MAGNIFICENT EXPLORERS TRIP REVIEWS

Egypt - Magnificent tour - wonderful sights, food, guide and tour members. Well organised with great additions to family homes and Bedouin luncheon. Our third Mag Rail tour. Recommended.

I was lucky enough to choose Magnificent Rail to take me touring in Egypt. It was superbly organised and planned with Ahmed our guide being one of the best guides I’ve had. A strong voice, excellent English and a sound knowledge of ancient Egypt.We went to local interesting restaurants and shops. Thoroughly recommend this company and I’m ready to book again.

Our Silk Road adventure was much more than we expected.Being with a small group of like minded people really worked for us.This is the 2nd Magnificent rail trip we have done within 6 mths.The first being Northern India & we couldn't wait to go again.Highlights of these trips were the guides who were wonderful.We were sad to say goodbye to our Indian guides & even sader to say goodbye to Mirzabek our guide through the Stans.The food was wonderful even eating horse in Kazakhstan.The accommodation a mixture of Boutique hotels & beautiful big hotels worked well. The overnight train trips were comfortable & fun. And then there's the history of there countries that is amazing. We traveled through beautiful mountains as well as crossing the desert on the overnight train.These countries are well advanced , rich in minerals, oil, gas & gold. We would encourage anyone to try these trips & be amazed as we were.Cliff & Lyndall. Sydney Australia

Mag Rail Egypt was my second trip with these guys having done Java in Oct 2025.While quite different trips, there was commonality in terms of the compatibility of group, quality of guide and ease of dealing with the mothership.Timing for Egypt coincided with challenges in the Gulf but at no stage were there any safety concerns, but it may have played a part in our initial group of 14 ending up as 8.It's a fascinating country to travel to, so much to see, and busy with so much of the population living close to the Nile.Not the cleanest of places, plus the touts keep you on your toes but I would thoroughly recommend the experience.Heaps of highlights, all knowledgably and professionally facilitated by our guide, Ahmed El Ansary.Often, I thought I am so glad not to be doing this under my own steam and with a like -minded group of travelers!He conjured up tickets, transport, food, luggage movement and the like on time and with humour,. His English is outstanding and he has a real willingness to share his love of the local culture, faith and Egyptology.Over and above the obvious Pyramids and new Museum gems, I really enjoyed the in-home experiences, the hot air ballooning at Luxor and the desert trip. The trip to Abu Simbel is a long day but awe inspiring.A trip that will never be forgotten and one that I hope to relive with some, if not all my travel mates, in the future.

We have just done the 2nd trip to Egypt and in short we can honestly say we personally found "It exceeded our expectations by a long shot.""Rating for the whole trip? Definitely a five. Make it six."Have to admit it was different from my personal expectations and for the inexperienced traveller the Road traffic is an adventure, but our guide soon has feeling confidentThis was quite simply the most fantastic trip! As seasoned MagRailers, we were blown away by how much this itinerary exceeded our expectations. While most people just do the Nile, Magnificent Rail took us out into the desert to the Valley of the Whales, which was the absolute icing on the cake. We never felt safer, thanks to our incredible guide, Ahmed, and the local tourist police (who even let us test their sirens!).We loved visiting local homes and trying the 'Egyptian Pie' (eating with our hands in plastic gloves was such a fun experience!). Ahmed was more than a guide; he was a master storyteller with a great sense of humour who looked after every tiny detail, from safety to surprising us with local treats. We’ve already booked our next trip to Greece with Magnificent Rail—that's how much we trust their care and communication!Ann & Libby

Just finished 2 weeks with these guys in Vietnam from hanoi to ho chi Minh and although the trip is pricey, it is a high value experience. Logistics, destinations, travel companions, guide, accommodation and standards were faultless. For a small company they deliver a pretty bloody good service! I'm a cynical 65 yr old bloke and don't do reviews but these guys deserve all the stars.

Vietnam with Magrail really was a trip of a lifetime! The itinerary was very special, curated so well for the group - it was great value considering the high calibre of activities, delicious plentiful food, high quality accommodation and some luxurious experiences including the Anantara Resort and the fabulous Vietage Train.Our guide Mai was the best! She looked after us all so well and would go out of her way to help, nothing was too much trouble. I loved going to every single destination and got a good feel for each place with its rich history and culture which was fascinating.The cruise on Lan Ha Bay, visiting the caves and staying at the lake house were some of the many highlights. I'm so glad I went on this trip with a wonderful group of friendly, adventurous companions and throughly enjoyed this rich and varied experience... the entire team at Magrail were fantastic - thank you!

