Overland tours holidays

Memorable parts? Driving with Makoros (traditional wood boot) to our wild camping in the Okavango Delta observed by hippos. Tips? Take thermal underwear with you when going on this trip in Africa's winter. The temperature at night was sub zero and morning/evenings were cold as well. Local benefits? Yes, we contributed to the local economy and tried to leave only foot prints. Overall rating? Even I am not reborn I would give 5 stars. It was one of my best holidays... (more)Sigrid Pach

Memorable parts? Seeing the Moreno glacier and hiking in Torres del Paine. Tips? Make sure you have appropriate footwear (hiking boots). There is no need to bring a sleeping bag as these can be hired at the time (and they are good sleeping bags). Local benefits? The only benefit to local people would be the custom of staying in hotels/eating in restaurants. We did make a conscious effort not to leave rubbish and I suppose 30+ people using 1 bus instead of various means of... (more)Frank Sperling

Memorable parts? Iguassu Falls the Uyuni salt flats and the Inca Trail. Tips? Don’t go with this operator and don’t worry about the language barrier. Local benefits? In parts but I think it could have been better in particular on the Brazilian leg (I did the southern cross with this operator) where I don’t think there was any effort to interact with the locals. Overall rating? Overall it was an amazing experience I think the trip needs a few tweaks and if I’m honest... (more)Tim Antill

I most enjoyed seeing the animals close up especially in Kruger National Park. I also enjoyed climbing Table Mountain. (more)Brian Ratcliffe

The animals in Kruger, the mountain scenery in the Drakensberg, the dramatic landscape and people of Lesotho spring to mind but there was so much more! (more)Graham Hood

Kruger National Park was the most exciting - we saw absolutely everything there was to see - Rhino, Hippo, Lions, Elephants, Leopards, Crocodiles, Hyenas, Baboons, Water Buffalo, Impala, Wart Hogs, Kudu, Springbok and Birds too numerous to mention. (more)Joan Fogarty

Amboro and Refugui log Volcanes. Noel Kempf National Park. Altiplano (Sajama and Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve) were the most memorable parts of the holiday (more)Morten Ross

The most memorable part of the holiday was El Salar De Uyuni...It was really good. (more)raphaelle kieffer

The trip to San Miguel del Bala was the highlight. (more)Jane Wright

It was very memorable and exciting, and a good idea to go on a tour through a country that would be difficult to navigate alone. (more)Laura Tomlinson

A festival day in Varanasi was the most memorable part. (more)Bornet Claudine

Laos is beautiful and the people are gentle and kind. Vietnam is crazy, hectic with stunning beaches and Halong Bay, Wow...Excellent. (more)Anne Honeyball

was one of the best trips I have ever done. We experienced all kinds of travel, visited many amazing sites and learned more in one month than most people do in a lifetime. The most memorable part was the homestay where we experienced what life really is for the locals who were so welcoming and friendly to us. (more)Sarah Beddow

I really enjoyed the relaxing river trip on the mekong, I loved the peacefulness of the journey and the fact that you felt like you were in the middle of nowhere, the stops were great and the local guide savatt was really friendly and knowledgeable and helpful. (more)David Conway

It was rich and varied. I enjoyed it a lot. (more)Kristina Mänd

Most memorable would be spending a full day hiking & exploring the ancient city of Petra, the most exciting was snorkelling in the red sea from el bells to the blue hole... (more)Mark Sale

It's impossible to state the most memorable part of this holiday as it really was superb in all aspects. The holiday was everything and more than we could have imagined. (more)Rod Buttle

The Lake Baikal Homestay and the Mongolian Ger Camp... both have incredible memories for me that will stay with me for life! (more)Heidi Hosgood

I loved the train journey, chatting to the locals, making food, using the hot water urns at the end of the carriage and having the wheels changed on the Mongolia/China border was a fantastic experience. (more)Sally Foote

The most memorable was staying in a ger at Terelj National Park [Mongolia] and walking in the park... The most exciting was seeing the cosmonaut memorial in Moscow and balancing a Kazakh hunting eagle on my arm outside Terelj. (more)Christine Johnstone

Memorable parts? Hiking on a glacier, coming face to face with penguins in Punta Tomba, canyoning down a 40 metre waterfall, meeting all my new friends Tips? We had a great time, and made 21 new friends... but it is quite intense being with other people for such a long time... bring earplugs and ipod and a very very warm sleeping bag. Local benefits? Yes, we always took our rubbish with us, and were careful not to make a mess. Overall rating? Had an amazing time,... (more)Caroline Eccles

Snorkelling for the first time in Nha Trang (and second time in Ko Phi Phi!) was fantastic, jungle trekking in both Thailand and Malaysia was awesome...Outstanding - varied, educational and stacks of fun. (more)Matt Williams

There were so many highlights to this holiday which covered so many countries... Staying the night in a hilltribe village in northern Thailand, snorkling on the coral reefs around Ko Phi Phi, 4x4 driving, drinking tea in a tea plantation in the Cameron highlands...exploring great cities like KL and Singapore. Fantastic, but tough going at times! (more)Bridie Brittain

Hiking up Conception Volcano was the most memorable part of the trip. (more)Shelagh Travers

