Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling up to the pass was very exhilarating and rewarding.The sceneries all along the roads are amazing.The welcoming of every child and adult along the way is heart worming.Hoi Ann is a fantastic place to have couples of days rest.The boat trip and night in Hanoi Bay with the kayaking trip are 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam was the most smilly, carring, patient and kind person I know. He was constantly checking on our needs and comfort. He always kept is calm when we were asking him time and time again the adgenda of the day despite him eplaining it very clearly the 1st time but because of us not being focused. His knowledge of his country is exellent and we could ask him any type of questions he always knew the answer. He really made this trip interesting and comfortable. He is a fantastic guide.His team, Hi, the truck driver and bus driver were also ever so helpull and carring, they also made this trip ever so pleasant 

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all just a brilliant trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Elijah our trek leader was informative, amusing and very efficient. A great chap, the chef , Wilbur, seemed to magic the most incredible three course meals out of the kitchen tent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Think about the Moonstone trek as an alternative to the Inca Trail, you will not be disappointed

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the 21km climb and then sailing down the 30km descent the other side!  And meeting some great people in the group

Thoughts on Group Leader

Unfortunately I probably gave him my stomach bug - he was certainly unwell for a few days - so coped admirably in the circumstances.  Good to have a second person on hand as a safety net.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Build a good bit of cycle fitness if you've not been in the saddle for years.  Realise that there are quite a few transfers involved in this trip - and there's not much space in the back of the vehicles!  Also that there are no toilet facilities for 90% of the time whilst you're out on the road - just in case you're squeamish about that sort of thing.  The support vehicle is your safety net - I got in it the first day when I was feeling really poorly.  So with that guarantee, I'd say go for it!  

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the paddy fields and the villages. Seeing all the children shouting at you at the side if the road and coming from school. They loved to slap your hand as you went past, shouting and screaming! Seeing the Cu Chi tunnels Cycling the big hill challenge near the end of the trip The happy spirit of the guides we had and Vietnamese people we met

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Group Leader, Lam, was just great. He just dealt with and organized everything with a happy and calm demeanor. He was good fun and made us all feel that we were being looked after. He was very knowledgeable and was always able to tell us something about the parts of the country and people we were visiting. We always had the information we needed at all times and didn't have to ask many questions at all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some cycling training before hand, if you are not a regular cyclist. Take your own seat or a gel-seat cover! Take cycling shorts, with chamois padding - and Assos cream! Take 2/3 of the clothes you think you'll need (there's chances to wash stuff cheaply)

Most Inspirational Moment

The long bike descent from Dalat, kayaking Ha Long Bay, and especially returning to Vietnam and seeing some villages I worked in 43 years ago

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danh did a great job -- extremely knowledgable and invariably helpful and organized.  The rest of the crew was also first rate.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for hordes of motor scooters 

Most Inspirational Moment

'Inspirational' would be too strong a word - the sand dunes are capitivating from the air and ground - even better when climbing or sandboarding. The wildlife is surprisingly plentiful - the waterholes at Etosha attracted almost everything worth seeing and at close quarters - so even my minature camera captured some worthwhile shots..............those with paparazzi lenses had a field day. The Namib desert in all its guises dominates...........a variable landscape and amazing that it can support this quantity of wildlife.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Swen was excellent as were his support team of Shane and Happy - they did all the tent erection/dismantling, cooking, transfers, bike maintenance - the meals prepared by Shane and Happy were first class for a camping holiday. The bikes were high quality, but the constant blowing sand made gear maintenace difficult - a number needed changing during the 12 days cycling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You might want to bring your own saddle, or a gel seat cover..............the dirt roads are pretty bumpy.There is no humidity and it is easy to under-estimate the amount you sweat (you effectively don't while cycling as it dries immediately).  I don't drink much water normally, so really struggled to maintain intake - if like me then take some tasty additives to help you drink more.  I ate a lot of the fruit provided - but this is no where near enough.  The Namibian instant coffee is rank - take your own. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Tigers in the wild was absolutely unforgettable and the main reason for my trip but I really enjoyed the vast array of other wildlife there was to take in.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader on the trip was a Tiger enthusiast who had loads of great stories to share and pictures to show. He was always happy to help and went out of his way to ensure everybody had a great time. He made a really great trip excellent!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go on a winter depature it is really cold on the morning game drives, I took completly the wrong clothes. While it was still gloriously hot inbetween drives, first thing in the morning I was wearing two fleeces and a hat as well as the blanket provided in the jeep!

Most Inspirational Moment

Finding out that (with a bit of common sense) altitude will not be a problem - so you are free to enjoy all that Peru has to offer. Plus the hotel surronded by a raging river, a railway track & an off-licence!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nothing was too much trouble for Johnn - he made all the travelling so much easier, & had seemingly unlimited info about all the places we visited.

Advice for Potential Travellers

General expenses were fairly cheap, but the banks were funny about any tears etc on US Dollars. Watch the Group flight if you are not based in the south of England, as this goes London to Amsterdam first (not great if you are travelling from the regions)

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the children of Cuba and walking around Trinidad and seeing how people live.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good. He gave us enough information and knowledge without talking all the time, especially on long coach journeys. He could have looked after the elder members of our group a little better, sometimes they were a long way behind main group and it was up to members of the group to see if they were ok.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not think that what you see at first sight is what it is like. Hotels may look good from the outside but sometimes not much works in them. Do not take notice of what guide books say about poor quality of food, everywhere we ate was superb, especially in the private farms and houses. Do be careful about engaging in conversation with locals in Havanna, they appear very friendly but mostly want you to give them cucs or go and buy things for them. They can be quite persistent.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling up the Tizi n Test pass to 2100m and then to 30km descent.  Essouria also a loverly place to spend time,  I think in next years trip there is more time there

Thoughts on Group Leader

Well organised

Advice for Potential Travellers

The cycling is amazing, trip notes don't really explain it fully. Food ok, dry chicken tagine several times. Several long transfers.