Tailor made cultural tours vacations
Tours & vacations in 2018 & 2019

Taman Negara and the walk along the tree tops was the most exciting part of the trip. (more)Mehdi Ghavani

The visit to the tea plantation and factory was special as was the guided walk in the 'mossy' cloud forest. The canopy walk In Taman Negara was also a challenge. (more)Helen Hore

Memorable parts? Experiencing the rich variety and beauty of Kerala Tips? Give yourself enough time in each place to really experience it and do some walking - don't travel too quickly! Local benefits? Yes - by staying in homestays we felt the money went into the hands of local people rather than big coimpanies Overall rating? It was great - smoothly organised, relaxed and enjoyable but we experienced much of the rich variety and beauty of Kerala (more)Lonica Vanclay

Memorable parts? We had many memorable experiences on our trip to China. Every day produced a new experience, each different and often additional things that we had not anticipated. Clearly The Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Panda's, Forbidden Palace were all amazing, but for me the peace and quiet of drifting down the river on a bamboo raft at Guilon was just perfect after the frantic traveling around China. Tips? Make sure that you have a suitcase with wheels,there is a lot... (more)Nigel Davies

We loved the variety offered by Bolivia, from the stunning mountains of the Altiplano to the breathtaking views over lake Titikaka to the exciting wildlife in the pampas grasslands to the incredible, other-worldly experience of the salt flats and desert. (more)Phil Bland

The Uyuni Salt Flats. We were fortunate enough to see it after a rainfall and it was looking into a reflective pool. We had a wonderful time in Bolivia, we wish we had more time to explore the country more, we'll be back! (more)David Torres

It was truly amazing. (more)Gyoku Block

Memorable parts? Sanxingdui museum with 3-4000 year old bronze masks and the pandas Tips? Wear flat shoes there was a lot of walking 3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental Impacts or supported conservation? local restaurants used but little else. Overall rating? It was great, I loved China and would go again to see more of the countryside and more museums. (more)Janet Chambers

For my wife rekindling her childhood memories. For us both the beautiful landscapes in the Hill Country and from Sigiriya. (more)Brian King

Marvellous range of experiences which we all enjoyed....Sigiriya was superb and not to be missed (more)Katy Lee

Fantastic (more)Sally-Anne Wilson

The best part of Sri Lanka for me was the abundance of wildlife. We saw elephants, 2 leopards, crocodiles, beautiful birds and lizards, amongst other things. The safari in Yala and Minneriya were amazing. The people are very friendly and helpful, food good too! There is so mush diversity and lovely scenery. (more)Jane Thackray

Very hard to single out one memorable moment, but we all loved the homestay, visiting the local market, the bakery, the cookery lesson and the temple. The train journey, despite being very crowded and having to stand for an hour was also a wonderful experience. (more)Sarah Boyce

Seeing the 'Temple of the Tooth' in Kandy was also an amazing experience, as was the breathtaking views at the top of 'Worlds End' in Horton Plains. It was great getting to know our driver, who was able to give us lots of insights into the country. (more)Lucy Stockley

There were so many highlights, the Vespa food tour of Saigon, the hiking in the mountains near Sapa, the boat trip on Halong Bay, the exquisite hotel, Shinta Mani, in Siem Reap. (more)Linda Edward

Our guides were second to none and the tour company had everything well organised and went the extra mile for us. Couldn't fault them. (more)Denise Brooks

We were well taken care of. There were many local tour guides who would need to meet us and orient us, and every single one was on time, pleasant and professional. We were very impressed with how well organized this was. (more)Alisa Lipson

Memorable parts? This is a difficult one, as everyday was different and full of interest. Five of us went on this vacation and the best part for me was the morning view from our homestay balcony in Vietnam. Oh, and the cruise on Halong Bay, eating street food in Hanoi & having a delicious lunch prepared for us in a local home in Battambang. Tips? Be prepared to get down with the locals and feel you really get an insight into their lives. Local benefits? I felt quite smug,... (more)Joan Day

Memorable parts? Seeing how the Tibetan people live, their friendliness and warm smiles. The way that welcomed us into their everyday worship in the monasteries. Just the simple things really. Tips? Don't have any expectations on anything. Let it happen. But on a practical level, always have loo roll handy and antibacterial stuff for toilets. Local benefits? Yes. Local hotels, local eating, Tibetan guide and making sure that we shopped in Tibetan stores. We used transport... (more)Sue Byrne

The five day trip to the mountains. The scenery was wonderful and the guide and driver that we had made it even more memorable because they were such lovely people. They treated us as friends and really added to the trip. Fantastic. Amazing varied scenery, friendly hospitable people. Excellent hosts. (more)Frank Wellgate

Meeting with our Omani guides and getting so much information from them. Staying in the most amazing hotel- alila hotel, jebel akhdar with stunning architecture. Scenery, views and walking were amazing. (more)Anne Tunwell

Memorable parts? Taking a traditional, herb-infused hot stone bath outside overlooking the valley Driving on the roads was also either thrilling (the views) or terrifying (the conditions). Luckily our driver was highly skilled. Don’t always expect seat belts by the way. Tips? Be prepared to be welcomed enthusiastically. And remember to take warm clothes. It can get chilly up in the mountains. Local benefits? Definitely. Incomes are low and life is close to subsistence level.... (more)Katherine van Haeften

Orang-utans obviously amazing, fire flies amazing as it was a clear night. Turtle beach amazing. (more)Alex Base

Go for it. It was a great family adventure that we all loved. (more)Martha Rutherford

Don't be put off by having a guide, we thought we would feel less intrepid but we learnt and laughed so much. Be prepared for the unexpected! Amazing fun. (more)Nikki Shack

