Exploring the world with Cambridge at your side: The Alumni Travel Programme
If you have a passion for travel, a thirst for learning, and you want to explore the world while deepening your connection with Cambridge, then the Alumni Travel Programme is for you.
More than just an opportunity to see the world, each year we run an extensive list of global tours which offer a unique way to travel alongside fellow Cambridge alumni. Whether you’re drawn to ancient ruins, vibrant cities, or breath-taking landscapes, there's a tour for you.
Delivering a slice of Cambridge across the globe
At its heart, the Programme is all about the shared Cambridge experience, travelling with like-minded alumni, and building lasting friendships through academic and cultural interests.
"Travelling with other Cambridge alums is always stimulating, whilst also being easy-going", says alumnus Mark Heining (Pembroke 1970). "Alumni are a joy to travel with", adds Zara Fleming, Tour Scholar and Himalayan Art and History Expert. "They are always enthusiastic to learn and curious about different aspects of the culture."
The trips are also a great option for those who usually travel solo, as John Geake (Trinity Hall 1970) explains: "Since I normally travel alone, the alumni group format is an ideal way to visit places I would not visit solo, in the company of like-minded, intelligent, educated, and interesting people. The conversations with my colleagues during our walks and over wine in the evenings were remarkably wide-ranging and often fascinating."
The global appeal of the Programme highlights one of its key intentions: delivering a slice of Cambridge to alumni, no matter where in the world you find yourself.
"Alums on these trips are generally well-travelled, inquisitive, and knowledgeable about the world", says Colin Lipson (Churchill 1969). "And they don’t just live in the UK but come from different countries."
Not your average vacation
Each journey is carefully curated and led by expert guides and scholars, who bring the destinations to life. Far from your average sightseeing trips, these immersive learning experiences blend adventure with academic insight, enabling alumni to fully immerse themselves in the history and culture of the country or regions visited.
"Trips are meticulously planned" says Hilary Allison (Queens 1981), "with a suite of well informed and empathetic local guides as well as our dedicated academic expert. The itinerary of the trip was well and truly packed with visits to both well known and lesser-known sites of cultural and historical interest."
Alumna Jennifer Hsu (Jesus 2003) agrees: "My experience of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan was enriched by the trip scholar and the excellent organisation provided by our tour manager and guide. The tour provided an opportunity to actively learn and engage with the history as encountered on the journey."
"Being accompanied by a knowledgeable academic or expert is a big plus as they provide a perspective different from local guides"
For those unable to travel, or who want to enjoy the experience from home, we also run the Armchair Travel Programme. This popular webinar series also features our expert scholars delivering captivating virtual tours and lectures on their specialist country or culture. It's perfect for those who want to dip their toes into the subject matter or the world of alumni travel.
Bringing research into context
One of the main benefits of the Programme is its scholar-led approach to travel, offering travellers face-to-face access to experts in their field and delivering Cambridge’s commitment to lifelong learning.
"Being accompanied by a knowledgeable academic or expert is a big plus as they provide a perspective different from local guides", says Colin. Tour operator Alice explains: "The Programme’s destinations and itineraries provide access to some of the fascinating research and teaching that the University’s scholars are undertaking, and wherever possible will include visits to institutions and sites relevant to the University's research strengths. The tours provide access for alumni of all ages to university-level lectures, amidst their correct geographical context, and with artefacts you can see and touch."
There’s also the chance to get to know scholars during the tours, chatting about their subject or current affairs at Cambridge, which provides a much more intimate travel experience.
Alumni at a railway station in India. Photo: Clive Stubbings
Alumni at a railway station in India. Photo: Clive Stubbings
An alumni group and lecturer at Potsdam. Photo: Peter South
An alumni group and lecturer at Potsdam. Photo: Peter South
For the scholars themselves, it’s an opportunity to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with participants. Trip expert Zara enthuses: "I led the first British tour to Tibet for Thomas Cook in 1981 and had been interested in this part of the world since I was 7 years old. I spent many years working with Buddhist art in the V&A Museum and compiled a catalogue of Tibetan objects in UK museums for the University of Bonn. So, when I was asked to be a Trip Scholar on the subject, I jumped at the chance. It’s a real pleasure sharing my knowledge of Himalayan art and culture with alumni."
