Do you have the urge to travel but no one to share your adventure with? Then we have you covered with a range of small group tours that offer no single supplement payable. What does this mean? It means you will have a room of your own without having to pay the single supplement fee that solo travel usually attracts.
Want to go on safari, eat street food in Hanoi, see a 3000 year old tree or visit a Sikkim monastery? Then keep reading to learn more about adventures that can take you off the beaten path with Crooked Compass.
Dreaming of Africa? Our small group tour veers off the beaten track into the heart of Kenya’s lesser known parks for a more authentic experience. Encompassing vast grassy savannahs, mingle with Samburu tribes, bask in the sheer size and beauty of Mt Kilimanjaro peering down on you, be overwhelmed with the vast number of elephants and tick the big five off your bucket list. Discover the less visited game parks and uncover Africa’s inner soul.
Traveller Highlight: Overnight stay at Sweetwaters Tented Camp. In this private reserve, guests enjoy many special activities not permitted in most other National Parks and Reserves such as game walks, night game drives, horseback game viewing and meals in the bush.
Vietnam Unlocked
Blessed with a ravishing coastline, emerald-green mountains, breathtaking national parks, dynamic cities, outstanding cultural interest and one of the world’s best cuisines, Vietnam has it all. This is an outrageously fun country to explore, the locals love a laugh (and a drink) and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to socialise with them and hear their tales.
On this journey, you will hike through lush jungles and stay in local homes. Support numerous local projects from a blind massage school to restaurants run by reeducated and rehabilitated street kids. Chat with monks and venture into the planets largest cave. Your Vietnamese journey with Crooked Compass is sure to be wonderfully rewarding as you explore an incredibly varied country.
Traveller Highlight: Overnight sailing experience at Halong Bay, try your luck with squid fishing off the back of the junk or simply sip on a cocktail whilst enjoying the quiet of night on the bay.
The perfect journey for those who are seeking to discover the off beat and local side to a destination as beautiful and enigmatic as Nepal. Experience the lesser known side of Nepal; the quieter, hidden and more local side. Uncover the soul of this welcoming, warm country as you spend time living with locals in remote rural villages surrounded by lush rice paddies and ancient temples, be blessed by a Tibetan Lama and embrace the magic of an evening aarti ceremony on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Search for the elusive rhino on elephant back as you explore Chitwan National Park whilst also taking time to understand and appreciate the local Tharu culture. Cook with locals learn their daily way of life.
Traveller Highlight: This journey introduces you to the mysterious and intriguing monastic life where you will better understand and appreciate how the Kagyu and Nyingma Traditions of Tibetan Buddhism are lived.
Discover Yakushima
Attention! Calling all paradise lovers! Known as the ‘island of ancient forests and water’, Yakushima is secluded and unspoilt which feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Japan’s megacities. Exploring on foot and by kayak is a wonderful way to discover one of Japan’s natural wonders. Climb through the craggy interior as you discover 1000 year old cedar trees blanketed in moss. Paddle through pristine waters and snorkel alongside sea turtles. Take a dip under rushing waterfalls and warm up in the regions natural hot springs. An island of vast contrasts exploding with natural beauty.
Traveller Highlight: Witnessing history in the form of the island’s enormous old trees, often covered in green moss, offer an unusual sight. During your Day 5 hike, you will pass by the famous Buddha sugi (1,800 years old) and Yamato sugi (3,000 years old) cedar trees.
Be guided through this mesmerising spectacle of living tradition, participating in the festivities alongside the devout. Be prepared for an amazing journey of discovery, cultural experiences, local life, cuisine and explore the meaning and forms of spirituality, all mixed with unsurpassed scenery. Discover a more remote, culturally diverse and scenic India, Sikkim is one of the most beautiful states India has on offer. Paired with the well known cities of Kolkata and Darjeeling on the tea trail, you will also dip your toe into West Bengal.
Traveller Highlight: Exploring the unspoiled towns, wild landscapes of exotic flora and fauna as well a homestay experience in a traditional Lepcha village of Dzongu.
Our small group tours are created to inspire, educate and encourage travellers to understand responsible tourism by providing culturally immersive experiences, supporting local communities and projects. Make one of these experience’s yours – Contact us today!
