Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
My wife and I had an incredible time on our Backroads of Japan tour. This was our first ever international trip, and even with booking a tour, we weren't sure what to expect. Fortunately, our tour guide was simply phenomenal. He was perfectly fluent in Japanese and English, knowledgeable in every facet of the country (down to the geology!), attentive to the needs of our very diverse group, and knew every nook and rest stop along every trail we hiked. Overall, I made friends and many more memories through this unforgettable itinerary, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to experience Japan for the first time.
Trekking and HikingAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Mt Fuji, Yo
Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Mt Fuji, Yoshino, Dorogawa, Tsumago, Asuka
Our third time with Expat Explore, value for money heaps to see. A fast pace tour with some long days, but if you're up to it, I would highly recommend. An enjoyable way to travel to cover Japan.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
10-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Takayam
Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Takayama, Kanazawa, Shizuoka, Iga, Osaka
China Highlights was an amazing trip, I enjoyed it from the begining to the end.
I am very happy with this trip, Olly, out tour leader, was great and very helpfull, he took care lf all of us. Thank you for a wonderfull trip.
Active and outdoor
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
Beijing, Hong Kong, Guilin, Yang
Beijing, Hong Kong, Guilin, Yangshuo, Xian, Mutianyu
Great trip but with long bumpy off road drives. Accommodation in Gers the first week was very basic, Gers having big gaps for cold air and small animals to enter. Some of the shared showers only had cold water. I slept in my coat a couple of nights in the mountains as only 5 degrees and too cold to face a tepid shower. Food however was a surprise being a non red meat eater, the alternative was chicken with lots of fresh salads, vegetables and some fruits.
Our guide Sara was nice but lacked the skills for a large group. I had no complaints but some of the group had issues which were resolved and avoided at the next stop. Some mis information was given, so we were a little confused.
We managed to arrange with Sara and Explore a trip to the Genghis Khan statue and museum at an extra cost the last day which was worth the detour.
Camel riding in the Gobi was fun and for half hour we paid around £5.
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, Tent
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ulaanbaatar, Hustai National Par
Ulaanbaatar, Hustai National Park, Khogno Khan, Erdene Zuu Monastery, Orkhon Valley, Bayanzag, Yol Valley, Dalanzadgad, Baga Gazriin Chuluu
Great trip with an excellent tour leader and local guides. The highlight for me was the trek on the Kumano Kodo trail and visiting the Shrines and Temples. Food was great too.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Very passionate about making your experience as enjoyable as possible. My wife and I honeymooned in the Guilin and Yangshou area and again did a trip with this local travel specialist for our 10th anniversary.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Sleeper Train, Guest House
Age Range
6-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Beijing, Hong Kong, Chengdu, Xia
Beijing, Hong Kong, Chengdu, Xian, Yangshuo, Xi'an
Doni was an excellent tour guide and is very knowledgeable about the areas we visited.
We were only a small group and through his leadership we immediately felt like a family.
The only feedback I would like to leave is that it should be included that participants in this tour will be expected to walk 12000 steps on a daily basis, and not always on flat ground. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip but may have reconsidered it due to my health issues.
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Oliver was an amazing and attentive tour guide. He was able to swap around our itinerary to ensure that we didn't miss out on attractions after string winds caused the Govt to close buildings fir 2 days of our trip.
The Great Wall is SO impressive and photos do not do it justice! On this trip you visit parts of the wall where you have it to yourself for most of the day. This was a major highlight!
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Walking on the Great Wall far exceeded my expectations. The photos in magazines do not compare to the magnitude of actually seeing the Wall in person as it extends for hundreds of miles in many directions spanning numerous ridges. It is an engineering marvel. My guide, Olly was outstanding. His knowledge, sense of humor and overall company contributed to my excellent experience on this trip. If you decide to walk the Great Wall of China, you will not be disappointed.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers