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10 Group Tours That Might Actually Change Your Mind
The arrivals hall in Hanoi is a wall of noise, heat, and competing taxi drivers. Navigating it alone is entirely possible. Doing it with a group of like-minded solo travellers, and a local guide who actually knows where she is going, is considerably more enjoyable.
As someone who has spent the better part of three decades finding his own way through airports, border crossings, and bus stations across 110 countries, I am not easily persuaded by the idea of a group tour.
Yet the new Solo-ish Adventures range from G Adventures has genuinely changed my perspective. These tours are designed exclusively for solo travellers. There are no couples, no families, and no one on a honeymoon making the rest of us feel like spare parts.
If you are weighing up the options for solo travel over 50, here are ten of the finest itineraries currently on offer.
What Makes Solo-ish Different?
Each Solo-ish itinerary opens with a dinner party on day one, where you cook and eat alongside your new travel companions. Day two is a “We Day,” a group adventure led by your Chief Experience Officer (CEO). Day three is a “G Day,” featuring a signature activity with a surprise twist.
Crucially, every trip includes a “Me Day,” a full day of unstructured time to explore independently. This balance between community and autonomy is, in my view, what separates these tours from the standard group holiday.
The CEO Initiative
All Solo-ish trips are led by CEOs, a deliberate policy that adds a thoughtful, empathetic dimension to the guiding experience. It also provides meaningful employment in regions where the guiding industry has historically been male-dominated.
For those who value their own space, a discounted “My Own Room” option is available on every tour. This removes the single supplement penalty that plagues most group travel, which, frankly, has always struck me as a tax on self-sufficiency.
List of Group Tours
1. Solo-ish Vietnam
11 days | Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City | From $1,239 USD
The air in Hanoi carries the scent of simmering pho and two-stroke exhaust in roughly equal measure. It is a city that rewards patience and curiosity in equal parts. This 11-day journey covers the country’s full length, from the colonial streets of the capital to the frenetic energy of Ho Chi Minh City.
You will navigate the Old Quarter by cyclo, sail the limestone karsts of Halong Bay on an overnight junk boat, and explore the Imperial Citadel of Hue on a motorbike tour.
Hoi An and the Mekong
A highlight is the cooking class at STREETS International in Hoi An, a social enterprise that trains at-risk youth in hospitality. The Mekong Delta finale involves a sampan boat, a coconut plantation, and a rice paper-making demonstration.
For a deeper look at this route, my thoughts on the vietnam tour solo over 50 cover the itinerary in full detail.
2. Solo-ish Cambodia
10 days | Siem Reap to Phnom Penh | From $944 USD
Cambodia possesses a quiet resilience that lingers long after you leave. This 10-day route does not linger at Angkor Wat, though the sunrise over the temple’s lotus towers alongside your new companions is, admittedly, rather good.
The more interesting days are spent in the Cardamom Mountains. You will travel to the Chi Phat community, waking before dawn for a river boat ride in search of wildlife.
Koh Rong and Phnom Penh
The trip then shifts to the white-sand beaches of Koh Rong island before concluding in Phnom Penh. Dinner at the Spoons restaurant, a G for Good initiative training at-risk youth in professional cooking, is a genuinely moving experience.
My full assessment of why this solo travel in cambodia for over 50s itinerary works so well for mature travellers is worth reading before you book.
3. Solo-ish India
12 days | Delhi to Delhi | From $1,049 USD
India does not ease you in gently. It arrives at full volume, in full colour, and with very little regard for your comfort zone. This 12-day loop from Delhi is, however, a masterfully managed introduction.
The Golden Triangle, which is Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, forms the backbone, but the wildlife element elevates it considerably. You will track Bengal tigers in Ranthambore National Park and float down the Chambal River spotting endangered gharial crocodiles.
The Taj and the Social Enterprise
The Taj Mahal at sunrise is, as advertised, extraordinary. The transfer arranged through Women With Wheels, a social enterprise providing dignified employment for local women, is a quietly significant detail.
For the full picture, my review of this solo travel india over 50 itinerary covers the practicalities in depth.
