Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The main highlight for me was just observing the amazing variety of wildlife. I think our group were very lucky in what we saw but even if you see only half of the creatures we came across you are in for a treat. During the course of the 2 weeks we saw over 100 different types of bird (including the elusive Questzal), crocodiles, caimans, 3 different types of turtle, 3 different types of monkey, an armadillo, a few cheeky racoons, a couple of whales, a snake or two, an otter, 2 different type of sloths just hanging around in trees and quite a lot more including a praying mantis that just decided to pop into the bar for a drink one evening.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Anotino was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the country. He had a great sense of humor an spent a lot of time with every member of the group answering queries, identifying the birds and generally helping out with anything the group needed. He was also excellent at spotting the wildlife hidding in trees, (even when we were going past it at 30 miles an hour in the bus driven expertly and safely by Luis Deigo), so we missed none of the wildlife that came within eyesight.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My main advice is to have fun. Take plenty of deet with you. Take a good camera with something to keep it dry and don't let any rain you might get spoil your enjoyment.Always keep you eyes peeled for movement in the tress or undergrowth. You never know what might be lurking just waiting for you to discover it.In addition to the included activites members of our group opted to see the turtles laying their eggs on the beach, went through the jungle canopy on 13 zip wires and did a canopy walk. All of which added to the overall expierence.

Most Inspirational Moment

Can't decide but possibly it was the pedalo on Annecy Lake chiiling out , resting muscles  in over 30C with ipod and superb views. Also the  last days descent to Chaminox which was breathtaking in more ways than one!  The food, the walks ..all of them so different ...Too many good bits to mention really!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver was exellent source of local knowledge, had everything perfectly planned and was very mindful of everyone in the group without being pushy. Good company and what about those jokes....again for me...and the film never to be missed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not really except walks are challenging but certainly achievable and a flask if gets a wee bit cold on top. I said this in february but thought being the summer wouldn't need it but would have been nice to have. A walking pole also useful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Mt Toublkal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Very friendly but I also had complete confidence in his abilities to lead the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking sticks.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from many of the walks were stunning.The visit to Lucca on the day off is to be recommended-it is a beautiful city.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz, the group leader was fantastic. She was helpful, interesting and seemed to have a genuine passion for her job and love of the Tuscan way of life.

Most Inspirational Moment

This has to be seeing Machu picchu apearing out of the mists in the earlymorning , well worth the early start and climb.  There were lots of other inspirational moments too , like a local fiesta on the islands , seeing the Andes in all their varied moods .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was fantastic. Someof our grouop wereun well and he reallycouldn'thave done enough for them .He reallylooked afterus very well.He was very knowledgable about his countryand obvioslyloves Peru.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take dollars and sols as some extras can only be bought in dollars. I would recomend the early morning tripto Machpicchu. You may not seesunrise ,but walking at that time of day is lovely and the mist often clears,so you still get good views. Go with an open mind and take oportunities when they arrise. The weather is very changable so don't give up because of mist or rain ,it's likely to change soon.

Most Inspirational Moment

My favourite day was the one where we cycled through the local villages and countryside and stopped for lunch at a house. (fantastic curry). We had a coconut break at a local farm where we watched a man climb a tree to get our coconuts and were shown how to make the milk. It was these little things which made the trip a little different. The temples and heritage sites are great but experiencing real Sri Lanka was even better. I was amazed by the Sri Lankans attitude to visitors. Everywhere we went people would be smiling and waving (even as we drove past on the coach). They really like having tourists and we were asked many times what we thought of their country. Beautifull was always the answer.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was so well organised. He took all the stress out of the trip for us brits who have no idea how to tip, or when to tip (althought we did have a go at bartering  in the towns when we had the chance). Snacks appeared  on journeys and Roshan was always calm and informative (even when the bus broke down and a new one just magically apperared when we got off the train). The trip ran like clockwork and not only that, but he's a really friendly guy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just enjoy! Do all the extra activities that you can.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many inspirational moments, from visiting Ho Chi Min in his mauselium, to drinking Granny's "special" rice wine. From a visit to a buddist orphanage to scrambling along the cu chi tunnels to cycling in the Mekong delta. Lots of great memories!

