Explore Worldwide Reviews

“Explore Holidays (China Highlights) Do not book with...”

Written on: 11/12/2011

We booked the China Highlights through Explore this summer and went August 2011. This was a trip of a lifetime subsequently ruined by Explore. My wife had used them previously and had great experience. Even though they were more expensive in comparison to other operators we decided to use them because of their previous reputation. I would however recommend that you book through any other operator than Explore if you decide to go away. The flights were indirect meaning a stop off in Dubai... (read more)

“Egypt with Wael Fantastic Varied Tour”

Written on: 07/11/2011 by cjvinton

Had a fantastic time in Egypt, great group and a superb Tour Guide in Wael. Nothing was too much trouble and he was happy to accomodate our wants and wishes. Did all the main sights, maybe one too many tombs but fascinating. All transport was good and efficient with very safe driving given the way everyone drives in Cairo. Wael showed us a lot of the real Egypt, not just the tourist sights, and also quite a few real Egyptian restaurents. I would recommend the Red Sea add on as a great... (read more)

“Explore have gone Downhill”

Written on: 25/10/2011

I've travelled with Explore many times in the last 10 years and until recently it was always a great experience. However the last couple of times I've travelled with them the trips have been badly organised and run by Tour Leaders who just haven't been up to the job so reluctantly I've decided its time to look elsewhere for future holidays. Most recently (September 2011) I went on the trip they run to Malta/Gozo in Week 1 and Sicilly in Week 2 - however I didn't make it to Sicilly as I had... (read more)

“Review of Explore.com Travel”

Written on: 03/10/2011

We used Explore.com to arrange tours of Scotland and Ireland. All I can say is that I will never use them again. From substandard accommodation to accommodation that was not available or not even booked, hidden cost that you incur once you’re have arrived at the accommodation, the unavailability of contact personal, the list goes on. And when you’re finally home and you complain, good luck, the excuses come thick and fast and the fine print is the in abundance even if they never sent... (read more)

“I have recently returned from walking The Lycian Way....”

Written on: 21/04/2011

I have recently returned from walking The Lycian Way. We had a great guide and the walks were exactly as stated in the brochure as was the accomodation. We stayed in some decent hotels and some basic lodging but all were clean and comfortable with hot running water so no complaints. Stunning views, great group and wonderful food. I've travelled with Exodus, The Adventure Company and Explore and rate them all. I usually make my choice on the company that offers the tour on the dates I... (read more)

“Explore holidays can be great when everything goes...”

Written on: 28/02/2011 by consensus (2 reviews written)

Explore holidays can be great when everything goes according to plan. We've been on six and four have been very good and two disappointing. If there are problems, they tend to arise from the fact that the actual tour is sub-contracted to a local company and Explore do not seem to exercise much in the way of quality control. So you are in the hands of the local operator for better or worse. Many of Explore's competitors have a representative from the actual company on the tour in addition... (read more)

“I have been on 3 trips with Explore, my partner many...”

Written on: 07/01/2011

I have been on 3 trips with Explore, my partner many more. I have heard a lot of positives about them, but my one experience of a bad trip in Venezuela was dealt with so badly by Explore that I don't feel confident booking with them again. The trip spun a little out of control, in no way directly the fault of Explore, but it was handled so badly locally that we felt we should write to express our concerns. The reply we received was arrogant and did not address the issues that we raised.
Like... (read more)

“Have not been with Explore company before and since...”

Written on: 19/12/2010

Have not been with Explore company before and since booking they have raised the price - £300, for a couple, telling me it was in the smallprint they could if they needed too. We are travelling to Costa Rica and the tour included going over the border to Nicaragua, but Explore then wrote to say the Foreign Office advises against the trip ove the border into Guatamala and today I received a note saying we are not in the Arenal Springs Hotel but the Casa Luna - which looks on internet to be... (read more)

“I booked a tour with Explore starting in Mexico to...”

Written on: 09/11/2010

I booked a tour with Explore starting in Mexico to central America in 2009 it wasn't worth it. The tour leader she wasn't very helpful she was incompetent and would leave the group often. We also did not like the tour guides she would get to explain the archeological sites specially in Oaxaca, Chiapas and Guatemala. We will never book with Explore again. (read more)

“I've been on three trips with Explore Worldwide (two...”

Written on: 05/11/2010 by lushallegories (1 review written)

I've been on three trips with Explore Worldwide (two in Asia and one in South America) and each one was a unique and amazing adventure. I found the itineraries just right with many activities and just the right amount of free time. The guides were first rate, and the lodgings very good and sometimes even excellent. I've traveled with several tour companies, and I found Explore to have the most interesting itineraries and quality for the price. I recommend Explore to friends and have taken... (read more)

“I have been on a number of tours with Explore to...”

Written on: 24/08/2010

I have been on a number of tours with Explore to Turkey, Greece, Jordan & Sri Lanka, and about to head off to Cuba. I have always found the organisation to be very good, the tour leaders excellent and the experience second to none. Although not necessary the cheapest way to visit a country you get to visit places and see sights without the usual hoards, interacting with locals. They are brilliant (read more)

“God knows what the Explore Worldwide holiday will be...”

