Contiki Reviews 

And what a week it was. I kept loosing track of the days in the best way possible. There were just enough activities planned and flowing into each other to keep you occupied for the whole day. I learned about the local indigenous cultural, met some new friends and climb a waterfall. The trip manager Esteban was very knowledgeable and helpful. Driver Pablo had some skills managing that giant bus in the tiny city streets. I can’t think of anything else that could have made it better.

I used their chat system and connected with a person and I sent a message and they took a whole 5 minutes to respond then I replied to their response with a moner question and they took another whole 7-8 minutes to respond.

I truly loved the places I visited and all the wonderful people I met along the way. There were great activities as well. However, my tour guide was not the best, honestly, and that's the reason I'm not giving 5 stars. She was very good at keeping the group under control and surely on time, which I really appreciated. However, she expressed annoyance many times, and her attitude made me feel uncomfortable several times.

I had a great time on the european highlights. From start to finish, everything was very organized and Katie and Adi (our trip manager and driver) went above and beyond to make sure we saw and did everything we wanted to when free time was given. The only negative thing I would say is that the itinerary moves quick!! You need to make the most of the time you have in each place because before you know it you’ll be on the bus again to the next destination. Wish we had another night in Munich since Oktoberfest was going on but nonetheless, still had an amazing time. Thank you so much Katie and Adi❤️

My trip manager Blake made this whole experience great. I was so nervous going on the trip by myself at such a young age, but his jokes, kindness, compassion and support. He made it all so comforting being there. He was there for us for whatever we needed and still had a blast with us. He was the bright smiling face in the morning and had so many interesting facts about the places we were visiting and made it fun to learn about them. He was more than any of us could ask for in a trip manager. Some of the people that were on my tour made it less enjoyable but there will always be drama. And those people didn’t make the tour itself any worse. I did every single activity I possibly could’ve and while it was expensive because I did a 23 day tour, there were only about 2 I wish I hadn’t done, but those ones weren’t more that 20 euros. I loved this trip and I am definitely missing being on it even though it’s only been a day. The people that were strangers to begin with ended up being family and I hope that we all stay in contact.

I did the Italian Escape Tour (5 days) but missed the initial meeting due to a doctor's visit. I met the group later and had a brief, casual conversation with the trip manager, who asked if I’d like to do all the optional activities, stating that “pretty much everyone is doing them.” I agreed without realizing my response was binding. I was not informed about any 48-hour cancellation policies or exclusions. That night, I reviewed the optional activities and saw they exceeded my budget. The next morning, I informed the trip manager of the activities I didn’t want to do, but was told it was too late as an email had been sent and I had to pay. Feeling pressured, I insisted on not attending the Napoli food tour, preferring the Capri ferry ride, Pompeii tour, and Colosseum tour. The trip manager then cited a hidden 48-hour cancellation policy. I reluctantly agreed to the food tour but asked to cancel the Colosseum tour. He agreed, as it was outside the 48-hour period.

During the tour, the trip manager pressured me, claiming I’d be stranded on the side of the road if I didn’t join certain activities, like the Lemon Tour on the Amalfi coast. Contrary to his claim, as I hopped of the ferry ride I saw the beautiful coast and spent the day swimming at the beach and had a great lunch. It was the most amazing side of the road. On the day of the Colosseum tour, the trip manager tried to charge me 180 euros, which included for the Colosseum tour, which I had canceled. He claimed the Colosseum was an exception to the 48-hour rule. I refused to pay 180 euros, but said I will pay 122 euros which was all the actives I attended and said I wanted to do. I contacted Contiki, speaking with Tasha Hayes the operations manager and sustainability director, who was extremely unhelpful and insisted on the payment. She was not willing to hear me out, and calling my handling of the situation ‘unfortunate’. Finally, on the last night, the trip manager eventually accepted my payment of 122 euros, excluding the Colosseum tour. However he claimed and Tasha Hayes informed me, that the trip manger would have to pay out of his own pocket now. I think that’s unfortunate as it’s a hidden policy i can’t even find on the contiki website, however it was the trip manager’s responsibility to tell me these policies on day one which he failed to do, so I hope he has now learnt his lesson to be transparent and honest. I refused to pay for his negligence.

