Experience South Asia intimately with over 400 small group tours (max 16 travelers). Enjoy personal attention from guides and deeper cultural connections rated by more than 3,700 small group travelers.
Duration
1 day150 days
Departures
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.
Fantastic trip. It is very full on....Explore warn you. One hotel was substandard....Explore will not be using it on next trip. Loved the fact we were in non-touristy areas. I had 2 extra nights at a beach hotel in Goa to relax.....worth doing if you can. A few train journeys which I loved (worth considering a rucksack or holder as luggage rather than suitcase). Go with an open mind and you will love it.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
The name says it all—'Everest Base Camp Trek' is the classic 15-day Himalayan experience for those who dream of standing at the base of the world’s highest peak. Starting and ending in Kathmandu, this strenuous trek challenges even seasoned hikers with its high passes, glaciers, and awe-inspiring vistas. Alongside the physical achievement, you’ll immerse yourself in Sherpa culture, rest in rustic yet welcoming teahouses, and trade digital connectivity for card games and mountain camaraderie. Uniquely, this trip is committed to ethical trekking practices, supporting local porter welfare programs for a responsible and rewarding journey. Accommodation, meals, transport, and expert guidance are fully included in this trekking tour package.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This was a top notch company and the climbing was great. The guide was completely safe and with high winds (too dangerous to climb) we worked together to amend the plans. This made me feel safe. (Note that these are high altitude climbs and one needs to have some climbing experience.) (Also in this time of the year it was cold and at times windy.) I cannot say enough about the Sherpa and the guide. An excellent time and a grand adventure.
ClimbingTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private and Group Tour Private Tour with a few fixed group departures available.
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Eco Lodge, Guest House
Age Range
17-78 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Island Peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche
Island Peak, Mera Peak, Lobuche East Peak, Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Seto Pokhari, Amphu Labtsa pass, Island Peak Base Camp, Dingboche, Lobuche, Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Lobuche Peak Base Camp, Lobuche High Camp, Lobuche Peak, Pangboche, Lukla, Chhuthang, Tuli Kharka, Kothe, Thanngnak, Mera Peak Base Camp, Mera Peak High Camp
The tour was a very enjoyable and relaxing way to end 2024 (7-15 December). Our tour leader Mohamed Hailami (High) and the crew of Gulfaam were excellent - nothing was too much trouble and they worked hard to make it a memorable holiday. The food on the dhoni was very good - plentiful and varied. The snorkelling catered to all abilities and covered a variety of environments - particular highlights were the sunken boat and swimming with nurse sharks and cuttlefish. Through coaching and feedback from High and the captain I learned how to duck dive, make better use of my GoPro and fish with a line. The latter was with limited success but considerable pleasure - failing to catch any fish while sitting in the tender in the middle of the sea under the stars is one of my favourite memories of the week. Thanks to High and the crew for a great trip.
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
We had the most incredible time on the Highlights of Assam and Nagaland trip. We have travelled a number of times with Explore, and our expectations were blown away at every stage of this incredible trip.
Wildlife highlights included the river dolphins on the Brahmaputra and incredible safaris - including the 'Big 5' in Kaziranga National Park - Royal Bengal Tiger, Water Buffalo, Indian One-Horn Rhino, Elephant and the Swamp Deer! The Khasi hills were stunning, with the walk to the living root bridges a real highlight. We were lucky to have a swim in the crystal-clear river to cool off at the bottom of the valley before trekking back up the steps! Longwa Headhunter Village afforded us some fantastic interactions with local people and opportunities to see their local cottage industries. Majuli Island was a beautiful, relaxing and spiritual place, as were the tea plantations in Dibrugarh.
Of course, the incredible Hornbill Festival was a sight to behold. We spent two full days wandering around the various tribes longhouses, interacting with the friendly tribes, trying local delicacies and watching their performances. This is truly an experience not to be missed...
There were some long drives, as expected, but these seemed to be well-planned and the views were often spectacular - especially in the Naga Hills and plains of Cherrapunjee.
Our driver, Moon was fantastic - safe, calm and worked hard to find us the best stops for photos etc.
