Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

First half hour of the third day - as we descended the ca. 500m that we had had to climb up the previous afternon, down a beautifully engineered mountain road back to seal level!Several swims in the Mediterranean and the splendid picnics organised by our leader and his assistant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent and that applies both to Lieven Loots and to Marco, his Sardinian assistant.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate the amount of uphill cycling needed - but if I (aged 74) could do it so can you!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Torres del Paine, which are so iconic, was terrific. Even though it snowed on the hike, it was still a wonderful day. Fitzroy was a close runner-up. And Magellan Strait, of course -- a very ordinary strip of water with such huge historical importance (and besides, Magellan was one of my childhood heroes).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Couldn't ask for a better leader than Xavier. When a trip goes smoothly, you know it is the result of a lot of hard work; and he did it. Great pride in his country and always happy to discuss Argentina with curious foreigners. We learned a lot from him. The local guides at various stops were uniformly excellent; they made the trip so much more interesting.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of layers; the weather really can change quickly. Take plenty of US dollars, get to BA a few days early and find a way to convert to pesos at a good rate, not the official one. Take binoculars or a good long lens for your camera; lots of wildlife to focus on.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing wild orangutangs while hiking, the size of large mature males, and the maternal care shown by females with young. Great pictures, better experiences.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was great, full of knowledge, organized rooms well, organized great meals in areas where they were not part of itinerary, which allowed us to explore local culinary delights.Our group was great as well, having a fellow tourist who was fantastic at spotting wildlife, and another with execeptional photographic skills.  Our guide allowed them to add to our experience, and he added his information and knowledge to their skills. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a hiking pole if u have used them especially the first long walk.  The first walk is the longest 8 kM i have ever done, with multiple hills, and the weather was very hot and humid. I am not sure i would do that hike again, we saw very little to no wildlife so the benefit as small.Bring leech socks, there were lots of leeches, but really they are not a problem. U will be taking lots of picturesThere are swimming holes which were refreshing.  We saw very few misquitoes. Go to islands off shore KK on your free day, relaxing island with adequate but not great snorkellingFood is cheap, lots of great little restaurants on free days.  Tiger beer universally available.   

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra was amazing and our guide Sami was very knowledgeable, there were some nice touches from him like how we got our first glimpse of the treasury (I wont say as it would spoil it for others). On our 2nd day he took us on a trek to see Petra from the top of the mountains it was great. The night in the desert was good and our meal there was one of the best. Floating in the dead sea was weird oh and quite chilly but a great experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sami was good, helpful and knowledgeable, he did a great job of keeping the group together.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some days there is quite a bit of walking and it can be hilly, so pace yourselves. We went the first week in November and the weather was excellent a nice temperature (evenings a little cool for some) however we were told that it would probably change in the next 2 weeks. The night in desert was fine flusing toilets and sinks, there is lights after about 8.30 but there is a camp fire. great to see stars. Things to take a torch, sleeping bag liner (blankets supplied), pillows were like bricks. Meals each night varied in price and choice, we were given different jordanian dishes depending on the restaurant we were taken to speciality, cost 10-16 Jordanian dinar (JD) drinks extra. Lunch was better when the guide sorted a picnic for the group 4JD. Read the literature exodus provide it is usefuland gives you a good idea of extra costs for trips and tips etc.