Thoughts on Group Leader

A highly amusing and knowledgable group leader, who kept us all in check!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect to come back a few pounds heavier, as vietnamese food is fresh, tasty, cheap and plentiful! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day had it's stand out moments, from a leopard and cub feeding, a succesful cheetah hunt, a Mara crossing with over 100,000 wildebeast, month old playful lion cubs, three generations of leopard together, a hidden lion ambush that caught everyone in the vehicle by surprise and the two week old lion cubs. All of these would be candidates in a "normal" week. However it has to be the discovery of the lion cubs born only a few hours earlier, cold wet and shivering in the rain. Helpless, seemingly unable to suckle and being the victims of overzealous play from their two week old half-siblings, giants in comparison. The highlight for me was retuning to the site before dawn the next day, expecting the worst, but discovering that the two tiny cubs had not only survived their first night but has obviously fed well and seemingly increased in size and strength in those few short hours. Enough to make grown men shed a tear... 

Thoughts on Group Leader

I doubt if there is a person who works harder for his clients than Paul. If there is then please book me on one of their tours.  Special mention also has to go to Donna as well as the Kicheche guides, Joseph, Jackson and Amos who's contribution to a fantastic week can never be overstated.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're undecided on which sweets to take then narrow the choice down to jelly babies and sour squirms.Wildlife is unpredictable, a sense of humour is essential,  as is patience. Also don't forget to sometimes put down the camera as sometimes the lens cannot do justice to the sheer magnitude of some of the events that you may witness.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling in the beautiful countryside of Hoi Ann, past paddy fields, shrimp farms and banana plantations, spotting water buffalo, local dwelling places and fishermen along the way. A true snapshot of real Vietnamese life. Don't forget your camera and plenty of water!  Also the water puppets in Hanoi and the lantern festival in Hoi Ann were spectacular. The cottage industries were very interesting (you can see rice paper, coconut candy and much more being made and then you get to sample the finished products!).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Linh was fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble. He was extremely well organised, yet sensitive to the group's needs. Humerous and with an impressive command of English, Linh went way above and beyond expectations to ensure that everyone had a good time and was well looked-after. His knowledge and expertise of the country was second-to-none and his interesting and informative talks gave me a real insight into Vietnamese history and culture. We were all enchanted by the impromptu singing moments!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I travelled in August, so it was very hot and very humid, with short occasional bursts of rain, so pack accordingly. Vietnamese people dress modestly (I didn't once see a local lady wear a skirt) so slacks, T-shirts and long-sleeved light tops go down well. A brolly is great because you can use it for rain or as a parasol (if you're a lady)! Walking sandals were fine for most occasions. I didn't have a problem with mosquitos but I did take precautions so that's probably why! Crossing the road: much has been said about this and it's all true! Pandemonium in Hannoi and slightly more rdered chaos in Saigon. Fear not! Cycles and bikes WILL make a path around you - but keep an eye out for cars and vans, which are less forgiving!! Don't be phased by the incessant horn-beeping: you haven't done anything wrong - it's just their way of telling you they are there...! And if in doubt, cross with a local! You can get your laundry done very cheaply at Hoi Ann or Nha Trang (local family, NOT at the hotel which is expensive!), so pack lightly. You'll probably be taking back more clothes than you brought because you can get clothes made to fit in Hoi Ann at very good prices. Contrary to previous reviews, the Mekong Delta homestay is NOT communal sleeping - you will be in threes or fours and couples are given their own 'room'. The rooms are clean and comfortable and I had one of my best night's sleeps there! Mosquitos nets and bedding are provided so no need to take your own. Enjoy the experience - it's one I'll never forget! Oh- and do take US dollars (as well as GBP) as you get a better rate of exchange and it's widely accepted.