While many Sri Lanka itineraries concentrate on the south and west coasts, the new 11-day Taste of Northern Sri Lanka – Jaffna to Colombo tour begins in the country’s less-visited north.
The culinary-focused adventure starts in Jaffna, a city shaped by Tamil culture and known for its colorful Hindu temples. Travelers also take a boat excursion to Delft Island, a remote island in the Palk Strait with coral walls, wild horses and remnants of its colonial history.
From Jaffna, the journey continues to Trincomalee on Sri Lanka’s northeastern coast. A visit to a sunrise fish market provides a closer look at daily life in the coastal community.
Food plays a central role throughout the trip. Regional dishes include Jaffna seafood broth, crab curry and lamprais, a rice-based dish influenced by Sri Lanka’s Dutch Burgher community. The route ultimately leads south through the island’s cultural heartland before concluding in Colombo.
Departures are available from March through October 2027.
Premium Adventures in Mexico, Egypt, Nepal and Morocco
Explore Worldwide is also expanding its Upgraded collection, which combines small-group cultural experiences with carefully selected hotels and boutique accommodations. Introduced in 2024, the collection recorded a 35 percent increase in bookings for 2026 departures, according to the company.
Four premium itineraries are joining the collection for 2027, including tours in Mexico, Egypt, Nepal and Morocco.
The 12-day Upgraded – Highlights of Mexico tour travels from Mexico City to the Caribbean coast. Along the way, travelers visit Puebla, Oaxaca and Valladolid while exploring several of the country’s most significant archaeological sites.
The itinerary includes Teotihuacan, Monte Albán, Chichén Itzá and Cobá, presenting different periods and cultures in Mexico’s pre-Hispanic history. Culinary experiences include a food tour in Puebla and a hands-on cooking class in Oaxaca.
Accommodations have been chosen to complement the journey, including a historic hacienda near Chichén Itzá and a beachfront resort on Cozumel, where the tour concludes with a two-night stay. Departures are planned from March through November 2027.
The 11-day Upgraded – Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria & Nile Cruise itinerary combines ancient landmarks with contemporary cultural experiences. In Cairo, travelers visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses more than 100,000 artifacts.
The tour also travels to Alexandria before heading south for a Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor. Alongside Egypt’s temples and archaeological sites, the itinerary incorporates a calligraphy workshop and cooking class.
Departures are scheduled between April and November 2027.
Other additions to the premium collection include the 10-day Upgraded – Highlights of Nepal tour and Upgraded – Morocco: Imperial Cities, Mountains and the Sahara Desert.
Small-Group Travel Beyond the Familiar
Explore Worldwide has been developing guided adventures for more than 45 years and now offers over 400 trips in more than 100 countries. Its tours emphasize small groups, local guides and experiences involving independently owned businesses and communities.
According to Katy Rockett, Explore Worldwide’s regional director for North America, the company’s product teams work with local partners to identify routes, businesses and experiences that reveal a less-familiar version of each destination.
The 2027 collection reflects a broader interest in trips that offer meaningful cultural encounters without relying exclusively on headline attractions. These itineraries still include many of the landmarks travelers hope to see, but they also create space for local food, traditional crafts, regional landscapes and communities that are frequently bypassed.
Explore Worldwide expects to announce additional new tours on a rolling basis. More information is available at Explore Worldwide.
