This comprehensive 20-day Everest Gokyo Lakes Trek is a remarkable adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and physical challenge. The journey commences with a scenic flight to Lukla, followed by a trek through charming Sherpa villages, including Phakding and the vibrant Namche Bazaar, allowing you to acclimatize to the high altitude and experience the local way of life.
As you venture deeper into the Everest region, the trek leads you through lush rhododendron forests, across suspension bridges, and past cascading waterfalls. Highlights include reaching the iconic Everest Base Camp, standing in awe of the world's highest peak, and ascending Kala Pattar for unparalleled panoramic views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and the sprawling Khumbu Glacier. The trek also challenges you with the crossing of the Cho La Pass, a high-altitude pass that rewards your efforts with breathtaking vistas of the surrounding Himalayan giants.
The journey then takes a scenic turn towards the tranquil Gokyo Lakes, where you can marvel at the turquoise waters and the majestic Cho Oyu peak. You'll have the opportunity to hike to Gokyo Ri for even more spectacular views and explore the serene beauty of this high-altitude region. As you make your way back, you'll pass through picturesque villages like Machermo and Dole, enjoying the warm hospitality of the Sherpa people and immersing yourself in their rich culture.
The trek concludes with a final descent to Lukla, where you'll catch a flight back to Kathmandu
As flights between Lukla and Kathmandu can at times be delayed or cancelled due to weather conditions, we recommend adding at least 1 extra night post-tour in Kathmandu.
All those joining our Everest & Gokyo Lakes Trek will receive free trekking pack hire (normally costs $45), containing a down jacket and sleeping bag; suitable for the season in which you are travelling.
If you prefer a shorter trek, you may wish to consider our 15-day Everest Base Camp Trek.
Begin your Pakistani adventure in the modern capital, Islamabad, exploring its architectural marvels and cultural treasures. Then, journey northwards into the scenic mountain landscapes. Along the way, uncover ancient history at the Jaulian Monastery and Sirkup Old City, delving into Buddhist ruins and a vibrant Kushan-era city. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Naran Bazaar, a bustling mountain town brimming with local crafts and cuisine.
Traverse the breathtaking Babusar Pass and venture onwards to the legendary Fairy Meadows, a realm of unparalleled beauty with panoramic views of Nanga Parbat. Hike to the idyllic Beyal Camp or challenge yourself with a trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp. Discover the remote village of Tarashing and trek to Herrligkoffer Base Camp, named after the first successful Nanga Parbat mountaineer. Continue through the Deosai National Park, a haven for wildlife and a tapestry of wildflower meadows.
Journey to Skardu, the heart of the Baltistan region, and explore the fertile Shigar Valley, renowned for its fruit orchards. Continue to Gilgit, an ancient town steeped in history. Ascend into the fabled Hunza Valley, surrounded by towering peaks, and experience the thrill of crossing the Hussaini Suspension Bridge. Witness local craftsmanship at the KORGAH weaving center, and visit the Baltit Fort, an emblem of Hunza heritage. Immerse yourself in the fascinating culture of the Kalash people, who inhabit the remote valleys of Rumbur, Bumburet, and Birir. Explore their distinctive traditions, vibrant attire, and unique way of life.
Venture into the Hindu Kush mountain range, traversing the Shandur Pass, home to the world's highest polo field. Explore the charming town of Chitral and visit Garam Chashma, renowned for its therapeutic hot springs. Witness a glimpse of history in Taxila, an ancient center of learning and art, before returning to Islamabad. Conclude your journey in the Pakistani capital, filled with memories of vibrant cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and the warmth of the people you've met along the way.
Throughout the expedition, we incorporate several invigorating day hikes, tailored to accommodate varying fitness levels. Among the highlights are treks leading to the Base Camps of the legendary Nanga Parbat, offering unparalleled views of this iconic peak. Additionally, we embark on scenic hikes to crystalline mountain lakes, such as the Passu Glacier, and explore ancient forts and sacred sites, immersing ourselves in the rich tapestry of Pakistani heritage.
