Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

It was fantastic to walk on the Great Wall, to visit the many temples in Beijing, to see the historic terracotta warriors, to hike at Emeishan to the most beautiful view I have ever seen, to see the amazing 3 gorges on the Yangtze Cruise and to bike around the beautful landscape near Yangshuo. But, the highlight for me on this tour was visiting the pandas in Chengdu. It was amazing to see so many pandas in different sizes and ages, how they played with each other, climbed trees and enjoyed their life in the nice sorroundings in the breeding center, and the most inspirational moment was for sure when I had one of the young pandas sitting with me and touching it when feeding. This was once of a lifetime experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was unik. We were her family from the beginning to the end of the tour. She did everything for us, and used her great personality to solve all problems.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I can only say, go for it. This tour will be one of the highlights in your life.

Most Inspirational Moment

Finding myself scrambling over rocks and admiring the most incredible 360 degree views!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara is an outstanding group leader. She has a love for this area of Italy and a real feeling for the Garfagnana, it's people, way of life and culture. I found myself on a trip that took me out of my comfort zone and Sara's calm, yet inspiring leadership enabled me to achieve the ascents and descents that we undertook. She did so much for us whilst we were in her care and I've come home feeling that if you put your mind to it anything is possible. Thank you Sara.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The moderate walking week is in parts quite challenging and I would recommend that some preparation is done before the trip, to ensure that you have the stamina to cope with the rocky and steep paths of the Alpi Apenine. Walking poles are essential!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Kala Patthar (in perfect weather) for the most incredible vistas of Everest and it's neighbours.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lakpa Lama was quite simply fantastic. Always on hand with the information and stories that people wanted to hear. His patience and bed side manner when dealing with those unlucky enough to be ill for a day or so was excellent. When I had to deal with the inevitable Delhi Belly on day 3 he was on hand with encouraging words and necessary medication. All this with a smile on his face.Special mention to the other guides who consistently went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that all my fellow trekkers were comfortable and every need catered for. All done with a smile and not a hint of a grumble (even when I'm sure we were being a bit demanding!) 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to your guides. They know what they're doing! Take your time to enjoy the scenery, take plenty of photographs and enjoy the company of your fellow trekkers. There's a reason why the guides take you up slowly and it will maximise your chances of reaching base camp and the summit of Kala Patthar. If you do have an off day where you don't feel at your best, dont panic! It will most likely pass fairly quickly and you'll be back to 'normal' in no time.

Most Inspirational Moment

The hiking in Petra was wonderful, if tough at times, but Petra At Night was very special, especially looking up at thousands of twinkling stars...and seeing a shooting one too! However, my most inspirational moment probably has to be the night at Wadi Rum: the vastness, the silence, and more stars than my brain could compute! A very special place.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair was an excellent group leader. Highly knowledgable and charismatic, I enjoyed his numerous stories, even if I lost the thread a few times! He clearly loves his country and was very proud to show us all it has to offer.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't deliberate any longer - book it!! Seriously, you'll love it! The accommodation is quite mixed (we had a good room in Wadi Musa [for Petra], but more of a mixed bag at the hotel in Amman) but this is not a 5* luxury tour and really, it was all fine. Camping at Wadi Rum was wonderful: we brought sleeping bags but you could probably get away with a liner or a sheet to put in between you and the (very heavy!) blankets they supply. The toilets at the camp were a little grim at times, and there's not much in the way of running water but, really, none of that matters; it's such a special place.Other advice would be: bring a little cash with you (I only managed to get cash at an ATM on my third attempt!); bring good walking shoes for Petra, and don't scrimp on the water; do Petra By Night!; go for a camel ride at Wadi Rum - wonderful!; the sun was very intense at times, so bring a hat or scarf for your head; carry tissues and wet wipes (some of the loos are grim); don't wear any "good" clothes at Petra or Wadi Rum!; shower and changing facilities are pretty limited at the Dead Sea resort but you *must* go for a float!; keep your shoulders, head, and upper legs covered as much as possible, especially if you're a white female: you'll be noticeably more respected and receive less stares - but please don't let this put you off! Jordan is very friendly and welcoming, it is purely a cultural difference.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the most inspirational moment of the trip was a moment of self realisation on the particularly hard climb up to Namche Bazaar. Having suffered from the standard Nepalease tummy & a bout of Altitude sickness I was in no shape to tackle the tough ascent, however I pushed through the pain barrier and made it to the remarkable Namche Bazaar! It truely made me realise I'm made of tougher stuff than I thought

