This guided, 12-day off-road drive takes you to one of the most remote yet beautiful area of Nepal. Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime exploration of the Upper Mustang region, formerly the isolated kingdom of Lo, that is known for its otherworldly landscapes and villages frozen in time.
Upper Mustang is located in the trans-Himalayan area of Nepal. One of the major attractions of this place is its stunning landscape comprising of bare cliffs and arid valleys. The other interesting element is the Tibetan Buddhist culture that is still preserved and practiced in this region as a result of its seclusion from the outside world until recent times.
Overall, this trip offers a ton of fun and an experience to last a lifetime. Scroll down to the itinerary section for more details.
We did the Mardi Himal trek in April 2022. It was a fantastic experience due to our guides Nima Sherpa and Porter Kanchha sherpa. Thanks so much, guys for becoming good friends. Will definitely book again and ask for you to guide us around the next time we come!
Sri Lanka Time Tour via Aitken Spence. We met our driver and guided Sanka in Negombo for a 10 day tour of Sri Lanka. As soon as we met Sanka we knew we had made a very good decision, he was very friendly and welcoming us to continue our tour with the first events, he was prompt and very knowledgeable, and very proud of his country. Driving in Sri Lanka is crazy but Sanka was very experienced and we never felt unsafe. Safety throughout Sri Lanka is a high priority, but we never feel unsafe anywhere and encourage visitors to carry on while the tourism industry suffers. The hotels we stayed in were excellent and the staff were always friendly and very helpful. The tour is very busy with some long days, but we end with a six day break in the Maldives to recover. A truly memorable holiday with lots of laughs and banter with Sanka who made the tour so enjoyable.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Villa
Age Range
6-99 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Sigiriya, Kand
Colombo, Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park
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There were no challenges, only pure enjoyment. The places and experiences we enjoyed the most were Phang Nga Elephant Park, the Longtail boat ride, and Treehouse Villa. We had a really great time.
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, Hut
Age Range
35-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bangkok, Phang Nga, Krabi, Khao
Bangkok, Phang Nga, Krabi, Khao Sok, Phuket, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai
We have just spent a week in Sri Lanka for our honeymoon and use Aitken Spence as our chauffeur guide for our trips. We had Rodney as our chauffeur guide and I have never met someone so lovely, calm, patient, helpful and passionate. He is a credit to the company and made our visit to Sri Lanka very relaxing and took care of our every need. He was punctual every day for our meeting times, enlightened us with all sorts of information about Sri Lanka during our trip which was very interesting and made sure we were comfortable all the time. The car was comfortable and very clean every day and had enough leg room and space for all our luggage. We fit a lot into our 1 week stay in Sri Lanka and it would not have been the same without using Aitken Spence. I would 100% recommend this company, all you need to do is sit back and relax while everything is taken care of for you!
The itinerary is very well thought out with lots to see and do. Everyday had a highlight and the Nepalese are so friendly and inviting. The views of the Himalayas in Nagarkot and Pokhara were stunning. The hotels were in excellent locations throughout. There are walks for those who want to and options for those who don't. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone, regardless of physical ability. Our tour leader, Su, was excellent and worked tirelessly to ensure our safety, enjoyment and general happiness. He is the best leader I have had out of some 27 tours. This is Explore's strong point - they know how to pick and train tour leaders and Su was the best of the best.
Active and outdoorRafting
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
It is not often after a two week holiday, I am not ready to leave and get home. I went by myself and I could have repeated the holiday easily. George our guide was incredible, full of charm, humour & wit he was totally unflappable and his knowledge of his country was encyclopaedic encompassing politics, economics, flora, fauna, religion and animals. He worked tirelessly to ensure we all made the most of our time. Sri Lanka is an amazing country and the fun, laughter and camaraderie we all experienced will live with me for a long time.
