About Explore!
We've been taking small groups on adventure holidays for almost 40 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 12; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the ....more
Reasons to tour with Explore!
Unforgettable experiences-from big wows to hidden gems, our tours leave you feeling that you've really explored.
Expert local guides-chosen for great knowledge of their country, and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.
Small group travel-group tours average just 12 people & various private trip options are available too.
We do the right thing-how we operate sets us apart; our flexible booking policy, loyalty scheme & sustainable approach.
Book and travel with confidence-our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us.
Simple, Comfortable and Premium grades of accommodation available,
Responsible Tourism
Explore's tours have always had sustainability at their heart - we want to ensure that our small groups have minimal footprint and maximum positive impact on the places we visit. That's why we choose small, locally owned and run businesses to support – from local partners and tour leaders, to ....more
Sustainability
Responsible tourism is one of the driving principles of Explore. We care deeply about travelling in a way that positively impacts the people and places we visit.
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is ....more
Environmental Sustainability
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The goals define a common ....more
Cultural Preservation
We want wildlife to be wild, and nature to be natural
Explore will never knowingly compromise the welfare of any animal for the purpose of our trips. We want to protect animals, keep them wild and contribute towards the best welfare standards in the industry. We launched our policy in 2021, ....more
Images
Economic Impact
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this.
Klimate
Water-to-Go
Wild Welfare
ecollective
Cool Earth
Ripple Effect
Derek Moore Foundation
Rewilding britain
Mahouts
Animondial
Toilet Twinning
Lone Buffalo
Ecologi
Travel with Confidence and be COVID safe with Explore!
At Explore, we do everything we can to ensure responsible travel.
Covid-19 refund promise
10 Days no-fee flexibility
Financially Secure
Full refund if the trip doesn't run
All travellers vaccinated or COVID-Negative
Detailed protocols for hygiene; Social Distancing and robust Safety Standards
Social Responsibility
Explore has had sustainable travel in its DNA since its conception in 1981. Having a positive impact on the places we visit and the people we meet is at the heart of what we do. We are therefore so proud that Explore is a Certified B Corporation. As a Certified ....more
What We Offer
On our trips you'll see a mix of famous sights and hidden gems that others miss, or don't even know about. As travellers, we want to experience a country, not merely observe it. We'll take you closer to the country, its culture and people, often in unscripted, spontaneous, impossible-to-replicate ways. ....more
Our Story
Since launching in 1981 with only six tours in a four-page brochure, Explore has grown to offer over 500 trips; from classic ‘discovery’ group tours, solo traveller holidays and active family adventures, to walking holidays and cycling trips. Choose from over 120 countries and explore cultures, landscapes, wildlife and communities ....more
Accreditations
ABTOT (5207), ATOL (2595) & IATA, Certified B Corp
Awards
We've been named a Which? Recommended Provider of escorted tours in July 2022. Feefo's Premium Trusted Service Award
Explore! Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips, and they come from all walks of life.
Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at
Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel - these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
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Visiting: Azrou, Rissani, Fes el Jadid, Foum Zguid, ...more
Visiting: Azrou, Rissani, Fes el Jadid, Foum Zguid, Goulemin, Rif Mountains, Morocco, Tinerhir, Valley of 1000 Kasbahs, Casablanca, El Kelaa des M'Gouna, Tata, Fes, Marrakech, Anti-Atlas, Draa Valley, Merzouga, Taroudant, Erfoud, Essaouira, Mhamid, Dades Valley, Rabat, Taghjijt Valley, Chefchaouen, Fes el-Bali, Mirleft, Er Rachidia ...less
View Tour RecommendedVisiting: Aracena, Galaroza, Alájar, Castaño del Robledo, ...more
Visiting: Aracena, Galaroza, Alájar, Castaño del Robledo, Cordoba, Córdoba, Southern Europe, Malaga, Seville, Granada, Spain ...less
View Tour RecommendedVisiting: Tokmok, Charyn Canyon, Lake Issyk Kul, Shymkent, ...more
Visiting: Tokmok, Charyn Canyon, Lake Issyk Kul, Shymkent, Samarkand, Central Asia, Tashkent, Gijduvan, Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Vobkent, Almaty, Karakol, Central Asia, Jety-Oguz Gorge, Kazakhstan, Bishkek, Kolsai Lakes National Park, Turkestan, Bukhara ...less
View Tour RecommendedVisiting: Giza, Abu Simbel, Hurghada, Luxor, Temple of ...more
Visiting: Giza, Abu Simbel, Hurghada, Luxor, Temple of Hatshepsut, Valley of the Kings, Aswan, Edfu, Habu Temple, Egypt, Cairo, Kom Ombo ...less
View TourVisiting: Portugal, Southern Europe, Troia Peninsula, Lagoa ...more
