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From the frenetic streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the serene temples of Japan, Asia is so bursting with adventure, beauty, and spirituality that it’s captivated travellers for millennia.
Covering nearly a third of the Earth’s land, this astonishingly diverse part of the world offers a lifetime of stories. Rich in culture and steeped in history, you can relax on sunny Sri Lankan beaches, explore ancient kingdoms in Cambodia, sample India’s sensational street food, and lose yourself in Uzbekistan’s glittering cities.
Because Asia can often come with a culture shock, it’s also one of the best places for an escorted tour. Navigating language barriers, different customs and social norms, and unpredictable transport systems can present challenges. That’s why we’ve partnered with Explore, a leading UK provider of small group trips that promise all kinds of unforgettable adventures.
You won’t only see the famous sights and attractions; you’ll discover hidden gems, enjoy unscripted experiences, and get closer to the country and its people. With an average group size of just 11, you can meet like-minded people while diving deep into a destination’s culture, cuisine, and history. You’ll experience a country, not just observe it.
Explore’s Upgraded tours are the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. You’ll travel in style, staying in premium accommodation with swimming pools and spas, and enjoying immersive tours and activities. Yet, you’ll still travel slowly and have plenty of time to relax. Make the most of Explore’s current sale offering 10% off their Upgraded trips, ending May 21st. So, where are some of the most exciting destinations – and what do the trips entail?
Here are seven Asia tours where comfort meets adventure.
1. Discover Japan
Japan feels uniquely timeless. Ancient traditions are revered as much as modern innovation, and tranquil temples hide inside neon-lit cities. It has dazzling natural beauty, a rich history, captivating culture, and delicious cuisine. On Explore’s 12-day Japan tour, you’ll discover it all, staying in hand-picked accommodation, from sleek city hotels to traditional rural properties.
Tour futuristic Tokyo, sampling sushi, practising Zen meditation, and learning calligraphy. Visit Hakone, home of the iconic Mount Fuji and blossom-swathed pagodas, and Hiroshima, where you can enjoy quiet reflection in the Peace Park. Experience a Japanese tea ceremony on Miyajima Island before heading to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart, and delving into the fascinating history of the geisha.
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Explore Upgraded - Discover Japan*
£700 off | Japan | 12 days | Accommodation Included
Save 10% on Upgraded tours - quote 'Upgraded10'. Offer ends May 21st.
2. Treasures of Uzbekistan
Widely considered the showstopper of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is home to spellbinding cities, captivating culture, immersive history, and awe-inspiring architecture. On Explore’s 10-day Uzbekistan tour, you’ll walk in the footsteps of the ancient Silk Road merchants, staying in elegant hotels with pools and balconies, and enjoying plenty of free time to soak up local life, glorious sunsets, and stunning city views.
Once home to the Timurid royals, the azure-domed mosques and intricate mosaics of Samarkand are breathtaking, and, as you explore, you may feel the weight of history echoing along the streets. Lose yourself in ancient Khiva’s labyrinth-like alleys, people-watch over coffee in beautiful Bukhara, visit museums and mausoleums in Nukus, and admire mystical ruins in the Valley of Fifty Fortresses.
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£400 off | Uzbekistan | 10 days | Accommodation Included
Save 10% on Upgraded tours - quote 'Upgraded10'. Offer ends May 21st.
3. North India
Home to towering forts, flamboyant palaces, lively bazaars, and vibrant, glowing cities, North India has enthralled travellers for centuries. On Explore’s 15-day North India tour, you’ll trace the old camel caravan routes through Rajasthan, immersing yourself in the region’s kaleidoscopic culture. Along the way, you can dine with a local maharaja, and you’ll sleep like one too, in top hotels and heritage palaces.
Highlights include watching the sunset over the Taj Mahal, visiting the historic ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur, and touring the Rajasthani capital, Jaipur – nicknamed India’s ‘Pink City’ due to its beautiful pastel buildings. You’ll also explore the desert city of Bikaner, marvel at ornate Jain temples, visit the Pushkar Camel Fair, and relax in Udaipur, the sacred city of lakes. The mouthwatering Rajasthani cuisine is another bonus!
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India | 15 days | Accommodation Included
Save 10% on Upgraded tours - quote 'Upgraded10'. Offer ends May 21st.
4. Discover Northern Thailand
Thailand might be most famous for its chaotic capital and idyllic islands, but the northern part of the country is just as alluring. This is where you’ll find majestic temples, forested mountains, and wonderful wildlife, and on Explore’s 12-day Northern Thailand tour, you’ll discover the region’s culture and cuisine. Each hotel you stay at perfectly reflects the atmosphere of your destination, adding to the experience.