This experience was extremely stressful. I had expected support from Contiki but instead faced constant pressure and felt wronged. The trip manager lied about informing me of the policies, and Contiki’s customer service, especially Tasha Hayes, was unhelpful. She threatened to exclude me from optional activities on my upcoming Croatia sail unless I paid for the Colosseum tour. I was not informed of the policies upfront and felt pressured throughout the trip. Ultimately, I didn't pay but was threatened with exclusion from future activities as my punishment due to their lack of transparency. I am disgusted with Contiki's handling of the situation and would never recommend this company ever again unless you want to be scammed and treated like sh**. There’s a lot more id like to say however unfortunately there’s a word limit.

Perfect travel company for young people wanting to travel without the hassle of booking everything themselves ! The trip managers and drivers make the whole experience and getting to travel with likeminded people is the best.

I recently went on one of Contiki's tours along the East Coast of Australia and would advise anyone thinking of doing the same to avoid them at all costs.

You pay so much for these tours only to find that almost all the activities are "add ons" and you have to pay extra for them. Also that almost none of the meals are included.

You could do the exact same itinerary for a fraction of the cost doing it without them.

In addition to this, one of the things I was looking forward to most about the trip was the two day sailing experience round the Whitsundays. However the day before the trip started we were told that this part of the trip had been cancelled which as you can imagine was a disappointment.

Subsequently on the first day of the trip our tour manager reassured us that the alternative Contiki had put in place for us would not only be as good as the two day sailing experience but in fact it was better. As a result, even though we were not offered the option for a refund, I was more than happy to go ahead with this alternative which was two separate day trips.

Unfortunately however the two day trips we were booked didn’t live up to the expectations laid out by Contiki and certainly weren’t able to match the £283 sailing experience round the Whitsundays that I had paid for. On the first day the Red Thunder Cat boat we had was not very pleasant. The included food for the day consisted of a small brownie square, a cold ham/corned beef sandwich with some basic salad and no drink. One of the girls on the trip was gluten intolerant and so couldn’t really eat anything as they didn’t tailor to dietary requirements. We also were back at Airlie beach by 4:30pm and so saw far less of the Whitsundays than had we been on the 2 day sailing trip. The second day was a slightly nicer boat but again, not on the same level as had we been on the original 2 day sailing experience.

Furthermore, not only were the day trips not as high quality as the sailing that I had paid £283 for, but the group who had not paid for the sailing option had a far nicer boat for their day trip (an ex-racing yacht), they had all their food and drinks included (including unlimited alcohol), the food was tailored to dietary requirements and was also extremely high quality (having been prepared by a Michelin star level chef). This group also did the exact same stops as us, the only difference being they got an hour longer out on the boat.

If Contiki had just been honest from the start about the alternative they had booked for us and done the right thing by offering us the choice between that or getting our money refunded then it would have been fine and I would not feel the need to write this review.

Their customer service is also utterly shocking and after the trip I later asked for a refund for this ordeal. I got a reply almost 2 months later saying that they are refusing to refund me and insultingly offered a 5% discount on my next trip. As if I'd do that.

I feel like we were completely misled and given an overall experience far below what we had paid for so I feel obliged to let others know who are considering going on one of their tours.

I recently did a Fire and Ice Tour with Contiki in Iceland and it was absolutely incredible. Each day was better than the next and the scenes were spectacular. The knowledge of our guide Cayce was amazing and there were so many breathtaking stops along the way - from waterfalls to glaciers and black sand beaches. Most of the experiences were included on this trip which I liked with just 3 FTAs to add to your experience. Couldn't recommend it enough!

Everything was brilliant from start to finish - a hassle free holiday with everything taken care of, and sharing in the most incredible experiences with new friends for a lifetime. Booking a trip with Contiki is a must do

The Iceland Tour was amazing! Literally chasing waterfalls with your new friends from all over the work!

I booked the Best of Balkan start Split tour super last minute and it ended up being the best decision.

The itinerary is amazing, with plenty of activities but also free time to relax.

But the highlight for sure were the friends I made on the tour. Even though we are literally spread around the globe, we are still in touch and hosting reunions a year on.

I ended up booking another and starting that only days after I finished this one.