Written on: 30/09/2009

God knows what the Explore Worldwide holiday will be like, but the lead-up has been abominable. Three days before departure, with quite a large amount of our money happily lodged in their account, Explore Worldwide informed us that we would have to pay extra for flights and hotels. We protested forcefully. They, effectively, shrugged and said that the contract started when they said it did, the fact that they had several thousand quid of ours was irrelevant, and they were repudiating any... (read more)

“I booked a trip with Explore Worldwide...”

Written on: 04/02/2009 by matoks (1 review written)

I booked a trip with Explore Worldwide (explore.co.uk). They said that, as a Canadian resident, I had to pay in Canadian dollars so I did so.

I later discovered that the Canadian dollar price was 22% higher than the translated sterling price. I checked their booking conditions and found that the exchange rates had been locked in on August 27, 2008 (it was now Feb 09). Fair enough - except that the Canadian dollar price they quoted was $4,420 and the August 27 exchange rate price would... (read more)

“Explore Worldwide have excellent itineraries and good...”

Written on: 20/01/2009

Explore Worldwide have excellent itineraries and good balance with both an English speaking tour leader for the entire trip combined with local in-country (English speaking). I had taken 3 Explore Worldwide trips (2000, 2002, 2004) that went off without a hitch, but my last attempt in 2008 was canceled because of insufficient bookings. I was rather frustrated because I had quite a bit of flexibility in the dates when I booked and I asked Adventure Center/Explore to suggest the best time.... (read more)

“Having booked the holiday to Northern Cyprus in April,...”

Written on: 08/07/2008 by speccy (1 review written)

Having booked the holiday to Northern Cyprus in April, (the holiday was due in September 08), I checked in June to see how full the tour was only to discover the price had been reduced by 10% due to a "summer sale", this meant over a £50 reduction on the price early bookers had paid. I complained but was told that the offer was not retrospective to early bookers. I was so disappointed that I cancelled the holiday. So be warned if you book early you may pay more. (read more)

“I booked a holiday with Explore in April 2008. The...”

Written on: 26/06/2008 by dayglo

I booked a holiday with Explore in April 2008. The holiday was due to take place in September 2008. In June I looked to see if the holiday was full only to find that the price had been reduced by 10%, a saving of over £50 on the price I had paid. When I queried this I was told it was a "Summer sale" and people who had already booked were not eligible. I was so disgusted with their attitude that I have cancelled my holiday with them. Most companies encourage early booking but Explore just... (read more)

“My first bad holiday with Explore after 6 or 7 superb...”

Written on: 04/08/2007 by redprawn (1 review written)

My first bad holiday with Explore after 6 or 7 superb ones. The leader just wasn't right for this trip.

Whose fault that was I don't know but it is outrageous that someone can act as a professional leader in wilderness walking, much like that in Northern Scotland or the Cairngorms, without qualifications or experience. It needs at least someone who has used a map and compass for real on the hill.

When I was walking in Egypt with Explore the guide told us of all the European exams he was... (read more)

“Having wanted to go to Bolivia for years, I thought I...”

Written on: 11/03/2007 by Sammysj (1 review written)

Having wanted to go to Bolivia for years, I thought I had found the perfect trip with Explore. I booked back in January only to be told yesterday that the trip was cancelled, when I called I was told it was because there were not enough people booked on the trip. I was devastated and now have much less time to try to arrange something for those same dates. As Sneddona says in their review, the small print covers them for this but had I known it was a real possibility at such an early stage,... (read more)

“I have been away with Explore Worldwide 10 plus time....”

Written on: 29/03/2006 by adeosoba (4 reviews written)

I have been away with Explore Worldwide 10 plus time. I do a bit of solo travel as well. The tour leaders are great and I have only been disappointed once. The tour leader left us with a mate in Peru and went to Bolivia.
They really keep you moving and go the extra mile to make sure that the holiday is good.
As mentioned, I have had two trips cancelled within 7 weeks of departure. They always have others to go on but this can be a headache.
They do take 5% of the price to ease the... (read more)

“Unfortunately, after I had booked a tour with Explore...”

Written on: 26/07/2004 by sneddona

Unfortunately, after I had booked a tour with Explore Worldwide, and at considerable expense made other arrangements to co-incide with the trip, they cancelled the departure. Of course their small print covers them - however, I would recommend anyone who needs to depart on specific dates to think twice about booking with explore.

They have a policy of 'consolidation' which basically means advertising a lot of departures, then cancelling some to ensure tours are full thus maximising their... (read more)

“I recently returned from 10 days in Egypt 2002 with...”

Written on: 30/08/2002 by ziren79.

I recently returned from 10 days in Egypt 2002 with Explore Worldwide. It was a small-group adventure holiday, beginning in Cairo then travelling to Luxor and spending 7 nights aboard a small boat cruising along the Nile. I went alone, and it was my first holiday of this type so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I found others were in a similar situation, and everyone in the group quickly became friends!

Every single aspect of the trip impressed me. The organisation was superb -...