Our guide, Sudarshan kc, was the best guide I've had on any Explore trip I've done (4, so far). He was really knowledgeable, gentle, warm, funny, & friendly, he looked after our group fantastically. Nothing was too much trouble, his recurrent phrase was 'anything is possible'. The tour itself was brilliant & flowed really well, despite the longer road journeys due to the landslides that had occurred a few wks before. In fact, I'd go as far to say those journeys were actually quite an adventure in themselves! For me, it was a perfect trip, the 4 days trekking were amazing, challenging at times, but worth the effort to see the stunning views of the mountains. The teahouses were simple but really welcoming, & in fab locations for views. Pokhara was a beautiful place for a bit of a rest, the calm lake, great shopping, & places to eat. Chitwan was outstanding, especially with the rhino sightings, & close encounters!
I was lucky to have a great group of people to travel with too, which made the trip a lot of fun.
Kathmandu is exactly what you'd expect, a city full of life, bustling traffic & historic sights. People are very warm & friendly.
I'd recommend this trip wholeheartedly.
I wanted to stay longer, & shed tears when I left. Many thanks.
Sri Lanka is the rising star of Asia, and trust us, it's got it all! Our 12-day group tour itinerary show's you the best of this green and luscious gem of the Indian Ocean. Head up to the misty mountain tops to hike the hill country and explore tea plantations before travelling down to the sun drenched beaches and national parks where we’ll search for wild elephants. Spot dolphins, visit ancient temples, play cricket on the beach and have the adventure of a lifetime with your new One Life travel family. The smells of spices, tea and traditional foods will bring your senses alive as you adventure through this island nation.
Fully guided with a legendary company guide and a local Sri Lankan guide, you will be well taken care of and have all your questions answered. The tour includes accommodation in hotels and hostels as well as the most stunning train journey in the world, an expert guide, meals, transport, and more.
The itinerary is good, but full-on. Explore and all the other similar companies seem to compete by how many places they can fit into a trip, which is good if you want a taster, but not-so-good if you want to spend a bit of time in your preferred locations. However, the only disappointing part was the houseboat; the backwaters are full of them....not very idyllic. Our guide and driver were amazing; they took care of everything so it was relaxing despite the schedule.
We had a fabulous couple of weeks in Thailand with Explore. The tour visited most of the places we had hoped to go to independently but cut out all the stress of trying to organise it. There was enough unstructured free time to do a few little tours of our own. Our tour guide Super Jeff was fantastic and the whole group were really sad to say goodbye to him at the end. Lots of fun opportunities to travel on or jump into water. Other members of group were interesting and fun. Lots of great food. The two night train trips were surprisingly comfortable and easy. My family loved the Thai boxing morning. Good mix of culture, adventure, beach. The only disappointment was the day boat trip to Ang Thong marine reserve - very busy and touristy, long time on big boat, food not great and the snorkelling was almost non-existent. We wished we'd taken the day off on our own to spend more time on the beach or take a proper snorkelling tour.
Borneo orangutan tour is one of our best-selling travel destinations, and for good reason. Embark on this 3-day magical rainforest adventure to get up close to orangutans and experience the rainforest from a local houseboat! Visit any time of the year, dry or wet season. You will find different natural beauty in all seasons.
Spend 2 nights on board a local houseboat, a traditional wood klotok, which will be the main form of transportation. From the upper deck, you can view the rainforest as it glides by, and perhaps birds, proboscis monkeys, and crocodiles at the riverside. Wake up at dawn to the “morning concert ” of tropical rainforest creatures!
In Tanjung Puting National Park, we’ll visit rehabilitated and rescued orangutans, and explore the diversity of flora and fauna in the rainforest. Look for pheasants, snakes (including the three species of flying snakes), sun bears, and more than 600 species of birds including the magnificent hornbill. Borneo also has lots of exclusive plants that you can not find anywhere else, such as black orchids, carnivorous pitcher plants, 70-meter trees that are known as the hardest wood in the rainforest, and many more.
