My First Small Group Tour Travel Experience: An Honest Review

Several months ago, I challenged myself to sell or resell items for one month as part of something I called Trash to Travel to create a travel budget from nothing. At the end of the month, the budget dictated where I would go. I didn't know when I started the challenge if I would be taking a staycation locally or if I'd be able to afford a bucket list trip. Well friends, I'll bury the lede and tell you that I did indeed create enough of a budget through reselling to fund a 10 day trip to Vietnam, a bucket list destination for me. At first, it felt like the travel possibilities were endless, but I took a lot of things into consideration. And as someone who has for years planned and created her own travel itineraries, I chose to join a small group travel company. 
Full disclosure, this is not sponsored at all. I receive NO kick back from the travel company, as far as I can tell they don't even have an affiliate program. The thoughts are 100% all mine and were not swayed at all by any compensation or any free incentives. I paid for the trip myself and have the receipts to prove it. 
Taking a small group tour turned out to be one of the most rewarding travel decision I've made. It provided the perfect balance of structure and flexibility, cultural immersion and comfort, and the trip exceeded my expectations in every way. 
When I booked this trip, I knew travelling solo would add an additional layer to my experience, and I'm so grateful that I was pleasantly surprised and think that I chose the right small group travel company for this trip. If you are like me and are a solo traveler looking to make friends, a couple wanting a guided experience, or someone craving authentic cultural connections without the logistical headaches, here's everything you might want to know about booking your own small group tour.

My First Small Group Tour Travel Experience: An Honest Review

Why I Choose a Small Group Tour

Honestly, I didn't think a group tour was really my travel style. I like to go to places and beat the crowds, not be part of bringing them. I looked into a bunch of group travel companies. Many got narrowed down based on price {I was working on a budget after all}, some got narrowed down because after reading reviews I wasn't sure I could trust the experience {in particular group trips that never got booked with more than 1 person so they were traveling solo}, and some got narrowed down because of destinations/experiences offered.
I knew this trip would require me to travel solo. My husband has all of his vacation days allocated for the year, and travel with him wasn't in the cards. But I also knew I didn't want to be going it alone. I wanted to find a small group tour {no more than 12 travelers} that offered opportunities for meaningful connections-both with fellow travelers and with the people in the places you visit and I found that with Intrepid Travel.  
The fact that Intrepid focused on sustainability was the icing on the cake. From taking local transport to eating in family-run restaurants and staying in locally owned accommodations, the emphasis is on positive impact. As someone who cares about where my travel dollars go, that mattered to me.

How to Choose the Right Small Group Travel Organization

I quickly found that there were a LOT of travel companies out there, and not all small group tours are created equally! Here are some things you might want to consider when deciding who to travel with:

1. Group Size

Smaller groups {between 10-16 travelers} allow for a more intimate experience and easier logistics, especially in places with narrow streets, local restaurants, or even accommodations. Anything bigger I can imagine starts to feel like a school field trip and you're herding squirrels to get from one location to the next. Check the average group size before you book. 
Our group was 9 {including me, not including our guide} and I thought it was the perfect size! We had space to spread out on the bus when we'd transport, and the table wasn't too large at a restaurant. 

2. Company Values and Travel Style

Read the "about" section of the tour company. Do they prioritize things that are important to you like local experiences, sustainability, responsible tourism? Are their trips geared toward cultural immersion or more to fast-paced sightseeing? There are definitely groups that cater to a party scene {not my vibe} and some that have a more luxury experience. 

3. Local Guides

This makes or breaks the trip. Look for companies that employ local guides rather than brining in outside tour leaders. Local guides will offer you a deeper more authentic experience. They speak the language, know the culture and can answer any questions you wouldn't think to even ask!

4. Level of Comfort

Here's the thing, I have a pretty low bar when it comes to my comfort level. I could be happy sleeping on a beach in a hammock and I'm pretty adaptable when it comes to transportation. I've done some things and seen some stuff, so basic doesn't bother me. 
That said, I know it would bother my husband! He likes staying in nice places and having a higher-end travel experience. Looking into what kind of accommodations and transport are included is important in knowing if a trip will meet your needs. Are you staying in boutique hotels or hostels? Will you be riding in private minibuses, public trains, or tuk tuks? Choose a comfort level that suits your travel style. 
I was traveling solo, but knew that as a woman nearing 50, I didn't have it in me to share a room with a stranger. I looked into options that included a single supplement {for Vietnam it was $150 extra to get a private room during the trip, which was well worth it for me!}.
There is a Basix option {which is more budget friendly} or a Comfort and even Premium option {with more first class travel options}. Know that each travel style can dictate the traveler. I knew the Basix option might attract more twenty somethings that were looking for a good time, and the Premium option would be an older crowd with more time and money. I wanted to find something in the middle and I chose the original option. Our group was a good mix of twenty somethings and mid life people that all shared the common goal of loving to travel.
If I booked a group trip again, this time with my husband, I'm pretty sure we'd need to book a Comfort or Premium trip to help him enjoy his experience. And if I were to do it again, I'm not sure I could book anything other than an Original trip or up. I'm feeling like I'm past the point of basic travel and pretty sure even I'm not made for a hostel experience.

