Around the World Tour
Japan · Cambodia · Singapore · Bhutan · Nepal · Jordan · Egypt · Spain
All-inclusive. Ultra-small. November 20–December 16, 2023.
Our all-inclusive Around the World trip is the perfect way to visit the most iconic sites on the planet. This small-group tour is ideal for solo travelers, as well as friends, couples, and families. At the intersection of our expertise, experience, and personal touch is the perfect Around the World journey for you!
JAPANᅠ Autumn Colors in Kyoto
CAMBODIAᅠ ᅠAngkor Watᅠᄋ Siem Reap
SINGAPOREᅠ A City of Superlatives & Splendor
BHUTANᅠ ᅠParo ᄋ Thimpu ᄋ Tiger’s Nest
NEPALᅠ Cultural Heritage of the Kathmandu Valley
EGYPTᅠ ᅠPyramids & Sphinx ᄋᅠ Saqqara ᄋᅠ Grand Egyptian Museum
JORDANᅠ ᅠPetra ᄋ The Dead Sea ᄋ Wadi Rum
SPAINᅠ ᅠMadrid ᄋ World-class Food & Art
27 days in 8 marvelous countries
Limited to 6 explorers
$26,000 all-inclusive price
Our Carbon Offset Commitment
We offset each of our journeys three times over, including your flights from and back to your home airport. We are committed to sequestering more carbon than these journeys produce, partnering with trustworthy companies and selecting high-quality, impactful, and community-building projects. Please click here to learn more about our Climate Positive commitment.ᅠ
Angkor Wat
Petra
Dead Sea
Kathmandu, Nepal
Kyoto
Bhutan
Madrid
Singapore
Giza
Itinerary at a Glance
You can click on the location name to be taken to that part of the daily itinerary.
November 20 Your Around the World vacation officially starts this evening in Kyoto, Japan during the gorgeous colors of Autumn! We can help you arrange an earlier arrival, if you wish.
November 21, 22, 23 Kyoto is the cultural center of Japan & a city of 1,600 Buddhist temples. Enjoy the fiery colors of the fall and we explore the gardens and temples & the iconic vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari.
November 24, 25, 26, 27 Discover the ancient beauty of Siem Reap, Cambodia’s ruins as we explore Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm & more. Enjoy the modern side of downtown Siem Reap with a dazzling array of shops and cafes. We’ll also visit the Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.
November 28, 29 Singapore is truly a cosmopolitan city, rich with diverse culture and modern marvels. We’ll explore this city of superlatives and indulge in delicious cuisine!
November 30, December 1, 2 Discover the Last Shangri-La, Bhutan, as we ascend to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang), explore breathtaking Buddhist temples, and tour historic dzongs.
December 3, 4 Relax in Nepal‘s Kathmandu valley as we explore sacred Buddhist and Hindu sites. Our home base around Boudhanath Stupa is the perfect place to rest, shop, and explore this fascinating culture.
December 5, 6, 7, 8 We know you’ll enjoy every minute in Jordan! Lay your eyes on the rose-red ruins of the ancient city of Petra, carved directly into sandstone. We’ll start our stay with a float in the Dead Sea and cap our visit with an overnight stay in the red sands of the Wadi Rum desert!
December 9, 10, 11, 12 Trek back in time a few thousand years to Giza, Egypt, as we marvel at the ancient Pyramids, Sphinx, and the brilliant tombs in Saqqara. We’ll also be among the first to explore the new Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum on the planet.
December 13, 14, 15, 16 Be dazzled by Madrid, Spain; revel in this cosmopolitan city’s impeccable museums and world-class cuisine, and don’t forget about flamenco! We’ll explore the countryside and visit biodynamic vineyards and artisanal cheesemakers.

You can click on any of the topics below to be taken to that section.
Why should I take an Around the World tour?
A trip of this scope is a safe, delightful, efficient, and comfortable way to experience some of the most iconic spots on the planet.
- Our planning expertise and on-site guidance saves you untold hours (and hours and hours) of research to plan trips to these sites.
- The around-the-world route produces less carbon than taking individual plane trips to and from each of these sites on individual trips.
- If you typically like to spend more time in one place abroad, this is a perfect way to scope out new areas you may wish to return to.
- It saves money compared to separate trips to all of these destinations.
- After being grounded for so long during the global shutdown, this is a perfect reintroduction to the beauty of the world around us!
Our late 2023 Around the World journey is completely in line with our mission: to maximize the greatest good for the greatest number, including our guests, our travel partners, and the local community. The international travel community was hit incredibly hard during the pandemic shutdowns and we want to help our local guides just as much as we want to help you explore this planet. It’s a win-win!
Why should I go Around the World with you?
We (Lauren & BJ) left our home in the U.S. over 10 years ago to focus full-time on creating the best small tour company humanly possible.
In those years we have explored the most interesting destinations, met the most talented local guides, and learned the most useful tips for a safe and comfortable journey, all to help curious, engaged people like you discover more about the planet they live on.
Because we live on the road, we know firsthand what it takes to make you comfortable while on tour. We design and manage every single aspect of the journey, from the initial itinerary planning to the farewell dinner, resulting in the seamless experiences that we’ve become known for.
Other Around the World trips exist, but with price tags between averaging $150,000+ and a typical guest count of 50 to 80 people, we much prefer our intimate little journeys.
Using creative planning, commercial flights (as opposed to private jets), and our huge mental Rolodex of resources, we create brilliant, fully escorted, all-inclusive Around the World trips for a fraction of the cost.
Who is this Journey for?
