Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Ideal trip for someone wanting to experience a first winter peak with crampons and ice axe and see some magnificent views!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I found the group leader to be very Professional. Within our group there was a mix of age groups, fitness levels and abilities. The group leader managed to cater for all and create a very relaxed and enjoyable environment within the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. Don't think you need to spend loads money on kit. You don't the packing list is a good guide for the worst conditions you know your comfort limits. The more comfortable yo are the more you will enjoy the trip. I got by with a pair of 3 season walking boots and some flexible crampons and was fine. 2.Arrive a day early and do some site seeing in Marrakech its beautiful.3. Get the lonely planet city guide to Marrakech and check out some of the recommended local take aways and restaurants the food is fantastic 4. Take it easy on the trek up stay at the guides pace its perfect. I suffer from altitude sickness this is the first time it's not affected me and I stayed with him.5. There is a second walk after Toubkal which is just as exiteing so don't burn yourself out going up Toubkal!6. Take a couple of days out after the trek and stay in a Riad a member of our group did it and all I can say is I wish I had!!!   

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was fantastic Halong bay, Hoi An,Cu Chi Tunnels to name a few.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was very good, looked after you very well. Loads of information and took use to some great restaurants. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Too difficult to pick just one. Walking around historic Havana and soaking up the atmosphere, snorkelling in the Bay of Pigs, Che monument, Trinidad and the catamaran trip and lunch at the Bella Vista Paladar in Vinales were certainly highlights of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Martha was fantastic! Nothing was too much trouble and her knowledge of her country was incredible. She certainly made the trip relaxing, interesting and fun!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go as soon as you can. Cuba is changing and although some of it might be for the better, aspects of what makes it a truly special destination will have disappeared forever. On a practical note if you go on the catamaran trip make sure you take something to cover up with on the boat, it was really hot and not much shelter from the sun!

Most Inspirational Moment

Being within the Annapurna Sanctury. Being completly enclosed by the majesty of the mountains. This was one of the most inspiational experienes of my life. The memory will stay with me forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He is the most complete Leader I have ever had the privilage to meet.He is meticulously well organised, observant, caring. He commands instant respect when discussing serious or formal issues. He had a genuinely friendly attitude toward everyone he cme in contact with- Trekkers, fellow Guides, Porters, Lodge Staff. He has a gift for instilling confidence in others.I would enquire which treks Ngima would be leading prior to booking my next trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Put in the training. Good boots well broken-in. Eat and Drink plenty on the trip. Enjoy the company of your fellow trekkers.You are going to have a great time!

Most Inspirational Moment

Really hard to choose just one! Walking through the sand dunes of the Sahara in Merzouga just enjoying the silence and amazing scenery, sunrise, sunsets and post dinner drumming and singing sessions with our local guides. Sitting at the summit of our hike admiring the view of the snow capped High Atlas. Listening to the call to prayer and experiencing Moroccan tradition and culture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rachid was knowledgable and enthusiatic and proud of his Beber heritage. Special mention also has to go to Hassan our driver - he did an amazing job and alwys felt extremely safe on the roads, even when other drivers were kinda crazy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are travelling in winter then be prepared for some very cold weather. The hotel in the gorge and the gite in the mountains do not have any heating so make sure you have enough warm clothes, thermals and a decent sleeping bag. Hot water for showers was available though thankfully! Desert was also v cold at night so be prepared. The gorge and Atlas mountain hikes do require some level of fitness. Although not technically difficult, you are hiking for 4-5 hours with a lot of uphill. We did hike in rain and a blizzard in the gorge and through snow in the mountains so decent waterproofs recommended! Shopping seemed to be better and cheaper in Essouira than in Marrakesh. Prices were cheaper and they were more willing to bargain.  Although there are a couple of long travel days, you do make frequent stops. And with so much to see out the windows of the bus the time did seem to fly by very quickly.  Try to pack light for two reasons - there isnt a whole lot of room for luggage on the mini bus and you will end up shopping and buying stuff there.  Oh and dont forget earplugs - the first call to prayer at 530am can be very very loud!!!! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through that arch and seeing the Taj Mahal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

OK, friendly and polite, perhaps could have been a bit more proactive in explaining things.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in December don't forget your fleeces.  It gets cold at nights and many of the hotels don't have heating.

Most Inspirational Moment

Singing the Kilimanjaro song with the team and learning about their histories and life experiences.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Team Leader and the other members of the team were exceptional. They were fun, helpful, supportive and knowledgeable about the mountain and the wildlife.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would book directly through the African Walking Company and bypass Exodus. Their customer service is awful.

Most Inspirational Moment

- Boat trip in the back canals at Tortuguero.- Children at school.- Humming birds !!! How beautiful they are.- rainforest and cloud forests - very unique experience and the well chosen lodges made them very enjoyable. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide was very knowledgable and had good contacts with other guides to help spotting animals.  The only comment I could make that he could have much better managed timing in the interest of the group (instead of his own interest) to make the most of the day.  Often days were splitn with short breaks that you could do nothing meaningful.  The driver was brilliant, he well looked after the bus and people safety.

Advice for Potential Travellers

- It's a wildlife tour, so don't expect much cultural experience.- Food is great but nothing authenticate; ask for plain grilled fish when on the coast to enjoy the real flavor of fresh seafood and don't let it spoiled with marinade and sauce. - Bring a water bottle - tap water is safe to drink !- Don't forget your fleece, it's freezing in the mountains in the night.  - You are going to rain/could forests, don't expect your cloths to dry:-) 

Most Inspirational Moment

Where to begin?   I have indelible images in my mind's eye of the hyena pack harassing a male lion in the dawn light;  the wildebeest escaping from the pursuing hyena by jumping into the river - again in the dawn light;   the cheek of the jackals attempting to steal a kill from other predators;   the lion killing and carrying off an infant warthog;   the spectacle of the three cheetahs chasing and killing an impala;   not to mention the grand finale - a female cheetah with two cubs, estimated at less than two week old.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The inimitable Paul Goldstein delivered in spades!   Backed by Darren and Emma, running the camp and our drivers and trackers: Charles, James and Patrick.   A winning combination.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If wildlife photography is your thing - don't hesitate - sign up and go!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Morocco really does have a lot of contrasts - from the Imperial Cities, the Desert, Mountains and the Atlantic coast as well - personally I find it difficult to pick a favourite, although I did enjoy the walking and would have liked a bit more.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was all you could want from a local guide - always helpful, polite and knowledgeable - unfortunately on the bus the technology (microphone & speakers) often let him down, meaning we couldn't hear a lot of his commentary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For winter departures of this holiday, pack for a winter holiday - it gets very cold at night in the desert, the mountains and especially in the gorge.  Most hotels do not have room heating, so thermals and thick jumpers are required.