Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I can't define it as being just one day or event, but...Cycling through the back roads and seeing grand houses and then a shack just down the road - the contrast in lifestyles is very apparent due to the developing economy in India.Cycling up Ooty and being defeated after completing 30 of the 36 hairpins. My excuse: Cycling in circles waiting for my girlfriend to catch up as we ascended the mountain, so in theory I must of made it to the top already! ;)And as much as the descent was marred by Loo coming off the bike the following day, we have both said that the descent was an amazing day as we travelled past tea plantations, through the eucalyptus forest and winding down the mountain. As I prefer mountain biking when at home in the UK, I found a new appreciation for what road cyclists must enjoy when descending roads such as this.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vishnu was a great guide - my first time on a holiday such as this so I didn't know what to expect. He was very informative and had good knowledge of the the local history, plants and wildlife. He was clear with setting expectations for the ride each day and the pace of the ride each day suited the group well I believe.Importantly, as there was an incident with my girlfriend falling off her bike, I would like to say that Vishnu handled the situation like a professional and there was no fuss or confusion. He dealt with the hospital staff and being transferred efficently. It is times like these that you count your blessings that you were travelling with a guide who takes the stress away from such an incident. Thank you Vishnu! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you haven't ridden a bike for some time and you want to reach the top of Ooty, find a steep hill and ride up and down it at least every weekend for a good few months before. The guides Vishnu and Rintu seemed to think that we had put more effort in by pushing the bikes up the hill in the end - I'm not quite so sure!We didn't get caught out by any rain, but one evening whilst at the hotel in Cochin Fort there was a monsoon shower which knocked down trees and electric/cable lines. Be prepared for rain by taking some form of waterproof jacket so you can still get out and about to see the sights.Take a decent zoom lens for capturing wildlife and scenery if you want to ensure you get some nice photos to keep.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved meeting people everywhere. That was my reason for doing a cycling trip. I had previously done a trip with Exodus in Africa and felt disconnected being in a truck travelling through places a lot of the time. I wanted to connect more with the people and the country.Sadly the day after Ooty Hill I had a fall having almost completed the descent. I had a nasty gash and fractured my elbow. I didn't cry until they told me that I couldn't cycle anymore. Following the rest of the group in the support vehicle was tough.The people and culture was inspirational, different religions can live together with tolerance and respect for one another. I loved the trip to the orphanage. I had a fantastic time chatting with the girls, helping to make chapattis. That was a lovely place 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vishnu was our group leader and he was fantastic, He gave us a pep talk each day letting us know what to expect.He looked after me really well when he found me after my fall and sorted out medical care calmly with no panic or stress. I felt well looked after and didn't have to worry about where to go etc.He looked after everyones requirements and even helped one of the group source a birthday cake for his wife's birthday. Even harder he helped us locate a very hard to find birthday card for us to give her also. I think we found the only card to be found in Allepelly.Vishnu did join me on the support vehicle when he could so that I did not feel so left out. Rintu was the his assistant who looked after the bikes. He was very attentive servicing the bikes and adjusting any with gear issues. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go along with an open heart and mind and enjoy all that India offers you It is beautiful. Do take care on the descent from Ooty. I was unlucky going downhill and around a bend. I am so glad I had a helmet on. So be aware accidents can happen and it can spoil your trip of a lifetime. Be cautious. The traffic can be daunting but it's not too bad if you are sensible.Be wary of where you have a massage, if you have one. Different people within the group had variable experiences from very good to very bad. We went on a premium departure and the standard of hotels thoughout was good, however I didn't feel that the houseboat was of higher standard as we all said to one another  the following day that the bedding etc was not good, there was no shower curtain and it would not of been possible to of had any less space in the cabin than we did have.  I certainly don't feel like that aspect of the trip had been upgraded as promised in the trip notes and so felt a bit let down by that.As previous people have said we all paid into a kitty for snacks, tea, tips at the start. I certainly did not get the  same value out of the kitty as others in the group but it did make the tea stops less complicated so go with it . Treat the people around you with the respect that they show you and enjoy.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellant leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

