There was a lot of bus/ travel time on this journey. Given that, I felt that some days were very poorly planned. Examples: One day all we did was cross the border to Turkmenistan. We started at 1:pm and it took 2 hours. The next day there was a six hour excursion to a UNESCO site. Then back to the city for lunch. Then another 5.5 hour drive out to the gas crater. Obviously the UNESCO excursion could have been done the previous afternoon if we would have crossed the border in the morning. Then we would have arrived for sunset at the camp. Instead we were driving in the dark on a very poor and dangerous road, arriving stressed. As an aside, some passengers got bed bug bites at the camp. The day we arrived in Uzbekistan we had been travelling for 9 hours. All we wanted was our hotel, a drink and some food. Sergi proceeded to say we had to go to the summer palace and a silk factory that night. The whole group was fed up and we did not enjoy either one. These activities were scheduled for the next day. Anyway there were many days like this; it was agreed by all that we would prefer to get to our hotel in the late afternoon in order to unwind and perhaps explore on our own. There was no need for so many late check ins. Most hotels were adequate. I did not have high expectations. Rooms were clean and comfortable. However, the breakfasts were horrendous. Cold food, empty buffet trays, very little offered.

Nickey Knight The Five Stans of the Silk Road – Almaty to Ashgabat

I can’t tell you how enjoyable this trip was. We were 8 people in the group, as well as our brilliant guide Ado and the excellent driver Gavin. So much work went into making this trip just amazing. Everything worked out just perfectly, we had no punctures or problems at all. Ado’s knowledge of South Africa and its history was incredible as well as the entire continent. The group all got on well with one another and we stayed at some really nice hotels along the way. The only thing is I wanted to do it all over again!

Jules Giddings Cycling the Cape & Winelands

Our trip Sri Lankan Highlights was in September 2025. We learnt so much about Sri Lanka and its lovely people. There was a good mix of culture and wildlife – we saw lots of elephants, bats, jackal, monkeys, birds, crocodiles, reptiles. Our guide Mahen with co-pilot and driver kept us safe and entertained for the whole trip.

Angela Holmes Sri Lankan Highlights