Inside Travel Unveils 5 New “Slower Journeys” in Asia

Inside Travel has revealed five new small group and tailor-made trips across its brands InsideJapan and InsideAsia that were created in response to increased demand for more culturally immersive and slower-paced expert-led travel.

The new collection includes two new small group tours and three tailor-made itineraries. The journeys were created with an emphasis on authentic experiences while offering a variety of activities to satisfy different travel tastes — from sampling regional cuisine to meeting elephants in a wildlife sanctuary.

According to Inside Travel, the new itineraries were developed both in response to demand for emerging countries like Vietnam and Thailand, but also because travelers want more opportunities for truly immersive, slower-paced travel. As such, the new itineraries were created with free time to allow guests to really explore a destination at their own pace.

The new itineraries include:

Majestic Korea: A 14-day rail-led small group tour that explores the food and culture of South Korea. Guests will see the highlights of major cities Seoul and Busan while also seeing the more traditional side of the country in rural regions like Sunchang, Gwangju and Yeongam. Maximum group size is 14 travelers, with departures starting in October 2026.

Luxury Japan: A 15-day insider-led small group tour of Japan. Highlights include a visit of Inuyama’s historic castle, a Buddhist fire ceremony, a gentle boat ride along the historic waterways in Yanagawa, and a geisha dinner in Kyoto. Maximum group size is 14 travelers with guaranteed departures starting in September 2026.

Discover Vietnam & Cambodia with Kids: A 14-day fully customizable itinerary for Vietnam and Cambodia that was developed for families traveling with children. The trip blends history with hands-on experiences the whole family can enjoy, from discovering the legend of the dragons on an overnight cruise around Lan Ha Bay to visiting an elephant sanctuary and meeting the mine-hunting rats at APOPO.

Borneo & Malaysia Discovery: A 13-day fully customizable itinerary that blends urban exploration, culinary experiences, and wildlife adventure within Borneo and Malaysia. Highlights include animal sanctuary visits and a wildlife cruise, Penang’s UNESCO-listed trading port, and watching the world-renowned sunset over Kota Kinabalu from the Filipino Night Market.

Luxury Thailand: A 10-day fully customizable journey through Thailand that combines the culture and history of Bangkok and Chiang Mai with ethical wildlife experiences — like visiting a Thai elephant sanctuary — and exploring the beaches of Ko Yao Noi. Guests will have opportunities to take Thai cooking classes, learn about the region’s Buddhist monks, and enjoy some peace and quiet at secluded, relaxing resorts.

“Travelers are increasingly seeking deeper cultural immersion, slower journeys and experiences that offer a genuine insight into local life,” said Tyler Palma, Inside Travel Group global product director. “Whether it’s traveling by train through regional Korea, sharing a meal with a Geisha in Japan or learning about Theravada Buddhism from monks in Thailand, these itineraries provide access to moments rarely available to independent travelers.”