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★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Stunning challenging trek in remote part of Himalayas
Kangchenjunga Trek
This was an outstanding experience. I have been on several KE treks in the Himalayas and this one was in many ways very different. The variety of landscapes encountered from jungle to 8000m mountain scenery was breathtaking (both in a scenic and literal sense!) and this was enhanced by the scarcity of other trekkers. As has been said the walking is challenging and you soon realise the concept of a Himalayan flat simply means the gradients might be slightly less severe! It did become very cold at the higher camps with sub zero temperatures inside the tents and you need to be prepared for that. The support crew, kitchen staff etc can not be praised highly enough….we were treated with incredible generosity by everyone. The leader, Prem, who previously led the Mera Peak trek I was on, is one of life’s great people and my heartfelt thanks go to him. There were undoubtedly (serious) issues with the lengthy and uncomfortable jeep transfers but KE have made it clear these are being addressed. This is probably not suitable for a first trek to the Himalayas but subject to that I would unreservedly recommend this as a wonderful opportunity to explore a beautiful quiet part of the Himalayas and enjoy unmatched walking/exploration in some of the world’s greatest mountain scenery.
By John from Hawick | 12 December 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Amazing trip
Cape Town to Victoria Falls Lodge Safari
An amazing trip, an adventure, 4 very interesting countries, well organised by local partner, a lot of travelling, 3500 miles in 3 weeks, early starts, long days, a small group (max 12) who all got along very well, lots of wildlife, varied types and grades of accommodation, mostly good / excellent, a lovely day spent on a river cruise, a relaxing ride in a mokoro canoe, we had two excellent guides Tawanda and S'fiso, both very informative and knowledgeable about the trip, the wildlife, the peopl e and the countries, good cooks, S'Fiso was a careful safe driver, we had good weather on my trip, varied sights and scenes throughout the three weeks, I would agree with the other reviews and comments in 2023 about this trip, recommended.
By Simon from Washington | 12 December 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Excellent Trek
Annapurna Sanctuary and Poon Hill Trek
Completed this Trek on 25.11.23 and as usual with KE, Logistics, Guides etc were excelent. Everything worked well and was as described in the trip notes. A few points I would offer to others, when trying to make comparisons between treks. - Scenery on the ABC/ Poon Hill Trek is hugely varied and has numerous highlights, Unlike some other Nepal treks I have undertaken, there were no days of hard slog through dense jungle or similar, in order to get to the more dramatic locations. Even the last day ( which involved some road walking ) was hugely enjoyable. - The walking is challenging but never overly demanding. Yes, there are a lot of steps ( this is an Annapurna Trek ) and they need to be properly prepared for. The relatively low max altitude ( c 4100 ) means there is less stress around altitude factors and side effects, and that makes for a more relaxed trek. - The trail is busy. There are a lot of co trekkers and that in turn has advantages and disadvantages. On the upside, there are plenty of lodges for Tea / Coffee stops and the lodges themselves have, in the main, very good facilities. On the downside, there are accommodation pinchpoints, particularly at Himalaya and ABC. On our trek ( Nov, so peak time ) that meant five men sharing a room on two nights, and three of us sharing on two other nights. KE warn of this and its all doable, but its cramped and there are obvious privacy issues. ( The same occurred for women in our group ) - Tied in with the above, I saw far less wildlife on this trek than others I have been on. Time of year is a factor ( especially for birds ) but number of trekkers is an obvious factor. - Trek has the huge advantage of flying in and out of Pokhara ( which is still a lovely location ) so no long, tortuous jeep / bus rides. Again KE warn of amendments to flight times in and out of Pokhara ( and our flight in was changed significantly ) - Trail itself is very well maintained and safe, and we came across none of the areas of landslide which sometimes pop up and create concern for those of us with balance issues. Above are a few subjective reflections. I would recomment the trek, for the consistent variety, quality of scenery and drama of the Annapurna Sanctuary area.
By Clifford from Torquay | 12 December 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Fabulous adventure
Walking in the Balkan Borderlands

This was an wonderful trip. The itinerary was excellent, we walked/hiked every day but in different landscapes so each day was unique. The planning was excellent, and our guide was fabulous - knowledgeable, fun, organised and flexible. Highly recommend

By Lesley from Tamarin | 07 October 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
An amazing trip
Trekking the Ridges & Summits of Bulgaria

An excellent trip walking on beautiful mountains. I was really impressed with the Bulgarian mountains and surprisingly quiet. The walking was tough going at times but really enjoyable Our guide Ivo was as good as ever (we me before on Mount Olympus) Yes I would definitely go back to Bulgaria

