Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Pushing myself to trek up the vast paths and steps, to witnessing the views making the hardwork pall into insignificance. Couldn't believe I was there on the Great Wall of China with a group of lovely people in the care of the most professional tour guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Professional, organised and funny. Jerry wears many hats as the tour guide - the historian, the nurse, the accountant, the food expert, the motivator, the teacher, the translator, pest controllor.........I could go on. He wears all these hats with humour humbleness and integrity. One thing though.......'those walls Jerry are NOT FLAT!'....!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your walking sticks, the climbs are steep and therefore the climb down is also steep. I didn't take mine, and that was an epic fail. I was loaned a walking stick from a fellow traveller and it made a huge difference to being able to keep up with the group. Before you go - hill walk for up to 5-8 km a time......making sure you can maintain a steep hill walk for up to an hour whilst carrying a back pack with around 3-4kg in it.

Most Inspirational Moment

The majority of the places we visited were absolutely stunning. We also did a lot of extra stuff, like viewing additional churches and mosques, which had lovely frescos and were often situated in lovely villages. Having a mezze dinner with a local family was also a highlight. The food overall was very good and fresh. Having a swim in some hot springs was also lovely.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ed was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The advantage of having a local guide is that they know a lot of people and places, hence why we were able to do a lot of extra experiences.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely take mosquito repellant and bite cream. I didn't see any advice about taking any so didn't bother, but we all got eaten alive! It may have just been the time of year we went, but I wouldn't go again without. We didn't get much time in Tirana, just Sunday evening, so if you especially wanted to look around Tirana, it would be worth coming a bit earlier or staying on afterwards. If you are on the group flight, you don't need to exchange any money at the airport, our guide took us to do that on Sunday. The exchange rate was poorer in the airport too. There is a direct flight available which is a lot quicker, so that might be worth booking instead. The food and drink is very cheap, but I think I spent about £250 which is more than some people have commented, just because I tended to have an alcoholic drink at lunch as well as in the evening and ice creams here and there, so that is worth taking into consideration.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many, but reaching Concordia - I didn't go to k2 basecamp but still think Concordia would be the highlight

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was brilliant - fun to be with, and gave excellent suppport and advice to trekkers and staff alike

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get as fit as you can possibly be in preparation for the terrain you will be walking on - it's tough, but well worth effort and concentration needed

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Inca trail and enjoying the views of the mountains. Climbing up to the Sun gate and suddenly seeing Machu Pichu below - magical..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilmer was excellent. Couldn't have been better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get to Cusco a couple of days early to acclimatise

Most Inspirational Moment

Not so much one particular moment but for me the history of the area was the highlight. South West Ireland was hit hard during the famine in the 1800s and there is still evidence of that in the area with memorials, museums and graveyards. The Irish fight for independence is also a big part of the history of this region with key figures such as Daniel O’Connell coming from near Cahersiveen. You can also see ancient stone ring forts and rock tombs on the trail. The side trip to see Staigue Ring Fort on Day 4 is well worth it. One notable moment was making it to the hotel at Glenbeigh in time for the All Ireland hurling final! We joined the locals at the bar and cheered on Limerick to a well deserved win!

