Which small-group tour companies are best for families?

By Richard Jasinski·Updated 11 November 2026

These 16 tour companies run family group departures on their own websites, read 11 November 2026. Each card gives what the company says about it, with the trip, place, group size, age band or price where it names one, then what it sells, why to choose it, what to ask for and the limits it publishes.

Which small-group tour companies are best for families?

16 tour companies in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they run family group departures; Exodus Adventure Travels, DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co. and Bodhi Surf + Yoga have the most Google reviews under their own name.

Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie Basin, New Zealand. Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Who is on this page and why. The Uncompromised Travel solo and small-group tour operators table holds 110 companies: the small-group operators, solo-only, women-only and age-banded companies and group surf, yoga and sailing weeks ChatGPT names most often when asked about solo and small-group travel. Their own websites were read on 11 November 2026, with their Google and Trustpilot listings matched by name. This page carries the 16 companies in the table that, on their own websites, run family group departures, where that can be shown in their own words with any price dated; a line that rests only on a price with no year is left out. For companies that also sell private or tailor-made trips, the cards speak of their group departures only. Cards are in alphabetical order. Each line on a card gives what the company's own website says, with a link to the page it came from; a second reader checked 666 of the table's rows against the pages. No company paid to be on this page.

Abercrombie & Kent

Best for: Guided safari and expedition journeys
Family departures: Runs Family Adventures, with a minimum age of 5 on Family Safari in Kenya and Tanzania and 6 on Family Adventure in Alaska.
What it sells: Sells Small Group Journeys alongside private and tailormade journeys, expedition cruises and its own Sanctuary lodges and riverboats, under the slogan 'Life, Well-Travelled Since 1962'. Trades through Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC and, for UK tailor-made holidays, Abercrombie & Kent Limited in Cheltenham.
Why choose them: Guarantees most group journeys to operate with a minimum of two persons unless the itinerary says otherwise. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 20 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.4 out of 5 from 795 reviews, newest 3 November 2026. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Small Group Journey, which includes private airport transfers and gratuities (except to the Resident Tour Director), with a 10% deposit.
Not the fit if: you are travelling with a child under 10, as the minimum age on journeys is ten unless the journey states otherwise.
Enquiry: abercrombiekent.com

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: booking-terms-and-conditions-for-journeys, home page.

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Acacia Africa

Best for: Affordable group tours across Africa
Family departures: Calls its small group safaris family friendly with a minimum age of 8 years and no upper age limit.
What it sells: Small group adventure tour operator for Africa, with offices in London and Cape Town, selling camping, accommodated and safari tours as well as tailor-made travel.
Group size: States a maximum of 18 on adventure camping and accommodated tours, a maximum of between 8 and 12 on small group safaris and a maximum of 8 on Signature tours.
Why choose them: Says its small group safaris have a maximum group size of between 8 and 12 passengers. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 14 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for an accommodated adventure tour, where solo travellers are matched with a same-gender traveller and pay no additional supplement.
Not the fit if: you want a small group on its camping tours: they take a maximum of 18 and are for ages 18+.
Published price: 4-day Kruger Safari Camping, from US$542, 2026 (tour code 26KS4), excluding the Adventure Pass. Read 11 November 2026.
Enquiry: acacia-africa.com/contact

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: tour-styles/small-group-safaris-3, home page, tour-styles/adventure-camping-tours-1.

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Backroads

Best for: Active biking and hiking trips for adults
Family departures: Runs Family trips for Kids & Teens (ages 7 to 17, with 4+ welcome) led with a Kids Adventure Leader and Teens & 20s trips for ages 16+.
What it sells: Active travel company based in Berkeley, California, that runs scheduled biking, hiking and walking and multi-adventure departures, plus Women's Adventures, family, 30s & 40s and Private trips.
Why choose them: Says it has pioneered Biking, Hiking & Walking and Multi-Adventure Trips in over 60 countries since 1979. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 124 reviews; Trustpilot: 2.2 out of 5 from 13 reviews, newest 4 November 2026. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for Women's Adventures if you want a women-only departure, or for Solo Room Savings dates with reduced private room fees.
Not the fit if: you want your own room at no extra cost: prices are based on double occupancy and single occupancy incurs a supplemental fee.
Enquiry: backroads.com

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: its own page, about/media/company-facts, about.

