Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up ridiculously early to see a sunrise that didn't seem like it wanted to appear, then suddenly did so. The mountain tops peeked through the mist and cloud and set us up for a great final day of the trek.Having pretty much exclusive access to many deserted Inca sites on the way that Machu Picchu could almost have been a disappointment. It wasn't of course!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabricio seemed very laid back - almost too relaxed at first - but actually had everything under control and was very knowledgable about the Incas and the natural features, especially the plants of the cloud forest. He was joined by Edwin as assistant leader on the trek and he was brilliant - setting a really good pace for the group and always having an extra bit of information up his sleeve.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather can change within minutes and it rained a lot - even in the supposed dry season - so buying one of the cheap coloured ponchos was essential (we made a rainbow group). Lots of warm clothes for the evening and a good hat.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a cheetah at such close range, she was just wandering by the side of the road.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davis and his assistant Kenneth were brilliant. Their knowledge of the area, culture and wildlife were amazing!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure your camera is working correctly so you don't miss a shot.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the mountain above the village and looking down on the Sorrento peninsula Naples and Vesuvius.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Christine was excellent, knowledgeable and welcoming. She had an enthusiasm for her subjects, was extremely well read and knew the local ways and problems, especially with transport to and from the village!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure your legs are ready for downward steps of 2 to 3 thousand in one day!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Amalfi coastline from the Walk of the Gods.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Christine was really good, spoke fluent Italian and seem to know half the locals. She's nice and friendly and managed the trip expertly.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, the privilige of watching an enormous green turtle laying her eggs, gently covering them with sand and then hauling herself back down to the sea was an experience that I will treasure for ever but I must admit that zip-lining over the forest canopy was also fantastic. The wildlife is everywhere, Howler monkeys on the roof of our room in Tortuguero, iguanas and capuchin monkeys on our roof at the Pacific Coast and swimming in the sea while Pelicans and scarlet macaws fly overhead, just incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vinnie was the perfect guide, impeccable English, always considerate, polite and helpful and with a passion for wildlife. He also had an amazing ability to find us a fantastic restaurant night after night to the extent that we re-named the trip, 'Vinnie's Gourmet Tour of Costa Rica'. Our driver, Hernan was also lovely, really looking out for us and great at spotting wildlife from the road.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Food is great. The trip is really well paced with at least 2 nights at each hotel/lodge, there is enough time to relax whilst still managing to see and do lots. Lovely to have no worries about Malaria or drinking the water!

Most Inspirational Moment

Once we arrived in Cusco at the start of our trip we were very well looked after and the Trek itself was amazing ,two of the highlights being climbing to the highest point of our mountain ridge campsite at dawn to watch the sunrise and coming through the Sun gate at the top of Machu Picchu to behold the amazing Inca settlement

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Fabrizzio was a lovely guy , nothing was too much trouble ,his English was amazing and he was so good to one of our party who was too ill to do the trek.The assistant guides were also lovely with a great sense of humour and some of the girls in our group wanted to bring Edwin home with us. His knowledge of flora and fauna was great as this part of the trek interested us a lot.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My best tip is to buy a plastic poncho in the sacred valley at the start of the trek as we used ours a lot and took great 'rainbow' photos with all of our group in rainbow order of colours.It was very cold at night so thermals were invaluable and a 3/4 seasons sleeping bag.

Most Inspirational Moment

There is not one special. Every moment was fine

Thoughts on Group Leader

Perfect!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go!

Most Inspirational Moment

Visits to Pompii and Herculaneum (where were enlightened by different, but equally knowledgeable and amusing local guides) - they are fascinating but poignant places. Vesuvius - an 'angry' and inhospitable place which contrasted starkly with the beautiful scenery we had enjoyed until then. Views along 'The Walk of the Gods' really were breathtaking  - a manageable trek, but you felt you had achieved something by 'gelato' time down in Positano. 16 people laughing as they were so wet you could wring them out and 16 pairs of walking boots, socks and rucksacks in the bottom of the pizza oven - hilarious! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric was great - I believe he was relatively new to this particular tour but he really took the time to find out about the area, and came back the next day with answers to any questions asked that he didn't immediately know the answers to. He understated his immensely impressive background in outdoor pursuits but this was apparent as he demonstrated skills as a competent, considerate and supportive leader. He had discretely assessed each members capabilities and personal challenges and was always there when a bit of encouragement or reassurance was needed. At mealtimes he was a convivial and engaging member of the group and appeared to really enjoy himself ... which is what you want from a leader. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't trust the weather forecast - 'slight chance of showers' could mean thunder, lightening, hail and flash flooding!! Ask for rice if your electronic equipment gets waterlogged (it dries them out a treat if you are patient). Try and do some calf exercises before you go as the steps rendered everyone's muscles sore after over 2,000 down into Amalfi - even hardened walkers.Look up - easy to focus on the path and steps but stopping and looking around is what it's all about.   

Most Inspirational Moment

Madagascar's USP is its unique wildlife.  In particular, the lemurs and baobabs. So there are two highlights: the first was seeing diademed sifaka, in the first park we visited, leaping gracefully from tree to tree, and the second is the Allee des Baobabs, a wonderful natural monument.  Then the third wonderful moment was standing atop the lookout point on the Grands Tsingy.  The landscape is unbelievable and the via ferrata to get there was exhilerating.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sol is a top man. You're in safe hands with him: knowledgeable, polished, anticipating the group's needs and wishes, and with a smile like sunshine. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes over-exaggerate the ardours of the travel.  Whilst there are long driving days, the roads are generally good.  Obvioulsy, heading out to the Tsingy, the roads are bumpy, but you're in 4x4s so it's fine. They make sure you get appropriate breaks.  Don't let the travelling put you off! The accommodation is also way better than I expected. At Morondava we were offered the chance to do a pirogue trip out to the fishing village. We'd thoroughly recommend doing this. It was so peaceful and relaxing and the guys made sure we saw loads of wildlife, including the funniest little jumping fish.  They also offered a chance to meet the lcoal people, which I felt was otherwise missing from this trip. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the countryside, seeing how people really live and sharing a home-cooked meal in banana plantation.  Kandy August festival was a unique experience, extremely colourful and skilful.  Huge number of elephants dressed in their regalia being paraded accompanied by the beat of drums,  dancers dressed in wonderful costumes all lit up by flares (no health and safety measures!) must not be missed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable, good sense of humour, always helpful and professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was told that meals were not included because there was a huge choice of restaurants to chose from and that people liked that freedom.  This information was incorrect.  All the hotels were set in magic settings but there were on a limb and the only place to eat was in the hotels which provided good food, buffet or a la carte at reasonable prices by our standard.  I think that in all fairness this needs to be pointed out.  A shame that we could not go out and experiment a bit with authentic non hotel food.