Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I will never forget walking round Vesuvius, away from the tourist trail. Panoramic views of the Bay of Naples on one side and steam rising from the depths of the volcano on the other.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking poles and plenty of tubigrips if you have dodgy knees. I'm so glad I took my waterproof - it nearly stayed at home. Most of the week was beautiful, but when it did rain it was torrential. I'd also recommend earplugs. The hotel and village were very peaceful, but the local cockerel had a serious pair of lungs.

Most Inspirational Moment

Yeah - I can't decide - Climbing to the top of the Waterburg plateau was fun and challenging, resulting in a fantastic view; the sand dune climb was a terrific experience (we saw a dancing white lady spider!); the hike back to Deadvlei (no other tourists here!!); the phenomenal waterhole experience at Etosha, and interactions with the Damara, Himba and Herero were all so good. We also did an extra 2 hour dunes flight out of Swakopmund (arrangements made by the tour guide), and the Living Deserts Tour in Swakopmund - both well worth it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We benefitted from 2 group leaders: Sven and Shane. Both were very knowledgeable, capable and enthusiastic. They helped several of us out a couple of times - I left my credit card at a shop - no problem - let's go get it; one person's bank card got sucked into an ATM - she got help cancelling the card and getting to a bank, and one night we were investigated by a curious elephant that resulted in some minor tent damage - new tent the next day! They were very patient with lots of bathroom requests, the need to stop and photograph each and every elephant, and our desire to stop at roadside stands to shop. VERY very good - both of them. Our camp assistant was Ruben (not sure of the spelling), and he did a LOT more than assist. He set up and broke down the campsite, prepared our meals, did the dishes, and was very interesting to talk with about current Herero lifestyle. A VERY nice and hard working man.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A couple of things: Rand was accepted freely everywhere with the possible exception of the Living Deserts Tour in Swakopmund (although I'm sure you can check that out ahead of time). And since Rand can be converted back to Euros and USD, it might be worth getting more Rand than Namibian dollars. ATM's work for some and not for others, so do your homework ahead of time and make sure the ATM system in Namibia meshes with your bank at home (it didn't for us, but we had done our homework). Biltong!! Yes - we wanted to bring some back to the US, but you may get asked to go to the Agriculture desk at US customs. Our group had mixed results - some were allowed to bring it in, others had to surrender it. Electricity: You need a specific Namibia/South Africa plug configuration which kits do not contain, even if they say Africa. Again we had done our homework and the entire group borrowed our adapter throughout the trip. Do plan on the add-on activities in Swakopmund. We did the 2 hour flight over the dunes which was well worth it. Not only do you gain an appreciation of the vastness of the dunes, you also see lots of other things like shipwrecks, abandoned mining camps, the salt works, seals and flamingoes. We also did the Living Deserts Tour. This was led by Chris who was masterfully multilingual, entertaining as well as passionately environmentally aware. Everyone enjoyed themselves, saw some small creatures and really learned respect for a very fragile ecosystem. Well suited for youth and adults with no difficult walking.

Most Inspirational Moment

I most enjoyed walking the higher peaks and high pasture areas of Picos. Our evening meals together as a group were always really fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro, our group leader, was excellent. He is friendly, well-informed about the region ecologically, historically and culturally, and was very good at managing our group so that everyone got the most out of the experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring your own hair-dryer if you use one regularly.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is impossible to say. In terms of cycling Days 4,5 & 6 are the most enjoyable with varied terrain and the challenge of the longest climb. The visit to Venice at the end was amazing as was the opportunity to go to the opera in the Roman amphitheatre in Verona.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele was a fabulous leader with a great sense of humour and significant knowledge about the areas visited. He made the effort to fill every minute with optional extras such as an early morning Verona tour and organising tickets to the opera.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it! Other than that a little training will make the cycling more comfortable along with plenty of padding. You will not need a daysack as mentioned in the trip notes as a handlebar bag and a pannier are provided.

Most Inspirational Moment

This is so hard to say - things like great sunrises, quad biking and seeing wild animals very close up in their natural habitat are the obvious ones, but it was also amazing just to learn about Namibia and its ancient and more recent history. The last morning was very special as well, eating a Happy breakfast at a small and very pretty campsite, overlooking a great African vista.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group was led by Shane, ably assisted by Happy and Beli. They were a great team and I cannot speak too highly of them. They were hard working, competent, knowledgeable and always on the lookout for ways in which they could help. Their wildlife spotting abilities were amazing and they were endlessly patient. Even the best of us leave our brains behind when we go on holiday sometimes and they were calm and practical in all sorts of potential crises [mentioning no names, but if I say lost phone which turned up (eventually) in back pocket, you know who you are!]. Happy deserves a special mention for his cooking - what he can do in iron pots over an open fire is incredible - and for our party he did veggie and gluten free options as well. In general all the food we had was good but we all agreed that there was no restaurant meal we had that lived up to our campfire meals. He gives Happy Meals a whole new meaning! Shane was an endless fount of knowledge about all aspects of the country; history, politics, wildlife, you mention it and Beli's dancing was brilliant - very funny. All three of them were exeptional; they made our holiday really.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a head-torch. Take African (three round pin) adaptors. Make sure you've got a couple of fleeces and warm PJ bottoms for night toilet visits and generally chilly evenings. We went in the dry season so didn't actually get bothered a lot with mosquitos, but you should still do all the preventative stuff. Be prepared for early starts "Families! Good News! We only have to get up at 5.30am tomorrow!!" Have a sense of humour and be prepared to be flexible. Read the trip notes properly - they are accurate and informative.