Remarkable - This was a wonderful vacation - The itinerary put together by Shanane gave us everything we wanted and more!! (more)Scott Paget

We had the most marvellous vacation ever, as everything had been superbly and seamlessly put in place by our tour organiser. Everything about the trip was exciting and memorable, because it was so different from Europe in every possible way. Of course, the Taj Mahal was a highlight, but so were the Aravelli hills, the city of Bikaner... (more)Annette Jones

The safari to Koeladeo National Park was the most memorable moment. One of the best vacations we have ever been on. (more)Jane Fisher

Most memorable was being so close to wild animals on the game drives at Elephant Plains...Fantastic! (more)Yvonne Chapman

The Drakensberg mountains and Didima camp at Cathedral Peak provided a magical start to the vacation, with stunning scenery, fantastic hiking and lovely accommodation; we could easily have stayed much longer there. (more)Barbara Sykes

Some of the best highlights were - the penguins on Boulder Beach, Cape Point on a glorious day, staying with Hazel of Hazel's Homestays, the Real City tour in PE, Amakhala Lodge. (more)David Catherall

We stayed at a wonderful place called 'Banyan Lodge' in Sri Lanka. It was a eco-lodge and a very unique experience in a peaceful environment with nature all around... (more)Clare Lucas

Sigiriya in was visually stunning, and it was fabulous to stay at a hotel with a great view of the rock in at the end of our vacation; the elephant safari in Uda Walawe was for the most part a peaceful and enjoyable afternoon; the Barefoot cafe in Colombo was a lovely place to look around and have lunch. (more)Sally Roth

Lots of new experiences. Not possible to single one out. (more)Chrissie Verduyn

The most memorable was visiting Anuradhapura with my excellent guide Kapil and the Buddhist Temples during Vesak Poya (one of the main Buddhist vacations celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha) with serene Sri Lankan pilgrims all dressed in white and poya lanterns lining the roads floating in the breeze - truly magical. (more)Smita Shah

I would rate it very highly, great experiences, well organised, we felt very wwell looked after and entertained the whole time. (more)Cath Errington

I booked with Jith, who helped in every way he could, to make it a great trip, in particular when we had to change flights and plan. His driver, Upali, was wonderful and made sure that my time in Sri Lanka was as good as possible. He gave me lots of information about Sri Lanka, the people, history and country. (more)Karen Pedersen

The most memorable moments were was the beautiful scenery, the exciting wildlife, the friendly people and delicious food. Absolutely fantastic! Everything was perfect from the initial booking with our tour operator, the superb accommodation and the planned activities and safaris. (more)Catherine Huzzey

Whale Watching and Wildlife Safari was the most memorable part of this trip (more)Phil Miller

The accommodation was the most luxurious, most welcoming, most helpful place we have ever stayed in; and the walks through the tea estate with idyllic views of the reservoir and surrounding hills, both relaxing and inspiring. (more)Ruth Le Guen

We had a morning horse riding down a flooded area at the start, with our feet touching the water, and then across more open country; the wild flowers and birds were amazing. A 5.30 am canoe trip which was magical, so quiet and peaceful, seeing the beauty of the sun rising and hearing the early morning bird song; the canoe being so quiet we were able to get very close to birds before they flew. Later that afternoon we visited a fishing village down the river and were invited into their one room house... (more)Harvey Bromley

The Pantanel and Iguacu were wonderful. The Pousada at the Pantanel was great with wildlife wandering all over the place and the food was good too. (more)Linda White

The arrangements went like clockwork and all the guides and drivers were very friendly and helpful...fantastic vacation. (more)Jill Joseph

Probably the most exciting thing was seeing two tigers (on separate visits - one on the boat safari and one on a land safari) in Nagarhole National Park - astonishing. But equally memorable was the temple tour in Madurai - it felt a privilege to visit when so many pilgrims were also worshipping at the temple. (more)Lynn Crowe

My stay at the Wild Mahseer in Assam was very special. Great hospitality, beautiful lodgings and interesting environmental projects. (more)Liz Mcmanus

I have told the vacation provider that they do a great job . (more)Joel Montague

This is very difficult to answer because there are so many memorable aspects to the trip for example the hikes in the Simien mountains with all the monkeys, the Tigray church on the top of the cliff, the rock churches of Lalibela, the art work in some of the churches. (more)James Attree

Trekking in the Simien mountains for 5 days. Loved every moment. (more)Ros Pennefather

Meeting interesting guides, seeing amazing churches in Lalibella. (more)Ann Dieckmann

The whole vacation was memorable. We very much enjoyed the food tour in Hanoi, the bike rides, the cruise on Halong Bay and the home stay in the natural reserve of Pu Luong. (more)Muriel Jerome

The whole trip was amazing from beginning to end. Excellent we are really inspired to do another trip. (more)Sarah Marsh

Walking in the hills in North Vietnam, really connected with the people off the tourist trails. Stunning. Saying with families and local businesses is very important to the development of the tourist industry. (more)Angela Reid

Sappa was amazing as was monkey Island Beach resort. Excellent. The company couldn't do enough to help, and all the guides were fantastic. (more)David Chisholm

It was excellent. I would definitely recommend this sort of tour for a first visit. We had never had a guide or arranged tour before so it really made the difference knowing that tours had been prepaid and pick ups and cars had been pre arranged. (more)Val Bodington

Both the visit to the Cu Chi tunnels and the day on the Mekong Delta was the most memorable. (more)Emma Miller

...I couldn't have asked for a more awesome two weeks. Every days was terrific, serene, and beautiful! Couldn't have hoped for anything better! (more)Glenda Izumi

The hikes outside Punakha! (more)Myka Reinsch Sinclair