Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, the best bits weren't on the itinerary; they were the incidental adventures that inevitably happen when you leave the group behind and go and explore.  Having said that, the Munnar day walk is fabulous and a great contrast to the hustle and bustle of Cochin.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Jatin, was calm and professional. However, I did feel he took a very 'coach trip' approach, in that information was usually limited to how long toilet breaks where, directing us to shopping co-operatives and leading us to ok but very 'safe' restaurants for group meals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip is billed as 'leisurely' - and I'd just say be mindful of the type of people this may attract.  If you want to look at India through a coach window, be shepherded around and not have to think for yourself, and complain about not getting biscuits with a cup of tea, you'll be in your element.If, like me, this is not your thing, use the trip as a means of having your  transport and accomodation arranged, then take yourself off on your own, open your ears and eyes and get set to have the most fabulous adventures.  A word about meals: while the group dinner arrangements are handy in places like Munnar and Madurai, there are MUCH more exciting places to eat (for a fraction of the price) - so I'd urge you to get a guide book, look at the local recommendations and venture out.  As the trip notes warn, the service in restaurants is painfully slow, so the group dinners actually made for quite a painful frustating experience with 14+ people ordering, fiddling with bills etc. I'd also suggest that if you want to make the most of your time in Periyar, book extra activities in advance. It's a fair old drive to get there, so it was desperately frustrating to find, on arrival, that all of the extra hikes/safari options (other than the boat) were booked up.  We did manage to book ourselves on to an extra day hike and a hight hike too after a lot of fluttering our eyelids, but it was quite a stressful doing so.  Skip the stress and book ahead. Oh - and the morning hike arranged with the group isn't much to write home about, so if another activity clashes with the times (like the all day river rafting option, for example) I'd skip the morning walk and get out on the water. Do explore in Kovalam too - there's a much nicer beach than the main one lined with all the shops past the LightHouse - it looks like it belongs to a hotel, but it doesn't. Get yourself up the lighthouse and you'll see the track leading you down there.  A great place for watching the sun go down.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling past smiling laughing children playing together and watching them run across fields just to wave and say hello to you.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant ! Sanjay and Harish were the best you could wish for and both had an excellent sense of humour. Nothing was too much trouble for them and Harish's passion for his countrys history was very knowlegable and infectious. Sanjays laugh could be heard all round Rajastan and his dancing is a real treat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you travel over Xmas/ January its very cold and very foggy. Take plenty of warm clothes, i cycled in 8 layers on 2 days, to layer up in the mornings and evenings and warm trousers for your early morning game drive in Sariska ( we had frost). The sun doesn't appear some days till 1030ish and the temperature drops quickly around 4ish. Full cycling gloves as well as fingerless for the cold days and the best padded saddle you can find as theirs are not at all comfortable.  A multi way scarf to cover your head, ears and mouth, to keep you warm and prevent some of the dust and pollution getting in your mouth. Wrap around glasses are a must. Also bring a torch as power cuts happen often. Finally bring plenty of anti bacterial hand gel - this is a must and use it a lot !Be prepared to be a tourist attraction yourself, i lost count of the amount of times our group were asked to be in photos. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the mountain on skis

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very fine leaders each with a different range of skills. I learned a lot

Advice for Potential Travellers

The leaders know there stuff. If you listen to them and take their advice you will find that you have improved in leaps and bounds over the week

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding through remote villages and all the children and locals shouting hello

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent.  Very knowledgable, friendly and very helpfull.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Would recomend this trip if you want an active holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling the back roads and the climb to the top at 2000 meter.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was great as group leader, so was his staff helping you whenever you needed help.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy your trip, if you have little gifts for the children, like pens, they ar very happy when they get a small gift.

Most Inspirational Moment

The challenge of successfully climbing the steep "38 steps" on the Great Wall is top of the list in my memory, but it's closely followed by a number of others.  Other "Great Wall moments" include our very first encounter with the physical reality of the Great Wall, the character of the Wall and the surrounding landscape as we left Gubeikou heading towards Jinshanling, and the stretch (later that day, I think)  where we had to leave the wall and walk through forests and farmland, because of a restriced military area along the wall itself.  Apart from experiences along the Wall, I would also mention particularly the paper-cutting demonstration and shop at Jinshanling, the congenial atmosphere at mealtimes in Mrs. Liu's homestay in Gubeikou, walking though the hutongs of Beijing with the opportunity to walk through one particular community's homes in a former courtyard, and cycling as a group with our guides around the city walls of Xi'an. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kevin was an outstanding guide, it is hard to imagine that a better one could be possible.  He was constantly thoughtful and attentive to our needs, reacting instantly if he thought anyone had a problem needing assistance, and was very insistent on our health and safety, for example by ensuring we always carried enough water when walking, and that we drank it frequently.    He gave great explanations of Chinese history and culture, but also imparted practical information and instructions clearly, repeating it as much as necessary.  At the same time he was always good-humoured and friendly, seeming to enjoy our company even though he was younger than all of us and much younger than many of us. He sustained this for a full two weeks, from the moment he greeted us warmly at Beijing airport until he parted from us in the check-in area at Xi'an airport.    

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a wonderful holiday, but it is necessary to be used to walking for a few hours at a time, and doing plenty of uphill walking.  I went saying to friends I was going walking along the Great Wall, I came home telling people I had been walking, climbing and scrambling along the Great Wall!  You would be miserable if you don't actually enjoy a lot of exercise every day.  Be as adventurous as you feel able to be about Chinese food, it's wonderfully varied and fresh, but always listen to the advice of your guide.  

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting through some rather poor and nasty weather (and missing lunch as a result) to find a refuge open mid afternoon serving hot meals and gluhwein. We felt like we had earned it!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Met Alejandro before in Tuscany so expected him to be excellent again. He was. Great group leader out on the walks and good company in the evenings too. Very knowledgable and ensured that everyone in the group was catered for.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being part of a local ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth was a privilige mde possible by our local guide.The flash of vermilion and emerald  birds and the wonder of a leopard in the distance at Yala .

Thoughts on Group Leader

warm welcoming and always available

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be open to fellow travellers who may be very different

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was the cycling through the countryside and seeing the daily life of folk. Also listening to Sanjay and Harish talk about their country with immense pride and enthusiam. Very informative.

Thoughts on Group Leader

simply superb. Enthusiatic, calm, curtious, effecient, responsive, organised, interested...every thing you would want in a leader for this trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some cycling at home, bring some warm clothes if travelling in December/January. If you like spicey food, ask for Indian spicey when ordering. Do not expect a lot of time to your self. The itinerary is a full and there is little time for shopping or strolling around the towns. Do not expect Internet even if advertised in the hotels.

Most Inspirational Moment

Camping in the middle of nowhere, getting up at undecent hours in the morning, walking all day and at the end of the day surprising ourseves with a happy thought that tomorrow is yet another day we will discover something new! You surprise yourself how far you can push yourself!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders, both Juan Manuel and Jesus were great, looked after the whole group at all times, checking whether we adjust well to the altidue. They have paced the trek fantasticly making sure no one is left behind and we stick as a group. They are both experienced leaders and showed us trully amazing places!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good sleeping bag, clothes for every weather condition, camera and good humor! Personally I found walking poles a saver on gravel, steep slopes and while jumping through the river. Won't hurt if you pack set of cards, we found playing UNO a great entertainment in the evenings!