Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Our goal (Machu Picchu) obviously was a high point but the mountain-scape en route left me in awe of the Andes. The scenery was simply spectacular at all turns.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was "Tomas". He really did take care of each of us from the moment we stepped off the plan in Cusco. On bus tours, in the hotel lobby (everywhere) he was on the phone making arrangements for us. He had lots of local contacts for tours. On the trail he was constantly in radio touch with his crew. He never pushed us too hard and was genuinely concerned when it got dark or when someone in our party was seriously ailing -- he exuded confidence that he would get us through any difficulty. His knowledge of the history of the area made it all interesting. He took time to get to know each of us personally and at lunches, he was informative but mostly just became "one of the group". He took plenty of time to socialize with us "outside of hours" in Cusco. I cannot imagine anyone doing a finer job than Tomas!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although rain might be rare, we encountered it and although we had cheap ponchos, some rain pants would have made sure we didn't get too chilled. Back up cameras: ours crapped out the first day. Good thing we had some others in our group that could take over our picture needs. Exodus provided plenty of food....no real need for lots of extra snacks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved walking the city walls in Dubrovnik.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very nice and got us from point A to point B every time. I think he could have shared more about the country's history while we were on the boat, bus, etc. That is the point of having a local tour leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

The first beer after each walk! The Dolomites provides the opportunity to walk all day & look back at what you have achieved. tremendous.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was excellent at setting expectations of the route ahead & controlling a steady pace. clearly very experienced.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Budget more for lunches at refuges, travel locally & evenings.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Le Brevent 2,525m and knowing that we had all completed the TMB with no injuries or mishaps. The champagne carried by up by Heather was a bonus!

Thoughts on Group Leader

In my opinion Heather is an inspirational leader, extremely fit and knowledgeable she handled our diverse group well and ensured the trip was a success for all. Mention must also be made of Neil - our back up - who seemed to be able to achieve miracles within the confines of a camp kitchen.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for challenges - 1,120m vertical ascent on the 2nd day of walking was hard, especially the heat. Oh and if you can: take crash course in packing away a Quechua tent - they may be easy to erect but dismantling definitely isn't easy. Best approach is brute force - like a rugby tackle .

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing over boulders to eat lunch beside a fast-moving, glacial stream; foraging for wild raspberries for dessert; friendly encounters with Italian sheep and having the privilege of petting an inquisitive lamb; a butterfly resting on my shoulder for an interminable amount of time; sitting in 'grasshopper meadows' and hearing the incessant chattering from the hillsides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rupert was an outstanding leader. He had great knowledge of the area and put each walk into context in relation to where we had walked previously or to our accommodation. He was attuned to the needs of individuals in the group, giving waypoints to stop at to those who wanted to move ahead faster and supporting those who moved at a slower pace. He shared his botanical knowledge with us, offering alpine leaves for us to sample, collecting herbs with which to make a 'tisane', or pointing out dangerous plants used as early anaesthetics.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The paths are a mixture of paved ski-tracks, woodland trails and rocky paths with short sections of cables, chains and vertical ladders. The ascents are steady and sustained from the word go, steep at times, with few level sections until you have gained height. With this in mind, I would suggest you get some regular hill-walking in before you travel to better prepare yourself. If you plan to wash a few items of laundry, pack a washing line and pegs and, if you are lucky enough to get a room with a balcony, you can hang it outside.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, the experience of being able to do so much wild camping enhanced the experience. Lying in the tent on the first night in the Okavango Delta, listening to the hippos bellow and the lions roar gave me an appreciation of the natural world you could not get anywhere else. The contrast of the beauty of the Okavango Delta with the barren bleakness of the Salt Pans was also awesome - both so different but so memorable. The scale of Victoria Falls was breathtaking, and the sheer amount of wildlife we saw, especially in the second week, was amazing. Stan kept stating 'High hopes but no guarantees', but in fact every day was unique and special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was great. Calm, patient and clear, with a great sense of humour. Tents went up and dinner was cooked every night as if by magic. It was very impressive what he could produce on an open fire night after night. Stan's knowledge and passion for the wildlife and geography of Botswana was unsurpassed. Despite the fact that both of them must have done this trip many times, they were both excited and enthusiastic every day and that was infectious. The support team of Timon and John also worked incredibly hard to help the smooth running of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I think this is an incredible trip, and if you are not phased by camping you will love it. The wild camping gives you an opportunity to experience Botswana which you would not get any other way. The camping was, by my standards, pretty deluxe - camp beds, toilet cubicles (often with impressive views) and great food. It also got you very close to the animals! I was lucky and got a tent to myself, it is snug with two… You also have to be very organised with your packing as you have early starts and you are on the move most days. Be aware, it gets very cold at this time of year. I wasn't prepared for this - it was 2 degrees on the first night in Maun! For several nights I was wearing 4 layers and a fleece hat - even in my sleeping bag. It was also very cold in the truck in the morning. If you go at this time of year, I would advise some warm layers for the nights. It is warm during the day. Also you will need a SA charger for Botswana (Zimbabwe uses UK plugs) - you can get them at J-burg airport. I would also recommend a spare camera battery as you will be away from electricity for quite a while.

