The Most Exciting New Guided Adventure Tours For 2025

The Bucket List Family gives five tips for traveling with kids

The Bucket List Family sold everything to travel around the world. Here are their tips for traveling with children.

If you're looking to make 2025 your most adventurous year yet, you're in luck — travel companies are rolling out incredible new active group trips that take exploration to the next level. From the rugged peaks of Pakistan to the winding roads of the Baltics, this year’s best new tours put off-the-beaten path destinations easily within reach. And because the tours all come with guides and accommodations, all you have to do is show up and enjoy the adventure with minimal planning ahead of time. 

These new trips aren't just about adventure; they're also about connection. Many of the latest offerings are designed in partnership with locals, ensuring that tourism supports the people and preserves the landscapes that make these destinations so special. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or looking to take your first active trip, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for those ready to step outside their comfort zones and into a world of adventure.

If the word "adventure" conjures images of hiking boots, cycling helmets, or expeditions across icy glaciers, these are the tours for you. (Scroll down for new trip options with lighter physical requirements.)

WORLD’S BEST: 15 best group travel companies for guided tours in 2025

Backroads

Perennially popular tour company Backroads is offering its first trip to the Baltics in 2025 with the brand-new "Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia Bike Tour," an eight-day, three-counties-in-one cycling adventure through the region. This trip allows you to experience a variety of terrains, from serene pine and birch forests to the historic streets of Riga, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the way, interactions with local farmers and community members provide insights into the less-visited region's history and traditions. 

The tour is scheduled for select dates throughout the summer and is designed to accommodate a range of cycling abilities. The price starts at $5,599 per person and includes accommodations at casual and upscale hotels, most meals, use of a custom titanium bike (including an electric-assisted bicycle, or e-bike, if requested), and support from experienced trip leaders as well as a support van. You'll even have the chance to spend the night in a converted castle hotel.

• More Europe tours: Cue the wanderlust: 10 dreamiest European river cruises 

Backroads

Another new market for Backroads, the company's "Tasmania Multi-Adventure Tour" spans eight days of walking, hiking, biking, and kayaking through Australia's pristine Tasmanian landscape, where you might even encounter unique wildlife like wombats and wallabies. As with its Baltics cycling trip, this brand-new Backroads tour is designed to accommodate a range of fitness levels. It also includes accommodations at premiere hotels, most meals, and the use of high-quality equipment for all activities. Prices start at $7,499 per person, with departures beginning in November.

• Backroads review: Active tours for many different fitness levels 

Exodus Travels

​Designed for active travelers aged 16 and above, Exodus Travels' brand-new "Summits of the Transylvanian Alps” is an eight-day guided trekking adventure through Romania's Carpathian Mountains. There you'll explore scenic trails, summit multiple peaks—including La Om, the highest point in Piatra Craiului National Park—and spend two nights in remote mountain cabins, immersing yourself in the region's natural beauty. You'll also experience Romanian hospitality at the family-run Villa Hermani. 

The $1,725 per person price includes accommodations, all breakfasts, six packed lunches, and seven dinners. Arrival and departure transfers are also provided. Daily treks range from five to 12 hours, covering distances between five to 11 miles on low-altitude terrain with some steep ascents. For those interested in exploring the Carpathian Mountains further, Exodus Travels also offers tours such as "Carpathian Walking & Bears" and "Transylvania Winter Walk & Snowshoe."

G Adventures

Big news for adventure seekers: G Adventures is heading to Pakistan in 2025! This stunning destination is ready to be discovered by those looking for epic new hiking options, untouched landscapes, and a rich cultural history. The nine-day "Pakistan: Hike the Karakoram Mountains" tour offers the opportunity to hike alongside locals in the Thallay Valley, traverse lush meadows and mountain passes, and spend nights camping under the stars. Additionally, you can engage with local communities, perhaps even joining in a friendly game of cricket.

The tour starts at $2,499 per person and is designed for active travelers seeking an immersive experience in one of the world's most remote and stunning mountain ranges. The itinerary balances physical activity with cultural interactions, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of Pakistan's northern region. Accommodations include a mix of hotels and tent camping.

VBT Bicycling Vacations

You can explore England's gorgeous Lake District with VBT Bicycling Vacations' new "England & Scotland: Lake District to Edinburgh" guided cycling tour. Taking in some of the British Isles' most scenic regions, you'll explore landmarks like the Neolithic Castlerigg Stone Circle and my personal favorite, the legendary Hadrian's Wall. The adventure continues into Scotland and culminates in the vibrant city of Edinburgh. E-bikes are available for those seeking additional support. ​

The seven-day tour is priced at $5,595 per person with an optional airfare-inclusive package available from $6,895 per person, both based on double occupancy. The package includes six nights in hotels, 12 meals (six breakfasts, four lunches, and two dinners), use of a custom VBT bike and helmet, support from two local trip leaders, a support vehicle, and luggage transportation. Daily cycling routes range from 26 to 42 miles and an average of about five hours, primarily on quiet country roads. 

