Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Wow, where to start! We have been truly blessed with all the events we witnessed. Here are our highlights: We have spent a day with a cheetah mum with her 6 almost grown up cubs, we have seen thousands upon thousands of wildebeest cross the Talek river, we have encountered 3 leopards of the same family at the same time, we have witnessed lionesses carrying their tiny cubs to a new den, we have followed 4 male lions patrolling their territory and whilst doing so crossing a river, we have seen an elephant family slide down a steep river bank to cross to the other side, we've seen amazing sunsets, and if all that wasn't enough we have seen a cheetah mum carrying her tiny 2-3 day old cubs.

Thoughts on Group Leader

This is our 5th trip with Paul to the Masai Mara. He may not be everyone's cup of tea but we like him. He is a great teacher and not shy to tell you when you are 'mincing', he can tell you a filthy joke or two, and 9 times out of 10 his decisions have been the right ones. This man never stops! He has such an enormous amount of energy, and his huge enthusiasm and love for the Masai Mara and its inhabitants are extremely contagious.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go with the flow and you'll love it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick as these were in abundance on our trip ... Lion carrying her cubs, crossing a river at the same time as four male lions and the early start of migration to name a few.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I've never paid so much to be insulted so frequently! But, if you can take the rough with the smooth you will be amply rewarded with photographic opportunies that would be difficult to surpass. Paul's teaching methods are tactless, brutal and uncompromising but highly effective. His method helps you get the most out of the opportunities that arise during the week. You will learn quickly and are unlikely to make repeated mistakes, which is a bonus when you see once in a lifetime events that you will want to capture on film. Paul is a consummate story- and joke- (mostly of the explicit and un-pc variety) teller. We haven't laughed so much and no offence is intended.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As others have said, there are some long days so go prepared with plenty of layers (including a fleece or two) for cold mornings and something to cover up in the midday sun. The laundry facilities are very efficient so you can pack light. I took a sarong, which was great as an extra layer & for sun protection but it came into its own as an instant dark room to help view the LCD screen on the back of the camera and to wrap round the lens when driving in dusty conditions. Take some sweets for the long days out on safari, preferably without wrappers e.g. wine gums, as the wildlife quite rightly takes priority over having breakfast or lunch at set times out in the bush. Kitcheche Mara camp was fantastic. The food was delicious and plentiful. Service was excellent and the tent was luxurious with great views. It goes without saying the guides were great and very knowledgable.

Most Inspirational Moment

On our first walk, out of a cloudy Switzerland onto the Col de Balme, when the cloud lifted and we had our first views of the Mont Blanc Massif and the Chamonix Valley. Thereafter, apart from one cloudy day, the chance to see the mountains, glaciers and valleys on all the walks was inspirational. The flower meadows were pretty spectacular as well.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver was an excellent guide and companion. He is very knowledgable and a fund of absolutely awful, but very funny, puns and jokes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As Exodus warn, be prepared for all weathers in the hills. We had everything from 5 degrees in sleet to 28 degrees in bright sunshine, and used all our various layers on several occasions. If you are used to hotel accommodation, the chalet rooms are a little smaller - clean and comfortable, but smaller. We had previously done the walks on Classic Dolomites and White Villages of the Sierra Nevada, and this provided a similar degree of challenge, perhaps a little more challenging on the one day when the  temperature was 28 degrees - enough for us.

Most Inspirational Moment

An amazing opportunity to walk in the Alps and enjoy the views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mel was a fabulous guide. She was very knowledgable about the route (having done the route over the last 4 years), managed the group dynamics very well, supporting us on the 'tough' days and with her extensive knowledge of botany and geology was always able to show us something new regularly and answer our questions. She carried a small plastic digger (and some Snicker bars) to explain glaciation - far better than any geography lesson i have ever had before).