This journey is perfect for solo adventurers, couples, or groups of friends wanting to experience the time of their lives together!
We find that many of our guests enjoy marking major life transitions with a trip of this nature: birthdays, retirements, or commemorating the life of a loved one that has passed.
For our jet-setting couples, this is a perfect way to celebrate an anniversary or a recently emptied nest!
This trip is perfect for those who have been interested in an Around the World journey but were put off by the prices and high guest maximums (50 to 80!) that other companies offer.
This itinerary is ideal for those that want to take advantage of our experience, expertise, and connections, who don’t have the time nor local resources to research and arrange the countless details that go into a trip of this magnitude.
You’ll quickly discover that your fellow travelers are as curious and enthusiastic as yourself; no matter if you arrive with a travel buddy or not, you’ll come away from this journey with some new friends and treasured lifelong memories.
Testimonials from our past Around the World guests
Lauren and BJ are excellent tour guides, organizers, planners, and genuinely good people. Traveling with them is like being “held” in a safe space yet with plenty of opportunities to spread your wings. It’s the best of both worlds in that you are sure of seeing the sites but with cultural knowledge that makes each location memorable. Their pre-trip previewing and work to secure excellent local guides really makes their trips stand out from other group travel that I have experienced. You absolutely couldn’t travel with more thoughtful and caring people who want to offer you the best of everything. It’s more than a job for them and it shows in their kindness and willingness to go the extra mile. ~C.M.
This trip far exceeded anything I could have imagined. The choices of where to stay, where to eat, and what to see, were the result of BJ and Lauren’s commitment to finding authentic, meaningful, experiences in every location. The trip was filled with small (and large) details that made the trip easy, fun, interesting, exciting and challenging. I LOVED this trip…and I LOVE RetreaTours! ~N.S.
You start out curious, hoping to see iconic sights. You end up feeling more connected to and understanding of parts of the world you were barely aware of. You feel more nurtured and cared for by your trip organizers than you could have ever hoped for….you feel like you have a new family AND you laugh a lot! You will never regret having committed to this experience of a lifetime. ~A.B.
BJ and Lauren did an excellent job in hosting our tour, managing air flights, lodging, meals, guides and shepherding everyone through all situations. In addition, they were of great help in assisting with our extension to the Galapagos Islands. Would highly recommend them as a tour company. They specialize in small group tours which is the only way to travel. Very special people! It was our second trip with them and both were great. They made you feel as family. ~C.S.
This was a trip of a lifetime, filled with new experiences, stunning sights, delicious–and sometimes strange–food to taste, lovely people in every country with whom to interact. If you have a bucket list, this trip will check off many of those places–and you will want to return again to some of them to dig in deeper. BJ and Lauren are the consummate trip leaders, providing an almost seamless, and always enjoyable, educational, and really fun journey. In every country they curated the most wonderful hotels, sites to visit, restaurants to try out, and always brought in an expert guide from whatever place we were visiting to further explain the culture, the historical significance, the foods, and the customs. This trip opened my eyes to all that and so much more. I would HIGHLY recommend signing up for a trip with them–don’t hesitate–just do it! You won’t be sorry. ~C.R.
Thank you for every thoughtful, researched, beta-tested detail that made it a unique and incredible ‘RetreaTour.’ You are an amazing team. I never felt like I had hired you to guide me. Rather, it often felt like I was along on your personal vacation just joining you for the great trip you were taking! ~M.C.
We invite you to click here and read more testimonials from our amazing guests!
Please watch our 2018 RTW journey testimonial video below!
Kyoto, Japan
November 20–23
Accolades
- Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2020; Best City (#1)
- Conde Nast Traveler Best Cities in the World, Reader’s Choice (#1)
- Travel + Leisure Best Cities in Asia, 2019 (#5, Kyoto)
- Travel + Leisure Best Cities in the World, 2020 (#6, Kyoto)
- Travel + Leisure Top Destination, 2018 (Japan)
- UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
Konnichiwa & welcome to Japan! We’ll begin our journey together in Kyoto. Kyoto, with its 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, is Japan’s cultural center. The city was the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, and was spared in World War II due to the U.S. Secretary of War’s fond memories of Kyoto, which had been his honeymoon destination. Because of this, many priceless ancient temple structures and artifacts survived.
Our hotel is centrally located in the Kawaramachi Sanjo area of Kyoto, allowing for plenty of exploration. Kyoto is the heart of Japan’s geisha culture, and we’re just minutes from the historic Geisha district, Gion, as well as the famous fresh food market street at Nishiki Market.
We’ll explore the iconic vermillion torii gates of Fushimi Inari. Established in its current spot in the year 816 C.E., this Shinto shrine is dedicated to the deity of rice, Inari. The site’s higher trails provide a beautiful overview of the city.
Buddhism has been practiced in Japan since the mid-6th century, when it was introduced by Korean monks. One gorgeous temple we can visit will be Sanjūsangen-dō temple; completed in 1164, this temple houses one thousand life-size figures of the Thousand Armed Kannon, standing in rows on both sides of the main statue.
We’ll celebrate Thanksgiving here together, and what a treat this year–it also falls on Japan’s own Thanksgiving! Called Labor Thanksgiving Day, it is a modern name for an ancient ritual called Niinamesai (Harvest Festival). In this ritual, the Emperor makes the season’s first offering of freshly harvested rice to the gods and then partakes of the rice himself. What an honor to be celebrating our abundance in Japan!


