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The best small group tours in Asia for Australians

From vibrant cities to remote landscapes, discover Asia’s top destinations for Australians. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, find the perfect journey to suit your travel style.
Updated by: Kayla Wratten - Freelance Copywriter at Explore Worldwide
Updated: 16 April 2026

Asia is the world’s largest continent, covering one third of the Earth’s land area across 48 vibrant countries. And the best part is? It’s all just a short flight away.

Within a day’s travel from Australia, you can trade the neon-lit streets of Tokyo for the wildlife-rich lowlands of Sri Lanka, or the Himalayan foothills for Balinese rice terraces. What you’ll find across borders is a devotion to nature, centuries-old traditions, and flavour-packed food.

Our small group tours in Asia pair you with expert tour leaders, take care of the logistics and connect you with like-minded travellers who are just as curious as you are. All you have to do is book your trip and get ready to explore

Why Asia Works for Australians


Few continents reward Australian travellers quite like Asia. The best Asia destinations are within half a day's flight from most cities (a far cry from Europe's multi-stop journeys) and the value once you land is hard to argue with. But proximity and price are almost secondary to the real appeal: range. From a comfortable river cruise along the Mekong to an adventurous trek in Nepal, and with destinations across multiple climate zones, there's never a wrong time to go.

India

When we think of India, a riot of colour, fragrant spices and the impressive Taj Mahal come to mind. Experience this captivating country for yourself on our small group tour of India’s Golden Triangle.

New to India? The Golden Triangle is the tourist circuit connecting three of India's most visited cities. Delhi gives you Mughal history and chaotic city life. Agra has the must-see Taj Mahal. Jaipur, known as the Pink City, is stacked with Rajasthani architecture, palace hotels and bazaars. 

Packing a lot of iconic sights into one compact itinerary, our tour is the perfect first-time India trip. With Explore Worldwide, you’ll also detour into the peaceful village of Kalakho and stay at a family-run heritage property well away from the tourist trail.

Ready to go deeper? Our 14-day premium Forts + Palaces of Rajasthan small group trip traces the old camel caravan routes, with nights spent in former palaces. Live like Indian royalty, if only for a night or two.

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Vietnam

For active holidays in Asia, Vietnam is hard to beat. This long, S-shaped country serves up adventure at every turn: cycling through rice terraces, cruising past limestone karsts and trekking between rural villages. 

Start with one of the best cycling tours in Asia. Over two weeks on Explore Worldwide’s Cycle Saigon to Hanoi trip, you’ll see ancient temples, merchant towns and Vietnam's lush hill country from the saddle. Prefer a slightly slower pace? Our Inside Vietnam small group tour covers the Mekong Delta, Hoi An and Halong Bay.

To top it off, Vietnam's street food culture is among the best in Asia, from banh mi to pho and fresh spring rolls eaten at a plastic stool on a busy street corner. You’ll also get to travel by overnight train, enjoying a more sustainable and authentic experience of local life in Vietnam. 
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Japan

Japan is where tradition meets modern life. It's a destination that rewards all kinds of travellers, which is exactly why Australians keep returning.

Discover every side of Japan on our Simply Japan small group holiday. With an expert leader, you’ll uncover the very best of Tokyo, Kyoto and the lesser-visited Samurai district of Kanazawa.
 

Already been? Visit in a different season for a new experience. Spring brings cherry blossoms, while winter means snow and skiing. Autumn is the perfect time for our Kumano Kodo Trail walking tour in Asia's most sacred pilgrimage landscape; an ancient route connecting Shinto shrines through forested mountains.


Seasoned Japan travellers can go further with our immersive Kyushu Island trip. We take you to the country's third-largest island, with hot spring towns, volcanic landscapes and a culture distinct from the mainland.

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Sri Lanka

Dreaming of a wildlife tour in Asia? Sri Lanka, an island country in South Asia, delivers. On Explore Worldwide’s 15-day Sri Lanka In Depth trip, you’ll take not one but two jeep safaris in search of leopards, elephants, sambar deer and more.

