Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

gryphon vultures swooping over us as we walked up into the hills, waking up on the first day to see the mountains in front of the hotel after we had arrived pretty late the first day, and our very good guide Alvaro, who was very knowledgeable and good fun!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was very knowledgeable about the area and informative about life in the area.  He was fun company and always ensured that the mixed abilities of the group were taken into account.Jim and Pilar at the hotel were also very good hosts, friendly and keen to ensure we all had a good time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to be flexible.  We had to have some changes to our activities due to the heat, and apparently the trip before us had changes due to the rain.  Mountains are un-predictable.  Also make sure you have good boots, some of the walking can be quite difficult

Most Inspirational Moment

The Matho Festival, when, after a day of golden sunshine and intense blue skies, joyous crowds and masked dancers, we watched one of the state oracles appear right in front of us and then leap to the rooftop wall and stand, silhouetted against the backdrop of snow and moon, mountain and crag.  And I loved walking on the frozen river! And I loved hearing wolves howling round the valley in the night!And oh, the starry starry skies! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Valerie Parkinson is, without doubt, the best leader we have had on a group tour.  Her knowledge and skills were excellent, her care for the group was superb, and her care for individuals within the group was wonderful.   

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the best cold-weather camping equipment you can afford to buy.  We took Rab Expedition down bags, and down sleeping mattresses with built in pumps.  Neither of us were cold at night though the tents were thin and the temperatures very very cold.  We also took microspikes for our boots and these made walking on the frozen river a real pleasure.In Leh we were all given the opportunity to have our own guide/porter (for an additional payment).  We decided to do this and it made the holiday even more special.  We could go where we liked, when we liked because of having our own guide, who kept in touch by radio with the main group guides so could get us to snow leopard sightings very quickly.  We usually plan our own holidays and enjoy being on our own, so this was wonderful for us, like a tailormade within a group holiday.  By the way the group members were all very very pleasant and friendly. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Cesky Krumlov.  Rolling hills and pretty towns of Czech Republic, painted caves of vineyard near Austrian border.  The wine at the painted vineyard (buy it!).  The relics of the Iron Curtain were very moving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Anna, constantly went the extra mile to make our holiday a great experience and was open to any suggestions that we made.    I particularly appreciated her historical knowledge and also her apparent ability to book the group  into good restaurants at short notice, which cannot be easy.  A good dinner at the end of a long day on the bike makes a big difference.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When packing, be aware that the hotels do not always have lifts.  Take a rucksack or something you can carry up two flights of stairs!

Most Inspirational Moment

The Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding at Chengdu - seeing the giant pandas eating/sleeping (the adults) or playing (the youngsters). The venue was very well laid out with lots of space for the many visitors. A good shop and post office.The terracotta warriors at Xi'an were awesome, as was the Great Wall at Mutianyu.The wonderful Karst scenery in Yangshuo.

Thoughts on Group Leader

William was fantastic. He imparted just the right amount of history, was a great organiser and took everything in his stride, particularly when changes had to be made due to train departures being brought forward and bad weather. He enjoyed his food so made sure that he, and we, always ate well in local inexpensive restaurants. When our Shanghai-Beijing flight got cancelled, due to bad weather, William was on hand to rearrange the flight. He was full of good tips - how much we should pay for shopping, laundry facilities (including arranging for the local guide in Emei, Patrick, to do all ours overnight). William knew everybody in all the places we visited. He always said "Follow William" - we did and had a great time. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I totally endorse other reviews - don't take too much luggage. Most of the time, clothing and certainly undies dried overnight, in spite of the humidity. You'll need lots of space for the many items on offer. Our group started shopping in Beijing (we went to a shopping centre on our way back from Mutianyu) continued in Yangshuo and finished up in Shanghai; I'm not sure of the final tally of handbags we acquired!Yangshuo - there are lots of options to spend the two days down time. We all took cycles out to the countryside, drifted down the Li River on rafts, cycled again to the Moon Hill. The cycles were in good condition and it was flat! I, and one other, did a cookery class with Peter (Meiwei cookery school) which was great fun; we started in the market (you don't want to know about some of the items on sale) then cooked some of the dishes we'd eaten in local restaurants. Do see the Impression Sanjie Liu show - by the man who created the Olympics Opening Ceremony at the Birds Nest Stadium. The advice to take a sheet/silk sleeping bag was sound; take a pillow case as well!  And do take an umbrella - apart from the rain in Beijing, it rained every afternoon in Yangshuo - short sharp rainfall but enough to get soaked.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing views - stunning. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ale was great, kept everything well organised without making us feel too organised. I would happily do another trip with him as the guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be warned if you are gluten and dairy intolerant the food won't quite match up to the rave reviews from most people who have been on this trip. I would suggest bringing a decent breakfast cereal with you - I was most fed up of the gluten free cornflakes by the end of the week which I think were a bit stale.I would also suggest asking the kitchen to make you a salad for packed lunch - I was given some inedible gluten free rolls to go with picnic lunches and sandwiches made with rice cakes which weren't much better. When I hike in the UK the company I travel with just make a big salad rather than trying to give me the same meal as other hikers and that works much better.

Most Inspirational Moment

Disapearing from the group & lit up area for a few seconds in the underground city to find a stone door. (felt like Indiana Jones). And sharing laughter and stories etc with fellow travellers. Being inspired to make origarmi hot air balloons to put the guide & drivers tip inside.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Omar was a good leader spending time to get to know all the members of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It can get very hot on the walks with not meany natural places to take shelter. If your a vegertarian beware of the lentil soup.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip, every day there was something new to see and inspire you, whether it be climbing the minaret of kiva, treking through the desert to an amazing fresh water lake for a swim, visiting places alexander the great made it to or just meeting local people

Thoughts on Group Leader

Are trip leader dilshod was a great man to know, he was very knowledgeable about all the sites and more importantly he new everything and all the right people with the right connections.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Your us dollar goes a long way, you`ll need a big wallet or a bag just to pay for lunch in the local currency. $50 means you get a pile of about 125 notes thick in there highest denomination notes.[ tip 2] fill out 2 customs decleration forms after passport control at tashkent airport, you`ll need 2 to hand to the customs officer.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views on the tops looking out towards the coast on the second days walk. Relaxing at the agriturismo with the gorgeous hounds Elvis and Dora. Seeing fireflies and cicadas at night. The kindness and generosity of Lucia, Mama and the rest of the family at Braccicorti.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was a great group leader with excellent organisational skills. She did everything possible to make everyone's holiday a memorable, safe and enjoyable experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

The long walk on Thursday, the ridge at La Costela and looking at the views back across the valley floor that we had just traversed.Tramping through the fresh snow, in June, was an unexpected bonus. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Eric and Albert were excellent group leaders.  They are very experienced guides, which showed in their knowledge of the area. They were always prepared to do that little bit extra if needed.  They were also responsive to the individual  needs of everyone in the group.

Most Inspirational Moment

We loved the diversity of the tour. The challenge of cycling through little towns, the different resturants we ate in, the cooking class and the shopping experiences along the way. The children calling "hallo" as we passed was good fun but the stand out was the cruise on Halong Bay. It was a beautiful, relaxing way to end the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Linh, was exceptional. He went out of his way to ensure we were all safe and enjoying ourselves. He taught us so much about his country. It is great having a local guide. It really made the experience!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We battled a little with the heat and humidity on the days we cycled bigger distances. I think it would be preferrable to cycle at a different time of year - probably November to March.