The itinerary is good, but full-on. Explore and all the other similar companies seem to compete by how many places they can fit into a trip, which is good if you want a taster, but not-so-good if you want to spend a bit of time in your preferred locations. However, the only disappointing part was the houseboat; the backwaters are full of them....not very idyllic. Our guide and driver were amazing; they took care of everything so it was relaxing despite the schedule.
Cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Chennai, Bangalore, Mamallapuram
Chennai, Bangalore, Mamallapuram, Bandipur National Park, Mysore, Pondicherry, Meenakshi Temple, Thekkady, Kerala Backwaters, Kochi, Coimbatore
There were 6 highlights on the trip.
- Guwahati
- living tree bridges
- Hornbill Festival
- Kaziranga NP
- Majuli island
- Longwa head hunters village.
Each were excellent.
The accommodation and food were generally much better than I expected. Most meals were included. All were good except for a couple of 'locally' prepared meals. The choice of restaurants and hotels were as good as could be expected considering where we were.
Our guide Sanjeev was very professional and organised. If there were any issues they were kept behind the scenes.
This is a trip for the experienced traveller. I would suggest that there are other parts of India to visit before putting Assam on the list. The reason I give is because of the distances between each of the highlights. Long days, some of them uncomfortable. Our 2 drivers did an excellent job looking after us given the driving. However the highlights made up for the travelling at least as far as I was concerned. There aren't many trips to this part of India and is very much off the Western tourist trail with no MacDonalds in sight, which, for me, is a huge bonus
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Bungalow, Guest House, Resort, Villa
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kolkata, Assam, Guwahati, Mokoch
Kolkata, Assam, Guwahati, Mokochung, Majuli Island, Mon, Nagaland, Longwa, Dibrugarh, Umananda, Cherrapunjee, Khasi, Kaziranga National Park, Kohima
It is not often after a two week holiday, I am not ready to leave and get home. I went by myself and I could have repeated the holiday easily. George our guide was incredible, full of charm, humour & wit he was totally unflappable and his knowledge of his country was encyclopaedic encompassing politics, economics, flora, fauna, religion and animals. He worked tirelessly to ensure we all made the most of our time. Sri Lanka is an amazing country and the fun, laughter and camaraderie we all experienced will live with me for a long time.
Bicycle toursRafting
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Sinharaja, Hik
Colombo, Negombo, Sinharaja, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Chilaw, Wilpattu National Park, Anaradhapura, Minneriya National Park, Polonnaruwa, Kandy
Itinerary was exactly as stated.
We had problems with flights as the air space had been closed down. Explore were outstanding in getting us alternative flights and we caught up with the group only a day late. Top marks explore.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Explore the historical and cultural riches of central India. This full-on tour whisks us from the hustle and bustle of vibrant Mumbai to the tranquil white-sand coasts of Goa, via the Deccan Plateau, ticking off temples, mausoleums, and must-see UNESCO sites. From city slums to the effervescent bazaars and slow-paced villages, this two-week trip gives you a taste of true India, as it is today, and as it once was.
Mumbai - Explore the most-populated city in India, from the glittering skyscrapers to the slums of Dharavi, the inspiration for 'Slumdog Millionaire'.
Bijapur - Visit the vast Gol Gumbaz, the Deccan mausoleum of King Mohammed Adil Shah.
Ajanta and Ellora - Explore the UNESCO-listed painted caves and rock-cut temples.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
I had a great trip in Sri Lanka. We saw so much from Elephants, Bears, and even saw a whale on the whale watching trip. The cycling is moderate and we saw so much that we would never have seen from a vehicle. Ash and his team were helpful and knowledgeable and made the trip interesting. We always felt safe and looked after. I would thoroughly recommend this trip and have lovely memories of my time in Sri Lanka.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Camping, Tent
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Yala National
Colombo, Negombo, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, Galle, Koggala, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bambarakanda Falls, Udawalawe National Park
10% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Really excellent trip - we saw and experienced so many things. Only downside is it meant a lot of travelling on the bus and only one night in every hotel.
Highlights were the Safari - seeing the elephants especially. Climbing Lions Rock at 6am and the delightful food we had along the way.
Our guide, Chamodi was very enthusiastic and friendly. She was especially good with the children.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Tent
Age Range
7-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Negombo, Wilpattu National Park
Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Habarana, Kandy, Kitulgala, Unawatuna
9% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Excellent trip to Kerela. Such variety in this trip. Feels like we’ve been away for a month rather than two weeks we saw and did so much. Absolutely brilliant. The contrast between the beach, the midlands and the highlands was fabulous. The home stay was top rate. Felt so relaxed and comfortable and the home cooked food by Grace was incredible. Highly recommend.
WildlifeBicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Home-stay, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kochi, Chennai, Kovalam, Thekkad
Kochi, Chennai, Kovalam, Thekkady, Varkala, Kollam, Alleppey, Kerala Backwaters, Erattupetta
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
A really enjoyable trip led by Abhi our lovely young guide. Kerala is beautiful and we were able to experience the contrast between the mountains and the backwaters. The food provided on the trek by Sheila and her team was amazing.
WildlifeWalking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kochi, Munnar, Silent Valley, Me
Kochi, Munnar, Silent Valley, Meesapulimala Peak, Top Station, Thekkady, Periyar National Park, Alleppey
The tour leader Su was absolutely excellent. Nothing ever too much trouble. The standard of the hotels did vary somewhat. The long journeys on very rough roads was a bit of a challenge at times but all in all an enjoyable trip
Active and outdoorRafting
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
A real insight into Sri Lanka’s culture and heritage together with its diverse landscape. The guides wonderful positivity and knowledge really enhanced the trip experience.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Tent
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Bentota, Dambu
Colombo, Negombo, Bentota, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park, Kataragama, Galle
Walking, wildlife, food and culture: this tour ticked a lot of boxes for me. It is true that the poor visibility at this time of year (March) meant that the Annupurna mountains weren't visible during much of the trek, but the landscape with its flora, fauna and small farms still made the walking interesting and enjoyable. A special highlight was seeing the one-horned rhinoceros at the Chitwan National Park, and the cultural events staged at the Green Chwadi Retreat at Chitwan were an unexpected bonus. There was a wealth of birds to see throughout the tour, and our tour leader, Su, was very knowledgeable in identifying them. As someone who is unable to eat gluten, I had been worried about how I would cope with the food; and I am extremely grateful to Su for helping me to navigate this, as well as ensuring that there were always things available for me to eat.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kathmandu, Chitwan National Park
Kathmandu, Chitwan National Park, Kurintar, Badauri, Panchase Bhanjyang, Bumdi, Pokhara
An excellent trip with a great Bhutanese tour leader and driver. Such a beautiful and peaceful country and a big contrast to hectic, noisy and dirty Kathmandu. A fairly relaxed tour with highlights of the black crane festival, Tiger’s Nest monastery, Punakha and more. Generally good hotels except in Phobjika Valley, which had power cuts, cold rooms and poor food. Food in Bhutan was a bit monotonous- generally very similar buffets. Excellent guide and driver. Recommended.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers