How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Abi was outstanding.  As you would expect, all the complex logistics were seamless and he remained unfazed by diverted trains, 10 hour delays and punctures.  However  stressed he must have felt occasionally, he never lost his friendly approach and great sense of humour and dealt with “difficult” Explorers with his inclusive and laidback manner.  When we were faced with a demonstration, riot police and all my mum’s pet nightmares, he was cool – giving quick instructions  without causing any panic.   He dealt well with our local staff in Bangladesh and gave great attention even to small matters – such as sourcing tonic for a medicinal g & t!
A superlative tour guide really does make a huge difference to your trip and we were really lucky to have Abi with us from Dhaka to Delhi

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

"“Basic” is key and in Bangladesh the infrastructure is still developing, so keep smiling.  Mozzie nets weren’t necessary, some used sheet sleeping bags.
If you’re going off piste in Calcutta, get a map beforehand. The hotel’s walking distance from Seddur Bazaar and, if you bring favourite clothes with you, the tailor next door can reproduce these.  Getting around on your own is easy and a visit to Mother Teresa’s House and the flower market were real eye openers.
In Varanasi I visited Baba Black Sheep silk shop .  This is VERY dangerous as he takes plastic. I also recommend Spashi spa in Assi , but avoid the waterboarding massage!  In Agra, I went swimming at the Retreat Hotel and had a massage at the spa opposite.  Sadly, due to train delays, we didn’t get to sightsee in Delhi."

Do you have anything else to add?

"Explore goes back to its roots  - off piste travel without all the mod cons.  It’s a very busy trip, so you make your own free time (perhaps skip the Kinatjee temple and explore the local town?) Hopefully Explore will set up a school linke , as an unscheduled stop in a Bangladeshi village proved a highlight.  
The Indian train experience was fun (if endless!) and porters are available.  Luggage travels on top of the bus in Bangladesh, so you might want to waterproof your belongings (they’re covered with a tarp anyway).   No booze in Bangladesh was no hardship  (some restaurants CAN source relatively costly imported booze).   
The sheer variety of different experiences (plus my lovely fellow Explorers) made this one of my favourite Explore trips ever – can’t wait until the next one!"

How was your Explore Tour Leader?
The tour director Raj must be one of the best tour directors I have experiencecd.   The Bangladeshi quide seemed totally unaware of how explore operates.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?
Absolutely nothing to buy in Bangladesh - although the group were a focus of attention with frequent photographs being taken with camersa phones.    Where as in Bangladesh everything was included, in India, all trips involved additional costs, even at times when the dossier implied they were inclusive!   The trip was distinctly chilly because the countries were experiencing a particularly  cold spell, which hotels really dont do well  Air flights with Jet were basically good.

Do you have anything else to add?
The only hotel I would highlight was the Banladeshi hotel  was the tourist hotel in Bogra, which was not only extremely cold which I appreciate is unsually but also extremely noisy, with the rooms adjacent to a main road where s drivers used their horns!

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Two leaders/guides involved.  The Indian guide (Abi for short) was very exprienced, communicated well, was well organised and knew his stuff and very helpful.  The chap in Bangladesh struggled a bit and was less enthusiastic although when asked a question responded well and in detail.  Consider that the Bangladesh chap could have passed on heaps more about his country.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Know what your in for with regard Bangladesh content as it is mostly archaeological sites and ruins, temples dating back centuries, old towns and regions going back heaps in history with some long drives from site to site.  Take a guide book for Bangladesh so that you can review it beforehand in your own time.  Understand that grog is not freely available for purchase even at dinner time.  Great for the liver!  Otherwise  buy some duty free pre arrival. Don't expect high standards in Bangladesh.  Laundry is available so you can travel light.

Do you have anything else to add?

India component was very good, Varanassi was great - not much time in Delhi, consider a couple of days extension post tour completion. Food in Bangladesh comes in large portions and is suited to sharing within the group. You will see a bit of poverty on this trip throughout India - its good Karma to help.  Don't bother with mozzie nets, there is nowhere to hang them up - take some room spray if that concerned otherwise ask at lobby.  Good pretrip admin support, thanks Sarah King.