The hotels were amazing but the trip was so full on there was no time to appreciate them. Also 18 Wats in 3 days was too much. Tour Guide very knowledgeable and fun. Really enjoyed it all but I think it could have been broken up a bit better, not so many long days and a break from WATs. I would recommend
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This was an excellent trip that not only took us to a number of really interesting sites across northern India but also gave us the opportunity to meet and interact with the local people on the train journeys. Our guide, Vivek, was excellent, ensuring that everything ran to plan despite the trains to Varanasi being especially busy due to the Kumbh Mela. The last day in Amritsar when we visited the Golden Temple and the Beating of the Retreat/flag down ceremony at the Wagah Crossing was a superb end to a fantastic journey.
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, Sleeper Train, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Amritsar, Kolkata, Shimla, Bodh
Amritsar, Kolkata, Shimla, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi, Agra, New Delhi
If you are reading this you have already seen the brochure description and want to know if it is all true. The trip does cover a huge variety of ground both in miles, climate and altitude so yes you really do need everything from hat and gloves to sun block! I think packing for this trip was possibly the most challenging. Most of the walking wasn't challenging but on a couple of longer ones there are options to opt out or cut short so no pressure there. Not much relaxation but some free time to shop and have the occasional cocktail, lots of travel. You will see spectacular scenery, meet interesting and knowledgeable people, seal lions having a nap in the street, iguanas a plenty. If you have a special bird interest check the nesting season to give you the best chance. We saw Frigate birds displaying to females but not the season for blue foots. The sea was warm enough but keep moving. The estimated cost of food was fairly accurate but food and drink can vary a lot. There are posh eateries with expensive cocktails, but also well priced, no frills food with a bottle of beer. ATMs relatively easy to find in a number of locations. Wifi connection was good. Hope this helps, go ahead and book!
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
You will see beautiful old buildings and many other things on this interesting trip but early May was the wrong time to go this year. We were quite cold most of the time. During our walking tour of Tartu, it even snowed a little. At least we didn't encounter much rain.
The hotels are very good, with excellent access to the Old Towns in the three capitals. Explore has changed the hotels that people complained about, I think.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Explore provide very good guides who look after you and are very knowledgeable about their country. The itinerary is always well planned with good hotels plus some trips have home stays which are always very interesting.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
It's pretty much exactly as described. This trip is all about the highlights of these countries. You're not seeing much off the beaten track, but you are going with a very experienced guide who knows the areas and their history like the back of their hand.
The trip was pretty fast paced but we had a couple of days in between to relax and enjoy areas at our own pace. My friend who joined me on the tour and I had an absolute blast. We're both 25 and the youngest in the group by approximately 30 years, but by the end it made no difference at all and we all got on very well.
Honestly, a great first experience of Southeast Asia, we stayed in beautiful accommodation, everything went so smoothly and nothing went wrong. Loved it.
City sightseeingCruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This was my first trip with Explore and I was very satisfied with the excellent guide, the variety of walks and the accommodation which was conveniently very centrally located in the delightful small city of San Sebastian and close to many good restaurants and the beach.
Walking 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
Tenerife, El Medano, Tenerife, L
Tenerife, El Medano, Tenerife, Los Cristianos , Tenerife, Chejelipes, Alto De Garajonay, San Miguel De Abona
We thoroughly enjoyed our week in Laos. Our group was great fun and the guides did a good job, although sometimes it was confusing having a local guide and a lead guide. The itinerary was good and varied. Hotels were OK given standards in Laos, although the one in Vang Vieng was less good. Packing advice from Explore was somewhat bewildering. Never did work out why suitcases were not recommended. We did take our bicycle helmets but nobody else did!
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
A superb experience. I cannot fault the itinerary in any way. The accommodations, food, scenery and activities were all great. Our tour leader Kastro was brilliant, always positive and always determined to ensure all had the best time. Kastro’s knowledge of the terrain, the geology, geography, wildlife, culture and even daft things like toilets was exemplary. A group ranging from 22years to 79years must have taken some management but he took it all in his stride and everyone got on great and had a great time. Lots of safari time all done ethically and responsibly as well as a host of fabulous landscapes big skies, wonderful sunsets, coffee stops, apple pie stops and some of the greatest picnics stops on earth.
Active and outdoor
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
Windhoek, Etosha National Park
Windhoek, Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Cape Cross Seal Reserve
A wonderful trip made in large part by the excellent guide Ester Galindo, perhaps the best we’ve had in 20+ trips with Explore. She worked very hard to keep all the varied group happy by finding routes where the more adventurous could take a slight detour and experience more challenging terrain whilst she looked after the others. Not an easy task when there was 15 of us and her. She also had to rearrange the itinerary due to bad weather. Kind, caring and enthusiastic and with a smile on her face throughout. Great walks - approx 4-5 hours each day averaging 6-7 miles or so in spectacular cliff top terrain. Good apart-hotel ( a bit “resort-y” for Explore?) with a splendid breakfast buffet. Great group of like minded people. 5 stars but only issue was the booking process with Explore which is not as good as it used to be. Vague at times, promised return calls not made, loyalty discount not applied correctly, flights unclear, etc etc! (Blamed by Explore on them being overwhelmed during a Sale promotion). Doesn’t inspire confidence but the trip delivered in the end which is the important thing.
Walking toursBeach
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
Lanzarote, Playa Quemada, Timanf
Lanzarote, Playa Quemada, Timanfaya, La Graciosa, Famara Beach, Arrieta, Costa Teguise