Siem Reap, Cambodia
November 24–27
Accolades
- Time Magazine “World’s Greatest Places 2021”
- One of the New 7 Wonders of the World finalists
- Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site
- 2018 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Landmarks in the World (#1)
- 2018 Travel + Leisure Awards: Top 15 Cities in Asia (#9)
- 2015 Travel + Leisure, World’s Top 10 Cities (#3)
- Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Sights in the World (#1)
- CNN: 20 of the World’s Most Beautiful World Heritage Sites
- Conde Nast Traveler: The Most Beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Choum reap suor!We’ll arrive in the beautiful Kingdom of Cambodia on November 24. Here in Siem Reap, the Khmer Empire created what was the world’s largest civilization in the 12th century. The most famous relic of this civilization–featured today on Cambodia’s flag–is Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. During our time in Siem Reap, we’ll visit Angkor Wat as the sun rises behind its iconic peaks; afterward we’ll wander its mesmerizing bas-relief lined hallways.
However, Siem Reap is so much more than just Angkor Wat. This area is home to loads of gorgeous temple ruins, many being slowly reclaimed by nature (including the picturesque Ta Prohm). We’ll explore Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Kingdom, along with its many temples and terraces.
Angkor…is one of the most important archaeological sites of Southeast Asia. [It] is a major site exemplifying cultural, religious and symbolic values, as well as containing high architectural, archaeological and artistic significance. —UNESCO
We’ll spend our mornings here exploring temples with our expert Khmer guide, Sam. We can even visit a functioning local wat (temple) to see how modern-day Khmer Buddhism is practiced. We’ll also enjoy a classic Apsara dance show which will bring to life the carvings you’ll see on the temple walls.
We’ll also visit Tonle Sap Lake, the living heartbeat of Cambodia! Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia; this unique lake changes its flow direction twice a year, making it a biodiversity hotspot. A trip to Tonle Sap Lake offers a chance to learn more about the local culture, see floating villages, and explore the rich ecosystems of the lake.
In the evenings you can explore the festive nightlife of Siem Reap, a short walk (or even shorter tuk-tuk ride) from our hotel. You can sample local Khmer cuisine like fish amok or enjoy one of the many international restaurants along Pub Street. If you want to stay closer to home, our hotel has a stellar happy hour on its rooftop deck!

Singapore
November 28–29
Hello & Nǐhǎo! The next stop on our journey is Singapore, an island nation that is small but mighty! Singapore is a unique city-state that has been shaped by its rich history and diverse cultures; with its blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western influences, Singapore is truly a melting pot of traditions.
From the colorful temples and mosques to the traditional shophouses and street markets, Singapore offers a fascinating glimpse into the country’s multicultural heritage in Little India, Chinatown, and beyond. Despite the city’s rapid modernization since its founding in 1965, Singapore has managed to preserve its unique traditions and cultural identity, making it a truly captivating destination.
We’ll be staying in the endlessly iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel, with a view of the famous Supertrees. With its stunning views of the city skyline and convenient location, Marina Bay Sands hotel is the perfect base for exploring all that modern Singapore has to offer. Perhaps you fancy a dip in the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool, up 57 stories!

Paro & Thimpu, Bhutan
November 30–December 2
Kuzuzangpo la!Although it’s well-known and well-loved by travelers, the Kingdom of Bhutan still feels like a secret destination. Bhutan has never been colonized, and it retains a strong sense of identity and national pride to this day. In the 1970s, this Buddhist nation developed a concept called “Gross National Happiness,” a way to chart development and progress in a more holistic way than the Gross Domestic Product.
We’ll tour the sites in Paro and Thimphu–the only national capital city in the world without a single stoplight. We’ll visit the impressive dzong fortresses and the colorful Buddhist temples; Bhutan’s Vajrayana Buddhism looks much different than the Theravada Buddhism of Cambodia and Japan’s Mahayana Buddhism.
On December 2nd, we’ll get an early start and lay eyes on the iconic Taksang monastery, or Tiger’s Nest, the holiest site in Bhutan. This picturesque complex hugs a cliff wall 3,000 feet above the valley floor (for a total altitude of 10,240 feet). It’s a 2+ hour ascent, but we’ll take it slow and steady as we hike up, enjoying the fresh forest air around us. If you like, you can even ride a pony part of the way to the top.

Kathmandu, Nepal
December 3–4
Namaste! Welcome to Nepal, home to eight of the world’s ten tallest mountains, including Mount Everest. In fact, if we’re lucky, we’ll get to see Mount Everest during our flight from Bhutan to Kathmandu!
Although Nepal is famous for its Himalayan peaks and trekking, the Kathmandu Valley (4600 feet altitude) is incredibly rich in culture and history and is a destination unto itself. Nepal is very dear to both of our hearts and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Although the majority of Nepal is Hindu, there is a very visible Buddhist minority, and our guest house is just a few hundred meters from one of the largest and most revered stupas in Tibetan Buddhism: Boudhanath. Here you can witness and participate in kora, or the circling around the stupa as a meditative act. This Tibetan Buddhist enclave is a serene home base, perfect for exploration and reflection. We’ll also visit one of the most important temples dedicated to Shiva in the world and gain a special insight into Hindu practices.
Our guesthouse in Kathmandu is a beautiful garden oasis that you’re sure to love!

Petra, Wadi Rum & The Dead Sea, Jordan
December 5–8
Marḥaba —welcome to Jordan! We’ll arrive in Amman, Jordan in the early evening and drive immediately to the Dead Sea.
The Dead Sea is a world wonder in its own right, the lowest point on Earth at -1412 feet / -430.5 m below sea level. This is the world’s deepest hypersaline lake at 1,000 feet deep. It has long been used as a “health resort,” dating back to Biblical times. In the morning you can experience the otherworldly sensation of floating high on top of these salty waters for yourself if you wish!
We’ll continue on to Petra this afternoon and settle into our guesthouse, mere steps away from Petra’s main entrance and the only one on the grounds of the site. In fact, we’re so close to Petra that our accommodation boasts a “cave bar” built of stonework from Nabatean times. Who were the Nabateans? Glad you asked!
The Nabateans were a nomadic Arabic tribe that eventually settled in pockets around the Middle East, including Jordan. They established Petra as their capital as early as the 5th century BCE. The Nabateans carved the features of Petra into the rose-colored sandstone mountains. Petra became a flourishing trade hub and a site that UNESCO has described as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage.”
This site is so much more than the famous facade of the “Treasury” you may have seen in Indiana Jones–the entirety of Petra spans 102 square miles! You’ll appreciate the efforts of the Nabateans even more when you learn that everything that has been excavated so far accounts for less than 15% of the actual site.
A rose-red city half as old as time — John William Burgon, from his poem Petra
We’ll explore Petra with an expert guide, entering through a picturesque canyon (the Siq) and into the carved city that once housed 30,000 people. You can continue to explore on your own in the afternoon, perhaps taking the scenic hike up to the “Monastery,” one of the most impressive structures in all of Petra. A few more minutes of walking beyond the Monastery brings you to an overlook that reveals the expanse of the Wadi Arabah desert. You’ll also have the opportunity, if you wish, to experience “Petra by Night,” when the facade of the Treasury is lit up by hundreds of candles.
Our next stop is the Wadi Rum desert, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This red desert has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with many cultures–including the Nabataeans–leaving their mark in the form of petroglyphs. Wadi Rum may be best known for its connection with British officer T. E. Lawrence (that is, “Lawrence of Arabia”).
In fact, it was the filming of Lawrence of Arabia in 1962 that kick-started Jordan’s tourism industry. The desert’s arresting landscape has been used in many films as an alien backdrop, from The Martian and Prometheus to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and even the 2021 film Dune. You’ll get a front-row seat (well, bed) tonight to the star show from your very own bubble tent—and don’t worry, it’s almost a new moon so the stars will be in their glory!
On the 9th we’ll head back to Amman to continue our adventure in Egypt!


Giza, Egypt
December 9–12
Accolades
- Time Magazine “World’s Greatest Places 2021”
- One of the New 7 Wonders of the World Finalist
- Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The Oldest Monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
- Nomadic Matt: Top 15 Historical Sites in the World 2019 (#3)
- Bloomberg: Where to Go in 2017
- CNN: 20 of the World’s Most Beautiful World Heritage Sites
- Touropia: 10 Man-Made Wonders of the World (#1)
- 10 Amazing Cultural World Heritage Sites
- The Top 15 Historical Sites in the World
Assalam Alaikum and welcome to the land of the Pharaohs! Everyone feels the pull to Egypt; we seem to recognize the iconography as though it’s in our DNA. As kids we learn about the pyramids and treasures of the Pharaohs; as adults we pine to see them in person. Now it’s your time to make that dream a reality!
We’ll be met by our expert team that will guide us through immigration and customs, and we’ll head to our home base for the next three nights–the historic Mena House hotel with a pyramid view.
The pyramids on the Giza Plateau are an unbelievable 4,500 years old; the Great Pyramid is by far the oldest of the ancient Wonders and is the only one still in existence.
From the heights of these pyramids, forty centuries look down on us. —Napolean Bonaparte
Our first day will be spent with an expert guide and Egyptologist, exploring the important site of Saqqara, the “sandbox” where the construction of pyramids was perfected. We’ll visit the Step Pyramid, the first freestanding stone building in history and the first pyramid ever built. Around Saqqara, we’ll explore the tombs as our guide explains their significance and deciphers the stories told in the beautiful hieroglyphics lining its walls.
We’ll head back to our neck of the woods and explore the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Valley Temple of Khafre. Fancy a climb into the center of the Great Pyramid? Let’s go!
We’ll enjoy the long-awaited (!) Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza, having recently been relocated from its old location in Cairo. The pieces in this museum are jaw-droppingly mesmerizing and at times downright otherworldly. Cast your eyes upon the funerary mask of Tutankhamun, behold the mesmerizing wooden statue of Ka-Aper.
We’ll head into Cairo on December 12th and visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Royal Mummies. Tonight we’ll stay at a five-star hotel directly adjacent to the airport, saving us time tomorrow morning when we begin our journey to Madrid.

Madrid, Spain
December 13–16
Accolades
Bienvendo! Welcome to Spain’s capital, a delight for all the senses!
Madrid will unfold before you on our very first night with a tapas walk through the historic city center. Get acquainted with the “greatest hits” of Madrid’s world-class cuisine as our expert local guide walks us through five centuries of local history.
We’ll unleash a feast for your eyes in the Prado Museum, considered to be among the greatest museums of art, with the best collection of artworks by Goya, Velázquez, El Greco, Rubens, Titian & Hieronymus Bosch. After a traditional lunch of Spanish fare paired with traditional wine, you’ll have the afternoon to rest or explore independently with tips from our guide.
Tonight we’ll experience a traditional flamenco show in an artist-run theater. Flamenco is a passionate and energetic form of dance and music that originated in Andalusia, Southern Spain. With its intricate footwork, percussive rhythms, and haunting melodies, flamenco is an art form that embodies the soul of Spain and has become an integral part of the country’s cultural identity.
