Encounter a country that radiates warmth – from its glorious sunshine to its spice-laden cuisine and kind local people. This nine-day Premium adventure through Sri Lanka will introduce you to the country’s wealth of cultural riches as you explore the ancient ruins of past civilisations, spot rare and beautiful creatures in their natural habitats and relax among swathes of green tea fields at a hilltop retreat. Receive a warm welcome from the locals as you meet local guides, tuck into homecooked food, stay in an 1891 Feature Stay and uncover the secrets of Sigiriya – Sri Lanka’s famed UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover a shining gem in the Indian ocean – the teardrop isle.
Overall, amazing trip!
From the moment I rang up and spoke to lovely Mandy, I was impressed by Explore.
I was part of a group of 8 ranging from 30s-70s, by the end of the trip, we were like old friends. I hadn’t done a group trip before and you are spending a lot of time together so be prepared for that if you are also sharing a room.
Luckily we all got on really well and had a laugh together but you do have to carve out some solo time.
Itinerary - this trip is described as moderate but it’s quite full on. So many activities are squeezed in to the available time and a fair bit of travel in between, but this is broken up by stops on an off the bus for points of interest.
It meant we saw so much of Sri Lanka, we covered 2000km. Think, temples, wildlife, food, hiking, boat / train trip, beach, cities, and history and beautiful scenery.
Accommodation - some were lovely, some not so much, but all were clean / acceptable, some just a bit more basic than others.
Most had pretty good food as we eat at the hotel most nights due to often being off the beaten track.
You are accompanied for the whole trip by your tour guide and we were very lucky to have Sam.
Sam made the trip.
He has such and in depth knowledge of Sri Lanka and was so willing to tell us everything we wanted to know about the history and customs of the country that we really felt like we had gotten to know the country in depth. He had so many little extras ‘up his sleeve’ from stopping the bus to show us how to blow bubbles with a soap plant to arranging for us to go into the signal room at the train station.
I am sure all of the guides are brilliant, but know if you are lucky to be assigned Sam, he is something special.
The trip was fantastic, so many experiences packed into two weeks and friends I hope to stay in touch with. If you’re considering this trip, 10/10 recommend.
Explore the modern capital city of Islamabad, marvel at its architecture and lush greenery. Discover ancient ruins in Taxila, uncovering tales of civilizations past. Dive into the bustling markets and savory street food of Rawalpindi. Venture into the rugged terrain of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, immerse yourself in its rich culture and hospitality. Journey to the picturesque valley of Chitral, surrounded by majestic mountains and serene rivers. Visit Swat, famed for its stunning landscapes and ancient Buddhist heritage. Each destination offers a unique and unforgettable experience, promising a glimpse into the diverse beauty of Pakistan.
This small-group tour aims to capture the essence of North and Southern India. Begin your trip in Delhi, the fascinating capital divided into two counterparts and the former home of Mughal Muslim Rulers between the 17th and 19th centuries. Continue your journey to Agra, where you will discover the Taj Mahal, commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, and travel to Ranthambore. Visit the National Park, home to the largest tiger population in India where you may come across Royal Bengal Tigers. Next, you will drive to Jaipur, the famous Pink City home to the city palace and the impressive Hawa Mahal. Catch a flight to Southern India from Jaipur to explore Alleppey, a tranquil town and the hub of Kerala’s backwaters. From there you will discover Cochin, an old colonial harbor city boasting breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea before you end your tour of North and Southern India.
Discover a country that radiates warmth – from its glorious sunshine and scorching cuisine to the incredibly kind people, this is Sri Lanka. This 14-day Premium adventure through ‘the Teardrop of India’ will take you straight to the heart of the country. Explore the ancient ruins of past civilisations, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya, search for rare and beautiful animals like elephants and leopards, relax on palm-fringed beaches and soak up the hospitable welcome from the locals. From the spicy food scene to the Exclusive cooking class and high tea, this adventure sees all the best bits or Sri Lanka in style.
Discover on an engaging journey exploring the cultural wonders of Pakistan over a captivating eight days, starting from Lahore. Immerse yourself in the city's rich history by discovering Shahi Hammam, Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore Fort, and the iconic Badshahi Mosque. Delight your palate with a culinary adventure at Lahore Food Street. The adventure continues with a visit to the enchanting Shalamar Gardens, Jahangir's Tomb, and the dynamic Wagah Border ceremony. Subsequently, travel to Karachi to marvel at the architecture of Mohatta Palace, explore the Sadiquain Art Gallery, and discover the treasures of the National Library. Further highlights include a visit to the National Museum of Pakistan, providing a glimpse into ancient civilizations through its remarkable artifacts. The latter part of the tour unfolds with a fascinating excursion to Makli Necropolis, an archaeological gem adorned with tombs dating back to the 14th century. This comprehensive tour ensures an enriching exploration of Pakistan's cultural heritage, spanning from Lahore to Karachi.
