Festivals itineraries

This self-launched version of Much Better Adventures' Ultimate Ghana itinerary takes you on the same epic West African overland journey — from Accra's Gold Coast through the Volta Region's waterfalls and mountain tops, deep into Ashanti cultural heartlands, remote Upper Guinea rainforest and palm-fringed Atlantic shores — at a fraction of the guided tour price. You'll attend the same Akwasidae Festival, walk the Kakum canopy at sunrise, spot Picathartes in Bonkro and paddle the Brenu Lagoon — all booked independently using local transport, community guesthouses and self-bookable experiences. Estimated cost is approximately £900–£1,100 per person excluding flights, compared to roughly £2,995 with Much Better Adventures.

Travel Crew

~£1,000

Experience the magic of Rio's legendary Carnival without the group tour price tag. This self-launched itinerary takes you through everything G Adventures' classic Rio Carnival Experience covers — from the dazzling Sambadrome parade and bohemian Santa Teresa to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain — but booked independently for a fraction of the cost. Stay in a well-rated Copacabana hotel, use Rio's metro and public buses, and book your Carnival tickets and city tours directly. Note: Carnival period prices for accommodation spike significantly — book as early as possible. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£415

Skip the luxury river cruise and do the Christmas Danube route yourself — Passau, Linz, the Wachau Valley, Vienna, and Bratislava — on trains, regional buses, and your own two feet. You'll hit all the same festive Christmas markets, medieval abbeys, and fairytale old towns for a fraction of the price. Stay in well-rated budget hotels and guesthouses, book guided city walks via GetYourGuide, and feast on proper local Advent market food. These are approximate cost estimates per person based on budget traveller rates in December 2025/2026.

Travel Crew

~£580

Skip the guided group and do this iconic winter Baltic run yourself — same five stunning capitals, same Christmas markets and old-town magic, a fraction of the price. Starting in Vilnius and ending in Stockholm, you'll travel by public bus, local ferry and overnight boat, staying in well-rated budget hotels and hostels. This self-launched version covers Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Sweden across 10 days, with all the key highlights: Trakai island castle, the Hill of Crosses, Riga's Art Nouveau streets, Tallinn's medieval old town, Helsinki's market hall and Stockholm's Gamla Stan. All costs are approximate estimates based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£720

Experience the magic of ancient Egypt and a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse independently — without the group tour price tag. This self-launched itinerary follows the same route as G Adventures' premium eclipse tour: Cairo's mosques and bazaars, a traditional Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, iconic temples at Karnak, Edfu, Philae, and Kom Ombo, the Valley of the Kings, and the Giza Pyramids — all bookable yourself at a fraction of the cost. Accommodation swaps private cruise cabins and hotels for budget guesthouses and a shared-cabin felucca/budget Nile cruise, and guided activities are replaced with self-bookable tours via GetYourGuide or direct with local operators. Estimated cost is approximately £900–£1,100 per person excluding international flights, compared to G Adventures' ~£6,050 per person.

Travel Crew

~£1,050

Experience the magic of Rio Carnival independently — same iconic sights, same electric atmosphere, a fraction of the price. This self-launched version of Intrepid Travel's Rio Carnival Experience swaps the guided group tour for budget-friendly hostels in Copacabana, self-bookable activities via GetYourGuide, and local transport. You'll still hit Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Sambadrome parade, and the legendary blocos street parties — just without the hefty operator markup. Carnival runs February–March; book Sambadrome tickets early as they sell out fast. Estimated costs are approximate and per person.

Travel Crew

~£700

An epic self-launched cycling adventure across the Mongolian steppe, tackling mountain passes, river valleys, and larch forests on a hired mountain bike — all without the group tour price tag. You'll follow the same legendary route from Erdenet through the Khangai Mountains to ancient Karakorum, and cap it off with two days at the UNESCO-listed Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar. By arranging your own bike hire, booking your own transport, and camping wild (as is your legal right across Mongolia's open steppe), you can replicate virtually every highlight of the Exodus tour at a fraction of the cost. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£630

Experience the sacred Trongsa Tshechu festival, Tiger's Nest monastery, and Bhutan's fortress heartland independently — without the guided group price tag. Note that Bhutan requires all independent travellers to pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100/day and book through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator for visas and ground logistics — this is a legal requirement, not optional. This self-launched itinerary uses the smallest licensed local operators for ground arrangements (guide, transport, visa processing) rather than a premium international operator, cutting costs significantly. All meal and accommodation estimates are approximate.

