Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

It very hard to find one moment as Holong Bay was really somthing and was nice to jump early morning for a swim. Our last day of Cycling on the way to Vinh Long passing through small villages seeing children waving at you adn passing through roads with rice fiels at each side was really great.Well can't forget the floating Market as being over there in the middle is a fantastic feeling. Minh Island. Vinh Long wished we could have stayed more then one night there.                                                                                                                                                                                         

Thoughts on Group Leader

Phat our tour leader was great/fantastic person.He was all time ther to make sure that we were all having fun. Only rested when we almost all went to bed as for the rest he was always happy to show us around and to make us see and feel like Vietnamese people. We usually ate Vietnamese Food which is really nice. Most important regarding Phat is that im Allergic to Nuts and fresh tomatoes and he always made sure to inform the restaurant or the village fanilies were we were staying. I felt relaxed and could enjoy my holiday. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not really. Just take diferent layers of clothes as the weather does change completly at times. Important to take few warm sweaters as in the evenings especially in Holong Bay and also when we stayed at the Thai hilltribe longhouse. One need a warm cap and very warm clothes also to sleep with. For the rest mostly summer clothes , thin trousers and top will do. But always take waterproof  breathable trousers and jacket. I used them more then I taught. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The setting of Oulanka National Park is breathtaking.  The landscape is monocrome - our bright coloured clothes the only colour in the black and while wilderness.  The sound of the husky dogs barking - so eager to be off is unforgettable.  Then whooosh we were off - very fast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The staff were relaxed and friendly.  They couldn't do enough for us.  We really appreciated how relaxed they were about us changing our equipment for dry or additional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You lucky things.  Don't worry about warm clothes - just base layers for adults will be all you need as everything is provided.  Although I was pleased to have brought my welly bobs for walking between our room and the dining hall.  I bought the blueberry syrup from reception and it is delicous and a lovely souvenir.  Don't be too disappointed if you don't see the Northern lights - we were pleased not to have such cold weather which usually comes with clear skies.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up at 5am and glimpsing not 1, but 5 resplendant Quetzals, Also, seeing Capuchin monkeys at Manuel Antonio National Park. Made the holiday for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book now.  It's very humid and clothes tend to get damp in your kit bag. Bring plenty of spares

Most Inspirational Moment

Well, it would have to be that 10km walk on the very first day we arrived, but really everyday was brilliant. With such a variety of activities happening it day, it really was an excellent way to explore in the deep snow- whilst of course spending a lot of time on your bottom!  

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was brilliant. Always happy and chatty and even spent evenings with us around the fire which was lovely. All the staff at Basecamp were excellent and were always there for you to answer any questions you might have. A very welcoming evnviroment

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take a snood with you!! You will certainly need it. As well as thermals. They are provided but it is nice to have your own as well, so that you have an extra layer Be yourself and enjoy every minute- in the evenings you will be able to enjoy the hot tub and sauna, so after a long day in the snow you can relax! 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many highlights - it is hard to choose just a few.I loved swimming with the baby sea lions. They are so playful and come to have a close look at you.Snorkelling with turtles, rays and sharks was wonderful.The 'crossing the equator cocktails', the panga rides, the birds, the sunsets.....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, David Paez, was absolutely great. He was friendly, enthusiastic and fun as well as professional and ensured that everyone respected the wildlife. He was very knowledgable (biology degree and Galapagos Guide additional qualifications) and really made sure that we got the most out of every part of the trip. Thank you David!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it!Don't take shampoo, shower gel or towels. These are provided in Quito at the hotel, and on the boat you have to use the environmentally friendly shampoo and soap provided. There are towels on the Cachalote for use on board and separate towels for beach use. There are power sockets and a safe in the cabin, also air conditioning which works well. Food is great and always a good selection. Snacks available after snorkelling/walking etc so no need to take any with you. Dress is informal. Pack light if you can as space is limited in the cabin. There are pegs and hooks to hang a few things inside the cabin and you can dry out your wet gear out on deck.The suggested tips may seem high at first glance, but the crew work so hard that they really do deserve them. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The local school in the village where the gite is was insprational to us, in that the school is very poor by our standrds, yet the local kids were there trying to learn and be educated. We spoke to the tour leader and we went with him to the school and gave some gifts of pens to the schoolteacher for the children. The desert experience was amazing !!!! The stars.....wow!! We felt very small & insignificant underneath the star filled sky. And the sunrise next morning... Don't miss it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Mustapha ( the slim one!) was brilliant! His local knowledge, enthusiasm and love for his country was limitless! Nothing was too much trouble for him, he showed us the real Morocco and we loved it all! He seemed to know just where to stop & show us such interesting things, a local pottery, a local market, villages etc. He was full of helpful advice for every situation!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The desert experience was wonderful but it was cold at night. Apart from a sleeping bag, a silk liner is a good idea and also wear 'layers' to keep warm, take hat & gloves. The stay at the gite was great, but it was very cold in our bedroom (we were upstairs & it was December!) ..so definitely pile on the layers there! We used sanitizer before we ate each time and didn't suffer any upset tums. We took walking poles and used them when needed. Try and have a Hamman and a massage when you get to Marrakech.. Your tour lead should be able to arrange it for you.. We did & it was great! We bought some currency from Travelex at Heathrow airport, but other members of the group said they hadn't got any dirhams left when they had tried to purchase some. You will be able to get some from an ATM / bank the next day. Follow the yellow line at Casablanca airport to the departure lounge, our connecting flight from Casablanca to Ouarzarate was very late in departing....we were in the departure lounge for ages & no explanation was given!! Having asked 'official' looking men (airport police??) a few times, the general answer was 'it will go soon' !!! Eventually we boarded & all the group luggage turned up in Ouarzarate!

Most Inspirational Moment

Where do you start? The guides and porters were fantastic. Getting "back to basics", the stunning views and the group I travelled with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be under no illusions the alltitude is a real issue. On our trip, out of our group of 11, only 5 succesfully made it to the summit and the rest sufffered varying degrees of altitude sickness and were turned back by the head guide for thier own safety.

Most Inspirational Moment

What was going to be put in the sandwiches each day!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The local leader (Jose Miguel) was extremely informative about the area and brought great enthuasism to his job.  He managed the group well, ensuring that all members were able to participate in the walks.  He was also very helpful in dealing with medical dietary requirements, as were the two accommodation places.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are fit enough and have some experience of more strenuous paths/terrain conditions and, in the cooler months of the year, have all the appropriate gear.Take walking poles, but ensure you have experience in using them properly beforehand. Be open-minded about the possible requirement to share bathrooms in the second accommodation.

Most Inspirational Moment

Whales at Wilhelmina Bay.  We set off in our Zodiac boat and went for a cruise.  Within minutes we were encircled by Humpback and Minke Whales!  For around 3 hours we were treated to whales fluting, spyhoping and bubble feeding, within meters of the bow of our boat.  The most amazing wildlife experience of my life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

  Jonathan Chester......well lets start with his redeeming features.  He appeared to be very familiar with Antarctica and had encyclopaedic knowledge of the area, a sound Antarctic pedigree and good working knowledge of maritime travel.  Unfortunately, I did not find him passenger focused, personable, caring, interested or inspiring.  He seemed to be preoccupied with the Jonathan show, constant reminders of the films he's assisted with, 15 books he'd written and who he knows. I expected the tour leader to lead by example and to show an interest in passenger satisfaction.  On one occasion (following a request to submit photos for a slide show) I informed him that one of the ship PCs had a virus.  He corrected me stating that there was only 1 PC.  I advised him that my memory stick had been corrupted and that I had lost photos.  I also advised him that another passenger had lost work and photos.  Our glorious leader's response?  "Go tell Dana" (another member of staff) thereafter turning his back and sauntering off.  No apology, offer of help or solution, he couldn't even be bothered to pass the message on to the relevant person. On the last evening there was a photographic slide show.  Jonathan gave an overview and thereafter introduce the photo slideshow.  Following this me and another passenger created slideshows with video footage.  The other passenger asked if we could show them as they only lasted 3/4 minutes and some of the footage was pretty good.  Yet again, our glorious leader was as much help and a chocolate teapot.  He declined and stated that there wasn't enough time.  Following the show there was happy hour within the bar.  Me and the other passenger then sowed our videos in the bar area, a resounding success, people were asking for copies of our shows and buying us drinks.  Thanks for the encouragement. At one point he told a passenger that was in his 20's, that he was part of "generation X" and wouldn't amount to much.  That's really appropriate.All in all I was underwhelmed by Jonathan Chester and will be avoiding any future trips that he will be leading. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get a Gopro Camera with a pole attachment.  There's so much to see and do and this will help you capture every moment.As much as it looks crazy, bring a ski mask.  An absolute must when out on a cruise in the Zodiac.