Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Everest for the first time, getting to base camp/summiting Kala Pattar the following morning. Meeting a great bunch of people on the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sukman was excellent. Was very organised, got on very well with the group, had a wonderful knowledge of the region and he did everything with a great sense of humour. He had a wonderful support team in Ming Ma/Gami/Geljen/Yak Man (apologies don't remember his name).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walk slowly on the ascent to allow your body to acclimatise, drink plenty of water and enjoy the wonderful views that are around you. To be honest, the teahouses and the food was better than I had expected based on what I had read on the internet. Chips and beans was very enjoyable at Gorak Shep.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed the biking days. Riding through the small side streets you get to see how the locals live away from the tourist areas. The overnight on the boat was a great experience, Halong Bay is beautiful.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think the most inspirational moment was visiting Pompeii and walking the upper crater rim of Vesuvius. This volcano sits quietly at the moment but you know that it caused such destruction in its wake all those years ago, its quite awe inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul was our tour leader and he was fabulous, full of knowledge about the area, very organised and a great sense of humour. He made the trip what it was and worked really hard to ensure that everyone was looked after and having a great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a leisurely paced trip however the walking is definitely a level 2 purely because of all of the steps that you have to walk, there wasn't anyone in the group that didn't feel it in their legs at some point during the trip. I'd recommend doing some training prior to the trip to build up your stamina for the walking if you are not used to it.

Most Inspirational Moment

My favourite part really was seeing the bears it was truly magical, cute and cuddly. The heart did pound a little as we walked to the bear hide but knowing they are more scared of you than you are of them helped a lot. We saw many bears over 10 in fact including a mum with her two cubs, truly amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udi our group leader was fabulous, he was very knowledgeable and insightful with all that he shared. I particularly loved that he knew so much about all the flowers and birds it really added something to the trip for me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you get travel sick at all then take travel calm tablets with you. There's not much travel involved but if you suffer its really helpful to take them, once I did I didn't suffer at all. I travelled with KLM via Amsterdam from Leeds and they lost the luggage on the way out so make sure you have flights that allow at least 2 hours transfer otherwise they will struggle to transfer your bags for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the desert scenery. I was expecting sand.... but I got beautiful imposing sandstone mountains and rocks which looked strangely like melting chocolate in places. So, the most inspirational part of the trip for me was the day spent scrambling up the hills to a rock bridge where a bit of a climb enabled me to stand on the bridge to make the most of the views. I also slept outside with amazing clear sky's full of stars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was superb. Very knowledgable about the history and culture of Jordan but also had an amazing ability to check out how the group were feeling. He made the trip run very smoothly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You may wish to take a little more money than the trip notes advise. All meals were usually less than 15 dinars, but with snacks and tips I spent £150 altogether. Not a lot for a week away, but if I had wanted to buy presents (I didn't) I could have been left short of cash. Be aware that debit or credit cards are not widely used at all.

Most Inspirational Moment

We visited all of the main sights and had knowledgeable but fun guides at both Pompeii and Vesuvius. Herculaneum was another highlight, as was the the Walk of the Gods.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Severio was great - really knowledgeable about the area with excellent English. He also rearranged the itinerary to ensure we got to Capri as the ferries were stopping running that week. He also arranged for us to join the hiking group staying at the same hotel to save us money on a trip to Pompeii.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear hiking boots on the Walk of the Gods, not just waking shoes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling over the Andes, with the views of the snow capped volcanoes and lakes

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowable and professional, who always went beyond what was expected or required

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the sometimes sudden changeable weather - check on the weather conditions for the time of your trip and insure you take all the clothing options with you, to enjoy every day of the cycling

Most Inspirational Moment

After having felt the grips of altitude trekking to Base Camp from Lobuche I was very ready to head back down the valley however we stayed in Gorak Shep that night and when I woke up the next morning I felt a great deal better and joined half of the group to summit Kala Pathar (5550m). We headed up straight after breakfast and, as we summited, the sun rose over Everest and Lotse across the valley and we sat and watched as it bathed the surrounding mountains and buttery warmth, warming us up after having set off in freezing temperatures. I have never felt such a sense of achievement as standing on the top of that peak and soaking up that warmth and the views that I so deserved!

Thoughts on Group Leader

This trip simply wouldn't have been the same without our guide, Pasang. A bit of a celebrity amongst the locals, Pasang had been trekking in Nepal since 1996 as well as in Butane, Pakistan, India etc. and had such a great wealth of knowledge of the natural history of the area, the Sherpa people, Buddhism and the geography of the Khumbu valley. There was always a good conversation to have and Pasang was always there to crack a joke when we were struggling, to boost the morale. He looked after every single one of the group as though we were his children, ensuring that we had everything we needed and were comfortable and his superb treatment of his staff did not go unnoticed either. I would not hesitate to actively promote that man both as a guide but also as a friend and all-round good chap!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If, like me, you will not have experienced 4000m+ altitude before going on this trek, do not fear! This is a fantastic opportunity to find out how your body is effected, in a safe environment and with well-trained guides to support you. You will walk slowly, stopping regularly to hydrate (and take in the views) and, within the itinerary should be acclimatisation days, to allow time for your body to adjust. If, however, you would like to be walking long distances, without breaks then this is not the right trip for you. This trip is about relaxing, socialising, taking in the beautiful environment and spiritual culture and - and here's the best part - ultimately achieving something really very special.

Most Inspirational Moment

Poon Hill! Sunrise over the Annapurna range I will never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent! Always seemed to have everything under control - even when group members needed last minute changes. Unflustered and always smiling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes are inconsistent. There are a LOT of steps to ascend and descend in a significant number of the days. This makes for some long and arduous days & is not indicated adequately in the trip notes. Although only a couple of the group failed to complete the complete trek, the general concensus was that it was harder than the rating indicated.

Most Inspirational Moment

Two inspirational moments - playing with the sea lions in the surf and snorkelling with turtles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Leader was fantastic - ensured all arrangements just happened, was passionate, deeply knowledgeable and inspirational about The Galapagos, found us great places to eat and was encouraging and caring on the more difficult parts of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a reasonable camera, an underwater camera and lots of memory power. The sea was surprisingly cold - a wet suit would be a great addition to the packing.