Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

too many to mention! perhaps the train journey from Hue to Hanoi on the overnight express train! the drinks, the singsong, the pizza! the toilets haha.. anyone one reading this from our group will know exactly what i mean!cycling down from Dalat in the fog!! the descent from 1500m to 200ft, fog, landslides, pot holes, incredible scenery..A WOW! Hoi An was fabulous, could have spent longer there.. we did the Cambodia extension to this cycling vietnam trip -well worth doing, Siam Reap is amazing - the temples at Angkor breathtaking, Phomn Penh was disturbing, exciting, so very sad, the history of the kymer rouge still so very raw, we owe it to the millions that died to know more about what happened there..So, for me the most memorable moments were in Cambodia 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danh was fantastic!!! how it is possible for someone to be SO happy, super organised, freindly, knowledgeable, such an amazing guide with a fabulous team for support, i dont know, but he did it, commendable! no request was ever too much

Advice for Potential Travellers

check the weather carefully before you go. Saigon was so hot which i was prepared for..Hanoi was so cold, from Dalat onwards the weather changed -  Halong bay, damp, misty, cold, (nearly spooky) - was not prepared for the cold, i only brought a light rain jacket which was inadequate! had to buy jacket, trousers etc,  which given the full on schedule, was not easy to find the time once you realised how cold it was going to be!you find your level of cycling easily and for those that find it more challenging, the bus and support team are great! you can do as much or as little of the cycling as you wishbring imodium and rehyration drinks. (thats normal advice thou) bring a silk liner for the train, althou you can buy in Hoi An, they tend to be a bit short if you are tall! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Walk up Mt Piano with wind chill it was about -35!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Karl was very professional and sociable with the group - watch out for the stories and jokes though.......:-)

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes do not specify details of the walks which i think would have been useful.  The pace is dictated by the group which was a little slow for me and I got quite cold at times waiting around so wrap up.  The paths are well marked in most cases, so it was a shame there was not more opportunities to go at your own pace so that fitter members do not feel frustrated by the pace and slower members don't feel hurried.

Most Inspirational Moment

Dog sledging was a real joy and snow shoeing through Riisitunturi National Park was quite literally out of this world.  Spending the night sleeping out in an igloo was a real challenge but certainly worth the effort. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eki (Erkki Ollila) was a real gem.  His enthusiasm for his local area was contagious - he found something "new" around every corner.  A great guide who really brought the day's excursions to life for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Evenings are long in basecamp which as yet does not have a lounge area. Time is spent sitting on hard, wooden chairs - not very relaxing.  This was the only downside to this trip - don't let it put you off but be prepared.  Husky sledging trip is very expensive but I wouldn't have missed it. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The night on the homestay was a highlight. We got to prepare some of our own food and had the best meal of the entire holiday. The boat trip along the Mekong Delta wasn't bad either!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was inexperienced having completed this trip only once before. Although friendly and helpful this lack of knowledge was evident and contributed to the less than satisfactory experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are considering this trip i would advise you to wait until the local tour operator has gained more experience otherwise the trip may not meet, never mind exceed, your expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

I know everyone said this but it's really hard to pick out particular moments.  The trip is so varied that every night you go to bed thinking "wow what a great day!"  The mock charge by a bull elephant was memorable as was arriving at Wild Haven for a cold beer after a long ride.  The absolute highlight for me has to be the cycling - fantastic!  Even getting through the manic traffic in Mysore was fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Safi.  We couldn't have asked for more from him - friendly, attentive and informative.  He showed us what India is really all about rather than seeing the tourist side of things.  He had us all well trained jumping on our bikes ready to go as soon as he rang his bell!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

To really enjoy the trip I think you need a reasonable level of fitness.  Bring a hair dryer if you need one (there won't be one in your accommodation).  Ideally bring clothes that you can wash and won't need ironing i.e. sports clothes.  That way you can stay on top of your laundry by washing things out each night.  Be prepared to eat lots of lovely curries!!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting the local people and of course the small children. You have the opportunity to ride on a camel into a small village where you can see the small homes and meet the people. Absolutley brilliant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yeah she was good, had good knowledge of the area and the local people which came in very handy. Got the impression towards the back end of the trip that she gave up a little. On the whole very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book the trip.......its brilliant and a once in a life time opportunity.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Masai Mara in a golden late afternoon light with animals grazing and no other vehicles in sight; seeing two crowned cranes and realising that they had a chick and hearing our guide Robert get emotional about baby giraffes!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two guides - Davis and Robert. Davis was the leader and was excellent. He was a good organiser, listened to feedback and did everything he could to make our trip memorable. Robert was excellent too - I think a lot of us developed a soft spot for him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes - go on this trip. You wont regret it!

Most Inspirational Moment

On the last day, getting close to the top of Orenipa and then skiing down on some lovely traverses.  Seeing my little sister's face appear at the top as she side-stepped up to the plateau.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Mary and Ilse provide leading of exceptional quality which is positive and skillful, managing the group well and giving excellent and focussed individual tuition along the way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will have a great time and always end up a better skier than before you went.

Most Inspirational Moment

We saw every type of seal and penguin, including a young Emperor one out on the ice which was pretty special. the highlight has to be a humpback whale feeding at Hannahs Point on the last afternoon which swam between 2 of the Zodiacs almost within touching range.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shane Envoy was full of fun and energy and an inspiration to all the passengers.