Set out on a journey revealing the best of Northern Vietnam, immersed in the near mythic beauty of the country and connecting with its people. From the ancient capital of Hoa Lu to the limestone labyrinth of Trang An, uncover Northern Vietnam’s natural wonders and storied past. Connect with locals over home-hosted meals, learn the art of sticky rice, and witness water puppetry in a master’s home. Ride on the back of a Vespa through Hanoi’s buzzing night markets, kayak past floating villages, and unwind in a mountain eco-lodge in Mai Chau. This immersive adventure blends cultural encounters, culinary delights, and breathtaking landscapes into one unforgettable adventure.
Discover the heart of Japan’s urban landscapes and natural wonders, from Tokyo’s electric energy to Kyoto’s Zen serenity. Stroll through the iconic torii gates of Fushimi Inari and under the Ancient Cedar Avenue of Hakone. Gain understanding of local customs during a stay in a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn). Ride the shinkansen (bullet train) from Hakone to Kyoto. Encounter Nara’s sacred deer, visit Mt. Fuji 5th Station, explore Osaka’s vibrant food scene, and craft your own sushi. Experience sacred rituals, from a Goma fire ritual to sipping green tea inside a temple. Along the way, discover the art, flavors, and spirit that make Japan unforgettable.
Sure, Jordan’s got ancient wonders — but wait until you bike through them. This isn’t your average sightseeing tour. You’ll pedal past desert dunes like a Bedouin on wheels roll into the lost city of Petra like a legend and coast your way toward the salty shores of the Dead Sea for a well-earned float. From winding forest paths near Amman to wide-open roads in Wadi Rum every day is packed with epic views big climbs and even bigger payoffs. Toss in a few community meals and a 4x4 ride for good measure and you’ve got a cycling trip that hits different.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the cultural and modern marvels of China and Japan! Your adventure begins in Beijing, where ancient heritage meets contemporary flair. Stroll along bustling Wangfujing Street, stand in awe atop the legendary Great Wall of China, admire the artistic flair of the 798 Art District, and find serenity at the Temple of Heaven. Step back in time as you explore the grand Forbidden City, stroll through Tiananmen Square, and unwind at the elegant Summer Palace. Enjoy a charming tricycle ride through the city's historic Hutongs, where old Beijing comes to life. Next, board a high-speed train to Nanjing and uncover treasures like Purple Mountain and the revered Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. In Suzhou, walk through the poetic beauty of the Humble Administrator’s Garden, then glide along the canals of Tongli on a traditional boat ride. Continue to Shanghai, where tradition and innovation converge—wander through the futuristic Pudong District, explore the classical Yu Garden, and soak up the creative buzz of Tianzifang. Fly onward to Tokyo, Japan’s buzzing capital. Witness the famous Shibuya Crossing, visit the tranquil Meiji Shrine, the regal Imperial Palace, and iconic Nijubashi Bridge, before diving into the electric nightlife of Shinjuku. Travel to Mount Fuji, where you’ll admire panoramic views from Arakurayama Sengen Park, visit the sacred Fuji Sengen Shrine, and enjoy a boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko. Ascend to the Fifth Station of Mount Fuji, then unwind in a traditional ryokan, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. Continue to the charming Iyashi no Sato Nenba village and marvel at the cascading beauty of Shiraito Falls. In Kyoto, step into a living postcard as you explore Arashiyama, visit the Tenryuji Temple, the golden brilliance of Kinkakuji, and the mesmerizing torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine. Journey to Nara to see the towering Todaiji Temple and ancient Horyu-ji Temple, before wrapping up in Osaka, where the bright lights and flavors of Dotonbori create the perfect finale to your adventure. From imperial capitals to vibrant cities, sacred shrines to modern wonders—this journey through China and Japan offers a rich mosaic of experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
This tour offers a unique blend of historical, cultural, and scenic experiences across China and Japan. Starting in Beijing, you'll explore iconic landmarks like the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven, combined with Tai Chi and foot massages to enhance your experience. In Nanjing, visit the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Lingu Temple, while Suzhou's UNESCO gardens and Tongli's charming canals provide a picturesque retreat. Shanghai’s modern skyline, ancient gardens, and vibrant neighborhoods like Tianzifang and the Bund are highlights, before transitioning to Tokyo, where you'll immerse yourself in both modern and traditional Japanese culture. In Mount Fuji, enjoy serene landscapes, traditional ryokan stays, and a boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko. The tour also includes visits to Kyoto’s ancient temples, Nara’s giant Buddha, and Hiroshima’s powerful Peace Memorial Park, capped off with a tranquil visit to Itsukushima Shrine. With diverse cultural experiences, breathtaking nature, and immersive local interactions, this journey offers an unforgettable exploration of both nations.