On our final day together, we’ll take a day trip into the countryside just an hour outside Madrid. Hidden in the verdant foothills of the Gredos mountains are delicious treasures! We’ll spend the day behind the scenes at local biodynamic vineyards, meeting the winemakers and tasting their organic wines. You can’t have wine without cheese, though! We’ll visit a small, family-run cheese shop and see (and taste) how the magic is made.
The morning of December 16th marks the end of our incredible Around the World journey. We hope you leave with unforgettable memories, new perspectives, and a greater appreciation for the world we live in. It has been a pleasure exploring new destinations, making lasting memories, and experiencing the world together!

The Nitty Gritty
Please click on the red icon to expand the information
Price, Inclusions & Payment
The trip cost is $26,000 USD (double occupancy price).
If you prefer to have your own room, the private room supplement is $2999 and will be added to your last payment. (Click here to understand why this single supplement is necessary). Please note that we cannot guarantee you a roommate for this trip, and if you room alone, you may be responsible for the private room supplement.
An additional $3999 (payable with the deposit) will upgrade you to all business class flights on this journey, starting with our flight from Japan to Cambodia and ending with our flight from Egypt to Spain. This additional fee includes additional carbon offsetting, as well.
Payment Plan & Dates
- A $5000 deposit holds your space (If you wish to reserve business class flights, the deposit is $8999)
- The second installment of $8,000 is due June 15, 2023
- The third installment of $8,000 is due July 15, 2023
- The balance is due August 31, 2023
- Note: If you would like to make smaller, more frequent payments, we can accommodate that!
Payment types
Payments are accepted by credit or debit card (processed via PayPal, but you do not need a PayPal account), check, Zelle, Venmo, bank wire, or Wise for our guests that reside outside the U.S. We will send invoices by email at least 2 weeks before each due date by email (via PayPal).
Price Includes
- All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, starting with breakfast on November 21 through the morning of December 16. Meals at airports are provided if there is lounge availability.
- Beverages at mealtimes (water, tea, coffee, soda)
- All accommodation
- All transportation within each country (except airport transfer from Osaka to Kyoto)
- All flights between countries on the tour (except your flight to Japan and home from Spain)
- Airport lounge access, when available
- All sites entrance fees
- All local guide fees and tips
- Triple carbon offsetting for trip
- Jordan visa
- Egypt visa
- Bhutan visa
Price does not include
- International airfare to Kyoto, Japan or from Madrid, Spain (although we can and will be more than happy to help you decide on arrangements)
- Airport transportation from Osaka to Kyoto
- Alcohol, specialty drinks
- Travel medical insurance (required)
- Cambodian visa (~$36 USD)
- Nepal visa (~$30)
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations prior to 150 days to departure, money will be refunded minus the non-refundable deposit (and any business class upgrade fee).
Cancellations received 76 to 149 days prior to departure are subject to a penalty of 50% of the total cost of the trip.
Cancellations received 75 days or less prior to trip departure will forfeit the entire cost of the trip.
NOTE:
- A minimum of 2 guests must register in order for this trip to take place. We will hold your deposit & payments until the minimum number of guests have signed up. Please do not purchase any airfare until you get the go-ahead from us that we’ve reached our minimum number of participants.
- If the minimum number of guests have not signed up 90 days prior to the departure date, we’ll give you the option to transfer your reservation to another tour or fully refund your money, including the deposit.
Our Carbon Offset Commitment
We are committed to carbon offsetting your entire journey—not only while you’re on tour with us, but the flights from and to your home. What’s more, we provide a TRIPLE carbon offset, effectively sequestering three times the carbon that this trip would produce.
We have a lot to say about this subject and we’d love for you to learn more over at RetreaTours.com/ClimatePositive.
Passport & Visa Requirements
Passport
Your passport will need to be valid until at least June 14, 2024 (6 months from the end of the scheduled trip). In addition, you’ll need at least 9 blank pages in your passport to accommodate your visas and stamps and still allow for the 2 blank pages required upon arrival in Spain.
Visas
This information is for U.S. citizens only; please check your country’s own official government website for details or ask us and we can help!
Your visas for Bhutan, Egypt, and Jordan are included in the price of the trip.
The only visa you will need to apply for beforehand is your Cambodia visa (~$36 USD). You can get your visa for Nepal (~$30) upon arrival.
About Travel Insurance
We require that each guest carries travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation and repatriation.
You may wish to consider trip cancellation insurance, as well, as you never know what obstacles life can toss at you leading up to a trip. However, we do not require this coverage, as we understand it can increase premiums dramatically. Please familiarize yourself with our Around the World journey guest cancellation policy (below).
We ask that you carefully consider your choice of travel insurance. What works for some people may not work for others,ᅠparticularly if you have any pre-existing conditions.ᅠPlease do take the time to consider the best policy for your individual needs. If you are considering a ‘Cancel for any Reason’ policy, be aware of the percentage of the trip that is covered (as it is never 100%).
Please seeᅠRetreaTours.com/travel-insurance for some ideas of where to start your search!
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations prior to 150 days to departure, money will be refunded minus the non-refundable deposit.ᅠ
- Cancellations received 76 to 149 days prior to departure are subject to a penalty of 50% of the total cost of the trip.ᅠᅠ
- Cancellations received 75 days or less prior to trip departure will forfeit the entire cost of the trip.ᅠ
About the Flights
Information about flight lengths & upgrading to Business Class, plus flights to Japan and from Spain.
Air travel has made Around the World adventures much more pleasant & efficient than the infamous 80-day trip posited by Jules Verne.
We will be taking commercial flights for each leg of this trip. They have been very specifically chosen to be the most comfortable way of getting from one location to the next at the most reasonable times of day.
