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The Dragon Trip

The Dragon Trip

Headquarters in London, England

View all tours
Number of tours
47
Age Range
7-75
Number of reviews
798
Rating
4.6/5
Response rate
96%
Response time
within 1 day

The Dragon Trip Reviews (798)

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Accommodation
4/5
Transportation
4.5/5
Meals
4.5/5
Value for money
4.5/5
Guide
4.5/5
  • 31-Day Southeast Asia Adventure: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia reviewer 1
    The tour was fun however it was more of young person (18-25 yr old) which wasn't made clear. The loctations/countries were all amazing in very different ways. …
    Read more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you so much for sharing your feedback! We're really glad to hear you enjoyed the tour and found the locations memorable and worthwhile. We’re sorry the age demographic wasn’t clearly communicated. If you join us on another trip in the future, feel free to get in touch to enquire about this and we can provide you with a rough demographic to help you find a group of you might feel more in touch with. We look forward to having you with us again.
  • LH
    Such a good tour to get around south east Asia. Lovely tour guides that make the trip so much more enjoyable. The hostels are lovely, activities are well planne…
    Read more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re grateful for your feedback and thrilled to hear you enjoyed the guides, hostels, and variety of activities.
  • V
    It's good for meeting new people all over the world and also for your solo trip.
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for your feedback. We’re so glad to hear the tour helped you meet new people and made your solo trip even better!
  • 31-Day Southeast Asia Adventure: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia reviewer 4
    Amazing! Great itinerary lineup and selection of hostels makes it very easy for first timers to feel comfortable away from home!
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you so much for your feedback. It's great to hear that the itinerary and hostel selections helped make your first-time experience feel comfortable and enjoyable! We hope you'll join us on another adventure in the future.
  • S
    amazing tour - lots of activities + helpful local guides in every country that are all more than happy to help out and offer help/advice. 10/10
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for the fantastic review. We’re so glad you enjoyed the activities and found our local guides helpful throughout the trip!
  • NH
    Honestly this trip has been the best experience of my life. Met so many amazing people and made so many friends. Learned and explored different cities and count…
    Read more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you so much for your amazing review. We’re thrilled to hear this trip was such a life-changing experience and that you made so many great connections along the way! Travelling is all about new adventures.
  • 13-Day Japan Tour: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka & Beyond reviewer 7
    High Intensity but very much worth it. Never a dull moment. Adventure leader Terry was a great resource for what to do at each location. In 13 days we did Tokyo…
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    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for the detailed review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the whirlwind adventure, found Terry’s guidance helpful, and appreciated the convenience of the hotels. We totally agree, comfy shoes and packing light are a must for this one! If you ever need advice for packing, then feel free to get in touch for more advice. We hope to see you on another trip soon!
  • ML
    Making the reservation was easy. There was a period when there was not much information from the tour operator. The tour itself was pretty good overall. Ther…
    Read more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thanks so much for sharing your feedback! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the tour overall, and I’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to your guide. Regarding the communication before your trip, thank you for pointing this out. We aim to give travellers all the information they need without overloading them, which is why most updates are sent closer to departure. That said, your comments are really helpful and we’ll review how we can make this feel smoother. If you ever need anything between those scheduled messages, our team is always available by phone, webchat, or WhatsApp. Thanks again for travelling with us and we’d be happy to welcome you on another adventure in the future!
  • 12-day South Korea Tour reviewer 9
    Written on December 4th, 2025
    I had an absolutely amazing time on the 12 day South Korea trip! The group was fantastic, and exploring the country together was such a memorable experience. Th…
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    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for such an incredible review! It’s amazing to hear that your 12-day South Korea trip was full of unforgettable experiences including the Taekwondo session and meeting a North Korean defector to the boat ride in Busan, it sounds like every day offered something different. We’re so glad the balance of planned activities and free time worked perfectly for you, and that Han’s knowledge, care, and passion made the trip even more special. It’s wonderful to hear you made lifelong memories and friends along the way. We look forward to seeing you on the next trip!
  • 12-day South Korea Tour reviewer 10
    Written on December 3rd, 2025
    Had an amazing trip! Got to visit some incredible sights and do some incredible activities!! Very happy that I was part of this tour and came to South Korea!
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    We are thrilled you were able to be a part of this tour!! Thank you for your lovely feedback and it is great to hear you had a fantastic time on the tour. We hope to see you on another Dragon Trip in the future!

