Asia Shopping and Markets Trips

A full on 2week trip taking in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, HCM City (Saigon), Pnomh Penh and Siem Riep. Travel is mostly by minibus which was fine mostly. An overnight 16 hr train trip from Hanoi to Da Nang was not great-very uncomfortable bed and noisy. Very little sleep. Second train journey from Da Nang to Saigon has been replaced in the itinerary with a flight which was much better. Accommodation was very good mostly and in a couple of places, excellent. Our tour guide, Quang, was outstanding combining knowledge with humour and great attention to detail. Overall, a brilliant trip which would certainly recommend to others.

Our Guide, Quang, was amazing. He was knowledgeable, kind, with a great sense of humour. He took us to some great restaurants, often arranging for a set menu where we could taste a range of local foods, which were delicious. We were lucky with the weather, only being out in the rain once, but Hoi An was badly flooded 2 weeks before we got there, and inundated again a few days after we left. What resilient people! They just clean up and carry on. Hoi An was beautiful, and I enjoyed a lantern making class with my travel buddy. The overnight train ride was an experience. I didn't get much sleep, and the bunks are narrow and hard. Learning about the difficult history of both countries is sobering, but I felt it important to delve into this, to better appreciate how far both countries have developed. Go to visit the Hero Rats at Apopo in Siem Reap if you have time! The trip notes are pretty accurate, so read them carefully to ensure the trip is to your taste.

This is an amazing tour. So varied with so many different experiences, many hectic and full on but also some relaxing days in wonderful locations. Sanjeev was an amazing tour leader and guide, he went beyond expectations to make sure we all enjoyed everything on offer including very interesting explanations of the history, the religions and temples and the amazing food. There were a lot of highlights including a walk through the bazaars at Jaipur, everything about the Pushkar Camel Fair, relaxing at Chambal Safari Lodge and the Hindu ceremonies at Varanasi. Perhaps surprisingly even the overnight trains mixing with Indian travelers were a delight. Highly recommended.

Fantastic trip. It is very full on....Explore warn you. One hotel was substandard....Explore will not be using it on next trip. Loved the fact we were in non-touristy areas. I had 2 extra nights at a beach hotel in Goa to relax.....worth doing if you can. A few train journeys which I loved (worth considering a rucksack or holder as luggage rather than suitcase). Go with an open mind and you will love it.

Our tour leader Keshav did an extraordinary job managing our tour. He embodied Indian hospitality and treated us like family. He helped us navigate the exotic, chaotic dance that is India!

I loved this fast paced trip, which covers so many amazing experiences. The itinerary was good and varied, the accommodation and food were excellent. Our amazing guide Sanjeev ensured everything went smoothly so we could make the most of our trip and this is a significant achievement. He also enhanced the trip by helping us understand Indian history, culture and religion. I particularly enjoyed the sunrise from the top of Savitri temple, the Hindu ceremony and later on a meal with a local family in Pushkar, the boat safari and stay at Chambal safari lodge and the boat trip at Varanassi. If I was doing the trip again I would consider arriving the day before the start of the the tour rather than an overnight flight in Ecomomy class and straight into a busy day sightseeing in Delhi.