Our guide, Pema Bhutia, is an absolute credit to Explore and his homeland. Passionate, caring, kind and knowledgeable, he went over and above at every opportunity to ensure our experience was first class - we would definitely travel with Pema again in future.
Overall, don't hesitate to book this trip - the accommodation was much better than described, the infrastructure in the region is improving slowly, and the food is fantastic. It's still a relatively unexplored part of the world, rich in culture and tradition that surely won't disappoint even the most seasoned traveller!
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Bungalow, Guest House, Resort, Villa
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kolkata, Assam, Guwahati, Majuli
Kolkata, Assam, Guwahati, Majuli Island, Nagaland, Longwa, Dibrugarh, Umananda, Cherrapunjee, Khasi, Kaziranga National Park, Mokochung
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
Answer the call of the Himalayas on the 15-day 'Annapurna Base Camp Trek,' a challenging adventure that starts and ends in Kathmandu. Designed for adventurous souls ready to push their limits, this trekking tour takes you through dramatic gorges, high-altitude pastures, and remote teahouse villages, culminating at the iconic Annapurna Base Camp. Along the way, you’ll witness awe-inspiring glaciers, soak in natural hot springs, and experience the warmth of Nepali hospitality. With time spent in both Kathmandu and Pokhara, you’ll also gain insight into local culture. What makes this trip stand out is its combination of breathtaking mountain scenery and genuine cultural encounters. Accommodation, transport, meals, and expert trekking guidance are all included—so you can focus on the journey and the summit ahead.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Tent
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Annapurna Base Camp trek, Kathma
Annapurna Base Camp trek, Kathmandu, Bambo, Jhinu Danda, Pothana, Pokhara, Ulleri, Ghorepani, Tadapani, Chhomrong, Doban, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp
I recently completed the Island Peak climbing expedition and it was nothing short of incredible! From the start to the summit, everything was well-organized, safe, and filled with unforgettable moments.
Dendi, my guide, was an absolute star. His professionalism and experience were evident from day one. Not only did he guide me through the trek and the climb with expertise, but he also shared so much knowledge about the culture, the landscapes, and climbing techniques. His calm demeanor and encouragement, especially during the more challenging sections, gave me the confidence I needed to push through. Whether it was pacing ourselves on the way up, helping with gear, or ensuring we stayed safe on the glacier, Dendi was exceptional.
Prakash, the manager and owner of this tour company, was also fantastic. From my first inquiry, he made the whole process so smooth. His communication was clear, and he made sure all my questions were answered promptly. I felt like I was in great hands from the get-go. The logistics of the trip, including permits, transportation, and accommodations, were all taken care of seamlessly. Prakash checked in regularly, which made me feel valued and well-supported throughout the experience.
The Island Peak itself was a thrilling adventure. The beauty of the Khumbu region combined with the excitement of scaling a 6,000-meter peak made it one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The views from the summit were simply breathtaking – standing there with the mighty Everest in the backdrop was beyond words.
Climbing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
5-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Island Peak, Kathmandu, Island P
Island Peak, Kathmandu, Island Peak Base Camp, Dingboche, Namche Bazar, Lukla, Tengboche
I am so glad I booked with this travel operator, they were 1st class! The personal guide and sherpa made it almost too easy! Amazing people inside and out.
Climbing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Eco Lodge, Guest House
Age Range
17-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Mera Peak, Kathmandu, Mera Peak
Mera Peak, Kathmandu, Mera Peak High Camp, Kothe, Tuli Kharka, Lukla, Thangnak, Khare, Mera Peak Base Camp
Our Everest Base Camp trek was truly unforgettable. The entire experience was flawlessly managed—from the initial planning to the final steps back from the mountains. The team’s coordination and communication were excellent, always timely and clear. Our guide, Pralhad, was incredibly caring, attentive, and experienced, and the porters were amazing—reliable, kind, and supportive throughout the trek. Every lodge and restaurant stop was thoughtfully selected, giving us comfort without losing the authenticity of the journey. Raj, the owner, was fantastic—always available, quick to respond, and offered valuable insights at every stage.
Trekking and HikingMountains
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers