How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Huat at Siem Reap/Angkor.  Excellent; great sense of humour and responsible attitude.  Considerate of the needs of individuals and of the group as an entity. Knowledgable and approachable.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Don't be put off by thinking it will be demanding.  Millions of international tourists visit Angkor every year, many wearing flipflops, skirts suitable for nightclubs ,and carrying handbags, so it is not a rigorous trek or climb.  Travel between the temple sites was mostly by minibus, with very little walking. Visited both the well known and lesser temples ,so got away from the crowds. Very peaceful and spiritual esp. by starting early in morning

Do you have anything else to add?

Varied tour....contrast and similarities of two countries (Thailand and Cambodia),  recent and ancient history.  Killing fields and genocide museum are harrowing but essential to visit to understand the country's history and its development towards a modern state.  The whole tour has a deep emotional and spiritual impact.  Go before it gets overwhelmed by tourist paraphanalia.  Hotels were surprisingly comfortable.

A relatively short trip , everyday is filled with the most wonderous & amazing sights. After landing at Bangkok early , arriving at the hotel about 9.30am , I had breakfast & visted the golden Mount & The Jim Thompson House , both which I recommend. The organised vists & the trip through the waters of Bangkok are worth doing. The Royal Hotel serves ice cold beer & has a great swimming pool, The flights to Cambodia were well organised & straight forward . On arrival at Pnom Penh we went straight to the Killing Fields &  S 26  torture centre. A very moving , disturbing & profound experience. On a lighter note had a great trip down the river later. The complex of Angor Wat is amazing , We saw 16 temples , all different with their own unique features. The local guide at Siem Reap was very good , nothing too much trouble . The hotel was excellent , great swimming pool . The FCC ( Foriegn Correspondence Club ) is worth a vist, very high standard of food , just a few minutes from the hotel. The temp hit 39c , very high humidity. You do not need a photo for the Temple Pass , your picture is taken at the admission site. You can get your photo taken at Pnom Penh Airport , but it is less hassle just to take your own, Check to make sure they give you your passport back & not some one elses. For Cambodia Take plenty of US Dollars in small denominations ,Some locals will not take their own currency. If you are time poor & money rich , this holiday is great , highly recommended. A great tour. (CM - 16th April 2011)

An truly amazing experience, landing in the heart of Thailand and experiencing Bangkok. Beginning the tour with a boat journey where we could see Bangkok by see and identify spots which we were going to visit provided a great start to the trip. By day exploring the Grand Palaces which live up to their name and exploring the Buddhist temples. Seeing the Buddhist monks continuing in their daily lives, understanding a little about Buddhism, colour significance and it's place in Thai life, something which can never be simply captured in a book. Also during the short stop in Thailand there is time to explore independently for an afternoon, our tour guide provided a fantastic map with ideas of what to see and where to eat, the tuk tuks are easy and safe and catching a boat down the river is pleasant. Plenty of opportunities to shop if you want as well. The flight to Cambodia was less than an hour where we were greeted with another native Explore tour guide. Here we explored the Phnom Penh and the Killing Fields. This was an amazing and truly emotional experience but an important part of Cambodia's very recent history (1970's), our tour guide explained everything so passionately and sensitively that it became a real experience that must be a part of the trip. Personally for me the best came last, Siem Reap, so many wats, which you can clamber over and experience every part. The outskirts had small groups playing Cambodian music in a non-invasive manner which gave ambiance to the wats. Moreover the flexibility to walk with the well informed tour guide or explore independently was superb. I personally enjoyed being able to find a quiet spot to sit and absorb the ethos. An early morning start can not be missed to watch the sun rise over Angkor temple. It is really hard to identify one highlight of the tour as everyday has a highlight, the local tour guides, the palaces, wats, ambiance and of course traditional Thai and Cambodian food. The culture is incredibly friendly and very safe. We had a small group of 10 which gave us a great bond and long lasting friendship. This tour is clearly a must. (CM- 7th August)

The first half of the tour was in Bangkok with the pace of life you would expect in a modern city, but at the same time our guide new the places (and the time to go) where we could find peaceful oasis to immerse yourself in the vibrant and historic culture dominated by buddhism and respect for the royal family. The evening nightlife on Khap San road is something to enjoy - especially the wonderful and exotic food!  The second part of the holiday in Cambodia was a complete contrast to the commericalism of Thailand. Cambodia is only just opening up to tourism and hence we felt we were on a real adventure and welcomed with genuine interest from friendly locals (especially the kids) despite the poverty.  The highlight of the tour was the Angkor temple complexes scattered around the jungle at Siem Reap. I never realised how many different complexes there would be and the scale and beauty was amazing. You could easily spend a week wandering leafy trails around every corner  a new vista of a temple. Amazing to consider the history and complexity of this area - a true lost world. (CM- 1st January 2009)