Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Not sure I could pick out one....I did love Sukhothai, a very graceful town with relics of an ancient kingdom and a night market set at the riverside. And a wonderful hotel. Visiting the Elephant Nature Park was also wonderful but perhaps the best thing was the group. There was 15 of us and we all got on so well - no cliques. Every day was fantastic fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I can't recommend Nai highly enough. He was fun, very organised, meticulous in preparation. Could always recommend excellent restaurants. He was a major reason for the success of the tour. Very knowledgeable about all that he showed us and enthusiastic about his country's history. Also had a ready supply of rice cakes and sweets he shared with us on on bus journeys!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be open minded, be flexible and enjoy getting to know your fellow travellers. Be prepared for the heat and drink water, water and then more water. A proper thermos flask with a double wall is a must for keeping water cold. A hat is essential. Mosquitoes not a problem.

Most Inspirational Moment

The early morning bird walks arranged by our guide - being in the rain forest whilst it is waking up is incredible!

Thoughts on Group Leader

David Vargas was inspirational and exceptional. His depth of knowledge and enthusiasm was astounding, he was amazing and very willing to help with anything.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Moving hotels every other night is a bit full on but we would not have seen so much without doing so. Maybe a specialist bird tour does not suit everyone, there were a few people who had chosen the tour because the dates were right for them (understandable!) but I think they found it a bit intense.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wandering round ancient Sukhothai at dusk trying to capture the best sunset photo.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nai was attentive, well-organised, generous and fun, ensuring we maximised our experience (eg giving us all gold leaf, flowers and candles at Doi Suthep temple and sharing his favourite snacks on the coach). He was always at our side to guide us through every experience and chose some delicious (and cheap!) restaurants and food stalls where he took command of arranging multiple bills. He was brilliant!

Advice for Potential Travellers

You do have to live out your suitcase quite a bit so pack lightly and use hotel laundry when you have a two-night stay. Take a thermal water bottle to keep water cool in sweltering heat.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think the most inspiring moment was the climb over the Hai Van Pass. It was very challenging, but we clapped and cheered as others finished the summit, making for a very rewarding experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Loc Phan was excellent. He was friendly, helpful and very accommodating. I am a vegetarian and Loc was so helpful getting my meals coordinated. I also want to recognize the rest of our support team - the mechanic, the truck driver and the bus driver. They were so kind and helpful. They made sure we always had cold water and regular snacks, and the few small bike problems I had (squeaks and clicks - nothing serious) were always fixed the same day that I identified them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Reminder that Vietnam can be hot an humid. If you are sensitive to the heat, check the weather before you book. Also, the first week in particular had some undulations, which may be challenging for beginner cyclists.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Son was excellent. I cannot think of any way in which he could have done more for our group. He was totally dedicated to making sure we were fully informed, well organised and relaxed throughout the trip, and he added so much with all the little extra bits of information and education he gave us. Further, the support team he had recruited worked so well together to give our group all the back up we needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If I was to take one extra thing in my luggage, it would be a small towel to use when we got on the coach after a hot day’s ride. If you possibly can, add an extra day or two at the end of the itinerary in order to see more of Hanoi.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yuth In Siem Reap was excellent. He was able to personalise our visits to Angkor Wat and, where possible, to avoid the crowds, and he helped us in so many ways outside our formal itinerary. Sa in Phnom Penh is maybe newer to the role. He was professional and discharged his job properly, but I think he has some way to go to be as good as our other (excellent) guides. I sensed that he was able to give us information while it was on his script, but he struggled if we were asking questions outside of that script.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I added one day at the start of the itinerary, so that I could have a day to recover from the flight from Europe. As it turned out, we really needed that extra day just to get the right amount of time at the temples. I would advise anyone doing this extension at the start of their holiday, if possible, to add two days at the start.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a Rhino family with Dad and baby play charging and seeing the Drakensberg escarpment for the first time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andy & Clifford are just the best human beings - generous, kind, knowledgeable, skilled and just great to be around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for early starts and sometimes long days, this isn't a relaxing holiday - quite full on. Walks are at times challenging, due to altitude and terrain (some scrambling and chain ladders).

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably getting to the top of Sigirya and understanding all the history around it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was a brilliant leader, nothing was ever too much trouble, he was very well organised, knowledgeable and passionate about his country. I felt he was very much part of the group and made every effort to make sure the trip went well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take socks for the temples as they can be very hot on the feet! Do the additional game drive as we saw elephants there but not Yala.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels and being at the homestay.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nhung was excellent - very knowledgeable, accessible and patient!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the heat and take care when trying to cross the roads in Vietnam - that's a truly terrifying experience! 🤣

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting on a high peak on the last day surveying a vast panorama.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob was delightful, just the right blend of good humour and efficiency.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring proper boots. Read the trip notes properly!