Flight lengths, including layovers:
- These times will be posted when they are official. Stay tuned!
What about upgrading flights to Business Class?
If you would like the option to upgrade any of your flights to Business Class, we can help arrange that and you would pay only the exact amount over the budgeted economy flight option. That additional cost is $3,999 per person.
Flights to Japan / home from Spain
As we get a bit closer to the trip we will post some popular options here, but we are always available for any specific flight itinerary questions.
Suggested Fitness Requirements
A journey of this scope takes some stamina, but we’ve designed this trip specifically so that you can opt to have a rest day in each city (and of course, ALL activities are optional).
It will be a rare case that you will have to stand on your feet for extended periods of time. However, as a guideline, you’ll want to feel comfortable walking for 1-2 miles unassisted at a time. It will most likely not happen that we will ever walk a straight 2 miles, but that is a safe guideline to follow if you are wondering about your fitness levels.
Many of these sites include stairs; as a guideline, please feel comfortable climbing 2-3 flights of stairs at a time (but at your own pace).
Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan is an exception to the above recommendations. Please see the notes about those sites below.
If you intend on attending all offerings on the itinerary, you will be participating in 5-7 hours of activity each day (although activity does not mean difficult physical activity, just that we are out of our hotel and exploring).
The key here is to feel comfortable going at your own pace and knowing your limits.
Here are some location-specific notes for you. These photos and descriptions are of the most difficult areas and are presented to inform you, not scare you! Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any specific concerns.
Kyoto
If you wish to fully explore the trails at Fushimi Inari, they include series of steps (intermixed with flat areas). There are plenty of gorgeous flat areas near the entrance if you don’t wish to climb up the hill.
Siem Reap
The worn stone steps inside Angkor Wat (and other temples) have new wooden steps placed over them, although the shorter sets do not feature handrails. Some temples still have worn stone steps if you wish to explore further, but all main sites have more modern wooden steps. The stairs into and out of the central portion of Angkor Wat (pictured here, on the right) are steep but have a handrail. That portion is completely optional, as well.
Bhutan
The most physically challenging portion of this trip (which is totally optional) is making the hike up to Tiger’s Nest. The walk itself is a ~4-mile round trip in total, with an elevation gain of 1,700 feet (518 m), although you can get lovely views of the cliffside monastery without going all the way there.
The path is, for the most part, wide and sandy, with some parts being a bit more rocky. You are able to take a pony almost halfway up if you choose, and there is a delightful tea house halfway up if you choose to stay there to soak in the scenery. The final push to the actual monastery includes ~700 stone steps–first down and then back up (photo in the upper-righthand corner). Many of our guests choose not to go all the way to the actual structure and instead enjoy the iconic view from the beginning of the stairs.
It may sound intimidating, but Bhutanese elders in sandals and toddlers in Crocs regularly pass me by on the trail, so most likely it is totally within your reach! In addition, it’s the same way up and down (as opposed to a circuit), so you can gauge for far you want to go up.
Jordan
The walk into Petra is through a lovely canyon (the Siq) and is a 1.2-mile (2 km) walk to reach the Treasury (the most iconic spot). It is possible to take a golf cart for $20USD, but the walk itself is actually quite interesting and you can take it slowly.
Petra extends beyond the Treasury and you can see as much or as little as you like. There is a hike to a more remote part of Petra called “The Monastery,” which is a 40-60 minute walk each way (photo on the right). When you read about it online it sounds like a grueling trek, but it’s honestly pretty straightforward!
If you wish to return to the Treasury for “Petra by Night,” the only option is to walk from the entrance.
Madrid
We will be taking food and art tours which will require walking and standing for an extended period, broken up occasionally during the eating portion of the tour.
Still wondering if this is the trip for you? We welcome any questions you have!
About Vaccinations & Malaria
RetreaTours requires a full COVID-19 vaccination series plus booster for this journey.
There are no other required general vaccines on this trip. However, the CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date on their routine vaccinations.
Please consult the CDC’s recommendations (or your nation’s equivalent) and confer with your physician or local travel doctor to make the best decision for yourself.
Here are links to CDC recommendations for:
We are also big fans of the Scottish NHS site’s recommendations (click here).
About Malaria
Here are links to the Scottish NHS’s malaria maps of each country (note that Japan, Singapore, Egypt, Jordan, and Spain don’t even warrant malaria maps per the NHS). We find them to be an excellent visual resource.
You’ll find that our trip locations are all in the “low to no risk” sections”:
There is no vaccine for malaria, zika, or other mosquito-borne diseases, like dengue. We encourage the prevention of mosquito bites as the best solution, through the use of insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants at dusk and dawn.
We are traveling during every country’s relatively dry season, so we do not expect mosquitos to be a problem. However, you must consult with your physician or local travel doctor to do what feels best for you.
About the Weather
Temperature
There are some significant differences between the highest average highs and the lowest averages lows, so packing layers for this trip will make it easy to enjoy any weather we encounter. The lowest average temperature at night is in Bhutan (31°F/0°C). The average lows for the rest of the trip fall between 40 and 80°F. The average highs run between 60 and 90°F.
Here are the average historic high and lows for each destination for the day we will be there:
- Kyoto: 45-60°F
- Siem Reap: 75-85°F Note: we will visit temples in the morning and rest during the hottest part of the day.
