20 Best Sustainable Package Trips in Spring 2024

As spring 2024 quickly approaches, it’s time to start organizing your travel plans, and we’ve curated 20 of the best sustainable package trips to help you out. Since package trips already take care of the majority of the trip planning, rest assured it’s not too late to book one of these responsible experiences for March, April, or May of 2024.

Spring is considered to be the shoulder season for many destinations, making it an excellent time to visit for many reasons. Spring is a time to refresh, to leave the winter hibernating behind, and to take advantage of the longer days. For travelers, there’s nothing better than enjoying a beautiful destination perk up after a long winter, without paying peak prices only to wrestle through hordes of other visitors.

7 Reasons to Travel During the Spring

1. You can beat the summer crowds.
2. Traveling outside of the high season is more sustainable, as it helps combat overtourism.
3. Traveling during shoulder season is generally more affordable compared to the high season.
4. The weather becomes pleasant, sunny, and mild, instead of the scorching summer heat.
5. Spring weather is ideal for many outdoor and nature-based activities.
6. Many destinations feature incredible floral blooms that only last a few short months.
7. There are countless cultural festivals celebrating spring, flowers, Easter, colors, and more.

To inspire you to enjoy this relatively underrated season, we pulled together a list of the top 20 package trips to take in spring 2024, and they’re all sustainable! Using our expertise, we selected these tours specifically because we believe they are truly magical to experience in the spring season.
Keep reading to discover a range of sustainable package trips that are privately guided, self-guided, or small-group trips with fixed departures. Start dreaming about Europe, Africa, and Asia, and get ready to make the most out of the spring travel season - responsibly!

Best Privately Guided Trips to Take in Spring 2024

India

The peak travel season in India takes place over the American autumn and winter months. It’s advised that travelers visit India before temperatures rise in April, making March the ideal window between peak crowds and uncomfortable temperatures. This season is also a great time for wildlife, as they too begin to reemerge to enjoy the warmer temperatures. This is especially true in the northern regions of India. 

One of the most exciting reasons to visit India in the spring is to witness the Holi Festival (on March 25th, 2024), the festival of color. Holi celebrates spring and all of the colors it brings. This Hindu festival has become famous for people coming together in a sea of color. Colored powder, called Gulal, is thrown around as people celebrate with music, dancing, and laughter. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many travel enthusiasts.

Our go-to responsible package trip for first-time travelers in India is our Golden Triangle Cultural Tour. Our slow travel tour will take you through the iconic cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, which are best visited before the scorching temperatures of the summer months. These cities are also very exciting locations to see the Holi festival in action! 

As mentioned above, visiting the Northern regions of India in the spring is an excellent time to experience wildlife. Our North India Wildlife Tour is the perfect match for this type of experience! On this trip, you will tour Ranthambore National Park (with the hopes of spotting Indian tigers!), meet with local nomadic camel herders, and visit rescue and rehabilitation wildlife centers.

Nepal 

Neighboring India, it is similarly advised to visit Nepal outside of the American summer season. Nepal’s monsoon season lasts from June to August, making spring an ideal season to plan your adventure. 
Especially if your visit will include trekking - one of the absolute most popular activities to do in Nepal - this is best done in the spring so you can enjoy the:

• Longer days
• Warmer temperatures
• Blooming wildflowers 

Spring is also a busy festive season for Nepal! As in India, there will be Holi celebrations in March. Unique to Nepal, there is the Nepali New Year in April, a horse festival in Kathmandu at the beginning of April, and Buddha Jayanti, the celebration of Buddha’s birthday, in May. These are just a few of the many festivals that make Nepal a very exciting destination for spring travel.

It is recommended to complete the Everest Base Camp trek in either the spring or fall. Trekking in the spring season, however, is not as busy as the October and November periods. As a bonus, you will be rewarded with spectacular wildflowers starting to show their faces! On top of this once-in-a-lifetime trek, our 16-day trip also includes a visit to Kathmandu as well as a chance to connect with the Sherpa people, local to the foothills of Everest. 

Another excellent choice for trekkers is the Annapurna Panorama Trek. If you choose to partake in this trek in March or April, you will be amazed at the famous blooming Rhododendrons. This trekking and cultural tour is perfect for those who crave Nepal’s gorgeous mountain vistas, as well as its unique cultural gems and historic temples. 

Spain 

Like many European countries, Spain welcomes most of its tourists in the summer months. This is when prices typically increase, beaches become more crowded, and temperatures are often higher than 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). Visiting in spring, you will not only escape all of these headaches but you will also help combat overtourism the summer months are susceptible to.

Plus, the spring season brings something quite special that cannot be ignored: Festivals! Across Spain, there are many spring festivals surrounding Easter and the blossom of flowers, and it is truly spectacular to see a city or a destination in the full, colorful entrance of a beloved festival.

