Find a travel experience that was made for you by considering the pace of the trip. From fast-paced and high-energy to super chill and laid-back, your ideal match awaits!

Written by Emily Plug, Head of Content & Sales at El Camino Travel. Originally published March 1, 2023. 

With more trips than ever before, it’s our priority to help you select the one (or ones 😏) that’s perfect for you. We get it—sometimes you’re looking for something a little more laid-back so that you can rest and recharge, while other times, you’re craving an action-packed adventure. Let us help you find the trip of your dreams based on what you’re looking for now or next month! Below, we’ve categorized each of our trips by energy level (high, medium, and low). 

HIGH 🔥

(fast-paced, action-packed)

Our high-energy trips are culturally immersive and fast-paced. Your days will be filled with dynamic and highly-curated activities. Even on our most action-packed trips, we’ve left room for free time for you to explore at your own pace (alone or with new friends in the group), or to relax and recharge. Our high-energy trips typically involve a lot of walking and exploring. These trips are perfect for travelers who want to make the most of their vacation days. On all of our trips, we always practice slow travel. This means that although you’ll experience so much during your trip, we won’t waste time darting from city to city on each day of the trip. Instead, we focus on 2-3 main locations, giving you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself rather than spending the majority of your time in a vehicle. 

Bolivia (8 days)

Known as our most adventurous trip, this itinerary highlights Bolivia’s world-class design, gastronomy, and textiles alongside some of the most beautiful landscapes and thriving ancient traditions. Our Bolivia trip is a wild and wonderful adventure that quite literally transcends the ordinary.

Highlights: Discover La Paz’s boundary-pushing cuisine prepared by an all-women kitchen, teleferico ride to El Alto, a special lunch at a gastronomy school for local children, Cholet architecture experience, traditional Yatiri ceremony and blessing, Cholita Luchadoras wrestling match, La Paz backstreets tour, coffee tasting experience, witches market and textile market visit, Salar de Uyuni happy hour experience in the world’s largest salt flat at sunset, star gazing, Salar de Uyuni gourmet picnic, and more. Explore the full itinerary. 

Colombia (9 days)

One of the world’s most unique destinations and one of El Camino’s personal favorites, breathtaking Colombia is dramatic in everything from its geographical diversity to its notorious reputation and subsequent radical renaissance. This well-rounded, high-energy trip is a fan favorite. Visit two dynamic cities that couldn’t be more different than each other: Cartagena and Medellin. 

Highlights: Intimate meal prepared by a local family, salsa dancing lessons and salsa tour visiting local spots far from the tourist circuit, volcanic mud bath, drumming circle experience with a local organization, island beach day, street food tour, Medellin city transformation tour, Comuna 13 visit with community leaders, graffiti artist studio visit and lunch, coffee farm experience, Guatapé lake house day, and more. Explore the full itinerary.

Cuba (5 days)

Cuba's energy is unmistakably attractive. This elusive yet misunderstood destination is a dream for many but a reality for few. Our immersive itinerary grants American travelers legal access to Cuba, opening up a world of possibilities. Though one of our shorter trips, each moment has been carefully planned to empower you to experience the culture deeply. 

Highlights: Intimate musical performance at sunset to kick off the trip, immersive city tour in classic convertibles, creative arts walking tour, visit to the Arts Factory, day trip to the countryside, tobacco farm visit and cigar rolling experience, ox-drawn carriage ride, salsa dancing class with local dance crew and DJ, tour of Old Havana, and more. Explore the full itinerary.

Egypt (8 days)

A modern-day cultural icon with a legacy to back it up. Fulfill your lifelong dream of visiting the last remaining wonder of the ancient world while tapping into the Egyptian culture of today with a wide range of unique cultural experiences. 

Highlights: Dinner curated by a food archeologist, visit the Great Pyramid, exclusive access to the Paws of The Sphynx (not open to the public), Cairo culinary walk, Ibn Tulun Mosque, hike and kayak on the Nile near Philae Temple, learn about Nubian culture and cuisine, felucca sailing experience on the Nile, visit the Valley of the Kings, bike ride through Luxor, and more. Explore the full itinerary. 

Japan (9 days)

Japan is a multi-faceted country. Although it's easy to have an enjoyable time on your own, it's nearly impossible to understand the intricacies of the culture without local guidance. That’s where we come in. This itinerary was formed from personal relationships, making it one-of-a-kind.

Highlights: Meals at intimate hidden gem restaurants throughout the experience, an eye-opening walking tour through Tokyo’s most charming districts, visit Meiji Jingu shrine, traditional kissaten (old-fashioned coffee shop) experience, Tsukiji Market, vintage shopping experience, bullet train to Kyoto, private temple tour with a Zen monk followed by a private Zen-style meditation, artisan studio visit, coastal day trip to a small fishing village, design studio visit, sake brewery, private yoga session, Kyoto architecture tour, and more. Explore the full itinerary. 

Morocco (9 days)

This trip is a design lover’s dream! Your days in Marrakech will be very well-spent exploring all the nooks and crannies of Morocco’s creative scene. Leave Marrakech for the Draa Valley where a once-in-a-lifetime experience awaits you. You’ll spend 3 days and 2 nights in a living piece of history. During your stay at a centuries-old casbah, you and your travel companions will participate in an array of cultural activities that will provide layer upon layer of context. 