Most Inspirational Moment

Enjoyed all - the treks to the base of Fitzroy (especially back to Laguna de los Tres which is very like the Cairngorm area of Scotland) and to base of Torres del Paine (in a snowstorm); the short walk in Tierra del Fuego, the 3pm cruise on the Beagle Channel to Penguin Island. But if I had to choose then the two best moments were: - *Trekking on the Viedma Glacier on a gloriously sunny but cold day with an excellent guide team who provided and fixed crampons on everyone and helped you see into crevasses –complemented nicely the following day in Los Glaciares National Park walking around the boardwalks surrounding the Moreno Glacier. * The panorama from the top of Cerro de los Cristales (1282M), Lago Roca on a beautifully sunny clear day seeing Lago Argentina, Glacier Perito Moreno, and Torres del Paine without any cloud in a brilliantly blue sky.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Xavier was a really nice, helpful guy who was passionate about his country and very conscientious in ensuring we enjoyed the holiday. He readily engaged in conversation and was very informative in that context. He was particularly great helping us to sort transport etc re climbing Cerro Cristales on our own. Could possibly have been more forthcoming with general information about Argentina and Chile to the group as a whole especially when on the long bus trips.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take dollars – can exchange readily. We got some Argentinean and Chilean currency from M&S before we left at a good exchange rate. In Chile 19% tax is added if you pay for a meal in pesos rather than dollars. Safe airport taxi system –Taxi Ezeiza – in the middle of the airport lobby. You pay at the desk (can pay in dollars) and then wait till escorted outside to your taxi. We also used this system back to airport- our group leader booked for us, told us the price and we paid the driver (try to have right amount or round up). Be aware of pickpocket scam in Buenos Aires – walking up Belgrano we were sprayed by something that looked like birdshit from behind. A nice middle aged lady offered me paper/water to clean up. She had some mates. As you clean up however your gear is stolen. Fortunately my husband was wise to the scam (I’d forgotten about it) and shouted to me to walk on. We cleaned up at the Hotel Dazzler where they told us a client had had his wallet stolen by this method the previous week. It’s not an urban myth. Pack for Scottish winter walking in the Cairngorm using a layered system (so if its warmer than what we experienced you’re covered). We had beautiful weather in general (plus one snowstorm that was actually fun) but were grateful for warm gear. Buenos Aires was variable (windy and wet when arrived, sunny and warm when left). Trekking poles are really useful. Wi-Fi was available at the hotels we stayed at throughout the trip but was slow. If you don’t already use What’s App get it for texts and photos (free under wifi). Most of the museums in Buenos Aires only have Spanish captions. Subway system good and cheap though told to wear backpack to front on it. If you have extra time in Buenos Aires, a day trip to Colonia in Uruguay by ferry is enjoyable. We went by Busquebus, booking on a Sat for a day trip on the Sunday. We also went a day trip to the Tigre Delta which was interesting. Train from Retiro Station then commuter bus to Tres Bocas. Some short walks there and two restaurants. Tigre has an Art Museum housed in a beautiful French Style Building – worth seeing. At El Calafate Laguna Nimez Bird Reserve is worth visiting. However if you are into walking try to do the Cerro de los Cristales climb at Lago Roca (CalTur bus at 8.30 am returns at 6pm 200 pesos). Quite hard going but worth it for the views if weather kind to you. From Lago Roca private campsite walk up to junction turn left, walk by path to Rock Paintings on right then just before a road leading off on the left to the lake there are two posts (minus the signboard) on the right that mark the start of the route. About 40 yds from these into the walk you’ll see another marked signpost. Route is obvious till near top where there can be snow. Scree at top but it is ok especially if you have poles. Allow 7 hrs round trip. Watch the weather especially winds at the top. Foodwise: difficult for vegetarians but if you can eat fish its fantastic. Really enjoyed Ayres Patagonicos El Chalten (informal, good food good music), La Tablita, el Calafate and Hotel Las Torres in Torres del Paine.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling on the crazy roads in Hue - it works though!The hospitality of the locals - especially in the rural areas. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thom was fantastic - enthusiastic, helpful & knowledgeable.   He went the extra mile to ensure everyone was happy and had a good time.  He became part of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Probably don't require malaria tablets in the low season.Ask to be told about all additional costs upfront so your expectations were managed (all of these I felt were reasonable e.g. tips/extra trips) Double check you understand the daily schedule -especially when hiking so you know what to take / leave behind (sometimes you can take your bigger bags as you drop them off at the accommodation before hiking)Try the local food - yum!If you have enough holiday, consider extending a week to do independent travelling into Cambodia or to the beach in Vietnam - 2/3 days rest to reflect and get your energy back were definitely beneficial before heading home. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The inca trek and all making it past dead women's pass was definitely the highlight - we worked together as a really supportive team with the encouragement and humour of our wonderful tour guide Maritza to keep us going! The scenery was absolutely stunning, and it was cleverly organised so we rarely came across other tourists until the last day. Food in camp was amazing - restaurant standard (albeit on steel plates!) and the group really bonded over entertaining evenings in the dining tent.Flying over the Nazca Lines was also an experience not to be missed, probably the only way to appreciate the vastness of the lines and the scale of it all.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Maritza was amazing - I've done a few tours now with different companies, and she was by far the best leader I've ever had. Really knowledgeable and passionate about her culture, but very sociable and humorous too and somehow kept our motley group in order! Really lovely lady generally - a little Peruvian star!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for feeling the altitude when you fly up to Lake Titicaca - but don't panic, it does subside. Take some warm clothes for the evening in the inca trek (and lots of spare clothes so you have clean things when you get back!). Walking poles were invaluable for me - and I think everyone in the group used them at some point. Oh and on a point of complete vanity - dry shampoo is fab for avoiding greasy locks!!!The flight over the Nazca lines is a great experience and would definitely recommend. Also the trip to the ballestas islands - most of us went and all really enjoyed. Otherwise - just go for it! you won't regret it!

Most Inspirational Moment

THE PEACE AND QUIET I EXPERIENCED WHILE CYCLING !

Thoughts on Group Leader

GOOD.CALM AND ORGANISED.

Most Inspirational Moment

The BBQ on the Path of the Gods was fantastic, a real added bonus that you just wouldn't get if you tried to do this yourself.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was brilliant, she even organised an extra walk on her day off so a few of us could climb the mountain next to the hotel.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Pichu of course, but there were many interesting days and different landscapes to enjoy. Machu Pichu may be a cliche' as most inspirational moment - but it really was excellent. Being at 16,000 ft on altiplanas was also very special. We had a great group and it was great to meet people from all walks of life who will remain friends for years to come.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial really did make the tour and we were lucky to have him. Everything was organised well and everyone was looked after. His knowledge and passion about Peru really shone through and he was able to reel off interesting facts without even thinking about it. Even on the 'free days' Marcial would offer to arrange optional trips which was great. Marcial had a great sense of humour and is a great guy to have as your guide. We had some excellent meals and nights out on the town and always felt safe in the restaurants and bars recommended to us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear sun-cream, the UV rays are strong. Don't be put off by altitude - nobody had altitude sickness on our tour - the trip ascends section by section so you get used to it, but there were moments of light headedness on occasions, just drink fluids and don't over do it for the first 3 days or so. Don't worry about long trips on buses - they were actually luxury coaches most of the time on the trip and not rickerty old buses i had imagined before going! The home stay on the island is nothing to be afraid of - the families had converted barns into 3/4 units of double/twin rooms which were basic b&b style - so the group split up into 3 different locations, but you shared a room with your travelling partner and it was nothing like the mud huts and bunk bed group sharing that i had originally envisaged! Try to take as much small note Peruvian Soles as you can - they don't like 100 sole notes, but they WILL find change to score a sale! As a tip $150 each is sufficient to pay tips and a few of the optional tours but take Soles otherwise. Probably budget £400-£500 each to cover food, drink, souvenirs and optional tours.