Explore South Asia through expert eyes with over 1,100 professionally guided tours. Local insights, historical context, and hassle-free exploration rated by more than 8,000 guided tour enthusiasts.
Duration
1 day150 days
Departures
Tour Types
Countries
Activities
Physical Rating
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.
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
On the whole a great itinerary. I would drop the Sunderbans though, since the chance of seeing any wildlife while sailing for hours up and down the middle of the river is unlikely, especially since the animals are behind a fence. We had an excellent tour leader, Kiran who is warm, very informed and energetic and who certainly went that extra mile in solving problems and caring for everyone. The local guides who travelled with us were also great, as were the drivers. The hotels in India were the Summit hotels, an Indian chain. They are clean and quite well organised. However since those in Sikkim were out of town we were forced to eat dinner in the hotels which produced the identical menu. It would have been better to have spent the bits of free time we had in Sikkim in the towns themselves.
City sightseeingWildlifeCruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
"We had this great trek Makalu Base Camp trek with me and my husband here in Nepal, we joined with the group during this trek as i found this trekking region very different and unique than the other trekking regions here in Nepal as it provided the best views of Himalaya's, Mountains, flora and fauna,local people culture and their daily live hood. Our guide Lakpa Bhote was also a great experienced guide who was very helpful to us in every trail and path of this trek as he elaborated us that this region consists of 30 types of rhododendrons, 48 types of orchids with variety of tress and herbs.We found this trekking very much interesting as the trail were very fresh with great geographical and biological diversity between local people and flora and fauna, we also saw the outstanding great views of Sagarmatha(Everest),Lhotse,Baruna che,Kanchenjunga Himalayan ranges smiling back to you with many other ranges of Himalayas from the Sipten-La view point. As we reached the Makalu Base Camp we encountered the great lake on the foothills of Makalu as we thought this lake is made of the Himalayan glaciers of the Makalu as this lake color was as white as the Milk. This Makalu Base Camp also provided us the great view of many lakes with many mountain ranges and we suggest this trek for those travelers who are seeking for the great trek with quite environment and great natural views.
So as a whole we are satisfied with this trek and want to thank the whole local operator family for organizing this perfect trek for us and hope to have another great trek here in Nepal next year with you guys."
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
14-75 yrs
Operated in
english, hindi
Destinations
Makalu Base Camp trek, Kathmandu
Makalu Base Camp trek, Kathmandu, Num, Yangri Kharka, Dobate, Khongma Dada, Seduwa, Tumlingtar, Tashigaon, Langmale Kharka, Makalu Base Camp
Looking back at our photos now we've returned to the UK we can't believe the amount we saw and the amazing experiences we had on this tour. Sri Lanka is an amazing beautiful country with some much going on - we only scratched the surface. Our tour leader Cham worked so hard to make sure that we had everything we needed, resolving our problems and sorting out food for our fussy son! His knowledge about Sri Lankan history and wildlife was immense. He even found the best place to buy genuine Sri Lanka cricket shirts for the sporty members of our group. The only thing we'd change was the pace of the second half of the Sri Lanka leg of the trip. The first half gave us time to chill and bond as a group, as well as hang out in the pool at Giritale and play cricket. The second half we moved every night and covered a massive distance, though interesting, this was quite tiring (especially for the kids), so we'd suggest that a two night stop in the middle of this element would resolve this issue easily. This was clear in the notes, however, as was the high chance of not getting the train. The pace did slow considerably for the Maldives element, with a lot of time on our boats travelling between reefs. The snorkelling was quite frankly mind-blowing, and even the more nervous swimmers loved it. The crew were fantastic, and the food was delicious. The guide knew his stuff, and made sure we had great snorkelling experiences. Our only criticism of this part of the trip was that splitting the group when we'd got to know each other and were getting on really well was disappointing. There were larger boats, and we'd have preferred to be on a single boat given how long we spent travelling separately. The crew did what they could to mitigate this by tying the boats together when we moored for snorkels, meals and overnight and that was great. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable trip, and with a few very small tweaks it'd be perfect!