By Andrew from Whitehaven | 05 October 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
An excellent self guided holiday walking sections of the Lycian Way
Self-Guided Walking: East Lycian Way
This self guided walking trip comprises six enjoyable days walking sections of the Lycian Way visiting Gelidonya lighthouse, the ancient ruins of Olympos, the eternal flames of the Chimarea and the summit of Mount Tahtali (Olympos) along the way. The day walking from Cirali to Tekirova included a magnificent section of coastal path visiting many secluded bays. After taking the cable car to the summit of Mount Tahtali, the walk down to Beycik was a particular highlight of the trip with extensive views over the the Lycian mountains and coast. Whilst the walking is mostly straightforward, there are some sections where care is needed on some tricky descents on rock and scree slopes. Carrying enough water and snacks for each day walking is essential as there are no shops/cafes on route. There are few isolated springs to top up a water bottle. The accommodation throughout the trip was excellent with plenty of local restaurants and bars to enjoy at the end of each day. This is an excellent trip for anyone who enjoys quiet and peaceful trails through forests and along coastal paths.
By David from Hinckley | 05 October 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Beautiful countryside
Self-Guided Walking: Salzburg’s 10 Lakes

A lovely trip with my daughter, great accommodation, and lovely varied routes with option to modify in poor weather, which we did on one day, otherwise we had lovely weather in late September and lots of places to swim .What’s not to like ?

By Amanda from Penrith | 04 October 2023
★ ★
Beautiful area, but group size was a major drawback
Traverse of the Picos de Europa
The Picos are beautiful and definitely worth visiting. The gorge that you visit on Day 4 was really amazing. Days 5 and 6 involve some great above-tree line hiking and scrambling. Our local guides were very good. But the reason I'm giving this trip only 2 stars is the group size. We had 16 people in our group. Yes, I should have noticed this was a possibility before I booked, but I've travelled with KE a lot and have never had a group this big, so I didn't pay enough attention. I enjoyed everyon e in my group, but hiking with 16 people was a huge negative for me. The group was so big it was extremely difficult to develop any sense of team work or cohesiveness, it was difficult to get to know everyone (people didn't even know everyone's name by the end of the week), and extremely difficult to find any solitude when you needed some peace and quiet. The group size also made it incredibly inefficient and slow to travel through the mountains, especially through all the scrambling sections. There was a lot of waiting around. The local guides did their best with the group size, but there was only so much they could do, and told us they thought it was too big. I will never go on a KE trip with a max size of 16 again, and if KE doesn't reconsider their approach and reduce the max number on this trip, I strongly encourage anyone thinking about this trip to consider whether you really want to hike with that many people. Again, the people themselves were great, there were just way too many of us. I was really disappointed that KE thought this size was appropriate.
By Leslie from Telluride | 01 October 2023
★ ★ ★ ★
Good trip, but some bad luck
Italian Summit Climber
The Aosta valley is absolutely beautiful, and all the huts were great with amazing food and amazing views. I loved the small group size on this trip. The itinerary does give you an opportunity to summit a number of 4000ers, but we had bad luck with very challenging weather, so we only climbed 2 of the 5 peaks, and weren't able to make it to the Margherita hut, which would have been the primary highlight of the trip. And this meant we returned to the valley sooner than planned, so it felt like th e trip was cut short, unfortunately. I think some decisions were made that reduced our chances to make it, but I suppose hindsight is always 20/20. I'm hoping to return one day so I can get up there under better conditions!
By Leslie from Telluride | 01 October 2023
★ ★ ★ ★
Beautiful traverse!
Across the Julian Alps to Triglav

This was a very nice traverse covering what felt like a lot of the Julian Alps. The huts varied from very basic to fancier, but all were clean, friendly, and well organized. The hut food was basic (lots of stew!) but filling. Summiting Triglav is definitely the highlight--a very fun scramble! Local guide was very good. The hotel in Bled was good and all of the transport was efficient and well organized. Overall Slovenia was really beautiful--recommended!