No need to take a sleeping bag for the desert

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight of my trip was the view of the great peak from Kala Pattar. It was a magical moment to be on the top of it. I wasn't prepared for this incredible moment and I felt tears in my eyes as I looked at the breathtaking view! Thankfully one of the Sherpas started to take pictures with my camera as I was in such shock I did not even think about taking pictures. I'm so glad now to look back at them as they bring my fabulous memories back.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima was very helpful, knowledgeable, entertaining and very charming. He gave us a very details briefing every night and great advice. I wasn't part of the main tour group returning to the UK and my flight to Australia was departing in the late evening. Ngima made sure that I go to the airport safely and on time for my flight. It was also very thoughtful and generous of him to buy me a Nepalese gift for my birthday. The others Sherpas were great too and very helpful. They were great fun to be around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I think everyone can do this trip but if you are fit you'll enjoy it a lot more! Drink plenty of water! Bring playing cards, chess games and books for the evening. Buy an extra battery and memory card for your camera. Don't miss Kala Pattar, even if you feel tired from the long walk from the day before.

Most Inspirational Moment

Where to start?! The excitement of jumping in a sea kayak for the first time, paddling through the beautiful clear blue sea marvelling at gigantic icebergs. Sitting on a gorgeously clear day in amongst a colony of gentoo penguins for about 2 hours, just admiring their behaviour and their inquisitiveness. The moment that the whole dining room put down their knives and forks and ran out onto deck to see the family of orcas that had just surfaced in the distance. Or camping overnight on the ice, digging my own bed and setting down for the night as the penguins and snowy sheathbills called nearby.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Aaron and his whole team were absolutely fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble for any of the One Ocean staff and they seemed to be on duty 24 hours a day to search the horizon for wildlife and excite the passengers with numerous presentations and stories. We had a wealth of knowledge and experience on board, some of the most inspirational people I have met! I was lucky enough to be part of the kayaking group and can't rate the guides highly enough. The crew on board were also brilliant, beautifully clean rooms, delicious food (so much of it!!) and again - nothing too much trouble. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I never really thought that a piece of equipment like an iPad or similar would be too useful until I looked on enviably as others displayed their photos at the end of the day! However the Ioffe has a well stocked multimedia room and many helpful members of staff so those without need not despair! However take plenty of memory card space, and extra batteries for your camera - you will need it!! Obviously lots of layers are very important - the rental kit provided by One Ocean was top notch and the majority of those on board made full use of it.  Take spare gloves and hats - I took more than I needed but was thankful for extra layers when the weather turned. I got a lot of use out of my buff - great for pulling over your face if the wind gets a bit nippy! High sun factor is very important, and a good lip balm!  Sea sickness pills are very useful, we were lucky with the crosings and didn't encounter the dreaded Drake Shake (!) but many of the passengers took advantage of the patches that were available from the on board doctor.  If possible break the journey in Buenos Aires for a couple of days - a fantastic city worth exploring. 

Most Inspirational Moment

It was a great thrill to get to Base Camp and see the profusion of coloured flags, both prayer flags and national flags, that surround the cairn. I was not expecting to see anything at Base Camp out of the climbing season, but it seems like a place of pilgrimage in honour of the many climbers, including our sherpa guide Kaji, that have reached the summit of Everest from there.Also, it was a real eye-opener to see the huge loads carried by the sherpa porters up and down the many precipitous paths along these valleys. Almost everything needed in the villages, apart from basic foodstuffs, has to be carried up; these guys are a breed apart.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Gele, was very experienced and exuded an air of calm competence. He was very knowledgable about the whole area. He was very supportive and always on hand to help or offer advice, without being intrusive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a very tough trek, being 15 days continuous walking, the majority of which are above 4000 metres and several above 5000 metres. Although there are some shorter days, most days are 6 to 8 hours with a lot of steep ascent or descent. For comparison, this is much tougher than a Kilimanjaro trek, which is all over in 6 days. Getting supplies of drinking water is an issue. Many walkers felt the need to buy bottled mineral water, which gets increasingly expensive the higher you get, since it is all carried in. But adding sterilisation tablets to the local tap water is a perfectly safe alternative at essentially zero cost.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were really lucky to see the Northern Lights on our first night. Wasn't the brightest night but still an experience. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip, particularly enjoyed the morning we got up early to watch the sunrise on the beach and the lagoon full of icebergs. The glacier walking was good fun, something I've not done before. Quite easy to get the hang of but coming back down was a little scary if you're not steady on your feet. Was really interesting going into the lava tube and learning about its formation and the Blue Lagoon is a must. Wish we had more time to spend there!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kristjan is a brilliant group leader.  He looked after us really well and was incredibly informative about Iceland, its culture and history. He took us to some lovely restaurants, one which served some every tasty horse steaks. Felt we were in every good hands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Layers are definitely the key and waterproof trousers.  It got pretty windy at some points and waterproof trousers were essential. Also the right socks, as I found my feet got very cold very quickly even though I was wearing 2 pairs of thermal socks.