Most Inspirational Moment

Making & spinning pizzas with the hotel chef. Feeling the heat (sun & volcanic) at the top of Vesuvius (excellent local guide giving geological tour round the entire lip of the volcano - off limits to unauthorised visitors). Found time for a brief dance at the top.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine is an excellent tour leader. She is very positive, helpful and informative yet suitably relaxed. Great sense of humour. Looked after the slowest in the group as well as directing the way for the faster walkers. She set up an excellent low fuss sandwich service which catered for all our tastes with plenty of variety.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles help. Stair training is good practice. There are only 3000 steps between you and the beach. Fortunately you do not do these all in one go! Pompeii - take a small shoulder bag for your sandwiches, etc. as rucksacks are not permitted by some museum officials. Carry plenty of water as most days do not have water refill stops until the end of the day.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing up a steep slope to the Vaiolon pass, involving a fixed ladder on Day 2 Coming down a long and steep descent through meadows and forest on Day 4, after a stimulating walk over a couple of passes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was excellent. Sometimes a man of few words, he was always aware of where everyone was and how they were doing. I always felt comfortable in his group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This was a more expensive holiday than I had expected. last year ( in Tuscany) the daily travel to start the walks and the wine with the meal was included. Here, everything was extra and we used both bus and ski lifts in abundance because we were staying a long way down the valley from many of the walks. People should be warned about this

Most Inspirational Moment

Everything - the variety, the music, old cars, feeling that I was using all my senses (smell, feeling of sunshine on my skin, hearing the birds, looking at the views etc). Seeing the inside of houses was an amazing experience and really showed me what real life is like. It's very difficult to pick one moment though - everything added up to a great trip. Cycling-wise I really enjoyed the bits off the main roads.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Laz was excellent - so knowledgable, calm, personable, funny, organised and professional. Everything we needed/wanted and more. Couldn't have asked for more, he made it an excellent trip!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring lots of suncream, long sleeves if you're sensitive to the sun (it's really really hot in mid-summer), wide-brimmed hats for when you're not cycling, snacks (otherwise there is only fruit at the stops), electrolytes and salt replacements (yes, you'll sweat!). If I was going again I'd definitely bring a small handlebar bag for the bike to store my camera.

Most Inspirational Moment

The 10 km climb up the mountain on day 8 was a killer but so exhilarting when reaching the top without stopping. Hearing the other side of the story with regards the Vietnam war. Learning a bit about the different Kings who ruled over the years in Vietnam and what they did or didn't do for the country. Vietnam, neither the war or culture, was a subject I covered at school/univerisyt etc so was quite an informative holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Extremely well orgnaised. Nothing was any bother. The group was well looked after. Danh was exceptional when finding and/or recommening places to eat and drink. The support team also was very well organised when it came to drink stops and also at busy junctions, stopping the traffic or making sure we navigated around busy streets safely.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are confident cycling in traffic - if necessary get in touch with your local council sustainable transport dept and find out about an assertive cycling course. The traffic in some of the towns is very busy and chaotic - if you are a nervous cyclist then this could make you stressed. Although you have the option of going on the bus and not cycling, the whole experience of cycling on the roads in Vietnam is all part of the experience and you don't want to miss it.