Accommodations range from comfortable tourist-class hotels in Islamabad to charming guesthouses nestled amidst the rugged terrain, ensuring a restful retreat after each day's adventures. Delight your palate with the diverse array of cuisines included in nearly all meals, providing a tantalizing glimpse into the culinary traditions of the region. Be sure to savor the renowned local apricots of the enchanting Hunza Valley, adding a burst of flavor to your gastronomic journey.
Take in the best of China on this 27-day Essentials tour which starts and ends in Hong Kong! Admire the skyline of the city from Victoria Peak and contrast this with the lush scenery and karst peaks of Yangshuo. Enjoy bamboo rafting on the Yulong River, learn Mandarin as you travel, explore Chongqing and see giant pandas in Chengdu. Visit the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, join an optional Kung Fu masterclass in Shaolin, hike along an unrestored section of the Great Wall and explore sprawling Beijing and Shanghai independently. End in rural Nanjing and Fujian county, before returning to Hong Kong.
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.
Travelling from Cairo to Tel Aviv, take in the highlights of Egypt, Jordan and Israel, neighbouring countries, steeped in history. From the grand Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, to the beautiful Rose City of Petra and the Biblical sites of Jerusalem, join us on a journey of epic proportion.
PRIVATE TOUR: Combine two beautiful Himalayan Kingdoms in one magical tour. Enter the serene and spiritual lands of Nepal and Bhutan, and experience the countries' rich histories and unique cultural heritages. From the brightly coloured fluttering prayer flags of Nepal to the elaborate traditional dress of the Bhutanese, these captivating lands cannot fail to enchant.
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!
From the heights of the Himalayas to the southern coasts of the South China Sea, winding over 2,700 miles, the Mekong is much more than just irrigation for Indochina—everywhere it flows, it fascinates men and shapes their lives. Come take an expedition on this grand and plentiful “water snake,” from Ho Chi Minh City, still largely influenced by the French colonial days, to Phnom Penh, then Tonle river, following the footsteps of Henri Mouhot. Our meditative trip takes you along the Mekong River on board a ship combining charm and colonial-style comfort.
Cast off on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on the legendary river that begins in the mountains of Tibet and meanders through no less than six countries. The Mekong traces the authentic, profound, and mesmerizing history of Vietnam and Cambodia along its riverbanks. You'll finish your extraordinary vacation in Indochina with a discovery of Hanoï, the Vietnamese capital, and on an unforgettable cruise on the legendary Halong Bay among the fantastically formed islands, crags, and cliffs.
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.
Explore a little travelled part of Pakistan with a tour that journeys from Karachi to Islamabad.
Here you will be able to take in the sights, sounds and importantly tastes of Karachi and its bazaars, find yourself immersed in the 5000-year-old history of the Indus Valley, taking in the sights of the striking Derewar Fort in the Cholistan Desert, before having the opportunity to watch the flag lowering ceremony carried out on the Indian border.
Our journey begins in Karachi where we'll have time to take in the sights, sounds and most importantly, the tastes of the city and its bazaars. As we head towards Hyderabad, we'll make time to visit Thatta and Makli Hills, which is perhaps the worlds largest necropolis. Once we reach Hyderabad, we'll have the opportunity to learn about some of the industries which the city is famous for, we'll see coloured pottery being made, woodwork, weaving and Ajrak production, a block printed cloth which this region is famous for.
Moving on, we visit the sufi shrine of saint Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and witness a sufi ceremony in Sehwan and join the Mohanas tribe for a boating experience on Lake Manchar.
After stopping in Larkana, our next visit is to Mohenjo-Daro, located on the banks of the Indus River. The 5000 year old city was the centre of the Indus Civilisation and one of the largest in the world at its peak and we'll have time to explore the incredible ruins. As our journey takes us in the direction of Bahawalpur, we'll stop in Sukkur and the Cholistan Desert to visit Derawar Fort.
