The Basics

Tailor Made or Ready Made: It’s Your Choice

Contiki’s Group Specialists are available to help you design a customized itinerary or assist your group in choosing from one of our 100+ existing itineraries. You can travel year round on the dates that work best for you.

Flexible ages

Contiki is the worldwide leader in trips for 18-35 year olds. However, on our custom programs we are flexible with passenger ages to allow trip chaperones, leaders, professors and even younger students to travel with the group.

Group size

Contiki’s customized groups start at 20 and can go up from there. Our coaches carry up to 55 passengers. However, this does not limit the maximum size of a group – we can always add another coach!

Trip length

Contiki arranges trips to suit your group’s needs anytime throughout the year. We operate trips from 5 to 45+ days!

Trip inclusions

Contiki’s custom programs include accommodation, breakfast, transportation and an expert Contiki Tour Manager throughout your trip. We can also include sightseeing entrances, dinners, flights and other specific activities to meet your group’s needs.

Accommodations and other arrangements

Contiki typically uses three-star tourist class hotels which are comfortable, safe and moderately priced. We can also arrange for classroom space, if needed.

Destinations

Contiki arranges group packages in the following regions: Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, United States (including Hawaii) and Canada.

Planning:

Let us show your group an amazing Contiki planning experience. Planning is easy! To get started:

Step 1: To start the process for your Contiki Custom Group proposal, contact one of our groups specialists at 866-652-4483 or groups@contiki.com to discuss your trip and receive the Custom Groups Request Form.

Step 2: Fill out the Custom Group Request Form. Tell us about your group (how many people are traveling, the interests of the group, etc.), your desired itinerary, dates and inclusions. If you aren’t sure where you want to go or what you want to do, your groups specialist will be happy to provide suggestions to assist you in filling out your request.

Step 3: Once we receive your request, we will contact you within 1 business day to review your request and clarify any questions.

Step 4: You will receive your Contiki Custom Group proposal typically within 5 business days. Some proposals may take longer depending the length and inclusions of your request and our current volume of requests, but we always strive to complete your proposal as quickly as possible. If your proposal is going to take longer than the quoted time, we will be sure to update you along the way.

Step 5: Once we send your proposal we will call you the next business day to make sure you received it and see if you have any questions. We will remain in regular contact after that to check in on your group and any changes you might need to make to the itinerary or inclusions.

After you receive your Contiki Custom Groups proposal, you can continue to amend your itinerary and inclusions until you find a trip that best meets the needs of your group!

Booking & Payments:

Once you have found the itinerary that works best for you, it is time to book!

Step 1: Request a contract from your groups specialist.

Step 2: Return the approved proposal, singed contract and your $1000 deposit per coach ($500 for land only groups) to confirm your trip.

Step 3: You will receive final air rates and an air schedule 5 business days after Contiki receives your deposit and signed contract (if applicable).

Step 4: You will be provided with a hotel list within 30 days of Contiki receiving your deposit and contract. (Due to contracts, hotels in Italy may not be available until 30-45 days prior to departure. If you are traveling to Italy and know you will need your hotels within 30 days of booking, please notify us during the request process so that we can quote and book you outside of our contracted hotels.)

Step 5: A $200 per person deposit plus $144 or $109 for insurance, if purchasing, is due 100 days prior to departure.

Step 6: Final payment for the entire group is due 60 days prior to departure.

You will receive your final documents 2-3 weeks prior to departure. Final documents include a copy of the itinerary and hotels for each passenger, airline tickets (if applicable), and a Contiki Document Wallet, Travelers Guide and luggage tag for each passenger. The group will also receive a group travel voucher and a few passenger information forms to fill out prior to arrival.

Sample itineraries

We have worked with a variety of different groups at the high school, university and special interest level to customize a trip to meet their needs. We currently work with groups traveling for (click the links below to see a few of our customized itineraries):

• Art/Art History/Architecture (check out an itinerary to Spain)
• Business/Marketing (check out an itinerary to Italy)
• Culinary (check out an itinerary to France and Italy)
• Drama/Theatre (check out an itinerary to New York)
• History
• Language
• Law
• Performance (check out an itinerary to Germany and Austria)
• Philosophy (check out an itinerary to Greece)
• Psychology
• Science
• Sports/Athletic/Adventure (check out an itinerary to Australia)
• Student Activities (check out an itinerary to London and Paris)
• Young Alumni

About Us

Contiki History

How it all began…

In 1961, a young New Zealander named John Anderson arrived in London to embark on a journey to Europe. He didn’t want to travel alone and he didn’t have a lot of money, so he came up with a plan. He put a deposit on a minibus and gathered a group of people to travel with. They spent twelve weeks exploring Europe together and had a wonderful time. At the end of the trip, John tried to sell the minibus but no one wantedto buy it. So in the Spring of 1962 he decided to advertise his Europe trip again. This time, he was able to fit two trips into the Summer season, therefore doubling his business, and Contiki Holidays was “born”. The first tours were all booked by 19-29 year olds so right from the start Contiki was all about youth travel.

With more than 100 itineraries to choose from, pick a destination and let Contiki deliver an experience!

What our clients are saying about us:

”Working with the Contiki’s group department was great and very professional; from the very start of planning the trip, designing the itinerary, their suggestions for activities, and meeting the budget. Contiki did a great job in booking all the specialty factories that we wanted to visit. As culinarians we’ve requested several food related places, and they were able to arrange it on a schedule that made it possible for us to see it all.” – Ana, Culinary Instructor

”Our art department has made numerous trips to Europe to study art history and produce art in various studio disciplines. Contiki has created custom tours for our program that facilitate the work of the instructors and make the trip an enjoyable educational experience for all.” – Maria, Art Professor

”As the Director and Professor of Law in charge, I am extremely pleased with our association with the group department at Contiki. They are fantastic to work with. In addition, the people on the ground, particularly the tour managers, are super doing what they do for young adults. I give Contiki five stars!!!!!!” – Michael, Law Professor

Get Started

Call us at 866-652-4483, email groups@contiki.com.

Or, click below to let us know a little about your group and your travel ideas. We will contact you with our Custom Groups Request Form to begin planning your program.

Contact Us

Contiki Groups Department
801 E. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806

Toll Free: 866-652-4483
Fax: 714-935-2556
groups@contiki.com