By Leslie from Telluride | 01 October 2023
★ ★ ★ ★
An amazing taster of Lebanon
Mountain Trails of Lebanon
We had a great time in Lebanon with a wonderful group of people - a fascinating country with more than its fair share of macroeconomic challenges at the present time. Our guide, George, was incredibly resourceful and adaptable; key requirements in Lebanon. He didn't shy away from showing us "the good, the bad and the ugly" which ensured we saw life through the lens of locals. Since we first booked the trip in 2020, the loss of Baalbek and Sidon (due to FCO advice) means there is much more trekki ng in the trip and with the heat this should not be underestimated; we coped well but you need decent fitness. Elements of itinerary would benefit from a significant rethink because there is soooo much to do in this fabulous small country.
By Ian from NOTTINGHAM | 30 September 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Tough but Satisfying
GR20 Corsica - The Complete Route
This is the toughest trek I've ever done! Tougher then the Huayhuash or the Annapurna Circuit, tougher by far than the Ultimate Tour of Mont Blanc. Early September was hot, you're not really quite sure what to expect: Day 1, you start and you ascend. Day 2, you start and you ascend. Day 3 onwards: you've probably got the idea by now. We did quite a lot of Alpine Variants, often this cut down on the total distance of the days walking, but involved a lot of ascent and descent and far more scrambli ng than I had anticipated. (I'm not a scrambler and I believed my wife when she said it was 'only' a tough trek!) We did quite a lot of early starts, either to cover the distance for the day, to get somewhere, usually a pass, for sunrise or simply to avoid the heat. The views were magnificent, the refuges (we camped mostly) variable, the food became at times repetitive. I was never hungry and there was a cold beer available every night when one produced an adequate number of Euros. Take your own thermorest, certainly by the end of the season many of the provided ones were leaking, and the ground is hard. The weather varies: we had sun and lots of it. The week before and the week after; thunderstorms. You have to be prepared for anything. Hydration systems and poles: essential. On hot days I was getting through almost 4 litres or more of water. The GR 20 destroys boots: one of the party was loosing chunks of rubber from the Vibram soles of his just worn in new boots. Mine were almost new at the outset and looked like I'd worn them for a couple of years in the UK by the end of the journey! Good head torches and plenty of spare batteries. You might be using the head torch for 2 hours before sunrise, including a 90 minute ascent in the star light as dawn breaks on the mountains around you. And not just on one day. The end result is an outstanding feeling of satisfaction when you complete the walk, and you quickly forget the moments of doubt along the way. But, you must be fit and you must have prepared well. The distances might look like big days out in the lakes, but the ascent and descent is far more, and relentless. The paths can be very rocky and hard underfoot, I had some new cushioned in-soles and they really helped. It was also helped by our guide: Paulin. Probably the best trekking guide that I have ever had the pleasure to travel with. He had been a shepherd and refuge hand in the past and even when we were going over stuff that I would never have considered in the UK gave me absolute confidence that I could do it; and sometimes I was a long way outside my usual comfort zone. Of the 8 who started, 2 dropped out on the way. One should never have been there in the first place, the second was probably inadequately prepared for how relentless it is. You definitely need a plan B when you set out. The remaining 6 worked well as a group to support and encourage each other. We were noticeably older than most of the other trekkers, who seemed to average about 30 years of age, but we had prepared well and had the mental strength to just keep plodding on when it got really tough. Would I do it again, actually yes!
By Nicola from Windermere | 26 September 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Wonderful week in a wonderful place
Timeless Trails of Portugal's Algarve

I can't recommend this holiday highly enough..it's lovely remote place with great hosts who made sure we had a special week. The coastal walking was brilliant with plenty of challenging ascents and descents, wonderful views over deserted beaches and regular opportunities to swim. The home grown organic food was excellent as was the company of the other members of our group. A truly memorable holiday..thank you Jon and Vio

