Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The panoramic views across the sierra, the amazing pena (rocky outcrops), the spectacular sunrises and the the riot of almond blossom.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose worked hard to ensure the week went smoothly for us. Excellent sandwich maker--the best! Yummy lunches, the purple carrots, cakes and chocolate were a great treat. All transportation worked like clockwork. Unparalleled last night entertainment--singing, flamenco, the tattiest tat competition, the sangria drinking...unforgettable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for all weathers--we had snow the first couple of days (or was it almond blossom disguised as snow???) so thermals and woolly hats and gloves were needed, but by the end of the week were walking in shorts.Be prepared for long days and be reasonably fit. Some descents are tricky and poles are helpful. This is a step up from a "B" grade, so expect that.Don't expect to lose weight on this holiday because of all the walking, there is a lot of eating too. The food at the accomodation in Sella (Casa Roc) is outstanding. Also, lots of chocolate involved. Jose's sandwiches as previously mentioned are "legendary".The accomodation at Sella had shared bathrooms, worked OK as people were considerate. The communal kitchen and terraces were ideal for relaxing in. We needed oil heaters in the rooms as it was quite cold at night. The hosts, Steve and Liz, both British, were extremely welcoming and the dining room was wonderfully warm and atmospheric. In Benimantell the rooms were en-suite and warmer, though the atmosphere of the place was far less cosy.Not much to do on the free day--that suited us as we did some bird-watching and read our books and had a luxurious and delicious 3 course lunch with wine and liquers at Cafe Rafal in Benimantell for euros 15 each (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). Others in the group had massages (arranged by Jose), or went to the coast, even bravely venturing to an out-of-season Benidorm!! We had a group that got along well, which made the trip enjoyable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Favourite parts for me were day 2 in Petra, camping in Wadi Rum and chilling out on the dive boat in Acaba. In Petra on day 2 we walked (scrambled) up and down gorges with not another tourist in sight. Great to get off the beaten track. The Wadi Rum camp site is comfortable and secluded - and the Bedouin guides cooked a really delicious meal underground in the sand! On the last but one day in Acaba - having several hours to relax on board with snorkelling and another delicious meal was a perfect way to unwind at the end of a busy week. All in all a great trip!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ali was helpful and knowledgeable and really helped make the trip work for the group

Most Inspirational Moment

Just to see how beautiful the country is and so many different forts, temples and palaces. My favorite was actually the Jain Temple at Ranakpur, it was just amazing. But also just the driving in our little bus. We saw so much from that bus (a wedding going on and a cremation party just to mention a few). Obviously Taj Mahal was beautiful as well. It's quite amazing actually, finally seing it in real life. We went to see a movie as well, one of the optional extras, and it was such a laugh. We all enjoyed that. Just so different to watching films in the cinema at home.I also really enjoyed Udaipur. Can't quite put my finger on it, but there was just something about that city.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were all really happy with Abhi. He was just so positive and helpful all the time. One of the first things he did was make sure we all had his card with his mobile number so we always could get hold of him. Abhi shared a lot of information about himself and his family and it really made us understand the people and the culture. He had a really good sense of humour as well. I would love to go to India again, and I would love to have Abhi as a guide on my next trip.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do read the trip notes as they are very accurate. I was prepared for the long driving days and you need to be aware of that. Mind you, without the long drives we wouldn't have seen so much. I went in December 2013 and it does get cold in the morning and evening. Also the hotel rooms have air condition, not heating. Bring a warm hat and maybe a scarf for the game drives. It was lovely during the day, but bring a warmer sweater/fleece for the morning and evenings, especially if you are eating outside for dinner as we did a couple of times.Just go to India with an open mind. It's a bit overwhelming at times but the people are so friendly and helpful. I wouldn't have been able to do all this by myself, so this trip, with a smaller group, was perfect for me.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the villages of each of the countries, "high-fiving" the children who came running out to say hello to us as we passed by.Also, the delicious lunch we had one day in the Mekong Delta, cooked by the family of the bike mechanic, set in a beautiful location. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit, our guide who accompanied us for the entire trip, was just fantastic. I cannot say anything bad about him. He was always smiling, and kept everything ticking along like clockwork.Sum, who was with us in Thailand and Cambodia was also brilliant - the two guides made a brilliant team, with their interesting stories and facts about the countries, their great organisation and wicked sense of humour.I was sad to say goodbye to both of them at the end of the trip. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring some good padded shorts, a sense of humour, and your stamina! This is a great trip but there are some long days, especially for the first few days. However, the group leaders are very motivating, there are so many interesting things to see, and the trip was very well organised.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day was special but if I had to choose I would go for the visit to Riisitunturi National Park. We were blessed with blue skies and sunshine. It was like arriving in Narnia!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bjorn was a great leader, friendly and sociable around the Group and very knowledgeable and passionate about Finland and its traditions. All the staff at Base Camp Oulanka were extremely helpful and friendly. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it and have a wonderful experience

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting a taste of GR20. It was not unlike the west highland way in parts, but with much better weather.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suzie, was friendly and informative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your poles it states optional, but with rocky terrain most days they would be very useful.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Che monument at Santa Clara: not the monument but the explantions and understand that occured while we were there. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

superb

Advice for Potential Travellers

go

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was memorable, watching loin and cheetah cubs playing, leopards being chased by a lion, herds of elephant but the main highlight was meeting and spending time with the guides. James, Patrick and Nelson....exceptional men and a credit to Kicheche. I hope one day to meet and spent time with them all again.     

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have been on 3 photographic trips with Paul and thought I knew what to expect... his passon for wildlife and Masai Mara was admirable and his enthusium contagious. a very passionate man. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Know your camera before you go ..... and when Paul shouts at you "you,re a F...ing  Muppet"  (his words) dont take it to heart.Take sweets for Paul and the guides.( they like wine gums) keeps him sweet. 

Most Inspirational Moment

many! halong bay! crossing streets in saigon! vietnamese coffee! vietnamese markets! all of the above!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi was great! optimistic, encouraging, funny, easygoing! it was just a pleasure to have a guy like this with us!

Advice for Potential Travellers

take padded shorts! (the bottom will hurt anyway, but maybe a bit less so)

Most Inspirational Moment

The boat trip in Halong Bay was fabulous, amazing scenery, but the biggest surprise was how good the boat was - nice clean cabins and a huge ensuite shower room.      The crew served amazing food too.     We also loved Hoi An - the place to buy your Summer wardrobe, and even have some clothes and shoes made for you. Cycling through the countryside around Hoi An was very interesting cycling through the padi fields.   The cookery course was brilliant, especially the walk around the market first of all, to see the ingredients the Vietnamese use.    

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Linh, was amazing.   Everything was perfectly organised for us and he told us so much about life in Vietnam, including their history, but also much about their day to day lives.        

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a brilliant way to see Vietnam in 2 weeks.  It's not particularly relaxing as you are doing something nearly all the time, but it was very well organised.        I wish we had added a stopover on the way back though - somewhere where we could chill out for a few days, before coming home.