Our Essentials Range

Value and Adventure

Introducing our Essentials Range


Our Essentials trips offer incredible experiences at a great price. You can squeeze the most out of your destination, without worrying about your wallet. As well as guided sightseeing of the key sites, there’s free time to explore independently or take part in optional excursions so you can focus on doing just the things that suit you. We’ve given you the flexibility to eat where you want too, with few meals included so you can save your pennies and eat cheaply all trip or splurge the money you saved on your tour at a fancy restaurant; we won’t judge!

The accommodation on these trips varies by destination. In Egypt, you will stay in comfortable 3-4 star accommodation, whilst in Japan, China and South Korea, we make use of budget-friendly hostels. Transport is by private air-conditioned vehicles, and we also make use of Asia's comprehensive public transport network. Our Essentials Range brings like-minded travellers together for a once in a lifetime holiday.

Upcoming Essentials Adventures

Trip NameStartsDepartingPriceMap
Rome, Florence & Venice - 8 days Rome, Italy 15 Dec 2024 NZD $1,959 $3,265 save 40% Rome, Florence & Venice - 8 days Map
Italian Expresso - 5 days Rome, Italy 16 Dec 2024 NZD $1,287 $2,145 save 40% Italian Expresso - 5 days Map
Land of the Northern Lights - 5 days Reykjavik, Iceland 02 Sep 2025 NZD $2,083 $3,205 save 35% Land of the Northern Lights - 5 days Map

Our Essentials Destinations

Camel ride at the Pyramids of Giza - Egypt Tours - On The Go Tours

Egypt

From the Pyramids to the beaches of Hurghada, take in the best of Egypt for less with our Essentials tours in the country.

Fushimi inari in kyoto family

Japan

Japan can be an expensive destination, so our Essentials offering is a good option for budget-conscious travellers.

Essential China Adventure main

China

It's great to be exploring China again, and our range of Essentials tours cover everything from Beijing to Shanghai and the Great Wall.

Seoul street

South Korea

From modern Seoul to the DMZ and the remote island of Jeju, our Essentials tour in Korea ticks all the right boxes.

Sahara desert with camel caravan - Morocco - Best time to visit the Middle East

Morocco

Uncover Morocco's best kept secrets without breaking the bank on our Essential Morocco tour!

Blue Mosque

Turkey

From Istanbul to Pamukkale, discover the best of west Turkey with our budget tour.

Chitwan National Park - Best places to visit in Nepal - On The Go Tours

Nepal

This Essentials tour of Nepal takes you high into the Himalayas on a 3-day trek, and on safari in Chitwan National Park.

Recommended Essentials Range tours

Essentials Range

Essential Egypt & Red Sea

11 days | FROM NZD $2,520

From Cairo and the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza, to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, discover the wonders...

Essentials Range

Essential Egypt

8 days | FROM NZD $1,857

A value-packed adventure through ancient Egypt in 8 days. Travelling from Cairo, home of the legendary...

Essentials Range

Essential Egypt by Nile Cruise & Red Sea

11 days | FROM NZD $2,920

From the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza and Aswan's beautiful Philae Temple, to Luxor's famous Valley of the...

Essentials Range

Essential Egypt by Nile Cruise

8 days | FROM NZD $2,257

A value-packed adventure through ancient Egypt. Travelling from Cairo, home of the legendary Pyramids of Giza,...

Essentials Range

Felucca Explorer & Red Sea

11 days | FROM NZD $2,350

From Cairo and the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza, to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, discover the wonders...

Essentials Range

Felucca Explorer

8 Days | FROM NZD $1,687

A value-packed adventure through ancient Egypt. Travelling from Cairo, home of the legendary Pyramids of Giza,...

Essentials Range
View of Kathmandu Valley - Nepal Tours - On The Go ToursEssential Nepal Adventure - 13 days Map
Nepal

Essential Nepal Adventure

13 days | FROM NZD $3,005

Discover the rich culture and breath-taking landscapes of Nepal on this 13-day Essentials adventure tour....

Essentials Range
Yulong River Yangshuo ChinaHong Kong to Chengdu -  9 days Map
China

Hong Kong to Chengdu

9 days | FROM NZD $1,785

SEMI INDEPENDENT: Uncover the delights of China’s vibrant cities and pristine landscapes on this 9...

Essentials Range
Great Wall Sunrise BeijingBeijing to Shanghai Express - 10 days Map
China

Beijing to Shanghai Express

10 days | FROM NZD $2,095

SEMI INDEPENDENT: See the best of Eastern China on this 10-day group tour. Admire the Great Wall at...

Essentials Range

Essential Turkey

7 days | FROM NZD $2,355

Embark on a weeklong journey through Turkey starting in Istanbul with its bazaars and mosques, pay your...

Essentials Range
New Budget South Korea main image - Seoul street - South KoreaEssential South Korea and Jeju - 12 days Map
South Korea

Essential South Korea and Jeju

12 days | FROM NZD $4,685

Take in the highlights of South Korea on this 12-day group tour which starts in Seoul and ends on Jeju island....

Essentials Range
Kiyomizu Dera Temple Kyoto - Japan Tours Essential Japan Explorer - 13 Days Map
Japan

Essential Japan Explorer

13 Days | FROM NZD $5,725

Uncover the best of Japan on a budget, on this 13-day Essentials tour. Staying in a mixture of hostels and...

Essentials Range
Erg Chebbi Highlight - Web ReadyEssential Morocco - 8 days Map
Save
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Morocco

Essential Morocco

8 days | FROM NZD $1,557

Venture through the highlights of Morocco, starting in the vibrant city of Casablanca. Journey through ancient...

Essentials Range
Xian City Walls Hong Kong to Beijing - 17 days Map
China

Hong Kong to Beijing

17 days | FROM NZD $3,465

SEMI INDEPENDENT: Travel from Hong Kong to Beijing on this 17-day China group tour. Relax amongst the...

Essentials Range
Yangshuo Peaks Bamboo Rafts Essential China From Hong Kong - 26 days Map
China

Essential China From Hong Kong

26 days | FROM NZD $5,505

SEMI INDEPENDENT: Take in the best of China on this Essentials tour which starts and ends in Hong Kong!...

Essentials Range
Essential China Adventure mainEssential China Adventure - 22 Days Map
China

Essential China Adventure

22 Days | FROM NZD $4,135

SEMI INDEPENDENT: Discover the best of China from Shanghai on this 22-day Essentials tour. Enjoy the...

Why Choose Our Essentials Range?

Our Essentials Range offers different experiences to the rest of our tours, here is a little more info about what to expect from tours in this range.

valley of the kings

Great value

Our Essentials tours are a lot cheaper than our Handpicked and Signature product. There are fewer inclusions and more budget-friendly transport and accommodation, but these back-packer type tours are perfect for budget-conscious travellers.
Sumo dress.JPG

Optional activities & free time

On our Essentials tours many of the activities are optional, giving you flexibility to explore destinations your way. And there is plenty of free time too, so you can do as much or as little as you want under your own steam.
Group at the Great Wall of China -China - On The Go Tours

Great groups

Group sizes range on our Essentials tours from around 16 in the Far East to 40 in Egypt. The demographic on these tours is generally younger than our other product too, with an average age of around 35.
Sleeper Train Exterior

Accommodation

To keep costs down, we use a mixture of 3-star hotels, hostels, overnight trains and guesthouses on our Essentials tours. In Japan you will also get to stay in a ryokan and on many China tours we include a night of camping beside the Great Wall!