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Explore vs G Adventures
Compare the travel styles, pricing, destinations and popularity of Explore and G Adventures.The Low Down
Explore Worldwide is a UK adventure travel company that has been around since 1981. They run over 500 small group tours in more than 100 countries around the world with an average of 12 guests. Accommodation is often family run lodgings and guides are passionate locals. Itineraries are a mix of must-sees and who-knews, and guests can choose from different trip styles to suit their interests.Explore recognises that adventure is different for everyone, and their trips range from classic discovery group tours to active adventures such as hiking and cycling. They also have dedicated family trips, themed journeys such as those that focus on wildlife or their limited edition Explore Beyond collection which showcases rare one-off events. Explore have an impressive track record with 96% of past travellers saying they would travel with them again.
G Adventures have impressed us with their ethos, their range of unique itineraries and proven track record with over 100,000 past travellers. Their main competitor in the adventure touring space is Intrepid, with both Operators focused on authentic, affordable small group tours. With over 600 trips around the world and 50,000 departures, G have a stunning range of interesting unique itineraries to choose from, with a focus on South and Central America, Asia and Polar expedition cruising. G Adventures operate dynamic pricing so prices can change daily - upwards if the trip is filling up, and down if they need to fill some spaces. G have also recently incorporated Wellness trips, 18-to-Thirty Somethings adventures and National Georgraphic Signature luxury trips into their portfolio of trip styles.
Stats
No. of Trips
405
No. of Departures
6,714
Avg. Trip Length
12 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$280
Accommodation
Mixed
Budget
Affordable & Premium
No. of Trips
1,069
No. of Departures
84,440
Avg. Trip Length
13 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$252
Accommodation
Mixed
Budget
Affordable & Premium & Luxury
In Their Own Words
We asked the travel companies themselves why you should travel with them
Explore has been taking small groups on adventure holidays all over the world for almost 40 years. The expert team, at home and overseas, works together to create itineraries that leave you feeling that you’ve really explored a destination rather than just visited. You’ll see the highlights, the must-sees, of course. But you’ll also get away from the beaten track, and get a different perspective on your destination. You’ll get closer to a place, its people and cultures.
Our small groups are typically 12 people – small enough to get right into the heart of your destination, but big enough to find like-minded people to share your experiences with. And the glue that holds these groups together is our local tour leaders, who are uniquely placed to add individual and spontaneous moments to each trips – moments that stay with you long after you return home. All sorts of people travel with Explore – our groups are usually a mix of solos, couples and friends. What unites them is their adventurous spirit and thirst for real travel experiences.
We provide authentic small-group travel, designed by experts and led by experts, with sustainability at its heart and a common desire for unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re on a cultural tour of Lebanon, cycling in Vietnam, walking in Italy or exploring Costa Rica with your family, when you’re travelling with Explore you know that you’re in good hands.
G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, giving you meaningful experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Recent Reviews
4.7
We had a great time. We loved having a small group. Everyone got along great. We had a young guide. He was great. The accommodations were so nice. We experienced the true Japanese culture, plus a lot of Western culture. Japan is a lot different from America.
We enjoyed the places we went. The history was so interesting. The sights were beautiful. read more The Cherry blossoms were in bloom!! They are beautiful! The food was amazing. We really enjoyed the tea ceremony. I will say we did not need to see all the temples and shrines. We went to too many. I am sure there was something else we could have gone to. Otherwise, we had a great experience..
We enjoyed the places we went. The history was so interesting. The sights were beautiful. read more The Cherry blossoms were in bloom!! They are beautiful! The food was amazing. We really enjoyed the tea ceremony. I will say we did not need to see all the temples and shrines. We went to too many. I am sure there was something else we could have gone to. Otherwise, we had a great experience..
Wonderful Trip to Patagonia 0
Adventures in Patagonia with Iguazu Extension
Pauline and Michael, NSW, Australia, Mar 2026
The trip matched the itinerary and we saw and were given experiences exactly as outlined. Each of the local guides gave great value and our overall tour guide Luciano was the best guide we have ever travelled with. He dealt with all issues and made sure everything ran as faultlessly as possible. The spectacular scenery, the trip across the Patagonian read more steppe and then through the mountains were all truly wonderful. We would definitely recommend travelling with your company to Patagonia, and we believe that doing this trip was very good value for our money.
As we were warned in the Itinerary, the schedule often involved changes to the itinerary, some requiring very early starts resulting from changes to flight schedules. Several times we would arrive somewhere very late (eg. 10.30pm) and be required to be up very early to be collected - such as at 3.00, 4.00 or 5.00am.
This particularly occurred during the 3 day Iguazu Extension. For example we arrived late into Buenos Aires the night before and had a very early start the next morning to get the plane to Iguazu. We arrived there at 9am but there were no activities planned for the rest of the day and then we couldn’t check in to our excellent hotel room for about 4 hours.
By the end of our trip after several nights of late arrivals followed by very early departures we were pretty exhausted.
