Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

We had some free time on the last day and hired an old American car to drive us round Havana - it was a fantastic way to see this amazing city and well worth the time and money.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was great - incredibly knowledgable and his English language skills were great. He gave us a very good overview of the country and what is has been/is like to live there. He was keen to show us not just the more obvious places, but also for example a local ration shop.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Staying in the Casa Particulares was interesting but a basic knowledge of Spanish would be helpful - even if just to introduce yourself to your host. Some speak no English whatsoever. The casas are very variable and while all have en-suite bathrooms, the plumbing was in some cases rather interesting (!) and it wasn't always easy to get sufficient water to wash your hair or shower properly. There is alot of bus travel so take a book or music on the bus with you to pass the time.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many. Eating breakfast in the freezing cold surrounded by Geysers. A picnic at sunset in the Atacama Desert. A very hairy boat ride to see the penguins on Magdalena Island. Nowhere else in the world can you sit and view giant statues on a beautiful beach.

Thoughts on Group Leader

It was very obvious that Miguel is a very experienced guide. He whisked us through the various airports with ease. When for any reason we could not follow the itinerary he quickly found an alternative. He recommended various places to eat in each area from the cheap to expensive and let us decide for ourselves where we wanted to eat. .He is a very calm guy with a good sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take warm gloves and scarf. Fleece and windbreaker t-shirts and a few jumpers. You have to be fairly laid back to do this trip.There a four internal flights and long bus journeys on some bumpy roads. If you are interested in Astronomy it is well worth doing the tour in San Pedro.

Most Inspirational Moment

The free day in Trinidad but if I would have a chance to go there again I would plan my day differently You can take taxi to the beech or to water falls in the morning and than walk around Trinidad in the afternoon as it is not that big place

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was great! Great knowledge of history ( I feel i know more about Cuban revolution than our own) during a long transfers he kept us entertained by telling us jokes When dinner wasn't included he always booked us a nice place with a good food

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking on foot to get a closer view of a black rhino AND 4 hours enthralled by the waterhole in Etosha, where we kept meaning to go to bed but more and more animals kept arriving. An evening I will remember for ever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hans was a jack-of-all-trades and a master of all... he looked after us all with understated attention, was up to cook bacon for breakfast, drove all day, guided us and answered no end of questions, was excited to find the wildlife, either made lunch or kept us company at various restaurants, then jumped out and organised dinner. Then served it to us. There was nothing that was too much trouble... apart from he wouldn't let me go swimming in any of the waterholes (I checked at each and every one).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light... you don't need a sleeping bag, towel, or too many changes of clothes as you can wash at lots of places and it was so hot everything dried overnight. Take a head torch. Take spare camera batteries as we only had chance to recharge 2 things at a time (in the jeep). There is free internet in a few places, but you are totally off grid for around 4 days. Don't bother with Duty Free, it was much cheaper at the bottle store, and buy plenty of stocks at the bottle store. You can get soft drinks and snacks most days in small shops or petrol stations.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several: great music in La Trinidad; getting close to the Cuban people in our casa particulare there, and while cycling on back roads through small towns and farms, past the people and their farm animals and small schools with the kids outside cheering us on.

Thoughts on Group Leader

My experience is limited, but I would say that Erik was outstanding. At 79 I am prone to forgetting things--like my passport--but he rose to each occasion. When we arrived, exhausted, at each new hotel, I was particularly grateful that he was able to get us checked in very quickly, once in less than 5 minutes! He is a proud Cuban and it was great to hear about Cuban history from him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I regretted not having school supplies with me to leave in some of the schools we passed.

Most Inspirational Moment

The group were awesome and getting to base camp with everyone was great fun!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima and the guides were funny, supportive and very knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My Walking sticks were so useful!

Most Inspirational Moment

Base Camp!! - Has to be really doesn't it, iconic place and great atmosphere when you get there! Such a sense of achievement.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima was just incredible, most of the guides caught colds and chest infections while we were out there but they kept going with their unending enthusiasm and good spirits! They were always there when we had bad days and never stopped watching us to make sure we were having a good time!

Advice for Potential Travellers

To get the most out of this trip I really would recommend a few things. Pack light! Take loads of photos. Enjoy every minute! Most of all I really believe I would have enjoyed it more if I had done some serious hill walking training - I made it with barely any training in that department although a reasonable level of general fitness but I think I would have benefited from more training on hills!

Most Inspirational Moment

The beauty and tranquility of rural Indochina and the Mekong delta; the obvious happiness of the families eeking out a living along the roadside; the respect shown to each other in mad traffic congestion; the unity which has followed some of the worse atrocities carried out by man. All inspirational but to hear the real life impacts of Khmer Rouge and US assaults on humanity from our guides was intensely moving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She performed beyond the call. She shouldered responsibility for everything. She shepherded the whole group, moving up and down the cycle file to ensure all was well and to ensure we crossed roads safely. She pre-warned us of what to expect. She carried money to help out those less well prepared. She apologised profusely for shortcomings on behalf of others. And she still managed to maintain her sense of humour and her smile throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book before it is too late!

Most Inspirational Moment

....night under the stars in wadi Rum

Thoughts on Group Leader

excellent

Most Inspirational Moment

After we arrived on Saturday, we went from Alberobello to Noci for the New Wine Festival, held on the streets of the town. I really liked being part of the crowded streets, trying the wine, craft beer, roasted chestnuts (a feature of the festival) and great food from all the stalls laid out. Bands were playing and there was street entertainment, like performers doing fire eating! The local people are really friendly and I enjoyed being part of a genuine, event.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marinella is very good. She helped us with the language and explained the local food dishes to us. She kept the itinerary rolling and got us out of scrapes, where we did not quite know what we were doing! She was very diligent in organising our trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a really good Autumn trip. Really relaxing and warm, when the UK gets cold and wet. The walking is easy but inspiring through crossing olive groves, vineyards, and amongst the trulli (cone roofed houses) of the region. It is on this basis, it should be booked.