Affordable grand tours of the world

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Sometimes a one-week vacation just isn't enough, especially when you wake up the last morning of your trip and don't want to leave yet—it's too soon, and you've just begun to discover what makes your destination so special.

Luckily, there are longer grand tours that provide you with enough time to fully explore a new place, whether it's a month-long journey through Southeast Asia or an in-depth two-week Peruvian adventure.

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We've scoured the world of extended travel deals for packages that give you the most bang for your buck, listed here in order from the least amount of money you'll spend per day to most. At first it might seem like you are spending a little more than usual on some of these trips, but the perks included—meals, intra-country transportation, professionally guided small-group tours—and the unique travel experiences you'll get more than make up for any initial sticker shock.

India: basics on a budget
Highlights: Visit ancient forts and colorful modern cities throughout Northern India.

This three-week tour of Northern India and Rajasthan is full of unique experiences—an overnight camel safari in the desert, anyone?—and gives you just enough free time to explore the cities on your own. You'll also get guided tours of New Delhi, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Udaipur, and Jaipur, plus the chance to experience sunrise at the Savitri temple in Pushkar and wrap things up with a scenic boat trip down the River Ganges during a candle flower ceremony.

The breakdown
: This three-week tour of Northern India and Rajasthan will cost you about $65 (about SGD81) per day including 19 nights' accommodations, all ground transportation within the country, and several guided tours. G Adventures, from $1,299 (about SGD1,610) per person for a 20-day trip.


Central America for the trail-blazing history buff
Highlights: Tour ancient ruins and jungles in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

Dreaming of visiting the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum, Palenque, Chichén Itzá, Tikal, and Copán? This extensive small-group tour starts in Mexico City with a vast cultural tour of Mexico before heading north to the Yucatán cities of Palenque, Mérida, and Playa del Carmen. Next, you'll cross the border to Belize and soak up the Central American sun in Caye Caulker, before heading south to Flores, Guatemala—shop for the perfect souvenir at the local markets of Chichicastenango and take time to roam the colorful city of Antigua.

The breakdown: You'll end up spending $77 (about SGD95) per day including all ground transportation, guided tours, and 45 nights' accommodations in hotels, one night in a local homestay, and one night on an overnight bus. Intrepid Travel's Central America Explorer, from $3,570 (about SGD4,430) for a 46-day trip.

The ultimate tour of Southeast Asia

Highlights: Visit temples, beaches, and historical spots throughout Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

On this 29-day Southeast Asia adventure, you'll get to visit ancient temples like Chiang Mai, Wat Po, and Wat Rong Khun, sail down the Mekong River, spend the night at a homestay in a local Laotian village, and watch a traditional Vietnamese water puppets show. And that's just the first half of your trip—the rest has you cruising around Halong Bay, visiting the Royal Tombs in Hue, and cruising the Mekong Delta before you head into Cambodia for a sobering historical tour of the Killing Fields and guided tours of Angkor Wat's spectacular temple complex.

The breakdown: You'll spend $103 (about SGD128) a day including all guided tours, entrance fees, ground transportation, regional flights and boat rides between countries, accommodations, and most meals. G Adventures, from $2,999 (about SGD3,717) per person for a 29-day trip.

Best of the U.S.
Highlights: An epic cross-country adventure from San Francisco to New York City and back, stopping at national parks and big cities around the country.

Starting and ending in San Francisco, this 32-city tour of the United States' best attractions includes visits to Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, Niagara Falls, and Yellowstone. The first half of the tour takes you through the heartland—gamble in Las Vegas, experience southwest culture in Santa Fe, and visit Elvis at Graceland—while the rest of it works through the big cities of the Northeast before sending you back through the northern states.

The breakdown: This 44-day trip breaks down to $114 (about SGD142) per day including all of your ground transportation in an air-conditioned van, 43 nights' accommodations, and guided city tours. This package also covers most meals as well as entrance fees. G Adventures, from $4,999 (about SGD6,195) per person for a 44-day trip.

An African safari adventure from Kenya to Cape Town
Highlights
: Meet the locals and spot the Big Five in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.

If you're an adventurous animal lover with a month and a half to spare, this tour is right up your alley. Keep your eyes out for the Big Five as you zig-zag your way through eight African countries and stop to see the animals they're known for on a number of game drives and walks through the African bush. You'll also get to visit spice plantations in Zanzibar, feel the spray of Victoria Falls, and relax on the beaches of Lake Malawi. Get to know the locals by staying in several African villages along the way.

The breakdown
: You'll end up spending $125 (about SGD155) per day for this 45-day African adventure including 44 nights' accommodations, all ground transportation, guided tours, and most meals. Intrepid Travel, from $5,660 (about SGD7,015) per person for a 45-day trip.

Grand tour of Ireland
Highlights
: Visit Dublin, Killarney, Belfast, Derry, Blarney, Galway, Kerry, Cliffs of Moher.

Erin go bragh! This grand tour of Ireland gives you 11 days to explore both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. You'll visit legendary places like the Giant's Causeway and get guided tours of 20 major sites and attractions including Trinity College's Book of Kells, the Guinness Brewery Storehouse, city tours of Belfast and Galway, a trip to the Titanic Belfast Experience, scenic tours of the Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, and Dingle Peninsula, plus a traditional Medieval dinner in an Irish castle. Just don't forget to bring your camera!

The breakdown: Round-trip multicity airfares between New York City, Dublin, and Shannon start from $697 (about SGD865) in early October (Aer Lingus). The land-only portion of this trip ends up being about $1,702 (about SGD2,110) per person, or $131 (about SGD163) per person per day. SmarTours, from $2,399 (about SGD2,973) per person for an 11-day trip including international airfare from New York City. Book this package by May 15 before prices increase by $400 (about SGD496).

New Zealand
: affordable island-hopping for nature lovers and adrenaline junkies
Highlights
: Tour New Zealand's North and South Islands for less.

Get to know this intriguing kiwi nation with a three-week trip through both islands. The tour starts and ends in Auckland, and includes some truly "only in New Zealand" experiences like Maori cultural encounters, sea kayaking in the Doubtful Sound, surfing lessons in Raglan, and a trip to Franz Josef National Park. Hiking, biking and opportunities to skydive and bungee jump are also available if you're feeling extra gutsy.

The breakdown
: You'll spend $138 (about SGD171) a day including all intra-country transportation, 20 nights' worth of accommodations, guided tours, and most meals. G Adventures, from $2,899 (about SGD3,593) per person for a 21-day trip.

Peru: for those willing to splurge for a more unique touring experience
Highlights
: Choose your own adventures, visit local favorites, and become totally immersed in Peruvian culture.

Flexibility is your friend on this 16-day tour of Peru. You'll get to choose between several activities—surfing in the Pacific Ocean or biking the scenic streets of Lima, a walking tour or a Peruvian cooking class, an invigorating hike or a visit to a traditional weaving village among other options. The best part: the tour includes exciting once-in-a-lifetime activities like nighttime jungle treks in the Amazon and sand-boarding on the dunes in Paracas, as well as plenty of time at iconic sites like Machu Picchu.

The breakdown: While the $4,750 (about SGD5,887) price-tag might sting, keep in mind that it does cover three internal flights, all airport transfers, 15 nights' accommodations, several meals, the services of an English-speaking tour guide, and all expenses for group activities. PerspecTrips.

See more photos of these grand tours.

Special note: With the exception of the SmarTours Grand Tour of Ireland, none of the packages listed include international airfare. All prices are based on double occupancy—please contact the individual travel companies for more information on single supplements and to see if you can be paired up with a roommate.