Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The caves in Guajimico, the music in Trinidad and Havana, the constant backdrop of the Escambray mountains, the iridescent turquoise waters of the Caribbean or the sunset in Hanabanilla, but there wasn’t just one inspirational moment, there were lots of them throughout the trip. For us the best day’s cycling was the optional ride in the Valle de los Ingenios, the best place visited was Trinidad and the loveliest location for a hotel was Guajimico on the south coast or Hanabanilla beside a lake in the Escambray hills. If you have extra time in Havana, it is a truly inspirational city.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very good – professional, patient and well organised and offered us some very interesting insights into Cuban life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would support much of the advice given by other contributors to these reviews. 1. Take plenty of sunscreen, insect repellent and toiletries, toilet rolls and plenty of cash (ATMs are few and far between). Also take a padded seat cover to put over your seat and padded shorts. We would also strongly recommend that you take immodium with you. 2. If you enjoy snorkelling, take a snorkel – a number of people in our group regretted not having one when we stopped at a couple of excellent spots for snorkelling. 3. In Guajimico we were offered a trek in the afternoon of our arrival.  It is excellent, not a ‘trek’ but a leisurely one and a half hours stroll through the woods along the coast, a swimming opportunity in an idyllic little cove and a visit to some caves where we saw some bats. 4. In Trinidad there is a rest day which gives you the opportunity to have a rest, go on a catamaran trip or cycling in the Valle de los Ingenios. Most went on the catamaran trip (the usual boat trip with bar facilities, lunch and some free time on a beach) but my wife and I cycled in the Valle de los Ingenios  – for us it was the best day’s cycling as the valley with the Manaca Iznaga tower is a Unesco World Heritage site and the views were wonderful. 5. At the Havana hotel, the Occidental Miramar, we would recommend the à la carte restaurant El Patio – it was our best meal in Cuba, a little more expensive than other meals but still under 50$ for two. 6. The group tour of Havana at the end of the trip is too short for such a fascinating city.  My wife and I booked a two weeks holiday in Cuba – 3 nights in a hotel in old Havana, the 8 nights cycling holiday and 4 nights in an all inclusive hotel beach hotel in Varadero – and would thoroughly recommend it.

Most Inspirational Moment

When the sun came up on summit day, the mountains behind us lit up as though they had been painted with gold leaf, the cold which had seeped into our bones was slowly removed by the warmth of the sun. Clearing the lip of the pass on the first day, the view was breathtaking The crispness of the sheets in the hotel on our last day, being able to stretch your legs out in the night without fear of kicking the person in the next bunk

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very informative, very patient and a good laugh - just the right mix

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the weather to potentially scupper your summit plans, don't get hung up on it being too risky, it is better to be alive and undamaged , it is more difficult than I anticipated due to the ice and deep snow, we were fortunate to have a break in the weather and good experienced guides.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think it would pretty hard to top the climb to Ooty. No number of warnings about how hard it is or how steep it is in places prepares you for just how hard and steep it is.I  commute everyday by bike in London and now that I have experienced Indian traffic particularly in Mysore I feel I can cycle anywhere with confidence!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joseph was great. He was very helpful and well organised. He managed to get us all onto to a train to Varkala when we could no longer cycle because of the country-wide general strike. He was pretty good at pointing out things of interest - especially trees and fruit, etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have reasonable fitness then this holiday should be fine. There's no need to be like Bradley Wiggins. I took out Sterling and changed currency in the towns which is fairly easy to do - avoid changing at the airport as the rates aren't so good - because while there are plenty of ATMs not all of them work (I thought it was a bank issue despite me telling them I was going to be away but it appears it was an ATM issue). I did find an ATM that worked and that was fine. Including tips, etc, I struggled to spend £250 over the two weeks.Despite using DEET throughout the holiday I did get bitten quite a lot - actually while we were on holiday there was an article published on the BBC news website saying that mosquitoes are becoming tolerant to DEET. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21519998. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The downhill bike ride after the ardours of cycling up to Ooty was breathtaking in all senses. The scenery took my breath away - majestic Eucalyptus trees for miles around looked like an impressionist painting - and swerving around huge potholes and maniac lorry drivers on the downhill ride was a big adrenalin rush, much like skiing a slalom course at speed! And you cycle through all temperatures, from the chill of Ooty at the start to the tropical steamy heat of Kerala as we crossed the border from Tamil Nadu. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joseph was excellent; he was extremely well organised, friendly and capable, and dealt really well with the impact of a 2-day national strike on our holiday, having to reorganise our plans at very short notice. He was the rear rider for the uphill ride to Ooty, and I was at the back of the group with 3 other women, struggling with the effort, but he helped keep our spirits up and got us to our final destination on 2 wheels despite our protestations!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The second week's cycling was a little disappointing compared to the first, as it was much less strenuous, so it felt a little anti-climactic. Some of our group had extended their stay to recover at the final hotel, but actually didn't need extra recovery time and regretted their decision.  The cycling, apart from the Ooty day, was much easier than the similarly-graded Exodus tour to Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama - so if you're a lycra lout, you might be frustrated by the lack of challenge. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Comparing the warmth, smiles and openess of the Vietnamese people with the history of the western (France US etc) input to that country in recent years. A lesson in "moving on"   

