The Dragon Trip

The Dragon Trip

Headquarters in London, England

View all tours
Number of tours
47
Age Range
7-75
Number of reviews
722
Rating
4.6/5
Response rate
100%
Response time
within 1 day

The Dragon Trip Reviews (722)

Write a review
Excellent
Good
Average
Rather poor
Bad
Show specific ratings
Accommodation
4/5
Transportation
4.5/5
Meals
4/5
Value for money
4.5/5
Guide
4.5/5
  • AL
    Excellent tour of all the main places to see in South Korea
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for your feedback, we are glad to hear you thought it was an excellent tour! Hope to see you on another Dragon Trip one day!
  • CA
    It was a full itinerary and we saw so many amazing things. Our guide, Smith was an absolute treasure, so knowledgeable and professional and went above and beyon…
    Read more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for sharing your feedback and such wonderful photos! What an amazing snap shot of your travels! We are thrilled to hear that you were able to see so many wonderful things and that your Adventure Leader went above and beyond. Thank you for your recommendation to future travellers and we hope to see you on another Dragon Trip one day!
  • JC
    Transport and accommodation arrangement are not premium. Preferred to pay a little more to travel in better flights and hotels. Heenam (our guide) did his bes…
    Read more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Of course — here’s a warmer, more polite version that’s still professional: --- Hi Jason, thank you for sharing your thoughts and for highlighting Heenam’s efforts in making your trip enjoyable. We’re sorry to hear that the transport and accommodation did not fully meet your expectations. The hotels included on this tour are listed in advance on our main information page, complete with names and images, so that travellers can review these before booking to ensure the trip is the right fit. Our Premium Adventures are designed to balance comfort with value while keeping the focus on cultural experiences, and your comments are very helpful as we look for ways to improve. Thank you once again for your feedback and we hope to welcome you on another Dragon Trip in the future.
  • KS
    Considered travelers age for activity. Our group are most seniors some of activity not suitable.
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Hi Keum Sung, thank you for your review. We’re pleased you enjoyed the guidance on your trip. Our South Korea Premium Adventure is listed as medium intensity, with a mixture of active and more gentle activities, and we welcome travellers of all ages between 18–75. We’re sorry to hear that some parts of the trip felt less suitable for your group, and we appreciate your feedback as we continue to refine our tours. The Dragon Trip Team
  • J
    Heenam was amazing! He was so friendly, respectful and tried to cater for everyone's needs. The whole group loved him and we all felt safe and secure with him. …
    Read more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for your lovely feedback and for sharing such great photos! What a fantastic insight into your trip! It sounds like you had a wonderful time and we are thrilled to hear that Heenam went above and beyond for the group :) hope to see you on another Dragon Trip in the future!
  • 10-Day Premium South Korea Adventure: Culture, Cuisine, and Coastlines reviewer 6
    Enjoyable and very well organised
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for your feedback! :)
  • 10-Day Premium South Korea Adventure: Culture, Cuisine, and Coastlines reviewer 7
    enjoyble very well organized.
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for your feedback! :)
  • 13-Day Japan Tour: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka & Beyond reviewer 8
    Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about Japan’s layout and its history. Megumi San always knew how to tour the guide while taking us visitor’s well being in…
    Read more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so glad to hear that Megumi made your trip both informative and enjoyable, and that you found the cultural insights so enriching. It’s great to know the balance of learning, exploring, and care made your experience in Japan so memorable. See you on another Dragon Trip soon!
  • 13-Day Japan Tour: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka & Beyond reviewer 9
    AMAZING TOUR GUIDE (Megumi)
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    We love to hear it! Go Megumi!! :D
  • 7-Day USA West Coast Adventure: Las Vegas, Route 66, The Grand Canyon, LA & San Francisco reviewer 10
    The tour was so much fun! Great tour guides in each location, showing us to the best spots and sharing interesting information about the destinations. Transport…
    Read more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    It's great to hear you had such a wonderful time on your West Coast USA trip! Thank you for your positive feedback. The guides will be happy to hear they did such a fantastic job accommodating you. Our trips are intended to take a load off from you so you can enjoy the experience for its fullest! The photos you've shared look awesome. We hope you'll join us on another adventure in the future.

The Dragon Trip Tours

Top Deals

The Dragon Trip Destinations

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!