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This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
Our Signature Tours are the cornerstone of the Crooked Compass journey: meticulously designed small-group itineraries that balance authenticity, comfort, and ease. These are destinations where travel can be complex—from navigating evolving logistics to reaching places far from the usual tourist path—yet our expertise ensures your experience feels smooth, effortless, and deeply rewarding.
From the moment you arrive, every detail is handled with care. You’re welcomed personally on arrival and met for a private transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll join the rest of your group. Your guide will walk you through an orientation, helping you understand the rhythm of the journey ahead and settling you in with clear, practical insights from the very start.
Accommodation is selected for both comfort and character, reflecting the richness of its locality through thoughtful design, creative ingenuity, and a genuine sense of place. Whether it’s a boutique property, a sustainable lodge or a homestay, each choice is made to connect you meaningfully with the destination.
Cultural integration sits at the heart of our approach. Every itinerary is crafted with respect for local communities, aligning sensitively with their values and protecting the authenticity of their culture. Through this, travellers experience a deeper connection —stories shared firsthand, traditions encountered in their true context, and moments that shift perspectives long after returning home.
With a maximum of 12 travellers and our most trusted local partners, you explore with confidence, guided by teams who combine deep regional knowledge with an intuitive understanding of Western traveller expectations. Through the powerful medium of storytelling, our journeys inspire personal reflection and spark genuine emotion, turning travel into something transformative.
For travellers seeking even more flexibility or personalisation, our Tours By Design journeys are crafted with the same care — mindfully designed around your interests for a more tailored experience.
Why travellers love our Signature Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
Our Founders Tours are rare, one-of-a-kind journeys personally hosted by Crooked Compass founder, Lisa Pagotto. Designed for the traveller who seeks more than just adventure, these exclusive small-group expeditions uncover places few have ever seen – experiences not featured in our regular collection, chosen for their depth, beauty, and story.
Each itinerary is hand-crafted by Lisa to offer meaningful connection and unique access built through years of trust and collaboration with local communities. Travelling alongside her gives you an unparalleled perspective into the world of ethical exploration – from the behind-the-scenes partnerships that shape our journeys, to the human stories that inspire them.
With an intimate group size and seamless support from our expert team, a Founders Tour is less a trip, and more a masterclass in discovery.
Why travellers love Founders Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
Set sail on a rare journey across remote islands, wild coastlines, and untouched ecosystems aboard a small, luxury expedition vessel. Travelling by sea unlocks access to places few travellers ever reach – from isolated villages and pristine reefs to dramatic landscapes that can’t be accessed by land – while each evening, you return to the comfort of your beautifully appointed cabin.
These voyages blend adventure with refinement. Expert-led excursions bring you face-to-face with raw nature and vibrant cultures, while exceptional onboard dining, service, and comfort allow time to unwind and reflect.
To complete your experience, Crooked Compass can seamlessly craft pre- or post-cruise land extensions, ensuring your journey flows effortlessly from sea to shore.
Why travellers love our Expedition Cruises:
More about out Tour Styles.
Our Tours by Design experiences are private journeys curated exclusively for you by the Crooked Compass team. Whether you’re drawn to one of our existing itineraries, wish to adapt a small-group tour for private travel, or want to design something entirely new, we’ll craft a journey that reflects your pace, passions, and sense of discovery.
Why pay for inclusions that don’t fit? With Tours by Design, every detail is intentional – from the destinations and experiences to your style of travel and choice of accommodation. Each itinerary is hand-built through our deep local partnerships and expertise, ensuring authenticity, comfort, and connection in every moment.
Why travellers love Tours by Design:
More about our Tour Styles.
Our Partner Tours are carefully chosen group journeys operated by our long-standing, in-country partners — experts who share our values of authenticity, cultural respect, and meaningful connection. These departures, averaging between 17 and 22 travellers, are designed and delivered by our partners, while Crooked Compass manages your booking and provides full support from start to finish.
Enjoy the reassurance of booking through an Australian-based company, delivering our same personalised service and attention to detail you expect from Crooked Compass. We take care of the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most – the journey itself.
Why travellers love our Partner Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
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