- Singapore: 77-86°F
- Bhutan: 35-55°F
- Kathmandu, Nepal: 45-70°F
- Jordan: 40-60°F
- Giza, Egypt: 55-70°F
- Madrid: 36-55°F
Rainfall
We know Longfellow said, “Into each life some rain must fall,” but we try to minimize that prospect. We don’t expect any serious rain, but it is possible to catch a shower or two. Nothing a handy travel umbrella or light shell jacket can’t handle! We require a small travel umbrella on this journey; you can easily buy one if Kyoto if you prefer!
About Airport Lounges
For this trip we hope to provide airport lounge access (when available) to all of our guests.
These lounges allow for a much more relaxed and enjoyable time at the airport and there is usually free food and drinks (including alcohol).
We will be able to get 4 guests into the lounges with our Priority Pass cards.
If no one else on the trip has Priority Pass, we’ll work to place someone else on our account so that everyone else is covered!
About the Hotels
We will be staying at 4 to 5-star hotels throughout this trip. All hotels have hot water, wifi, and attached bathrooms with western-style toilets. All hotels will have air-conditioning/heating. We work tirelessly to find hotels in the absolute BEST location in each destination.
Here is a list of the hotels (or similar) we are scheduled to stay in on our journey.
- Kyoto, Japan (November 20-23): Cross Hotel (Convenient to gourmet offerings, shopping, and the Geisha district)
- Siem Reap, Cambodia (November 24-27): Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa (the perfect spot for relaxation and exploration)
- Singapore (November 28-29): Marina Bay Sands (Gardens view)
- Paro, Bhutan (November 30-December 2): Tashi Namgay Resort, a comfortable hotel in central Paro, overlooking the Paro dzong
- Kathmandu, Nepal (December 3-4): Rokpa Guesthouse is an oasis on a guesthouse that is the fundraising & training arm of a phenomenal charity in Nepal
- The Dead Sea, Jordan (December 5): Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea (directly on the Dead Sea)
- Petra, Jordan (December 6-7): Petra Guest House (as close as you can possibly get to Petra)
- Wadi Rum, Jordan (December 8): A luxury bubble tent under the stars!
- Giza, Egypt (December 9-11): Enjoy Pyramid views from the historic Mena House Hotel
- Cairo, Egypt (December 12): We’ll spend one night at the Le Meridien at Cairo Airport in preparation for our departure to Spain
- Madrid, Spain (December 13-16): Catalonia Las Cortes (super convenient to restaurants, shopping, and museums, and was voted the coolest neighborhood on the planet! Added bonus: a breakfast Bloody Mary and Champagne bar!)
About Money Matters
How much money should I bring?
Starting with breakfast on November 21st, all of your meals (*except in airports without lounges) are covered, as well as all transportation after you arrive in Kyoto. You just have to gauge how much you want to spend on extras (alcohol, souvenirs, spa treatments). Before the trip begins we’ll let you know how much some of the optional activities costs.
ALL tips are also included in your trip price. ALL tips!
How do I get the local currency?
When we land in a new country, we’ll give you some local pocket money to have for snacks and water–that way you don’t have to worry about exchanging a tiny bit of money or finding an ATM!
For any bigger purchases you make (meals out, larger souvenirs, spa treatments, etc) a credit card will be just fine. Please do set a travel notice with your bank so they know not to put a hold on your card when they see it being used abroad.
You can use an ATM to get local currency for any reason, but that typically comes with a higher fee unless you have a debit card through Charles Schwab (or a bank with similar No ATM Fee policies).
You can also exchange U.S. dollars for local currency at Currency Exchange counters or at some hotels. Depending on how much you want to exchange, we can also help with that.
About the Food
What if I don’t like the local food?
Do I have to eat ‘weird’ things?
What about my food allergies?
Let’s face it–you gotta eat. However, culinary experiences while traveling are more than just a necessity; they’re another avenue to learn and appreciate your environment.
Now to answer your questions:
If you are interested in this trip, we’ll have a conversation that will include any food allergies or sensitivities that you list in your registration. Generally speaking, all but the most severe allergies or austere preferences will not pose any problem.
And the biggie: do you have to eat weird things? There are two answers to this question: 1) Of course not! and 2) What do you consider weird? One of the things you’ll learn on this Around the World adventure is that cultural “norms” vary widely, especially in the kitchen. And besides, I know several people who would make a strong case that lima beans are weird (and they are, of course, wrong ;) ).
We don’t seek out bizarre foods “Fear Factor” style, but if an ingredient is a part of the actual local diet, we’ll often give it a try. If you are feeling adventurous, there are plenty of unique local specialties to try, from interesting fruits (mangosteen, rambutan, and the infamous durian) to insects and critters (tarantulas and grasshoppers).
If you’re not a big fan of a certain region’s cuisine, you’ll always be able to find more familiar substitutes (usually in the form of pasta, sandwiches, pizza, and ubiquitous french fries). Even if you love the food in an area, you might still crave familiar comfort food and that is A-OK. We’ve had some of the best Italian food in the world in Southeast Asia!
Food on this tour is designed to be FUN and you’ll never feel pressured or judged for anything you choose to eat or not eat. But we’re happy to be providing an opportunity to try the best cuisine of each region!
Preventing Altitude Sickness
Almost all of our locations are at or around sea level (or well below sea level, in the case of the Dead Sea at 1,412 feet / 430 meters below sea level).
Our one destination with a high altitude is Bhutan.
Paro and Thimpu, Bhutan stand at 7,218′ and 7,656 respectively (2200m and 2333m). This is below the typical threshold of altitude sickness (8,000 ft). However, if you choose to walk up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, you’ll reach 10,240 ft (3120m) for the brief time you’ll be there.