4. Solo-ish Japan
11 days | Tokyo to Osaka | From $4,223 USD
Japan operates on a frequency entirely its own. The trains arrive to the second, the temples are immaculate, and the food is, without exaggeration, extraordinary. This 11-day journey is part of the G Adventures Rail Collection, meaning you travel the country primarily by its legendary bullet train network.
You will spend a night in a traditional temple in Nagano, waking early to observe the monks’ morning prayer rituals. Later, you will sleep on tatami mats in a ryokan in Fukui, soaking in a private onsen.
Kyoto to Hiroshima
From the historic Gion district of Kyoto to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the itinerary is a considered balance of cultural depth and personal freedom.
I am in the process of compiling a detailed guide on solo travel japan over 50, which will expand on the specific experiences this tour offers.Stay tuned.
5. Solo-ish Morocco
10 days | Casablanca to Marrakech | From $959 USD
The Sahara Desert possesses a silence so complete it becomes almost audible. This 10-day Moroccan adventure takes you from the coastal city of Casablanca through the ancient medinas of Meknes and Fès, south into the dunes of Merzouga, and finally to the organised chaos of Marrakech.
Riding a camel into the desert at dusk to spend the night in a traditional camp is, I will admit, considerably more comfortable than it sounds.
Todra Gorge and Aït Ben Haddou
The journey also explores the towering Todra Gorge and the earthen clay architecture of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has served as a backdrop for everything from Gladiator to Game of Thrones.
A traditional lunch supporting rural women and children with disabilities, arranged through a local G for Good association, is a genuinely worthwhile addition to the itinerary.
6. Solo-ish Nepal
12 days | Kathmandu to Kathmandu | From $1,199 USD
Nepal has a way of making you feel simultaneously very small and entirely at peace. This 12-day itinerary avoids the strenuous demands of high-altitude trekking, focusing instead on cultural depth and accessible adventure.
You will begin by making momos (local dumplings) with a host family in Kathmandu, which is a far more effective icebreaker than any organised team-building exercise I have ever endured.
Chitwan and Pokhara
The trip includes a 4×4 jeep safari in Royal Chitwan National Park, searching for rhinos and tigers. The hike to Gorakhkali Temple in Gorkha requires a moderate effort, though an easier car option is available for those who prefer it.
The lakeside town of Pokhara provides the setting for your “Me Day,” and it is, frankly, one of the more pleasant places on earth to be left to your own devices.
7. Solo-ish Bali
10 days | Ubud to Sanur | From $1,013 USD
Bali’s reputation has taken a battering in recent years, and not entirely without justification. The southern beaches can feel overwhelmed. However, venture inland and north, and the island retains a genuine, unhurried quality.
This 10-day route from Ubud to Sanur seeks out the quieter corners. You will cycle through terraced rice paddies, trek to hidden waterfalls, and spend time in a mountain guesthouse in Bulian, living alongside the local community.
Mount Batur and Nusa Lembongan
A pre-dawn hike up Mount Batur rewards you with a sunrise that spills golden light across the volcanic landscape. The itinerary concludes on Nusa Lembongan, where you can snorkel with manta rays in impossibly clear waters.
If you are researching bali solo over 50, this trip offers a more considered alternative to the crowded resort strips of the south.
8. Solo-ish Jordan
9 days | Amman to Dead Sea | From $1,312 USD
Jordan feels like stepping into the pages of antiquity. This 9-day journey from Amman to the Dead Sea is a compact but profoundly impactful itinerary. You will begin with a street food tour of the capital, before exploring the remarkably preserved Roman ruins of Jerash.
Petra is, naturally, the focal point. Winding through the narrow, kilometre-long Siq gorge to suddenly face the Treasury facade is a moment that resists adequate description.
Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea
The trip also includes a 4×4 excursion through the red sands of Wadi Rum and a night in a desert camp. The Dead Sea finale, floating effortlessly in water so saline it is physically impossible to sink, is a peculiarly relaxing way to end an adventure.
9. Solo-ish Turkey
8 days | Istanbul to Selçuk | From $1,424 USD
Turkey straddles two continents and, in doing so, manages to be simultaneously familiar and entirely foreign. This 8-day route from Istanbul to Selçuk is fast-paced but deeply rewarding.
You will explore the Byzantine and Ottoman grandeur of Istanbul before boarding an overnight train to the surreal, fairy-chimney landscape of Cappadocia.
