Top-Rated Tour Operators of 2025 Chosen by Our Readers

Summary

Top Picks for Tour Operators
1. DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.
2. Classic Journeys
3. Artisans of Leisure
4. (tie) Black Tomato
4. (tie) GeoEx
4. (tie) Wilderness Travel
7. Inside Japan Tours
8. Kensington Tours
9. Quasar Expeditions
10. TCS World Travel
11. Butterfield & Robinson
12. Tauck
13. Trek Travel
14. AdventureWomen
15. Explorer Chick

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These are the companies GoTravelDaily readers trust to provide them with travel expertise and memorable experiences.

When it comes to planning an itinerary, GoTravelDaily readers seek more than mere photo opportunities. The right tour operator plays a crucial role in crafting an unforgettable trip that conjures joy and wonder rather than just ticking off a list of sights. This year, our readers were particularly drawn to companies that utilize local expertise and experience, thoughtfully designing trips that both entertain and inspire.

For our World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily requests readers to share their travel experiences globally — expressing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, cruise ships, and more. Readers rated tour operators based on their staff and guides, itineraries, destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and overall value.

The top picks are celebrated for their deep destination knowledge, complemented by guides who “go the extra mile.” A traveler with over five decades of globetrotting expressed that a journey with Classic Journeys (No. 2) was the “very best” they’d ever experienced. Many noted attention to pandemic safety details, while a traveler visiting Norway was delighted by a “wonderful surprise dinner” in Bergen, which was a fantastic experience.

Tour operators that expertly navigated the intricacies of travel logistics stood out as well. Quasar Expeditions (No. 9) was praised for “planning every detail,” ensuring that guests “only need to show up and enjoy.” In the case of TCS World Travel (No. 10), guests commented: “You never lift a finger and simply enjoy exploring the destination,” adding that they “learned so much” throughout the experience.

This year, several companies that made the list weren’t included in the previous year’s rankings. Notably, two women-only tour operators catering to travelers of all ages emerged. AdventureWomen (No. 14) features multiday tours designed by women, covering destinations from Bhutan to Yellowstone National Park. Explorer Chick (No. 15) offers day trips such as glassblowing in Baltimore and cave rappelling in St. Louis, along with complete itineraries in Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands. A reader mentioned that her Everest Base Camp experience with AdventureWomen was replete with “like-minded women” who “bonded wonderfully,” emphasizing the perceived safety of a women-centered tour group.

No matter which tour they experienced, readers were consistently impacted by the connections formed with people encountered along the way. One commenter regarding Trek Travel (No. 13) noted: “By the end of the trip, a group of strangers felt like longtime friends.” Below, discover the best tour operators of the year.

1. DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.

DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co. bike tour in Mallorca. Patitucci Photo/Courtesy of DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.

A tour with DuVine transcends merely cycling; it allows a deep immersion into the essence of a destination. Even those who consider themselves non-cyclists often find themselves converted. This tour operator, which organizes trips across Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and Africa, has impressively ascended from No. 14 last year to the top spot this year. Its “top-notch biking equipment” combined with “challenging but doable itineraries” played a significant role in this leap. A traveler was particularly impressed with a guide who picked figs from a local tree in Puglia for an energy boost during a steep climb and another guide who entertained the group with songs after dinner. As one satisfied traveler summed it up: “They exceed your expectations.”

Score: 99.12

More information: duvine.com