Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several: great music in La Trinidad; getting close to the Cuban people in our casa particulare there, and while cycling on back roads through small towns and farms, past the people and their farm animals and small schools with the kids outside cheering us on.

Thoughts on Group Leader

My experience is limited, but I would say that Erik was outstanding. At 79 I am prone to forgetting things--like my passport--but he rose to each occasion. When we arrived, exhausted, at each new hotel, I was particularly grateful that he was able to get us checked in very quickly, once in less than 5 minutes! He is a proud Cuban and it was great to hear about Cuban history from him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I regretted not having school supplies with me to leave in some of the schools we passed.

Most Inspirational Moment

The group were awesome and getting to base camp with everyone was great fun!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima and the guides were funny, supportive and very knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My Walking sticks were so useful!

Most Inspirational Moment

Base Camp!! - Has to be really doesn't it, iconic place and great atmosphere when you get there! Such a sense of achievement.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima was just incredible, most of the guides caught colds and chest infections while we were out there but they kept going with their unending enthusiasm and good spirits! They were always there when we had bad days and never stopped watching us to make sure we were having a good time!

Advice for Potential Travellers

To get the most out of this trip I really would recommend a few things. Pack light! Take loads of photos. Enjoy every minute! Most of all I really believe I would have enjoyed it more if I had done some serious hill walking training - I made it with barely any training in that department although a reasonable level of general fitness but I think I would have benefited from more training on hills!

Most Inspirational Moment

The beauty and tranquility of rural Indochina and the Mekong delta; the obvious happiness of the families eeking out a living along the roadside; the respect shown to each other in mad traffic congestion; the unity which has followed some of the worse atrocities carried out by man. All inspirational but to hear the real life impacts of Khmer Rouge and US assaults on humanity from our guides was intensely moving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She performed beyond the call. She shouldered responsibility for everything. She shepherded the whole group, moving up and down the cycle file to ensure all was well and to ensure we crossed roads safely. She pre-warned us of what to expect. She carried money to help out those less well prepared. She apologised profusely for shortcomings on behalf of others. And she still managed to maintain her sense of humour and her smile throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book before it is too late!

Most Inspirational Moment

....night under the stars in wadi Rum

Thoughts on Group Leader

excellent

Most Inspirational Moment

After we arrived on Saturday, we went from Alberobello to Noci for the New Wine Festival, held on the streets of the town. I really liked being part of the crowded streets, trying the wine, craft beer, roasted chestnuts (a feature of the festival) and great food from all the stalls laid out. Bands were playing and there was street entertainment, like performers doing fire eating! The local people are really friendly and I enjoyed being part of a genuine, event.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marinella is very good. She helped us with the language and explained the local food dishes to us. She kept the itinerary rolling and got us out of scrapes, where we did not quite know what we were doing! She was very diligent in organising our trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a really good Autumn trip. Really relaxing and warm, when the UK gets cold and wet. The walking is easy but inspiring through crossing olive groves, vineyards, and amongst the trulli (cone roofed houses) of the region. It is on this basis, it should be booked.

Most Inspirational Moment

..walking on the Hejaz railway..

Thoughts on Group Leader

excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

...do it all

Most Inspirational Moment

The temples of Angkor especially Angkor Wat and getting a real understanding of the 'Pol Pot' Regime in Cambodia.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chai the 'General Manager' is very professional, well organised and has very good inter personal skills. Fully supportive of the all group members and equally his support teams. It is not easy leading 18 travellers through 3 countries and having different support teams but Chai made it look and feel 'seamless'.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are not a regular cyclist but are reasonably fit and want 'an Asian experience' do not hesitate to consider this tour as 99.5% of the cycling is flat or on only very slight inclines although be prepared for the heat.

Most Inspirational Moment

Though not for the faint-hearted, the magnificent and rugged landscape, the tough/arduous trekking, and the tranquility of the journey allows you to put things into perspective. This, combined with a fantastic group of people, made for a most enjoyable and memorable trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima was an inspirational leader, always there with encouragement and humour to ease our journey. Ngima kept us informed throughout our trek and, along with his chief and assistant guides, made this a hugely memorable (and educational) experience for our group. (I think a special mention for the porters and Yak driver is in order; these guys, through their hard work and efforts, made the logistically challenging task of moving sixteen people's kit look easy. The work that the whole team put in made this trip a seamless and enjoyable experience. Well done all!)

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a tough but rewarding trip that is both physically and, at times, mentally demanding. While the group interactions and dynamics can help with mental side of things, the physical is something only you have control over; preparation is key to ensure that you are prepared for (and adapt to) the tough trekking and altitude that you will encounter. Without a doubt I think almost all of my group found the trek difficult at one stage or another, but the fitter and more prepared that you are the better and more enjoyable the trip will be.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being on my own for 10 mins when I got off my bike to walk down a particularly steep track in the Sierra Maestra mountains. The other more experienced, braver mountain bikers rode down of course & I was left briefly on my own. Tropical rain was pouring down as I slithered down enjoying the beauty of the surroundings; an old man in a sombrero was walking slowly up hill pulling a donkey on a rope. He smiled & said ''Hola" as we passed. It felt a surreal but a magical moment.!! Cooling off with a swim in the Carribean sea after some very HOT cycling. The smiling friendly faces of children waving as we rode through villages. They had so little but always looked happy.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Erik was excellent. He was a fount of knowledge about his country and enjoyed discussing the history and current situation. He had a good sense of humour, brilliant English and was very encouraging. He had almost endless patience with a very diverse, mixed age group of clients. Lots of fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hand washing facilities are not great - I wished I had taken alcohol hand cleansing gel as some more experienced travellers did. Quite a few of our group experienced travellers diarrhoea. The group leader was very keen on bike safety, sun, hydration & mosquito safety but I was too slow to realise the risks of brushing my teeth with tap water & eating the peel on some of the delicious tropical fruit provided. . . The leader did tell us later that quite often clients got tummy problems for whatever reason so perhaps a bit more advice around this included in trip notes would be valuable for people planning the trip. Another traveller provided me with immodium which was invaluable when the bus journety has to continue. . . And another had antibiotics in case of such a situation - between them they saved my holiday!!