Known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, this beautiful island is a nature lover’s delight. Expect rolling surf, wild national parks, tea plantations and ancient ruins. You’ll even get the chance to join a 2am trek with local pilgrims up Adam's Peak for a sunrise you’ll remember for the rest of your life. 
 
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Northern Thailand

There are two sides to Thailand: the north and the south. While the south is ideal for island hopping and vibrant nightlife, the north is quieter with milder temperatures, incredible landscapes and rich cultural experiences.

On our Best of Northern Thailand small group tour, you’ll meet like-minded travellers and uncover the heart of the north with a local guide. Joining us in Chiang Mai (the Rose of the North), you'll wind south through ancient capitals, elephant conservation parks and rural villages before reaching Bangkok.

The temple tours alone are worth the trip, from the elephant-decorated spires of Wat Chang Lom to the Grand Palace's Emerald Buddha. Adventurous travellers will love swimming in waterfalls and ​​bamboo rafting on the Kwai River.
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Bali

Bali is a deeply spiritual destination, and our Walking in Bali and Lombok holiday is one of the best ways to experience it properly. Over 10 days, trek through rice terraces, cross jungle rivers and watch the sunrise from Mount Batur's summit.

With a maximum of 16 travellers, this walking tour in Asia takes you to hidden gems that are difficult to reach by road. In Bali’s green highlands, cross bamboo forests and coffee plantations to reach Beji Pancoran Munduk, where you can join a traditional Balinese Melukat purification ritual at a sacred water source. Guided by our experts, it’s unlike anything else in Asia.

You’ll also catch a speedboat to Lombok, a more peaceful, authentic side of the archipelago most people fly straight past.
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Cambodia

The temples of Siem Reap’s Angkor Wat top many Australians' bucket lists, and rightly so. Among the largest religious monuments in the world, this UNESCO-listed archaeological site is just as impressive in person.

Our Highlights of Cambodia small group tour takes you on a sunrise expedition to Angkor Wat, before heading deeper into the country. From the lively capital Phnom Penh to the lesser-visited waterways of Kampong Chhnang, expect historical landmarks, local farm-to-table dining and a side of Cambodia most visitors never slow down enough to find. Plus, you can travel in comfort with our Upgraded Range, which pairs the same remarkable itinerary with hand-picked premium hotels.
 
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Borneo

For a once-in-a-lifetime journey, hop on Explore Worldwide’s Borneo Sarawak Highlights tour. As one of the last truly wild places on Earth, Borneo is renowned for eco-tourism, wildlife spotting and adventure travel.
Start in Bako National Park, spotting rare proboscis monkeys along jungle trails, then come face to face with semi-wild orangutans in the rainforest at Semenggoh. Beyond the wildlife, this tour goes further than most. Join a village homestay in a traditional Bidayuh longhouse, explore the largest connected cave system in the world and stroll a canopy walkway high above the rainforest floor.

Small group travel means flexibility too. Take self-guided walking trails deeper into the national park, or spend free time on a street-food tasting spree, eating Nasi Goreng, satay and fragrant curries. Led by expert tour leaders, each experience deepens your understanding of local wildlife and supports conservation where it matters most.
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How to choose your Asia trip


First time in Asia? Start with the destinations that top Australian’s travel lists, such as Japan, Vietnam and India's Golden Triangle. They're popular for good reason, and a small group tour means you'll see them properly rather than just scratching the surface. Travelled Asia before? Go further. Places like Cambodia, Borneo and Sri Lanka reward the traveller who already knows the highlights.

Explore Asia

The hardest part of travelling Asia is choosing where to start (or where to go next). Our small group tours handle the logistics, the local knowledge and the hidden gems you wouldn't find alone, so all you have to do is pick your destination. Whether you're after ancient temples, high-altitude trails or wildlife-rich landscapes, we've got a tour for it. Browse our full range of Asia small group tours.
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