How was your Explore Tour Leader?

The tour leader was very proficient but this was the first time on an Explore trip that I was pressured to give a tip to a tour leader.

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

The trip was much more physically demanding than the Active Level 2  stated on my trip notes.  I disagree that a five hour trek in Kon Tum constitutes a lever 2.  Be prepared to be exposed to constant shopping, every where. While three days/2 night in Hoi An was good for people who wanted to have custom tailor clothes/shoes made; if you don't expect too long of s stay there.  The over-night train ride from Hanoi to Hue was awful. There were cockroaches, a drunk stranger joined us in our cabin, and a rock was thrown totally shattering the safety glass of our cabin window.

Do you have anything else to add?

Although meals not included with the trip were supposed to be on our own; our tour leader herded the group to a specific restaurant, often with a preset meal. If one chose not to join the group, they were pretty much on their own to fend for themselves. While most of the hotels were excellent; I was most shocked when the massage person sent by the Asian Ruby hotel grabbed my privates and asked if I wanted "that" massaged. When I asked our tour leader if I should inform the hotel, he said  no.