Travel Crew

~£1,570

Experience the very best of South Korea independently — from the neon-lit streets of Seoul to the coastal beauty of Busan — without the group tour price tag. This self-launched itinerary follows the same route as Intrepid Travel's Essential South Korea trip (Seoul → Jeonju → Wanju → Daegu → Busan → Seoul), swapping the group leader for your own sense of adventure. You'll stay in the same style of hostels and even a hanok (traditional Korean house), travel by Korea's excellent public transport network, and self-book the same iconic activities via GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct. South Korea is one of the easiest countries in Asia to navigate independently — the public transport is world-class, signage is bilingual, and the T-money card makes getting around effortless. Estimated costs are approximate and based on budget traveller rates as of 2024–2025.

Travel Crew

~£475

Hit seven countries across Central Europe independently — from Berlin's underground clubs to Venice's romantic canals, via Krakow, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Vienna, Budapest and Lake Bled. This self-guided version swaps the Intrepid group leader for your own research, replaces private transfers with trains and buses, and cuts the cost dramatically. You'll stay in a mix of budget hotels and hostels, eat like a local at milk bars and street food stalls, and book activities directly or via GetYourGuide. All the same magic, none of the group tour premium. Costs are approximate estimates per person based on budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£840

Experience Poland's magical Christmas markets independently, travelling by train from Warsaw through Gdańsk and Wrocław to Krakow. This self-launched version follows the same festive route as G Adventures' classic tour — twinkling market squares, mulled wine, medieval old towns, and a deeply moving visit to Auschwitz — at a fraction of the price. Poland is one of Europe's most budget-friendly destinations, with excellent rail links, great hostels and guesthouses, and world-class Christmas markets that are completely free to wander. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£465

Skip the group tour premium and do Europe's most magical Christmas market trail independently. This self-launched version follows the same Zagreb → Ljubljana → Graz → Budapest route as G Adventures' classic festive itinerary, swapping guided orientation walks for self-navigated exploration and private-vehicle transfers for affordable cross-border trains. You'll visit the same twinkling market squares, sip the same mulled wine, and stay in comfortable budget hotels — all for a fraction of the price. Estimated costs are approximate and based on current backpacker/budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£485

Experience the full grandeur of the Canadian Rockies and the world-famous Calgary Stampede without the hefty guided tour price tag. This self-launched itinerary follows the same epic route — from Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump to Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road, along the Icefields Parkway to Maligne Lake, and finishing with two days at the legendary Calgary Stampede. You'll rent a car for maximum flexibility, book budget-friendly lodges and hostels along the way, and use self-bookable excursions via GetYourGuide and direct booking. All costs are approximate estimates per person based on two people sharing a car and accommodation.

Travel Crew

~£1,715

Skip the £900+ group tour markup and do Munich's Frühlingsfest (Springfest) entirely on your own terms. This self-launched version covers the same beer tent experiences — including reserved seating at iconic tents like Hippodrom and Festhalle Bayernland — swapping the 5-star Le Méridien for a well-located budget hotel or hostel a short S-Bahn ride from the Theresienwiese. You'll book your own tent reservations directly, sort your own dinner vouchers, and enjoy the same electric festival atmosphere at a fraction of the cost. Estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£390

Experience the magic of Mongolia independently — from the ancient ruins of Karakorum and the vast Gobi Desert to the electrifying Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar. This self-launched version of Exodus's popular guided tour follows the same spectacular route through steppe, desert and mountain, swapping group tour pricing for budget-friendly ger camps booked direct, shared transport, and self-bookable activities. Mongolia is one of the last great frontiers for independent travel — infrastructure is sparse but distances are navigable with a hired driver/guide (standard practice here), keeping costs a fraction of a commercial group tour. All costs are approximate estimates in GBP per person.

Travel Crew

~£676

Experience the sacred Thimphu Tsechu festival, Tiger's Nest monastery, and Bhutan's glacial valleys — all independently, without the guided group price tag. Note that Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD $100/day is mandatory for all tourists and unavoidable, but by booking accommodation, guides, and transport directly through licensed Bhutanese tour operators (required by law), you can still make significant savings compared to a packaged Western operator. This 11-day self-launched itinerary follows the same route as Exodus — Kathmandu → Paro → Thimphu Festival → Gangtey Valley → Punakha → Paro (Tiger's Nest) → Kathmandu — at a fraction of the cost. All costs are approximate estimates.

Travel Crew

~£1,620

Experience the magic of Mongolia's Golden Eagle Festival and vast wilderness independently — from the Gobi Desert's Flaming Cliffs and Singing Dunes to the remote Altai Mountains of western Mongolia. This self-launched version replaces guided group transport with shared 4x4 hire, local minibuses and domestic flights, and swaps hotel mark-ups for budget guesthouses and authentic ger camps booked direct. You'll witness the same jaw-dropping Eagle Festival in Ulgii, ride camels, trek to see wild Przewalski's horses and sleep under the stars in a nomadic ger — all at a fraction of the Exodus price. Costs are approximate estimates based on current independent traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,100

Experience the magic of Senegal's culture, history, and world-famous Saint Louis Jazz Festival entirely on your own terms. This self-launched itinerary follows the same route from Dakar to Saly — Gorée Island, the Pink Lake, Saint Louis old town, Langue de Barbarie bird park, and Touba's grand mosque — swapping the guided group tour for independent transport, locally booked guesthouses, and self-bookable activities. Estimated costs are approximate and based on budget traveller rates for West Africa in 2027.