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had 2 group leaders, but the Cambodian leader was only 2 days. The main man in Vietnam (Nam) was absolutely brilliant !. His organisational skills were 2nd to none. His dissertation on what we were about to see was informative and not over-wordy. His intimate knowledge of his subject was phenomental (statistics, dates, places etc) He was right on target about booking the meals that were not part of the tour. He always judged correctly the kind of restaurant the group would like, but in any case always canvassed the group as to what they would like - emphasis on you can do your own thing as well. He  arranged (at short notice) a birthday cake (of enormous proportions) and singing (on my birthday) what a star !Also, he was ready to ditch events we didn't want, but added in activities that he thought we might like (after consultation with the group).      He was very knowledgable and informative about Vietnamese food. Since this was one of the best parts of the tour, this information was really helpful in deciding what to order.Generally, he was fun, upbeat, considerate, and knowledgable    

Advice for Potential Travellers

Depending on the time of year - we travelled in February - definitely better to do it North to South - cool to warm. Might have prefered to do Angkar Wat at the start (which doen't make sense in terms of what  I have just said ). But I would probably see Anghkar Wat as a part of Cambodia in the future. Take toys for children

Most Inspirational Moment

Esquinas - proper jungle with a soundtrack to match.  Second choice, a rhinoceros beetle bigger than the average hamster!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was superb.  Helpful, informative, conscientious and endlessly patient with the constant stream of questions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had a virtually rain-free holiday which makes a huge difference, whether you're out looking for wildlife or relaxing by the pool.  We did hear that some tours have experienced a lot of rain and I would definitely advise travelling during the dry season if you can.  Also, be prepared for early starts - you'll miss some great wildlife spotting if you don't get into the early-to-bed, early-to-rise routine

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving on our camels at the Bedouin camp in the Sahara then racing up the nearest high sand dune to watch the sun go down. Singing round the camp fire until late, then getting up early to race back up the sand dune and watch the sun rise again. The trek up into the High Atlas mountains was refreshing - a sensible pace meant it was less challenging than it might have been, and the views were amazing. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lahcen was a great tour leader - friendly, calm, efficient, helpful and knowledgeable. His timing estimates were somewhat 'approximate', but it was all part of this charm! He definitely helped make the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My luggage failed to make the connection from Casablanca to Ouazarzata. This is apparantly quite common and the tour leader was very matter of fact that I would be without my luggage for the first three days and nights of the holiday (half the trip). This included the night in the dessert, meaning I was without my sleeping bag, and I had to borrow blankets from the hotel. On the first morning I had to buy emergency essential toiletries and clothing from the market in Ouazarzata, which was challenging. As predicted, I did get my luggage back at the end of day three. Make sure you carry any essentials in your hand luggage.The trip is run with a kitty for all water, lunches and dinners for the majority of the trip (Marrakech is the exception), with all meals taken as a group as there don't appear to be opportunities to go out independently. This is appropriate and works well, but it would have been nice to know in advance what to expect.I was able to buy Morrocan Dirhams in London without any problems prior to the trip - and was grateful for them. Toilet stops are few and far between - and often involve finding your own convenient bush! That said, most toilets we did find were 'Western' style and usually had toilet paper and hand washing facilities.The night in the gite was extremely cold and very basic. You do need your sleeping bag there, too, as well as an overnight bag. This is the second night you are without your main luggage (the other being the night at the Bedouin camp in the dessert). Take a good book/pack of cards/something to pass time in the gite between sundown and dinner.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were loads but i think Thyangboche with its monastery and being surrounded by the great peaks. Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Everest forming the clouds still three or four days away takes some beating. If there is ever a wonder of the world winner then this place gets my vote. We had breakfast with the monks and they chanted for all of half an hour. What a way to start your day as you head towards Everest. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lakpa was fantastic, very knowledgeable about everything there was to see and do. Very organised and you felt very safe and at ease with him. Great sense of humour and i will miss my political chats with him.Kaji Sherpa, a great guy who has summited Everest was insperational and just to be in his company was humbling. All the guides were great, funny and organised.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be as fit as you can as it is hard work but you will and can make it.I was concerned about the flights into Lukla, dangerous airport and all of that. Dont be, it was brilliant, mindblowing.Think treking poles are well worth taking there are a lot of steps, big steps.

Most Inspirational Moment

The optional full-day dogsledding into the National Park for a feeling of true wilderness. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Teddy was a very relaxed and helpful group leader - ably assisted by the other staff at the lodge.

Most Inspirational Moment

I was frequently inspired but our tour leader and the local support teams. They all wanted us to have the "best holiday " and I did... we were shown so many different and unexpected sides of Kerala.. loved it !!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader couldn't do enough for us. He quickly assessed what we individually were interested in, then stimulated the whole group. He showed no preferences and a great sensitivity. Amazing knowledge which helped to make the trip so satisfying

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it !!