Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

This was driving into the edge of the Gobi desert and finding that our drivers local village were having a horse race for 2 year old horses over 15KM the jockeys were all young boys and girls under the age of 10. Some of them were riding bare backed and a girl riding like this was second in the race. We then spent 2 nights in a remote Ger camp near to the village. We were the only Westerners present for the 2 days we were there. magic. Seeing a Cinereous vulture at close hand and watching it take off was like seeing a feathered Vulcan bomber on a bomb run. They are enormous (wing span up to 2.95M)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was a very likeable lady and immensely charming. However as it has been a year since she last led a trip and had not been able to practice her English language conversational skills it was difficult to understand her pronunciation of some words. This also meant that many questions posed to her went unanswered or were met with a smile and a blank look

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a small thermarest, or similar, padded seat with you. A few small balloons to entertain the many (very, very many) small children you will encounter along the way. This helps to break the ice with their parents etc. and can lead to some very cute photographs. if you are interested in bird life, particularly Raptors take a small pair of binoculars as there is a lot to be seen.

Most Inspirational Moment

sitting on the top of sigyria rock

Thoughts on Group Leader

I thought he was very special. I felt looked after withoput the constant overbearing of some tour guides. He really was a very quiet, special man.

Advice for Potential Travellers

wind down to sri Lankan pace, or you will not enjoy your holiday

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to say, but doing the cooking course was definitely the highlight for me...landscapes, people, food, villages, the whole thing together was very inspirational.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was a top leader, always attentive, fun, patient and always meeting our needs, As a teacher myself, I know what it means leading groups...I would definitely recommend him as a top person.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light, so much to buy in Vietnam...and always go with the flow, Vietnam is a great country. As you head south is hotter and more expensive, if you see soemthing that like, just get it at the spot.

Most Inspirational Moment

Peaceful cycling along paths shaded by spring green trees in the wilds of Czech Republic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jan and Dana worked well together, kept us informed of the days' activities so there were no big surprises, and bent to group demands where necessary! Both were professional, fit, organised, helpful and friendly, and above all, they enjoyed the ride as much as we did.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Several days of solid cycling followed by relatively easy days. Be prepared for all kinds of weather. Allow time in your itinerary to enjoy both Prague and Budapest for a couple of days.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the walks and enjoying the scenery

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was wonderful, you have a really good guy working for you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I personally found the walks quite difficult, I think it was a mixture of ascent and heat that caused me problems, having said that, I would do it all again

Most Inspirational Moment

I am proud of myself that despite everything I made it to the summit of Mount Toubkal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Incompetent, unfriendly, uncommunicative, not up to the task of leading an international group of people of variant ability.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure, you take hand luggage only if possible.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking up Chimborazo - an almost lunar landscape crowned by the snow capped peak. Buffeted by the wind, passing by huge rocks thrown from the volcano, time to reflect on all the experiences so far.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabian's knowledge of the land, people, history and wildlife is very good as is his ability to communicate interesting and important facts. His dry sense of humour kept the mood light-hearted. He's very well organised but also flexible and finds opportunities to do additional activities. He takes time to understand what the group is interested in and is very keen to make sure you get the most from your holiday pictures! Always tell him if there's something you can see from the bus that you want to stop and photograph, or if there's something specific you want to buy and he'll do his best to accommodate.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A mosquito net wasn't needed in the Jungle Lodge as they don't suffer from mossies there, and the huts don't have hanging points for that reason. Insect repellent still needed for other types of fly though. Take a head torch for the night walk to keep hands free for taking photos. To reiterate other reviews, take one or two rucksacks to decant a couple of days' worth of stuff into as cases aren't taken to the Jungle Lodge. Hat and gloves advisable for the high altitude walk at Chimborazo. Careful with light coloured swimwear when you go to the thermal spring baths - the water's coloured with natural minerals which can stain. Try and use some of the language, especially for ordering meals as it makes life easier and quicker and is part of the whole experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wine festival in the local town and the leader changed the itinerary so that we could attend.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable and Charismatic. Went out of his way to make all the group feel included.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from the Tete du Grand Col Ferret

Thoughts on Group Leader

I think this was John's second time of guiding this route. He'd walked this route many times before, and had some good stories to tell. The goal of the tour seemed to be completing the route rather than appreciating the surroundings, but with the distances to be covered perhaps this is inevitable. He was very helpful with providing advice for days off and walks near the campsites

Advice for Potential Travellers

It can rain - we had a particularly wet trip. It is especially difficult to dry socks, and spare pairs - a total of 6 might not be excessive - may be appreciated by your feet. If you acquire any newspaper keep it for drying your boots. if you are travelling alone consider paying the relatively modest single supplement to get a tent on your own. I was really glad that I had done this - sharing a tent with an owl when you are a lark, or with a disorganised person could be difficult. Take some J cloths - the groundsheets of the tents leaked when it was very wet, and I found these useful for drying the bottom of my thermarest., and mopping wet gear generally. On the day off at the end of the trip in Chamonix you can get a pass which covers all the local teleferiques/chairlifts etc, and for very little more you can go up the Aiguille du Midi and several others - including the Bossons Glacier near the campsite. If it's good visibility the first afternoon in Chamonix, it could be worth going up the Aiguille then, as you may have a cloudy day at the end of the trip - though it may not then be worth getting the lift pass. At the airport coming home you can use the electronic luggage drop - the notes regarding not being able to book in on line on the way out had made us think we couldn't use the Airline Locator Number on the way back.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of all the climbs for fantastic views. And the peka meal in Bol was fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great value, knowledgeable and friendly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dalmatian food is very meaty.