One of the best festivals to experience in Spain during the spring is the Flower Festival in Girona (Temps de Flors), happening from May 11th-19th, 2024. During this floral exhibition, the city is transformed into one giant garden! You can best experience this festival on our Enchanting Catalonia: Medieval Villages, Cities, & Sea Trip. You’ll have pre-booked, public transportation to take you around the Catalonia region, with plenty of free time to explore hidden historical gems at your own pace.

Another Spanish region to experience the spring festivities is Andalusia. April, in particular, is an excellent time to witness the Semanta Santa (Easter) and the Feria de Sevilla (Seville’s April Fair) celebrations. During this time, there are often parades for Easter celebrations and carnivals to celebrate the flamenco April Fair. Our Journey to Andalusia: A Vibrant Escape to Spain's Soul Trip is perfectly fitted to experience these local, cultural events.

Türkiye 

Türkiye is another popular summer destination that has a lot to offer in the spring. It is known for having many beautiful hiking trails, something that is safer and more enjoyable for travelers outside of June to August, when temperatures are at their highest. Hiking during the spring also brings higher chances of dolphin spotting as well as the gift of experiencing the blanket of wildflowers that will fill the countryside. 
It's important to note that Ramadan, or Ramazan, will take place from March 10th to April 9th, 2024. This is a very holy time in Muslim countries where participating people fast from sunrise to sunset. Tourists are reminded to be respectful during this period by avoiding drinking and eating in public. This shows respect to those who are fasting. You can learn more about being a respectful tourist in Türkiye in our Sustainable Travel Guide.

To take advantage of the ideal spring hiking conditions, consider checking out our Lycian Way Active Adventure Tour. Over the course of a week, visitors will discover ancient cities, explore islands, and partake in low-carbon impact activities such as hiking and kayaking. The Lycian Way trail is a particularly amazing place to witness the blooming wildflowers!

Past guests have raved about our Slow Travel Food & Wine Tour in Western Türkiye in early spring. We believe that one of the best ways to discover true, authentic Turkish cuisine is to venture into the off-the-beaten-path areas of Türkiye. On this week-long tour, guests can partake in cooking classes, olive oil tastings, wine tastings, market visits, and food tours.

Best Self-Guided Trips to Take in Spring 2024
France 

It might be a good idea to steer clear of France during the peak summer months! August typically isn’t the best month to visit Paris, as this is when most businesses close for their summer holidays. And from mid-July through August 2024, France will be particularly flooded with tourists due to the Olympic Games. 

But that means that spring will be an ideal time to visit France, especially in April and May. Weather will be pleasant - especially in the south of France - making it an excellent time for hiking, exploring the outdoors, and witnessing wildflowers in bloom. 

There are a few responsible package trips we recommend that offer exactly that! Our self-guided Hiking the Wine Trails of Provence tour is complete with stops in vineyards, stays in picturesque villages, and hikes along the Rhone Valley. This low-carbon footprint trip also encourages guests to enjoy local, organic products as well as support local businesses with market visits. 

Another one of our self-guided tours guides guests through hiking in the Luberon National Park, another experience best visited in the spring. In April and May, you will come across flowering trees, fields of iris, poppies, and other wildflowers along the countryside. On this tour, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, and have the chance to explore some of France’s charming off-the-beaten-path villages and architectural beauties. This tour is a refreshing way to experience the less-touristy side of France.

Portugal 

It is often said that Portugal is beautiful all months of the year thanks to its iconic sunshine. But similar to most European destinations, prices and crowds in Portugal will begin to rise the closer you get to the summer season. March, April, and May are excellent months to visit to avoid this! This is also when the country becomes more lush, gardens more full, and Easter festivities bring out cultural traditions. 

Portugal also happens to be one of our most popular destinations, especially for springtime travel. Most of our guests book trips for the month of May, so we’d advise arranging your trip to Portugal as soon as possible. The boutique guesthouses walkers and cyclers stay at along these routes are relatively small and can fill up!

We’d highly recommend going on our self-guided Walking Tour: Douro & the Côa Valley in early March. This is when the almond trees will be in bloom and the countryside will be littered with beautiful pink and white flowers! There is even a festival dedicated to these blossoms in Vila Nova de Foz Côa; this would be a particularly special treat to experience. 

Cycling trips are ideal to enjoy when you can avoid uncomfortably hot temperatures and can be amazed by fields of wildflowers on your journey! Our cycling tour from Alto Minho to Porto in Portugal is an excellent choice to enjoy the low season temperatures as well as visits to local wineries and artisans. 