Advice for Potential Travellers

It can be wet in early Spring but worth it for the flowers.The two rough camps are just that! Not really very nice. The other 'comfortable' camps were all great.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a total of 6 beavers swimming in a river so near a townWalking amongst beautiful and sometimes rare/protected flowers in a dramatic landscape 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - I am so impressed by his ability to explain not just all the fauna and nearly all the flora but also the complicated history of Transylvania in English.Despite a lot of rain and the varied abilities/aptitudes of the group, not to mention a great deal of driving,  he remained cheerful, unflappable, endlessly helpful and considerate.One small example - I was particularly keen to see alpine plants, especially the rare Dianthus which I understand is native only to the national park we were in but the leader took time and effort to explain to me that in the weather conditions it was not possible to get high enough to do so.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go as soon as you can in case EU food regulations, the need for modernisation of the economy and changing aspirations of young locals change it forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide was very knowledgeable (I wasn't keen on his sense of humour) and went beyond the call of duty in looking after us.  However, we're even thinking of doing the snow shoe trip in October with the same guide. The staff were fantastic.   

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking was strenuous (I haven't done much exercise this year so did suffer from stiff legs by day 2) which is what we wanted and the Antipodean mountain goats that we had as company were more than satisfied. 

Most Inspirational Moment

1.  Being in these beautiful Romanian national park mountains with fresh air, fresh food cooked by Katherine and family at the inn, and hiking every day in a different direction and meeting the people of the mountains, villages, and cities.2.  The dedication of our terrific guide Cosmos Dan and our hostess Katherine and her husband Hermann, and friends, to protecting and promoting the beauty of Romanian countryside and wildlife.  I was particularly moved by our visit to the bear sanctuary where rescued bears (captive & often wounded or abused for performances) are healed, rehabilitated to living in the woods, and protected for life.  3. Eating the best fresh cheese I've ever had in my 57 years at the shepherd's hut high in the mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmos Dan is an inspiration himself with his dedication to protecting his national heritage environment for future generations and seeking to share the beauty of the land and wildlife with visitors.  He is a native of the area, knows every square inch of the land and the hidden trails and all about the wildlife).  As a former National Park ranger, he is particularly well suited to guide people with an interest in the ecosystems and wildlife of the area, but being a native of the region, he also knows everyone and has insights and answers to any and all questions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring an appetite for delicious Romanian home cooking and energy and a walking stick for the mountains and enjoy a wonderful vacation.  You will be very reluctant to leave.

Most Inspirational Moment

The constantly changing views of the mountains, valleys and villages were stunning. The late Spring flowers that changed as we progressed were a marvel. The "day off" exploring the (ancient Roman) city of Aosta in NW Italy was an easy excursion and well worth it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Frank Hibbert was excellent. He is hugely experienced; knows the route like the back of his hand and was excellent with the group. It is difficult to think how he could be improved upon.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you can spend a whole day walking, are reasonably fit, especially have a good pair of knees, go for it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Well on return home I've been inspired to buy a dutch oven and fire pit and recreate campfire cooking in my back garden... but that probably was not what you had in mind!  Zion National Park was just lovely, an unexpected and delightful stop on the tour. The Grand Canyon is on everyone's must do list and didn't dissapoint, but on a personal note, seeing the sun rise over the Grand Canyon on my 40th birthday was pretty special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rebecca and Mandy were fun and caring women.  They made it their business to ensure we had a good time, with lots of little extras like: visiting the best pie shop in Utah; wearing the grizzly bear hat to ensure we saw one; visiting the funniest milkshake stop on Route 66, getting us up early to avoid walking in the heat of the day and creating culinary masterpieces on the campfire.  But seriously women, you've gotta get 'viva las vegas' on the ipod for that final drive down the strip!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack insect repellent and have the quarters ready for the showers.

Most Inspirational Moment

Camel trekking in the Wadi Rum early in the morning and the majesty of Petra glowing pink in the sun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic:  extremely knowledgeable, patient, with a fabulous sense of humour and - with 5 of his own children - great with the kids.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't stress about any part of the trip - it is well organised, well paced, interesting, diverse and fun.