Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the base of the Torres del Paine. Seeing (and hearing) ice calve from the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Xavier was great. He had a really good sense of humour and was calm and relaxed whilst being incredibly organised. We felt we were in very safe hands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely take lots of layers that you can easily carry in your backpack (including a thin waterproof jacket). Walking poles are really helpful for the steep downhill sections on the two major hikes. We had really good weather for both the walks (base of Mount Fitzroy and Torres del Paine) but you should be aware that if it rains heavily then both the walks would be very difficult and/or too dangerous to attempt. The Viedma Glacier has receded significantly in the last three months and we got the distinct impression that it was felt by the local guides that reaching the glacier (in order to be able to walk on it) was no longer safe. This optional excursion may therefore be unavailable or inadvisable. We decided not to do it as we felt it probably was not without risk. The cost of the optional excursions is increasing all the time so take plenty of US dollars. There is no need to change US dollars for Chilean pesos as the three days in Chile have lots of included meals and most places take US dollars anyway. Take blister plasters as they cannot be bought in Argentina or Chile. The guides will be really grateful if you donate any left- over plasters when you leave as they think they are great and cannot buy them.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sigirya rock was both fascinating and visually impressive, helped by the fact that our tour leader organised for us to see it first thing in the morning before the crowds arrived. Candy and the temple of the Tooth were also impressive but then again so was the bike ride along the river and travelling through the tea plantations. Each day was different and interesting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was outstanding. He was calm, assured, organised, approachable, knowledgeable, sociable, with an English sense of humour. He brought the trip to life not only explaining the history but also never afraid to discuss the challenges facing modern Sri Lanka. It was no surprise to learn is in the Exodus Hall of fame.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Watch out for small leeches on the jungle walk if it's been raining. they are harmless but it's a bit unpleasant.

Most Inspirational Moment

On a visit to the National Park, we had three leopard sightings!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The best group leader encountered.....friendly, knowledgeable,organized,supportive.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment of the trip for me was the walk up to Mount Vesuvius and climbed inside the rim of the crater, and enjoyed a magnificent sunset on the way down.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Paul, is excellent. He is very knowledgable, organised, super fit, fun and caring. He always made sure that all of us were well looked after and had a great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking sticks may be useful with some walks especially the walk to Mount Vesuvius. It is quite steep and slippery.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing leopard on one of our first game drives.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Justin was great he has been leading this trip for many years and his knowledge of the countries the people and the animals was amazing. He kept the trip running smoothly and never seemed to get tired despite the early mornings and long drives.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a lots of early starts.

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking through the Western Ghats. Different walks every day with different scenery and opportunities to see the local wildlife. Just one day was slightly more strenuous with lots of ascents and descents but the other days were fine. Also the sighting of wild elephants in Periyar NP was an added bonus.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cannot speak highly enough of Santosh Kumar. One of the best. Professional, extremely knowledgeable, cool, calm and collected even under extreme pressure. At one point no-one in the group had any money because of the sudden demonitisation by the Modi government, Santosh did everything in his power to help everyone to obtain some money in every way possible. He was entertaining during our campsite evenings and informed us on a wide range of Indian customs and traditions. Sociable at all mealtimes. Informative of our day by day itinerary. Not for nothing he was voted best leader in India in 2011

Advice for Potential Travellers

Even if it's hot, don't wear shorts with your leech socks. Keep to long trousers. Or if you do wear shorts keep some insect spray handy. Nothing to worry about but not very pleasant to find leeches attached to you! Don't bother taking gaiters. The leech socks the trekking crew provide you with are much better.

Most Inspirational Moment

Two highlights - the fantastic scenery while trekking and the rafting on the River Seti.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Keshar was a good leader but as we were a fairly large group really should have had a trained assistant leader, particularly on the treks where some of the group struggled with the uphill sections of the walks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and make sure that you are fit enough to cope with the trek - the trek from Sanctuary Lodge to Ghandruk involved an uphill slog similar to climbing a Scottish Munro then, just when we thought it was over, a lengthy set of steps up to the lodge at the top of the village. Two days later the entire route is done in reverse and lunch is at the Sanctuary Lodge but after lunch there is then a long climb up the other side of the valley to the lodge at Gurung Lodge when the temperature was high.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the pass in the rain - not exactly inspirational but a big challenge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

They were a couple of good guys, defiantly cyclist turned into leaders, one perhaps a bit to intense on the cycling, but overall good. The local crew were excellent, and the whole trip went virtually like `clockwork`

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take shower gel, or similar, nothing in the hotels, (one night extremely basic) make sure you have basic medications with you.Also take a variety of clothing..Two nights out in tee shirts and shorts, other nights in multi layers to keep warm up in the mountains.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think that when every single member of our group managed to cycle up the Hui ven pass that was pretty amazing

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very professional - he gave us a great overview of the Vietnam war as his father had been a general in the south vietnamese army and the detail and personal aspect of this was a one in lifetime experience. He was very serious though and sometimes seemed very upset / angry if we asked questions whilst he was talking making me at times feel very uncomfortable. Towards the end he explained that in his culture teachers talk and explain things and people listen and do not interrupt or ask questions but in our western culture it is different and we are encouraged to ask questions and he finds this difficult. I wish he had explained this at the start! I would have preferred a guide who was more light hearted at times but this is not a complaint just an observation / preference. The only other comment is arriving at first meeting as single person in a group of mainly couples was a bit weird and he made no attempt at all to introduce everyone. To me a basic thing would have been for us all to say our names and introduce ourselves at that first meeting but this was not facilitated by the leader and as not everyone came to the first dinner it was awkward for next few days not even knowing some peoples names. In the same vein there was a real mixed ability of cyclists and again no attempt made to get an idea of abilities before we started cycling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Vietnam is not flat - its very undulating with some difficult road conditions too (pot holes / water buffalo / motorbikes / monsoon rain / landslides ) - make sure you are a confident and competent cyclist!!

Most Inspirational Moment

I think that when every single member of our group managed to cycle up the Hui ven pass that was pretty amazing

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very professional - he gave us a great overview of the Vietnam war as his father had been a general in the south vietnamese army and the detail and personal aspect of this was a one in lifetime experience. He was very serious though and sometimes seemed very upset / angry if we asked questions whilst he was talking making me at times feel very uncomfortable. Towards the end he explained that in his culture teachers talk and explain things and people listen and do not interrupt or ask questions but in our western culture it is different and we are encouraged to ask questions and he finds this difficult. I wish he had explained this at the start! I would have preferred a guide who was more light hearted at times but this is not a complaint just an observation / preference. The only other comment is arriving at first meeting as single person in a group of mainly couples was a bit weird and he made no attempt at all to introduce everyone. To me a basic thing would have been for us all to say our names and introduce ourselves at that first meeting but this was not facilitated by the leader and as not everyone came to the first dinner it was awkward for next few days not even knowing some peoples names. In the same vein there was a real mixed ability of cyclists and again no attempt made to get an idea of abilities before we started cycling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Vietnam is not flat - its very undulating with some difficult road conditions too (pot holes / water buffalo / motorbikes / monsoon rain / landslides ) - make sure you are a confident and competent cyclist!!