Some pre-existing medical conditions are known to worsen at high altitudes, so it is imperative that you discuss your pre-existing medical condition/s with your physician. Certain medications are reported to aid acclimatization to high altitude; please discuss these options with your doctor or a local travel physician.
Please read more about preventing altitude sickness over on our blog.
About the Time Differences & Jet Lag
We’re traveling around the whole world–am I going to feel jet lag every time we move to a new location?
The most challenging portion of this trip in regards to jet lag will be your initial flight to Japan (which is why, if you are able, you may choose to arrive early).
However, the rest of your trip will include much more gentle time changes that will not be difficult.
For the most part, jet lag actually works in our favor for some of our early mornings on this trip, such as sunrise at Fushimi Inari, Angkor Wat, and Petra. We’ll embrace our inner early birds!
Time differences between our destinations
GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time, the solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London (0° longitude).
- Kyoto (GMT+9)
- Siem Reap (GMT+7) (2 hour earlier than Kyoto)
- Singapore (GMT +8) (1 hour later than Siem Reap)
- Bhutan (GMT +6) (2 hours earlier than Singapore)
- Nepal (GMT + 5:45) (15 minutes earlier than Bhutan)
- Jordan (GMT +2) (3 hours and 45 minutes earlier than Nepal)
- Egypt (GMT+2) (Same time as Jordan)
- Madrid (GMT+1) (1 hour earlier than Egypt)
We will advise you on some methods to lessen jet lag as much as possible before the journey!
Packing List & Luggage Suggestion
Coming soon!
How to Stay Healthy While Traveling...Naturally!
We invite you to check out Lauren’s article about how best to stay healthy on the road and prevent common travel ailments such as traveler’s diarrhea, motion sickness, altitude sickness & more.
Lauren is a Board-certified Acupuncture Physician with an extensive background in Western herbs and natural supplements, along with a passion for teaching!
Click here or the photo below to scope it out!
About BJ & Lauren
Hi! We’re BJ & Lauren!
We formally founded RetreaTours in 2012 and moved out of the U.S. in January 2013 to focus full-time on designing amazing itineraries. Living on the road has given us invaluable insight into what keeps our guests happy on tour. Have you ever found travel a bit stressful? That’s where we come in—you’re leaving all the details to us so you can fully enjoy yourself! In fact, it’s not uncommon for our guests to compare us to doting parents or admit that they feel comfortable “turning their brain off” while on tour us!
From the moment you’re interested in a trip and reach out to us, we’re in direct personal contact with you to answer any questions you have. We can prep you as much as you want with deeply detailed orientations and FAQs, or you can show up and go along for the ride—whichever method is more your style!
While we are supported in every destination by a hand-selected team of awesome locals, we are the ones who put our heart and soul into making these experiences come alive for you. If you’d like to get to know us personally a bit better, please take a click over here. If you’re more interested in the origins and the “abouts” of the company, click over here.
Our Mission: We create itineraries that are authentic, accessible, and affecting. We craft each trip to maximize the greatest good for the greatest number, including our guests, our partners, and the local community.
Testimonials from past Around the World Guests
Listen to what some of previous Around the World guests want to tell you!
Lauren and BJ are excellent tour guides, organizers, planners, and genuinely good people. Traveling with them is like being “held” in a safe space yet with plenty of opportunities to spread your wings. It’s the best of both worlds in that you are sure of seeing the sites but with cultural knowledge that makes each location memorable. Their pre-trip previewing and work to secure excellent local guides really makes their trips stand out from other group travel that I have experienced. You absolutely couldn’t travel with more thoughtful and caring people who want to offer you the best of everything. It’s more than a job for them and it shows in their kindness and willingness to go the extra mile. ~C.M.
This trip far exceeded anything I could have imagined. The choices of where to stay, where to eat, and what to see, were the result of BJ and Lauren’s commitment to finding authentic, meaningful, experiences in every location. The trip was filled with small (and large) details that made the trip easy, fun, interesting, exciting and challenging. I LOVED this trip…and I LOVE RetreaTours! ~N.S.
You start out curious, hoping to see iconic sights. You end up feeling more connected to and understanding of parts of the world you were barely aware of. You feel more nurtured and cared for by your trip organizers than you could have ever hoped for….you feel like you have a new family AND you laugh a lot! You will never regret having committed to this experience of a lifetime. ~A.B.
BJ and Lauren did an excellent job in hosting our tour, managing air flights, lodging, meals, guides and shepherding everyone through all situations. In addition, they were of great help in assisting with our extension to the Galapagos Islands. Would highly recommend them as a tour company. They specialize in small group tours which is the only way to travel. Very special people! It was our second trip with them and both were great. They made you feel as family. ~C.S.
This was a trip of a lifetime, filled with new experiences, stunning sights, delicious–and sometimes strange–food to taste, lovely people in every country with whom to interact. If you have a bucket list, this trip will check off many of those places–and you will want to return again to some of them to dig in deeper. BJ and Lauren are the consummate trip leaders, providing an almost seamless, and always enjoyable, educational, and really fun journey. In every country they curated the most wonderful hotels, sites to visit, restaurants to try out, and always brought in an expert guide from whatever place we were visiting to further explain the culture, the historical significance, the foods, and the customs. This trip opened my eyes to all that and so much more. I would HIGHLY recommend signing up for a trip with them–don’t hesitate–just do it! You won’t be sorry. ~C.R.
Thank you for every thoughtful, researched, beta-tested detail that made it a unique and incredible ‘RetreaTour.’ You are an amazing team. I never felt like I had hired you to guide me. Rather, it often felt like I was along on your personal vacation just joining you for the great trip you were taking! ~M.C.
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