Bicycle toursRafting
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Sinharaja, Hik
Colombo, Negombo, Sinharaja, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Chilaw, Wilpattu National Park, Anaradhapura, Minneriya National Park, Polonnaruwa, Kandy
A wonderful country of the most beautiful art designed buildings with the most beautifully and colourful dressed people who are most kind, accepting and helful
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
My recent trip to India was fantastic. It exceeded my expectations. Our guide, Kathy, left no the detail undone. From walking in the gardens in the early morning to drinking a Chai with the locals, The sites we saw were exceptional and will live in my memory forever
Bicycle toursAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Tent
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
New Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jo
New Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Agra, Jaisinghpura, Sariska National Park, Bharatpur
From the autumn 2016 season the Mera Peak trek/climb by this tour operator changed from a camping based itinerary of previous years to lodge or tea house based accommodation. I/we departed in October 2016. Before commencing the trek Id convinced myself that the trek in to Mera would be broadly similar to the Everest Base Camp trek, I was very wrong. There is no gentle start and long days requiring sustained effort are the theme pretty much throughout. The route taken for the first few days is very quiet and had a feel of "going around the houses" for me. That quieter route also makes for much more basic lodges than those found on EBC for example but they were all adequate. The longer approach route does however allow for excellent acclimatisation, a major key to success. All the approach routes converge in Kote and it is then a straight shot up the now rocky Hinku valley. I didnt find the approach trek in to be very scenic and that wasnt helped by day after day of cloud cover. I wonder if a November departure would be worthwhile for clearer skies. Khare, which I thought of as base camp village, was a surprsingly busy place with climbers from all over the world either preparing for or returning from Mera. Stories of six groups having been beaten back by high winds the previous day brought about a realisation that nature could quite easily scupper our plans. Having left Khare and reached the snow line, those of us that brought our own mountain boots and crampons were reunited with them by virtue of some porters that had gone ahead of us. I was now using mountain boots and crampons on snow for the first time, I found I tired far quicker than I cared to admit at the time. After a short but steep climb things level out and then it was a relatively short walk to Mera La camp for the night. The sunset and night time stars were very nice. We were now in tents for the first time. I wish I hadn't binned off my Thermarest mattress as a weight saving effort for the Lukla flight. Foam mattresses were provided but I could still feel the cold coming up from the ground. The next day was a short one from Mera La to High Camp. It however is one of those sections where the destination never seems to get any closer despite feeling you're working like a steam train at full speed. The amusement of high camp's precarious position soon passes as you try to concentrate on getting some sleep for the upcoming 0030 wake up call. I got no real sleep. We then started our torch lit climb through the night in deeply sub zero temperatures. It was hard going, really hard going, there was little talking amongst us. It was just heads down and endure it. The group were imposing more rest stops on the guides than they wanted but I don't think there were any negative consequences when all said and done. My fingers were numb with cold. The sun slowly rose and Mera central summit could now be seen ahead. We left our rucksacks at the foot of the summit and using our Jumars went up the surprisingly short roped section fixed by our guides, it was easy and I was on the summit in a minute. It had taken around 7 hours from leaving High Camp with no sleep (for me) since Mera La the previous day. It was bitterly cold on the summit and very windy, there wasn't any open celebration. There now followed an extremely long walk all the way back down to Khare village with only a short pitstop at High Camp along the way. It was exhausting. Availability of water was a problem too since much if not all of our water was still frozen despite the now blazing morning sun. I was gasping for a drink. Ngima our leader had some warm water in a flask and I will definitely take a small flask when I find myself back on a high mountain again. What now remained was the trek "home" to Lukla. The third day of decent involved far more steep climbing than we were in the mood for but we gt where we were going. Conditions on the Zatrwa pass werent as bad as they could be. During our trek trail crampons or shoe grips weren't necessary. There were only a couple sections of ice a few paces long. The decent from the pass is long and steep, thankfully the national park authority have been building a stone staircase which makes things a little easier but you still have to watch your step. There is the potential for an overnight stay a few hours short of Lukla but depending on progress it can be skipped and we pressed on for Lukla and some comfort... relatively speaking
ClimbingTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Lodge, Tent
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kathmandu, Tangnag, Mera Peak Ba
Kathmandu, Tangnag, Mera Peak Base Camp, Mera La, Mera Peak High Camp, Mera Peak, Zatrwa La Pass, Lukla, Piuyan, Pangkongma, Nashing Dingma, Chholem, Sukye La, Kothe
Chitwan National Park is the best destination in Nepal for jungle activities. The park is rich in flora and fauna and will satisfy any jungle-lover's expectations! Located in the south-west of Nepal, the park is the oldest national park in the country and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
This 3-day, 2-night package tour offers jungle activities such as an elephant back safari, canoe ride, visit to elephant breeding tour and bird watching. In addition to jungle activities, the package also includes a tour to an ethnic Tharu village in a traditional oxcart and a Tharu cultural program show.
