Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing up to the highest pass, looking back at what we had already covered and looking ahead into Italy.The flowers were fantastic all along the route, but especially at his point which made it all the more stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alison was fantastic; appeared very laid back but was very skilled at managing the group.  She demonstrated what was in her rucksack at the beginning of the trip.  As a result most people carried a lot less, making the trip much more manageable and enjoyable..you really do NOT need lots of changes of clothing, when staying mainly in mountain huts.She was also clearly very fit and experinced in the mountains, and always cheerful and positive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have a good level of fitness and have walked in mountains beforehand; it makes it much more enjoyable.Do not take too much stuff; quick drying gear which can be washed out and dry overnight is ideal, but be prepared for rain/sleet/snow.

Most Inspirational Moment

Everything.............the trip was so diverse, couldn't mention one thing  that we didn't like. This trip has something for everyone.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tom was fantastic and such good company too. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for us. He went far beyond the expectations of your normal travel rep.

Advice for Potential Travellers

don't take too many clothes, or pack lightweight clothes. Plenty of places to buy more and there are two places to do laundry, one in Hoi an the other in Nha Trang. You don't really need Dollars, we took some and if you do take any exchange it to Dong as soon as you arrive in the airport in Hanoi ATM's everywhere so as long as you have a visa/debit you can use that but remember all the charges.....you can draw out normally 2,000,000 dong a time........about £60 ish plus your bank charges, their bank charges and the exchange rate but its still a handy option. If you are on the group flight and go via Malaysia get some local currency or Dollars for drinks and food.Take Malaria tablets, Deet 50 or 100 spray and long sleeved shirt and long trousers for the mekong delta as there are loads of mosquitos oh and a sleeping bag liner although the lodge is very good quality.(the only dodgy accommodation on this trip is the sleeper train although you aren't in it overnight, the journey is about 10 hours and you are in a 4 berth sleeper)a fantastic trip, well planned with no hassel........the guides are fantastic.....only negative, vietnam is poorer than thailand and tourism is in its infancy, near some of the hotels and sights there are the usual postcard, fruit sellers shirt sellers etc....they can be quite pushy but just be polite and patient and walk past them and they won't cause you any issues you will love it....enjoy

Most Inspirational Moment

This is a hard question to answer because although great views are expected in the Alps, there were inspirational views and sights virtually every step of the way. Our guide, Mel, was inspirational, in her love and passion for the mountains and her knowledge of the local landscape, and particularly the flowers and plants. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

As I have said above, our group leader Mel was inspirational. It was obviously not just a holiday for her, it was a lifestyle. She was very encouraging and accommodating, and found ways to coax us up the huge mountains, even in the face of pain and injury. She managed to distract us from the pain by giving us botany 'lessons' as we were going along, and these little talks also enabled her to make the whole group stop and rest to allow the slower members to catch up and rest also. In the end, the whole group were orchid spotting and this gave us a completely new perspective on the Alps, and a depth of experience, which other trekkers walking by at top speed did not get.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a pair of trekking poles, as they were invaluable, since the majority of the trip is either up or down, and you need them for both! Don't rely on being able to wash, and particularly dry clothes. There are washers and dryers at several of the campsites, but the dryers did not appear to work well, and the weather is not stable enough to rely on hanging clothes out to dry. Just take a fresh pair of socks for each day and don't mind wearing other clothes for a few days each. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Jumping into the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic to cool off after the day's walking on the island of Krk.Chilling out with a gorgeous sunset out over the islands and sea, at the Zavižan mountain hut.The peace and tranquility of the Premuziceva Trail, with its stunning scenery, fabulous flowers and plants, and crazy rock formations.Exploring the ancient towns of Krk and Trogir, and seeing the Venetian history of Croatia first hand.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant - one of the best I've ever had. Incredibly knowledgeable, on subjects from history to flowers - and great fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you enjoy day hikes and love mountains and/or islands, then this is a great trip - especially if you'd also like to know more about the history of this part of the world.Don't forget your swimming togs! Or your camera....Don't bother buying a map.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views, especially up in the mountains,  looking across at the snow covered peaks and the glaciers. Stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Asbjorn, trip leader an absolute star. Everything well planned and organised. Really friendly and passionate about the area.

