Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The early morning walking safari in Karongwe Private Reserve was really amazing: we had a close encounter with rhino and learnt so much about plants and animals. My highlight though was the evening driven safari, also in Karongwe, where we left the vehicle to watching a cheetah eat her kill, standing just a few feet away, we watched for 10 minutes - totally incredible! We also saw 2 porcupines and a civet in the headlights. Wow!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ende (Andy) and David were fantastic! They were both so enthusiastic and worked so hard to give us an amazing holiday experience. Ende's cooking was fantastic, every meal was tasty, well prepared and vegetarians well catered for. Both were very knowledgeable about the animals and plants we saw and we had interesting discussions about some of the local customs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take books/Kindle to occupy yourself during the long drives. Some of the walking in the Drakensberg may worry vertigo sufferers but there was nothing technically difficult. Rehydration tablets/sachets useful on very hot walking days ( it was much hotter than we expected)

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the steep sided vineyards on the way to Corneglia on our last day, with the sea sparkling below, pinching the odd grape and blackberry along the path.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good humoured, well prepared and very tall :-)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking boots with ankle support and then flipflops as soon as you finish the walk!

Most Inspirational Moment

There was an inspirational moment almost every day...Exhilarating white water rafting through spectacular scenery; ridiculously brightly-coloured poison dart frogs; experts interpreting the night-time sounds and sights of the forest; pairs of scarlet macaws flying in front of the forest (viewed whilst floating in the Pacific); following columns of leafcutter ants to find their nest; boat trips through the rainforest to find ibis, herons and crocodiles; local food in lively restaurants.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Edward was absolutely brilliant. You could not have a better guide. His knowledge, insights and gentle humour really enhanced our trip. He enjoyed sharing his love of nature - and all things Costa Rican - with us all. His organisation was flawless, and he always told us what to expect and what to bring. He was superb with the children, patiently helping them to identify bugs, birds and reptiles. On the last night my younger daughter left a treasured soft toy in a restaurant several miles from the hotel, but a few phone calls (and a half hour drive) later Edward had retrieved it for her. Hernan, our driver, was also superb. I felt safe at all times in the minibus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to your guide - you will learn a huge amount. Go on all the trips - every one was fascinating, and most were led by real experts (although avoid the zipwire trip if you are afraid of heights.) Take plenty of mosquito repellent. Check your flights carefully, and make sure the flight bookers have allowed enough time to change planes - two families had more exhausting than necessary journeys as a result of missing connections.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were none, I found the whole experience depressing and unsettling, I felt ignored, disregarded by the bulk of the group and all of the time walking in foul weather on a difficult mountain so far behind everyone else, I felt unsafe

Thoughts on Group Leader

Overwhelmed by the number of people, she could not have coped looking after everyone despite her best efforts. Some people were just so bossy and domineering they just took over the whole trip. Too time obsessed, never had time to just enjoy the mountains which was the whole point of being there

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have a military level of fitness and consider another holiday with another company, I could not find anything to recommend this company any more and I have had many holidays with them

Most Inspirational Moment

Making it it the top of the hill in the mid afternoon heat after climbing up from Sarlat by grinding out the miles! The cave paintings at Lascaux 2 were stunning as the originals are over 17000 years old and cycling through the virtually traffics free country roads with the dappled sunlight over the chateaux.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Being self guided meant that he didn't have a leader which meant we had planets of time to confer while interpreting the route plan from Headwater. Both Claire & Keith ( the local reps) were both friendly and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went in August when it was hot so do take plenty of water with you and stay hydrated as this is an undulating route with plenty of short sharp hills and the occasional long one! Do also remember that shops are often closed during the afternoon until about 16.00 so buy your provisions in plenty of time

Most Inspirational Moment

Everyday was so different and so packed full it is hard to pick out one moment but probably reaching the summit of Maglić having beaten the looming storm!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Samer along with his colleague Dino was faultless as a guide. Their, humour, knowledge and enthusiasm for BH made the trip. Every aspect was planned in-depth from the treks to booking lunches/dinners for the group; we were made to feel very looked-after throughout the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for all weather. During August we arrived at the end of a lengthy heatwave but still experienced frequent showers-some heavy. If you get travel sick just be aware that some of the minibus travel is through bumpy and windy roads; most journeys about an hour via minibus to the start of the walk.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at the top of the first high pass (GandaLa Pass - 4960m) and seeing the jaw-dropping view the other side: mountains upon mountains stretching away into the distance. Also being able to watch the monks chanting their prayers at the Thikse Monastery was pretty special. We were treated to a huge herd of blue sheep not far away above us on the mountainside too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima was an exceptionally good leader. Absolutely nothing was too much trouble for him. He was upbeat, cheerful and good humoured throughout the trip and dealt with all our (minor) aliments and illnesses efficiently. The local guides were also fantastic, particularly Ongel, and together the whole team made us feel safe, relaxed and able to fully enjoy the whole experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Days 2 and 6 of the trekking (when you cross the high passes and descend) are particularly long and tiring. Although the notes say 7-8 hours it took our group 10-11 hours on both these days. There is LOTS of jumping from rock to rock over streams and wading through rivers so be prepared for this with sandals and a towel in your daypack. Follow the advice of the guides in terms of keeping hydrated (4 litres a day) to combat the altitude. Nigma carried excellent medicines for all sorts of ailments ~ you don't need much from home.

Most Inspirational Moment

On day 5 being able to see all the mountains that we had walked on days 1 - 3 in the mist! A full 360 degree view of the area showing France, Switzerland and Italy. Day 6 swimming in the near glacier Lac Blanc.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Frank was a great leader, pacing the group to accommodate all of our abilities, and making adjustments where necessary to change transport if we were late due to enjoying ourselves too much!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy!

Most Inspirational Moment

there were plenty, possibly the visit to Ometepe Island, maybe cycling around lake Arenal or snorkelling around Bocas Del Toro. Then again it could have been swimming in the Caribbean, pacific and Atlantic Oceans or maybe just walking along the beach at the whilst staying at the Las Lajas hotel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

first class

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery in the mountains is breath-taking and meeting the friendly Berber herdsmen.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was quiet but with a very dry sense of humour. He was extremely well organised and helpful. He paced the walks well and took the abilities of the group into account. The trips notes advised that the last walk was either 10 hours or 5 hours depending on the group, however, Hassan arranged a local lad to take those who wished to do something shorter along the valley for the morning, thus pleasing everyone!! The tour leader in Marrakesh (as mentioned in another review) was really annoying. He tried and failed to be humourous and we got more information about his weight and marriage than the culture and history of the city!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely take some spare snacks as the gap between breakfast and lunch was too long and the snacks at the gite were sugar based where nuts or dried fruit would be better. The trips notes asked people to take water purification tablets in preference to buying plastic bottles of water, however we were told that the community keep the bottles and use them for argan oil which they sell in the markets.