Witness nature's awakening with over 3,500 spring tours across Asia in January 2001. Perfect weather, blooming landscapes, and comfortable temperatures make this ideal for exploration, backed by 18,000 spring travelers.
Explore leader: for Sri Lanka only satisfactory. Not easy to understand, didn't seem to feel part of the group, didn't join us for meals, a poor communicator (relative to past explore trips)
For the dhoni Maldives cruise: Moosa was excellent in every way.
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal with guide Mingma Sherpa was an unforgettable experience that I will cherish for a lifetime. The trek was challenging yet incredibly rewarding, offering stunning views of the majestic Annapurna mountain range and providing a glimpse into the unique culture and way of life of the local Sherpa community.
From the moment I met Mingma Sherpa, I knew I was in good hands. His expertise and knowledge of the region were evident from the start, and his warm and friendly demeanor made the trek even more enjoyable. Mingma's passion for the mountains and dedication to ensuring the safety and comfort of his clients were truly commendable.
The trek itself was a test of physical endurance, as we navigated steep and rugged terrain, crossed suspension bridges over roaring rivers, and ascended to high altitudes. Mingma was always there to offer encouragement and support, providing valuable tips on acclimatization and pacing to help us adjust to the altitude and prevent altitude sickness.
One of the highlights of the trek was reaching Annapurna Base Camp itself. As we stood surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks, including Annapurna I, the 10th highest mountain in the world, I was filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of nature. Mingma shared stories and legends about the mountains, adding a cultural dimension to the experience that enriched my understanding of the region.
Throughout the trek, Mingma went above and beyond to ensure that we had a comfortable and memorable journey. From arranging cozy teahouse accommodations to preparing delicious meals that kept us energized, he took care of every detail with professionalism and care. His deep respect for the environment was evident in his commitment to leaving no trace and preserving the natural beauty of the Himalayas.
In addition to his technical skills as a guide, Mingma's cheerful personality and sense of humor made the trek a truly enjoyable and fun experience. Whether we were sharing stories around the campfire or laughing together during breaks, his positive attitude and infectious enthusiasm lifted our spirits and created a sense of camaraderie among the group.
In conclusion, trekking to Annapurna Base Camp with Mingma was a life-changing adventure that exceeded all my expectations. His expertise, professionalism, and genuine kindness made the journey safe and enjoyable, while his passion for the mountains and love for his homeland added a special touch to the experience. I highly recommend trekking with Mingma to anyone looking for an unforgettable trekking experience in the Himalayas.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel
Age Range
5-90 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Annapurna Base Camp trek, Kathma
Annapurna Base Camp trek, Kathmandu, Jhinu Danda, Pokhara, Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Tadapani, Chhomrong, Himalayan Hotel, Annapurna Base Camp, Bambo
My friend and I are both retired teachers in our late 60s. We’ve been to Europe a few times so we wanted to try something new and off the usual tourist path. This tour of South Africa and Dubai was a great choice.
We appreciated that the pace wasn’t too fast. There were days with early starts, especially for safaris, but it was worth it. Kruger National Park was incredible. We saw a herd of elephants. Seeing a baby elephant brought tears of joy! The guides knew exactly where to look and explained everything clearly.
Both of us are fans of good wine, so we chose to do an optional tour of the winelands in Stellenbosch. We tried a variety of wines and cheeses. It was surely a wholesome day.
Dubai was something else entirely. So modern and so clean. We saw Burj Khalifa and wow, it's massive and elegant in a way.
We were comfortable the whole way. I’d say this was a great trip, and you can try it, too.
WildlifeCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Tent
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Dubai, Cape Town, Johannesburg
Dubai, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Hazyview, Kruger National Park, Stellenbosch
Looking back at our photos now we've returned to the UK we can't believe the amount we saw and the amazing experiences we had on this tour. Sri Lanka is an amazing beautiful country with some much going on - we only scratched the surface. Our tour leader Cham worked so hard to make sure that we had everything we needed, resolving our problems and sorting out food for our fussy son! His knowledge about Sri Lankan history and wildlife was immense. He even found the best place to buy genuine Sri Lanka cricket shirts for the sporty members of our group. The only thing we'd change was the pace of the second half of the Sri Lanka leg of the trip. The first half gave us time to chill and bond as a group, as well as hang out in the pool at Giritale and play cricket. The second half we moved every night and covered a massive distance, though interesting, this was quite tiring (especially for the kids), so we'd suggest that a two night stop in the middle of this element would resolve this issue easily. This was clear in the notes, however, as was the high chance of not getting the train. The pace did slow considerably for the Maldives element, with a lot of time on our boats travelling between reefs. The snorkelling was quite frankly mind-blowing, and even the more nervous swimmers loved it. The crew were fantastic, and the food was delicious. The guide knew his stuff, and made sure we had great snorkelling experiences. Our only criticism of this part of the trip was that splitting the group when we'd got to know each other and were getting on really well was disappointing. There were larger boats, and we'd have preferred to be on a single boat given how long we spent travelling separately. The crew did what they could to mitigate this by tying the boats together when we moored for snorkels, meals and overnight and that was great. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable trip, and with a few very small tweaks it'd be perfect!
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
A very interesting tour covering a lot in just two weeks. Made particularly successful by excellent leadership from local leader and support staff.
Every effort was made to ensure we got the most from our experience and that our particular needs were met.
WildlifeArt and architecture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
A wonderful trip which just got better by the day.
The pace was great, sometimes demanding but with sufficient downtime to chill, and encounters with locals so enriching.
Not only did the outstanding natural beauty of the Indonesian Islands make this trip magical, but also our amazing leader Hadi who, simply by his presence, meant that we could rely, relax and enjoy.
I loved the trip.
City sightseeingBeachWalking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bali, Belimbing, Komodo Islands
Bali, Belimbing, Komodo Islands, Anja Jimbaran, Ubud, Flores Island, Ngadas, Ruteng, Labuan Bajo
Great guides and well thought out itineraries
Tourist class hotels. Fine with us. This was travel. Not a vacation lol. Tino was super I. Getting is set up at last minute. And all hands were I. Deck when we had a little medical scare. Would definitely book with them again
This trek was truly a unique experience made possible by the exceptional skills, passion, and caring support of this tour operator. Their dedication to creating this mountaineering journey allowed us to explore the real Himalayas in a safe and deeply meaningful manner. I wholeheartedly endorse this company — they have set a new standard for me in guided trekking. Thanks Guys!
We had an absolutely wonderful week with Explore in Sri Lanka. Our tour was packed with amazing locations and fascinating experiences, but our tour guide, Sudesh, still managed to fit in a few extras requested by the group.
Our only regret at the end of the trip was that the wild elephants had evaded us, but that was just bad luck!
For us, this trip was the perfect way to experience a very different country and culture with the insight and knowledge that comes from an excellent local guide.
Active and outdoorWildlife
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
Colombo, Negombo, Wilpattu Natio
Colombo, Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Mihintale, Kandy, Koggala
Great trip from Bobobudur, through Java and Bali. Some really un-touristy places on both islands ending with uber touristy Ubud and Sanur so a good mix.
Pieter our leader was amusing and knows everything there is to know.
Always plenty stops for drinks and to stretch the legs on travel days .
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, Resort, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Sanur, Yogyakarta, Ubud, Malang
Sanur, Yogyakarta, Ubud, Malang, Bromo, Kalibaru, Pemuteran, Bali
