Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Surviving the cycling in the rain!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dhimitraq was quiet and efficient. He organised the trip well. He arranged some amazing lunches and dinners for us and kindly took the stress out of paying for them all in various currencies by paying for us and running an IOU. We had some good laughs as we got to know him better, largely at Juli’s antics! Juli our driver was a character never to be forgotten! Never still and always full of life, “Zebedee” had us in stitches the whole way. The transfers were always an experience and I still can’t believe that we did actually get to listen to the whole of Bohemen Rhapsody! Both went out of their way to take us on extra little tours or arrange guides for us and worked extremely hard.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take a full selection of clothes to cover cold weather and wet weather.. Be prepared for cycling on busy main roads with a good amount of traffic including lorries.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was inspiration to be found in almost everything we did. The journey from Zabljak to Sarajevo was particularly wonderful. The wild flowers were stunningly beautiful particularly where we had a coffee stop, as were the views to and the journey in the Piva gorge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alen was an engaging guide full of useful information imparted with clarity. Always ready to help he came into his own when I slipped and broke my leg! He handled the situation in a very calm manner with excellent first aid skills. Moving on with the rest of the group Alen arranged support for my wife left in Sarajevo. What a guy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have travel insurance!

Most Inspirational Moment

Beautiful vineyard covered landscapes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guides Jon and David split the responsibilities for leading the cycling and we found them both to be extremely good - very easy to get on with and knowledgable about the area we were travelling through and made sure everything ran smoothly. We have only praise for them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware of how hot it can become in summer. We travelled early June and it was a warm as we would want it to be for an activity holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

The coastal scenery was very interesting, especially the cycle along the Curonian Spit in Lithuania with its high dunes and woodland built to protect the landscape. The lunch spot was also excellent with smoked fish of all sorts to enjoy.

Thoughts on Group Leader

If you get Andrius as your group leader you've struck gold as he's one of the best guides I've ever experienced - informative, great organiser, great sense of humour, relaxed in approach to leading and goes the extra mile to make the trip a fantastic time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in late Spring or Summer take anti-mossie spray as you will get bitten when stopping in the forests during breaks. Having the latest cycle clothing isn't necessary but padded shorts will of course protect a delicate part of the body! Unless it gets exceptionally hot you only need one water bottle as the support vehicle provides regular fill-ups with water during stops. The recommended spending money is about right unless you plan to buy lots of wine/beer etc. As you'll be in plenty of towns and cities getting money from cash machines isn't a problem so I wouldn't take lots of cash and many of the restaurants will take visa etc.

Most Inspirational Moment

Scrambling up to the peaks on day 7 to the summits of Mancondiu, meeting Chamois enroute, and taking in the unbelievable views in all directions

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nachio (Ignachio) was a great tour leader, kept everyone well informed, gave timely advice on the need for water, appropriate clothing, electrolyte and mineral replacement (isotonic additives), suntan lotion, and the need for 'pacing' the walks to avoid exhaustion. He juggled the programme to suit both the prevailing and forecast weather, and ensured everyone stayed safe. He was very much 'part of the group'.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather can be unpredictable, and whilst we did not need to layer up, nor did we need wet weather gear, the humble umbrella can be a useful bit of kit to be used in rain or searing sunshine. The tour leader on both this trip, and previously in Austria, have recommended one as almost essential. Trekking poles, and stout walking boots are very suited to the terrain. There are very few ' mountain huttes' for toilet facilities ( so a 'toilet' kit - hand sanitiser etc. is useful) and few places to buy drinks en route in this part of Spain. There are quite a few opportunities to fill water bottles from springs, and whilst we were assured that the spring water is safe, some people might feel safer using water purifier systems. You do need to make sure that you have sufficient bottle capacity (about 2 litres) so that it will last betwenn refills. We did canoeing on the free day; it was 40 euros per person, includes transport to and from the hotel, a packed lunch, canoe or kayak, double ended kayak paddles (no single blade paddles available, nor left handed paddles) and gives you between 3 and 4 hours of paddling with many opportunities to 'beach' for a break. The river has a few very tame grade 1 'rapids', and you are paddling with the current. The river can be very busy at the launching ramp, usually the school trips, but soon thins out a you progress down stream.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Mont Blanc and Aiguille du Midi from our chalet for the first time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Egle was brilliant. She was knowledgeable, supportive, kind, and good fun. When I struggled she was really helpful and understanding. She really helped to make the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I am sure I would have benefited from more really steep ups and downs in my legs beforehand.

Most Inspirational Moment

A close call between 'summiting' Dead Woman's Pass, and the first view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Holger [Olly] on Inca Trail - first rate. Knowledgable and informative. Moises on Rainforest Extension - first rate. Again knew the subject.

Advice for Potential Travellers

All is covered in Trip Notes for both sections. But, make sure you carry sufficient Currency [Soles or US$] for Rainforest Extension [drinks, minor kit items] - prices a bit higher than general for Peru.

Most Inspirational Moment

La Fortuna Waterfall

Most Inspirational Moment

Balcony walk and the stunning views at every turn

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Condors in the Colca cannon.

Thoughts on Group Leader

An experienced leader, who had lost his love of the job. Daniel was very wrapped up in his family’s, yes two of them. He kept information to himself, and only informed the tour at the last minute. He treated us like children, and obviously liked the men, he was very hostile to the women at times. He dumped the group as quickly and as often as he could. Very little information was given on long journeys, so I feel we did not learn as much about Peru as we could have. The specialist guides were much better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are a lot of extras to pay for, not listed in the trip notes. museums, cathedrals etc. ,