Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The first real glimpse of Everest is spectacular and watching it grow in stature as you approach is a wonderful experience. Arriving at base camp after all of the effort is also an inspirational moment, although I would highly recommend having the extra 2 days stay at base camp to recover, meet the climbers and enjoy your experience of base camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Lakpa, was great - happy, energetic, knowledgeable and a great person to lead the trek. We were also very lucky to have brilliant local guides - Chewang and Pemba.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I recommend the 2 night stay at base camp if you have time - it really allows you to enjoy the achievement and experience a slice of what it's like for the climbers. It also allows you to rest before the trek down! The most important piece of advice is to make sure that you go at a pace that you are comfortable with - don't push too hard otherwise you will burn out or suffer from altitude sickness. Enjoy your time walking and the fantastic views and get to know your group. Also, think about what time of year you want to travel too and what the weather is like at that time as without clear skies you won't get to see the awesome Himalayan back-drop.

Most Inspirational Moment

The evening thunder and lightening storm at ABC was PINK! The mountains were lit by icredible pink lightening - I never knew existed! ...One of our trekkers was scared of the storm, so we sang songs from 'The Sound of Music' to comfort her.... 'raindrops on roses...'!! This was also a highlight as everyone a the Tea house joined in and we had a jolly good sing song! I slept outside - took my mattress outside at ABC and viewed the mountains by moonlight from my sleeping bag... an awesome experience!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dawa Lama was a brilliant leader, very knowledgeable, good leadership skills, good fun, and had a caring attitude, jollying people along and ensuring everyone was included and had a good time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yeah, please take everything on the kit list - including waterproofs! I made the mistake thinking that it wasn't monsoon yet so waterproofs would not be needed - given my previous treks to Everest Base Camp where they were not. Nepal has different climatic regions - prepare for all eventualities. In addition, take ear plugs and a head torch so that you are not so disturbed by snorers and can share rooms without waking people when you need to use the loo in the night.. It gets cramped at Base Camp and rooms are shared, but with so little space to put your kit.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the highest point of Africa

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tosha from the African Walking Company was calm, patient and pleasant and was a pleasure to have as our leader.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although we all want to get to the summit of Kilimanjaro, take the time to enjoy the journey getting there.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me being a bit of a 'foodie' I absolutely loved being invited into the kitchen to see our dinner being cooked and being able to get stuck in and help. Launching ourselves into waterfalls to cool down was definately a must. Pompeii was truly incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb tour leader. Great local knowledge and network of local contacts all of which made us so welcome. She knew how to have fun and made sure we did too. Very professional and approachable. Couldn't have asked for a better leader. 

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed stopping off for breaks from the rides in the villages and sometimes in peoples' houses. The minibus driver would always have water, fruit and other snacks available to keep us going.  The stay in the rainforest lodge was fab.  The history provided us by our guide brought everything we saw into perspective - you wouldn't have got that out of a guidebook on your own!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hose was an amazing guide. He treated us like friends, really wanted to inspire us about his country, had a great sense of humour, was extremely well organised, and it all just ticked over perfectly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

August was hot, very hot.  Obviously while you are cycling the breeze keeps you cooler, but as soon as you stop you realise how daft you've been to go out cycling. If you aren't very good with heat, avoid mid summer! Having said that the beer tastes oh so good in the heat!  And its nice to go out at night in a T-shirt!Don't expect to stay in touch with the world with internet apps. Infrastructure currently not there, very slow and expensive. Just relax and pretend it 1960!

Most Inspirational Moment

For a first timer like me, summitting Toubkal was just awesome. The hard graft in ice and snow to the top was worth every grunt and breath.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Mohamad was excellant. Lots of local knowlege of geography (naturally) with local customs, social life and economy. Helped us appreciate where we were more.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes! read and understand the course notes. some menbers of our group didn`t and were a little caught out.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were unfortunate in that it was cloudy when we reached ABC but the following morning the sunrise was stunning and made it difficult leave the views and start the long trek home. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Prasant Subedi was a superb leader in that he quietly got on with his job of keeping everybody informed as to what we were seeing and what lay ahead which together with his knowledge and enthusiasm for the area made the trip. His support staff were again well organised and very attentive whilst we were on the trail looking after our safety and welfare. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are a few long days especially especially when the weather turns damp and windy as it did on our trip at the end of October. The good thing was that by then we were well aclimatised and arrived at our nightly destination tired and damp but contented. Follow the pre-trip instructions and you won't go far wrong. Whilst you can charge your batteries (Camera and mobile) at the lodges it is recommended that you carry spares as the cold can drain them quite quickly. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The first glimpse of Angkor Wat

Thoughts on Group Leader

In Vitnam the group leader made the trip and literally went the extra mile every day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light and take as few clothes as possible. Plenty of laundry opportunities

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking along that long-long shore barefooted on the sand and in the sea. Adoring the trees in the woods.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ros is great.  She knew everything about everything. And she is very good company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry, be happy!

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, reaching to Gilman’s Point at sunrise was probably the most emotional moment, even more than Uhuru. It’s hard work getting there and the sense of achievement coupled with the sunrise and the sight of actually seeing the curvature of the earth can be pretty overwhelming! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

When I asked how many times he’d been to the summit of Kilimanjaro, he looked me square in the eyes and told me he'd never done it before  (!) – fortunately he was joking, he’d actually done it over 100 times and his knowledge and expertise were fantastic. The guides too were wonderful, with loads of experience and we had complete confidence in them. They regularly checked everyone for symptoms of AMS, and kept a close eye on those who were feeling it more than others.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t worry too much about it. The vast majority of the walking is not too hard, there’s no rush and and there’s plenty of time to rest and get your strength back each night. However, the summit night is extremely difficult, but do-able – it’s just a case of keeping your head down and keep going. It won’t be the physical exhaustion that gets you – but the altitude might, and you can’t do anything about that! Remember, everyone in the group will be fighting their own internal battles, the slowest people will go at the front and you’re unlikely to hear anyone complaining about that! You only need to be ‘reasonably’ fit – if you don't make it to the top due to altitude sickness (which is the most likely cause), the disappointment is only going to be made worse if you’ve trained as if it’s the Olympics! Also, don't believe all the urban myths surrounding Diamox - some people swear by it and others say it's totally unnecessary - each to thier own. Do your own research regarding pros & cons and make your own mind up.