The Dragon Trip Tours

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The Dragon Trip Videos

About The Dragon Trip

We are The Dragon Trip. We expand minds through transformative experiences. We provide meaningful adventures throughout Asia, showing a real side of life through deeply researched trips. We support local communities through sustainable and ethical travel, investing as much as possible into the places we visit. Our Adventure Leaders are experts in their destination. They love their home and their country and take pleasure in introducing it to new travellers - the culture, history and the food. We don't do package holidays. We don't do tourist traps. We do Dragon Trips.

Highlights

Budget Backpacking Trips in Asia
Unmissable & Exclusive Experiences
Experienced & Epic Adventure Leaders
Travelling with Sustainability in mind

Questions & Answers

  • Do I need any special vaccinations for Japan?

    No vaccinations are required to enter Japan.
  • How do I get my Japanese Visa?

    Nice and easy - these are available upon arrival for over 60 countries including the UK, US, Canada Australia and EU countries. Some countries are now eligible for visa-free travel to Japan. Please reach out and we’ll help you with the entry requirements.
  • How do I get money in China?

    You will be able to withdraw money at an ATM in each city, and your Adventure Leader will tell you when the next stop on the Trip where you will be able to withdraw more cash is. We advise that you notify your bank that you will be travelling before you depart. As a note, many banks and cards do charge a foreign transaction fee when withdrawing money while abroad, so consider getting a card with no fees. 
  • Suitcase or backpack?

    You should be considerate of their amount of luggage when travelling. Please keep luggage to one check-in bag and to a size convenient for easily moving between locations, and for storage in hostel dormitory/shared rooms. We highly recommend a large backpack (50-70L). Laundry facilities are available throughout the trip to make packing lighter possible. For those taking domestics flights on their trip, please be aware carriers operate a standard 15kg limit on checked-in luggage.
  • What should I pack for my trip?

    A final booking pack will be sent to you 2-4 weeks prior to your departure. In the meantime, if you are curious about this, here’s what we recommend packing:
    • Passport
    • Japanese yen or credit/debit card
    • Travel insurance policy
    • Photocopies of insurance policy, bank cards, passport photo page, visa
    • A big bag and a small rucksack. We sometimes get separated from our big bags, so you’ll need to keep your valuables with you in a small bag.
    • Mosquito repellant
    • Dry clothes for the rainy season/typhoon season
  • Who are the adventure leaders?

    Each group will be accompanied by a combination of Local and Western Adventure Leaders. All our Adventure Leaders speak English and the local language fluently and have the passion and knowledge to ensure that they can help you have a great time in each destination.
  • Do you provide an airport transfer service?

    The Dragon Trip provides, upon request, airport transfers.
  • What is it like on the trains?

    You will be getting your own sleeper seat (full flat bed) for each train ride. We try to get all our travellers in the same compartment as well so that you can have fun getting to know each other better, playing some games, and even sharing a few drinks.
  • Who looks after our bags when we’re on transport and/or day excursions?

    The bags will be stored at the hostels where they are tagged and recorded. We have never had a case of anyone losing their luggage or having their luggage stolen so you can focus on having fun.
  • Do the hostels have WIFI? Will I be able to keep in touch with friends and family while in China?

    There is Wi-Fi and computers available for use in all hostels you stay in during The Dragon Trip.
  • What is the standard of accommodation?

    All of the hostels are clean, air-conditioned or have fans, safe, have good showers, internet, washing machines and most importantly, have real Chinese character. People who stay at hostels are usually aged 18 to 35, travelling on a smaller budget than people staying at hotels. So it is easy to make friends and fun to hang out at the bar (all the hostels we stay at have cool bars and lounging areas to hang out). If you would like to stay in a private room, that is absolutely possible upon request.
  • Which hostels do we use? Their addresses?

