Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many colourful sights. I enjoyed travelling over the Western Ghats through the tea plantations and spice gardens. The colour and human hubbub in the temples in Madurai was fascinating. I enjoyed relaxing in the houseboats on the Allepey backwaters watching daily life unfold on the banks. Watching the fishermen hauling in the nets in Kovalam was interesting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Manoj the Tour Leader was excellent. He was very professional, calm and efficient and made sure that the needs of the group were met. The driver and assistant were also very professional and helpful and ensured our safety. Manoj dealt with problems in a manner that was co-operative such as having to leave early in the morning to flee from Thekkady to beat the blockade. He quickly worked out the needs of the group and would make sure they were met. He provided good advice on eating places, places to buy articles and places of interest. He was very knowledgeable and provided sufficient information to make the tour interesting. He also gave good tips on photography, being an expert.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for different climates as the tour goes from warm tropical to chilly mountain climes.Take rehydration powders as there is a possibility of stomach problems.Although we were able to borrow adaptors and eventually managed to buy one, the normal plug adaptors you buy here did not seem to fit Indian plugs. You will be taking a lot of photos!Be prepared for quite a lot of travelling on mixed road surfaces.

Most Inspirational Moment

Clambering up the various 'one in one' parts of the wall.  The sheer scale of the Great Wall.  The support of fellow travellers.  The shy red beaked blue magpies.  Staying with local people so that we could se how they lived. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very friendly, making sure that everyone in the group was coping alright and knowledgeable about the route.   However he could have told us more about the areas we were travelling through and the day ahead on the long bus journeys.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take warm clothing - and a sleeping bag if you feel the cold - for the evenings if travelling in the autumn.  It gets cold after sun down and some of the overnight stays were not heated. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The different boat journeys were fantastic, especially the voyage to Mljet. Lunch at Ston was delicious.  The trip to Mostar was fascinating and moving. The real impact of the recent war was visible. Seeing once-luxurious modern farmhouses lying deserted and ruined, raised inevitable questions about the fate of their owners.Looking down on Dubrovnik from the hills. I also loved a fabulous fish meal by the sea near the Dubrovnik hotel watching the sun set - my friend and I decided to stay around Lapad one evening. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krsto Lukic was a great guide who managed to maintain apparent objectivity about the troubled history of the region. He was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The journey to Mostar gave him particular scope to introduce us to the complicated tensions which had never meant much to me before. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit to the Roman City of Volubilis, the camel ride into the desert and the camp in the Bedouin tent in the Sahara.  The Auberge in the mountains and the morning hike along the mule track.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Group leader Lahcen was possibly the best we have ever had.  He was enthusiastic throughout, could not be more helpful and eager for us to get the best from our holiday.  His knowlege was exceptional and the level of information was pitched just right for our need.  His English was easy to understand (not always the case we have found) and he listened to all our questions and needs very attentively. Mohammed (our driver) was brilliant both at driving, attending to our suitcases and accomodating his passengers.  He quickly became one of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go on this one, it is an absolute winner!! Something for everybody.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vishnu was extremely helpful to us in coping with and negotiating the unfamiliar hospital experience.Shibu was an excellent and thoughtful driver. Safi is a very competent cyclist and able bicycle mechanic. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have difficulties breathing wear an anti-pollution cycling mask.A water bottle with sanitary cap covering the drinking value  is much better than the exposed values of hydration packs and standard bottles that are exposed to dirt and contaminents. Always carry medical information on your person in case of injury - particularly if you are travelling alone.

Most Inspirational Moment

The outstanding beauty of the yangtze river. I didn't expect it to be and it wasn't something I was particularly looking forwards to compared to some of the other things on the trip but the views took my breath away. We also went to see a show which I thought was outstanding. It was an outside light production and took place on the water. Absolutely amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was lovely. Very good at his job and a lovely man.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The final trip on the sleeper train was a bit of a shock. It warns you of this on the trip notes but the first two we stayed on were really good standard so it was a bit of a shock when the last was what I was expecting from the first two. I'd been spoilt by luxury before hand. Also it says in the lonely planet that it's hard for veggie's in china. I didn't find this. I think there was one meal where I had mostly rice and not a lot else but the majority had beautiful vegetables to choose from. Certainly never went hungry.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the most inspirational moment of the trip was climbing Adam's peak. Absolutely fantastic experience walking in the dark with all the incense smells and watching the sunrise amongst people for whom it obviously had a deeper meaning than just the breath taking beauty. However it is really hard to pin point just one inspirational moment. For me what made this trip was the perfect combination of activity, culture and wildlife. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was absolutely superb. Everything went so smoothly and it was mostly I'm sure, down to his leadership. His knowledge was amazing, ethusiasm insparational and organisation superb.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The only thing that could have made this trip even better than it was for me would have been if I'd got to have gone whale watching. It's an optional activity but as it says in the trip notes, only at certain times of the year. Our leader went and spoke to local people about the last sighting and informed us that the liklihood of seeing one was minimal. So I'd check it's the right time of year for this if you're interested.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing sunrises and sunsets, Death Valley and the sand dunes, seal and dolphin watching, the sight of 21 elephants of all ages coming to the waterhole at night (just when I didn't have my camera! and lion cubs playing by the side of a waterhole.   Breakfast at Solitaire Guest Ranch with an oryx ever so gently putting her nose over my shoulder to sniff my cereal, first one side and then the other!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was knowledgeable, always ready to answer our questions and looked after us well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went the last week in August/first week in September and the nights really are very, very cold so take warm clothing.   Also very cold for early morning game drives when the canvas roof was rolled back on the truck! Not a cheap destination but where we did eat out the meals were excellent - and do try the local fish - delicious!

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.