Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

My favourites included:- Cycling around the local villages and meeting local people (take some pencils for the children)- Climbing Lion's rock - great views and a sense of achievement- Paddling down the river on a raft watching people playing and washing up!- Watching the women pick the tea on the plantations

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan is excellent. Always accommodating and very knowledgeable. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take lots of wet-wipes - it's humid on the coast and dusty on the game drive.You need to like rice and curry - some are mild so no problems there. The food is delicious.Most hotels have a pool, so don't forget your swimming gear.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of some relentless cimbs still on my bike.  If I had seen the climb beforehand, I might not have believed that I could do it!  The blues and turquoises of the sea at different points was amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent.  Very responsive to changes in weather and very conscious of safety on wet, slippery roads and busy traffic areas.  Bonded really well with the group and was a mine of local information.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train well and go looking for some hills to climb before you depart as there are some long switchback climbs.  Having said that the bikes are very good and you will eventually grind your way up there if you are not so fit.  Just more enjoyable to stick with the group.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was a day of "scambling", so minor rock climbing up the mountain. Everyone had different levels of experience and it was great seeing everyone work together and cheer each other on to make it up and down the mountain.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ibrahim was a really decent guy. He was authentic and told it to you straight. He had great insights into the Bedouin people and their history and wasn't afraid to share stories, opinions, and songs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring wetwipes! You won't even notice the lack of showers ;)

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting our guides father who was on Expedition 53 with Edmund HilaryClimbing to the top of KalapatarReaching Everest Base CampThe friends I made in the group

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lakpha our group leader was brilliant, he made my holiday special, and looked after everyone in the group.

Most Inspirational Moment

The pancakes at the end of day one! The scenery was amazing but even more amazing (for me!) was the quality of food produced in a tent on a tiny gas stove!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The whole team were very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was freezing at night in February and I had to undress to get up for breakfast! So, go prepared.

Most Inspirational Moment

My first view of a bullet train pulling into Kyoto station. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very competent. Not intrusive, allowed us to explore by ourselves. 

Most Inspirational Moment

- swimming with sealions- watching the sunrise from the deck- listening to all of the wierd and wonderful sounds of the wildlife- being surrounded by wildlife on Genovesa and Espanola- watching sealions in the towns

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Juan was very friendly, informative and approachable. He was able to answer all of our questions and took good care of us throughout our trip on the islands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

- be prepared for sea sickness and the strong sun- take an underwater camera and binoculars- don't bother with a beach towel one was provided- take socks with you for the first day in the highlands- I wished I had filmed more of my trip so I could replay my experiences- make the most of your first day in Quito and take a day trip out of the city. Half a day was fine to explore the city

Most Inspirational Moment

So many from my first sight of Everest, the Sherpa memorial, but for me it had to be reaching base camp with my recently married daughter and son in law.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Pasang, was absolutely outstanding, knowledgable, great communicator, caring, inspirational and a first class people person, that said he was supported by an outstanding team with Jetha, Pemba and Cherous being equally encouraging, friendly and efficient.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it!, attain a reasonable level of fitness before going but remember altitude can effect anyone so take on all the advice given by the group leader and his team.

Most Inspirational Moment

My first blue whale was probably the highlight for me but there were quite a few memorable moments on this fabulous trip that I shall remember.The walk on Horton plains to see World's End was spectacular as was climbing Sigirya. The cycle ride in Giratale where one got a feel for village life in Sri Lanka, was also really enjoyable.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Well no wonder Roshan has won awards for guiding these tours, he was great and a true professional. All the information and history lessons he gave us were in manageble bite size portions, always managing to throw in a cliche or three! He got people involved in the Sri Lankan games and his enthusiasm for his country was infectious.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Liking curries (they were VERY good) is helpful, although there are alternatives but hey, when in Rome! Take plenty of light loose fitting clothes, I found ordinary T-shirts too hot.Watchout for the sun when whale watching, we all came back looking like lobsters .

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many inspirational moments: Bathing in outdoor hot springs, by moon light, surrounded by beautiful mountains...seeing the paradisical gardens and works of art at the Hacienda Pantavi...finding out about a revised view of the world at the equator...seeing international volunteers caring for injured animals of the jungle, till they can be set free again...how sugar cane is harvested and processed into various products...seeing the Cultural Revitalisation Project promoting art, self-esteem and work in an area of former slaves....seeing the face of a shoe-shine child or man receiving a doggy bag...waking up to the sight of a snow-capped vulcano and a humming bird outside your window...the mangroves of the El Morro ecosystem along the Pacific, with dolphins and thousands of frigate birds.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Fabian Lemesme, was absolutely inspirational. He had a fun personality, was a good leader, very knowledgeable, was kind and passionate about human rights, the plight of indigenous people, women and suffering animals (e.g. actively campaigning against bull fighting). He was very artistic, introducing us to many craft and art centres, well-chosen restaurants, and beautiful haciendas and hotels.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. To bring hiking boots or wellingtons with a good grip, to bring a rain poncho (to protect your camera when you want to take pictures in the rain). 2. The risk of mosquito bites or malaria is minimal. 3. Bring enough dollars or debit cards - despite warnings, there are still people who think they can exchange pounds in rural areas. There can be high fees for credit card transactions.