This ultra-small group tour will guide you through the most fascinating cities in Northern India with this tour of Rajasthan! Begin your India vacation in Delhi, the famous capital of India home to plenty of marketplaces, bustling bazaars, and royal palaces. Continue your trip to Mandawa to see the massive forts, beautiful Havelis, and ancient temples before you travel to Jaisalmer with its bustling shops, quaint cafes, golden Havelis, and Jain temples. In close proximity to the Thar Desert, this is the perfect place for a camel safari along the breathtaking sand dunes. Next, you will reach Jodhpur, the medieval Blue City, and the second-largest city in Rajasthan, before you arrive in Rohet and travel to Udaipur to discover Rajasthan’s most romantic city with breathtaking views of the Aravalli Mountains and manmade lakes. Visit the City Palace overlooking the waters of Lake Pichola, see the crystal gallery, and discover the Jagdish Temple. Explore Pushkar with its famous lake and Brahma Temple and travel to Jaipur, the Pink City home to excellent shopping opportunities, bustling marketplaces, and aromatic streets. Take a trip to Amber Fort and visit the Jagmandir before you drive to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. End your tour of Rajasthan in Delhi, the capital of India.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the enchanting landscapes of Sri Lanka with this tour, showcasing the country's most exquisite treasures! Commence your adventure in the lively capital, Colombo, where you'll encounter iconic sites like the Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park. Explore the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Dambulla Rock Temple en route to Dambullala, leading you to the majestic Sigiriya Fortress perched nearly 200 meters above the rainforest. Traverse the spice and herb gardens of Matale as you head to Kandy, a stunning city and the former royal capital. Discover the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha and the Victoria Golf Course. Progress to the tea plantations on your way to Nuwara Eliya, adorned with vibrant green hills and cascading waterfalls. Conclude your Sri Lankan odyssey in Colombo, where you can explore Independence Square and Gangarama Temple before bidding farewell and catching your homeward flight.
Explore the majestic Manaslu, the eighth highest peak on Earth, standing tall at 8163 meters. This Himalayan giant, often referred to as the "mountain of the spirit," graces the Gorkha region with its awe-inspiring presence. The Ganesh Himal, resembling an elephant's head, derives its name from the revered Hindu deity, Lord Ganesh. Nestled in the heart of north-central Nepal, this massive Himalayan range is a true natural wonder. Boasting three peaks exceeding 7,000 meters and a remarkable fourteen surpassing 6,000 meters, it's a paradise for trekkers!
Embark on the Manaslu Trek, also known as the Manaslu Circuit, a journey that unveils the breathtaking splendor of Mount Manaslu (8163 m) and the Ganesh Himal Range, among other captivating peaks. Along this remarkable trail, you'll encounter a captivating blend of authentic Hindu and Tibetan-style Buddhist villages. Following the Budhi Gandaki River to its source just below the formidable Larkya Pass, this trek offers a diverse range of landscapes, from lush forests to picturesque green valleys, even sharing a part of the famed Annapurna Circuit Trek.
This day-long tour will take you to the iconic Taj Mahal, the symbol of love and India itself, and two other important tourist sights in the historical Indian city of Agra, the Agra Fort and the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah.
Join us in this fully-guided trip from Delhi to Agra and discover Mughal-era masterpieces, history and culture. Learn about the great Mughal emperors, who once ruled over India, about their court and their importance in Indian history.
Itinerary:
0600: Pickup and Drive to Agra
Our representatives will pick you up from your respective accommodation in Delhi/Gurgaon/Noida, and you will be drive to the city of Agra via Yamuna Expressway. The 210km drive will take approximately three and half hours.
0930: Agra Arrival
Your guide will meet you once you have arrived in Agra. Before you sightseeing tour, you will be taken to a hotel where you can freshen up and relax for a while.
0945 : Visit Taj Mahal
Our first visit will be the iconic Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his wife Mumtaz Mahal and where he himself was entombed following his death. This ivory-white marble mausoleum remains one of the top-visited sights in India. You will have plenty of time to explore this magnificent sight and learn about its history from your expert guide.