My husband and I travelled to Cambodia and Laos in Nov/Dec 2025 with Magnificent Rail and it absolutely exceeded our expectations!We saw so much in two weeks that it felt like we'd been exploring for a month. From the hotels to the food, everything was 5-star.Our guides, Len in Cambodia and Lee in Laos, were exceptional and nothing was too much trouble for them. The organisation was seamless; even when local schedules changed, the team adjusted everything behind the scenes so we never missed a beat.Cambodian highlights included Ankor Wat, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the bamboo train ride and of course the food.The Laos highlights included the Alms ceremony for the monks in Luang Prabang; the company set it up perfectly in a quiet side street so we could genuinely participate in the tradition away from the crowds. Also the visit to the COPE Centre and Mandalao elephant sanctuary was also very special experiences.If you want an immersive cultural experience that you simply couldn't organise on your own, I can't recommend Magnificent Rail enough!

Egypt exceeded our expectations. We looked forward to seeing those iconic sights like the Pyramids and Abu Simbel, but actually seeing something from 4500 years ago in real life was amazing! Ahmed our guide was exceptional! He knew his Egyptian history inside out and shared a lot of cultural, family, religious things too. He had a great sense of humour and was kind and caring at all times.We loved sharing meals in the homes of the 3 Egyptian families. They were beautifully decorated and the food was delicious! Loved the stuffed zucchinis and eggplants which are a traditional meal served at iftars during Ramadan.The trip to the desert in 4WD's to see the whale fossils was surprising and so different from the classical sights we'd been visiting. Couldn't have found a better backdrop for a Bedouin picnic if you tried!MagRail provided a really special and different tour- with train rides, special meals, desert 4-wheel driving, visiting El Alamein war cemetery, all with a small, like-minded group of Aussies and Kiwis. We keep referring Magnificent Rail to all our friends and booking more adventures 🙂

I have just come back from an absolutely great 22 days adventure on the Silk road of Central Asia with Magnificent Rail. So many ancient buildings, beautiful nature and really authentic experiences . The trip was meticulously planned and very well organised. We had one tour leader from start to finish and one local guide in each country. Crossing land borders were a bit of an adventure but knowing we had a fearless leader gave us security and confidence. The travellers were of older age group (ave 65yo) with positive mindset and a lot fun to be with. We even had a little party in our train compartment on one of the overnight train. The trip cost looks to be a bit expensive at first, but considering the trip quality, exceptional guides and that we were so well looked after, the extra money was well worth it. By the end of the trip I was torn between the memories of the beautiful journey and home. I have enjoyed the trip so much that I am looking at another trip with Magnificent Rail or its sister companies.

Our Northern India 19 day trip was fantastic. Great sites, food and our guides, Baggy and AJ were first class.Loved the history and the modern day chaos of India.

I have just returned from the MagRail Silk Road traveling thru the "Stans". Myself and 2 girlfriends set off with high hopes for a wonderful adventure and we were not disappointed. From the moment we arrived in Astana and left in Dushanbe we had the most wonderful Tour leader Gaukhar and local guides in all of the countries we visited. The attention to detail in all areas was second to none by the team at MagRail. The old Russian steam train was a real treat with shared sleepers. Such fun! Lots of laughs, fun and good times had with a great group of MagRail travel buddies. I think my most treasured memories will be the magnificent Mosque in Astana & the underground train platforms in Ashgabat which are still loving looked after from the Soviet Union time. My favorite City was Bukhara in Uzbekistan, ancient bazars, talented artisans and a very old and interesting history. I would recommend MagRail and the "Silk Road" adventure if you are keen for an adventure. I will look forward to more rail journeys with MagRail.

Fantastic and relaxing holiday travelling on trains throughout Switzerland with Magnificent Rails. The pace was just right, accommodation comfortable and often with spectacular views, and our guide was knowledgeable on all things Swiss as well as transport. Having our luggage transferred made our travel days headache free.

We recently completed the Sri Lanka Rail Adventure and had a great time. A lovely mix of adventure, culture and train travel. Upul, the guide was exceptional as was the accommodation and of course the food. I'll look forward to planning the next adventure.

I can't speak more highly of the Magnificent Rail team, their attention to detail, faultless planning, pretour contact and post tour debrief all contributed to a priceless experience. The company went above and beyond in choosing excellent guides, and planning a trip packed with experiences nicely balanced with time for following individual interests. Highly recommended! We will travel with Mag Rail again!

Initially we were unsure about booking this type of trip having never travelled with an organised tour group for an extended amount of time before. Our reservations were quickly allayed with great communication from the Magnificent Rail team, answering any questions and concerns well before our journey even began. Every moment of our adventure was magical, with incredible food, unique cultural experiences, and many fun and varied train journeys with spectacular views. Our guide Chiko was exceptional! She went above and beyond in every way. Her knowledge, attention to detail, and care for every member of the group, along with her wonderful sense of humour, ensured our trip was unforgettable. If you're seeking a tour with a difference and great value for money, Magnificent Rail is definately "Right On Track!"

