Reviews

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zung honestly couldn't have been better. Gracious, calm, fun, informed, intelligent, organised, great company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book now!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many every day, between amazing scenery, great team spirit, the best group leader (Lam) ever and his so smily team, great food and ever so friendly locals! However, cycling through endless graveyard scenery (might sound a bit dark now but it was unique) and rice harvesting at sunset time near Hue. And how brilliant was wave jumping at Mui Ne after a day of sweaty cycling in the August heat!!  And last but not least the great team spirit!

Thoughts on Group Leader

You can wish for no better tour leader than Lam! The enthusiasm for his country and his efforts to look after everyone of the entire cycling team are just unparalleled! His team of drivers and mechanic just loved him, and so did we! He is simply the best!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The summer heat and humidity make cycling more demanding than in Europe. A camelbag will provide water more easily and cooler than a water bottle. Bring very good sunscreen and enough clothes to change (even though washing is possible every 5 days or so).  

Most Inspirational Moment

One of the most inspirational moments for me was the Meemure trail walk. It was really jungly jungle, and resonant with the sounds of insects and birds. Another moment was walking through a village one afternoon, on the way to a river for a swim, to the very beautiful strains of a Buddhist sung sermon being broadcast across the village. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was great. Full of energy, very knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about his country and its peoples.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect to be hot and sweaty a lot of the time. Expect to eat curry and rice - its delicious in Sri Lanka. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to choose just one highlight out of 5 varied and interesting walks, with stunning views every day. As a couple, we get 2 choices (!) - on the 2nd walk, passing through Alpine meadows on one flank of the Val Ferret while looking across to the stunning rock and glacier faces on the opposite flank; and on the final day, the view from our higest point across the Chamonix valley towards Mont Blanc, the Aiguille du Midi etc - the whole range spread out before us. And it was 25C at 2,300 metres!Then there was the Lac Blanc; the views from both ends of the Chamonix valley; the delicious myrtle tarts at the mountain refuges; the fun group; the sunshine... sorry, I am going on a bit now.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver and Elaine really could not be bettered for a holiday like this. Oliver wears his immense experience and mountain skills very lightly under the front of relentless flattery ("No group has ever looked so good on day 2" etc etc) and terrible jokes. He shepherded us unobtrusively and helped to engender a strong sense of mutual support among the group. Elaine ran a great house with hearty mountain food to keep us going and clean, comfortable beds to crash in at night. The hot tub, table tennis table and endless energy of Dylan-the-Villain all added to the fun. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go prepared for all weathers, and have a wonderful time. Look out for each other in the group. Laugh at Oliver's jokes (especially the one about aliens landing in Les Houches). 

