Rock Art & Cave Art, Petroglyph & Pictograph
Tours Around the World

Les Eyzies, and the historic Hotel Cromagnon, is the base for exploring some of the jewels in the crown of Dordogne’s past. The focus of this 4-day guided tour is the Ice Age cave art, for which the region is well known worldwide. Besides visiting some of the finest decorated caves in the area, including the replica of Lascaux, also on the itinerary is an extraordinary Roman townhouse, a medieval Troglodyte settlement and an imposing castle associated with the 100 Year’s War between France and England. The small group guided tour is strictly limited to seven participants, with dates in May and September 2026, and May 2027.

Enjoy a 14-day archaeology tour from Paris to Nice, or a 5-day prehistory tour of the Vézére Valley. With over 30 years experience, Thomas Dowson offers private guided tours and an itinerary service for cave art in France. For those who wish to purchase a bespoke itinerary, Thomas can create one to suit your interests and requirements. For those wishing to go a step further and enjoy a private guided tour, Thomas can create an itinerary according to your needs, and be your driver and guide for the tour. Although the focus is on Ice Age cave art, other sites and  attractions can be incorporated.

At sunset set off from the Foz Côa Rock Art Reception Centre, located in the historic medieval fortress town of Castelo Melhor. (Arrive early and explore on foot.) You will take a short 4×4 drive descending into the Côa Valley, through almond and olive groves and historic vineyards. Once at the river, an expert guide will take you to five separate rock art panels – some of the finest in the area.  Besides the experience of being in the valley at night, seeing these engravings in torchlight is better than under the glare of the sun.  The tour lasts up to two hours, and is available in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Starting in Porto, spend the day exploring the highlights of the Douro Valley on this 10-hour private tour. Besides stops in a number of picturesque villages, don’t miss the elaborately decorated Pinhão Railway Station. The exterior walls have the typical azulejos tiles, depicting scenes of daily life in the valley. For something a bit older, see the Stone Age rock art in the Parque Arqueologico do Vale do Coa. before heading back to Porto, visit a winery and sample wine that make this region famous.

Take a private tour of the scenic Vézère Valley with a knowledgeable local expert. This full-day tour includes two of the area’s main rock art attractions: the recently opened second replica of Lascaux and the original cave of Rouffignac. The tour also stops at the cave in Les Eyzies where the first Cro magnon were found. Although run by two different companies, the same, basic tour is possible from Bordeaux and Sarlat-la-Canéda.

Take a short drive with a knowledgeable local driver from Sarlat-la-Canéda to the International Center of Parietal Art. Here you will find the newest replica of the famous cave of Lascaux. The tour begins with a guided audio tour of the replica, and then you are free to explore the interactive display of the cave, and other permanent and temporary exhibitions at your leisure. The trip lasts about 4 hours and is particularly suited for people staying in Sarlat without their own transport, who wish to visit Lascaux IV.

Take a short drive with your group from Sarlat-la-Canéda to the cave of Cougnac. One of the finest decorated Ice Age caves still open to the public in France. At the site, you will tour both caves: the geological cave, with its live stalactites and stalagmites, and then the painted cave. Available in English and French, and in the morning or the afternoon. Sarlat is well served by the rail network, so easy to get to if you are staying elsewhere. This is a cave not to miss.

This free itinerary for a 7-day self-guide tour includes some of the best Stone Age decorated caves in France. The tour begins in Marseille, with the first stop at the replica of the Cosquer Cave, ending in Les Eyzies. Other sites include Chauvet 2, Niaux, Pech Merle, Cougnac and Lascaux 2. The day-by-day itinerary includes information on where to stay, what hotels we recommend, as well as restaurant tips. The itinerary is easily customised, with guidance on adding more days and what else to include in your itinerary.

From Moab, enjoy a 10-hour day trip to Horseshoe Canyon trailhead. Then it is an easy hike to one of the finest rock art panels in North America. This is the Great Gallery, with larger than life,  ghostlike images seemingly floating on the shelter walls of the canyon. Also known as the Holy Ghost Panel. This is what archaeologists call Barrier Canyon Style, of which there are many sites in the wider Canyonlands area. Included in the return-trip is hotel pick-up and drop-off in Moab and a picnic lunch at the Canyon.

Scrambling around the rocky sides of valleys looking for rock art is not for everyone. Particularly if it is hot. If you want to get to see a few petroglyph sites in the Moab area but would rather not do this yourself, then take a guided tour. And if you want to combine a bit of history with exploring the back roads in a 4×4, then this really is the perfect guided tour for you. On this 3-hour offroad scenic tour not only will you get to see petroglyphs, but you will also see breath taking views of towering canyon walls along the Colorado River in a 4×4 vehicle.

The Cedarberg mountains, north of Cape Town, have some of South Africa’s finest rock paintings – in an area of outstanding natural beauty. With a hotel pick-up in Cape Town included, the drive north takes you over the scenic Pakhuis Pass. Then through Clanwilliam, one of the oldest towns in South Africa. Spend four hours in the Cederberg Mountain Conservancy, exploring a number of spectacular rock art sites on a 5 km hike through moderately difficult terrain.

With an early start in Durban, a brief stop in Pietermaritzburg before heading to Kamberg Nature Reserve in the Drakensberg. Here you will see one of the most celebrated rock paintings in South Africa, in the spectacular Game Pass rock art site. The return to Durban includes a stop at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site Statue and Apartheid Museum and Howick Falls. A pick-up from the Durban harbour passenger terminal is also possible for cruise ship passengers looking for a day excursion.

Although the exact details of the itinerary may change depending on the seasons, on this 12-hour day trip from Darwin you will see some of the finest rock art in the Kakadu National Park. An expert guide will take you to three or four sites, including the Ubirr rock art site – a listed World Heritage site. Besides learning about Aboriginal culture and history, you will also see numerous species of birds, turtles and water pythons. There will also be a chance to see gigantic saltwater crocodiles.

The only way to see the carving of Ngatoroirangi, a visionary Māori navigator, is by boat. The face was carved onto the wall of a large alcove on the water’s edge of Lake Taupō. The carving was made in the 1970 by Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell following his 10 years with Māori Elders. Enjoy tea or coffee on a 2-hour steamboat ride and learn about the history and myths surrounding the carving. Also get pristine views of the lake, a volcanic crater lake.

This day-trip from Colombo takes you to two of Sri Lanka’s most impressive ancient sites: Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Rock Cave Temple. The first stop is are the painted caves at Dambulla that are the country’s largest and best preserved cave temple complex. From there you head to the 5th century Sinhalese royal palace, Sigiriya. On the rock face of the ascent to the royal palace are the exquisite polychrome rock paintings of celestial singers and dancers. Continue up to see the palace ruins and the spectacular views of the palace gardens below.