1245 : Time for Lunch
After the tour of the Taj Mahal, you will be transferred to Hotel Courtyard by Marriott, a five-star deluxe hotel, for a multi-cuisine buffet lunch. You will have some time to rest after your lunch before the start of the next tour.
1400 : Visit Agra Fort
Also known as the red fort, the Agra Fort was built during the reign of emperor Akbar. It is a vast museum of interesting buildings. Every Mughal emperor right up to Aurangzeb added something. Construction of the Agra Fort started in 1565 and was completed in 1573. Inside the fort complex, there are several historical sites.
1600 : Visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah
Popularly known as Baby Taj, the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, like the Taj Mahal, is also a mausoleum complex commissioned by Nur Jahan, the wife of emperor Jahangir, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg and his wife Asmat Begham. This dome-less Mughal masterpiece was the first building finished in white marble and it inspired Taj Mahal's design in many ways.
1700 : Drive back to Delhi
Drive back to Delhi
2030 : Drop off
You will be dropped to your accommodation.
Tour ends.
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.
Looking for the perfect introduction to the riveting history, culture, and heritage of India? There Is no better option to get started than our North India Golden Triangle tour circuit, a 7-day guided trip. This trip is highly recommended for travelers who want to explore India for the first time.
The tour starts in Delhi, the national capital, and progresses towards Agra, famed for its imperial Mughal heritage. The final destination for the North India Golden Triangle is Jaipur, the "pink city" know for its fairy-tale forts and palaces. with forts and palaces from the fairy-tale. Look at what makes tourist circuit an enjoyable journey.
For a detailed day-to-day itinerary and more information on the trip, please refer to the Itinerary page and what's included sections.
Join us on this week-long, guided trek through the Druk Path, an ancient trading route over high mountain passes connecting Paro and Thimphu valleys. This memorable walking odyssey will take you through blue pine forests and past rhododendrons and juniper-filled landscapes.
Even though you will be hiking at elevations of between 2,400 m to 4,200 m, the actual trekking is relatively easy. You will get the chance to enjoy magnificent views of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in the world not to have been summited, all along the way, lakes, and beautiful flora .
This trek is one of the most sold packages.
Rajasthan, the land of palaces, forts, and maharajas, offers an unforgettable journey through its vibrant history and majestic landscapes. This 14-day tour takes you from the bustling streets of New Delhi to the heart of Rajasthan’s medieval cities. Admire the grandeur of Junagarh Fort in Bikaner, the Golden Fort in Jaisalmer, and the imposing Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. In Jaipur, the Pink City, marvel at the impressive Amber Fort, a symbol of Rajasthan’s royal heritage. End your adventure with a visit to the stunning Taj Mahal in Agra. Enjoy unique experiences like a camel ride in Jaisalmer and a serene boat ride on Udaipur’s Lake Pichola.
This trip was made extraordinary by two absolutely outstanding guides, one in Cambodia (Sokchea) one in Vietnam (Truong). Their knowledge, communication skills, good humour, organisational skills and sheer passion for what they do was incredible. We arranged additional tours with our guides, and being able to depend on them for taking care of every detail, from supporting with transport arrangements, recommending and taking us to great local restaurants and evening shows, sometimes joining us for fun, ensuring that our access to sites of interest was smooth and hassle-free, whilst providing a fascinating and insightful perspective on history, culture and lifestyle. In Vietnam, Truong is an incredible asset to Explore: he went above and beyond his remit every day to ensure that everyone in our group had the best, most enjoyable experience. This was priceless, his energy and enthusiasm, and superb social skills ensured that this was an unforgettable trip of a lifetime. We learned so much, and genuinely shared laughter, food and good company. This Explore trip, due to the local guides, and wonderful company of our small group, totally exceeded our expectations.
Having a small group of 5, meant that we were able to get to know each other along the way too, and shared a lot of fun. We hugely enjoyed our “Happy Team” and hope we’ve made some new friends too.