Most Inspirational Moment

Really enjoyed cycling through the national parks and seeing wild elephants - a magical experience. Getting to the top of the hill near Ooty was a rewarding moment. Believe me, you feel every one of those 36 hairpin bends. And realising on the last day as we reached Varkhala that it was all over was surprisingly sad. None of us actually wanted to stop riding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our team of Joseph, Vishnu and Shibu were fantastic. Joseph was a patient and encouraging cycling guide, while Vishnu was a fountain of knowledge. Shibu made sure that all our stuff was always safe in the van (no mean feat when he had demonstrators outside smashing it one day!). 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Training helps of course, but generally the ride felt a lot easier than I expected it to. Don't come expecting to lose weight like I was hoping I would; Indian food is awesome and your lunches and dinners will be a constant feast that you will find impossible not to sample.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many memories lodged in my brain... Dressing up as a geisha in Kyoto, standing at Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo mesmerised by the surges of people as the lights change, the Fox shrine outside Tokyo with the thousands of orange Tori, the mad fish restaurant in Kyoto (if you go with Dan definitely ask him to take you), the views of the Japanese Alps, the temples and shrines at Nikko and in Kyoto, and the amazing cherry blossom just coming into full bloom everywhere.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dan our group leader was fantastic. As Dan spoke fluent Japanese this meant we could visit places that an Eglish speaking group would not normally get to see. His knowledge of Japan and Japanese culture was also excellent and I felt like I learnt so much about the country that I could never have got from a guide book or a trip on my own. He also put in a lot of time and effort planning suitable restaurants that would suit the varied needs of the group, and also helping individuals make best use of their free time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's a full-on trip where every day is very busy and packed full of interesting stuff, so be prepared for long, busy days with lots of walking. Even though you're tired and got jet-lagged, keep going and do as much as you can as the is so much to experience that is new and different in comparison to Western culture. Make sure you have snacks and water each day to kee your energy up. Make sure you're camera has a big memory card - I took over 300 photos (and that's even after I did some serious editing every night!) Try all the different food - you may not love it and probably won't want to eat it again but it's all a great experience. Trip notes say bring a rucksack - I would say that a wheelie trolley would be fine and possibly a bit easier.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult to pick one moment that was inspirational, there was reaching the summit, walking above the clouds and seeing for miles upon miles, but I think for me it was the determination and hard work of the group that I was lucky enough to be with that really inspired me. The never say die attitude, the laughs, and the the determination and stubbornness that we were going to get to the top.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham, our group leader, made the trip fun, was always there to provide practical advice and for a laugh and a smile, made it all the more worthwhile having a leader like that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Whilst it sounds a cliche, but enjoy it. Sure there are going to be times when it's not so easy, but appreciate the times that are good and that altitude isn't affecting you to appreciate where you are and how lucky you are.Don't forget to put on suncream, as even in the 'winter' months it can still be warm.To enjoy the time that you're spending with your fellow travellers, whether you know them before the start of the holiday or not. 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many moments of the holiday I enjoyed so here are a handful... The walk to the top of Lions Rock in Sigirya, seeing the wall-frescoes of the Cloud Maidens, and having a panoramic view of the landscape was well worth it. The scenery of Sri Lanka is beautiful, and breathtaking; I really enjoyed the jungle walk in Kitulgala, the walk on Horton Plains, and the game drive in Yala National Park. Also, while I can't say I loved the hairpin bends on the roads (got a bit travel-sick!) away from the cities and towns, watching the scenery evolve from neatly tended fields, to gentle sloping hills and then to majestic rugged mountains draped with lush forest and long waterfalls, was worth the drive, and I'm really glad I chose this tour.Walking around the the well-preserved and beautiful ruins in Polonnaruwa. Galle was another really interesting place due to its history involving foreign colonies.I'm don't have green fingers, nor am I enamoured with plants, but I really enjoyed the walk around the herb and spice garden near Matale, as well as the beautifully tended Peradeniya Botanical Garden in Kandy. Also, the wildlife in Sri Lanka was a real pleasure and highlight of the trip (both in and outside of Yala National Park); in particular, seeing the huge fruit bats take into the early evening skies in Kandy was a wonderful sight. Sadly, our group didn't bag a leopard on the game-drive, but we saw plenty of other animals, such as crocodiles, elephants, jackals, raptors and wild boars, to make the tour a wonderful experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan is one of the best tour leaders I've met. He's warm, knowledgeable, patient, professional and has a great sense of humour. Also, he went out of his way to help us (in one way or another, whether it concerned acquiring more Sri Lankan currency, going to a nice toilet or seeing a doctor), and made sure we were looked after, i.e. prioritising safety over cutting costs, when we took three small vans instead of two, to take on the narrow (and sometimes hair-raising) hill roads. Sujan is also a great communicator, as he articulated exactly what was on the agenda, as well as what to expect.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As other reviewers have mentioned, this tour has something for everyone, and you should try to go with an open mind. I was unsure whether or not I'd enjoy the botanical aspect (such as the herb garden and the Peradeniya gardens), and I loved it.In regard to the above about having an open mind, go wild with the food; I'm not a vegetarian, however the vegetarian food such as the banana flower curry was delicious, and I went back for more. The seafood meals in Ahangama were also a major highlight, thanks to the skill of the chefs.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were two points : Getting to the summit of Maglic mountain after a long walk up. The view from the top was truely awesome.Also an evening meal in Mostar overlooking the Iconic bridge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alen was excellent, as was Emir his assistance. Both were very engaging, helpful and knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was concerned about the trip notes description of needing a head for heights. For me, the anticipation was worse than the reality !You really don't get very long at all in Dubrovnik, consider extending the trip by a few days.The Maglic day was a long one. Be prepared for this, especially the last 2 hours of the day which is up!

Most Inspirational Moment

Each day was different and difficult to choose any particular highlight. The optional glacier walk was well worth doing and very good value; pancakes in a mountain hut at 2,000 feet, spectacular waterfalls alongside the footpaths......  The journey to the centre involved a 2 hour ferry so you even experience the feel of a fjord cruise.

Thoughts on Group Leader

THe group leader was really good. He worked hard as the guest house host, guided us on spectacular walks after driving us up steep winding roads, talked about Norwegian culture and ensured we were all sent safely on our way back home. His staff were really great, and he and his wife ensured a very pleasant stay.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will have plenty of photo-opportunities, so don't forget your camera! Take sufficient money for a meal in Bergen and any going home gifts, and for drinks with your evening meal. Not much else to pay for, other than the optional glacier trip (and you can pay by card anyway).