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Bodhi Surf + Yoga

Best for: Surf and yoga weeks in Costa Rica
Family departures: Runs the Bodhi Family 7 Day Family Surf Camp, described as a chance to bond as a family while learning to surf.
What it sells: Family-run, B Corp certified surf and yoga camp owner in Bahia Ballena (Uvita), Costa Rica, running its own set-date small-group surf and yoga camps of 7 or 14 days at its own lodge.
Group size: Welcomes a maximum of just 10 guests per week.
Why choose them: Welcomes a maximum of just 10 guests per week at its lodge in Uvita. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 309 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Bodhi Sessions 7-day camp, which includes 5 surf lessons, 5 yoga classes, 5 nights at the lodge and airport transport.
Not the fit if: you may need to cancel late: there is no refund of deposit for cancellations less than 60 days before arrival and no refund of payment or deposit less than 30 days before arrival.
Enquiry: bodhisurfyoga.com/contact

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: home page, payment-policy.

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Boundless Journeys

Best for: Active small-group journeys, hiking and safaris
Family departures: Offers family adventures on small-group departures and will turn a pre-planned itinerary into a private trip for just your family.
What it sells: Small-group operator of walking, hiking, trekking, sea kayaking, wildlife safari and cultural departures, with private and custom tours as well, based in Stowe, Vermont, USA.
Group size: Generally limits groups to 16 guests with 8 to 10 the average; its hiking trips say groups of 12 or fewer.
Why choose them: Generally limits its groups to 16 guests, with 8 to 10 the average. Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 37 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the $500 (2027) single supplement saving for the first one or two solo travellers reserved on a departure, or for a same-gender roommate match.
Not the fit if: you want a private room at no extra cost: it charges a single supplement, with $500 (2027) off for the first one or two reserved on each departure.
Published price: Italy: The Dolomites Traverse, 8 days, $7,295 per person in US dollars, departures from 26 June 2027, airfare not included. Read 11 November 2026.
Enquiry: boundlessjourneys.com/faq

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: family-friendly, home page, why-travel-with-us.

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Collette

Best for: Couples and families on guided group tours
Family departures: Includes family trips in its range. Discounted child land rates apply for ages 5-17 sharing a room with one full-paying adult and tours with safari or game drive components are limited to travellers aged 13 and up.
What it sells: Runs guided group tours (land tours, river cruises, rail journeys, small group Explorations, family trips and garden holidays) sold direct and through travel agents. Based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA, with operations in Canada and Australia.
Why choose them: Says it has run guided tours since 1918 and now offers 170+ guided tours to all 7 continents. Trustpilot: 3.0 out of 5 from 13 reviews, newest 19 October 2026. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the small group Explorations departures and for the Travel Protection Plan, which has to be bought at the time of booking.
Not the fit if: you want flights, visas and tips in the price: land rates exclude air travel, visas and end-of-trip gratuities and prepaid tipping is not available.
Enquiry: gocollette.com/en/contact-collette

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: en/about-collette/terms-and-conditions, en/about-collette, en-us.

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Discover Corps

Best for: Culture and conservation trips in small groups
Family departures: Sets a minimum age of 8 on most trips and 5 on some and recommends Baja: Marine Wildlife Adventure, Costa Rica: Cloud Forest to Coast and Alaska: The Great Exploration for children as young as 5.
What it sells: Is a small-group operator, the family volunteer travel division of Terra Education, running its own scheduled small group departures as well as private departures from a San Diego, California address.
Group size: Says group size averages 8 with a maximum of 15, while its festival departures are limited to 16.
Why choose them: Says group size averages 8 with a maximum of 15. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 101 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a departure marked STS (Solo Traveller Savings), which offers a single room upgrade at no additional cost.
Not the fit if: you are a solo traveller booking within 90 days of departure with no other solo traveller to share: you must pay the single room supplement.
Published price: Japan Cultural Odyssey, 8 days, $5,595 per person (adult, double occupancy), departing Dec 13 to 20, 2026. Read 11 November 2026.
Enquiry: discovercorps.com/book-a-trip

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: faqs, about/our-history, our-trips/solo.

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DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.