Hotels were mostly great, some more basic but overall good, clean standards. Some excelled, like Cat Ba Paradise Hotel; only one was quite disappointing and a bit frustrating in their really inefficient check-in processes, Trang Hotel in Bangkok, which wasn’t helpful after long-haul journey. Otherwise, good accommodation and friendly helpful staff along the way.
Explore have exceptional guides and exceptional itineraries. You really get to see and explore a country in a safe and sustainable way. With lots of smiles and memories to last a lifetime. We will definitely be travelling with Explore again!
Book this 1-day trip and get the chance to learn more about Vietnamese culture and enjoying beautiful sceneries. We will pick you up from your hotel or accommodation in Hanoi's Old Quarter between 07:15 to 07:45 in the morning and drive you to Ninh Binh.
Your first destination is the home of a local family in Tam Coc. A traditional Vietnamese family with three generations living together, they will provide you with unique insights into Vietnamese culture and a chance to learn about their daily life.
Enjoy a bicycle ride around the village and see gorgeous paddy fields surrounded by limestone mountains. Have a traditional lunch involving local cuisines with the family before continuing your journey again. Explore Tam Coc, which resembles Ha Long Bay except that this in inland, by boat and soak up the beauty of limestone mountains and paddy fields all around.
The final destination of this trip is Hoa Lu, the 10th century capital of Vietnam. Visit the temple of King Dinh and learn more about Vietnamese history from your tour guide. Leave Ninh Binh at around 4:30 in the evening and drive back to Hanoi. We will drop you off at your hotel or accommodation in Hanoi's Old Quarter.
Vietnam is often, and unfortunately, often closely associated with images of modern warfare the troubled times of the past. This tour gives access to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and other spots of interest for Vietnam war-enthusiasts or those who are simply curious of to learn more about the recent history of Vietnam.
The itinerary for the tour is as follows:
Pick up guests at the hotel at 7 am then transfer to Dong Ha town by bus. On the way, stop for photos at Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River. Continue to visit the Dakrong bridge, The Frame of Church and Khe Sanh Combat Base
Have lunch at a local restaurant at 12pm.
In the afternoon, our guide and car takes you back to the war sites including Doc Mieu Base, Vinh Moc Tunnels and Museum Tunnels.
Transfer back to Hue city around 7:30 pm. End the tour at your hotel in Hue.
This tour takes you back to the Vietnamese war while also exploring the modern culture and history of the area.
Itinerary:
8:30 am. Our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel to depart for Tay Ninh. On arrival, visit Cao Dai Temple which is home to the unique Cao Dai sect, whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill to name a few. The religion is a hybrid of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. The Cao Dai Temple at Tay Ninh has been described as a Walt Disney fantasia of the East. The temple’s exterior is decorated with multi-colored dragons of all shapes and sizes competing for space with a number of Buddhist symbols. Above the main entrance is the all-seeing holy eye, the symbol of the Cao Dai sect. The interior is just as engaging as statues of Jesus Christ, Buddha and the Hindu god, Brahma, stand side by side.
After lunch at local restaurant, drive to Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height, the tunnel system stretched over 250km. from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving visitors a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the US – Vietnam War was like.
Tour finishes at about 5:30 pm at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. End of services with unforgettable memories. Goodbye and see you again!
Unlike popular visits to temples, a pilgrimage excursion to the Perfume Pagoda is a combination of religious pilgrimage, slow boat trip between poetic mountains and streams, and light climbing exercises.
ITINERARY
In the morning (exact time will be advised upon reconfirmation), you will be picked-up at your hotel and then on a comfortable A/C bus, heading West of Hanoi for about 70km. As soon as the city traffic is over, you will be passing by nicely tranquil rural villages, paddy fields with hospitable people until reaching the Yen Vy Wharf, from where we take a boat downstream to Duc Wharf and start our light climbing up to Huong Tich Grotto, a sacred place for every Northern Vietnamese. Lunch en route. The whole trip may take 08 hours until coming back to your hotel in Hanoi. February, March and June are to avoid for too bustling festive time, or for the heat of summer.