Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting a water buffalo in a rice field during the countryside excursion. Ha Long Bay is as beautiful as you'd imagine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Trung, was brilliant! He ensured our group was relaxed from the start, and as a result we were all fast friends. He made sure all food intolerances were catered for, was so organised, knowledgeable and just a lovely, smiley, energetic force. It's impossible to be sad with Trung around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You'll be able to get laundry done locally twice, maybe more, pack light so you have more space for souvenirs. Hoi An is great for tailor made clothes, shoes and bags. Watch out for the luggage limit on the internal flight. Just take VND rather than dollars, keep it simple. We only exchanged 2 million VND to take with us, but this isn't really a huge amount, on reflection I'd have taken at least five times that amount, although food and drink are incredibly cheap you'll need VND to pay for extra excursions , souvenirs etc. Taxis are readily available and really cheap.

Most Inspirational Moment

Stepping out onto the top of Lion Rock at Sigiriya.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh. What a man, absolutely first class. Attention to detail and knowledge of his country unbelievable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this trip to anyone. Having said that it is graded as moderate/challenging. The main challenge we experienced was the heat, but if sensible this can be easily managed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Boat ride and chair lift on Capri. Walking the path of the God's was so memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Severio was top-notch and took great care of us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack clothes so you can layer and be sure to wear comfortable clothes

Most Inspirational Moment

hiking with the group to the summits

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching Petra and the way our tour leader lead us to the first peek of The Treasury.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Moaiad was just amazing. He was so professional throughout the trip taking into consideration the guests needs and the local environment. He was passionate about his country and gave us a true experience of Jordan. Loved his sense of humour too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want to see the highlights of Jordan feeling least like a tourist this is for you. Loved the Premium accommodation throughout for that bit of luxury.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not sure I could pick out one....I did love Sukhothai, a very graceful town with relics of an ancient kingdom and a night market set at the riverside. And a wonderful hotel. Visiting the Elephant Nature Park was also wonderful but perhaps the best thing was the group. There was 15 of us and we all got on so well - no cliques. Every day was fantastic fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I can't recommend Nai highly enough. He was fun, very organised, meticulous in preparation. Could always recommend excellent restaurants. He was a major reason for the success of the tour. Very knowledgeable about all that he showed us and enthusiastic about his country's history. Also had a ready supply of rice cakes and sweets he shared with us on on bus journeys!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be open minded, be flexible and enjoy getting to know your fellow travellers. Be prepared for the heat and drink water, water and then more water. A proper thermos flask with a double wall is a must for keeping water cold. A hat is essential. Mosquitoes not a problem.

Most Inspirational Moment

The early morning bird walks arranged by our guide - being in the rain forest whilst it is waking up is incredible!

Thoughts on Group Leader

David Vargas was inspirational and exceptional. His depth of knowledge and enthusiasm was astounding, he was amazing and very willing to help with anything.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Moving hotels every other night is a bit full on but we would not have seen so much without doing so. Maybe a specialist bird tour does not suit everyone, there were a few people who had chosen the tour because the dates were right for them (understandable!) but I think they found it a bit intense.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wandering round ancient Sukhothai at dusk trying to capture the best sunset photo.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nai was attentive, well-organised, generous and fun, ensuring we maximised our experience (eg giving us all gold leaf, flowers and candles at Doi Suthep temple and sharing his favourite snacks on the coach). He was always at our side to guide us through every experience and chose some delicious (and cheap!) restaurants and food stalls where he took command of arranging multiple bills. He was brilliant!

Advice for Potential Travellers

You do have to live out your suitcase quite a bit so pack lightly and use hotel laundry when you have a two-night stay. Take a thermal water bottle to keep water cool in sweltering heat.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think the most inspiring moment was the climb over the Hai Van Pass. It was very challenging, but we clapped and cheered as others finished the summit, making for a very rewarding experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Loc Phan was excellent. He was friendly, helpful and very accommodating. I am a vegetarian and Loc was so helpful getting my meals coordinated. I also want to recognize the rest of our support team - the mechanic, the truck driver and the bus driver. They were so kind and helpful. They made sure we always had cold water and regular snacks, and the few small bike problems I had (squeaks and clicks - nothing serious) were always fixed the same day that I identified them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Reminder that Vietnam can be hot an humid. If you are sensitive to the heat, check the weather before you book. Also, the first week in particular had some undulations, which may be challenging for beginner cyclists.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Son was excellent. I cannot think of any way in which he could have done more for our group. He was totally dedicated to making sure we were fully informed, well organised and relaxed throughout the trip, and he added so much with all the little extra bits of information and education he gave us. Further, the support team he had recruited worked so well together to give our group all the back up we needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If I was to take one extra thing in my luggage, it would be a small towel to use when we got on the coach after a hot day’s ride. If you possibly can, add an extra day or two at the end of the itinerary in order to see more of Hanoi.