Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing 1200 metres up to Immouzer and finding stunning views from the hotel at the end.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, John Hobson - with Radu, abling assisting, and sometimes taking lead - was great. He was always polite, professional, enthusiastic, organised, knowledgable and patient.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is moderate to challenging, and the challenging parts can be quite tough, so be prepared. The weather can change considerably from the cities and valleys to the mountains, so you may need warm clothing as well as summer clothing (and lots of sun cream). The hotels were all adequate, and some were very good, but you'll need your own shampoo and shower gel in most of them.

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay My Son Cu Chi Tunnels

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Thuy Le. We thought he was a lovely, warm and most informative guide. He was most efficient, everything went like clockwork, buses just appeared with no delays along the way. He gave us an interesting cultural insight in his country, also joining us for meals and putting us right on menus. A really good leader and popular guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this tour! You won't regret it. Don't forget your camera charger, you will see so many photo opportunities, including the variety of goods one can bring on a motorbike! We saw a mattress, television, wheelbarrow, chickens, a ladder, and lots more. Bring a sleeping bag liner for the train. Bring tissues and hand gel, although many loos are fine.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just arriving in India and realising that my 2 week adventure was about to begin! Against all odds, seeing a tiger drinking at the waterhole in Bandipur National Park! Mysore Palace at night (I nearly didn't go cos it was the first night and I was SO tired!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was a nice enough guide but could have been a bit more forthcoming with info about places visited and things seen along the route.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take: a bag for front of your bike to avoid bumbags/rucksacks (it's too hot!), shower gel if you don't like soap (that's what most of the hotels provide), loo roll (not provided in loos out of hotels), electrolyte tabs for your drink, concentrated squash (makes that warm water a little more interesting!) and BINOCULARS for the safari (a must!) Add as many extra days in Varkala at the end of the holiday as you can (one day just isn't enough!) but book it yourself (Exodus charged us double the going rate!!). We used the group flight but left 2 days later than everyone else and were so glad we did!

Most Inspirational Moment

Days 5 and 6 really were fabulous; some of the best walks we have ever experienced. On day five we ascended Lutterkopf and strode out along the ridge to the summit of Durakopf at 2275m. The next day was the stiff climb up to the gloriously located Rossalmhutte (2124m) in the heart of the mountains. The descent was enormous fun with some off-piste routes cutting the corners off the zig-zags. Two wonderful days in lovely sunshine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was an absolute wonder. She looked after us all so well and made sure that we all got involved and that we acted as a group without constraining anyone who wanted to go faster (or indeed slower). She helped us all in many ways and gave us the encouragement to get the most out of a wonderful holiday in a beautiful and dramatic part of the world.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry about crampons and show-shoes. Both are easy to use and there to help you. Essentially it is just about walking in the snow and ice and being able to do so safely whilst making reasonable progress in winter conditions.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing streets of Hanoi, sailing in Hulong Bay even though the weather wasn't too great, and the Mekong Delta homestay. The gruelling history of the Vietnam war.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Thuy Le was a star, he never tired of answering our endless questions, always with charm and a sense of humour. He went the extra mile on many occasions taking us to amazing restaurants lunchtimes and evenings that we never would have found on our own.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light, we slept in 8 different beds in two weeks! Be prepared for the temperature differences between north and south and for living out of a suitcase for two weeks. Take some comfortable walking shoes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Making it to the hotel in Sierra Maestre.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liesner was very knowledgeable about Cuba and it's history. He was always helpful and considerate, and a very fit cyclist.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be flexible in your expectations of hotels, plumbing and food. Although not to European standards the rooms were always clean and functional. The food while not varied was interesting and some cases well cooked and presented.

Most Inspirational Moment

Finding two chairs that someone had thoughtfully carried up to the Castell de Castells.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very capable and well organised. He contributed greatly to our enjoyment of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots,too many to mention as I'm lazy.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Well informed on all aspects. Nothing was too much trouble for him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to share apartments with another couple in two of the places. Although for me personally it wasn't a problem .You do have your own bedroom and en-suite

Most Inspirational Moment

On the fourth day of skiing after fresh snow, we explored a stunning valley in beautiful weather. Had another wonderful lunch in the knowledge we would work it all off before our 5 course dinner! Does it get any better?

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very friendly, very knowledgeable and a very patient and inspiring teacher.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Target your pre trip training. Good stamina level essential. Triceps, adductors and shoulders suffered! Then just go, eat ski and lose weight !

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved seeing all the families walking around the lake in Hanoi at the weekend, playing lots of games from tug of war to skipping. The food was marvellous, delicious and fragrant. And lastly how well the folk of Vietnam have managed after the horrific Vietnam War against the Americans.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thuy Le was superb and imparted so much knowledge of his county to us with it being over load. He even located a hat my husband left behind on a coach 400 miles away: nothing was too much trouble for Thuy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The torches we were advised to take were not needed! If you want garments made up in Hoi An go with an idea or picture with you as this will save a lot of time. I wish I had taken a couple of smarter outfits to wear in Ho Chi Minh at the end of the tour. Thuy sorted out local folk to do our washing which was very cheap so you don't need to take as much. If you get the chance go to see a show in Ho Chi Minh at the opera house called AO its got a tremendous group of acrobatics performing using bamboo poles and huge whicker baskets. I took two old sheets to sleep in on the train and was glad I did. Water bottles are useful as you can fill up on the bus.