Experience the world intimately with over 5,000 small group tours (max 16 travelers) across more than 125 countries. Enjoy personal attention, flexibility, and deeper cultural connections from Bhutan's monasteries to Patagonia's wilderness, rated by 26,300 small group travelers.
This was my first trip as a single person and I had a fabulous time. The group of 12 (four couples and four singles) really gelled and were very friendly, supportive and fun. The itinerary was very good, with at least one specific thing to do, see or visit each day. The high points were the tea plantation, the spice farm, the cookery evening, the wonderful scenery and the houseboat . The accommodation was generally very good, but the homestay was too basic to be an enjoyable experience. It didn't feel as though we were guests in someone's home, it felt more like a commercial exercise (eg the host talked of building a hotel next year to accommodate more guests). The food was excellent in most places with some well-chosen restaurants/snack bars, and plenty of choice for vegetarians, but I was a little disappointment at the street food experience, which was just selecting one cold, precooked snack (such as samosa, vada or fritter.) I was anticipating some freshly cooked food (while we looked on) such as rice and dahl or pani puri. Also, I thought that the purpose of visiting the market was to select spices and vegetables to use later in our cookery evening, but there wasn't an obvious link. Our guide, Sree, was flexible, knowledgeable and very accommodating of all our needs.
Overall a really great experience with a great group of people. Will definitely use Explore again for another adventurous trip.
City sightseeingSight
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
"Awesome time in Vietnam went with my 2 adult children and husbandLucy did a great job of creating a fun experience that was exactly
what I was looking for . Only had one hiccup with communication but overall the places we stayed were amazing and fun
Asia is a little gritty – it is a more challenging vacation than Europe for sure – so you will need help with transfers and getting around .
English is not as expected and a lot of people do not speak it ( Europe English is a second language. Here it is not so) due to communist infrastructure
People were super nice tho and
Really loved Hanoi / Mekong delta / Hoi An
It was very different than any other places you may have gone
Highly recommend Lucy and This Tour operator"
Local culture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
chinese, english, french, italian, spanish
Destinations
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Halong
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay, Mekong Delta, Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary, Ha Long Bay
During July 2019 I visited the Maldives as a solo traveler. The Island Hopper tour was perfect for my intent to experience the real flavor/culture/people of the country and not the artificial environment of resorts. I arrived and was met by Shaffaf who was the perfect guide/host to hotels, ferries, experiences across 5 islands. I love Maldive island life--even more so after the busy arrival city of Male. I especially love the FREEDOM to set my own itinerary on each island after local representatives warmly welcomed me at each island ferry and presented the options of their island. Diving, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, visiting the homes of locals, beach time and just sharing hours of lazy conversation with the locals was priceless. After returning to the USA, my heart is still in The Maldives!!
CruiseWalking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
I had the best Dubai experience. I would use them again. My friend is planning to visit Dubai in September and l want them to enjoy themselves so l told them about it.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Lovely whistle stop tour of the Baltics, Ona was very knowledgeable and helpful and it was interesting to hear her stories of life in the USSR. Only thing is she did take us to a couple of quite fancy/expensive restaurants which weren't suitable for everyone.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Great to see three key spiritual sites for the key Indian religions. Bathing in the Ganges and the Golden Temple were highlights
Great insights provided by the tour leader
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
New Delhi, Amritsar, Dharamsala
New Delhi, Amritsar, Dharamsala, Punjab, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Chandigarh, Shimla
We had an excellent tour guide: helpful, informed, receptive and with a good sense of humour. Most of the hotels were excellent....some slightly less so (Nha Trang for example). The service on the trip was exceptional. The support team of transport, bag carriage and a cycle mechanic were also excellent. Vietnam is fascinating and being on bikes we saw all aspects of the country. We saw its beauty, we saw the industry and pride of its people who were universally very welcoming. We also saw all sorts of things normal tourists, arriving in a large group with little language ability, would not be able to see. Some of the best things were stops in markets, or by rice fields, or at very basic homes or cafes. We saw a lot and visited a lot of different places: a 'grand tour' if you can do such a thing on bikes! The country certainly has issues, in my opinion, with rapid over-development (in the south particularly) with endless giant resorts half finished, being built or built and empty. It also needs to address the issue of litter. It is not alone in facing these issues! I am also certain it has the ability and determination to address them.
City sightseeingBicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
My first cycling trip was a great experience ! All the accommodations were top notch. The sites visited and routes taken were fantastic. Riding level was challenging but never excessive... enough coffee and strudel breaks to keep you energized ! The tour leader made this trip so good, as did the diverse group of cyclists all sharing this common interest!
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Venice, Mestre, Merano, Bolzano
Venice, Mestre, Merano, Bolzano, Trento, Torbole, Lake Garda, Verona