    Please reach out to our team and we will be happy to provide a detailed itinerary.
  • I’m not very physically fit! Is the trip suitable for me?

    At its heart, the Dragon Trip offers adventure tours, but you can make your Dragon Trip as physically active (or inactive) as you want. Instead of hiking, you could ask your Adventure Leader for a more relaxing activity like going for a massage!
  • What travel insurance do I need for China?

    We require all our customers to have backpackers travel insurance when coming on the trip. Please bring details of your travel insurance along with you. In the event of an accident, we may need contact your insurance company on your behalf, so we will need the insurance company’s name and phone number and your policy number.
  • What are the ages & nationalities of people booked on Dragon trips?

    Each trip is different, but our travelers come from all over the world and from every background- why not connect with fellow Dragon Trippers or meet people on The Dragon Trip Facebook page. We fully embrace the backpacker attitude that everyone is very welcome. A typical trip would include friends who have just finished high school, couples on career breaks, students on university holidays, and solo travelers from all walks of life. The group normally speaks English, coming from all over the world.
  • I have a medical condition – is this OK?

    Generally yes, but please do inform us of your specific requirements at the point of booking.
    Please note that many common medications and over-the-counter drugs are illegal in Japan. If you have a prescription, you may want to check the rules regarding bringing it into
  • Bringing luggage on the Shinkansen (bullet train)

    There are restrictions in place for the size of luggage which can be taken on board the bullet train when travelling across Japan. You can travel with one luggage piece with a maximum size of 160cm (sum of height, width, and length). For comparison, a standard large backpack has dimensions of 50-52cm torso length and 88-100cm hip width. When travelling in Japan, we would always recommend travelling with a large backpack or rucksack to ensure that you’re able to board all transportation successfully.
     
  • Will my phone’s sim card work?

    International travellers often face expensive roaming charges when using their mobile phones abroad. However, there are alternatives to ensure convenient and affordable internet connectivity without incurring charges.

    It is possible to buy a prepaid SIM card when you enter Japan, which can be used on most unlocked mobile phones. Some mobile phone carriers offer the option of purchasing an e-sim, too. Or you could rent pocket wifi - can be ordered to arrive at your accommodation upon your arrival.

     
  • What kind of restaurants will we go to?

    Your Adventure Leader will always offer to take you for a group meal, where we go to a local restaurant, which we know is hygienic and has cheap and delicious food. If you are craving Western food, then there are lots of great options!
  • I’m a vegetarian/have allergies – will I be able to get the right food?

    Yes! With so many food choices, Japan can meet the needs of individuals with special dietary needs or requests. Just tell your Adventure Leader and they can help you find something suitable. You will probably discover a new dish that you love!
  • How much should I budget for food and drink on the Dragon Trip?

    Generally, we take travellers to affordable restaurants and recommend budgeting £15-20 a day for food and drink.
  • How do I get my Chinese Visa?

    When travelling to China for tourism, all travellers require a visa to gain entry. Applying for a tourism visa around 2 months before you travel should usually give you the time you need to get everything in order, so The Dragon Trip will provide you with your invitation letter at this point – this is a key piece of documentation you need when applying
  • Documentation requirements for your Chinese visa:

    Documentation requirements may differ between nationalities - Please check what your specific needs are! For several European & Asian countries, China has a policy to stay up to 15-days without a visa! These countries include Germany, France & the Netherlands. We’re expecting more countries to follow soon, but always make sure to check if you need a visa or not to be absolutely sure. Upon request, we can adjust

Contact our Travel Experts

  • Contact our Travel Experts
  • Contact our Travel Experts
  • Contact our Travel Experts

+64 4888 0182

24/7 Support

Our team of experienced tour specialists have travelled to hundreds of countries around the globe and have decades of first-hand travel experience to share. Contact us now to have all of your tour-related questions answered!