Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
Lazr so knowledgeable about all seven countries he should be teaching upper level university courses. He’s dedicated and streetwise, particularly to your benefit when it comes to getting low prices for tour expenses. He should be given an immediate raise and be considered for future promotion.
Train tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Great trip but with long bumpy off road drives. Accommodation in Gers the first week was very basic, Gers having big gaps for cold air and small animals to enter. Some of the shared showers only had cold water. I slept in my coat a couple of nights in the mountains as only 5 degrees and too cold to face a tepid shower. Food however was a surprise being a non red meat eater, the alternative was chicken with lots of fresh salads, vegetables and some fruits.
Our guide Sara was nice but lacked the skills for a large group. I had no complaints but some of the group had issues which were resolved and avoided at the next stop. Some mis information was given, so we were a little confused.
We managed to arrange with Sara and Explore a trip to the Genghis Khan statue and museum at an extra cost the last day which was worth the detour.
Camel riding in the Gobi was fun and for half hour we paid around £5.
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
Ulaanbaatar, Yol Valley, Dalanza
Ulaanbaatar, Yol Valley, Dalanzadgad, Baga Gazriin Chuluu, Hustai National Park, Khogno Khan, Erdene Zuu Monastery, Orkhon Valley, Bayanzag
What a wonderful trip! After a bit of challenge finding our taxi transfer at Casablanca airport the holiday went very smoothly. The itinerary was excellent, well curated with just enough flexibility to suit the group's needs. We thoroughly enjoyed the variety of experiences and the expertise and humour of all the local guides that we met on our travels
The accommodation was very good and mostly met expectations as described, however the final riad in Marrakech was only a 3 star hotel and a 25 minute walk from the centre of town, which surprised me on an 'Upgraded' tour. It was perfectly adequate and certainly met our needs, just not what I expected at the end of the trip.
We were lucky to find ourselves with a terrific group of fellow travellers who all got on very well, however my highest praise goes to our group tour leader, Ibrahim who was exceptional.
Ibrahim is very knowledgeable and passionate about his country. He paced the trip well and was particularly adept at 'reading' the group and tweaking the plans where it would add to our comfort and enjoyment. His energy and enthusiastic personality together with his understanding and caring nature ensured that all group members had the very best holiday possible.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
The shogun trail tour was very good. Loved Kyoto and Japan generally, I would like to return to see and do more.
Our guide Karique was excellent, you couldn't hope for a more genial and knowledgeable tour leader.
I do believe that using public transport brings you closer to experiencing the day to day life of local people.
Cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa, Guest House
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tokyo, Fukuoka, Ikitsuki Island
Tokyo, Fukuoka, Ikitsuki Island, Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nagasaki, Dejima, Hirado Island
Great trip. Full on pace, would have to skip activities to slow down! A cultural and nature trip. Guatemala was my favourite country; the Mayan history and culture. The archeological site at Copan adds to the diversity of experiences on this trip. As well the more recent history of regime change in Nicaragua. The Spanish colonial architecture was highlighted at all destinations, quaint hotels. Nature’s beauty and wild life was showcased throughout. Overall, a diversity of experiences filled the two weeks!
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
A very interesting tour covering a lot in just two weeks. Made particularly successful by excellent leadership from local leader and support staff.
Every effort was made to ensure we got the most from our experience and that our particular needs were met.
WildlifeArt and architecture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Fantastic trip. Lots of variety - sightseeing, walking and a safari at the end. Hotels were all good - a mixture of local and more modern and 2 nights in most worked really well. Food was good, locals are friendly and our guide Udaya made sure we had everything we needed and provided loads of info on everything we saw. Great safari at the end with brilliant sightings of deer and rhinos. Sadly no tigers but you cant have everything. Only down side is the roads which are currently truly awful whilst they convert the main highway to a dual carrigeway. Dirt surface in a lot of places.
Active and outdoorRafting
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
If you are thinking about booking this trip... don't hesitate! This was the most amazing experience! Every time I look at my photos, I can't believe all the amazing experiences I had on this trip!
Edmund, our tour leader was fantastic! Overall, a great cultural experience !
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
I cannot Express enough gratitude to Dejan and Pedro for looking after the group and delicious food they provided. The itinerary is really well thought through and stunning beauty of Portuguese coast will stay with me forever.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lisbon, Faro, Sesimba, Setubal
Lisbon, Faro, Sesimba, Setubal, Vila Nova De Milfontes, Aljezur
An excellent 3 weeks with 2 excellent guides. Sri Lanka section was well organised by our guide Nala. he tweaked the itinerary so that we got the very best out of our time and imparted so much information about every aspect of Sri Lanka. He kept us on time fitting extra stops in if we were passing something to see like a banana market and fishermen hauling nets in on the beach. Accommodation was exactly as described and the usual Explore authentic assortment of comfortable and more rustic.
There were lots of English style plug sockets in the hotels, but i would take an adaptor as well just in case.
Highlights were climbing Adams Peak starting at 2am, and passing some very elderly people making the pilgrimage to the temple at the top. A unique experience. Also the train journey over 9 arch bridge. Great fun.
Maldives- again we had a superb guide- Moosa. Extremely knowledgeable about the ocean and also gave us a lot of fascinating history and politics background of the Maldives. Island visits provided an insight into the real country.
The boat was spacious clean and comfortable. Didn't expect the hotel like room services - bed making and towel changing! Food on the boat was amazing. Plentiful and a variety of dishes inc freshly caught fish. Had 2 snorkels a day building up the length and difficulty of them. So many colourful fish, it was like swimming in a tropical fish tank. Also saw turtles, moray eels, sharks and rays including a manta. The tender was always out with us keeping an eye on us whilst snorkelling.
Overall a fabulous itinerary and guides on land and sea
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers