Reviews

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vishnu was extremely helpful to us in coping with and negotiating the unfamiliar hospital experience.Shibu was an excellent and thoughtful driver. Safi is a very competent cyclist and able bicycle mechanic. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have difficulties breathing wear an anti-pollution cycling mask.A water bottle with sanitary cap covering the drinking value  is much better than the exposed values of hydration packs and standard bottles that are exposed to dirt and contaminents. Always carry medical information on your person in case of injury - particularly if you are travelling alone.

Most Inspirational Moment

The outstanding beauty of the yangtze river. I didn't expect it to be and it wasn't something I was particularly looking forwards to compared to some of the other things on the trip but the views took my breath away. We also went to see a show which I thought was outstanding. It was an outside light production and took place on the water. Absolutely amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was lovely. Very good at his job and a lovely man.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The final trip on the sleeper train was a bit of a shock. It warns you of this on the trip notes but the first two we stayed on were really good standard so it was a bit of a shock when the last was what I was expecting from the first two. I'd been spoilt by luxury before hand. Also it says in the lonely planet that it's hard for veggie's in china. I didn't find this. I think there was one meal where I had mostly rice and not a lot else but the majority had beautiful vegetables to choose from. Certainly never went hungry.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the most inspirational moment of the trip was climbing Adam's peak. Absolutely fantastic experience walking in the dark with all the incense smells and watching the sunrise amongst people for whom it obviously had a deeper meaning than just the breath taking beauty. However it is really hard to pin point just one inspirational moment. For me what made this trip was the perfect combination of activity, culture and wildlife. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was absolutely superb. Everything went so smoothly and it was mostly I'm sure, down to his leadership. His knowledge was amazing, ethusiasm insparational and organisation superb.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The only thing that could have made this trip even better than it was for me would have been if I'd got to have gone whale watching. It's an optional activity but as it says in the trip notes, only at certain times of the year. Our leader went and spoke to local people about the last sighting and informed us that the liklihood of seeing one was minimal. So I'd check it's the right time of year for this if you're interested.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing sunrises and sunsets, Death Valley and the sand dunes, seal and dolphin watching, the sight of 21 elephants of all ages coming to the waterhole at night (just when I didn't have my camera! and lion cubs playing by the side of a waterhole.   Breakfast at Solitaire Guest Ranch with an oryx ever so gently putting her nose over my shoulder to sniff my cereal, first one side and then the other!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was knowledgeable, always ready to answer our questions and looked after us well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went the last week in August/first week in September and the nights really are very, very cold so take warm clothing.   Also very cold for early morning game drives when the canvas roof was rolled back on the truck! Not a cheap destination but where we did eat out the meals were excellent - and do try the local fish - delicious!

Most Inspirational Moment

The first real glimpse of Everest is spectacular and watching it grow in stature as you approach is a wonderful experience. Arriving at base camp after all of the effort is also an inspirational moment, although I would highly recommend having the extra 2 days stay at base camp to recover, meet the climbers and enjoy your experience of base camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Lakpa, was great - happy, energetic, knowledgeable and a great person to lead the trek. We were also very lucky to have brilliant local guides - Chewang and Pemba.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I recommend the 2 night stay at base camp if you have time - it really allows you to enjoy the achievement and experience a slice of what it's like for the climbers. It also allows you to rest before the trek down! The most important piece of advice is to make sure that you go at a pace that you are comfortable with - don't push too hard otherwise you will burn out or suffer from altitude sickness. Enjoy your time walking and the fantastic views and get to know your group. Also, think about what time of year you want to travel too and what the weather is like at that time as without clear skies you won't get to see the awesome Himalayan back-drop.

Most Inspirational Moment

The evening thunder and lightening storm at ABC was PINK! The mountains were lit by icredible pink lightening - I never knew existed! ...One of our trekkers was scared of the storm, so we sang songs from 'The Sound of Music' to comfort her.... 'raindrops on roses...'!! This was also a highlight as everyone a the Tea house joined in and we had a jolly good sing song! I slept outside - took my mattress outside at ABC and viewed the mountains by moonlight from my sleeping bag... an awesome experience!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dawa Lama was a brilliant leader, very knowledgeable, good leadership skills, good fun, and had a caring attitude, jollying people along and ensuring everyone was included and had a good time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yeah, please take everything on the kit list - including waterproofs! I made the mistake thinking that it wasn't monsoon yet so waterproofs would not be needed - given my previous treks to Everest Base Camp where they were not. Nepal has different climatic regions - prepare for all eventualities. In addition, take ear plugs and a head torch so that you are not so disturbed by snorers and can share rooms without waking people when you need to use the loo in the night.. It gets cramped at Base Camp and rooms are shared, but with so little space to put your kit.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the highest point of Africa

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tosha from the African Walking Company was calm, patient and pleasant and was a pleasure to have as our leader.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although we all want to get to the summit of Kilimanjaro, take the time to enjoy the journey getting there.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me being a bit of a 'foodie' I absolutely loved being invited into the kitchen to see our dinner being cooked and being able to get stuck in and help. Launching ourselves into waterfalls to cool down was definately a must. Pompeii was truly incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb tour leader. Great local knowledge and network of local contacts all of which made us so welcome. She knew how to have fun and made sure we did too. Very professional and approachable. Couldn't have asked for a better leader. 

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed stopping off for breaks from the rides in the villages and sometimes in peoples' houses. The minibus driver would always have water, fruit and other snacks available to keep us going.  The stay in the rainforest lodge was fab.  The history provided us by our guide brought everything we saw into perspective - you wouldn't have got that out of a guidebook on your own!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hose was an amazing guide. He treated us like friends, really wanted to inspire us about his country, had a great sense of humour, was extremely well organised, and it all just ticked over perfectly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

August was hot, very hot.  Obviously while you are cycling the breeze keeps you cooler, but as soon as you stop you realise how daft you've been to go out cycling. If you aren't very good with heat, avoid mid summer! Having said that the beer tastes oh so good in the heat!  And its nice to go out at night in a T-shirt!Don't expect to stay in touch with the world with internet apps. Infrastructure currently not there, very slow and expensive. Just relax and pretend it 1960!

Most Inspirational Moment

For a first timer like me, summitting Toubkal was just awesome. The hard graft in ice and snow to the top was worth every grunt and breath.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Mohamad was excellant. Lots of local knowlege of geography (naturally) with local customs, social life and economy. Helped us appreciate where we were more.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes! read and understand the course notes. some menbers of our group didn`t and were a little caught out.