Best for: Guided cycling tours with food and wine
Family departures: Runs a Family collection of tours, such as Czech Republic + Austria, Holland, Provence, Puglia and Verona and encourages families with children under 18 to choose a Family Bike Tour; children must be 7 to ride their own bike.
What it sells: Operator of guided small-group multi-day cycling tours, with private and custom tours as well, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Group size: Says scheduled departures never exceed 14 guests, with a guest-to-guide ratio never larger than 7:1.
Why choose them: Says its scheduled departures never exceed 14 guests, with a guest-to-guide ratio never larger than 7:1. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 475 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a roommate match to waive the Single Supplement, or for any scheduled tour to be made private.
Not the fit if: you are travelling alone and want your own room at no extra cost: guests who want their own room are charged a Single Supplement.
Published price: Morocco Bike + Adventure Tour, 6 days, from $9,095 per person in US dollars on double occupancy, 2027 departures. Read 11 November 2026.
Enquiry: duvine.com/contact

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: trip-essentials/faqs, about, why-duvine/duvine-difference.

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Exodus Adventure Travels

Best for: Small-group walking, cycling and cultural trips
Family departures: Runs family adventure tours such as Costa Rica Adventure Family Holiday (15 days) and Amalfi Coast Pompeii & Pizza Family Holiday; under-16s may join family tours subject to the Trip Notes minimum age and for most tours the minimum age is 16.
What it sells: UK adventure travel company (registered in Surbiton, Surrey) running its own small-group guided departures of eight to 16 travellers, plus self-guided and private group trips; says it is a certified B Corp.
Group size: Says small-group tours are typically eight to 16 people with an average of 10 to 12 travellers and that it may occasionally exceed the normal maximum.
Why choose them: Says Exodus Expeditions was founded on 4 February 1974 and that it is the UK's longest running adventure travel company. Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 489 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.9 out of 5 from 5,834 reviews, newest 11 November 2026. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a twin-share booking with a same-sex roommate, or for the optional single supplement where it is offered.
Not the fit if: you want a fixed solo price: if no roommate can be found you may be asked to pay a single supplement for the land portion.
Enquiry: exodus.co.uk/contact-us

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions, faqs, about-exodus/our-history.

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G Adventures

Best for: Solo travellers on small-group adventures
Family departures: Runs Family Adventures for children aged 6 to 17, plus National Geographic Family Journeys.
What it sells: Toronto-based operator of scheduled small-group departures, including Solo-ish trips for solo travellers only, tours for ages 18 to 39, family adventures, small-ship voyages and private tours.
Group size: Says to expect up to 15 travellers on a trip with an average of 10. Trip maximums run from 16 (Bali, average 12) to 18 (Ladakh) and 22 (Signature Greece) and 128 aboard the Scottish Isles expedition ship.
Why choose them: Says you can expect up to 15 travellers on a trip but the average is 10. Trustpilot: 4.9 out of 5 from 17,532 reviews, newest 11 November 2026. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Solo-ish trip, sold only to solo travellers aged 18 and up, with a dedicated Me Day and a female CEO (Chief Experience Officer).
Not the fit if: you want a single room included on a National Geographic Signature tour: those tours charge a single supplement.
Enquiry: gadventures.com

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: faqs, ai-about-us, why-travel-with-gadventures/book-with-confidence.

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InsideJapan Tours

Best for: Small group tours of Japan
Family departures: Welcomes families on group tours, with children aged six and over on Essential and Classic tours and 10 and over on Superior and All-Inclusive tours; anyone under 18 at travel gets a 10% discount.
What it sells: Is a Bristol-based Japan specialist, a Certified B Corp, that runs its own small group tours and also sells Self-Guided Adventures and tailor-made trips, with offices in the UK, USA and Australia and an operations team in Nagoya.
Group size: Says most small group tours have a maximum of 14 people plus the tour leader and Must-See Japan and All-In Japan have a maximum of 16.
Why choose them: Says its B Corp score is 80.3 points and aims for above 90 when it recertifies in 2026. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 45 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.8 out of 5 from 1,495 reviews, newest 11 November 2026. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for an Essential-grade small group tour (Japan Unmasked, Discover Japan or Must-See Japan), which has no single supplement in Western-style hotels.
Not the fit if: you want a single room on every night without paying extra: Classic, All-In and Superior tours carry a mandatory single supplement.
Enquiry: insidejapantours.com/about-us/contact-us

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: frequently-asked-questions/small-group-tour-faqs, about-us, impact.