Intrepid Travel

Greenland has been in the ​news quite a bit lately, and Intrepid Travel's new-for-2025 "Greenland Expedition" gets you right up close with the island nation’s remote and rugged landscapes. Rather than a typical polar cruise-style trip, this land-based journey begins in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, and concludes in Ilulissat, offering the opportunity to hike on glaciers, navigate ice fjords, and visit small settlements rich in local culture. A highlight of the trip is a two-day hiking exploration of Disko Island with an overnight in a remote lodge.

Starting at $7,125 per person, this 10-day tour includes nine breakfasts, four lunches, and one dinner. You’ll spend eight nights in hotels and one night in a lodge. Transportation throughout the trip involves private vehicles, planes, and ferries. Group size can range from a minimum of two to a maximum of 11 participants; the minimum age requirement is 15 years. Given the physically demanding nature of the activities, participants are expected to have an excellent level of fitness. 

For those interested in exploring Greenland further, Intrepid Travel offers additional tours such as "Wild Fjords of South Greenland: Land of the Vikings" and "Glaciers, Fjords and the Northern Lights."

Does your idea of adventure have more to do with exploring an off-the-beaten-path destination or far-flung locale? If so, these are the new-for-2025 trips for you. 

Offered by Globus

This year, Globus is unveiling a new touring style for the company called "Small Group Discovery Tours," which it’s bringing to 50 brand-new itineraries. The small group setting limits tour size to an average of 15-18 participants, providing a new level of personalized attention to the iconic company’s traditional group tour format.

A great example is the 11-day "Majestic Japan" tour, which begins in Tokyo before continuing on to Nagoya (via bullet train), Kyoto, and Miyajima Island (via ferry). This is on the softer side of "adventure," with highlights focusing on visits to several UNESCO gems and a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The package price starts at $5,449 per person and includes accommodations in centrally located hotels, daily breakfasts, several lunches and dinners, guided sightseeing tours, and all transportation within Japan, including bullet train journeys.

Contiki

An eight-day adventure designed for travelers aged 18 to 35, Contiki's "Bali Island Hopping" tour explores some of Bali's most picturesque beaches, towns, and turquoise waters, meeting what the company describes as a new-for-2025 surge in demand for Bali vacations. The journey begins in Seminyak, where you can enjoy welcome drinks at the renowned Potato Head Beach Club. Subsequent days include a traditional Balinese cooking class, opportunities for whitewater rafting, and exploration of the Gili Islands, offering activities such as cycling or snorkeling.

The tour starts at $1,225 per person and includes seven breakfasts, one lunch, eight nights in hotels, and transportation throughout the trip. The group size is capped at 30 participants. Expert Trip Managers and local guides accompany you along the way to ensure things run smoothly. ​For those seeking a longer adventure, Contiki also offers the "Indonesia Island Hopping" tour, a 13-day journey that extends beyond Bali to include destinations like Komodo National Park.

Trafalgar

Group tour specialist Trafalgar's new-for-2025 "Best of the Pacific Northwest" includes visits to iconic sites such as Seattle's Pike Place Market, Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, Portland's International Rose Test Garden, and San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf over a span of eight days. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate scenic drives through Bandon State Natural Area, Redwood National and State Parks, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and the famed Avenue of the Giants. 

Priced from $3,495 per person, the package includes seven nights of accommodation, daily breakfast, one lunch, and three dinners. Unique activities include wine tasting at Terra Vina Wines Vineyard in the Willamette Valley and a visit to TMK Creamery, aligning with Trafalgar's “MAKE TRAVEL MATTER” initiative. 

For those interested in exploring similar regions, Trafalgar also offers the "Scenic Seattle, Portland & the Oregon Coast" tour, which delves into the natural beauty and cultural highlights of the Pacific Northwest.

Adventures by Disney

With a completely reimagined itinerary for 2025, Adventures by Disney’s immersive eight-day, seven-night "Central Europe: Prague, Salzburg & Vienna" takes in historic landmarks such as Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral as well as the Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave (the world's largest) and a private dinner at Europe's oldest restaurant, dating back to the year 803 CE. Additional highlights include a falconry demonstration at the 900-year-old Hohenwerfen Castle and a leisurely boat cruise on Lake Traunsee. 

Adventures by Disney is an upscale tour brand that largely (but not exclusively) caters to families. This guided tour starts at $6,999 per adult based on double occupancy and includes accommodations in centrally located hotels, daily breakfast, select lunches and dinners, guided tours, and cultural experiences. Disney-trained Adventure Guides lead the way with the brand’s signature friendliness and expertise.

The best new guided adventure tours for 2025 originally appeared on TourScoop.com.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.