This tour is more than simply bringing visitors to see orangutans. In addition to experiencing the lush rainforest of central Kalimantan, visitors can also take part in keeping the home of orangutans safe. Orangutans are endangered species, with declining populations due to loss of habitat. Your adventure in Tanjung Puting, safely, helps to raise awareness about the threats these magnificent creatures are facing.
Join us for this customizable 5-day tour to Chitwan National Park, where you can experience the wildlife of Nepal!
Chitwan National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site located in the subtropical inner lowlands of the country. This area of rivers, forests and grasslands is home to the endangered Bengal tiger, the one-horned rhino and the Asian elephant.
On this trip, travelers have a few options to choose how they will explore the park. Activities include: elephant back safaris, considered to be the best safari of its kind in Asia; guided walks in the Chitwan forests for people who want to get up close and personal with the wilderness; jeep safaris, bringing guests to the heart of the jungle in a very short time; and canoeing down the Narayani or Rapti rivers, for a whole new perspective.
Although it is famous for its flora and fauna, Chitwan National Park does not lack in
culture and tradition. There are many Tharu villages that perfectly showcase the culture and traditions of the people living in this part of Nepal. Visitors can also visit these villages and experience the life of locals.
All of these activities on Chitwan Wildlife Safari Tour will give you a good overall picture of the life and beauty of Chitwan National Park!
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.
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.
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.
Combine the best of India and Nepal in one superbly comfortable trip. Experience the colour and chaos of Delhi's bazaars and witness the Mughal splendours of Agra. Roam the grounds of the iconic Taj Mahal, head out on a jungle safari and listen for the whispering prayer flags of Kathmandu. Throw in temple towns and village visits, lakeside retreats and mountain walks, spiritual moments and local interactions for an unforgettable tour bursting with incredible adventures.
Say Ayubowan to Southeast Asia's gem, Sri Lanka. This adventure is going to take you all over – from national parks to beaches to ancient fortresses and temples, we’ve squeezed in all the highlights & a few lesser-known secrets to create the perfect 11-day trip. With hand-picked inclusions and extra free time add-ons, this trip delivers the best Sri Lanka has to offer.
This 11-day tour of Nepal offers a diverse and immersive experience, combining cultural exploration, natural beauty, and thrilling adventures. Starting in Kathmandu, you'll delve into the city's rich heritage with rickshaw rides, visits to ancient temples and squares, and a taste of local cuisine.
Venturing beyond the capital, you'll encounter the wildlife wonders of Chitwan National Park, embarking on jungle walks, river safaris, and jeep excursions in search of rhinos, elephants, and other fascinating creatures. A captivating Tharu dance performance adds a cultural touch to your jungle experience.
The journey continues to the charming hilltop village of Bandipur, where you'll wander through restored streets, hike to hidden caves, and soak in panoramic mountain views. The lakeside town of Pokhara awaits, offering a tranquil retreat with boat rides, hikes, and glimpses of the Annapurna range.
From Pokhara, you'll travel to Kurintar, where you can choose between an adrenaline-pumping rafting experience on the Trishuli River or a scenic cable car ride to the revered Manakamana Temple.
As the tour progresses, you'll witness a breathtaking sunrise over the Himalayas from Nagarkot, followed by a cultural immersion in Bhaktapur, with its ancient architecture and pottery lessons. The spiritual heart of Nepal unfolds with visits to the sacred sites of Pasupatinath and Boudhanath, providing a deeper understanding of the country's religious traditions.
If you're looking for a more active tour, you may consider our Classic Nepal Tour, which follows a similar itinerary with the addition of a 5-day trek in the Annapurna Mountain range.
Private tour option
If our scheduled departure dates don't work for you, or you would prefer not to travel with a group, then we can also run this Nepal tour package privately for you. Please contact us for more information and prices.