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Mountain Travel Sobek

Best for: Active group adventures, solo or with family
Family departures: Sells a Family Adventure range with family-friendly trips such as rafting the Middle Fork, safari in Tanzania and Galapagos, plus custom family trips; no minimum child age is given.
What it sells: Adventure travel operator running its own scheduled small-group departures since 1969, alongside private and custom trips, in hiking, rafting, safari and cultural journeys.
Group size: Caps its tours at 12 to 16 or fewer travellers; the exception is its Middle Fork of the Salmon rafting trips, capped at 22.
Why choose them: Says nearly 30% of its guests on group trips travel solo. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 145 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a confirmed departure from its dates list and the single occupancy supplement listed in the trip itinerary.
Not the fit if: you want your own room at no extra cost: guaranteed single accommodation needs a single occupancy supplement, subject to availability.
Enquiry: mtsobek.com/contact-us

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: interests/family-adventure, small-group-travel-tours, its own page.

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Natural Habitat Adventures

Best for: Small-group wildlife travel, including women-only trips
Family departures: Runs a Family Adventures range, including a Family Botswana Safari (10 days, 13 guests). It does not state a minimum child age.
What it sells: Wildlife-focused small-group operator running its own scheduled departures, plus private and custom trips and women-only Women's Journeys; it also books National Geographic-Lindblad expedition cruises as an agent.
Group size: Says its groups average just nine guests. The largest of its own trips listed carries 29 guests (Tundra Lodge Adventure).
Why choose them: Says its trips average just nine travellers. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 307 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.9 out of 5 from 3,027 reviews, newest 10 November 2026. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Women's Journey such as Natural Jewels of Costa Rica, 8 to 17 February 2027.
Not the fit if: you may need to cancel late: 60 calendar days or less before departure, the cancellation fee is 100% of the trip price.
Published price: Natural Jewels of Costa Rica: Women's Journey, 10 days, 8 to 17 February 2027, from $11,495 per person plus air. Read 11 November 2026.
Website: nathab.com

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: family-adventures, our-story, our-story/why-us.

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Road Scholar

Best for: Learning travel for adults over 50
Family departures: Runs grandparent and family programmes for any combination of generations, with children as young as five welcome and one adult required per child.
What it sells: Not-for-profit educational travel organisation for adults 50 and over, running its own small-group learning adventures with expert instructors, plus family, grandparent and solo programmes.
Group size: Sets a maximum group size of 35 on programmes in the US and 24 on international programmes.
Why choose them: Has been a not-for-profit organisation ever since its founding in 1975. Google: 4.0 out of 5 from 52 reviews; Trustpilot: 1.9 out of 5 from 76 reviews, newest 10 November 2026. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a programme with 'Singles at no Extra Cost', or for roommate matching if you travel alone.
Not the fit if: you may need to cancel: fees apply to transfers and cancellations and it says it cannot waive cancellation fees.
Published price: Wild About Alaska: Glaciers & Wildlife With Your Family, 7 days, from US$5,299 per adult and US$3,199 per child, 2027 dates from 5 June. Read 11 November 2026.
Website: roadscholar.org

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: grandparent-travel-guide/FAQs, about, about/protection-plan/faqs.

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Tauck

Best for: Upscale guided travel, including family trips
Family departures: Runs Tauck Bridges family journeys with child rates, welcoming children age 3 and older on many itineraries (4 on river cruises, 5 on safaris, 6 on the Galapagos) and recommends children be at least 8.
What it sells: Family-owned upscale guided travel operator based in Wilton, Connecticut, running its own scheduled land journeys, river and small ship cruises, Tauck Bridges family trips and Small Group and Even Smaller Group journeys; it also arranges private departures.
Group size: Says its Small Group journeys average 24 guests and its Even Smaller Group journeys average 15. Tanzania family safari departures are limited to 30 guests.
Why choose them: Says it was founded in 1925 and is a family-owned, fourth-generation company. Google: 3.4 out of 5 from 41 reviews; Trustpilot: 2.7 out of 5 from 93 reviews, newest 13 October 2026. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for an Even Smaller Group journey (average 15 guests) or a Category 1 cabin on a European river cruise, which carries no single supplement.
Not the fit if: you travel alone on a land journey: rooms for one person cost more and its solo savings apply only to select departures and cruises.
Enquiry: tauck.com/contact-us

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: FAQ, about-tauck, terms-and-conditions.

