How was your Explore Tour Leader?

"P.A, was exceptional!  Incredibly organised, enthusiastic, very respectful, very aware of needs of the group.  Also, we had an elderly lady on our tour (age 78). And while she was very well traveled, and in good physical health, she was starting to exhibit signs of dementia which proved very trying to the group.  And I just want to say that PA was great with her.  He showed unlimited patience and took time to really ensure that she understood and grasped what the day's itinerary was, etc. I am going to nominate him for Tour Leader of the Year.

He was also very good at restaurants, recommending food to eat, things to drink, ensuring that everywhere we ate was clean and safe..and so exploring the regions cuisine was a real highlight for us!"

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

"We booked an earlier flight and arrived a few days early in Bangkok to acclimate ourselves, To us, this made the start of the trip much more enjoyable and let us start the tour with energy, and already used to the heat and bustle of Asia.  The tour doesn't spend much time in Bangkok and so this gave us a bit of time to see the city ourselves.  Now the tour starts in Rangoon, so this is no longer the case.  
I think the trip notes need to stipulate that you WILL want a sleepsac on the Overnight Train in Vietnam - the sleeping bunks are not clean.
Take American Dollars.  
Be brave and eat the food - we loved the cuisine!
We also booked a beach extension in Hua Hin at the end and as the trip is ""full on"", this helped us wind down the trip perfectly!"

Do you have anything else to add?

"We would have liked less time in Vietiane,  another day in Luang Prabang, and another day in Hoi An.  We wish we had time do a cooking class or rent bikes. We would have liked a historical tour of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, rather than a ride around the Quarter in Cyclos-while that was fun, it wasn't informative.
Lastly, just a note to say that your team was excellent in assisting us.  You booked us into the hotel for a few nights in advance of the tour starting, and the trip extension at the Anantara in Hua Hin was fantastic.  We loved Hua Hin (as well as the resort) and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wanted a beach-y few days without getting on another plane.  The beach was beautiful, wonderful food in town and a very lively night market without the hassle - very untouristy. "

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Very attentive, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable.

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

Prepare for a very busy trip, make the most of the little free time available and enjoy every minute. It's an amazing trip!!

Do you have anything else to add?

This trip is very varied and is full of exciting and intetresting things to see and do. Everyday brought new adventures. The contrast between the four countries is amazing to see all at once. The highlight of the trip for me was staying in the raft houses in the jungle, I never imagined no electricity or hot water would be a highlight for me but this was a truely amazing experience, which I would definately want to repeat. The expertise of the Explore guide was an invaluable part of the trip. It would be impossible to find such amazing quaint and 'querky' places to eat when only staying in each city/province for 1/2 nights and the organisation involved would have consumed so much of the trip if I were to visit such places alone. This provides a stress-free travelling experience! We had a very small group over Christmas/New Year and as a solo traveller it was lovely to journey through Indochina with such lovely people. This is a very insightful trip and has inspired me to revisit some of the destinations again when returning on a longer trip. I would definately recommend this trip for an introduction to Southeast Asia!!

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

She was calm and excellent considering this was quite a lengthy tour during which a few travellers naturally became a bit flustered at times and not to mention that a minor accident occurred en route to Cambodia.

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

The tour is comprehensive but basic.  If they are looking for a little more luxury, then it is best to look elsewhere, but if they are looking at this area to have a recce to perhaps visit it again in future, then it would be good to book this.

Do you have anything else to add?

For individuals who are used to their own comforts, please be aware that this tour can test one's patience at times as it is quite lengthy and covers much historical information, including not so pleasant parts of history.

The great thing about this trip is the contrast between the countries you visit. Luang Prabang in Laos is a lovely sweet natured town filled with monks and smiling people smelling of mist and woodsmoke and offering some truly wonderful sticky- rice based meals. It is gentle and charming and easy to get around. For me Ha Noi is the absolute highlight of this trip and is like no where on earth. The old quarter is a cacophany of sound and smell and the tall and skinny houses soar skywards whilst on every corner you are met by the citizens seemingly in perpetual motion on their mopeds. Crossing the road in Ha Noi was a life changing experience. Seeing Ho Chi Minh in state and the maintenance of the regime was a travel high point, the water puppet show is charming and made me gasp with its skill and beauty. Hue and Hoi An offer more contrasts in Vietnam. You really get the feeling for the whole country by visitng so many places. Cambodia provides and immediate and total contrast to the glitzt and skyscraping glass of Ho Chi Mihn City.  The temples at Angkor Wat do live up to teh expectations, just do not expect to have the place to yourself. Luckily we avoided the masses and had plenty of time at Ta Prom ( the one with the trees) to take way too many photos.  It is a privelege to have the support of the local guides in each country who give insights into education, taxation and generally how the countries work.  In Cambodia the tales of their suffering really brought home the terrifying and evil Khmer Rouge Regime. This trip has some long days travelling but never has a dull moment, there are golden temples, golden sunsets, golden cocktails ( if you want them) and some truly delicious food. The pineapples at the Jungle Raft lodge on River Kwai, Thailand, were the sweetest and juciest ever.  Enjoy. (IL - 28th November 2010)

Overall a fascinating tour of 4 of the major countries of S.E Asia. Would recommend it to anyone wishing to "explore" this part of the world. (IL - 18th October 2010)

The overnight stay on a Junk in Halong Bay was the highlight of the trip for me, but our visit to Luang Prabang in Laos was interesting especially the night market for some retail therapy (massage at the red cross less than £4 highly recommended to ease those weary muscles) the Raft houses in Thailand were so relaxing very unexpected on an 'Explore holiday' plus we really liked Hoi An in Vietnam as it wasn't quite so hectic as Hanoi, Hue & Saigon.  Comfy walking shoes a must and an organised easy to access suitcase necessary.  Pace yourself as it is a full on tour so make the most of any freetime as there isn't much! (IL - 17th October 2010)