As the national park is home to several wild animal, reptiles and bird, you will have the opportunity to spot several species of wildlife such as the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, spotted deer, crocodile, python and others. There are also about 450 species of birds in Chitwan National Park.
You will be accommodated in one of the best hotels in Chitwan, Hotel Green Park, on a full board basis.
Discover Dubai in a private setting and explore the hidden corners of the city that you would never see on a large bus tour. Your private guide will pick you up at your hotel in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras al-Khaimah, or Fujairah and will tell you interesting facts about this unique city.
See the fascinating Palm Islands, the modern Dubai Marina, the old town with the famous gold and spice markets, and much more. At the end of the tour you’ll visit the observation platform of the world’s tallest building. Here, at the Burj Khalifa, you can admire the fantastic views of the city and the surrounding area.
If you choose an afternoon tour, you can also admire the world’s largest water fountain display at the foot of the Burj Khalifa. Tickets are of course already included in the price.
Since this is a private tour, the route can be customized to suit your interests. The tour ends in the Dubai Mall, at the "At the Top" desk where you will find the entrance to the Burj Khalifa. Guests from Abu Dhabi or Ras al Khaimah will be dropped back off at their hotel after the tour and their visit to the Burj Khalifa.
Book this 4-day, guided trip and get the chance to learn more about both the urban and rural life of Vietnam. Start with a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City and see some of its most important landmarks. Along with Ho Chi Minh City, this trip will take you to 2 other places of interest: the unique floating market of Cai Be and the tunnels of Cu Chi, built by the Communist forces during the Vietnam War.
Our representative will receive you upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer you to your hotel. Go out on a sightseeing tour of the city and see some of its most important landmarks on the second day. This day also involves exploring the tunnels of Cu Chi and learning more about the Vietnam War.
Travel to the Mekong River Delta on the third day of the trip and visit the famous floating market of Cai Be. Enjoy a boat ride through the shady canals of the delta and soak up the rural ambience before driving back to the capital city. We will drive you to the airport according to your flight schedule on the fourth day.
The remote and rugged Tsum Valley Trek was not opened to global trekkers until 2008, meaning the trails are comparatively less travelled and more adventurous than many other treks in Nepal.
On this trek, trekkers will be able to explore the remote and beautiful surroundings of Ganesh Himal, Bouddha Himal and Sringi Himal mountain ranges. The trek starts and concludes at Arughat, 7-8 hours drive from Kathmandu. The initial days of the trek are all about hiking to Budhi Gandaki Valley on remote trails that pass through lush forests, terraced fields and beautiful villages. The trekkers need to leave the main trail of Manaslu Circuit trek to head towards Tsum valley. The inner feeling of peace and tranquility that you get in Tsum valley trek is indescribable.
Apart from the exotic Tsum Valley north of Mt. Manaslu, the trek offers and exciting journey along the lower Budhi Gandaki regions of Liding, Machhakhola, Jagat and Philim. Ancient gombas such as Rachen Gompa, Mu Gompa and Dephyudonma Gompa are other important highlights of this trek. Lastly, the warm hospitality of Tsumba people, the indigenous ethnic community of the valley, offers a homely environment to trekkers even in such remoteness.
Tsum Valley trek is an ideal package for the travelers who love solitude and a journey far away from crowds and hustle bustle.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel
Age Range
12-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Manaslu-Tsum Valley, Kathmandu
Manaslu-Tsum Valley, Kathmandu, Soti Khola, Chumling, Philim, Khorla Bensi, Machha Khola, Jagat, Chisopani, Chhokang Paro, Nilee, Mu Gompa, Burgi Village