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How our expert leaders make Explore tours special

Discover how Explore’s passionate, knowledgeable tour leaders turn every journey into a unique experience. From local insights to sustainable travel, find out why travellers love small group tours with us.

Updated by: Aimee White - Copywriter at Explore Worldwide
Updated: 10 November 2025

 

Every Explore trip is shaped by the people who lead it: our exceptional tour leaders. Whether they're local experts or specialists in their field, they bring our guided tours to life with deep knowledge, infectious passion and a commitment to sustainable travel. That's why our expert-led travel experiences are so popular!

 

Why expert tour leaders make all the difference

 

Often joined by local guides for specific sites, our local tour guides ensure every moment is rich with insight. It’s no surprise that when travellers return, one of the first things they rave about is their tour leader! From sharing the detail-rich history of a place to recommending the best spot for dinner, these leaders are the soul of your journey – and the reason our trips are unforgettable.

 

From organising the logistics to sharing first-hand knowledge of the places you visit and immersing you in their own culture, read on to find out how our expert tour leaders make our tours so special. 

1. Passionate storytellers who make every moment count

Passion and enthusiasm are two of the most important qualities of an Explore tour leader. More than just your typical local tour guide, our leaders have all been chosen for their passion and love for their country. They look forward to welcoming you to their country and showing you its highlights, as well as the hidden gems.

 

Tour leader Diego Torres treats each tour as a new adventure, and he loves to inspire travellers to 'feel life at its best.' From interacting with local communities and tasting local fruits to watching Galapagos birds and listening to the magical sounds of the rainforest, Diego will lead you through Ecuador's most immersive experiences. 

"Diego was very passionate about Ecuador, especially the Galapagos, which inspired excitement in all of us. He was exceptionally generous with his time and information, answering all of our questions and explaining both the history and culture."

A person stands smiling, wearing a red and white shirt with the text "EXPLORE!" printed on it, near a stone and glass wall, in an urban setting.

2. Local connections that enrich your trip

Our tour leaders will bend over backwards to make sure you enjoy a real cultural immersion on your small group trip. From making sure everyone arrives safely and gets checked in with ease, to accommodating dietary requirements and medical needs, you can rely on your local tour guide to deliver the best service possible. As they follow pre-planned itineraries, you benefit from stress-free travel planning.

 

Explore tour leader Rejaneesh VS, from India, has been known to invite guests to his own home for a Christmas Day lunch!

"We had a fabulous Christmas day on which Reggie invited us to have Christmas dinner with him and his family. It was a truly special experience and one I won't forget."

A person crouches and points at a plant with large leaves in a forested area, wearing a blue patterned shirt, denim shorts, sunglasses, and sandals.

3. Local insight from experienced tour leaders

To ensure that your guide has first-hand knowledge of the country in which you're travelling, we only employ people from the local communities that you visit. Nothing compares to the rich understanding of authentic cultural experiences that local people hold. Our trips support local communities as you engage and spend quality time with Berber communities, villagers and more.

 

Explore leader Wilfred Garbutt from Belize, is often praised for his in-depth knowledge of the endemic flora and fauna and his incredible ability to spot animals in the wild.

"Wilfred was quite simply inspirational...His knowledge of Mayan and Belizian history and culture was exemplary...He has a great store of knowledge about the birds, wildlife and native fauna and flora; he always knew where we were most likely to see the creatures and plants...How he spotted some of them was beyond me."

4. Seamless travel with professional tour leaders

Our small group local tour guides always ensure that your trip is easy-going and hassle-free. With excellent organisation skills, Explore leaders will look after all of the route planning and transport logistics, as well as sort out the accommodation and local activities.

 

This allows you to focus on enjoying the trip and all of its unique experiences. You also don't have to worry about where you're going next and how you're going to get there. All you need to do is pack a bag and get on your flight - we'll look after the rest!

"Zeynep [2024 winner of the Explore tour leader awards] is outstanding…We were so impressed with her management of the group. She got everyone organised with good humour; never ever officious or bossy. She had the total respect of the whole group and by the end of the trip, and I can honestly say she was very much loved by everyone."

More about our Tour Leader Awards

5. Sustainable, safe travel starts with the right tour leader

Dedicated tour leaders provide an extra layer of safety to your travels. Whether you're cycling through the Sahara Desert, climbing Kilimanjaro or exploring the souks of Morocco, our tour leaders are there to look out for every single person on the trip and keep them safe.

 

One of our most highly regarded and award-winning tour leaders, Zeynep from Turkey, is renowned for the care and compassion she has for her guests' safety and her ability to sort out any medical issues that do arise swiftly and efficiently. And Bibi from Botswana even manages to make his guests feel safe when they are camping amongst lion, elephant and hyenas on safari. 

"Bibi was an outstanding leader. Although we camped for seven nights in the wilds of Chobe and Moremi wildlife reserves with lions, elephants and hyenas moving through at night, we felt perfectly safe."

A safari vehicle carries tourists observing grazing impalas in an open grassland. Trees line the background under a clear sky, enhancing the serene wildlife setting.

6. Fun adventures led by real experts

One of the most important goals of a small group tour is that you have fun and revel in your adventure. Whether you're journeying the length of Vietnam or ascending Toubkal, the highest peak in Africa, our tour leaders will always strive to make your holiday enjoyable.

 

Explore tour leader Moayad Alotaibi from Jordan is very popular amongst travellers for his witty sense of humour and the way he helps the group to bond and make new friends during the trip. And Indu Singh from India has been known to organise end-of-trip parties for his guests.

"Moayad is one of those rare gems of a tour leader who not only knows his stuff and is an excellent people person but also has a great sense of humour which added to the enjoyment of our tour immeasurably."

A tour guide talks to a group of tourists gathered in front of an ancient stone building with large columns, set within a sunlit desert landscape.

Meet our tour leaders:

Trusted by thousands: why travellers love our tour leaders

Did you know we received Feefo's Platinum Trusted Service Awards in 2025? Our expert tour leaders deliver outstanding service to our customers:

"Saleh's commentaries were very informative and he looked after us so well. He was kind and thoughtful too, taking individual needs into consideration." - Explore customer on our Jordan Discovery tour

 

"Thanos, our captain went above and beyond to make sure everyone was happy, he was very knowledgeable about the local history, we tried lots of the local foods, and he always guided us to the best ice cream shop!" - Explore customer on our Family Greek Coast Caique Cruise

 

"We had an amazing time walking the Inca Trail. From the group leader Erickson to the support team, they were all fantastic. Emile looked after me so well, when I was struggling with his gentle support and encouragement. He carried my rucksack for me when I was finding the ascent tough and I couldn’t have completed the trek without him." - Explore customer on our Inca Trail Trek

 

"Raya was full of information which she presented in an entertaining way. Her optional tours filled our free time in a great way. She also gave us wonderful suggestion on restaurants and things to see and do in our free time. We were very lucky to have her lead us through Japan." - Explore customer on our Simply Japan tour

Don't just travel, Explore!

With deep local knowledge, professional training and a passion for travel, our tour leaders turn every journey into something truly special. Whether guiding you through ancient ruins or recommending the best local restaurant, they’re committed to making your experience unforgettable.

 

Many are locals themselves, while others are specialists in their field – all united by a love of storytelling and creating meaningful connections. It’s no wonder they’re one of the most talked-about highlights when travellers return!

Discover our tour leaders

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