Last month we kicked off our Wanderlust Summer Series in the best way we could imagine, with a room full of curious travelers and two hours of stories that made the whole world feel a little closer. Our partners at V’Explore came to the WIT office to share their stunning collection of Asian journeys, and they did not hold back.
Kay and Derrick Tran, joined by their colleague Nawang, who traveled all the way from Bhutan to be with us, walked our community through the logistics and brought every destination to life, from the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An to the wide-open Mongolian steppe.
What makes V’Explore special is the way they travel. Every journey is private and small by design, usually just ten to twelve explorers, which means more flexibility, more access, and more of the moments that never make it onto a standard tour. Their motto says it well: explore, experience, exotic Asia. Less skimming the surface, more diving in. By the end of the night, more than a few of us were quietly rearranging our bucket lists.
The Journeys from V’Explore Tours
Vietnam
Vietnam “Tet” Festival (15 days) Arrive in time for Vietnam’s biggest holiday and live it like a local: wrapping banh chung rice cakes for the New Year, releasing lanterns in Hoi An, and drifting through the flower-piled floating markets of the Mekong.
Departs February 9, 2028.
Culture & Culinary of Vietnam (14 days) A deep dive into Vietnam’s flavors and backstreets, from a vintage Jeep tour of Hanoi and an Áo Dài scooter ride to Saigon nightlife by Vespa and a private cooking class at a Michelin-guided restaurant.
Departs November 28, 2027.
Thailand
Culture, Culinary & Crafts (14 days) The artisan side of the north, where you wander white temples, meet hill-tribe communities, try your hand at indigo dyeing, and watch master potters at work.
Departs October 25, 2027.
Rainforest & Beaches of Thailand (12 days) Island-hop by longtail boat, paddle a jungle canoe safari, meet rescued elephants at an ethical sanctuary, and fall asleep in a floating tent on Cheow Lan Lake.
Departs March 27, 2027.
Mongolia
Wild Beauty & Genghis Khan Retreats (12 days) Trade your hotel for a luxury ger, gallop across the Orkhon Valley, and meet the Kazakh eagle hunters of the Altai. A warm-season journey; ask a WIT advisor about upcoming dates.
Wonder Adventure, featuring the Naadam Festival (12 days) Cheer the wrestling, archery, and horse racing of Mongolia’s famous Naadam Festival, then head into the Gobi for the Flaming Cliffs and a night under impossibly dark skies. Built around Naadam, held each July.
Indonesia
Heart of the Indonesian Archipelago (12 days) Watch the sun rise over Borobudur, come face to face with Komodo dragons, and sail aboard a private yacht to swim with manta rays off the famous Pink Beach.
Departures April through June and September through November.
Nepal & Bhutan
Journey to the Himalayas: The Happy House (15 days) Witness the masked Cham dances of the Paro Tsechu festival, climb to the cliffside Tiger’s Nest monastery, and stay at the Happy House, the Himalayan home once cherished by Sir Edmund Hillary. The Happy House can accommodate a maximum of 20 guests at a time and is completely sold out in 2027.
Departs April 8, 2028.
Japan
Sakura of Japan (9 to 11 days) Two cherry-blossom routes, both timed to the bloom: the Hokuriku route from Tokyo through Kanazawa to Kyoto (departs April 1, 2027), or the hidden-gem Tohoku loop through Japan’s quieter north (departs April 21, 2027).
And That’s Just the Start
This lineup is only the beginning. V’Explore also builds in once-in-a-lifetime extras you will not find in a typical brochure: a private sushi lesson with a master chef, an elegant evening with geisha in Kanazawa, a kintsugi workshop mending pottery with gold, an expedition into Son Doong, the largest cave on Earth, and restorative wellness retreats in Bali and Thailand. If you can dream it, they can usually weave it in.
Ready to Go Somewhere?
Feeling a little wanderlust of your own? That’s exactly the idea. If any of these journeys caught your eye, reach out to your WIT advisor and we will help you turn it into reality.
And mark your calendars! The Wanderlust Summer Series runs all season long, with a new partner and a new corner of the world each month. Join us on June 22nd from 3 to 5 PM to meet Peter Hayes of Holland America and Seabourn, along with Mallory Hayes of Lindblad Expeditions. We would love to see you here!
Ready to experience unique Asian itineraries made specifically for our clients? Contact our excellent travel experts at 503-224-0180 or email inquiry@wittravel.com.
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