Contiki was incredible, their efforts to uplift communities and contribute to conservation efforts really made my trip that much better!.

I had an amazing experience doing the Cape, Safari, and Falls Adventure (Southern African Safari)

I recently returned from an unforgettable journey that took me from the vibrant streets of Cape Town to the wild landscapes of a safari, culminating in the breathtaking views of majestic falls. Cape Town greeted me with its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The iconic Table Mountain provided a dramatic backdrop for the city, and I was fortunate enough to take the cable car up for panoramic views. The V&A Waterfront was a lively hub of shops, restaurants, and entertainment, perfect for leisurely strolls and delicious seafood. I also explored the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood, rich with history and vibrant architecture.

We then embarked on a safari adventure that was truly exhilarating. Watching wildlife in their natural habitat was awe-inspiring. The thrill of spotting the Big Five and learning about the ecosystem from Jesse knowledgeable guides added depth to the experience. The sunsets over the savannah were nothing short of magical, casting a warm glow over the landscape.

Finally, the journey led me to the magnificent falls, which left me speechless. The sheer power and beauty of the cascading water were breathtaking. Whether viewing from the lookout points or taking a guided tour that brought me closer to the action, the experience was invigorating. I even had the chance to take part in some activities like a boat ride near the falls, which offered a unique perspective and a splash of adventure.

This trip was a perfect blend of urban exploration, wildlife adventure, and natural wonder. Each destination offered its own unique charm, making it a well-rounded experience. I highly recommend this itinerary to anyone looking to explore the diverse beauty and excitement that this part of the world has to offer.

Been to Namibia had great experience, the desert dunes(Big dady)were amazing!The "deadvlei"(the salt pan and trees) seemed so unreal like i was in another planet as well!The Namibian landscape is mind blowing,thanx to Contiki and great TM

I had an amazing experience exploring the best bits of what Southern Africa has to offer in 21 days. From the views overlooking Cape Town on top of Table Mountain to seeing the Big 5 on Safari in Contiki's exclusive camp in Kruger, South Africa started off the trip superbly. Then onto Vic Falls for all the adventure activities of white water rafting, bungee jumping, helicopter rides, safari walks and more. Botswana was completely wild with getting close to meerkats on the salt pans to staying in a private bush camp in the middle of the Okavango Delta with elephants and other wildlife walking right by our camp. Lastly, Namibia topped it all off with incredible desert scenery, culture and the best experience of all - the seal kayaking in Walvis Bay with Etosha our last stop and best sighting of Rhino with a baby.

Phenomenal trip with expert Trip Managers guiding and looking after us every step of the way. Cant wait to book Contiki's East Africa Safari next!

Phenomenal experience with Contiki in Egypt. Truly the trip of a lifetime. Our local guide was incredible, kept the days running smoothly, and was a wealth of information. From the minute I arrived at the airport I was taken care of. Would recommend Contiki to everyone!

I recently travelled with Contiki on their Best of Georgia trip and had an amazing time! The trip was well organised and a great mix of culture, history, food, and nature. Our local guide brought lots of great insight into the history and modern topics of Georgia and had great recommendations. The highlight for me was the hikes we went on as the scenery and mountains of Georgia are stunning. The trip had some really cool experiences like dining with a local family and visiting a Georgian winery. Highly recommend!

Went on the European Discovery trip and absolutely loved it. I was a bit nervous about travelling solo, but made so many friends on the trip. Everyone was so nice! The Trip Manager was very knowledgeable as well!

I went to Kenya with Contiki last year and I can't describe how amazing the whole trip was. There were about 13 of us on the trip, plus our tour guide/driver/legend Haron and another driver called Dennis. Everyone was lovely, Haron was super helpful and did a great job of running the whole trip. He knew all about the wildlife but also told us everything about where to meet, what time etc etc, and was so funny too! The wildlife days were incredible. We saw all of thee 'Big 5' - even saw a pride of lions walking on the road right in front of us!! And a baby rhino!! . The hotel in Nairobi was a paradise and our safari lodges were really cool. We met loads of people as well, a really heartwarming experience in the Kibera slum, a school, and a Maasai village too. All with such a nice group of people - we're all still in a whatsapp group together now too. If you're wanting to do a safari in Africa, honestly, this trip is so so worth it