Travel Crew

~£550

Experience the magic of India's Holi festival and Rajasthan's iconic Golden Triangle independently — same incredible destinations, same unforgettable colour-soaked celebrations, at a fraction of the luxury tour price. This self-launched itinerary takes you from the chaotic, beautiful streets of Old Delhi through Agra's Taj Mahal, tiger country at Ranthambhore, the Pink City of Jaipur, the Blue City of Jodhpur, and the Lake City of Udaipur. You'll celebrate Holi with locals, explore UNESCO sites, and travel like a savvy independent traveller using trains, buses, and shared taxis. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£565

Experience the best of southern Peru independently — from the mysterious Nazca Lines and the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu to a homestay on Lake Titicaca's Amantani Island and the incredible Inti Raymi Festival of the Sun in Cuzco. This self-launched version follows the same route as Exodus's guided group tour, replacing private transport and packaged services with local buses, trains, shared boats, and self-bookable activities. Estimated cost is a fraction of the guided price, while keeping all the highlights intact. Costs are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£818

Explore Mexico independently from Mexico City to Cancún, taking in ancient ruins, colonial cities, Oaxacan cuisine, and the unforgettable Day of the Dead festivities in the Chamula village of Romerillo — all without the guided group price tag. This self-launched version follows the same route as Exodus's classic Mexico tour, swapping private minibuses for ADO coaches and shared shuttles, and group hotels for well-rated budget hotels and guesthouses. Estimated costs are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£810

A self-launched version of Explore!'s Benin and Togo Voodoo Discovery — 14 days weaving through the spiritual heart of West Africa. Travel independently from Lomé across the Togolese highlands and northern savannah, then into Benin to witness Voodoo fetish shrines, Tamberma castle-houses, the stilt village of Ganvie, mask ceremonies and the slave-route history of Ouidah — all using local bush taxis, shared transports and modest guesthouses, at a fraction of the group-tour price.

Travel Crew

~£651

Experience Mongolia's vast steppe, the Gobi Desert, and the legendary Eagle Festival in the Altai Mountains — entirely on your own terms. This self-launched version of the Exodus 'Discover Mongolia – Eagle Festival' tour follows the same extraordinary route, swapping guided group transport for shared 4WD jeep hire and local drivers, group ger camps for independently booked nomadic camps, and guided activities for self-bookable equivalents. Mongolia is one of the world's great adventure destinations for independent travellers: infrastructure is basic but accessible, local fixers and guesthouses are easy to find, and the savings versus a commercial operator are significant. Costs below are estimated per person and assume two people sharing jeep hire costs where applicable.

Travel Crew

~£1,095

Experience Rio's legendary Carnival independently — the same iconic sights, the same electric Sambadrome energy, without the group-tour price tag. This self-launched itinerary covers everything from Sugar Loaf to street parties, with budget-friendly accommodation in Ipanema or Santa Teresa, self-booked city tours via GetYourGuide, and Sambadrome tickets purchased directly. All you need is a sense of rhythm and a willingness to dive in.

Travel Crew

~£365

Skip the coach and the group surcharges — this self-launched version of the classic Europe Christmas Taster takes you through Paris, Burgundy, the Swiss Alps, the Rhine Valley, Amsterdam and Ghent entirely under your own steam. You'll use Eurostar, regional trains, and budget buses to hop between destinations, stay in well-rated hostels and budget hotels, and book Christmas market tours, Rhine cruises and Alpine day trips directly via GetYourGuide or Klook. Same festive magic, roughly half the price. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£955

Experience Mongolia's legendary Naadam Festival and epic Gobi Desert landscapes on your own terms — without the National Geographic price tag. This self-launched version follows the same route as G Adventures' Journeys tour, from Ulaanbaatar's stadium pageantry to ger camps beneath the Gobi stars, using local 4x4 hire, public transport where possible, and independently bookable ger camps. Mongolia is genuinely one of the world's great independent travel destinations — local guesthouses, shared jeep networks, and community-run ger camps make it entirely DIY-able at a fraction of the cost. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£1,850

Same seven-day route from Tangier to Casablanca — Tetouan, the Blue City of Chefchaouen (with a front-row seat to the 2027 total solar eclipse), Roman Volubilis, imperial Meknes and Fes, coastal Rabat, and Casablanca — done independently at a fraction of the group-tour price. Swap the private vehicle for CTM/Supratours buses and shared grands taxis, book your own riad or guesthouse beds, and self-book guided medina and ruins tours through GetYourGuide or directly with local guides on arrival. All the magic, none of the mark-up.

