Southeast Asia Explorer with Gapforce

I did so many things and had so many experiences as well as making real friends that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do if it weren’t for the trip. The tour leader Callum was so cool and we all got along really well. The accommodation was nice and clean and you can just put it down to a cultural experience if anything ever went slightly wrong. I saw areas of the world that I had always dreamed of seeing but never actually thought I would and for a very reasonable price overall. On the whole I had a great and unforgettable time.

Absolutely incredible trip, I've met some amazing people and it's really really helped with my confidence. I took this trip as I didn't know what to do with my life at all and hoped this would help me figure it out. And it's helped quite alot. I really recommend, it's genuinely been the best 8 weeks of my life. We all loved our group leader Callum, he really ensured that everything would be made more comfortable and convenient for us (getting us early check ins and private transport ect) experiencing all of the culture and history of these counties has been an amazing experience that I will never forget.

I absolutely loved this trip, I’m really glad I decided to go!! This trip definitely prepared me to solo travel or travel with a small group in the future, I feel much more self sufficient now and i’m grateful for that. The accommodations are hostels so as long as you go into the trip knowing that and understanding that that it’s no problem. I am a vegetarian and was very nervous about not being able to find food or eat at the same places as the others but it ended up being quite easy to find food so if you have a dietary restriction I wouldn’t worry. Lastly, our group leader, Callum Jenkins, was the best!! He was very helpful and such good fun (not in a way that would be inappropriate for his position). He had a great attitude that rubbed off on all of us. I recommend this trip!!

I chose this trip because of my initial worries about being a solo female traveller with no experience. The description of the expedition in the brochure detailed a mixture of volunteering, exploring and relaxing and I can confidently say the trip ticks all three boxes. You truly get an authentic experience as you volunteer at the amazing elephant sanctuary (a real highlight of the trip), explore temples or visit waterfalls, celebrate local traditions and appreciate a new culture and cuisine. For someone who wants to gain proper travelling experience and exposure to an entirely different way of life whilst simultaneously staying safe, with the guarantee of making friends and lifelong memories, I really can’t recommend this trip enough. Our team leader Magnus really made the trip, consistently making everyone feel at ease and comfortable, and often going over and above to make you feel reassured in nerve wracking situations that will naturally come with being in an entirely new and different country. His support and knowledge was the best safety blanket as a first time traveller, whilst also a good insight into how to manage mix-ups and what to do when things go wrong. Overall, the trip is the perfect springboard for those looking to gain confidence and experience proper backpacking travel, and by the end of it, you’re ready for the freedom to lean away from a tight group itinerary and embrace the spontaneity of solo travelling that you’re impatient to start it all over again by yourself, or even with the friends you made along the way!

I had a wonderful time on the south east Asia 8 week trip, I’ve met some amazing people that I will continue to stay in touch with. There were lots of adventurous activities led by our leader, Magnus, who would always ensure our safety as well as support us when we were ill. It is an amazing first trip to introduce travelling if you are nervous, but it has a rigid and set schedule with not much room for leeway. I really enjoyed the time and the people I met so I would enjoy for any first time travelers.

I had a fantastic time on the sea 8 week program!
Had the most amazing experiences, meeting many new friends and doing stuff I would never have done if traveling on my own. From spending a week at the elephant sanctuary, building a house for a family in need, to hiking in the most magnificent caves.
Our leader Magnus organized everything for us, which made the trip stress free.
This trip had a great mix of cities, beaches and hikes in the mountain, so would definitely recommend this trip for any one in their gap year looking for an adventure, you won’t regret it!!

The SEA 8 week programme is a great trip full of activities to experience new cultures, foods and people! I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment, especially because I have been surrounded by a great group of friends and an amazing leader, Magnus. He has been very organised and supportive whilst providing us with the freedom to do what we want in our free time. If any one of us were ill, he was quick to respond and provide the necessary measures to support us. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to travel and be adventurous in their gap year- you definitely won’t regret it!

I loved the 4 weeks ! It was an amazing once in a lifetime adventure and the perfect way to spend a gap year. You feel young, wild and free :) being in a group made it a lot easier, because you know someone and have an itinerary that gets you to the best places in a certain amount of time. I liked the amount of free time, but sometimes it didn’t feel quite flexible enough. For instance if you would have liked to stay in one place for a bit longer that wouldn’t have been possible. But overall there is really not much negativ to say. I loved it and I would totally recommend.