Switch to the app and book faster and easier!

Where?
When?
2

Where to?

Traveling when?

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Who is travelling?

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

The Dragon Trip

Platinum

Headquarters in London, England

Rating
4.6
Number of reviews
969
Number of tours
48
Age range
7-75
Response rate
100%
Response time
within 1 day

The Dragon Trip Reviews (966)

Write a review
Excellent
Good
Average
Rather poor
Bad
Show specific ratings
Accommodation
4/5
Transportation
4.5/5
Meals
4.5/5
Value for money
4.5/5
Guide
4.5/5
  • LW
    Loved the tour and all the activities that were included in the package! I also liked having 2-3 days in one location instead of trying to cram in more destinat…
    Read more
  • SP
    I thought the trip was amazing especially for my first time out of the country!
  • OD
    Written on July 21st, 2026
    Incredible. Fast paced yet full of so many different activities and bonding activities with your new mates. The guides are incredible and so approachable for an…
    Read more
  • WL
    As my first Dragon Trip, I’ve had a first class experience from booking (thanks, Nicole!) and throughout the trip, thanks to our excellent travel guide, Sam. Th…
    Read more
  • RA
    I had a great experience traveling for the first time with TourRadar. The staff at the office were very helpful. All the wonderful tour guides were knowledgeabl…
    Read more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Hi, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you had such a great first experience travelling with The Dragon Trip and that our team helped make it such a memorable trip. It's fantastic to know our customer experience team and local guides made such a positive impression. Thank you for recommending us, and we'd love to welcome you back on another Dragon Trip adventure in the future. Safe travels, and we hope to see you again soon. The Dragon Trip Team
  • SP
    Written on July 18th, 2026
    Lots to love on this trip: Numerous activities which were great for our teenage daughter (ethical elephant sanctuary, waterfall swimming, boat ride to islands o…
    Read more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Hi Simon, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that your family had such a memorable time in Thailand. A special thank you for your kind words about Nana. She's a real credit to our team, and she'll be delighted to hear she helped open not only your eyes but your stomachs too! Thank you for choosing to travel with us. We hope this was just the first of many family adventures, and we'd love to welcome you back to explore another destination with us soon! Ben and The Dragon Trip Team
  • AL
    A great overview in a short amount of time.
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you Anne-Sophie for your helpful review. It's great to hear you thought so highly of our trip. We look forward to welcoming you on another Dragon Trip soon.
  • AW
    If you want a first expression about Japan, than this Tour is perfect for beginners.
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you Anne Marie for your review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your time in Japan with us. We look forward to welcoming you on another Dragon Trip soon.
  • WR
    An incredibly expansive tour covering a huge amount of strong sightseeing experiences
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for your feedback ~ we really appreciate it! It is wonderful to know you were able to see a huge amount across the 27-days in China!
  • 10-Day Premium South Korea Adventure: Culture, Cuisine, and Coastlines reviewer 10
    Very fun fast paced tour. Lots of walking, but lots of great experiences.
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for sharing your lovely photo. It looks like you had a wonderful time! We're really happy to hear you had such a great experience on the trip.

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

+1 844 311 8331

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!