Romania 

Starting in April, Romania’s countryside begins to warm up as trees and wildflowers begin to blossom. Even though May is notoriously wet, it is still considered to be one of the best times to visit this underrated Eastern European country!
Spring in Romania is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts who might like to pay a visit to the Danube Delta and appreciate all of the migratory birds in action. The season also welcomes several cultural events such as Martisor Day, on March 1st. This Romanian tradition celebrates the arrival of spring with the sharing of small red and white tokens around communities and villages.
Romania’s tourism industry shrunk due to Covid, and then experienced a slower-than-average recovery due to the war in Ukraine. We remind travelers that Romania is known as one of the safest European countries to visit, and their tourism industry will appreciate more now than ever to welcome visitors. If you want to visit Romania and are still concerned about safety, you can choose an experience that is not near Romania’s border with Ukraine.

Our Discovering Transylvania’s Heritage by Bike self-guided tour is an especially wonderful trip to take in spring. Most specifically in May, you will have the chance to bike through fields of colorful wildflowers. Not only will you get to appreciate the stunning landscapes of the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania’s hills, but you will also be guided through villages, monasteries, and medieval sites.

Another sustainable trip option to explore Romania this spring is our 8-day walking tour of the Carpathian Mountains & Castles. Visitors can hike in stunning national parks, witness iconic castles, and admire all of the breathtaking views the Carpathian Mountains have to offer. This low-carbon impact trip also encourages travelers to connect with local villages and communities by facilitating visits to local guesthouses and mountain huts. 

Best Small Group Trips to Join in Spring 2024 

South Africa 

Beachgoers tend to visit South Africa from November to March, safari enthusiasts opt for May to October, and whale watchers gather from July to November. There is a lot to see in South Africa all year round! So what makes the spring season so special? April and May are excellent months to take advantage of mild temperatures and fewer crowds, while still offering excellent conditions for animal spotting.

Our tours recommended below only offer a few departure dates per year. These are small group tours that accommodate a maximum of 12 guests. We advise booking these small-group, sustainable package tours in advance or, alternatively, consider our privately guided Wellness, Wine & Safari trip at any point during the year.

In March and April, you can take part in our Cape Winelands & South African Art tour. You’ll learn about South Africa’s iconic wine culture, complete with vineyard visits, tastings, and the chance to make your own 1.5L magnum blend. You will also discover the vibrant indigenous art that can be found in Cape Town through visits to galleries and museums.  

Our 9-day South African Gastronomy Tour in May will make foodies will feel right at home!  Guests will partake in cooking classes, tastings, and foraging for indigenous foods. This culinary journey will take you from the buzzing city to the lazy coastline, ending on a high in the Cape Winelands. 

Romania 

Romania’s Carpathian Mountains are a wonder to experience in the spring, and a small-group tour can show you the beautiful landscapes alongside several other like-minded travelers. Learn more about the difference between small-group trips and self-guided trips on our blog!

Our 8-day small-group walking tour of the Carpathian Mountains, Villages, & Castles is an excellent choice for your May travels. Hiking will be more comfortable, the views will be colorful, and the traditional villages will be as charming as ever! This trip has a low-carbon impact by mainly relying on walking and train travel. 

Our 9-day visit to Villages of Bucovina & Maramures is an excellent choice for people who love off-the-beaten-path destinations. This region is known for having beautiful Byzantine-painted monasteries where the walls represent some of the most unique artwork in Europe. On top of these cultural gems, your visit will also include stops at famous forests, glacial lakes, and rushing waterfalls! 

Portugal 

While northern Portugal is popular for stunning self-guided walking and cycling package tours, in the south of Portugal there is a sustainable, eco-friendly retreat center waiting for you!

In the Alentejo region, you can enjoy small-group retreats focused on yoga and wine, and complemented with activities like surfing, photography, or stone-sculpting. You’ll stay near a small rural village, close to the beach, and experience the countryside alongside hosts excited to share their local area, history, and traditions with you. It truly is an escape to paradise that will leave you feeling refreshed!

Our Sustainable Yoga & Wine Retreat is perfect for those looking for a spring reset. On this 5-day retreat, guests will partake in daily open-air yoga sessions. Also included are healthy brunches and dinners that are freshly prepared along with visits to local wineries.

Our 7-day Sustainable Surf, Yoga, & Wine Retreat offers the same slice of paradise along with daily surf sessions.

Ready to Spring into Action?!

Hopefully, you’re feeling inspired to shed cozy-season and get out into the world come spring! Traveling in the spring is amazing for spreading out tourist traffic, capitalizing on pleasant weather, and benefitting from fewer crowds and lower prices.

Whether you are craving fresh air, nature, and movement, you want to peacefully observe wildlife and wildflowers, or you are looking for an engaging cultural tour, we have responsible package trips to suit your group. All of our experiences automatically include carbon removal contributions for each traveler, and can be customized to your liking.

From the trekking in the Himalayas to cycling through Transylvania, from festivals celebrating colors in India to festivals celebrating flowers in Spain, let spring travel sweep you off your feet!

Contact us for help with your spring travel plans, and we’ll make your next adventure a sustainable and responsible one.