Just recently completed the “Royal India” tour. It was magnificent. Excellent tour guide and driver. Lovely hotels with excellent service. And of course, amazing things to see and do. Highly recommend!
This was a great trip full of wonderful and varied experiences plus a number of highlights including: Bodh Gaya and important Buddhist sites, Varanasi, the Taj Mahal, Shimla and The Golden Temple at Amritsar. Travelling by train proved to be fascinating and a good way to meet people, even if it was not always totally comfortable. Pemba was an excellent tour guide, caring, well organised, knowledgeable and extremely likeable. I would certainly recommend the trip as a good way to explore this part of northern India.
This 11-day northern India tour finishes with two days exploring the Holy City of Varanasi on the banks of the River Ganges, after exploring Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, rural Rajasthan and Jaipur.
This India tour starts in the capital city, Delhi, with tours of both the old and new sides of this bustling city, now home to over 18 million people. We then head south into the arid state of Rajasthan, home to impressive forts and palaces, colourful saris and jewellery, and fascinating Indian history. We firstly visit Agra, home to the incomparable Taj Mahal, the world's most famous monument to love. We continue the tour's theme of mixing unmissable tourist sites with activities and experiences more off the beaten track by taking a Mughal Heritage Walk with a local villager through farmland and homesteads on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River to the Taj Mahal. This tour supports the local community and provides a fascinating insight into village life in Agra as well as providing great views of the Taj not normally seen. We'll also see the Taj Mahal close up at sunrise as the changing morning light brings the building to life in different hues and colours.
Our next stop is the small and remote town of Hinduan where we stay in a converted palace and explore the village and surroundings, getting a real feel for rural Indian life. We'll then visit the Amber Fort, City Palace and the Jantar Mantar Observatory in the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, as well as exploring its famous craft and produce markets.
After returning to Delhi, we take to India's famous railway network for the journey to Varanasi. One of the world's oldest living cities, Varanasi is also considered one of India's holiest and is an especially auspicious place for Hindus to make a pilgrimage to bathe in the waters of the River Ganges. While in Varanasi, we'll take an early morning boat trip on the river, take part in an evening Aarti ceremony giving candlelit offerings to the river, and visit Sarnath, where the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon.
Another train journey then takes us back to Delhi to finish the India tour (flight upgrades are available if preferred).
The accommodations used on this tour have been carefully selected and include a home-stay style hotel whilst in Delhi, modern properties in Agra and Varanasi, plus heritage hotels in Jaipur and Hinduan.
Without the dust in Rajastan India is indeed a great destination not only for Westerners but anyone interested in East Indian cultures and traditions. Food was good but a little too salty for my tastebuds. In southern India food not as salty but also very good.
I plan at some later time to revisit India but be a little more prepared to deal with the dust and the northern weather in January.
Great trip, itinerary and tour leader
Would’ve liked a bit more time in Kandy- having an afternoon on the first day perhaps ? Maybe can streamline the tea plantation and shorten theearlier stop to the gem place.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through southern India, starting in the vibrant streets of Kochi and ending on the shores of Kovalam. Discover a thousand shades of green, indulge in some of the continent’s freshest food and share moments of connection with locals. Journey through tea plantations in Munnar and encounter wildlife in Periyar National Park. Cruise the serene backwaters of Kumarakom and see sunsets over Vembanad Lake. Delve into the region’s spice trade and Ayurvedic traditions in the Western Ghats mountains before unwinding on the beaches of Kovalam. This adventure introduces you to the natural beauty of an area less travelled from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Visit India and follow the famous Golden Triangle. Enjoy the perfect introduction to India's three most popular destinations - Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur - as we explore the icons and discover the secrets of this fascinating region. Experience the history of massive forts, the opulence of Rajasthan's palaces, and the traditions of a heritage homestay. Head north into the Himalayan foothills and be introduced to the Mountains and Mystics of this incredible country. These mystical lands look and feel very different from the rest of India - from the food and clothes to the crisp, clean mountain air and spiritual sway of the inhabitants. Discover the complex diversity of India and be enchanted by a land balanced between physical and spiritual worlds.
Fabulous walking and touring holiday. Hotels were all decent to very good. Our tour leader, Cham, was excellent - very knowledgeable and always willing to do extra optional things. We were a small group and we wanted to do everything! The tour itinerary was excellent and we felt like we saw nearly everything that a tour only group would see in addition to all the walking in remote locations and seeing beautiful views and remote villages. Highly recommended!!!