Most Inspirational Moment

Most inspirational was my trip to Kataragama when we stayed at Yala National Park and a few of us made this trip on our own. This was not arranged or mentioned by the guide Roshan (Proshantha). It was an amazing experience because it showed Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists worshipping together - the experience was humbling and spiritual. The smell of incense, the heat of the evening, the people chanting and praying with offerings of fruit and lotus flowers was unforgettable. Despite the extortionate price of £45 for the Kandy Esala Perahera, it was absolutely amazing to be part of such an electrifying experience. The Perehara festival in Kandy was fantastic - the atmosphere was electrifying.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan (Proshantha) was our group leader who was amicable, the tour guide he organised for me was excellent for my separate excursion. He is an ward winning tour leader and which I was very surprised because he had low enthusiasm for activities / sites not part of the trip and did this by not telling the group at all about them (even though they were in our guide book) or providing negative feedback about said activity / sites. He didn't impart with information about he country unless asked and even then the answers were short and he had to be probed further for a satisfactory response or the response was a retort to humour the group that were culturally insensitive and had bandied together. The tour had a package tour feel as we spent most of our time on the coach, the food he recommended was not local but buffets or English style food to meet the palette of some of the group (who bandied together) who moaned the most about the Sri Lankan food and laughed at effort of the Sri Lankan chefs to meet the requirements of ever critical British, we weren't told about temples or other sites even in Colombo that were options to visit because most of the Brit pack were 'templed-out' and that there was 'nothing to see in Colombo'.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be afraid to not follow the herd. Read all your guidebook and persist in asking questions about Sri Lanka. Talk to the locals as much as you can as you will not get a chance being on the coach.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last major hike from Cameron Lake to Waterton Lakes via Summit Lake & Carthew pass through hail & gale force winds. A close 2nd was the hike up Paradise Valley to Sentinel pass & down to Moraine Lake - an inspired Leader variation. The "advertised " trek would have rather dull.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A great father & son team - Father guide, son driver. Both very knowledgeable about the area, wildlife & Canada in general. The cooking and packed lunches were excellent - everything done with great care. Sebastian's changes to the published itinerary were inspired. The additional walk around Red Rock Canyon on the last day was a great extra.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Come prepared for all four seasons! Participation is key - the more you muck in, the more you'll enjoy it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Thurs. (second last) doing the ascent and walk across the ridge - twin summits of Mancondiu

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was excellent. He conveyed his love of the region's culture, geology, geography really well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had a fantastic week in terms of sunny weather but it can be varied - it is the Atlantic coast of Spain. Fortunately the only poor weather day was during the transfer when we arrived but rain was torrential, so be prepared!

Most Inspirational Moment

Terra Cotta warriors, Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, pandas, were all fantastic. But what struck me was what a capitalist society China really is. Everything is for sale everywhere by individuals, and in areas there are a lot more luxury autos than I would ever see in my country. Not sure what happened to communism. The huge population is striking, we would pass a "small" city of 10 million that u have never heard of!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alan was great, in China lots can go wrong, including streets so flooded we could not pass them to get to our train station ( he got us there), but he seemed very organized, giving suggestions for bakeries and food, ordering group dinners. He also expressed some of the shortcomings of his county, and his English was very good. He worked very hard!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Facebook and more importantly gmail did not work in China, important if u have to stay in contact for business or personal reasons. It is very hot in August and there is a lot of walking. Always carry toilet paper and of course the standard of toilets is quite low except at hotels. The standard on the trains is very low but no one died on our trip, it is what it is, it is China. If u are a coffee addict take some instant, if u really like cream in your coffee, take some coffee mate. U will be carrying your bags up and down stairs in train stations. Generally u will get pushed and shoved, it is China u learn to push back. Traffic is crazy, be careful as a pedestrian and have patience when riding a bike. We went a day early to Beijing and had a great day exploring using the subway. We happened to luck out with a cheap 2 day stopover in Tokyo on the way back, the contrasts were amazing, worth trying if u have time. We took cable car up the wall, i am glad given the limited time u have to explore the wall it allowed me to see more of the wall, but I am a slow hiker!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of dead women's pass

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cesar was amazing. From the moment he meet us at the airport to the time we left, he was truely inspirational and helped to make the holiday one we will never forget

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was worried about the camping, toilets and food on camp, but no need to be the Porters and guides make sure everything is perfect for you. The food we had whilst trekking was restaurant quality!