Holidays - Explore! Worldwide Ltd - Companions 2 Travel

We are the UK's leading adventure tour operator with over 25 years' experience. Explore pioneers small group adventure holidays worldwide, causing as little environmental & cultural disturbance as possible.

We offer over 500 tours to over 130 countries. Tour activities include: walking and trekking, safaris, cycling & rail journeys throughout the world. Explore welcome all kinds of people! There are always plenty of single travellers on thier trips (a good 50% of them, in fact), as well as many couples and friends. They also have a special programme of holidays designed exclusively for families, for when you want to bring the kids!

If you have your own private group they can also arrange tours specifically for you, by altering departure dates or making changes to our standard tours. (see our website under private groups for more information)

Snapshot of Explore 2007

Arctic sparring-match

Now offering the most diverse adventures in some 130 countries, these core values remain just as true 26 years down the line. One or two things may have changed since the heady days of two phones plus a telex machine, but the spirit is still through and through Explore:

we now operate over 400 itineraries
in March 2000, we became part of Holidaybreak plc, the European specialist holiday group, where our adventure stable mates include the likes of RegalDive and Dutch adventure operator Djoser
the Explore family has multiplied to:
- over 130 staff based at head office, plus
- over 150 Tour Leaders

Operating such a diverse range of itineraries around the globe may sound daunting but we relish the challenge and with meticulous planning and personal experience the result is an unrivalled choice of adventure tours worldwide. We offer peace of mind too. As a fully bonded tour operator and member of AITO you can book with confidence. We've won awards too. The prizes and accolades we collect are always welcome; but we shall constantly strive to provide the highest service to our customers and our hosts.

Adventure travel is about people

First and foremost Explore is about people:

Your traveling companions
An enduring friendship you strike in a remote village
The expertise of your tour leader
The Explore backstage crew in the UK

What's it like on tour?

Local watering hole

The first thing you may want to know when planning your trip is 'what's it like on tour?'

With the Explore formula, you can be assured that for starters you'll find yourself with a group of like-minded, adventurous and sociable people - right from day one. The social aspect of sharing an adventure has been one of the great incentives to 'go Explore' right from the start. And having a trained tour leader with you throughout the tour just adds to the feeling of being on a chilled, no-worries and fun holiday.

Because on the whole our trips are itinerary-based, some early starts can be expected - especially when it's vital to reach that UNESCO site before the hordes, or enjoy a sunrise over the dunes, or witness the four-legged morning 'rush hour' at the savannah's watering hole.

As for your accommodation, you can expect it to be comfy and clean - typically '3-starred' to use an international rule of thumb. It's usually in a twin room, which you will either share with your friend/partner or, if travelling solo, with a same-sex member of your group. Most of our tours offer the option of a single room (for a surprisingly low supplement).

Food arrangements vary from trip to trip, with breakfast often provided, full board included on the majority of camping or lodge-based days and your tour leader arranging many meals for the group, or recommending the most reliable restaurants.

And if, as a 'rookie' Explorer you're still wondering, 'OK, but what's it really like?', suffice to say that customers booking their 10th tour with us have more than doubled since 2001. With Explore, you really do see more.

About our tours

In Ethiopia's Omo Valley

There is a myriad of possibilities when choosing your trip. Be prepared to be whisked away to far-off lands, taste different cultures and view awesome sights.

Find out what it's really like on tour, about travelling on your own, the types of meals and accommodation, about our tour leaders and our committment to Responsible Tourism.

Tour participation

Descending the High Atlas/Jerry Lefevre

Our trips are a fantastic way to get out there and meet people, ideal whether you are a 'people person' or you like to keep yourself to yourself.

The key to enjoying what we do is to be sociable, willing to muck in on occasions (as outlined in each tour dossier) and to be prepared for some basic conditions, depending on your destination. Our groups bond amazingly quickly - with many staying friends afterwards and organising reunions, or even another Explore tour together.

Have a look at tour participation to find out whether an Explore trip is right for you.

Teen Departures

Brand new to Explore, our Teen Departures are ideal for older children who really want to spend their holiday with their peers. It's also a great way for parents to have a bit more free time to themselves.

What's included

Have a look at what's included on an Explore holiday - it's not just an amazing adventure; it's also great value for money!

Joining your tour

Prefer to take a tour without flights - i.e. on a 'Land Only'

Responsible Tourism

Travel Mole Award

Explore believes passionately in responsible travel (RT) and tourism and has promoted it right from the start, 25 years ago.

Travel can bring many benefits to the traveller and the countries visited such as learning about different cultures and contributing to the local economy. Sometimes though the impact can be negative -local people may be exploited and their environment damaged for instance.

This is why exploring as a responsible traveller is as important as enjoying the holiday.

We believe that:

Responsible Tourism Award 2005

People who work for Explore should be treated fairly and paid a fair wage
We should learn about and respect the customs and culture of the country we are visiting so that we do not offend local people
We should try to ensure that local people benefit economically from tourism by employing them as leaders and guides, eating out in local restaurants and using family-run hotels where possible
We must minimise our impact on the environment by travelling in small groups, offsetting our carbon emissions and reducing waste

It is not just about what we do overseas - in our office in Farnborough we try to ensure we are true to these principles.

Our awards

We are not perfect, but we are working hard to achieve these aims.

In 2005 we were delighted to be awarded Highly Commended in the Responsible Tourism Awards.

AITO 3 Star Award

When the Association of Independent Tour Operators ran Responsible Tourism Awards in 2002, Explore was the winner. Explore has 3 star responsible tourism rating - the highest achievable.

Travelmole awarded Explore the best responsible tourism website in 2006.

Passionate about the Planet? - Have your say and vote now in the 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Travel Awards.

Our role

Fran Hughes

We can't change the world but if we all do our bit it is amazing what a difference we can make. Check out the below links to see what we are doing. Check out your trip dossier, our RT policy and the travellers tips to see what you can do!

Take a look at our Responsible tourism policy.
To find out how you can help see our 'what you can do' page

Fran Hughes is Explore's Responsible Tourism Manager

Holiday company details

All About Us

Beginnings