Take a cooking class in foodie-focused Chiang Mai, tour scenic hilltop villages and cascading waterfalls, and visit responsible elephant parks to meet these gentle giants. Cycle around the ancient city of Sukhothai, tour historic Ayutthaya and take an evening boat cruise, and spend the night in a floating house on the River Kwai. End in Bangkok, where you can savour mouthwatering street food and relax in serene temples.
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Thailand | 12 days | Accommodation Included
Save 10% on Upgraded tours - quote 'Upgraded10'. Offer ends May 21st.
5. South India
India has a reputation for being frenetic and fast-paced…but things feel very different in the south. From the colonial streets of Kochi to the coconut-fringed creeks of Kerala, this part of the country encapsulates slow, soulful, tropical India. On Explore’s 12-day South India tour, you’ll stay in top hotels, sleek boats, and premium forest eco-resorts as you discover the region’s unique culture, history, and scenery.
Meander through Kerala’s lush, sleepy backwaters on a houseboat, stopping off to explore local villages, browse bustling markets, and sample the deliciously fresh local food. Malabar Coast offers the chance to tour historical seaports and relax on pristine white sand beaches. And, inland, you can sip chai at tea plantations, visit Tibetan monasteries, trek through forested mountains, and kick back in your premium jungle resort.
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India | 12 days | Accommodation Included
Save 10% on Upgraded tours - quote 'Upgraded10'. Offer ends May 21st.
6. Discover Sri Lanka
It may be known for its rich history, welcoming locals, and seriously flavoursome food, but Sri Lanka also boasts idyllic beaches, tropical jungles, mysterious ruins, and lush paddy fields. Explore’s 13-day Discover Sri Lanka tour travels to the country’s most famous sights, from the Lion Rock of Sigirya to Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth, with stays in five-star resorts, high-end hotels, and swish safari camps.
Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, explore painted cave temples, tour tea plantations, admire Ella’s famous Nine Arches Bridge, and climb the dramatic ‘Sky Fortress’. In Yala National Park, keep your eyes peeled for leopards and elephants while, in Kandy, Sri Lanka’s spiritual heart, you can soak up the culture and savour the cuisine. There’s plenty of time to kick back on the blissful, palm-fringed beaches, too.
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Explore Upgraded - Discover Sri Lanka*
Sri Lanka | 13 days | Accommodation Included
Save 10% on Upgraded tours - quote 'Upgraded10'. Offer ends May 21st.
7. Vietnam and Angkor
Vietnam and Cambodia are two of the most beautiful and diverse countries in Southeast Asia, and on Explore’s 13-day Vietnam and Angkor tour, you’ll see the best of both nations. From buzzing megacities to floating villages, and unspoilt bays to jungle temples, the landscape is otherworldly. As you cruise along emerald waters and watch the sunset over Khmer kingdoms, you may have to pinch yourself.
Spend the night aboard a premium boat as you drift along Vietnam’s Halong Bay, explore the boulevards of the historic capital Hanoi, relax in the riverside town of Hoi An, and feast on the fragrant cuisine. Fly to Siem Reap, the gateway to Cambodia’s once-lost temples of Angkor, and step back 900 years as you tour this magical complex. The tour finishes in Ho Chi Minh City, one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting cities.
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Explore Upgraded - Vietnam and Angkor*
Vietnam & Cambodia | 14 days | Accommodation Included
Save 10% on Upgraded tours - quote 'Upgraded10'. Offer ends May 21st.
Final thoughts…
One of the best things about travel is that it can take you out of your comfort zone…exposing you to all kinds of exciting experiences and opportunities. But, stepping out of your comfort zone doesn’t have to mean being uncomfortable.
Explore Upgraded tours are all about marrying adventure with comfort and relaxation – immersing yourself in a destination’s culture, food scene, and history, while staying in premium accommodation. After a long day exploring, there’s a unique comfort in knowing you’re returning to a spa hotel, a beachside resort, or even a tranquil houseboat.
Whether it’s Central or Southeast Asia that’s calling you, these seven tours allow you to travel slowly and stylishly, while enjoying authentic experiences, and getting to know not just a country but its culture and people, too. You’ll have plenty of time to explore at your leisure, whether that’s taking sunset strolls on the beach, picking up souvenirs, or sampling street food in local markets.
Until 21 May 2025, you’ll save 10% on any Upgraded trip, when you travel between 1 June 2025 and 31 December 2026 – just quote the code ‘Upgraded10’ when booking.
To find out more about tours with Explore, head over to their website.
Have you been to any of these countries before? Are any of these trips particularly tempting to you? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.