Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The time spent on the Rio Frio in Cano Negro where we saw lots of birds and all three species of monkey to be found here with a great showing of white faced capuchin very close to the boat feeding. In Monte Verde actually finding a male Resplendent Quetzal a very rare bird was enjoyed by all, the bird life at the accommodation was also well appreciated (note we are not specifically birders).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Glenda was escorting her very first trip and worked hard to ensure we all got the best out of the trip, She was very knowledgeable about the country, fauna and flora and the country's wildlife and birds and if anything was asked and she did not know she endeavoured to find the answers. Although she was lacking in experience which will come obviously, she made up for it with enthusiasm and in time will be a very good escort.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Costa Rica is a great place to visit and not just for the wildlife. It was our third visit having done the national parks on both coastlines on our previous visits and now the interior. If it is on your list of places to go then go, its worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through some of the small villages on our last day of cycling. There is no better way to be immersed in the Indian culture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Manu was fantastic, very professional but also alot of fun at the same time. Great sense of humour! We have travelled many years in many countries with many guides and Manu ranks right at the top!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy! Don't be afraid of the food or drinking water or the sheer number of people. It is fantastic

Most Inspirational Moment

Good achieving our goal to a col one day .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Miguel is a good leader and provided us with information regarding the area and culture of which he was knowledgeable and passionate. He was very organized and helpful when anyone had a query which he resolved effectively. Also the cheese and wine evening which he provided was a thoughtful touch.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through virgin snow

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader has designed challenging walks and he wants to complete the itinerary as published.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not a trip for those new to snowshoeing.

Most Inspirational Moment

The two days at Esquina Lodge deep in the Equatorial Forest with the deafening noise of the cicadas. Zip lining at Monteverde

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny Villalobos was a delightful leader and very efficient and pleasant. He is extremely knowledgable and enthusiastic about the birds of Costa Rica and was, understandably very keen that we should all see as much as possible. We had two very enthusiastic birders in the trip and possibly because they were so keen they seemed at times to rather dictate the pace for the rest of the group. After the extended day's travel to Manuel Antonio I think Johnny realised that he had perhaps misjudged things and in the second week he placed more emphasis on some of the non birding options available and from that point I enjoyed things a lot more. To be fair, I think he misjudged one day out of fourteen and that's not a bad average. He was approachable, friendly and fun. I would also like to make mention of Carlos our driver who was exceptional. On road conditions that were far from easy he did his very best to make it a smooth, safe ride and he was also good at spotting birds. He and Johnny clearly often work together.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, while you do not need any previous birding knowledge or experience if you pick one of the special bird watching dates you need to be aware that the emphasis will be on birding and that will impact on other activities on the holiday. If you are not really interested in spending considerable periods of time peering through binoculars, pick another date. If you do fancy a go at bird watching buy or borrow the best binoculars you can afford.

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved the tea plantation walk - although the majority of the group clearly didn't pay heed to the trip notes about it being steep in places ( this led to more moaning ) , the houseboat was better than expected and the food - when finding local small restaurants - was outstanding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He had a difficult job on his hands I feel, managing such a large group of elderly people but did his best I suppose. He didn't make an appearance on the first evening and as such everyone pretty much left on their own til the next morning. Also we didn't get the opportunity to do the early morning village tour around Madurai as we would have had ' to get up really early ' . Really? ?! Every morning was either a 9 or 9.30 am start - rather late I felt.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check the demographics of the group before you pay your final balance. I guess the trip being graded as -1- leisurely, should have been an indicator of the age group it would attract. Be adventurous, use the time in the evening to source lovely restaurants on line, jump in a Tuk-Tuk and have the real Indian dining experience. Bring headphones for the long journeys.

Most Inspirational Moment

Many inspirational moments - skiing through beautiful landscapes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The two leaders, Ingrid and Alex, were both excellent. Athough we were all experienced skiers, they took time to check out our skills on the first couple of days and helped everyone ski better. They assessed our ability well and took us to places with just the right amount of challenge. They were both good fun, competent, knowledgeable and all round good leaders who made me feel safe and confident.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go and enjoy yourself! But do check you are booking the right grade holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit plateau despite my difficulties

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

No I was very pleased with all the arrangements made for the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around the grounds of the various properties we stayed in, just spotting the animals on the ground and in the trees. Some of the best sights were within close proximity of our accommodation - including a walk along the coast at Cahuita where the sloths were everywhere. Watching humpback whales from the shore - at a time of year when they shouldn't have been there! So many glorious scarlet macaws on the Pacific coast. So many wonderful photo opportunities

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eduardo was very knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife and was obviously a very experienced guide. I liked the fact that he added in quite a few extra optional walks, which were much appreciated after some long days travelling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only the obvious, expect rain, even in the dry season...but the sun comes along eventually

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up at 5.30 to go on a tuc tuc, then a walking tour of the market as the locals were setting up their fruit and veg stalls. The atmosphere, sights, sounds and smells were just spell binding. This was the real India, and it was a privilege to witness and experience it first hand. It’s certainly a morning that I will never forget. I think it should have been promoted more, as half our group decided not to get up early to go on it, but those who did all said they wouldnt have missed it now they knew how fantastic it was! The hike through tea plantations to the top of the mountain was also a fabulous day. The views were spectacular. The peace and tranquility at the top of the mountain, where we had our lovely picnic is also a day which I will always treasure in my memory.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Manoj was brilliant. He is so well suited to his job. Nothing is too much trouble for him. He was very good at getting things organised. He was particularly good at organising the staff in restaurants to get our orders and bills sorted out with as much simplicity as possible. He always listened to our requests, and did his best to accommodate them. He was able to answer the many questions which we had during the tour. He has a great sense of humour, and really joins in with the group. He took a Yoga class at the home stay one morning, which was a lovely touch for the few people who participated. On the final evening of the holiday, my friend became ill with a stomach bug, which would have meant we couldn’t fly home the next morning. But Manoj saved the day! He organised a doctor to come to our room, with 2 nurses. They gave her an injection and set up 2 intravenous drips and said she would be better within 3 hours. Unbelievably, she was better, and could travel home ok. Surprisingly, the medical cost for this fantastic service, was only £50. Manoj stayed up late to make sure we were ok, and that the treatment had worked. He insisted that he wouldn’t go to bed himself until he knew my friend was feeling better. We both feel that he was extremely caring and went the extra mile over this, which just confirms how well suited he is to his role.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you’re unhappy with the driving, feeling that it’s too fast and reckless, say something to the guide early on. Our driver completely changed his style of driving from day 2 onwards. Get up early for the walking tour of the market. It will be a highlight of your holiday, but it’s not marketed or promoted as such, so half of our group missed out.