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Explore vs On The Go Tours
Compare the travel styles, pricing, destinations and popularity of Explore and On The Go Tours.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.
On the Go are new to Global Journeys in 2019 but have been operating for 20 years. Their range of small group tours have a capacity for 24 passengers but average 14- 18. They welcome an intergenerational, international mix of English speaking travellers. Offering signature, family and festive and festival tours to over 60 countries, On the Go create culturally immersive tours.Expert local guides lead you through the highlights of each destination, you will meet the locals, try different modes of transport and spend your nights in 3-4 star accommodation. Your deposit has a lifetime guarantee in the event you need to change your holiday plans.
Stats
No. of Trips
403
No. of Departures
5,642
Avg. Trip Length
12 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$248
Accommodation
Mixed
Budget
Affordable & Premium
No. of Trips
143
No. of Departures
1,652
Avg. Trip Length
11 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$185
Accommodation
3 - 4 Star
Budget
Affordable
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.
Every holiday experience from On the Go Tours has been carefully designed to ensure that you not only enjoy authentic local experiences but do so while getting the best value for money. Guided group tours are our specialty, with well-planned itineraries balancing the key highlights of each destination with plenty of free time to explore.
Led by expert and passionate tour leaders, our tours attract a variety of ages and are ideally suited to solo travellers as we have very few compulsory single supplements. We use distinctively local means of transport too, with an excellent selection of 3-5-star hotels and boutique properties.
As an award-winning tour operator, we offer a range of trip types from family adventures to tailor-made holidays, so we’re bound to have a trip style to suit you. We're passionate about making your holiday truly memorable, along with Global Journeys, our valued partner, to help you book your next journey with us.
Recent Reviews
4.7
Driver and Tour Director were good, but the condition of the coach was really bad as the AC was not fully functional with high temperatures recorded during the tour, all passengers were sweating as they came out of a steam bath. Would be my first and last trip if managed by Explore UK.
I've made about ten bookings through Global Journeys, and as I keep going back to them, they must be doing something right! As usual, Hannah handled my booking request and questions promptly and professionally. This was my first booking with Explore! as their itinerary included a number of game drives around the Okavango Delta, including two nights ...read more on the Okavango Rivers itself. I was a little anxious about the five nights of 'wild camping'; but, although basic facilities, this turned out to be an adventurous highlight. The other styles of included accommodation were fantastic. The meals served during our camping adventure, and during our stay on the houseboat, were outstanding. I can't say enough about our tour leader/guide Bibi, who was also our driver, and the supporting camp/houseboat staff; they deserve a medal. We were blessed with fantastic weather and wildlife sightings. I can't think of any negatives of my adventure. I would definitely consider travelling again with Explore!
I highly recommend travelling with Explore as our local tour leader Arturo ensured every aspect of our visit was enjoyable and memorable. Arturo was the ultimate professional making sure our stay was trouble free and his passion for his work and Peru left a lasting impression on the group. All the accommodation, transport, meals and access to sites ...read more exceeded expectations as Arturo ensured that each moment was spent soaking up the atmosphere and learning about Peruvian history, culture and heritage without any worries or concerns.
The local guides, staff and people were very friendly and hospitable towards us with many happy moments spent sampling the local cuisine and beverages in the restaurants, cafes and with locals such as at Lake Titicaca and Maras.
Its easy to recommend the well known sites such as Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu but visiting Arequipa with its many churches, volcanoes and traditional markets was memorable as was the day trip to Ollantaytambo town and archaeological site in the nearby hills.
Add to that Raqchi and the Sun Temple, Colca Canyon and Valley with its condors and hawks, there was plenty to see for all types of visitors that it would be unfair to single out one particular moment or experience. Attending both Corpus Christi and Inti Raymi festivities was an eye opening experience getting to witness a mixture of religious practices and soaking in the atmosphere and warm weather with thousands of people left you deeply emotional and excited.
I look forward to returning in the not so distant future to see the extra places on offer and partake in the additional Amazon visit as the those who were lucky enough to visit had a fun time living it up seeing the beautiful scenery and witnessing exotic animals in a safe environment. Thanks Explore and Global Journeys for a life changing trip!
The local guides, staff and people were very friendly and hospitable towards us with many happy moments spent sampling the local cuisine and beverages in the restaurants, cafes and with locals such as at Lake Titicaca and Maras.
Its easy to recommend the well known sites such as Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu but visiting Arequipa with its many churches, volcanoes and traditional markets was memorable as was the day trip to Ollantaytambo town and archaeological site in the nearby hills.
Add to that Raqchi and the Sun Temple, Colca Canyon and Valley with its condors and hawks, there was plenty to see for all types of visitors that it would be unfair to single out one particular moment or experience. Attending both Corpus Christi and Inti Raymi festivities was an eye opening experience getting to witness a mixture of religious practices and soaking in the atmosphere and warm weather with thousands of people left you deeply emotional and excited.
I look forward to returning in the not so distant future to see the extra places on offer and partake in the additional Amazon visit as the those who were lucky enough to visit had a fun time living it up seeing the beautiful scenery and witnessing exotic animals in a safe environment. Thanks Explore and Global Journeys for a life changing trip!
