Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing every animal we set out to see (some in our camp) and meeting so many people who had very little but always had time to wave smile and greet us especially in Kenya where they were as interested in us as we were in them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter Kiptoo (Kip) was such an inspirational guy - the logistics of this trip were huge but everything ran to plan (most of the time but this is Africa!!) and this was down to Kip and the team who worked tirelessly to pitch the tents, cook our meals and whilst we were all tired and tucked up in bed they were still working and were up hours before us cooking breakfast and setting up for the day ahead! Their work ethic was superb and they did their country proud!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't pack too much as you are on the move almost everyday. Buy a pillow on day 1 in the supermarket - really helps to get a good nights sleep and give away at the end! Take gear you don't mind giving away - in Zanzibar particularly the poverty was heartbreaking and many people had no shoes and were so grateful for shoes t shirts etc. Bought pens for the children and wish I had taken many more as they loved them. Don't expect air con in the hotels - it gets very very hot! Take 1 dollar bills for tipping - they average wage is a dollar a day so tipping what to us is such a small amount is really significant to the people of Kenya and Tanzania! You need some Kenyan shilings which u can buy in uk but in Tanzania you can use dollars everywhere although you tend to get better deals if you buy Tanzania shillings when you get into Tanzania

Most Inspirational Moment

The terrain during the trek, with its very steep heavily-wooded green hills with rounded tops, similar in some ways to parts of the English countryside, but on a much much bigger scale.   Meeting numerous Bonnet macaques, with their small but almost human faces, both outside and within buildings, and seeing that when they eat a banana they hold it and peel it exactly as I do, and being stared at by them, as I was staring back, and wondering what they make of us humans, a feeling I don`t have when encountering other non-domestic animals, nor indeed when meeting other kinds of monkey.  The visit to the Hindu temple at Madurai with its 14 great towers (the tallest 170 feet high), their entire surfaces covered with many thousands of brightly-coloured sculptures of gods, goddesses, demons, etc.   I find it hard to imagine how they manage to repaint them all every twelve years.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Santosh Kumar was a superb leader, always, at least outwardly, calm, friendly, alert and on top of every situation. He combined so many roles in an exemplary manner, as master of ceremonies, reporter/commentator, bag carrier, visionary teacher, domestic servant, general manger and producer of surprises, to mention just a few. Praise also for Siva, our main guide on the trek part of the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have room, pack plenty of clothes suitable for the different requirements of the trek and the sightseeing part of the holiday.  If this is your first visit to India, remember that it is an enormous, ancient, and incredibly diverse country: try to leave all your preconceptions at home.

Most Inspirational Moment

The group of fifteen people from a variety of backgrounds helped make this a memorable trip and the support I received at the end following an accident was remarkable and reassuring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carla was an excellent guide with lots of experience. She dealt with the group fairly and was most informative. Her local knowledge was much appreciated and her enthusiasm for her country was outstanding.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many inspirational moments. The stand outs for me being the welcoming nature of the children and communities of the small rural townships, the descent through the limestone mountains and the boat ride down the Mekong River.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders were fantastic. Funny and sociable, yet all the time keeping us informed, safe and on schedule.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your time to look around and enjoy what is happening around you.

Most Inspirational Moment

A bike ride though villages where we observed what everyday life means for of Sri Lankans e.g. Planting and harvesting rice and coconuts, washing and bathing in local rivers, cooking over wood fires, school children dressed in their pristine white uniforms walking home from school. All along the route darted a wide range of colourful butterflies and birds.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Sujee was exceptionally well informed and we were particularly impressed by his commitment to responsible tourism and his desire to directly impact local economies. He showed the greatest care for our group and all his actions were underpinned by a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We didn't take anti malarials as the risk seems very low but instead used DEET type products. Our guide advised us about the safety of food. Some street food is cooked in oil that has been reused too often and salad may have been washed in unclean water. For ladies a light pashmina is very useful for covering up at holy places.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the ascent of Adam's Peak. The 2am start to do the 4,600 ft of ascent with 5.5- 6.0K steps in high humidity is not for the faint-hearted nor the unfit. I did wonder myself what I was doing there at times. The further up you get and the more tired you get the steeper it gets. It was worth doing though, to witness the sunrise the morning puja, aqnd all else that was going on there. You also give yourself some cred if you can reply positively that you had done it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was just great, a real people's person. He was excellent company, genuinely interested in everyone. He was a fine guide and tour leader. Not forgetting the bus driver and his assistant who were consistently helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Adam's Peak: Think carefully, are you fit enough and mad enough to want to do it? - not all of us did it, it was an optional extra. Sigirya Rock: The metal stair ways look more scary than they actually are; they are quite safe. One thing to wary of though, you will be 'assisted' up the stairways, one on each arm and a third one from behind especially if, like me, you are getting on a bit in years, though I am quite capable. They are not official helpers and will demand a tip at the half way point. Get rid of them if you don't require their services. Game Drives: They were a bit of a disappointment; there were far too many safari vehicles, (at least 20) all jockeying for position to view whatever there was to see. It's a wonder we saw anything given the noise and pollution they produced. The roads in the Yala NP were in a very bad state making for a very uncomfortable and slow ride

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good. Knowledgeable and very hard working. Also a good cook

Most Inspirational Moment

Many moments inspired me- the film at The Equinas Forest Lodge showing how one person(an Austrian musician) can have a massive effect in preserving and conserving our natural resources; a hummingbird sitting on my hand to access a feeder; the first sight of the Pacific ocean at Manuel Antonio- paradise; a mother sloth with a baby, a caiman by the side of the canal in Tortuguera; quetzal spotting at 5.30 in the morning! I could go on and on and on.....![Oh yes- mustn't forget zip wiring in Monteverde!] Overall, I was impressed and inspired by the real commitment to conservation of all the Costa Ricans we encountered.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carla is an excellent leader. She is very clear in her explanations, also in summarising what we have done and seen. She is very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, geography and history of her country and is very proud of it. Her care for us was even-handed and she was particularly safety conscious while still enabling us to have adventures. When one of our group fell and broke her ankle in an inaccessible place(for vehicles) she was very calm, reassuring and quickly organised the rescue party. I have the utmost respect and affection for her- a great ambassador for her country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take decent wet weather gear- it's a tropical country! I would have valued a pair of flip flops for paddling on flooded paths. You don't really need any posh clothes! Take plenty of insect stuff- I wore mossie bands on my wrists, and found that a deodorant type roller dispensing insect deterrent the best. (to my knowledge no-one got badly bitten). Be prepared to accommodate all the idiosyncrasies of your fellow travellers- as they will yours! By the end of the holiday we were a cohesive, well bonded group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding past so many friendly villages , all waving and very friendly smiles from all ages of people on the side of the roads.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The riding guides did a magnificent job , kept the faster people going fast while looking after the slower riders and those stopping to take pictures, the back up crew kept us fed and watered , and looked after anyone who wanted a ride in the van , everybody was looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is not for inexperienced bike rider , but average fitness is good enough. If you like asian food , cycling , river trips and overnight trains as I do this is the trip for you

Most Inspirational Moment

Travelling with a 93 year old who did all the activities. Seeing Angkor Wat

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hanh worked hard to make sure we were where we needed to be and find us places to eat when it wasTet. I think he found it a difficult trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure this is the holiday you want. I expected more time in the countryside seeing traditional life. This was quite a city based trip. Avoid going during Tet. The standard of hotels was very high - if this is important to you.