Exploring diverse, global destinations
From cultural hubs to extraordinary, often off-the-beaten-track locations, the Programme has plenty to offer. We asked our contributors about their personal highlights:
"My favourite trip has been the river cruise along the Mekong through Cambodia and Vietnam. A mix of fascinating locations, moving recent history and very friendly companions." Mark Heining (Pembroke 1970).
"My memorable Cambridge trips include the Stans (Uzbekistan), Tibet via Myanmar and Yunnan, the Silk Road across northern China, Iran, Bhutan, Estonia and Finland." Colin Lipson (Churchill 1969).
Meeting giant tortoises in the Galapagos. Photo: Alice Burns
Meeting giant tortoises in the Galapagos. Photo: Alice Burns
"Witnessing the total solar eclipse on Easter Island in 2010 has got to be one of the most memorable moments on one of our tours. The time our group swam with a gigantic pod of wild dolphins in the Galapagos was another life-changing experience. In terms of whole trips, the one we arranged with insider access at CERN is a real standout. Along with our Trip Scholar, the experimental particle physicist Professor Ian Shipsey, it was an experience that money can’t usually buy." Alice Burns (Temple World).
Riding through Wadi Rum, Jordan on camelback. Photo: James Carter
Riding through Wadi Rum, Jordan on camelback. Photo: James Carter
Alumni at the Large Millimetre Telescope, Mexico. Photo Julian Cable
Alumni at the Large Millimetre Telescope, Mexico. Photo Julian Cable
Bumtang Festival, Bhutan. Photo: Distant Horizons
Bumtang Festival, Bhutan. Photo: Distant Horizons
Looking ahead to future tours
So, what’s next for the Programme? Trip expert Zara shares her dream tour locations:
"What a difficult question! As a child I picked up a National Geographic about Dolpo (an area of Nepal next to Mustang) and dreamt of one day going there. Mustang is the closest I have got to it, as Dolpo is a very high altitude and an arduous trek! I would also love to visit new areas of Bhutan to see the interesting art in the monasteries and dzongs".
And to anyone considering a trip, both Mark and Colin agree: "I would say 'give it a try!'", says Mark. "Find one which would be of interest and go for it." Colin agrees: "If there’s a trip to somewhere you haven’t been (perhaps more off the beaten track than you have visited in the past), try it!"
"Two main things really set the Alumni Travel Programme apart", summarises Alice Burns of Temple World. "Firstly, the insights provided by the trip scholars simply aren’t available elsewhere. Cambridge is fortunate to employ many of the world’s foremost scholars in almost every field of academic research, so we have an incredible pool of experts to pick from. Secondly, and this is feedback we receive again and again, the congenial nature of our groups and sharing the experience with like-minded people is a huge highlight, regardless of the year of matriculation, College attended, or subject read".
Joining the 2026 Alumni Travel Programme is easy. You can find upcoming tours on the Cambridge alumni website, where you'll also find more alumni traveller reviews and trip FAQs. Spaces are limited and often in high demand, so early booking is strongly recommended.
Not ready to pack your bags just yet?
The Armchair Travel Series brings the Alumni Travel Programme to you. Through these online sessions you can join expert scholars as they guide you through captivating stories and destinations, all from the comfort of your home. Whether you're previewing a future adventure or simply indulging your curiosity, sessions offer a window into the fascinating history and culture of each destination.
Past webinars have included a journey through 2,000 years of Korea's history examining key moments that shaped the Korean peninsula, and the history and cultural highlights of Turin, Italy's old royal capital.
Armchair Travel events are held throughout the year, and you can also access the full archive of past webinars on the Cambridge alumni website.