The best Explorer trips through-out the world. We offer over 3,400 Explorer trips with more than 8,200 reviews from the best destination experts only.
Destinations include
See Explorer tours departing in
Accommodations
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.
Uncover the rich heritage of Central Asia on a journey through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan — a region shaped for centuries by Silk Road trade, spiritual traditions, and sweeping cultural exchange. Wander the ancient streets of Khiva, Samarkand, and Bukhara, where history echoes through turquoise-tiled mosques and bustling bazaars. Marvel at natural wonders like Kaindy Lake’s sunken forest and the red rock cliffs of Charyn Canyon. Explore sacred sites and architectural marvels that reveal the region’s religious diversity and deep historical roots. Along the way, connect with nomadic herders in Kyrgyzstan, break bread with Tajik families, and experience the warmth of rural hospitality in Kazakhstan. This is your window into one of the most captivating, and often overlooked, corners of the world.
Get a taste of Central Asia's charm on this 16-day trip through ancient silk road towns and bustling bazaars. Visit four out of the five Stans as you travel the Kazak steppe and Uzbek Silk Road towns by train. Starting in Bishkek, visit the clear waters of Issyk-kul Lake, cross the border to the charming Almaty, catch an overnight train to Uzbekistan and seek out the delicious plov, then explore the white marbled capital of Ashgabat. Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp near Issyk-kul Lake, hike the flaming red rocks at Jety Ogus, toast with locally produced wine to a Kazak home-cooked feast and learn about the full Silk Road history in the blue-hued mosques, madrasas and ruins in Samarkand, Bukhara and Merv.
Set off on an extraordinary overland journey through 16 countries, starting in the lively city of Istanbul, situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. From this vibrant hub, follow the ancient Silk Road, a historic trade route that meanders through rich cultures and captivating landscapes, guiding you deep into the heart of China. Along this iconic route, immerse yourself in the diverse customs and traditions of each region, uncovering the often-turbulent histories that have shaped them.
Your adventure will lead you through a breathtaking variety of landscapes, from the expansive green grasslands of Central Asia to the stark beauty of arid deserts, and from the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the lush, dense rainforests of Southeast Asia. Each setting offers unique opportunities for exploration and adventure, whether it’s trekking through towering mountains or navigating the bustling markets of vibrant cities.
As you traverse some of the world's most dynamic and chaotic urban centers, you’ll feel the vibrant pulse of life in places rich with energy and character. Concluding in the ultra-modern metropolis of Singapore, this journey promises not only stunning vistas but also transformative experiences that will create lasting memories of an unforgettable adventure
Trace the footsteps of traders, poets, and pilgrims along one of the most storied routes in history — the Silk Road. This immersive journey through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan reveals ancient cities, towering mosques, and lively bazaars where cultures once converged. Explore the remarkable ruins of Old Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former Parthian capital. In Khiva, walk through perfectly preserved streets that feel frozen in time. Along the way, connect with welcoming locals, uncover enduring traditions, and gain deeper insight into the spiritual and cultural diversity that shaped these crossroads of civilization.
Starting in the heart of Asia you will feel as if you have almost returned to Europe. You will encounter friendly locals, a diverse and long history, a unique and varied culture, lively and cosmopolitan cities, and vast, stunning landscapes that range from arid desert to rugged mountains, with dense forests and snow-capped peaks as we reach the Caucus states of Armenia and Georgia.
Note: We have two options for our route on this trip, either travelling through Azerbaijan or through Iran to get from Turkmenistan to Georgia and Armenia. Which we take depends on whether Azerbaijan's land borders are open are not, the operating schedule and reliability of the Caspian Sea ferry, and the overall regional security situation. We will make a final decision on the route a few months before departure
Follow one of the world's most well renowned overland routes; the Silk Road, and the Pamir Highway. This expedition will take you through some of the oldest cities in the world, discover the ancient trading routes through the 'Stan's' including a stop in the oldest bazaar in Central Asia - Osh, and the futuristic capital, Ashgabat, which holds the Guinness world record for the most-white marble on Earth. During our route we will also drive the spectacular Pamir Highway, one of the highest road border crossings in the world. We will also have time to hike in the Fann Mountains and visit the tallest waterfall in Tajikistan before crossing into Uzbekistan to explore Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. The trip then finishes by visiting the gas crater in the desert in Turkmenistan before arriving in Ashgabat
Join this challenging expedition along ancient trading routes, following in the tracks of the old Silk Road. Discover some of the oldest cities in the world steeped in history and legend. Visit the legendary 'Stan's' taking in the bizarre city of Ashgabat and the splendour of the Old Registan in Uzbekistan. Get outdoors in Tajikistan and hike in the Fann Mountains. Kyrgyzstan amazes with it's deep mountain lakes and perennially snow-capped peaks, before crossing the mighty Torugat Pass and traversing the whole of China. Pandas, Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall all await! We travel on one of our overland trucks as far as Kyrgyzstan and then by trains and local transport through China
Follow one of the world's most well renowned highways; the Silk Road. This expedition will take you through some of the oldest cities in the world, discover the ancient trading routes through the 'Stan's' starting in the Turkmenistan capital, Ashgabat, which holds the Guinness world record for the most-white marble on Earth. We'll also stop off in splendored Old Registan in Uzbekistan. Once we reach Tajikistan there will be the chance to hike in the Fann Mountains and visit the tallest waterfall in the country before we drive along the spectacular Pamir Highway between Dushanbe and Osh. Our tour ends in the City of Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan
Join this overland adventure through Turkey, the Caucasus states of Georgia and Armenia before travelling across the Caspian Sea and ending in the isolated desert country of Turkmenistan. From Istanbul to Ashgabat, this trip is full of fascinating and varied history, demonstrating the contested and often turbulent past of this relatively unknown region. Those who do travel here are rewarded with breathtaking scenery from stunning snowy mountains to seemingly endless desert, ancient and medieval sites that rival and often outdo any found in Europe, and a wide array of eclectic cultures, with consistently friendly and welcoming locals
Beginning in the cosmopolitan and multicultural capital of Georgia, travel south through the Lower Caucasus to Yerevan. From here we will either enter Azerbaijan and cross the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan, or, take the southern route through Iran. From Ashgabat we embark on a journey through The 'Stans', including a drive on the iconic Pamir Highway before ending at the foothills of High Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This overland adventure offers the very best of Central Asia: be it stunning mountain scenery, vast desert landscapes, or ancient historic sites, there is something for everyone.
Note: The land borders to Azerbaijan are currently closed and so we cannot operate this trip via that route. Instead we are currently taking our Iranian route. We will make a final decision on which route each departure takes a few months before it leaves, based on the current situation with border closures, the schedules & reliability of the Caspian Sea ferries, and the regional security situation