Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick, but either the stunning river valley along the Afgan border, the extraordinary scenery in the very remote area between Lake Zorkul/Djartygubez and re-joining the Pamir Highway.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tour leader was well organised and very helpful. Ideally he'd have known more about plants and birds etc, but as he stepped in at the last minute, due to the planned leader (who was more of a mountain guide) having a family emergency, he did extremely well. The drivers are exceptional. They minimised the bumps and made me feel safe on roads that would normally have me shutting my eyes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want an adventure through staggering scenery and an incredibly welcoming country and don't mind roughing it, go on this trip. However, the roads are very bumpy (I am pretty sure all the Toyota Prados we had needed a full service after the punishment we gave them), the drives can be long, you will be sharing rooms with potentially several other people (max 5 in our case) and washing facilities can be basic. Make the most of the hot springs. No matter how delicious it looks (it is), do make sure you avoid all uncooked fruit and veg unless you have washed it yourself in bottled water, even in the nice hotel in Dushambe. Ask if you can pre-book a single room in Qalai Khumb after the Bartang. For some reason it was not included in the single supplement. Similarly the Pamir Hotel in Murgob isn't necessarily included in the single supplement (due to only a few en suite rooms. That said the shared showers at the end of the corridor was more likely to have warm water.) Altitude increase is pretty gradual and they have back up plans if you do get altitude sickness. Nobody in our group seemed to have anything worse than a mild headache. NB a side effect of Diamox is diahorrea, so think carefully before taking it. I was given ciprofloxin by the Tajik doctors . Amoxycillin did nothing for my traveller's tummy. The tour organisers were amazing at getting me medical support.

Most Inspirational Moment

Learning of Ancient Noto. Amazing history in this SE corner of the island. Wonderful baroque towns.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Perfect leader. Excellent knowledge of island, history and invaluable guiding to best restaurants and stops. Well designed week. Well looked after on the road.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Could be hot at the end of June! Made the moderate rating just enough for this average cyclist. Do be ready to jump in the sea; it’s lovely - and welcome! All the hotels are good quality. Singles and couples in equal rooms.

Most Inspirational Moment

Mont Blanc from various viewpoints but in particular from the Aguille Du Midi which we visited on the rest day. We bought a multipass ticket so we were also able to visit the ice cave in the glacier at Montenvers. We very much enjoyed all the walking days especially the trip over the border to the Italian side.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Maria is an excellent guide and looked after all our individual needs on the walking days and at other times. We all found him fun to walk with. We did the walks pretty much as there trip notes but Maria varied the order in view of the weather and other factors which meant we got the best from each day. We invariably had our lunch at the highest point after the morning's climb so to enjoy the best views. Special mention too to our hosts Gon and Lau, our drivers, chefs and general nursemaids. They prepared excellent meals for us and kept the honesty bar topped up!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is covered well by other reviews but if you can extend your holiday either side of the trip (we did both) On return to the airport we stayed an extra night at the NH Airport Hotel which provides free airport transfer both ways and free travel passes for the tram to Geneva centre. There is also an Alpine garden walking distance from the hotel.

Most Inspirational Moment

Mont Blanc from various viewpoints but in particular from the Aguille Du Midi which we visited on the rest day. We bought a multipass ticket so we were also able to visit the ice cave in the glacier at Montenvers. We very much enjoyed all the walking days especially the trip over the border to the Italian side.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Maria is an excellent guide and looked after all our individual needs on the walking days and at other times. We all found him fun to walk with. We did the walks pretty much as there trip notes but Maria varied the order in view of the weather and other factors which meant we got the best from each day. We invariably had our lunch at the highest point after the morning's climb so to enjoy the best views. Special mention too to our hosts Gon and Lau, our drivers, chefs and general nursemaids. They prepared excellent meals for us and kept the honesty bar topped up!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is covered well by other reviews but if you can extend your holiday either side of the trip (we did both) On return to the airport we stayed an extra night at the NH Airport Hotel which provides free airport transfer both ways and free travel passes for the tram to Geneva centre. There is also an Alpine garden walking distance from the hotel.

Most Inspirational Moment

On the last day - after a long ascent - reaching the high point, looking out over the Mont Blanc massif and realising the extent of the walk and the achievement.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide was energetic, enthusiastic, entertaining and encouraging.He knew the territory and was well prepared each day’s walk. His guiding was kind, caring , adaptable and tailored to each person’s needs. He was clearly an expert. I very much enjoyed his approach to mountain leadership. The camp manager was also excellent. He was well organised and went to great lengths to cater for everyone’s needs and preferences, including giving helpful local information for the free days.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some long walks in the mountains to prepare for the trip. Don’t take too much stuff.

Most Inspirational Moment

For us, the cycling in Normandy was the highligh, however we believe this could have been extended a to include Pegasus bridge and the British cemeteries in that area.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Celine our leader was fantastic who is very good cyclist and guide spoke excellent English and had good sense of humour which made all our trip most enjoyable, please pass on our thanks

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't wear underpants under your cycling shorts! The bikes we had were hybrid with no suspension so gel seat would be good or ask for upgrade of bike.

Most Inspirational Moment

Out of all the temples, I felt that the jungle covered Ta Prohm was the best.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Seen was the overall leader from Thailand . Due to the rules for Cambodia and Vietnam, he does have to defer to the local guides there. But overall, from an organisational perspective, he did alright, getting us all over the borders effectively.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There's no time in Bangkok. I regret not getting there a couple of days earlier to have a look around. Also, if cycling in June like me, expect very hot and humid conditions which makes even light exercise tough, let alone the 50 mile plus days in Thailand, so do prepare yourself for that.

Most Inspirational Moment

No one inspiring moment but a thoroughly enjoyable trip overall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nico was an excellent group leader, very informative , personable and efficient. Made sure things - i.e group meals and ordering items - ran smoothly . Happy to explain local customs and history .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tourism , especially in the hospitality industry , is still developing. It is not uncommon , when asking a waiter/waitress a question to be greeted with " WHAT ?". Also when ordering food items be clear to specify the drinks arrive BEFORE the meal, the meal items to arrive TOGETHER ( i.e rice and stew , both items together otherwise the rice will arrive 40 minutes before the stew) . ATMS are widespread outside banks or in hotels and tourist info. However cards are taken widely as payment method.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sit back and enjoy! Hotels and food better than expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

The level of the un-explored archaeology

Thoughts on Group Leader

Talked and talked, I gnawed my leg off. Seriously, very passionate and knowledgeable , but seemingly unable to filter the main memorable points and a tendency to lose the 'hook' within the torrent of information. Very helpful most of the time. The goalposts also tended to move, resulting in wrong place, wrong time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hotel rooms are very variable, be prepared to take the rough with the smooth, singles beware you will get more than your fair share of the rough. Beware of rooms that open directly onto stairs. Travel in the spring when it is cooler, June is too hot, the mountains way well still be snow capped in the early spring. Go soon, this country is developing very rapidly and will lose its' charm very quickly once the 'all inclusives' start to move in.