Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The snorkel at Kicker Rock. Quite simply the best hour I've ever spent in the water. Just as you get used to swimming alongside sea turtles and a wide array of brightly coloured fish, you look down and below you, then around you, and you see upwards of 30 sharks, including a few Hammerheads! This passage between 2 rocks seemed to be a shark highway-they were everywhere you looked. Some eagle rays joined us swimming near the surface to add their grace and beauty to the mix- I could have stayed in that channel forever.Another great snorkel was at Sullivan Bay with penguins and a playful sea lion who blew bubbles right in my face.Out of the water it was great to see a giant tortoise, a baby sea turtle scurry for the sea and the famous boobies and iguanas in the wild and unafraid of humans.

Thoughts on Group Leader

David was a great leader and guide full of knowledge on the Islands and the wildlife. His enthusiasm was infectious and he was a good laugh and full of banter. He did his best to maximise our opportunities and prepare us for each excursion and he took into account preferences, and was always willing to give a helping hand to the more nervous swimmers or hikers.The entire Cachalote crew were great - helpful and happy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes don't lie! Altitude sickness did affect me a bit in Quito so follow the advice and take it easy (and it's an excuse to eat lots of chocolate!). The cabin is small but I didn't find this much of a problem as was only ever in there to sleep and change. But don't over pack - bare feet on board the boat and environmentally friendly shampoo and shower gel is provided in each cabin along with indoor and outdoor towels so that might cut out some space in your luggage. You don't need extra food either as you are more than well looked after with big meals 3 times a day and snacks in between-thank you Richard! Any time beach time if offered, take your snorkel stuff if you like that sort of thing as you never know what you might see. We came across stingrays and golden cow rays, not to mention sharks just off the beaches we had time to relax on!Be prepared for early starts but they are all worth it for each excursion offers something new-and there was always a good rest period in the middle of the day to recharge. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The views mainly...The lovely little towns we visited were great but the real delight was the contrast between the countryside and the coastal paths

Thoughts on Group Leader

we had an Italian guide Michele who was wonderful....very helpful (especially sorting out bills at the end of meals etc) and really organised to ensure we made the most of our trip

Advice for Potential Travellers

April/May was a wonderful time to visit....hardly any tourists.....I would just say Go before this region gets too busy

Most Inspirational Moment

Sight-seeing in Petra

Thoughts on Group Leader

Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable

Advice for Potential Travellers

No real need to take your own saddle, SPD pedals/shoes or bike repair kits, maybe just a gel saddle cover and a water bottle. The bikes are good - comfortable and well-maintained. Most of the cycling is downhill or on the flat. All the roads are tarmac though some stretches are a bit iffy (potholes and gravel). There are a few hills but they are not compulsory

Most Inspirational Moment

This is so difficult to choose. Each day I thought there was no possibility that the next day would be better but we kept seeing incredible animals from being just feet away from Blue Footed Boobies dancing to witnessing young turtles leave their nest for the ocean. If I had to choose it would be the seventh day snorkeling as I was in the water with a fur seal who wanted to play. If I were allowed a second one it would be Sullivan Bay. It's an island that is only 100 years old, created by lava. It was amazing to see the start of life as we walked by tiny plants that were started to grow. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

My guide was Juan Tapia and he has been guiding for 25 years which was amazing because he knew everything about the islands and the animals. He was so knowledgeable but also had a great sense of humour. I was always at the back of the group when we were trekking and I am sure it was frustrating for him as I always took so long to take photos but he never made me feel bad about it. Although he has been doing this for 25 years he has so much patience and still loves seeing all of the animals just as we did.But it wasn't just the guide, the entire crew of the Cachelote were fantastic. Even if they didn't all speak English whenever they saw something like dolphins or turtles they made sure to get everyone as they knew we would want to see it too. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I brought snacks with me because I was unsure how much food there would be but it was untouched. The food on the ship was great and in between meals when we returned from an excursion there was always juice and snacks.  No one will ever go hungry on the trip and they are very accommodating to people who don't like certain foods. One of the girls on our trip didn't like fish and they always brought her something different.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Struck exactly the right balance between treating us as  independent adults and keeping a watchful eye

Advice for Potential Travellers

Have a trek towel in your kit. Carry a spare biro tucked away. Pack some sandals to give your feet some relief.Keep your sense of humour close to hand and enjoy.