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Wilderness Scotland

Best for: Small-group walking and paddling in Scotland
Family departures: Runs two family trips, The Great Family Adventure: Treasure Highlands (7 days) and the Family Sea Kayaking Holiday (4 days), recommended for children aged around 9 to 15.
What it sells: Adventure operator founded in 2001 and based near Aviemore, Scotland, running small-group scheduled departures plus self-guided, private and custom trips in Scotland, with Ireland and England trips also listed.
Group size: Says its trips generally have a maximum of 8 people; the Knoydart Peninsula and West Highland Way walking trips can have up to 10.
Why choose them: Says its trips generally have a maximum of 8 people. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 33 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a guided small-group departure in Scotland and a same-gender room share, which carries no supplement.
Not the fit if: you want a self-guided trip on your own: for safety reasons it does not offer self-guided trips to solo travellers.
Enquiry: wildernessscotland.com/make-a-booking

Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: adventure-holidays/family, about-us, faq.

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Which of these show a dated price on this page?

6 of the 16 cards show a published trip price with its year, in the currency the company writes it. Ask every company for a written quote for your departure, with the single supplement if you travel alone.

Acacia Africa
Boundless Journeys
Discover Corps
DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.
Natural Habitat Adventures
Road Scholar

Who to contact first

Start with the 10 companies on this page that publish their prices and cancellation charges, then add any other card that fits your dates and budget.

Abercrombie & Kent
Acacia Africa
Backroads
Boundless Journeys
Collette
DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.
Exodus Adventure Travels
Mountain Travel Sobek
Road Scholar
Wilderness Scotland

What to ask each one to set out in writing:

The total price per person in writing and what it includes: hotels, meals, transport, activities, entrance fees and any internal flights.
The single supplement on your departure, or whether the company will pair you with a roommate and what happens if no roommate is found.
The largest group on your departure, how many are booked so far and whether the departure is guaranteed to run.
The deposit, when the balance is due, the cancellation charges by date and how your payment is protected (ATOL, ABTA, USTOA or a trust account).

Small-group tours for families: the questions people ask

What should I ask a tour company before booking?

The total price per person and what it includes; the single supplement or whether it will pair you with a roommate; the largest group on your departure and whether it is guaranteed to run; the deposit, the cancellation charges and how your payment is protected.

Can I book with these companies directly?

Yes. Each card links the company's own website or enquiry page; ask for a written quote for your departure that lists what the price includes and the cancellation charges.

Do these companies all sell the same kind of trip?

No. Some run small-group departures open to everyone; some run trips only for solo travellers, women or an age band; others run surf, yoga or sailing weeks. Each card says what the company sells, so compare the cards before you ask for quotes.

What is a single supplement?

The extra a solo traveller pays for a room alone. Some companies charge none on some departures; others pair solo travellers with a roommate instead; ask each company for its figure on your departure.

Which of these have the most Google reviews?

Exodus Adventure Travels, DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co. and Bodhi Surf + Yoga, in that order. A count says how many people reviewed a company, not whether it fits your trip; each card gives the rating and count, read 11 November 2026.

Which of these publish their single supplement?

12 of the 16: Acacia Africa, Backroads, Boundless Journeys, Discover Corps, DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co., Exodus Adventure Travels, G Adventures, InsideJapan Tours, Mountain Travel Sobek, Road Scholar, Tauck and Wilderness Scotland. Ask each for the figure on your departure.

Which of these publish their cancellation charges?

15 of the 16 publish their cancellation charges on their own websites. Ask each for the full terms in writing before you pay a deposit.

Which of these say how your payment is protected?

6 of the 16: Abercrombie & Kent, Acacia Africa, Backroads, Collette, InsideJapan Tours and Wilderness Scotland. Check each scheme or licence with its issuer before you book.

Where can I check these facts myself?

Each card links the pages of the company's own website its lines were read from, with the date they were read.

How were these companies chosen?

Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel solo and small-group tour operators table, built from the companies ChatGPT names most often when asked about solo and small-group travel. On its own website it runs family group departures. A company is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.

Is any company on this page paying to be here?

No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.