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lakhpa was #1, an absolute gentlemen and a scholar. His knowledge of AMS & associated mountain illnesses were second to none. His manner in treating individuals and his care and attention to people when they are at a low ebb was indeed first class. His knowledge of the trek and the surrounding area was invaluable, he knew how to immerse you in stories and entertain with his tales :-)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it. Do not hesitate, you must go on this trip. It is challenging, and it's no cake walk...however if you enjoy peoples company & stunning scenery then it is a must. Once in a lifetime experience

Most Inspirational Moment

The most insprirational part was the two and a half days in Petra. The skill and industry of the people who built it at around 100 B.C. was mind blowing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader was excellent. He had the knowledge to describe each and every site at the right level f detail for me, but had a wealth of background knowledge, so he could answer virtually all questions. He knew how much free time to give the group at each site. He also had humour. When it was a fellow traveller's birthday, he stopped the coach at a local garage and bought cakes and squash for us all to celebrate it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We spent less than £25 per person per day on average. Our tour guide directed us to good quality local supplers of cooked and fresh food if we needed to buy lunches.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Everest for the first time, the awesome views from the top of Kala Patthar and achieving a lifetime ambition. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lapka was incredible throughout the trip he went above and beyond his duty caring for all the group from the begining to end, at any time of day or night, enabling us to reach our potential. His local knowedge was exceptional and he regaled us with many entertaining stories. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have a reasonable level of fitnessTake chocolate and snacks, dry shampoo, a good down jacket and warm sleeping bag and plenty of wet wipes. 

Most Inspirational Moment

White water rafting was brilliant. Cycling around Giritale. Elephant ride and the Elephant orphanage.The walk on Horton plains to see World's End.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was great very helpful and Knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

 It was a great trip but I felt let down and cheated by the standard of the hotels provided. Before each one Sujan warned us how bad it would be and what to expect. I just wish this was told to us before we booked.8/10 hotels were shockingly bad - dirty sheets, dirty towels, dirty bathrooms - plus loads of little crawly friends to keep you company in the room. Geckos come as standard. A lot of time is spent on the bus - take travel sickness pills.Expect curry and rice for breakfast lunch and dinner.Do all of the extra activities not only because they are worth it and fun but also because the alternative option is staying behind doing nothing at one of those awful hotels.Take loads of insect repellent and sun screen. Don't forget Afterbite. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day's walk along the river and opening up into a wonderful view of the Atlas mountains.Staying in the village - welcoming smiles, slow pace of life and beautiful setting. It was a privilege to visit such a remote part of Morocco.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hasan was very calm, experienced and caring. It was great to have a local guide who understands the Berber culture and language and was able to relay his knowledge to us. He had a good sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take warm clothes! The Gite was very cold in early April - it even snowed. Most of us were under-prepared and needed gloves, hats and thermals and a warm coat/jacket.

Most Inspirational Moment

...where to start........from the picturesque villages, to the dramatic coastline, to exploring the ruins of Pompeii, to standing on the rim of Mount Vesuvius itself, to great food and hospitality!Every walk was different, and just when we thought the highlight of the trip had passed, the following day brought another! The terraced villages clinging precariously to the staggering limestone karsts along the coast was a sight in itself, but inland, the Valle delle Ferriere was an unexpected treat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was absolutely brilliant; extremely knowledgeable, patient and good humoured. We couldn't have asked for a better leader.