The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) has joined forces with Travelsphere, travel specialists for more than 60 years, to offer a new collection of tours that follow in the footsteps of early explorers
For more than six decades, Travelsphere has been crafting exceptional holidays, and this year saw them embark on a partnership with the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), creating a collection of tours that represent more than simple photogenic locations; they’re carefully curated itineraries that follow the routes pioneered by some of the world’s most celebrated explorers, scientists, and geographers.
Where History Meets Adventure
Each destination in the RGS Collection has been handpicked by the Society for its historical, geographical, or anthropological significance.
Take the Epic Wonders of the National Parks tour, a 17-day journey through America’s most spectacular landscapes. While travellers marvel at Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders, Bryce Canyon’s otherworldly hoodoos, and the Grand Canyon’s breathtaking immensity, they’re also tracing the footsteps of the early conservationists whose vision preserved these natural treasures for future generations. It’s not merely sightseeing; it’s walking through the very foundation of the American conservation movement.
The Grand Tour of Italy offers a modern take on the 18th-century tradition that once defined cultured European travel. From Venice’s maritime grandeur to Sicily’s ancient crossroads, this journey weaves together art, history, and local. Today’s Grand Tourists benefit from expert Holiday Directors who bring centuries of cultural heritage to life with insider knowledge that no guidebook can match.
New Horizons for 2026
The commitment of both Travelsphere and the Royal Geographical Society to purposeful travel has already seen the collection expand with two brand new itineraries for 2026. The Silk Road Adventure through the Five Stans – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan – represents perhaps the ultimate off-the-beaten-path experience. This 21-day journey traverses one of history’s most significant trade routes, where ancient traditions haven’t just survived but continue to thrive alongside modern Central Asian life.
Equally compelling is the Incredible India & Nepal adventure, an 18-day tour that crosses both geographical and spiritual boundaries. From the ethereal beauty of sunrise at the Taj Mahal to the sacred intensity of Varanasi, from wildlife safaris in Nepal’s Chitwan National Park to the serene lakes of Pokhara, this journey encapsulates the subcontinent’s extraordinary diversity.
Beyond Tourism: Travel with Purpose
This partnership acknowledges a responsibility to the places and communities visited on tours. It speaks to a shared understanding that authentic exploration should leave destinations better than it found them, supporting local cultures and ecosystems rather than merely consuming them.
What sets the RGS Collection apart is its commitment to the positive impact travel can have far and wide. Your booking doesn’t just secure an exceptional holiday; it actively supports the Royal Geographical Society’s ongoing research and scientific fieldwork. While you’re discovering Japan‘s harmonious blend of ancient temples and ultra-modern cities or marvelling at the engineering marvel of Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer railway, you’re simultaneously funding important discoveries elsewhere in the world.
The Expert Touch
Throughout each journey, Travelsphere’s expert Holiday Directors serve as more than mere guides. They’re cultural ambassadors, sharing their knowledge of local traditions, hidden gems, and historical context that transforms sites from mere photo opportunities into profound encounters with human achievement.
The Royal Geographical Society Collection represents travel at its most authentic and transformative. In a world saturated with surface-level tourism, these journeys offer something increasingly precious: the opportunity to reconnect with our world’s most significant places and their stories.
For the discerning traveller seeking more than mere relaxation, this collection offers the chance to become part of a tradition of discovery that stretches back nearly two centuries – and continues to shape our understanding of the world today.
Learn more about Travelsphere and the Royal Geographical Collection at travelsphere.co.uk.
