Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were no bad bits during the week, but the highlights included the 2 day walk with a night in the refuge. The walks covered the highest peak in Tuscany, plus an earlyish morning walk to the second highest peak in the neighbouring range. Seeing the sunset high up in the mountains was amazing and worth the walk alone.The food at the accommodation was perfect and plenty of it, always seconds available!There was plenty to challenge and enjoy on the walks, with chains, scrambling and ridges all done at some point, plus forest walks but always excellent views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was our leader, and she was excellent, she was friendly and helpful and made sure that we all knew what we were doing every day and made sure we were comfortable on each walk, by allowing the faster walkers to go on ahead, but giving clear instructions of where to wait for the group. On the walks she made sure that we were all ok, and on our day off she ensured that we all knew what the options were for us to do. On the last day, as we had a late flight back to London, Liz ensured our day was full with a trip to Lucca and Pisa, thus meaning we had 7 full days.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are not fit, or do not walk regularly then this is not a week for you. However, if you are fit or walk regularly in the hills then this is a week for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Without a doubt it was reaching the Sungate on day four of the Inca Trail to obtain the first view of Machu Picchu.A close second was the sunset on Amantani island on Lake Titicaca. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was a wealth of information who assisted everyone in the group with their individual needs and never seemed to tire of answering questions and accommodating group members.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring along good insect repellent, carry toilet tissue paper at all times and make sure you have a good camera with long battery life!

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the sun rise over the sand dunes at Sossusvlei on my daughter's 18th birthday was something very special.  But quadbiking on the dunes at Swakupmond was thrilling in a completely different way.  Seeing the landscape change from dunes to scrub desert to lush-ish green covered mountains as we travelled north through the country was pretty amazing.  And then all those incredible birds and animals.  How one can become nonchalant about seeing springbok, zebra, giraffes, warthogs, baboons, the seal colony, elephants and even rhino seems unthinkable but then add a lion with its kill; two lionesses with their cubs, cheetahs, hyenas and even a rare sighting of a leopard with photography opportunities to die for and words begin to fail me...Plus the fact that we are the least likely family ever to sleep under canvas and yet we loved it... all.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Franz was terrific.  He struck the balance between sharing his knowledge of the country and its inhabitants (of all kinds) and giving us the space to spend family time together.  We drove along looking left and right and straight ahead learning about Namibia's history, its economic, political and cultural context, and came home much more knowledgeable about the birds and animals, the geography and geology and so on.  He was really well organised and prepared us fully for each day and all activities.  And he had a great sense of humour too. And accompanied by Jonas, who cooked for us brilliantly, they were a great pair for whom nothing was too much trouble.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in the summer months; do take lots of warm clothing.  We didn't really have enough and there were nights and early mornings when warm gloves, woolly hats, ski jackets and thermals would have been useful. Don't expect to have much time to read and relax.  We took books that didn't even come out of our bags. And there is quite a lot of bus travel; so do take this into account.

Most Inspirational Moment

Eating tart at Mama's surroubded by amazing views and good company

Thoughts on Group Leader

Couldnt fault Oliver. Patient, knowledgable, good fun, really made the trip

Most Inspirational Moment

There was more than one moment.The green turtle nesting and returning to the sea with the moon rising above the Caribbean sea with thunder and lighting in the distance.The humpback whale breaching in the Dulce Gulf again and again.The sea crashing through the trees where the rainforest touched the ocean.The lighting storm over the cloud forest whilst looking to the pacific ocean.The iguana falling out the tree by the bar in Tortuguero.Scarlet Macaws flying over the mangroves.Being woken up by Howler Monkeys.Need I say more?

Thoughts on Group Leader

Berny was fantastic.  Warm friendly and knowledgable.  He went above and beyond with many more activities than the trip notes described.  In particular his early morning bird walks were a highlight for me.Without him the trip would not have been the success is was and I will always remember and be grateful to him for making my journey through Costa Rica memorable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go. Don't wait. Go.Be prepared for high humidity and take walking shoes with you - you will need them.Biting insects are everywhere - if you are prepared with long trousers and cover youself you will survive! Even though I did get some bites they did not detract from my wonderful trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Whilst plodding up to Stella Point in the dark and cold, feeling more than a little weary, the guides broke into song which raised the spirits enormously. Who would have thought that a cup of warm water could be such a welcome drink when we finally reached Stella Point? After a few minutes to regain our energy, the final hour to Uhuru seemed endless in the rarified air, but we finally made it! A moment of sheer exhilaration.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Samuel was undoubtedly the most experienced guide on the mountain. He dealt with everything in a calm and dignified manner and seemed to be respected by all other guides and porters. He was a fantastic group leader and we all felt very safe in his capable hands. His genuine concern for our welfare was second to none.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were all rather surprised to have our Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate scrutinised on entry to Tanzania. It seems this is essential if arriving via Addis Ababa. On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport we were advised by the local rep to change some dollars into shillings - this is not at all necessary and indeed proved difficult to spend as everywhere is set up to take dollars.

Most Inspirational Moment

You know that you have so much visiting these countries and it humbled me into realising this and that I should not get worried about the little things.  The people in these countries have little but seem the happiest I have ever met.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nee was the best tour leader I have known in 7 years of cycle trips.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Let them do everything and enjoy every moment.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably when we climbed up the first pass, I was feeling the altitude but the view when I finally made it was awesome. Everyone on our trek was very supportive of each other.

Thoughts on Group Leader

What more can I say, a true professional and a real 'people' person. I felt very safe with him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not a walk in the park, you definitely need a good level of fitness and expect some long days trekking. Also you can't know how you will cope at altitude but we all made it in our own time coaxed along  by our leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

That cold beer after the long descent from the Lac Blanc; the leisurely picnic lunch on the Aiguillette de Brevent on the last walk with the opportunity to savour the stupendous view of Mont Blanc close up and the views over to earlier walks; the pink of the setting sun on the snow on Mont Blanc from the Chalet window.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver is endlessly patient and good-humoured. Our group was of varying abilities and experience but he brought out the best in everyone. He manages the tasks of shepherd and host in a very relaxed way.  And he really knows and loves the area. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have a good level of fitness to enjoy the ascents. On a couple of days there are both long ascents and descents. If you are a very fast,fit walker you may need to accept that others are not and that you have to accept the necessary discipline of walking as a group. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to meet new and interesting people and the summit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Abdullah was knowledgeable, very personable and extremely trustworthy.  Three traits I found to be invaluable and comforting given how much you depend on them during the more remote sections of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only 1, get change in the form of coins and small notes.  Nobody outside of Marrakech will take 100Dh or 200Dh notes as they can't change it.  Even our Hotel didn't want them when trying to buy water.Also take a Platipus/Camelbak type hydration system as there are sections of long decent which both hands free for 3 - 4 hours and dehydration in the Atlas environment is too easy.