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

The highlight was the Angkor temples, Bai Dinh, Hanoi water puppet show. Amazing! Truly the vacation of a lifetime. (more)Warren Gardener

The Vespa trip and Cambodia temples was the most memorable. (more)Hazel Gibsons

The most memorable parts of the vacation were... Experiencing a completely different culture. Traveling to different places. (more)Sarah Putt

The most memorable moment was exploring Poros on foot: great views in the almost uninhabited western part, and climbing up to the top of Poros town and seeing where the locals lived. Also, Hotel Saronis on Agistri was wonderful, especially the breakfasts. The restaurant in front of it was great too. Both very friendly. (more)Debbie Williams

The most memorable was visiting ancient sites which we'd planned to do for many years. (more)Margaret Carey

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

Overall was a great trip. The 27 days tour starting from Uyuni and ends in Lake Titicaca was amazing. All the guides were friendly and professional, especially the one in La Paz (Leonardo), he was Super helpful and knowledgeable and would strongly recommend people to use he. (more)Jon Ng

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

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

We thoroughly enjoyed it all. It was a good mix of culture, wildlife viewing and local learning such as tea picking, coconut processing (more)Linda Edward

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

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

We had a wonderful and varied vacation. We travelled extensively and made the most of each day. The experience was fantastic and we would definitely recommend this trip to others (more)Tracy Ring

Fantastic experience, we learned such a lot about the Vietnamese history and culture from the local guides. They made the trip for us. (more)Angela Camp

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

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

Where to start? ..... The vibrant colours; friendly people; interesting sights wherever we looked; visiting the village & meeting the local people at Shahpura Bagh; the incredible workmanship in the various palaces & forts.... (more)Fiona Lanc

So many highlights and memories. We had an amazing 2 weeks. The vibrancy of India is stunning. The sights, smells, sounds and tastes surrounding us. When booking the trip we particularly hoped to see a tiger and we actually saw 2. (more)Lyndsay Long

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

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

We will be talking about this vacation for years to come. Everyone had their own favourite moments, and the mix of adventure, wildlife and culture was great. (more)Delia Mackechnie

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

I thoroughly enjoyed staying with a Kolkata family, eating together, sharing experiences and being extremely well looked after. (more)Joan Hoggan

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). (more)Katherine van Haeften

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

The most memorable was seeing wild elephants in a family group. The scenery and people. Visiting a hand weaving cooperative outside Galle- which took a little finding! (more)Steven Morgan

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

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

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

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

It was a very good vacation, people were welcoming, helpful and friendly. Rajat was very efficient and helpful. (more)Alessandra Spera

We got exactly what we wanted! I hesitate to call it a 2-week vacation in southern India. It was an immersive, fulfilling and rewarding travel experience which we'd happily do again. (more)Trevor Wright

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

Our guide made sure that as well as the main sights, we also visited some more unusual things like the water powered incense factory. We were fortunate to be invited to visit our driver's home and share lunch with his family. (more)Andy Lewis

Spending my birthday at the Everest base camp. The weather was perfect, clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine. The Himalayas were stunning. The entire tour was amazing. The itinerary was great. This was a vacation full of magical moments and memories that I will keep for ever. (more)Ann Williams

The highlight was hitting a one in ten weather window for a perfect Everest view...... (more)Ian Hunt