Thoughts on Group Leader

This is a self-guided trip so there was no leader but you will have the support of the local operator whenever you need it. Our contact, Maurice, met us at the first B&B and ran through what would happen over the week. He was really helpful and kept in touch every day to see how we were getting on. True to form in Ireland, all the people we met from B&B hosts and restaurant staff to taxi drivers were so friendly and helpful. In particular the driver who took us back to Killarney at the end of the trip was brilliant and went out of his way to help, suggesting a local castle to visit and taking us to the airport.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the walking isn’t difficult, there are some long days over the course of the week. A good level of fitness is essential. It is relatively flat with a few undulating hills and some steady ascents and descents. There plenty of stiles along the way so expect to climb a few of those! Most of the walks are over farmlands and walking tracks and are quite remote. There are no facilities along the way so you will need to take a picnic lunch with you. I went mid August and saw only a few other people along the track, generally going in the opposite direction to the way we were walking. The tracks are all well marked and the directions were clear and easy to follow. Be prepared for all sorts of weather. Being Ireland it will rain at some point so take a good waterproof jacket. Layers are important as when the sun did come out briefly it was warm but it could also get chilly when it was raining or windy. I made use of my woolly hat even in August. It did rain most days so quick dry clothes are a good idea. Walking boots are recommended but not essential as a good pair of trail shoes with a sturdy sole would be fine. The tracks are at times rocky and/or very muddy so waterproof footwear is strongly advised. Don’t rush it – there is plenty of time to stop and take in the views (if it’s not cloudy!). Each day is planned to start about 9.30am and if you go in the summer months it is light til quite late in the evening so you have the whole day to get from point to point. Take time to stop and speak to the locals when you can. Most of the towns we stayed in had live music in the pubs in the evenings which are worth taking in. Expect to eat a lot! Most mornings a full Irish breakfast was on offer and the size of meals when eating out were very generous. There are plenty of options to choose from for dinner in the towns we stayed at and the B&B hosts were always happy to make a recommendation. The restaurant at the Towers Hotel in Glenbeigh was especially good. Fresh seafood is also on the menu everywhere. Stop and have a Guinness at the Blind Piper pub in Caherdaniel. Nothing better than a cold Guinness after a long walk.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting the other walkers. All very friendly. Plus the Prosecco tasting. And talking English to the young waiters and waitresses who enjoyed practising their English.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Serena is brilliant. Probably the best walking guide we have ever had on a trip like this. Great sense of humour and able to communicate with any age group, and deal with any walking ability.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like walking, wine and good food, go!! Take walking boots and trainers. Use poles if you usually use poles.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the trail, arriving at and visiting Machu Picchu was the real culmination as that was our main objective, but was heightened as a result of what we had experienced on the trip beforehand. There was magnificent scenery in many places, but especially at sunset and sunrise on the trail. Condors soaring overhead in Colca Canyon were also awe inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mike was exceptional. His knowledge enthusiasm and passion for his country and its cultural heritage added a whole extra and very special dimension to the trip. He ensured that everything was very well organized and he managed individual needs particularly well - especially on the Inca Trail. He also ensured that we got full benefit from other local guides and anyone else supporting the trip, such as porters and drivers. There was a real feeling of one team dedicated to helping us to get the most from the trip. He also engendered a real sense of 'family' for us trippers. All this with a 'wicked' sense of humour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Money - we didn't have any need for US dollars. Credit cards were usable in most restaurants. Credit and debit cards gave a far better exchange rate than cash in the UK - especially if you have a fee free card. Climate / Weather - didn't really get a feel for the temperature range from the trip notes and most towns got colder earlier than anticipated. Inca Trail - the packing list for the trail possibly over complicated requirements. Also trip notes were not clear that you need stuff for six days allowing for the night in Ollantaytambo before (as well as the night in Aguas Calientes after) - but you can leave things in the lodge at Ollantaytambo and pick up on return. It is worth doing aerobic activity beforehand as the altitude on day 2 had experienced walkers puffing!

Most Inspirational Moment

The first view of Mont Blanc when the clouds cleared and we saw the peak for the first time on the hike by Lac Blanc. The Val Ferret on the Italian side was lovely.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sally did a great job leading the walks, making sure we're all doing ok and keeping a good pace. She's also got great knowledge of the flora and fauna in the area. Zohi and Ben were great as chalet hosts.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trails are sometimes quite steep and challenging and with some tricky parts to navigate. The distances are not huge but the trail was sometimes a bit tougher than I expected with the 'Moderate' rating. Good hiking boots and walking poles advised.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through alpine meadows above Val Ferret, full of flowers and crickets, and being amazed by the walls of rock and ice across the valley.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really good: very conscientious, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not really, just enjoy it.

Most Inspirational Moment

The glacial lakes and passing over the highest point, the Grand Col Ferret.