This may be...

• exploring off-the-road places of interest 
• a camel foray into the desert 
• an unusual train ride or a unique river journey 
• a thrilling wildlife encounter
• spending a few days with tribal people in their villages 
• the challenge of trekking amongst some of the world's highest peaks 
• visiting ancient sites and ruins

Most Explore tours offer great variety but with time built into relax and soak up the surroundings.

Travelling solo or with friends

Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or with a companion – you’ll find yourself in the company of like-minded, independent travellers, right from the start. Being within a group relieves any concerns about feeling conspicuous in unfamiliar locations. It’s also a much more sociable and fun way of getting about.

Our holidays appeal strongly to the single traveller. About half the members of our groups travel alone – with many regulars among them. You can be sure to make friends.

Room supplements

Accommodation is generally on a shared basis, in same-sex twin rooms.

With the exception of a handful of tours (out of several hundred) there is no single supplement to be paid, and the likelihood of the solo traveller being penalised is negligible - it's as simple as that.

On most of our tours, however, we offer a Single Room Options, which allows exclusive use of a room at a supplement.

The group size is usually 12-16 people. Small groups:

• do not impact so much on the environment
• are less disruptive to the community
• enable a deeper and more interactive experience
• can get away from tourist haunts more easily 
• are more likely to come across wildlife 
• bond more easily

You’ll also find that you develop a real bond with your travelling companions – and often with your hosts too. It’s not uncommon for lifelong friendships to be forged on an Explore adventure with like-minded people who share your interests.

Tour Leader

Virtually all our tours are led by a specially trained Explore Tour Leader. The expectations we have of them are uncompromisingly high, and with intensive training, they ensure your enjoyment and the smooth running of our tours.

Fewer footprints 

Treading carefully on our planet whilst appreciating and supporting the communities we visit is still central to our tours. If you would like to know more, have a read of our Responsible Tourism section.

Different types of accommodation are used on different trips. However, we will always prefer conveniently located, clean and friendly places, with the emphasis on being in the right place at the right time, as well as comfort. So you may find yourself staying in a:

• pension
• longhouse 
• guesthouse 
• overnight train 
• cruise boat 
• ryokhan 
• igloo 
• tent

We price our trips on two people sharing a room it is possible with most of them to request a single room. Look out for the single room option symbol.

Our meal arrangements tend to be as flexible as possible. In most cases, only breakfast is included, allowing you the freedom to do your own thing and ‘go local’. All our Tour Leaders have their favourite restaurants and ‘haunts’ and will often book tables for anyone interested in eating out together. 

There will virtually always be a vegetarian option, albeit simple on occasions. 

Whilst camping the majority of meals are usually included, with fresh produce purchased mainly from local markets where possible.

Most Explore trips involve an itinerary which travels through the best of the regions to enable you to experience the region fully. However, our centre-based itineraries offer a combination of activities and experiences all within easy reach of your home-from-home.

Travel like a local

All our trips have different objectives. Normally a variety of transportation is used, usually dictated by the character of the local terrain, such as:

• trains
• expedition vehicles
• native canoes
• bicycles
• rafts
• camels
• donkeys
• boats – perhaps even a converted rice barge in Thailand

And of course we also travel on foot.