Most Inspirational Moment

I had tried to ascend Kilimanjaro some years previously, when I did not appreciate the value of adequate acclimatisation. Then I struggled to reach Gilman's Point. Now older I knew it would be hard to reach my goal, Uhuru Peak, especially when also beset with 'digestive tract problems' which meant 'walking on empty'. Nevertheless, on the night of the ascent the guides were so good in keeping up our morale and keeping us focussed, such that the entire group made it to the summit of Africa. Giving up was not an option (unless you really were too ill to make it). I surprised myself and the guides by making it to the top!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Meke was a brilliant group leader. Though I had some medication for my 'digestive tract problems' he had a great array and gave good advice on what to take and when. He paid regular attention as to how I was feeling and when I really lost my appetite too he would get the cook to prepare porridge for me as that was something I could eat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Having suffered with 'digestive tract problems' on similar trips I had obtained ciprofloxacin and metronidazole from my GP before the trip and I did have to resort to the ciprofloxacin in the end. However, whilst other members of the group had similar issues, for them it was no more than a day or two, whereas it was several for me. Maybe I'm just more susceptible to gut infections.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Minke whale who decided to investigate 3 of the 5 Zodiacs a few times, swimming right underneath them all and then surfacing really close to us on two occasions to inspect what was happening above sea level!  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chellie was incredible.  Funny, knowledgeable, obviously well respected and well loved by her team and the Captain and his crew. She ensured everything ran smoothly and safely. A star!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go - Buenos Aires is probably worth a couple of days at least if you have the time. The trip was seamless: we went on the Sea Spirit which is a really lovely ship. Make sure you stay on deck as long as you can, take loads of photos, take loads of travel sickness pills - you will very probably need them!  We did, and apparently we had a calm crossing on both occasions!

Most Inspirational Moment

Many things made this trip inspirational; admiration for our porters, getting to know my fellow Exodus travellers, the amazing Inca architecture, the stunning vistas round every turn ... but the highlight for me was reaching the Sun Gate after four days trekking up and down passes. The first views of Machu Picchu were simply awesome; made all the more impressive as we had worked really hard to get there and felt like we owned them more than the day trippers! It was a special moment that will live with me for always.

Thoughts on Group Leader

"Fab" was a good group leader, always there with practical information and local knowledge. His patience and encouragement on the trek was appreciated and for me he found the right balance of leadership with a laid back style. He also managed to stay looking pristine on the trek ... we want to know his secret!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Follow the trip notes! The advice they give is accurate and a good starting point. In addition take ‘baby wipes’ which help keep smells at bay, especially as it can get quite hot in the day. We were glad we'd taken a fresh t-shirt for each day and sports (moisture wicking) ones are best ... you will sweat with the effort even if it's cooler, particularly on Trek Day 2! It can get cold at night and at the top of Dead Woman's Pass, so don't forget the layers too. A poncho is also a worthwhile investment as it will cover your day pack should it rain. They're cheap enough from Cuzco. Trekking poles were a godsend for me as I have an old knee injury. The descent after Dead Woman's Pass in particular is difficult if you do have bad knees and it will take you longer to get to camp, so do think about this trip if you would not be able to get down steep uneven stone steps that continue for ages! However, if you can manage it with poles, even if it takes you longer than the group, in my opinion it's still worth it. Get practicing beforehand though by swapping any lifts for stairs! Don't forget spare batteries for your cameras ... and even an auxiliary compact camera if you have one! Whilst I didn't need to use mine myself, it came in handy for a fellow trip member whose camera packed up whilst walking round Machu Picchu itself! Oh, and if you like your cocktails, do try a Pisco Sour!