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Ready for a journey through Sri Lanka’s cultural heartland? The "Colombo, Caves & Kandy - 8 days" tour is crafted for those who crave a rich mix of heritage, history, and wildlife, all at a gentle pace. Starting and ending in Colombo, this guided group trip unveils the island’s legendary cultural triangle—Sigiriya’s dramatic rock fortress, the intricate Dambulla cave temples, and Kandy’s sacred Temple of the Tooth.
Beyond the ancient marvels, you’ll glide through verdant tea country on a scenic train ride and go wildlife spotting at Udawalawe National Park—perfect for seniors and experienced travelers seeking light adventure. Each stop is brought to life by knowledgeable guides, ensuring every story and tradition is made vivid.
What makes this tour unique is its seamless blend of Sri Lanka’s spiritual landmarks and lush landscapes, all within a relaxed, accessible itinerary. In just one week, you’ll experience the country’s deep-rooted culture and natural beauty, with the ease of all details thoughtfully arranged.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara
Colombo, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe National Park
We had an amazing time with Pasang Sherpa, our trip leader, who has a wealth of knowledge about the Manaslu Tibetan settlement in the hidden kingdom of Nepal. The Manaslu Circuit Trek is a challenging and rewarding journey around the world's eighth highest mountain, Manaslu. It offers breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks, diverse landscapes, rich culture, and wildlife. The trek usually takes 11 to 14 days and requires a special permit. The highest point is Larkya La Pass, which stands at 5,106 meters. The best time to embark on this trek is during spring and autumn, when temperatures are moderate, the skies are clear, and there is less rainfall. The winter and monsoon seasons present more challenges and risks.
Nar-Phu Hidden Valley: The trek is 9 days long, allowing you to explore Nepal's alpine beauty and experience the Himalayan Tibetan lifestyle. This off-the-beaten-path trek takes you through remote villages, lush forests, and towering peaks, providing an authentic and immersive experience. You can interact with local villagers, learn about their ancient customs, and witness breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains. Overall, the Nar-Phu Hidden Valley Trek is a must-do for adventurous travelers looking to escape the crowds and discover the hidden gems of the Himalayas.
My whole team was so adaptable and kind. My guide Spring took me on incredible hiking and cultural journeys with his endless knowledge of history, Buddhism, architecture, animals and nature. Our driver Lahto was amazing at navigating the mountainous roads safely and confidently with added humor. The owner Tsenrig met me for dinner one night because I mentioned I wanted to try a lot of Bhutanese food. All the stops we made were so good and the accommodations were so nice with not a bad meal the whole trip. If you’re still on the fence, get this: I left my coat in a town 2 hours away and got it driven to me in 4 hours later so I didn’t leave without it on my early flight the next morning. Truly not a bad word can be said about this team and their team made my trip one of my favorite traveling experiences I’ve ever had.
I had an amazing wonderful experience visiting Bhutan with this company over the past week. From the start to the end of the trip, I was very well taken care of by Tsenrig (owner), Kar Chung (guide) & Leki (driver). My itinerary was adapted to my likings (nature, local cultural experience & food) and Maebar delivered well!
Key highlights of the trip include: leisurely walks across the pine forests at Phobjikha Valley & rustic authentic villages, a challenging hike to Tiger's Nest at 4000m high, a unique local hot stone bath & cuisine dinner in a village home, immersing myself in ancient architectures & monastery way of life at Punakha and Rinpung Dzongs hundreds of years old etc.
All hotel lodgings arranged were very comfortable, clean & spacious. The all inclusive food was a good mix of familiar international cuisine, as well as additional local Bhutanese food.
I leave Bhutan with fond memories and appreciation of its unique & rich heritage. Many thanks to Tsenrig, Kar Chung and Leki for a wonderful trip!