Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Has to be our very own Christmas Day tiger at Kanha! He was well worth the long wait.After all our "almost-sitings" and lots of excited racing around the forests following alarm calls and distant growlings, he just appeared as if by magic and let us follow him along the road for a while. The Taj Mahal was stunning - and definitely worth a look from the peace of the botanical gardens on the other side of the river in the late afternoon sunshine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krishna didn't always understand our jokes but was a good guide and let us into his world, giving us personal insights as well as professionally handling the 6 hour delay for our first overnight train!A serious tiger-fan and an expert in his own right - often better than the official park guides at sensing where the tigers might be and always letting us know what was going on out on the game drives - I think he was as thrilled as the rest of us on Christmas Day!His mantra (which we had all adopted by the end of the trip) that " tigers are everywhere.... they are just very difficult to see" - says it all really!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Thermals in winter for the morning game drives, v cold indeed at 5.30am!!Jeeps are open topped so hats and scarves are a must.For winter dates ask for hot water bottles for your bed - at Kanha they delivered them to our beds while we were having dinner and they were much appreciated!Lovely art shop (related to local Art school) on the main road close to the hotel at Bandhavgarh  - got a gorgeous tiger painted on silk there. They will sell with frames or without.Keep your receipt for changing cash back at the airport in case you don't have chance to spend it on additional drives and tiger-shows.Take advantage of any local events along the way - we walked to a local crafts fair which was justing setting up - an interesting little extra trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me i loved the day in Pompeii which was so interesting, the guide was the best investment of the holiday and really bought it to life showing us all the key things and explaining things that you wouldn't even think to ask. Also the walk of the gods on the last day was wonderful with amazing views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine was friendly, professional and passionate about her job and the area which really made the holiday. She made the whole holiday very easy and relaxing and was a lot of fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were more than one inspiring moments, driving over the countryside, the visit to the tiger park, where we did not see any of the 5 tigers that are left there. The evenings at some of the reataurants we went to for our dinner.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders were very kind and helpful. In order to e clear as they were explaining the goings on of the day they repeated themselves in a way that you sometimes got lost in what they had to tell.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a horn with you for your bike so you can make as much nois as they do. Be patient. Food is rather spicy and a lot is vegetarian.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the summit depite my anxiety re my personal fitness

Thoughts on Group Leader

Friendly and experienced  both re the mountains and also re his country

Advice for Potential Travellers

be reasonably fit, pack warm clothes  for the evenings, brinks some books and playing cards

Most Inspirational Moment

Morocco is a special place. In terms of the distance from UK to culture shock ratio there surely isn't anywhere to beat it. Work your way to the tannery at the heart of the Souk and you'll know what I mean. I also feel I lucked out with the company - what a great bunch of people to be hiking with. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Everything well planned, nice chaps too - thanks again!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared - the mountain refuge is VERY basic. We were there early January which meant constant cold. This is the boot camp portion of the holiday - you'll relish the moment when you can get outside, put your crampons on and get hiking up the slopes (at 7am).

Most Inspirational Moment

I think just the scenery - I was worried about the short days and low light but it was actually quite magical. Soft snowy hazy days, everything coated in a thick layer of super soft powdery snow and sparkling ice

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eki was a great group leader - very cool, assured and capable.  He looked after everyone in a very easy-going way, he knows everything about the area and dealt with a large group seemingly effortlessly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Rest assured that all the equipment and absolutely everything but your thermal underwear can genuinely be provided there so don't bother loading up your bags with stuff that you can borrow there (and certainly don't bother buying anything specially). Stuff for evenings and travelling is really all you need. If you're keen on photography, a good camera and tripod are recommended to make the most of the beautiful light. Oh, and bring lots of heavy-duty moisturiser (yes, both girls and boys) as being outdoors all day in that weather is tough on your skin. 

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to pick just one. South Africa was always a dream for me so just being there on a private game reserve with all the wildlife in natural habitat was awesome. Being within 20-30ft of a male lion as it roared. Watching him summon the roar from deepin the pit of his stomach. The hair still stands up on my neck when I think about it. The contrast in the country, from pine forests and lushness in the Highveld to the barren sparseness of the Lowveld was something I wasn't expecting. Also on our trip we had a change in the itinery and ended up in St Lucia and I wasn't disappointed. All those crocs and Hippos and the Indian ocean breaking in the background as you tried to sleep.The spectacular Drakensberg, and the glamping. The scenery here is breathtaking. The hike up "the ladders" was amazing. Seeing people conquer their fear by going up and the whole group, who were complete strangers a couple of weeks before, totally encouraging each other as if they were friends for years.  Also on our hike in the Drakensberg we had snow. I didn't expect to see snow in South Africa.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bongani, was our leader, and was aided by Shawn and Semanga. Bongani, was great. He put the group at ease. He's got a great sense of humour that might take you a day or two to figure out but when you do he's a lot of fun. He also works hard to make sure the group enjoy themselves. He genuinely cares that everyone have fun and enjoy the trip and looks for feedback every night around the fire and prepares the group for the next day. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a lot of travel on this trip between places so be prepared for some long days in the bus. Don't expect to get out of your armchair and enjoy this trip. You need a small level of fitness as some of the walks are long and over undulating terrain and it can get really hot at times. Good shoes or Boots are essential. Some of the campsites only have cold showers so if you don't fancy them take wet wipes. Also a decent headlight/torch because sometimes the tents are a small distance for the facilities. Take a decent camera too.

Most Inspirational Moment

The climb on Christmas day was a great walk giving the best views in the world (well it certainly felt like I was on top of the world) truly stunning beautiful day enjoying the gorgeous Pandoro & Prosecco to toast Christmas day thanks to Olly our great leader!! Of course we had to eat/drink it all so he didn’t have to carry it down again.  The whole experience was truly amazing also having a great group made the experience too I never stopped laughing. On our day off some of us had a go at cross-country skiing thanks to Eric & Heather for allowing us to participate with them for the day, particularly to Heather for taking us on in the beginners group, my first time putting on any form of skis on and loved it!! Especially the hot chocolate in the cafe at the end of the day. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Olly was fantastic very kind, lots of fun (although he needs some more cheesy Xmas tunes) and helpful to all of the group who weren’t quite as quick up the hills as the rest, he looked after us in every way he possibly could whether that was giving out tape for our poor blisters or lending me his jacket to keep me warm, he certainly has the best job in the world!! Thank you Olly for making the video too (check it out) such great memories!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the right kit with you along with you and plenty of layers even though walking up makes you extremely hot and having to strip off, you certainly need to put the layers back on again when stopping or reaching the top as it can be extremely cold. Most of all go with the intention of having fun, even though you might find it hard some days there is always the sense of achievement in reaching the top and enjoying the views and remember you are getting fitter by the day and there is always the lovely spa in the hotel to look forward too at the end of the day so just enjoy it!!!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Oh now I loved the Taj mahal of course.  Other than that I enjoyed Udaipur, Bundi and Puskha.  I loved the palaces and forts but the markets were especially fascinating.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Avtar has an amazing energy and excellent knowledge of his country.  He was also very helpful, kind and caring.  He is inclinded to talk too much :-) 

Advice for Potential Travellers

 Take hand gel.In December/January the rooms in the hotels are a bit cold so ask for a blanket.In december/january take a fleeceGet an early night so that you can keep on going - this is a hectic trip.  

Most Inspirational Moment

The long ride down to the Atlantic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is not just ascents and there are a large number of really tough climbs.  Make sure that you are physically fit for these climbs, although they are all optional and the 4x4 can pick you up if you can't do it.