We were part of a group of 12 from NZ and Oz touring The Balkans. We were told it would be different from other tours and it was - amazing. The organisation of the trip, from first registering our interest until after the tour had finished was flawless. The people at MagRail are so helpful and really know their stuff. 3 of their staff met up with us for part of the tour and you could tell how much they love showcasing their country by their enthusiasm for finding the best and unique experiences. We were treated to many wonderful surprises, that were not on the itinerary. People from this part of the world show their generosity through food, and they are Soooooo generous with amazing food. The tour was made perfect by the wonderful guide. He was so knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and unflappable- even when a train strike threatened our next destination. We would definitely recommend MagRail to anyone considering a train inspired adventure with a great bunch of people.

Java Adventure rail tour, just arrived home highly recommended, had a fabulous time. Bintara our guide was fantastic. Our driver Agung, very polite, well dressed, and a fantastic driving. Very well organised, highlights for me, train riding, Mt Bromo, Cooking class in Ubud. Thankyou.

I have just arrived home after my Budapest to Istanbul Magnificent Rail adventure and it was Magnificent! If you get the chance go as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see something extraordinary before it becomes more known on the tourist trail. I have travelled fairly extensively and I can say this trip was just one of the most fascinating and unexpected I have been on to date. The countries we covered in 22days were Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Istanbul (all we saw of Turkey). Anyone who values true interaction with the locals, the history and the culture, the food and the drinks definitely should do this trip.It is rare to have such an opportunity to hear about the history and lived experience of locals in countries we or at least I had no idea about. Most of them were shadowy places who had been hidden behind the iron curtain until 30+yrs ago. We walked the streets, ate with locals (one meal with a family in Romania had the best tomato soup ever and was always the benchmark for any soup thereafter!) or went to local restaurants . We travelled in local trains, ate and drank local food and drink, saw things I had never heard of let alone seen. We saw beautiful churches, learned of complicated history, learned about the significance of the communist era in these countries. We stayed in good hotels close to the centre of most of the towns so easy to pop out for a walk when time permitted. The crowning glory was the fact that there was only 12 in the group, we had the same tour guide who was Romanian supplemented by local guides. She was unbelievably knowledgeable, very enthusiastic and made sure we even had suggestions for books to read that were relevant to the information we learned or wanted to know more about. Don’t think this is a history nerds trip! We walked and walked did a hike, ate and drank and had great fun. And all of this without the tourist hordes. No big tour buses as most of the places just don’t lend themselves to these size buses. Only places we saw big tourist numbers (and all from European countries) were Peleş Palace and the Turda Salt mine. Look them up they will blow your mind! Can’t recommend this trip enough. I should mention i am 70yrs old and our group was between mid 60’s to mid 80’s. Age is not a limitation provided you are fit, willing to try new things and have a sense of curiosity.

I am so pleased that I chose Magnificent Rail to tour the Stans. It was the perfect blend of highlights - architecture to history, culture to cuisine and so much more. Impressive organisation for all transfers, restaurant bookings, accommodation etc. Will definitely travel with this company again.

Travelling the Silk Road has been a dream of mine for almost ever. Combining it with rail travel would be, well, Magnificent! Jeff and I joined with 10 other adventurers for an incredible journey through the -Stans. The tour leaders were brilliant, and mixed education, direction and humour to create an amazing trip. The true test was when Jeff did his knee and needed extra support. It seemed everyone at Magnificent Rail was there for us, arranging ground floor accommodation, wheelchair, extra transport, delivering meals. I can't recommend Magnificent Rail highly enough!

My Vietnam trip was wonderful. Our small group of 8, 3 Aussies and 5 Kiwis enjoyed great comraderie. Our wonderful guide Giang was 11 out of 10 and got our sense of humour. Loved the food, the people, even the crazy traffic. Would highly recommend it.

Vietnam was an amazing place, we appreciated that we travelled in luxury, it was a steep learning curve, saw and we experienced things we never expected. We were appreciative of the transfers at both ends of the trip The highlights were the accommodation, caves tour, the beautiful people of Vietnam The accommodation was unbelievable, positing was good, easy to get around and seemed like safe areas Phong is the best guide you have had in all of your travels

The trip was a lovely opportunity to visit somewhere we haven't been before and don't speak the language, it was well organised and the 'joy of the trip was immense'

I joined the three week MagRail tour of south India in November 2024. It was an amazing trip. We had two great guides, a terrific group of new friends, and a varied itinerary through many places I knew little about. In many of them we were the only non-Indian visitors, and were always made to feel welcome. Our tour included cities, rural areas, mountains and beaches, temples and churches, a game reserve, historical areas, markets, and plenty of great places to eat that were often local recommendations. The train trips were special experiences, and we enjoyed more interactions with locals. Highly recommended, especially if you want to get off the beaten track!