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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
405
No. of Departures
5,068
Avg. Trip Length
12 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$242
Accommodation
Mixed
Budget
Affordable & Premium
No. of Trips
135
No. of Departures
3,187
Avg. Trip Length
11 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$190
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
4.8
Was a great trip. Some accommodation very simple but lots of great experiences including sleeping on deck of a river boat. Most of my party of ten were keen bird watchers who were very happy. First time I had taken an Encounter trip but would certainly do another. Appreciate the wonderful assistance of Tracey through the entire booking process.
The experience was amazing - our guide was very knowledgeable and kind and the accommodations were all very comfortable! My favorite part was riding camels through the Sahara!
We enjoyed our cycle trip from Porto to Lisboa in October. This was our first bike tour and although challenging at times, we did it. THe group was easy to get along with and the Guide, Mike (from Montaraz Outdoors) was exceptional. He was very encouraging and always assisting. I had a flat tire one day and he had it fixed in less than 5 minutes (okay, read more 6).The communication with Explore was good; the cost was reasonable and the tour itself exceeded our expectations. It was a great way to travel and see the countryside of Portugal. We look forward to our next journey.
Kaitlyn was a great help booking and answering questions. She always answered email in a timely manner. I am planning another trip with Kaitlyn.
Upgraded walking tour of Pirtugal 0
Upgraded - Walking in the Algarve
Kathy, ACT, Australia, Oct 2025
This was a very well organised itinerary with interesting content. The accommodation was good and well placed with easy access to the local town/village. The guide was excellent - a local of the area, willing to go the extra mile to ensure the group had an enjoyable experience both on the walks, after walk activities and on the free day.
This was my 4th tour with Explore. Another enjoyable tour with a fantastic young Greek tour leader: very professional, friendly and organised who led us on our walks and organised us with getting on and off ferries and using local buses. A great group of 11 travellers from UK, USA and 1 other Australian. We enjoyed great food and wine at restaurants read more recommended by the tour leader. We visited: Syros, Paros, Naxos and Santorini. Highlights were: the walks, including 1 along a marble Byzantine road and the optional cooking class in Paros. Accommodation in Naxos was not that good and our visit was hampered by rain. This was the 1st of 3 tours I did in 6 weeks, all arranged with the helpful and friendly assistance of Georgie and Hannah.
4.8
Morocco has a lot to offer. The people are wonderful, the scenery was just stunning. We had sunshine, snow, wind and a little rain and was even blessed with a rainbow in the desert. I can’t say enough about our guide Omar. He was able to answer all of our questions, he treated us to local music and displayed his musical talents. If there was any read more issues he was always there to fix them. It was a great trip.
If you are looking for one trip to tick off so many bucket list items this, is it! Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, La Paz. Our tour leader, Edwar, was super passionate about sharing the Peruvian culture and providing insights only an indigenous Peruvian and an Archaeologist could. The accommodation was well above expectations read more – think Hilton and up. The daily activities ran like clockwork. I can’t recommend this tour highly enough. I don't know how they managed it, but the weather was even perfect!
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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