5. Itinerary Pacing

Some tours cram in too many stops with too little time to actually enjoy them. Others offer a slower pace and more time in each location. Read the daily itinerary carefully-especially the fine print-to make sure you aren't spending more time on buses than in the destinations.
What I appreciated about Intrepid is that this was all clearly laid out. I knew going in that the pace for the trip would be a bit quicker and we'd cover a lot of ground. But on closer view, there was a lot of down time built in as well making it all seem really manageable. All of that was clearly stated in the itinerary, and I knew what to expect going in. But it's definitely something I'd keep in mind if I was to book another trip.

6. Inclusions Vs Optional Activities

What's included in the cost? Some tours include meals, entrance fees, and excursions, while others may charge extra for everything. A lower up-front cost may not be the better deal if you're constantly shelling out more during the trip. Be sure to read what's included and what's not.
I know when I compared a few group tours to Vietnam and requested the single supplement {basically a room to myself} the fees were astronomical with some basically doubling the price of the tour. I would say that on my tour in Vietnam, there were extras that were required, including tips for the guide and the tour operators that came to nearly {$70 US}, as well as Visa cost {$25 US}, transfer costs to/from the airport, and most of my meals. However, Vietnam is CHEAP, so all of that was really affordable. But, I'd keep that in mind if I was booking a tour at a more expensive location {think Europe} because those extras could add up.
While my tour cost around $1300, adding in airfare and all my all in totals, this trip cost me right around $3000 for 10 days. So you can see how quickly that price can add up with extras, so be mindful if you are on a budget.

7. Reviews and Reputation

Check out online reviews and even Reddit travel forums. I did a lot of research because I didn't want to end up with a bad experience. Look for consistent feedback about the company's communication, organization, and guide quality. Real traveler experiences {and hopefully even my own!} can give you a better idea of what to expect than any glossy brochure.

8. Solo Friendliness

If you're traveling alone, check into the options they have for solo travelers. If you don't splurge for the single supplement {the fee for a solo room}, you will likely be paired with another solo traveler of the same gender. Some companies, like Intrepid, make solo travel easier by avoiding hefty extra fees and fostering a welcoming group dynamic. 
I really wasn't sure what to expect. I've traveled solo for work before, usually on trips where everyone is solo and no one knows each other, but this is the first time I've actively sought out travel on my own as a solo individual. There were couples on our trip, and a pair of sisters, but I didn't feel like odd man out at all and everyone on our trip was very kind. We'd all often find ourselves spending time with each other even during our free time and breaks. I found that since everyone there had a love of travel, we all had that similar thread that joined us from the get go making the experience that much easier.

What Surprised Me About Small Group Travel

One of the hesitations I had about group travel was that you are only as fast as your slowest member. Everyone in our group was mindful about the time and I never felt like I was waiting for anyone to do anything or finish anything. There were a few optional activities we did as a group and even those I felt like were selected with their own ability in mind. Heck, I was the one at the back of the pack usually taking photos, so maybe I was the problem, not them!
I have also been traveling in locations when a huge tour bus arrives to an attraction and a group gets off. What was a quiet location turns into an uproar of activity while we fight a tour bus of people for the exact same photo. I didn't find this to be true of our group. Again, another vote for small group travel! I appreciated our group of nine.
While I selected one of the lower tiered style of travel, I was quite impressed with the accommodations and services. While on a cruise in Ha Long Bay, we had a private junk boat just for our group. We also traveled by private bus with just our group to many of the locations. The hotels in the cities were always really well located and within easy walking distance of many attractions and activities.
Our guide was incredible. We had many optional meals, but we'd often dine together. And while he did often choose more expensive {by Vietnam standards} options, the food was always really good. And if we needed to travel by taxi, he'd tell us exactly what it cost and order the ride for us. On the times we had breaks, he would take to our Whats App group chat and add in various activities and locations of places to visit. It was extremely helpful having him there to help navigate even our unstructured time. 
We traveled from the South end of the country to the North and we covered a lot of miles. Organizing our own transportation for that would have been overwhelming, so it was really helpful to just be able to join the trip and show up when we needed to show up because our guide got us where we needed to get to!

The Downside to Group Travel

This is purely nit picking because overall it was such a good trip. The only downside to group travel that I can see is that you will be paying more than if you were to do this type of trip on your own. On one hand, especially with international travel, there is a possibility that you could make some costly travel mistakes, so a group trip might save you. But if everything goes smoothly and you do your homework, you could plan and execute the trip more affordably on your own. 
As someone who has taken more than a handful of cruises, the extras and incidentals added up to the group travel cost and made the travel more expensive than the initial tour cost I booked {add about a third}, which felt a little cruise-esque. Again, Vietnam is cheap, but if you were to do this on your own, you would likely save some money in the long run and you would be doing it at your own pace on your own time. 
With group travel, you pay extra for the reputation, the comfort, and the expertise of the guide. With some group travel groups, you will pay more! I found that overall Intrepid was very affordable in what it had to offer in comparison with similar groups.

Would I Book Group Travel Again?

Absolutely! And I wouldn't hesitate to book again with Intrepid Travel. Remember, I'm not being paid, this is a totally honest review. Understanding the extra expenses, booking a trip based on your travel style and keeping an open mind will really help you have the best experience!
The people in my group left a lasting mark on my heart. We might have only been together for 10 days, but we became bonded by shared experiences. I'm pretty sure the next time any of them see a passion fruit they will remember my love for them and maybe that stack of empties I'd have next to my plate at breakfast!
If Vietnam is on your list {and it should be!} I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a trip through Intrepid. 


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