As we pass through the former independant state of Bahawalpur, we'll visit the Nur Mahal and Bahawalpur mosques, along with the city museum and bazaar, before heading to Multan where we'll stay for 2 nights. Multan is known as the city of saints and our tour here will include the shrines of the great mystics, with their shimmering blue glazed tiles. We'll also visit the old walled city and the bustling bazaar, where we may spot local artisans at work.
Next we'll head to Pakistans 2nd largest city, Lahore, stopping along the way in Harappa, which dates back to 3000 BC. Our time in Lahore will include a city tour, taking in some of the highlights of the city, such as the worlds largest mosque (the Badshahi Mosque), the Wagah Border with India and of course, 'food street' in the old town where you can try many different flavours and dishes.
We visit Rohtas Fort en-route to Islamabad. Whilst in Islamabad we'll take time to explore the city along with the old city of Rawalpindi and nearby Taxila.
Travelling in small air-conditioned vehicles with local guides, this journey gives you a unique experience of Pakistan which will last a lifetime.
Take a cruise on the Ganges River and plunge into fascinating, enticing, surprising, and astonishing India. The river is not only sacred to the Hindus, it is also the lifeline for the millions of inhabitants that depend on it for their daily needs. Washing in the river is done both symbolically to purify and to tend to practical tasks. You'll cross through a region little touched by tourism and experience a deep authenticity within the unique historical sites and stunning landscapes along the way. Discover the cultural heartbeat of the nation: Bustling Kolkata and its memorials and Varanasi, a sacred city that attracts millions of pilgrims a year. Join us on a luxury ship, decked out with canopy-style beds in its cabins, for a trip of a lifetime.
Explore a little travelled part of Pakistan with a tour that journeys from Karachi to Lahore.
Here you will be able to take in the sights, sounds and importantly tastes of Karachi and its bazaars, find yourself immersed in the 5000-year-old history of the Indus Valley, taking in the sights of the striking Derewar Fort in the Cholistan Desert, before having the opportunity to watch the flag lowering ceremony carried out on the Indian border.
Our journey begins in Karachi where we'll have time to take in the sights, sounds and most importantly, the tastes of the city and its bazaars. As we head towards Hyderabad, we'll make time to visit Thatta and Makli Hills, which is perhaps the worlds largest necropolis. Once we reach Hyderabad, we'll have the opportunity to learn about some of the industries which the city is famous for, we'll see coloured pottery being made, woodwork, weaving and Ajrak production, a block printed cloth which this region is famous for.
Moving on, we visit the sufi shrine of saint Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and witness a sufi ceremony in Sehwan and join the Mohanas tribe for a boating experience on Lake Manchar.
After stopping in Larkana, our next visit is to Mohenjo-Daro, located on the banks of the Indus River. The 5000 year old city was the centre of the Indus Civilisation and one of the largest in the world at its peak and we'll have time to explore the incredible ruins. As our journey takes us in the direction of Bahawalpur, we'll stop in Sukkur and the Cholistan Desert to visit Derawar Fort.
As we pass through the former independant state of Bahawalpur, we'll visit the Nur Mahal and Bahawalpur mosques, along with the city museum and bazaar, before heading to Multan where we'll stay for 2 nights. Multan is known as the city of saints and our tour here will include the shrines of the great mystics, with their shimmering blue glazed tiles. We'll also visit the old walled city and the bustling bazaar, where we may spot local artisans at work.
For our final stop we head to Pakistans 2nd largest city, Lahore, stopping along the way in Harappa, which dates back to 3000 BC. Our time in Lahore will include a city tour, taking in some of the highlights of the city, such as the worlds largest mosque (the Badshahi Mosque), the Wagah Border with India and of course, 'food street' in the old town where you can try many different flavours and dishes.
Travelling in small air-conditioned vehicles with local guides, this journey gives you a unique experience of Pakistan which will last a lifetime.