We have never been part of a tour group previously, preferring to plan everything ourselves at our own pace, etc. This tour was our first group and we loved it. The guide, Justyna, was amazing and went above and beyond at every opportunity. The group itself was very fun, and the tour left enough time for us to do some things on our own.
Very scenic tour and I enjoyed the small group vibe. Nice hotels in very convenient locations and a lovely, helpful guide made it a trip to remember!
Thoroughly enjoyed this tour. We were fortunate to have great weather...no road closures or inaccessible areas. Our guide Gusti was extremely informative, helpful and entertaining. A good representative for Iceland and the local tour company representing Explore!
4.8
Our On the go tour was memorable and a journey through Vietnam, that we will not forget. The guide Win Win was great including the 12 others on the trip made this an enjoyable and wonderfull experience. would recommend the On the go to other thinking of travelling to Vietnam. Thanks from my family.
If you go on this trip (hosted by On The Go) with Kien the tour guide, you are in for one hell of a holiday! The activities, locations, transport and hotels are all hand picked for comfort, ease of getting around, location to attractions and amenities! Top activities - - Halong Bay!! Luxury junk boat, spectacular environmental setting, fine dining, ...read more water and cave activities, cocktails and sunsets, need I say more! Hoi An - possibly the most beautiful place I have seen, particularly at night! Night markets, river cruises under lantern lit skies, local shopping and a luxury resort! You HAVE to do the Vespa street food add-on, it was my favourite activity of the whole trip! Vietnam in general was so much more then I expected. It's beautiful country and people, and needs to be experienced! We went in July, it was hot but do-able and quieter then peak time. But if you HATE the heat, go at a cooler time of year.
My recommendations. Book a couple days post-tour to chill out in your own time. You see the entire of Vietnam in 10 days, your going to want to chill after and have some sleep ins. Be prepared for your days to be packed full of activities! There is free time, but your not going to want to miss out on any thing so be ready to hussle at times! Book ALL the add-ons. Every single one of them is worth it. And the Cu-Chi tunnel extra day! It's mind blowing. The Hue Express train is an experience! It's not luxury but it's perfectly fine! Just pack your own TP, wet wipes and snacks/drinks. Its a little cramped and be ready to get social with your cabin buddies, but if you wake up at 5am at sunrise the view out the window is worth it all! KMs of mountain valleys and rice paddies, it's spectacular.
You will be fed more then you expect and way fancier then you expect! If you are worried about fending for yourself at any point, Kien has recommendations and will assist you getting around safely. Highly recommend travelling with Kien the tour guide if you can request, you will be completely spoilt! He goes above and beyond for every minute of the day, take all his recommendations! and follow all his tips and you will have an amazing time!
My recommendations. Book a couple days post-tour to chill out in your own time. You see the entire of Vietnam in 10 days, your going to want to chill after and have some sleep ins. Be prepared for your days to be packed full of activities! There is free time, but your not going to want to miss out on any thing so be ready to hussle at times! Book ALL the add-ons. Every single one of them is worth it. And the Cu-Chi tunnel extra day! It's mind blowing. The Hue Express train is an experience! It's not luxury but it's perfectly fine! Just pack your own TP, wet wipes and snacks/drinks. Its a little cramped and be ready to get social with your cabin buddies, but if you wake up at 5am at sunrise the view out the window is worth it all! KMs of mountain valleys and rice paddies, it's spectacular.
You will be fed more then you expect and way fancier then you expect! If you are worried about fending for yourself at any point, Kien has recommendations and will assist you getting around safely. Highly recommend travelling with Kien the tour guide if you can request, you will be completely spoilt! He goes above and beyond for every minute of the day, take all his recommendations! and follow all his tips and you will have an amazing time!
Very Happy with our tour - hotels were excellent (Hyatt Regency Cairo West, Movenpick Aswan, Sonesta St. George Luxor, Intercontinental Cairo). Guides provided by On the Go were excellent, namely Ahmed Zezo Zidane (Cairo Rep, Aamer Ibrahim Tour Guide.) Accommodation, food and service on the Nile Cruise boat (MS Premium) was very good but we could have ...read more done with more shade over the banana lounge area on the top deck. Access to the pool was difficult due to the poor condition of the pool ladder. Pace of the tours were suitable for us active 70+ year olds. We appreciated the flexibility of our guide in organising the day's activities to take account of the extreme heat. Transfers to and from the airport were well organised and most helpful. All in all we were very happy and would gladly recommend this tour.
Overall tour was very good with the only down point being an over enthusiastic Operations Manager who pushed for our entrance fees etc. as soon as we arrived in Cairo. After a long flight when we were not in the best form to make decisions & organising a meet the group dinner when many of the group had only just arrived & were much more interested in ...read more sleep. The venue chosen for this event was too big & didn't lend itself to interaction between group members. Obviously there were hiccups during the tour but less then we expected considering the country. We would recommend the ' On The Go ' tour.
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