Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the wall from Gubeikou as the overnight rain cleared and you could see layer after layer of mountains in every direction.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jerry was excellent.  He was very informative but did not overload us with information.  His own stories of growing up in Beijing were fascinating.  Above all else he has a great personality with a fabulous sense of humour so is the sort of person you would happily spend time with. And the one-armed press-ups weren't bad!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is best to be reasonably fit before embarking on this trip. It was more challenging than I expected and while I thoroughly enjoyed it, it is best to get in some practice walking up and down steps beforehand! October was a perfect time to do this walk if you like clear fresh weather.  It was at about 19 celsius during the day but down near zero at night.  The sun shone for us every day so the views were great.  

Most Inspirational Moment

I never expected to see a Leopard even though Yalla Park has a large population.Seeing a leopard asleep in the tree above us, completely unaware of all the excitement beneath was very special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was a fantastic leader and always did his best to ensure the group got the most from the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry if it rains. We climbed Lions Rock in the rain without waterproofs as it was still lovely and warm and we soon dried off. 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were far too many, each day seemed to provide different challenges and different scenery.The best part for me was the final swim in the Atlantic at the end of the trip having achieved the daily challenges throughout the week.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The Group leader, Richard, was brilliant. He was experienced in the trip so knew it well. He had a lot of organisation to do with regards to the bikes, transport, accomdation and meals but it was all done so professionally that the whole week ran seemlessly smoothly. He had a good sense of humour that helped gel the group together and he was aspirational (by showing us how to do it) and inspirational (by encouraging us giving us belief in our abilities) with a kind caring side for those that were struggling for one reason or another (e.g. too many punctures).He was also very confident in being able to fix most bike issues that we came across.For me, he was an essential ingredient of the trip that made it a great trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The days are tough as are the tracks in many cases. Make sure you take some well padded gloves as my hands and forearms were aching on the last day.

Most Inspirational Moment

Learning to glide in the cross country ski tracks and realising that this was a great way to get outdoors, keep fit, and that this was a real alternative to down hill skiing, which has always scared me!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Completely brilliant.  I had some great conversations with the leader, and she also shared thoughts and experiences with us which showed she really cared about the group. She was obviously passionate about cross country skiing and about teaching it.  A great technician and good company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go prepared for basic accommodation.  No luxuries here.  Take mittons instead of gloves and try and find some really good thermals to wear underneath the mittons.  Don't expect to be stopping at mountain restaurants for hot wine and lunch - there aren't any!!  Lunch is eaten out of doors on the mountains - take a flask, because it gets very cold. Everything is massively expensive.  Take your own alcohol.  If you are in a nice group it gets shared (in ours that's what we did).

Most Inspirational Moment

I suspect that we've all heard of Petra but it isn't until you get there and view not just the size of the famous piece (The Treasury, etc) but the enormity of the whole site that you are inspired.  Around each corner there is another jaw dropping inspirational sight, or is that site?!and I haven't mentioned the snorkelling or Wadi Rum or floating in the Dead Sea......

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny, the group leader was the best I've necountered so far.  Always full of knowledge and his passion and pride for Jordan was inspirational.  All his recommendations were spot on and the only disappointing meal was when we took the advice of one of the group and went somewhere not wholy endorsed by Danny.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As has been said before, this is not a cycling holiday, but the cycling is a nice part of it. Most of the cycling is routine for a regular cyclist but one day, whilst shortish on distance (50k), is a tough route for anyone. The support from the cycle guides, Danny and the bus (and the tourist police) is excellent so anyone concerned about the cycling can walk the toughest bits or get on the bus.

Most Inspirational Moment

Location was superb. Nice to see the Northern Lights even if not a full on display. Staff - you could not have had better

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri - was superb, always happy and helpful, despite being very short staffed.He was an excellent instructor too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Trip notes were spot on - you really do not need any Outdoor clothing - it is all supplied, down to base layer thermals, socks, gloves, hat, shoes - the lot. It was often minus 26 on my trip and apart from fingers occassionaly I was not cold.

Most Inspirational Moment

Learning so much about that part of the world, history of Jordan and surrounding countries....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny was excellent - very knowledgeable, passionate and fun to be around. Definitely one of the best guides I have ever had so far.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not really - apart from "you'll have a great time!" :-))))))

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take medication for altitude early. Do not linger at high passes.

Most Inspirational Moment

My highlight was unexpected.  It was dusk when we waited patiently for the 'wild' beavers to appear and the air beccame filled with bats.  It was wonderful.  Also, walking nearer streams frequently led to some lovely moments when clouds of disturbed blue butterflies would lift off form the pathway.  Gorgeous.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guest house owner was kind and informative.  She accompanied us on some the trips and was good company. The walks guide was very approachable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Drink plenty of water!  Our visit coincided with the hottest, driest summer for a very long time and local farmers were struggling.  Suncream, hat and good walking boots are essential.  Binoculars are advantageous when viewing the beavers and wild bears.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed the horse and cart ride, actually. Doesn't sound that inspirational, but I was worried it would feel a bit kitsch, something put on for us because we were visitors. How wrong I was! We were passed by no less than three working horse and carts during the first half an hour, carrying bales of hay driven by fathers and sons. And all the animals are really well looked after, healthy and happy working animals. The Saxon village was wonderful. We ate lunch there, and the wine (homebrew of course) was so good we bought several bottles to take home. You could see the grapes growing on the trellis.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin was superb. He had a great sense of humour and was very good at looking out for us all. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather is changeable in the mountains so come prepared for all eventualities! Even if it's boiling hot a rain shower can come rolling in in a matter of minutes (as I learned when I left my coat behind).