Our Travel Style

Small Groups

Key to our travel style is genuinely small group sizes. While ‘small group tours’ has become a commonly seen marketing slogan (even if the group concerned comprises up to 20 persons or more), all scheduled All Points East tours are limited to a maximum of 10 or 12 persons (depending upon the itinerary.)

In addition to being less intrusive and with a lower impact, service is improved due to a higher ratio of guides to guests, while small group sizes result in more personalised service and much greater flexibility. It also allows us to use smaller, locally run restaurants and hotels while on a social level, creates a much more cohesive group with far less chance of cliques or ‘groups within groups’. It’s often been described by those who travel with us as, “…more like travelling with a group of friends and not like a tour group at all”.

Our Travel Style – Off-the-beaten-track

Another core feature of our tours is a balance between the ‘must-sees’ and the off-the-beaten-track destinations. It’s the rarely visited sites, not usually included in standard tour itineraries, which we believe frequently provide a more authentic insight into the destinations visited as well as helping to spread the ‘tourist dollar’.

Meals

Local food and meals are an essential part of any culture and so, in our opinion, also an essential part of any tour. Inclusive meals are, as much as possible, based on authentic, regional food eaten in local restaurants and, whenever possible, we avoid eating in hotels and ‘fancy’ tourist establishments.

This means better and more authentic food – our custom is going directly to small cafés and market vendors rather than big businesses – while also providing more opportunities for interaction with local people. (The elderly couple running the village coffee shop near Battambang get so excited every time they see a group of foreigners turning up!)

The majority of our tours include approximately half of the lunches and dinners which we feel provides a good guide to the local cuisine while still allowing you time to do your own thing.

Never fear, we won’t force anyone to eat fried bugs (though please feel free to try them), and hygiene considerations are always high on our priorities, as are travellers’ chilli tolerance levels! Note also that all Asian cuisines can readily accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets as well as gluten and dairy intolerances.

Accommodation

Our small group sizes allow us to use smaller hotels and resorts with our preference being, where possible, for family-run, independent establishments. The aim is also to combine optimum comfort levels with value for money and the majority of our choices fall into the 3* to 4* category with en-suite and air-conditioned rooms. (Upgrades are available if you feel the need.) Note, however, that certain of our destinations are seriously off the beaten track with correspondingly more limited tourism infrastructures.

Responsible Travel

All Points East places responsible and sustainable tourism high on the agenda and we do our best to limit both the social and environmental impact of our tours by implementing a travel style that is beneficial for local communities. You can read more on our responsible travel policies at the relevant page.

Our Travel Style – Flexibility

Flexibility is another key plus, both on the ground and with your booking process. If you prefer to arrive early or depart late – add on a beach extension after your tour or a city break on your way home – upgrade flights or accommodation, etc., then just chat to our office with your requirements. While on tour, no activities are compulsory and can either be tailored to suit any fitness levels or alternatives arranged.