Most Inspirational Moment

It has to be the trekking.  It was so varied and there was so much to see, really lovely walking.  Though the elephant ride was a treat.  And the food - I even ended up opting for spicy breakfasts in the end.  We ate in very local everyday cafes and it was great.  And Anthony the chef's cooking on the trek was another treat.  Madurai of course.  And as everyone says unwinding on the houseboat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ajiy was terrific, really good fun.  We were a small end-of-season group and he turned this to our advantage.  He asked if we were happy to have a degree of spontaneity in what we did  - if so, he would try to show us the real India.  We were more than happy to trust Ajiy on this and he really delivered, taking us into small tea shops and even people's homes in a way that would not have worked with a large group.  Ajiy also worked out what everyone was most interested in and made sure we experienced this (I now have an unexpectedly thoroough selection of Malayalam movie music).  And we learnt so much without ever getting too earnest.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't get a lot of begging but a few spare pens for children go down well.Buy Connemara tea for your Irish friends.Leave space in your luggage for Popy umbrellas.

Most Inspirational Moment

We may have been lucky with the weather, which was overcast and misty when we arrived, but which had continuous blue skies and warm sun for the whole of our holiday week. The coastal towns that we visited, Amalfi and Positano, are both very pretty and have their own attractive cafes and bars to be enjoyed after a day's walking. But perhaps the most beautiful town we visited (on our free day) was Ravello, high on the hills and boasting the must-see gardens of the Villa Cimbrone, complete with stupendous views over the coast far below. We also fitted in a visit to Herculaneum on our free day and, on another day, the holiday included a visit to Pompei and a climb up Vesuvius with a walk around the rim.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Albert, who was very familiar with the area and knew the answers to all of our questions. He set an easy pace but we managed to cover a surprising amount of ground (and steps!) during each day. Wherever we went he had interesting suggestions for where we might get a good cold beer, ice-cream or other treats. He was also exceptionally helpful in making travel arrangements for the free day, on which group members wanted to do a variety of different things. His knowledge of the area and his friendly reception by so many of the locals mean that he was an excellent choice of leader. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for all possible variations in the weather but, with luck, you should have weather as good as the weather that we experienced. Do not miss Herculaneum and Ravello! Expect to have to negotiate a large number of steps as you go up and down the stunning terrain; although most of the walking is easy, it is to be considered as moderate in places, with the odd scramble for a few yards.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling along the coastline and on the different islands and visiting beautiful cities like Dubrovnik, Hvar and Split

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent handling during the trip, good knowledge and funny.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go for it

Most Inspirational Moment

The Walk of the Gods! I'm not a walker as a rule, so I approached this with some trepidation. But it was brilliant - great weather, in fairness (it would have been a different story had it been raining); stunning scenery; lovely villages - and, of course, good company. Walking shoes essential, although there were only one or two slightly dicey bits. I got away with walking sandals on this trek, but when climbing Vesuvius they were a definite disadvantage.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eduardo was very good - patient and always helpful. I picked up some good tips on viticulture from him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bomerano is high up on the mountain. We went in May, when the forecast was for sunny weather throughout, with temperatures rising to 30c. But the village was always on the cool side - the forecast was for the coast, hundreds of feet below us. And one day it rained (how it rained!) - yet the day turned out to be lovely as we passed through the mountain and down to sea level. So - seriously consider taking warm clothing.We were less impressed than others with the hotel food. The staff are lovely, and the pizza-making and pasta-cooking  demos interesting (we learned a lot), but we found far better (tastier) food in local restaurants, which were notably full of locals. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The first view of Matera old town from the Sassi Hotel - this town is a hidden jewel.The wildflowers of the area which has not been subject to herbicides.Finding out the making pasta by hand is really quite difficult!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Angelo was knowledgeable and friendly but perhaps needed to anticipate the questions of the group. This he will learn as he deals with further groups. Good at getting consensus in the group and arranging meals together etc. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not really - the trip fulfils the description in the brochure.