Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking up Chimborazo - an almost lunar landscape crowned by the snow capped peak. Buffeted by the wind, passing by huge rocks thrown from the volcano, time to reflect on all the experiences so far.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabian's knowledge of the land, people, history and wildlife is very good as is his ability to communicate interesting and important facts. His dry sense of humour kept the mood light-hearted. He's very well organised but also flexible and finds opportunities to do additional activities. He takes time to understand what the group is interested in and is very keen to make sure you get the most from your holiday pictures! Always tell him if there's something you can see from the bus that you want to stop and photograph, or if there's something specific you want to buy and he'll do his best to accommodate.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A mosquito net wasn't needed in the Jungle Lodge as they don't suffer from mossies there, and the huts don't have hanging points for that reason. Insect repellent still needed for other types of fly though. Take a head torch for the night walk to keep hands free for taking photos. To reiterate other reviews, take one or two rucksacks to decant a couple of days' worth of stuff into as cases aren't taken to the Jungle Lodge. Hat and gloves advisable for the high altitude walk at Chimborazo. Careful with light coloured swimwear when you go to the thermal spring baths - the water's coloured with natural minerals which can stain. Try and use some of the language, especially for ordering meals as it makes life easier and quicker and is part of the whole experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wine festival in the local town and the leader changed the itinerary so that we could attend.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable and Charismatic. Went out of his way to make all the group feel included.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from the Tete du Grand Col Ferret

Thoughts on Group Leader

I think this was John's second time of guiding this route. He'd walked this route many times before, and had some good stories to tell. The goal of the tour seemed to be completing the route rather than appreciating the surroundings, but with the distances to be covered perhaps this is inevitable. He was very helpful with providing advice for days off and walks near the campsites

Advice for Potential Travellers

It can rain - we had a particularly wet trip. It is especially difficult to dry socks, and spare pairs - a total of 6 might not be excessive - may be appreciated by your feet. If you acquire any newspaper keep it for drying your boots. if you are travelling alone consider paying the relatively modest single supplement to get a tent on your own. I was really glad that I had done this - sharing a tent with an owl when you are a lark, or with a disorganised person could be difficult. Take some J cloths - the groundsheets of the tents leaked when it was very wet, and I found these useful for drying the bottom of my thermarest., and mopping wet gear generally. On the day off at the end of the trip in Chamonix you can get a pass which covers all the local teleferiques/chairlifts etc, and for very little more you can go up the Aiguille du Midi and several others - including the Bossons Glacier near the campsite. If it's good visibility the first afternoon in Chamonix, it could be worth going up the Aiguille then, as you may have a cloudy day at the end of the trip - though it may not then be worth getting the lift pass. At the airport coming home you can use the electronic luggage drop - the notes regarding not being able to book in on line on the way out had made us think we couldn't use the Airline Locator Number on the way back.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of all the climbs for fantastic views. And the peka meal in Bol was fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great value, knowledgeable and friendly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dalmatian food is very meaty.

Most Inspirational Moment

Several: Seeing the view into Italy from the Grand Col Ferret after the climb up. Arriving at the refuge at the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme having walked through the mist and snow. Seeing Mont Blanc across the valley in brilliant sunshine on the last walking day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Frank, was excellent. He is extremely knowledgeable about the TMB and its environs and experienced in walking the circuit and he shared this information freely, highlighting points of interest as we walked. He was very well organised during the trip and provided good briefings each evening for the day ahead. He was also calm, quietly confident, approachable and friendly and contributed a lot to our overall enjoyment of the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take warm and cool/wet weather gear - you may need both (possibly on the same day). The trek is graded Moderate/ Challenging but overall we thought it was Moderate in grade, since the walking days are paced quite moderately, are not too long, and are punctuated by reasonable length stops at refuges for coffee and/ or lunch on most days.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Dubrovnik from the view reached by going by cable car to the top of mountain - beautiful. It made it all the more spectacular as it took us three tries to go up the cable car due to a thunder and rain storm - definitely worth the wait and patience!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take jelly shoes if you want to swim - you can buy these quite cheaply when you are in Croatia when you're at a coastal location. Remember your sunscream!

Most Inspirational Moment

The walks and the views are a given. I knew I wouldn't be disappointed there. For me the most inspirational part of the trip was seeing how a bunch of strangers can, for the most part, become a cohesive group.The group consisted of various personalities which put together provided many laughs along the way with the common goal of making the most of the experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Karl led my previous trip so I was already prepared for his sense of humour - he didn't let me down! I was also more aware this time of how he took the time to ensure that all members of the group felt included and in particular those who were not part of a couple. I felt completely safe and comfortable knowing that I could always call upon him. He has a sound knowledge base for the area which ranged from the military activity in the Dolomites during the war to the local environment. Karl was always very sociable even on the free day when I would have expected that he would have been glad of the respite!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I nearly didn't pack waterproof trousers, gloves or a hat believing the weather to be fairly hot during July. Wrong. We experienced heat, sun, rain, wind and snow! You need good kit that is waterproof, windproof, breathable and dries quickly else you may find yourself feeling more than a little uncomfortable which could impinge on your enjoyment. Consider using poles - they came in very handy for me and I am not a walking pole fan. Definitely don't forget your sunscreen even for cloudy days! Insect repellent is also worth taking.

Most Inspirational Moment

Enjoying the local treats that our guide had bought for our lunch. This was halfway through our mid-week walk. We bought our bread and he produced tasty local tapenade, ham, olives and chorizo when we stopped under shady trees. We'd also found some amazing local cherries at the market that morning, a huge delicious bag for 2€ .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yves was very good. His English was good and he was extremely patient with the slower group members, always keen to spur them on to complete more than they thought they could. Excellent local knowledge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We arrived around 2.00pm after an early start but your room will not be available until at least 4.00pm. This was a bit disappointing but Yves was very good at rallying us to grab what we needed and go for a walk into town to get our bearings.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching a volcano explode at night (from a safe distance)! The trip to meet a family high in the Andes, hear about their way of life and enjoy a delicious meal they cooked for us. The diversity of the country from scenery to people. The most amazing clouds!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Fabian was simply the best I have ever been with, he clearly loved his job and his country and that reflected in the way he ran the trip. Fabian worked hard to make sure everything went smoothly and to ensure the safety of the group, he took the time to find out what everyone wanted from the trip and was very inclusive catering to all levels of fitness and competence. Fabian put up with some merciless teasing which he took in good humour. Praise also to Mauricio our fearless driver who safely delivered us to all our destinations without mishap and some of the roads were pretty scary!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't bother with a mosquito net for the rainforest as the rooms are fumigated before arrival and there is nowhere to hang one anyway. Be open in your outlook and enjoy the diversity of this wonderful country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Realising what a great group we were and how we all gelled together. The Cares Gorge was stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro our leader had an excellent knowledge of the area, its flora and fauna and did a great job of looking after our group with its wide range of abilities. Nothing was too much trouble. He understood the British sense of humour.