Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

A moment I remember was setting off in the morning at 7am from the first of the mountain huts and making our way up to the first of the three passes of the day.  We climbed on snowy patches of hillside and the slippery conditions stretched us all; we received excellent guidance from our group leader. I recall the sense of pure exhilaration on reaching the pass.  We had got off to a great start, the views were wonderful and a whole day of high mountain walking lay ahead.....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Confident and relaxed, comfortable, competent and knowledgeable in the mountains, and able to accommodate all levels of walker, Mike inspired confidence.  An ideal leader for a mountain trek of this nature.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Love the mountains!  Love pushing and extending yourself!

Most Inspirational Moment

Emerging from the ancient gorge approach in darkness after the thirty minute walk to see the majesty of the Treasury at Petra lit by hundreds of candle lanterns was breathtaking. An experience that neither Hollywood or You Tube could spoil. Quick to correct, my daughter advises that the best bit was riding camels at Wadi Rum having slept under the stars by the camp fire. This trip really does have something for everyone.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our great group leader was a Palestinian refugee generous with his knowledge and life experiences. He really rounded out our experience giving us so much more than just historical background. Most importantly, given the age range of children and parental interests within the group, our guide was able to set a great pace - never rushed and able to fill the gaps when we finished things early.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Recommended for all interests and ages. We travelled in October 2012 and the weather was perfectly warm hot rather than hot hot. There are a couple of longer drives so a pack of cards in addition to the ubiquitous iPod / mp3 player really helped time pass. Food was delicious throughout. Our daughter couldn't get the hang of the breakfast buffets where the food choices were not familiar and I wish I had bought some more familiar "back up" snacks for her. Hats needed all round. Wouldn't recommend low cut tops or short shorts for Mums or Dads - dress is conservative - occasional inappropriate dress choices didn't cause an issue but I definitely felt more comfortable with covered shoulders/upper arms and knees! Children are welcome everywhere and were able to run wild climbing and exploring. Our long blond haired seven year old daughter did attract a little more local attention than the boys in the group but not in an excessive way. Final piece of advice...don't hesitate this is a great trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

seeing the northern lights was a bonus .huskying was great .the surroundings where perfect .

Thoughts on Group Leader

henry was great in fact all of them were

Advice for Potential Travellers

read whats included in your trip properly

Most Inspirational Moment

The mixture of Rainforest, Mountain and Lake / homestay was unique in our experience so far. The scenery in Peru is every bit as amazing as we had hoped.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Juan Diaz is the best leader we have encountered in many adventures. Caring and extremely knowledgeable, bearing an uncanny likeness to Indiana Jones and well suported by his assistant and team, he made the trip for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate the effects of altitude and the steepness of parts of the ascent. Machu Picchu is very crowded indeed but well worth the visit.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight was definitely reaching the summit of Toubkal but the views throughout the trek are spectacular and it’s hard to pick just one thing. The climb to the summit Ouanakrim was also was also great fun (a little more scrambling required than for Toubkal) and well worth the early start.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was fantastic, very well organised, very funny and always looking out for our safety.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The second summit (Ouanakrim) was optional for us and did involve an early start but it was really worth it - would strongly recomend you sacrifice the potential lie in for what is one of the highlights of the trek.

Most Inspirational Moment

Dubrovnik city walls - and old city within

Thoughts on Group Leader

very good and helpful

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in the Amalfi Sea after a long day's hike down to beautiful Positano

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're unfit or never walked before don't think this trip will be easy.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing different lives, homes etc as you cycle where often only a local would go allows you to get under the skin of 3 different countries. With all respect to the Thailand section I doubt if we saw the best that Thailand has to offer but nonetheless it was a good way of getting to Cambodia! The Temples of Angkor Wat were fantastic and unless you were incapable of cycling for some reason then cycling around the temples has to be the very best way to see them. The site is huge so you don't want to be on a bus in that heat and humidity! The killing fields and associated museums of death were just awful to visit and learn (in my case) even more about man's inhumanity.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The 2 key group leaders were nothing short of terrific and the different support crews in each country were excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

The fitter you are the more you will enjoy the cycling but don't worry if you are an occasional weekend cyclist you will cope. If you really want a cycling holiday with lots of miles then you should probably choose something else - the Rajistahn trip I've done previously nor example. Be prepared to buy an extra suitcase and fill it with locally made branded goods and make a fortune on e-bay or the local car boot sale or just make your friends happy! Shopping in Ho Chi Minh is an experience not to be missed - you should probably leave your wife at home!

Most Inspirational Moment

I was inspired by the Keralan backwaters as it is hard to find places to completely unwind and simply drift along in the sunshine with not a care in the world, only think about where you will find your next coconut to drink.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ajith is a wonderful human being, very caring, intelligent and openminded. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he surpassed all expectations. He probably knows more about history and culture than the local guides!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Feel free to scream as much as we did during the jungle walk through leach infested bush. I am sure it is very therapeutic and funny afterwards! If you are offered leach socks, take them and the leach powder. Yes, elephant droppings that are damp usually mean that there could be one in the vicinity. You are not in a safari park.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to choose one: all the many archaeological sites we visited (Machu Picchu just one!);  the museums, notably the Museo de Arte Precolumbino in Cusco; the trip to the Islas Ballestas, and the many birds and herds of camelids we stopped to look at on the plains - and the sea otter I spotted frolicking in the Pacific, and the six foot long tree boa our guide caught in the rainforest.... And the Moonstone Trek, on my own, with Jesus (the guide), the excellent cook (that Andean barbecue!), two horse men, four horses, and a foal... and the night sky in the Andes. Too much.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The immaculate Rene! What a star. Just so kind and thoughtful on top of being so organised and knowledgeable (thanks for all the birdwatching Rene!) We all miss him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not necessary to bring dollars really - cash machines were available in the main towns and I found out (too late) that you can order Peruvian currency here in UK! (Exchanging dollars at Lima airport not recommended - poor rate).Take your own sleeping bag and liner but don't bother bringing your Exodus kitbag as the ones supplied free to others for trek seemed ok.The Moonstone Trek is well worth doing, if you are fit, not necessarily 'more challenging' than Inca Trail (bit more altitude but no steps!) with interesting alternative sites (one with mummy included!) It also included more time to explore Ollantaytambo, which was worthwhile.Read Cloud Road, by John Harrison. Do explore Cusco well - the Museo de Arte Precolumbino is the most beautiful of archaeological museums and should be high on your list.