Most Inspirational Moment

The ascent of Mt Toubkal was great but the highlight of the trip was, without a doubt, the optional ascent of Mt Ouanakrim on the following day. This ascent is more technical (requires a bit of scrambling) and therefore lots of other groups don't do it. We were very lucky to be the only ones on the trek and at the summit on that day. The weather played part perfectly too - 2/3 of the way up we had the most beautiful view over the mountain range - brilliant early morning sunshine over a sea of clouds. And the view from the summit was even more spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

It was great to have a local Berber as a guide. Rachid was a great leader; easy to get on with, well organised, funny, very knowledgeable and always smiling. In addition to enjoying the mountains we learned a lot about the life in the Atlas and in Morocco in general.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take gloves and an extra warm layer (I had a light down jacket with me in July) if you feel cold easily. It gets cold in the evenings (if you want to sit outside) and the early start on the summit day can be chilly too.You can buy water and snacks throughout the trek but it's good to have small notes with you as the change of 100 dirhams is often a problem.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit is the most incredible experience. The route up to Gillmans point on summit night is tough. Much tougher than I was expecting. From Kibo hut to Gillmans is also where the altitude gets alot of people. If you can push through, without any serious altitude problems,  you will make the true summit. When you reach the summit it can be quite emotional to finally be there! Take lots of photos, as when I was at the summit I was so tired I hardly remember being there and didnt take in the view as much as I would have liked. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

The African walking company cannot be faulted. Their guides were fantastic. Especially George who kept everyone going when the going got tough. They were well organised and when the group needed splitting due to different fitness levels and walking speeds they coped fantastically by splitting the guides between people who needed it the most. Alot of people take Diamox on this trip and other groups we were passing had all taken it, encouraged by their guides to do so. Our guides did not push Diamox on us and encouraged us to do it naturally, by ascending slowly, which was great, and most of our group made it without it. Also, the porters where great, and every time we arrived worn out at camp, the porters were there, tents up all ready for us and twiddling their thumbs - il never know how they do it. Marvelous. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is more about mental determination and pushing through the altitude sickness than anything else. Come with a determined, but light hearted attitude so as not to get mentally bogged down with summit worries and fears. Take each day as it comes, enjoy each day and see each day individually. Get lots of sleep and eat and drink as much as you can. Keep your sense of humour on the way up, have a laugh with your group and save the true grit and determination for the summit night, which is an absolute killer. If you are slower walker dont start panicking, the guides will split and hang behind with you. The tortoise and the hare - walking slower than other members of the group is not a negative so dont feel rushed. 

Most Inspirational Moment

We had superb weather most days but the morning we were climbing Grand Col Ferret was misty, windy and cold. The leader had told us that this was probably the scenic highlight so we were disappointed that the weather was bad just at this time. We sat down for lunch just over the col, as soon as we could get out of the bitter wind. At that moment exactly the mist started to open up and slowly but surely the whole eastern side of the massif appeared, starting with the summits of the Grand Jorasses. It was stunning! Our leader, Ian, naturally said that was how he had planned it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

First class. Set the sort of pace that meant that everyone could cope. Always supportive and patient, knowledgeable and easy-going. Couldn't have asked for better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light. Socks and t-shirt dry overnight so you won't need as many clothes as you think. Exodus recommend boots but I used trail shoes every day and found them fine (but then I always use them).It is worth getting reasonably fit. The ascents and descents are generally more than most people from the UK will be used to, unless they walk regularly in Scotland or further afield. That said, all our group, in their 50s or 60s, managed it ok.

Most Inspirational Moment

All the activities and walks were enjoyable and covered something necessary for the Madeira experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was a local who was passionate about Madeira and had an in depth and insiders knowledge of where to go and what to do and see on the island, which he was happy to share with us. This was invaluable for all the walks and activities we did which he also planned and organized very effectively.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The two guesthouses in Encumeada and Santana are in wonderful (though isolated) locations and full of character. This tour would succeed with a group of between 6 and 10, (we had 8), any more and it could be unwieldly. The levada and coastal path walks offer a lot of spectacular views and photo opportunities. The paths can be quite narrow so take care. Make sure you try some poncha (rum, honey and juice cocktail) and don`t miss a walk around the old town of Funchal and a visit to the central market. Watch out for nun pirates in the interior :-) (we did not come across any, this could be a myth)

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights of the holiday were sea kayaking and swimming in Ha Long Bay; snorkelling off Nha Trang and visiting the orphanage there;  climbing the 150 steps up the Marble Mountain and seeing the caves used as a hospital by the Vietcong during the American Vietnam War in the 1960’s; cycling to the beach at Cua Dai; shopping in Hoi An; riding on the reunification express and culminating in the Mekong Delta homestay where our hosts made us very welcome.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Although the travelling group of 15 people ranged in age from 24 to 65 we very quickly bonded, and a good time was had by all, thanks to Tom our marvellous guide who gave us just enough information to make everything interesting and created opportunities for excitement and fun too.   The evening on board the boat in Ha Long Bay was a great ice breaker. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

When we told our friends and family we were going to Vietnam the general response was “What do you want to go there for?”  We had heard that Vietnam has beautiful scenery, that it is not yet very commercialised, the food is enjoyable, and that there is some interesting history and culture. We found plenty of history and culture and delicious food, but also enjoyed the shopping, the variety of activities provided and the friendliness of the Vietnamese people.  They are very poor, but seem very happy.  The traffic is insane – imagine China’s bicycles replaced by mopeds! Red traffic lights are there to be ignored and the mopeds use the pavements as much as the roads...  Building is going on everywhere and the country is just beginning to become more commercialised.