Wanderlust

Dec 15, 2025
Unforgettable Journeys Under $10,000
Written by
GeoEx Staff
Isn’t it a thrill when a new adventure fits both your budget and your curiosity? The place you’ve dreamed of begins to take shape, and you're free to let your imagination light up with the sights, flavors, and encounters that are within your grasp.
The following journeys were chosen with that spirit of anticipation in mind. Each one reflects long-standing relationships, thoughtful guiding, and immersive experiences, and each one upholds the comfort and care that are the hallmark of our luxury journeys. Without further delay, discover 11 extraordinary adventures under $10,000.
Galápagos: Exploring the Enchanted Islands
7 days | From $5,987
The wild splendors of the Galápagos greet you with remarkable immediacy. It’s no time at all before guests are immersed in a world where sea lions claim stretches of warm sand, mohawked iguanas bask on black rocks, and giant tortoises graze with unhurried determination.
Moving between islands on a small or mid-sized ship keeps these moments close and unhurried. Naturalists share the science behind each encounter as you snorkel in equatorial waters, trace paths across rippling lava fields, and learn how the archipelago’s fragile ecosystems continue to evolve. Your visit also contributes to the IGTOA Galápagos Traveler Conservation Fund, a vital link between exploration and preservation.

Cuba Insider
6 days | From $6,200
From music floating through an open doorway to the scent of home-cooked dishes drifting through the streets, Havana envelops its visitors with tradition and charm. Artists welcome you into their studios, eager to share the stories behind their work. Family-run paladares open their kitchens, offering traditional recipes that have been shaped with pride. These intimate exchanges are possible because of the decades-long relationships GeoEx has cultivated in Cuba, revealing daily life on the island in a way few travelers experience.
Beyond Havana, visit the Viñales Valley, where limestone cliffs rise over tobacco fields, and farmers greet visitors with openness and warmth. Listening to locals describe the growing process of this traditional crop gives texture to the landscape and the unique heritage of the island. By the time you return to Havana, the city feels more familiar—alive not only with color and sound but with the connections forged along the way.

Machu Picchu and the Urubamba
7 days | From $6,300
Delve into Incan heritage in the Sacred Valley, where markets brim with bright textiles and the cliffside terraces of Ollantaytambo and ruins of Moray offer an intimate window into the culture’s history and ingenuity.
With building excitement, journey to Machu Picchu aboard a comfortable train that follows the Urubamba River through rising cliffs and cool mountain air. At sunrise, the citadel emerges through soft mist, its stonework aligned with the surrounding peaks. Come evening, authentic lodgings pair comfort with flavorful regional cuisine.

The Soul of Cuba
8 days | From $6,960
Art and community guide this small group journey through Cuba. In Havana, dancers demonstrate the precision behind each movement, and musicians share private performances that reveal the country’s long connection to the arts. Studio visits open windows into the island’s flourishing creative scene, each conversation adding a new layer of understanding and connection to Cuba.
As the group continues to Trinidad and Cienfuegos, the tempo shifts. Sun-warmed cobblestones, sea breezes, and open-air kitchens create a welcoming backdrop for meals and conversations with local chefs. These shared moments illuminate the creativity and hospitality that shape Cuban culture.

Laos Revealed
12 days | From $8,400
In lesser-explored southern Laos, days begin with the gentle rhythm of monks collecting alms and vendors arranging their stalls. Farther south, the Bolaven Plateau stretches into fields of tea and coffee, interrupted by waterfalls that plunge into mist-filled basins.
On this adventure, travel by sampan through the vast chambers of Kong Lor Cave—an underground world shaped over time by flowing water. Later, in Si Phan Don, boats weave between riverine islands where life unfolds with simplicity. By the journey’s end in Luang Prabang, the threads of nature, craft, and spiritual tradition in Laos’ southern realms weave into a memorable whole.