Visiting: Portugal, Southern Europe, Troia Peninsula, Lagoa Albufeira, Sines, Sagres, Sesimbra, Setubal, Vicentine Coast, Lisbon, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Faro ...less
View TourVisiting: Kadikoy, Istanbul, Kas, Cappadocia, Selcuk, ...more
Visiting: Kadikoy, Istanbul, Kas, Cappadocia, Selcuk, Dalyan, Canakkale, Konya, Istanbul, Ankara, Turkey, Antalya ...less
View TourVisiting: Jebel Sahro, Marrakech, Erfoud, Rissani, El Kelaa ...more
Visiting: Jebel Sahro, Marrakech, Erfoud, Rissani, El Kelaa des Mgouna, Morocco, Dades Valley, Merzouga, Atlas Mountains, Nkob, High Atlas, Tinerhir ...less
View TourVisiting: Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Parnu, Hill of ...more
Visiting: Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Parnu, Hill of Crosses, Pakruojis, Trakai, Kaunas, Vilnius, Northern Europe, Riga, Tallinn ...less
View TourVisiting: Samaria Gorge, Greece, Preveli Monastery, Spili, ...more
Visiting: Samaria Gorge, Greece, Preveli Monastery, Spili, Chania, Heraklion, Southern Europe, Zaros, Loutro, Omalos Plateau, Agios Pavlos, Chora Sfakion, Agia Roumeli, Crete ...less
View TourVisiting: Charamillon, Les Houches, Le Tour, Le Buet, ...more
Visiting: Charamillon, Les Houches, Le Tour, Le Buet, Montroc, Chamonix Valley, Chalet de la Flegere, Chamonix, Col du Voza, Les Autannes, Les Praz, Le Prarion, France, Les Granges ...less
View TourVisiting: Hvar, Zuljana, Eastern Europe, Croatia, Korcula, ...more
Visiting: Hvar, Zuljana, Eastern Europe, Croatia, Korcula, Cavtat, Hvar Island, Peljesac Peninsula, Dubrovnik, Southern Europe, Kastel Kambelovac, Split, Trogir ...less
View TourVisiting: Budapest, Szentendre, Austria, Banska Bystrica, ...more
Visiting: Budapest, Szentendre, Austria, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, Krakow, Poland, Tatranska Lomnica, Vienna, Biela Voda, Hungary, Mikulov, Sebechleby, Northern Europe, Prague, Bratislava ...less
View TourVisiting: Krakow, Slovakia, Hungary, Tatranska Lomnica, ...more
Visiting: Krakow, Slovakia, Hungary, Tatranska Lomnica, Northern Europe, Szentendre, Banska Bystrica, Biela Voda, Poland, Sebechleby, Budapest ...less
View TourVisiting: Teotihuacan, Monte Alban, Santa Maria del Tule, ...more
Visiting: Teotihuacan, Monte Alban, Santa Maria del Tule, Tehuantepec, Central America, Palenque, San Ignacio, Belize, Basilica de Guadalupe, Guatemala, San Cristobal de las Casas, Flores, Central America, Belize City, Mitla, Oaxaca, Mexico City, Sumidero Canyon, Mexico, Teotitlan del Valle, Tikal ...less
View TourVisiting: Gythio, Nafplion, Monemvasia, Olympia, Greece, ...more
Visiting: Gythio, Nafplion, Monemvasia, Olympia, Greece, Athens, Delphi, Epidavros, Southern Europe, Arachova, Mycenae, Pylos, Mani Peninsula, Methoni, Mystras ...less
View TourVisiting: Kilimanjaro National Park, Moshi, Mount ...more
Visiting: Kilimanjaro National Park, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mweka Gate, Tanzania, Arusha National Park ...less
View TourVisiting: Colombo, Polonnaruwa, Ohiya, Kandy, Minneriya ...more
Visiting: Colombo, Polonnaruwa, Ohiya, Kandy, Minneriya National Park, Dambulla, Hatton, Koggala, Norwood, Sigiriya, Dalhousie, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Adam's Peak, Knuckles Mountain Range, Bambarakanda Waterfall, Galle, Sri Lanka, Negombo, Belihuloya ...less
View TourVisiting: Cuba, Museo Giron, Bayamo, Valle de los Ingenios, ...more
Visiting: Cuba, Museo Giron, Bayamo, Valle de los Ingenios, Cayo Levisa, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Havana, Sierra Maestra Mountains, Topes de Collantes, Santiago de Cuba, Camaguey, Zapata Peninsula, Trinidad, Vinales, Sancti Spíritus, Central America, Topes de Collantes National Park ...less
View TourVisiting: Ucagiz, Kas, Kaş, Turkey ...more
Visiting: Ucagiz, Kas, Kaş, Turkey ...less
View TourVisiting: Pelling, Phuentsholing, Rabdentse, Bhutan, ...more
Visiting: Pelling, Phuentsholing, Rabdentse, Bhutan, Sundarban National Park, Nepal, Darjeeling, West Bengal, Sundarbans, India, Gangtok, Paro, Kolkata, Rumtek, Thimphu, Kathmandu, Punakha, Kalimpong ...less
View TourVisiting: Marrakech, Imlil, Imlil Valley, Neltner Refuge, ...more
Visiting: Marrakech, Imlil, Imlil Valley, Neltner Refuge, Sidi Chamharouch, Aremd, Jebel Toubkal, Morocco ...less
View TourVisiting: Arenal Volcano National Park, Central America, ...more
Visiting: Arenal Volcano National Park, Central America, Muelle de San Carlos, Central America, San José, Tilarán, Guanacaste, Tortuguero, Miravalles Volcano, La Fortuna, Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park, Liberia, Tortuguero National Park, Sarapiqui, Guapiles ...less
View TourVisiting: Chhomrong, Kathmandu, Ghandruk, Annapurna Base ...more
Visiting: Chhomrong, Kathmandu, Ghandruk, Annapurna Base Camp, Deurali, Nayapul, Pokhara, Dovan, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Nepal ...less
View TourVisiting: Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil, Galapagos Islands, ...more
Visiting: Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Isabela Island, Galapagos, Pailón del Diablo, Quito, Tintoreras Islands, Galapagos, Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Otavalo, Laguna Cuicocha, Cotopaxi National Park, Quitsato Equator Monument ...less
View Tour