As we were warned in the Itinerary, the schedule often involved changes to the itinerary, some requiring very early starts resulting from changes to flight schedules. Several times we would arrive somewhere very late (eg. 10.30pm) and be required to be up very early to be collected - such as at 3.00, 4.00 or 5.00am.
This particularly occurred during the 3 day Iguazu Extension. For example we arrived late into Buenos Aires the night before and had a very early start the next morning to get the plane to Iguazu. We arrived there at 9am but there were no activities planned for the rest of the day and then we couldn’t check in to our excellent hotel room for about 4 hours.
By the end of our trip after several nights of late arrivals followed by very early departures we were pretty exhausted.
The tour was fantastic. Very full on but we saw a lot. Highlights were the townships we stayed in along the way and climbing Mt Etna. Hannah gave us the confidence that we were getting quality for our money and we weren't being scammed.
Highlights of Sri Lanka with Maldive Dhoni Cruise 0
Highlights of Sri Lanka with Maldive Dhoni Cruise (West Coast)
Victoria, NSW, Australia, Feb 2026
My Sri Lanka tour was very good. Best accommodation. Right in front of the ocean. All the activities were very good. The food the family prepared was delicious. Most people over older so the ambiance was good except a lady who was talking on the bus and off the bus, continuously. She was answering the questions we were addressing to our guide. She was read more controlling everything. Maldives boat trip was absolutely amazing. The guide and crew took so much care of us and gave us the most beautiful experiences. I tell everyone in my world how amazing this 6 days Maldives cruises has been. Our Sri Lankan cook was excellent. He presented so many dishes for each meal. This cruise was above my expectations by far. I am still mesmerised. My best cruise ever.
We had a wonderful time exploring the picturesque country of Belize, and enjoyed seeing amazing Mayan sites, beautiful beaches and a wide variety of birds and wildlife. In our experience, a tour is only as good as the guide. Tarique was amazing with his knowledge, good humor, organization and people skills. He and our fellow travelers made this tour read more a real pleasure and an unforgettable experience! Our only suggestion would be to allow travelers to pre-book and pre-pay for excursions to reduce the need to bring or access currency for these bookings during the trip.
Overall a good tour. Good guides. Everyone got along. The hotel selected for us in Phnom Penh was the Frangipani Hotel which was not a good hotel. Very low end. Broken bathroom fixtures, terrible service, basic breakfast. Good location. The second hotel in Siem Reap, Hari Suites and Residences, was very good and a nice upgrade from first hotel. I give read more the tour overall a 3 due to the very sub par hotel in PP. Otherwise it would be a 4.
4.6
Great trip. Amazing sights and wildlife 0
Sydney Roundtrip: Australia's Greatest Hits
Dawn and Gary, TX, United States, Feb 2026
This was an amazing trip. We saw great landscapes and wildlife. Since it was a combination trip, we had 2 different CEOs but the were both amazing. A note to those doing the Red Centre, the accommodations are tented sites with no electricity in the tents and quite a walk to the restrooms/ showers. Had I fully understood this, I probably would have taken an alternative trip.
Fantastic tour! Be prepared for some pretty intense climbing/hiking at altitude. Machu Picchu was surreal. I learned so much more about the history of the Inca and the other cultures that were present throughout out the area. Fascinating and well worth the effort!
We would definitely book with Global Journeys again. The response time was amazing and issues were dealt with competently. Early February was a good time to be in Morocco. We could definitely feel the increase in the number of tourists between our two stays in Marrakech - a span of eight days. We enjoyed the cooking and calligraphy classes. We loved read more hearing about the history of Morocco, its culture, and about Islam and Ramadan. People need to be prepared for some long travel days over sometime scary roads in vans that could be more comfortable. Our fellow travellers were a good mix, and there were no issues, even agreeing to allow my tall husband to occupy the middle seat in the back row, the whole trip! Our guide was excellent and our driver very skilled and safe over varying road conditions.
Global Journeys and Isabella were fantastic! Everything was taken care of from arrival and departure snd everything in between. Isabella had things ready for me well in advance as I was traveling prior. She contacted me with all necessary information prior to, and during, my travel. I will most definitely book with Global Journeys again. High quality read more planning, booking, tours, ans guides.
Alaskan Adventure in the Winter 0
Alaska in Winter: Northern Lights & Dog Sledding Adventure
Sabrina, CA, United States, Feb 2026
Incredible trip! I booked 1 week in Alaska and experienced nature hikes along the Alaskan range, guided walk on a glacier, Northern Lights, and dog sledding.
Morocco from North to South 0
Morocco North and South: Mountain Villages and Ancient Kasbahs
Julie and Edward, TX, United States, Jan 2026
Touring Morocco itself was a wonderful experience and the two guides, Sofia and Rachid were both extraordinary. There were disappointments with some of GAdventures administrative and tour processes. Ours was a "Geluxe" tour yet you had to buy your own water at the included meals is one example. I've been on many tours with various companies and never read more not had water provide during the meals, especially in a country where they tell you not to drink the tap water.
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