A Galápagos Safari
8 days | From $8,400
Experiencing the Galápagos from a land-based property brings a new rhythm to encountering the islands. At a one-of-a-kind safari-style camp in the Santa Cruz highlands, mornings begin in soft mist as tortoises wander open meadows and birdsong fills the air. The setting feels both wild and deeply peaceful.
Days stretch outward across the archipelago: snorkel beside sea lions and equatorial penguins, cycle shaded paths, and walk volcanic shores with naturalists who share the forces that shaped each island. Back at your luxury camp, savor gourmet meals, a crackling fire, and a reflection of the sky across the infinity pool. The perfect balance of exploration and contemplative comfort makes this unique itinerary particularly rewarding.

Jordan
8 days | Starting at $8,425
Jordan’s landscapes and sacred spaces hold centuries of meaning and religious tradition that come vividly to life on this immersive journey. Travel from the capital Amman to Mount Nebo, the origin of enduring biblical traditions. In Petra, feel your anticipation build as the narrow Siq opens suddenly into sculpted sandstone that glows in the shifting light. In the desertscapes of Wadi Rum, savor a silence feels expansive and grounding. Explore the Dead Sea for a fitting end to the adventure, as floating in the warm, mineral-rich waters allows this compelling journey to solidify in your memory.

Costa Rica Discovery
10 days | Starting at $8,800
From idyllic beaches to rainforest expeditions, thermal spring soaks, and night safaris, experience the pura vida for yourself in Costa Rica. In this natural playground, howler monkeys call across the canopy, macaws glide overhead, and the humid air carries the scent of orchids and moss. Expert naturalists guide you through cloud forests where each step reveals an exhilarating flash of movement or color.
In a country of such wild riches, it’s little wonder that Costa Rica has a long history of conservation, with nearly 60 percent of its land under protection. While visiting the country, take part in this conservation spirit by joining experts to release baby sea turtles on the Pacific Coast. And come evening, eco-lodges blend comfort with environmental care, reflecting the country’s commitment to protecting its extraordinary biodiversity.

Vietnam Revealed
11 days | Starting at $9,350
On this custom journey, uncover Vietnam’s shifting landscapes as you journey north. In Saigon, notice an essence that is electric and bright. In the Mekong Delta, the pace slows, with languid waterways, floating markets, and daily life shaped by the river. Ha Long Bay rises next, its limestone formations creating a quiet, sculptural seascape. And in Hanoi, tradition blends with modern energy, from temple courtyards to bustling food stalls.
Along your journey, expert private guides lead you into family kitchens, hidden workshops, and neighborhood restaurants known only to locals.

Morocco Unveiled
9 days | Starting at $9,395
For centuries, Morocco has woven its subtle spell on visitors. From medinas that buzz with metalwork, spices, and brightly patterned stalls to jagged mountains that climb toward snow-dusted peaks before dropping into Saharan plains dotted with date palms.
Delve into the country’s hidden spaces with expert-led walks that reveal hidden courtyards and long-standing artisan traditions. Meals shared with local families offer a glimpse into the central role of hospitality in Moroccan life, and riads provide a serene space that glows with quintessential décor: carved wood and geometric tilework, brass fixtures, and lush interior gardens.

The Balkans Revealed
14 days | Starting at $9,975
A journey across the Balkans gives travelers a chance to experience a vast mosaic of histories and cultures in a relatively short period of time. From the UNESCO-protected turquoise Bay of Kotor to the café culture of modern Tirana, uncover the region’s multitudes just as it’s beginning to capture the attention of more curious travelers.
On this immersive journey, artisans welcome you into their workshops and families share meals that reflect regional flavors. These intimate encounters offer a deeper sense of the region’s layers, shaped by tradition and a growing sense of creative renewal.

These inspired trips show that staying within a budget does not limit the richness of the journey. Each itinerary delves into the heart of the destination, with expert guidance, uncommon experiences, and rare access that turn the trip into a meaningful journey of discovery and connection—all under $10,000.
Ready to start planning? Contact our travel experts who will help you choose the perfect adventure for your travel style, interests, and budget.