By Andrew from Kidlington | 23 September 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Charming Accomodations, Amazing Hosts and Exhilarating Hikes
Timeless Trails of Portugal's Algarve
We were able to take a direct flight through Air Transat from Toronto, Canada to Faro to begin this adventure. The timing of the flight coincided exactly with the tour dates and it was definitely a consideration in choosing this holiday as we were able to avoid having to catch connecting flights. We were met in the airport by Jonathan, our guide, and the transfer to our ecolodge was stress-free. The lodge is very comfortable and quiet, and the accommodation is "no frills" but more than adequate. The meals, created by Violetta, were absolutely amazing with a great deal of variety and an abundance of healthy fruits and vegetables. Packed lunches were provided for the hikes and these were equally delicious. Although there was a shower in our cottage I enjoyed using the outdoor African shower where the water was very hot and the view was superb. The wifi does not cover the cottages but there is good connection in the main building. There are also many spots to plug in devices to charge overnight or during the day. I took a battery pack which I charged during the day and then used to charge my devices in my room at night. As it is very remote the ecolodge allows great views of night skies. The beauty of the Algarve was evident in our hikes throughout this area. Several of the hikes started right at the lodge while others required a very short transfer to the starting point. Jonathan and/or Isabella (Jonathan and Violetta’s daughter) led the hikes and were knowledgeable and amiable leaders. We had a small group of 6 participants and one of the highlights of the trip was making new friends with the others in the group. For someone of my ability the hikes were a mix of easy and difficult. The longer treks on flat land were quite simple but I did find the ascents and descents to be more challenging as I am not training on that type of terrain often. There is a lot of loose rock so concentration is required to ensure good footing. The Algarve has not received much rain in recent years and the scenery reflected the lack of moisture. We also encountered some areas that had recently been damaged by fires. The vistas from the coastal walks, however, were breathtakingly beautiful with ocean views. Many of the walks included one or more stops on a beach where we could cool off by taking a swim in the waves. The temperatures were much hotter than we were expecting given the information we had been following on weather aps. Shorts and a T-shirt were comfortable attire every day. We did get caught in a downpour one day so I was glad I had a jacket on that occasion. We debated about the need for walking sticks but opted not to take them as we wanted to use carry-on luggage only. I think they may have been useful for short periods on some of the walks but certainly not necessary for most of the walks. The two family dogs accompanied us on most of our walks. Overall I felt the area to be very safe, even though it was extremely remote. My two companions and I walked alone to a beach on the last day, forgoing the last hike with the group. This journey was several hours but we felt completely safe walking by ourselves. It was a pleasure to get to know Jonathan, Violetta and Isabella. They are such an active family with great respect for the environment and they are an inspiration as to how to live our lives. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this adventure and I would highly recommend this trip to others!
By Valerie from Saskatoon | 21 September 2023
★ ★ ★ ★
Great African Adventure
Game Trails of Zimbabwe & Botswana Camping Safari
To get the most out of this adventure (it's not a holiday) you need an open mind and a flexible attitude. It really is a case of the more you put in the more you get out. Helping one another to put up/take down the tents makes the job easier and quicker (although its still a fantastic feeling when you know its the last time you have to do it!!!!) The early starts and pot-holed roads are hard, but you get to see so much in a short time - beautiful landscapes and majestic beasts. Remember that the culture here is very different. No one is in a rush so border crossings and administration can be incredibly slow, but the tour leaders will guide you through it all - be patient! Remember to let the guides know you have spotted something so that they can stop and let you take photographs. Ask them questions, so that you can learn. Its a long journey, but try to ensure that you take time to look and listen at things around you. In general all the optional game drives are worth taking because even though you might not see the animal/bird you might hear them (especially at night). Always have warm clothes for the early morning/late evening, its cold in the open vehicles! I can guarantee that at some point you will take so many photos that the camera battery will expire make sure you have a spare charged. And because charging points are not always available you should have a power bank. And make sure you have a specific African plug adapter. My 'universal' adapter would not fit and had to buy one. Remember that tipping is expected (US dollars are preferred) and ensure you take lots of small ($1) notes, or you will over tip and run out of cash very quickly. It wasn't mentioned in the trip notes, but the flight over the Okavango delta is worth doing. Even though water levels were unexpectedly low it was amazing and there were large numbers of animals to be seen. However the low altitude, thermals and crosswinds did make it a bit of a bumpy ride so it might not be for everyone! The sunsets and sunrises are like something else and in between the clear night sky allows you see the stars free from light pollution - wonderful. If only we had seen a leopard. Maybe next time?
By Simon from Woodstock | 19 September 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A Lovely Week in the Algarve...
Timeless Trails of Portugal's Algarve
We spent a wonderful week exploring the Algarve on my first trip to Portugal. One of the first things I noticed was that the posted internet temperatures did not seem to match what we were experiencing, and it was much hotter than we anticipated. Aside from being caught in a huge downpour on Day 1 where the ground got quite slippery, the weather ranged between perfect & too hot - but of course we can’t control the weather. The property was lovely and comfortable, and all of Violetta’s fo od was chef’s kiss-worthy (special shout-out to curry night)! The lodge and the sleeping rooms were relaxed, rustic and airy with enough creature comforts to make us comfortable yet aware of our impact on the environment and our reliance on connectivity. Nights were pitch black and incredibly quiet, and we were treated to some very beautiful starry skies. We were fortunate to be taken to Sagres to watch the most beautiful sunset at “the end of the world”. Our group also walked to the small town of Pedralva one evening for supper, and many laughs and lasting friendships were made around the table as our stomachs filled with delicious food and lovely Vinho Verde. The first 4 treks were challenging for me as a flat-lander from Saskatchewan, Canada (especially the ascents/descents and the sometimes loose ground underfoot). The guides (Jonathan and Isabella) were knowledgeable and encouraging. Our group (of 6 people – 3 from Canada and 3 from England) had a varying range of ability, which I’m sure takes some skill to handle as a guide. As the one generally pulling up the rear I appreciated not being too rushed or made to feel I was a hindrance. I stopped more than most to either take pictures or catch my breath and I’m glad I did as I came home with lots of photos and wonderful memories. The dogs (Alanna & Chocolate) were very protective, and it was fun to have them along. I opted out of the last day’s trek to spend time walking to one of the local beaches, though those who did this trek enjoyed it very much. Overall, I would recommend this holiday, especially if you are fit. Certainly do-able but challenging at the same time. I did a trek of the same grade in Italy several years ago and also found it more difficult than anticipated. My only tip would be, if you do not regularly train on ascents/descents, keep this in mind as the grade might be deceiving.
By Ruth from Saskatoon | 18 September 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Great walking holiday visiting delightful islands
Walking the Islands and Volcanoes of Sicily
Really enjoyed visiting the Aeolian islands for the first time. Tony our guide was excellent, very sympathetic and interested in all of us as individuals, informative, and laid back. There were seven of us and we ate out at different restaurants together every evening. Highlights for me were seeing Stromboli erupt, from a safe distance, and climbing to the top of Mt Etna. Catania, where we started and finished the tour was an interesting place as well, despite being a bit shabby at the edges, be tter at night when the streets came to life.
By David from Sudbury | 18 September 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This holiday exceeded expectations
Walking Wild Tuscany

