To see all five Stans in Central Asia, this epic trip will start in the grand Ashgabat of Turkmenistan, explore Samarkand in Uzbekistan, then head to Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. See the best of the Silk Road and deep dive into the fascinating history, captivating landscapes and beautiful culture that’s intertwined throughout this region. You'll stay in yurts near Lake Issyk-Kul, explore Registan Square in Samarkand and watch the eternal flame of Darvaza Crater – a 70-m-wide hole in the Karakum Desert known as ‘The Gates of Hell’. From wide open plains full of wild horses to homestays and dinners with locals, there’s so much to see, do and learn in this region – so why not spend 24 days uncovering all you can, with a local leader by your side?
From the sacred River Ganges to the summits of the Himalayas, tour India and Nepal on a trip where adventure and discovery await. From the most exciting places to visit in Delhi to the towering peaks surrounding Kathmandu, discover the spirit, culture, and nature of this fascinating region. Visit the Taj Mahal of Agra, experience the chaos and colour of India's villages, and marvel at the daily pilgrimage to the ghats of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges. Delve into the history and religion of these two fascinating countries as you enjoy the highlights of India and Nepal.
From the neon lights of Tokyo to the peaceful temples of Kyoto, Japan was incredible. Riding the bullet train was a highlight, and the cherry blossoms in Osaka were breathtaking!
Even though I was the only person on this trip, I cannot thank Explore highly enough for the excellent liaison with the local partners to ensure I had a safe and seamless trip. Although most days were spent in Cambodia, it was interesting having some time in Thailand and Vietnam as well. I would highly recommend this trip.
This was a wonderful, varied trip with a good mixture of culture, beautiful scenery, activities and history, both ancient and soberingly more recent. Our guide Binh was fantastic; funny, kind, patient and very knowledgeable, he was a highlight of our trip. The accommodation was all very comfortable and the food was amazing. As a vegetarian, travel can be tricky, but there were lots of delicious options. I highly recommend this trip for the first time visitor to Vietnam.
No words or photos can really do justice to this trip, but, to give you an idea, it went straight into my top 3 trips ever, alongside Zim/Bots/Namibia and Falklands/S Georgia/Antarctica, even though I has a bad case of travellers' tummy.
If you are ready to see some of the most famous sites and fascinating cities in East Asia, this 7-day tour of Japan will take you on the trip of a lifetime! Your journey will begin in Tokyo, the Japanese capital and an extraordinary city that is known for its diverse districts, legendary entertainment scene, and delicious cuisine. Learn about the manga and anime culture in the Akihabara district, bask in the beauty of the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda, and see how the legendary sites of Asakusa were rebuilt after WWII. From there you will drive to Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, with an en-route stop in Arakurayama Sengen Park, where you will see some of the most incredible views of Mount Fuji in the country. Take some time to stroll around Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Five Fuji Lakes, before you see the Shiraito Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Japan. Visit the Toyota Museum in Nagoya, the fourth largest city in the country, before you travel to Kyoto, one of the only major cities in Japan that escaped the bombings of WWII. Visit Fushimi Inari, a magnificent Shinto shrine, and make your way through the Bamboo Forest before your tour of Japan comes to an end!
Experience the goodness of Japan with this tour, which takes you through some of the country's most iconic destinations. Begin in the vibrant city of Tokyo and visit famous landmarks in Japan like the Tokyo Zojoji Temple, Shibuya Crossing, and Sumo Stadium. Also, get a chance to experience the bustling nightlife in Tokyo. Next, we will visit Kawaguchiko, located at the base of Mt. Fuji, where you'll take a boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko to enjoy the best views of Mt. Fuji. Continue your travel to Kyoto, a historic city known for its temples and shrines. Next, visit beautiful Osaka, the food capital of Japan. From Osaka, we will go to Okayama and visit the famous Korakuen Garden, one of the three great gardens of Japan. Continue to Hiroshima, where you can go to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum to learn about the atomic bombing in 1945, visit the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, located on Miyajima Island, and explore the beautiful Hiroshima Castle and its surrounding park. Next, take a ferry to Matsuyama, located on the island of Shikoku, where you visit Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan's few remaining original castles, and relax in Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot springs and the inspiration for the famous Studio Ghibli film, Spirited Away. Finally, head to Kobe, where you'll explore the bustling port city, visit the iconic Kobe Port Tower, try some of the famous Kobe beef at a local restaurant, and visit the Nunobiki Herb Garden, which offers stunning views of the city and has a large variety of herbs and flowers. Return to Osaka where this comprehensive Japan tour comes to an end. Fly back home as you bid goodbye to this wonderful country.
Embrace the very best of Vietnam on this 12-day guided tour. See Ho Chi Minh City’s glittering skyscrapers and green paddy fields from a speedboat as you race to the Cu Chi Tunnels, where guerrilla fighters once hid during the Vietnam War. Here, meet a Viet Cong veteran who will share what it was like to live in the tunnels. Take a private tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Imperial Citadel in Hue, before the palaces open to other tourists. Experience the vibrant city of Hoi An your way – take a hands-on cooking class. Wander among the food carts lining Hanoi’s streets and taste its classic cuisine: crab spring rolls, beef noodle soup, and com cakes. Sail through the mesmerising waters of Halong Bay on a traditional overnight junk cruise.
What made this trip really special was how different each day felt. One day we were walking through old temples, the next we were sailing on a quiet bay. Vietnam was full of surprises. The people were friendly, the food was amazing, and every place had something new to offer. Ha Long Bay was a real highlight. The boat ride through those tall limestone rocks felt peaceful and looked like something from a movie. Even the meals on the boat were great!
I also liked how we didn’t just rush from place to place. There was time to look around, take pictures, and enjoy it all. Hoi An was beautiful with all the lanterns, and Hue had some really interesting history. Our guide explained everything in a simple and fun way, which made it more enjoyable.
Then we went to Singapore, and it felt like getting into the future. It was super clean and modern, but still full of culture. The Gardens by the Bay were stunning, especially at night. Everything on this tour ran butter smooth, the flights, the hotels, the transport. It was easy to relax and enjoy. Already thinking of booking a Korea tour. Really impressed by how they manage things!
Experience India’s Golden Triangle and Nepal’s mountain peaks on this 19-day Premium adventure from Delhi to Kathmandu. Discover the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, witness the Mughal splendours of Delhi and Agra, savour the many flavours of Lucknow cuisine and soak up the ambience of holy Varanasi. Continue to Kathmandu, where you’ll visit a Tibetan community and search for big game in Chitwan National Park. Awash with highlights, from lavish palaces and vibrant bazaars to small villages in the foothills of snow-capped peaks, this is an eclectic adventure not to be missed.
Go on an epic 5000-km overland journey from imperial Beijing, through the mystical land of Tibet, to Nepal’s compact capital, Kathmandu. Experience one of the world’s greatest train journeys, discover the highland haven of Lhasa and visit the world’s highest monastery in the heart of the Himalayas. You’ll find temples aplenty, divine landscapes and unbeatable views of Mt Everest. Celebrating Buddhist cultures past and present, this insightful journey to the Roof of the World is simply unforgettable.