Highlights: Back-alley medina tour experience, multiple artist studio visits, desert camp experience with camel riding and dinner, a day trip to the coast, design-forward dining experience, palmeraie garden tour and lunch, once-in-a-lifetime stay at a kasbah, multiple intimate musical performances, rug-making experience, shopping with local artisans, and more. Explore the full itinerary.

MEDIUM 💃

(a good balance of R&R and exciting experiences)

Our medium-energy trips are full of exciting and unique experiences but at a slightly more relaxed pace. Just like our high-energy itineraries, the trips in this category also involve a good amount of walking, exploring, and light physical activity. Some of the following trips have a strong focus on nature, while others highlight local craftsmanship and design. 

Basque Country (8 days)

Deeply explore two of Western Europe's most fascinating yet highly underrated regions: San Sebastian & La Rioja. Indulge in slow travel by taking your time to explore the rich and multi-faceted cultures of these unique parts of Spain and France. Delight yourself in the flavors of the region while embracing endemic traditions that date back centuries.

Highlights: Hike the Basque coastline, visit Pasajes San Juan by boat, explore the French side of the Basque Country: Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz, local market visits, exclusive experience at a gastronomic society, free day to head to Bilbao, pintxos scavenger hunt activity, Rioja valley e-bike tour, Rioja wineries, and more. Explore the full itinerary. 

Guatemala (9 days)

Sustainably sourced textiles, locally foraged cuisine, and a connection to the land and its people. Explore an itinerary that supports the local creative economy while exploring the varied cultures and dramatic landscapes of Guatemala.

Highlights: Intimate coffee farm experience, open-fire feast on the farm, check out the largest collection of Guatemalan art at a private estate-turned-museum, hands-on weaving and natural dye workshop at a stunning creative studio, private botanical garden experience (swimming, hiking, exploring, relaxing), farm-to-table brunch, Chichicastenango market visit, lake-front stay at Lake Atitlan, swimming and kayaking in the lake, creative studio visits, and more. Explore the full itinerary.

Oaxaca (8 days)

Get inspired by ancient indigenous cultures and traditions while eating your way through one of Mexico's most exciting and creative cities. Visit the iconic Hierve de Agua, Oaxaca's calcified mineral waterfalls, and take a plunge in one of the calming pools at the top of the falls.

Highlights: Visit a women-led artisan cooperative specializing in red clay ceramics, authentic barbacoa feast, agave farm experience with fifth-generation mezcal distillers, local market and street food tour, Hierve de Agua visit, learn about Zapotec culture and craft, artisan studio visits: ceramics, sombreros (where you can get a custom-fitted hat), candles, and rugs, and more. Explore the full itinerary. 

Trinidad & Tobago (8 days)

This trip is a water baby’s dream! Although the vibe of the trip tends to be quite laid-back, we classified this trip as medium-energy because of the range of different activities that we fit into this 8-day experience. This unique and dynamic itinerary visits a highly underrated and infrequently visited country. Trinidad & Tobago is the definition of a hidden gem, and this trip is perfect for adventurous travelers who love to blaze their own trail.

Highlights: Steelpan drum performance, treetop yoga, visit secluded coves and beaches by boat, snorkeling in crystal clear water, traditional East-Indian lunch be served on banana leaves on the beach, visit the Nylon Pool and No Man’s Land by boat, local market experience, beach day, witness the annual leatherback turtle migration from your beachfront hotel, Rio Seco Waterfall, cooking class, street food experience, dancing, and more. Explore the full itinerary.

LOW 😌

(laid-back, chill, relaxing)

Our lower-energy trips are all about relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery around you while indulging in great food and experiences. The laid-back pace of these trips is palpable, allowing you to rest and recharge while getting to know the destination’s dynamic culture. 

Greece (8 days)

Despite Greece’s notoriety, there’s still so much untapped potential and so much exploration remaining. Come with us to the lesser-explored sparkling beaches, rocky shores, and whitewashed villages on the islands of Paros and Tinos. 

Highlights: Explore hidden gems along the Paros coastline on a catamaran, visit a beautiful, under-the-radar mountain town, beach club visit, wine-tasting experience, visit the towns of Pyrgos and Ktikados, discover untapped beaches, free day to explore Tinos or ferry to Mykonos, delicious meals throughout the trip at under-the-radar tavernas, and more. Explore the full itinerary. 

Nicaragua (6 days)

If private islands, catamarans, sun, sea, and sand are just your speed, then Nicaragua is the trip for you. We’ve found the perfect balance between exploring the city and relaxing in the sun. The entire trip is based in Granada, meaning transportation times are minimal. Granada is one of Central America’s best-kept secrets and it’s impossible not to fall in love with its charming culture and laid-back energy.

Highlights: Enjoy a traditional Nicaraguan buffet-style meal called Caballo Bayo, a Granada walking tour, a home-cooked meal at the home of your local host, take a dip in Laguna de Apoyo—a volcanically heated lagoon known to have healing powers, visit Masaya Volcano National Park for a glimpse of the Santiago crater, cruise the Emerald Coast on a catamaran, visit secluded coves perfect for swimming, spend a day at an eco-friendly lodge on an island in Lake Nicaragua, and more. Explore the full itinerary.