I highly recommend this holiday. The walking provides the opportunity to discover the delightful Appenine and Apuani Alps on paths that would be difficult to find for the first time visitor. The accommodation is comfortable, spacious and welcoming. We appreciated the kitchen to make tea and coffee, the garden for pre dinner drinks with its wonderful views, and of course the swimming pool. Jamie and Ailsa are charming hosts who take every care to ensure that their guests feel at home.

By Philip from PENRITH | 17 September 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Fantastic Wildlife Experience
The Ultimate Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Uganda absolutely brims with wildlife that is never too far away. Be warned though that there are many early mornings and some long drives to get to some destinations but if you are comfortable with this then you are rewarded in full. With the exception of a leopard our group of 5 saw everything else many times over in vehicles that were ideal to tackle rough terrain and the smooth road surfaces in Uganda (except the constant and many speed humps in the roads!) The standard of accommodation is g enerally good with a couple of lodges at Enganzi & Lake Bunyonyi which were very good. Food is plentiful (you will not go hungry on this trip with 3 course lunches & dinners if desired) and generally consists of fish or chicken dishes. Gorilla and chimp trekking are of course the highlights of this trip although the boat cruise to see hippo, elephant and crocodiles didn’t disappoint either. The gorilla experience in Uganda was better for us as it remained dry whereas it had started to rain in Rwanda so, although you were close to the gorillas in both places (think 2-3 metres away), in Rwanda they tended to prefer to stay under some cover and weren’t as active. Trekking in Uganda is a little harder than Rwanda but it only took us a couple of hours on both occasions to find the gorilla families. The local guide and driver who was with us for the holiday was knowledgeable and friendly. I would say take a few more $USD than you think you will need as pretty much everywhere takes dollars or a credit card. Also, long sleeved shirts and trousers with sturdy walking boots for trekking. Gaiters are not really required though many people wore some. T-shirts and shorts are fine elsewhere as well as a light raincoat. It really wasn’t too busy when we visited and people are very friendly- the local community project we visited gratefully received some pens and paper. For any first time Safari goer, or even the more experienced ones, this trip is sure to keep you busy!
By Andrew from Didcot | 12 September 2023
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Fantastic challenging walk in a spectacular location
Tour de Monte Rosa
Having walked the Tour du Mont Blanc many years ago, this was certainly a more challenging but quieter circuit. It involves steep and sometimes precipitous paths, long days, carrying all your gear and a LOT of ascent and descent. My knees were certainly feeling it towards the end! Accommodation was very good and the food particularly impressive in the mountain refuges. Refuges were excellent fun to stay in and in some spectacular locations, although sadly we were unable to reach Teodulo refuge. Knowing that we had some challenging weather conditions coming, Marion our guide did an excellent job at keeping everyone safe by starting early, organising alternate routes, vehicle transfers, cablecars and new accommodation, due to some sections becoming inaccessible. I adored the attractive little villages, lovely alpine meadows, stunning views and often exhilarating walking, especially the roped glacier crossing which was a highlight for me on a spectacular bright morning above the clouds. Although it was tough, the challenge made it all the more rewarding and the fantastic team spirit and support made for an amazing and memorable trip.
By Catherine from WOKING | 11 September 2023
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