This unforgettable tour takes you through the heart of China, blending ancient wonders, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. In Shanghai, explore the modern marvels of Pudong's financial district, the historical Yuyuan Garden, and the European-influenced Bund. Travel to Luoyang to uncover the awe-inspiring Longmen Caves and visit the White Horse Buddhist Monastery, a cornerstone of China’s Buddhist history. In Xian, stand face-to-face with the legendary Terracotta Army, followed by a deep dive into the cultural crossroads at the Muslim Quarter. Chengdu offers a unique experience at the Panda Bear Research Centre, along with a peaceful stroll through People's Park. Venture into Sichuan’s serene countryside to witness the 2,000-year-old Dujiangyan irrigation system and explore the sacred Taoist Qingcheng Mountain. The adventure continues to the hidden gems of southern China, where you’ll meet the Miao and Dong ethnic minorities in pristine villages like Zhaoxing and Guangxiao. Marvel at the Longji rice terraces in Guilin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and cruise along the Li River, famous for its dramatic karst mountain scenery. In Macau, enjoy a unique blend of Portuguese history and modernity, while Hong Kong showcases its world-famous skyline and colonial legacy. From the ancient relics of the Silk Road to the vibrant cultures of ethnic minorities, modern cities, and breathtaking natural landscapes, this tour is a rich tapestry of China’s most remarkable destinations, offering unparalleled experiences at every turn.
Journey back to the days of the Great Silk Road on a 18-day Premium adventure through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Explore the cosmopolitan capital of Tashkent, marvel at the glorious architecture in Samarkand, discover the holy sites of Bukhara and visit the ancient monuments of Khiva. Join a local family for a traditional cooking class and get to know the ins and outs of an Uzbek village. Visit Sharyn Canyon, Skazka Canyon and Jety Oguz Valley and take hikes to soak up the scenery. Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp alongside the massive alpine lake of Issyk Kul. See the monuments, learn the histories and dive into the local cultures of main cities like Bishkek and Almaty. Visit a family-owned winery for a tasting, head to a small local village for a traditional lunch and enjoy a masterclass of local cuisine from a Dungan family. With all this and more, what’s holding you back from your next adventure?
Explore the old Silk Route in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan with this nine-day adventure full of stunning natural landscapes, chances to connect to local people and traditional cuisine. With a knowledgeable local leader by your side, you’ll visit Sharyn Canyon, Skazka Canyon and Jety Oguz Valley and go on hikes to soak up the scenery. Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp, after learning about how these are still manufactured without electric tools, alongside the massive alpine lake of Issyk Kul. See the monuments, learn the histories and dive into the local cultures of main cities like Bishkek and Almaty. Visit a family-owned winery for a tasting, head to a small local village for a traditional lunch and enjoy a masterclass of local cuisine from a Dungan family. With all this and more, what’s holding you back from your next adventure?
Makalu Base Camp Trekking takes about two weeks. The fifth highest mountain in the world, Mount Makalu lies at an elevation of 8463 m. It is situated in the Makalu Barun National Park, which covers an area of 2330 sq. km extending around the Solukhumbu and Sankhuwasabha districts of Nepal. And, the panorama of the highest mountain in the world such as Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Chamlang, Makalu and other mountains greets you. Makalu base camp trek can be fairly challenging in some parts depending upon your level of physical fitness. The outstanding scenery of Makalu Base Camp Trek’s route significantly provides unique cultural heritage and incredible views of mountain peaks. From Makalu Base Camp there are spectacular views of the rarely seen Kangshung face of Everest, as well as Lhotse, Chamlang, and Kanchenjunga in the far east.
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!
Following a pick-up from your Chiang Mai hotel, transfer to the starting point of your hike (1.5 hour's drive) and begin with a gradual climb past through various plantations and deep jungle. You will be surrounded by unspoiled nature as your experienced trekking guide leads the way. There's a good chance you will encounter people going about their daily tasks. Throughout the hike, you'll come across scenic views of the valley below, and walk by coffee plantations. Your local guide will share information about the area and explain the customs of village life in northern Thailand. End up at a house for a rewarding Thai lunch with local fruits and freshly brewed coffee.
Afternoon, you'll transfer by car (45 min) to the nearby Sri Lanna national park and its scenic lake surrounded by forest and jungle. After a short paddle briefing, you'll navigate on your sit-on-top kayak, exploring the area inside the lake. Paddling and relaxing time. The paddling time is approximately one to 2 hours, depending on participant's fitness conditions.
Change and dry at a local restaurant, then transfer back to Chiang Mai for a drop off at your hotel at approximately 17:30.
This journey takes you through the vibrant and diverse landscapes of Oman, blending history, culture, and natural beauty. Starting in Muscat, you'll explore the capital's architectural marvels, including the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Opera House, and the charming Old Muscat with its 16th-century forts. Discover local traditions in the bustling souks and museums and enjoy delicious Omani cuisine. Your adventure continues along Oman’s stunning coastline to Sur, famous for its shipyards and traditional dhows, and then into the Wahiba Sands desert for an unforgettable 4x4 desert experience, with thrilling dune bashing and a night spent in a desert camp under the stars. Next, you’ll explore the lush oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid and the historic city of Nizwa, home to ancient forts, traditional souks, and the renowned cattle market. The journey also includes visits to the charming village of Birkat Al Mawz, Jabreen Castle, and the dramatic landscapes of Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams. Conclude your adventure with a return to Muscat before heading home, filled with memories of Oman’s natural wonders, rich heritage, and warm hospitality.