Cappadocia to Ephesus
Here, an optional dawn hot air balloon flight drifts silently over the volcanic valleys, which is the sort of experience that makes you briefly forget you are a sensible adult with a mortgage.
The journey concludes with a guided walking tour of Ephesus, one of the most complete ancient Roman cities in the Mediterranean. If you are considering options for solo travel tours europe over 50, this transcontinental journey is a compelling starting point.
10. Solo-ish Philippines
11 days | Manila to El Nido | From $1,559 USD
The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, and the challenge has always been knowing where to start. This 11-day itinerary solves that problem elegantly, beginning with a foodie walking tour of Manila before heading to Palawan.
You will visit the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, gliding through limestone karst formations by boat. The trip then moves to Port Barton for island hopping and snorkelling.
El Nido and the Heritage House
The itinerary concludes in El Nido, where two full days of private boat excursions explore hidden lagoons and pristine coral reefs. A visit to the Sibaltan Heritage House, where local women share traditional cooking, weaving, and song, provides genuine cultural depth to what might otherwise be a purely scenic finale.
Quick Reference Guide
| Tour | Duration | Route | Price From | Physical Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo-ish Vietnam | 11 days | Hanoi to HCMC | $1,239 USD | 3 – Average |
| Solo-ish Cambodia | 10 days | Siem Reap to Phnom Penh | $944 USD | 3 – Average |
| Solo-ish India | 12 days | Delhi to Delhi | $1,049 USD | 3 – Average |
| Solo-ish Japan | 11 days | Tokyo to Osaka | $4,223 USD | 3 – Average |
| Solo-ish Morocco | 10 days | Casablanca to Marrakech | $959 USD | 3 – Average |
| Solo-ish Nepal | 12 days | Kathmandu to Kathmandu | $1,199 USD | 3 – Average |
| Solo-ish Bali | 10 days | Ubud to Sanur | $1,013 USD | 3 – Average |
| Solo-ish Jordan | 9 days | Amman to Dead Sea | $1,312 USD | 3 – Average |
| Solo-ish Turkey | 8 days | Istanbul to Selçuk | $1,424 USD | 3 – Average |
| Solo-ish Philippines | 11 days | Manila to El Nido | $1,559 USD | 3 – Average |
Prices correct at time of writing. Check G Adventures directly for current availability and seasonal offers.
Practicalities Worth Knowing
For flights, Trip.com consistently offers competitive long-haul fares. For in-destination transport across Asia, 12GO is a reliable option for booking buses, ferries, and trains in advance.
Arranging an airport transfer through Welcome Pickups removes the immediate stress of arrival, particularly in cities where taxi touts can be persistent. For connectivity, I recommend the £3 Airalo eSIM. Download it before your departure, and you’ll have data from the moment you land.
Travel insurance is non-negotiable. I recommend AllClear Travel Insurance for mature travellers, as they specialise in pre-existing medical conditions, which many standard policies handle poorly.
If the prospect of the long journey itself is causing any anxiety, my guide on long haul flights over 50 covers the practicalities in detail.
Final Thoughts
Travelling solo in your fifties and beyond is not about proving a point. It is about engaging with the world on your own terms, at your own pace, without having to negotiate every decision with another person.
The G Adventures Solo-ish range removes the logistical friction of independent travel while preserving the thrill of discovery. You are afforded the security of a knowledgeable local guide and the quiet camaraderie of fellow solo travellers, without surrendering your autonomy.
Before you decide on a destination, it is worth ensuring you are well-equipped for the journey. My thoughts on the best travel gadgets for over 50s offer some practical guidance on that front.
The world remains vast and genuinely interesting. It is simply waiting for you to book the flight.
A note on how I write: Every trip starts with a journal, filled in wherever I happen to be; on a bus, plane, train, or in a backstreet cafe that has clearly seen better days. It’s not tidy, and it’s not always legible even to me. When I get the time, I use AI to help turn those notes into something readable, organising drafts and occasionally rescuing a sentence that has wandered off without me. The experiences, the perspective, the humour and every editorial decision remain entirely mine. As for the photos, I’m not remotely fond of having my picture taken, family portraits included, so I also use AI to help visualise the places and moments I write about.
