Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Surviving Dead Woman's pass and of course the view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate. The sunset and then sunrise on the mountains as seen from the camp at the top of Phuyupatamarca Pass was spectacular. Dining on "Canadian" trout on Taquile Island in Lake Titicaca was a treat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rene is passionate about the history and cultures of Peru and was eager to share his knowledge. He is well organized and handled whatever challenges came up with ease. We would enjoy any trip with him. Wilson was also very helpful on the trek.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take it slow. There is plenty of time and it is the best way to avoid altitude sickness. We are mid 50's and were not too far behind our younger friends. This trip's pace of 5 days is much better than other tours with only 4 days. Use poles - the steps can be brutal.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed something every day.  I suppose the elephants were a highlight.  Both the elephant ride and the elephant orphanage.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was the best.  He organised everything and was always willing to help that extra bit if needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a mosquito net or an electric mosquito repellent machine as not all hotels provided this.  Take a tie to the Hill Club Hotel if you are a man!  They don't take up much space!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling between and visiting the temples at Angkor, followed by cycling through the villages of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nee was absolutely excellent: totally 'on the ball' and always scanning to check everything and everyone was okay.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be ready for the first three cycling days in Thailand - our group pressed through fast and it certainly is hot and steady cycling, though drink and refuelling stops are frequent.  It is a great trip - book it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching two cheetas eating their kill meters away from us as we were led through the bush on foot.  This was an amazing experience.  The trip to the Drakensberg was also very memorable, especially negotiating the metal ladders!  Great stuff!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrew was a first class tour leader and Admire a excellent back up.  As a team, they made our holiday from preparing lovely food to always getting camp ready quickly.  Their driving was faultless.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go in the winter as there are no insects or bugs and the bush is very thin so there is a much better chance of seeing wild life.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment of the trip was reaching the top of Dead Woman's Pass. After climbing for 1200m reaching the top was fantastic! We were all elated. A definite highlight. Another moment was first seeing Macchu Picchu when we reached the sungate, be warned there are some very steep steps before you reach that point. Luckily, our guide was there to carry our trekking poles as we scrambled up. Lake Titikaca is amazing, staying at the homestay was not something that I was looking forward to but was one of the most amazing parts of the trip, especially dressing up in Peruvian attire!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Juan was brilliant. He organised us and made sure we were in the right place at the right time. He had lots of knowledge to share with us on the Inca Trail and was able to answer any questions that we had. I became ill during my trip and Juan was able to sort out all medical help that I needed which meant I could carry out with the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Use trekking poles on the Inca Trail, there are lots of steps going down and they were very helpful. Make sure you have spare rubber tips though as this is the regulation of using the trail. Ensure you have a good pair of walking boots and socks so that you don't get blisters. Be prepared to tip all local guides as well, we had separate guides in the rainforest, an additional guide up in the Inca Trail and a guide for Lake Titikaca which we have to tip separately to our main guide.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was great camaraderie in the group I was with and we all supported each other during the trickier sections.  Finishing the challenging trek on Tuesday morning was particularly rewarding.  The views from the top were incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver was a very supportive group leader with endless knowledge about the area and history of the region.  His jokes were an acquired taste - but we all got used to those! ;o)

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want to explore the beauty of the Alps and want some home comforts at the end of the day, I think you'll really enjoy this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

So difficult - was it the quad biking on dunes stretching as far as the eye could see for 360 degrees, or spending time watching the pride of lions playing and interacting almost within touching distance of the truck, or watching the sun rise after climbing a huge sand dune or scrambling on all fours up the Waterberg plateau? Each day brought a new experience and a significant challenge bringing its own thrill of achievement.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When the trip notes say the temperature can get down to freezing at night in August, they were not kidding - make sure your sleeping bag can cope in a tent- or bring lots of thermal undies!Water is all drinkable - great.Travel was often very long, often on gravel roads, not for tender behinds! Take a good guide book to read and to make sense of the amazing landscape and wildlifeCan't always promise it but there were no nasty beasties biting us at this time of year.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day was rainy and misty. We went ahead with the climb to Aguillette des Houches in spite of low visibility. Just as we arrived on the col, the clouds parted and the top of Mt Blanc came into view: what a moment...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get fit before the trip: this makes it so much easier to enjoy even the harder parts.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip to Halong Bay was particularly rewarding and the scenary and experience was fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour guide couldn't do enough to ensure we had a safe, comfortable and enjoyable trip. He recounted many personal and fascinating insights that made the trip and the places we visited come to life. A great guy and a pleasure to have his company thorughout the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a long flight so be prepared ... bring plenty of insect repellent ... sign up to the extra activities that Linh arranges they are great fun ... expected it to be very hot and wet so bring change of clothes and take advantage of opportunities to get clothes washed

Most Inspirational Moment

That first glimpse of Macchu Piccu as we passed through the sun gate is something I'll never forget. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

What a lovely lady. So helpful & she really went out of her way to make this a trip of a lifetime for all of us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget that spare battery for you camera - you'll likely need it!!!