Travel Crew

~£415

Experience the magic of Bhutan's Black-Necked Crane Festival and the kingdom's most iconic monasteries — all on your own terms. This self-launched version of the Exodus itinerary follows the same unmissable route: Kathmandu, Paro, Thimphu, the Phobjikha Valley for the festival, Punakha, and the legendary Tiger's Nest hike. Bhutan requires all independent travellers to pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD $100/day, and to book through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator — but you can shop around for a smaller, locally-run operator at significantly lower margins than a Western group tour company. All costs below are estimated per person and are approximate.

Travel Crew

~£1,420

Hit Thailand's greatest hits independently — without the group tour price tag. From Khao San Road's electric energy to sleeper trains south, jungle nights in Khao Sok, and the legendary Full Moon Party on Koh Pha Ngan, this self-launched itinerary covers the same ground as G Adventures' classic 18-to-Thirtysomethings route at a fraction of the cost. Book your own hostel beds, hop local buses and ferries, and dance under the full moon on your own terms. Costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£380

Experience the explosive colour and rhythm of Haiti's legendary Kanaval in Jacmel, then journey north to the awe-inspiring Citadelle Laferrière and the rum-soaked streets of Cap-Haïtien — all on your own terms. This self-launched itinerary follows the same route as G Adventures' classic Haiti & Carnival tour, swapping group-tour logistics for local guesthouses, shared taptaps, and direct bookings. Haiti is one of the Caribbean's most raw, rewarding, and underrated destinations; expect vivid culture, Creole feasts, cascading waterfalls, and a Vodou ceremony you'll never forget. All cost estimates are approximate and per person.

Travel Crew

~£575

Experience the very best of South Korea independently — from the neon-lit streets of Seoul to the coastal beauty of Busan — without the group tour price tag. This self-guided itinerary follows the same route as Intrepid Travel's Essential South Korea trip (Seoul → Jeonju → Wanju → Daegu → Busan → Seoul), swapping the group leader for your own sense of adventure. You'll stay in the same style of hostels and even a hanok (traditional Korean house), travel by Korea's excellent public transport network, and self-book the same iconic activities via GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct. South Korea is one of the easiest countries in Asia to navigate independently — the public transport is world-class, signage is bilingual, and the T-money card makes getting around effortless. Estimated costs are approximate and based on budget traveller rates as of 2024–2025.

Travel Crew

~£475

Experience the sacred masked dances of Bhutan's Paro Festival on your own terms. This self-launched version of Exodus's classic route takes you from Kathmandu over the Himalaya to Paro, then through Thimphu, the glacial Phobjikha Valley, subtropical Punakha and back to Paro for the festival, a full day of colour and devotion, before the pilgrimage hike to Taktsang Tiger's Nest Monastery. Independent travel in Bhutan requires pre-arranging a daily Sustainable Development Fee and permit via a licensed local agency, but you'll still save substantially versus the group package by booking your own flights, hotels and transport.

Travel Crew

~£703

Skip the group tour markup and do Thailand your way. This self-launched 15-day route takes you from the buzzing temples and street food of Bangkok, down to the legendary Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, across to the beaches of Koh Samui, out to the stunning Ang Thong Marine Park, and finishing on the dramatic limestone cliffs of Railay Beach in Krabi. All transport is by local buses, trains, and ferries — exactly how backpackers have done it for decades. Costs are approximate estimates based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£635

Experience the magic of Rajasthan independently — from the Taj Mahal at sunrise to tiger spotting in Ranthambore and the electrifying Pushkar Camel Festival — at a fraction of the guided group cost. This self-launched itinerary follows the same unmissable route through Delhi, Ranthambore, Bundi, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Jaipur and Agra, swapping private coaches for trains and shared taxis, and boutique group hotels for characterful guesthouses and budget hotels. All activities are bookable independently via GetYourGuide, direct park booking, or at the gate. Costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£597

Hit seven countries across Central Europe independently — from Berlin's underground clubs to Venice's romantic canals, via Krakow, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Vienna, Budapest and Lake Bled. This self-launched version swaps the Intrepid group leader for your own research, replaces private transfers with trains and buses, and cuts the cost dramatically. You'll stay in a mix of budget hotels and hostels, eat like a local at milk bars and street food stalls, and book activities directly or via GetYourGuide. All the same magic, none of the group tour premium. Costs are approximate estimates per person based on budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£840