Very good...Definitely climbing Concepcion volcano on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua was the most memorab;e part of the trip. (more)Graham Dalby

Memorable parts? There were a number of great parts to the holiday and it is impossible to single out one simply due to the diversity of the experiences we had. The whole holiday was amazing, but if I had to name the top three things I would say (in no particular order!) going to Iguazu Falls (especially the boat ride under the falls!), the boat trip we went on in Paraty and just being in Rio. Tips? If you want to see Buenos Aries or Rio (and I suggest they're worth seeing!!) then... (more)Carol Clutton

Memorable parts? Staying in some fabulous homestays. Arriving at the first one, Nelpura, Moncompu in a canoe felt like royalty. Tips? No need to take too many clothes so easy to get things washed. Had thought we would be dressing up for dinner so took clothes to cover this eventuality. Local benefits? It was wonderful to go into people's houses to see craftsmen at work - the potter, weaver, basket. Since returning have told many people about life out there, how people have... (more)Clair Butler

Petra is amazing!!! It’s a lot walking, trekking and even some climbing involved if you want to experience all beauty of Petra. Absolutely loved it!!! And it’s so clean, people do amazing job there looking after this Wonder. (more)agne kolcinaite

Church going in Armenia and Georgia, visiting a sea resort in Georgia, eating excellent food in guesthouses, climbing up hills and rocks to reach an isolated church. (more)Deborah Orokieta

Memorable parts? Fantastic insight into many different cultures. Stunning and varied scenery in wonderful hot weather from the might of the Panama Canal to the jaw dropping beauty of the rain and cloud forests to the awesome splendour of the region's volcanoes and craters Tips? Do as much research as possible before your trip - I wished I had done more! Try and learn some basic conversational Spanish - I wish I had learnt more! Local benefits? Tourism is an infant business... (more)Douglas Newlands

Every day was a wonderful experience during our stay in Brazil and Ecuador but I guess the Galapagos will be the most memorable. (more)Ann Hammersley

There were so many memorable parts! - Rio, Cusco, Iguacu falls, Machu Picchu, the rainforest, etc. Overall a brilliant cross section of South American sights and culture. (more)Brian Wright

Rio, Iguzu Falls, Bolivia, Machu Pichhu were the most memorable...Excellent. (more)Vinod Mehta

Memorable parts? Definitely horse riding in and around Lake Malawi. It was soo much fun. Or maybe bush camping in the Serengeti. I remember my tent buddy and I (Julie), watching the Buffalo wander through the camp, hoping that the guide really was joking about Lions and Elephants coming to the campsite to drink. Or maybe it was the White Water Rafting, or playing football with the local boys when we made an impromptu stop on day. Or maybe getting stung by an evil jellyfish on Zanzibar, I... (more)Judith Wrennall

Memorable parts? We travelled a great distance, saw tons of great scenery and was able to do a variety of activities so I can't really say that one thing stands out however Dawson City (both times) was great. Tips? Bring a bug hat/jacket and some good bug spray. Bring a variety of warm clothes (e.g. mitts, wool hat...) even in the summer months - you never know what the temperature will be like. It really is an active tour and to be ready for this. You do no have to be an athlete... (more)Mary Ellen Ruddell

Amazing! Completely unforgettable. Everything was nicely organized to the last detail (more)Kiana Askari

Watching 50+ red mackaws gather in the Tambopata National Reserve was the most memorable part of this trip. Everyone who took care of us was local and, apart from being very friendly, they always made clear how important tourisim to their local well-being. (more)COLIN JONES

The most memorable bit was discovering a part of the world so unique and full of natural beauty. (more)Ian and Glenda Kubler

Memorable parts? Every day was a different wonder but the two days wild camping at the Okavanga Delta were really special. Tips? Be prepared for very early starts and not much relaxing times. Local benefits? Yes, local guides were used in a number of locations but obviously driving such long distances is not exactly environmentally friendly. Overall rating? Excellent. (more)christina monson

Most memorable was walking on the Great Wall of China - just wonderful (more)Beatrice Stockley

If you like activity then go for it - the leaders were excellent and the country is amazing. (more)Jane Jackson

I loved the Czech Republic in particular and also walking in the Tatra mountians. I will be telling everyone that if they want to ski they should try Slovakia as a skiing destination. Cesky Krumlov and Prague are the most fascinating cities and I will definitely be returning to visit them again. (more)Helen Spooner

Well thought out - good mix of free time and planned activities. V.good trip notes and information - really useful for planning what to see and how to get there. (more)fenella williams

For me personally the walking in the high Tatra mountains was the highlight followed by the Adrspach rocky town area (more)Anthony Leeds

We particularly enjoyed the ranch stay and the Iguazu falls. Buenos Aires was also a fantastic city. (more)Rachel Newnes

Hiking for the day in Illha Grande and two dogs coming with us, walking for hours around Paraty, best pedicure ever in Salto were the highlights (more)Karin Keschner

Memorable parts? Inca Trail! Making it and seeing Machu Picchu. Tips? Bring clothing for a variety of weather. Be prepared for early mornings, the possibility of altitude sickness... The more in shape you are, the more you will get out of the trip as well! Local benefits? Yes, I think the homestays were great, and the trip encompassed ecotourism, especially in the Amazon. Overall rating? Great. (more)Rachel Carbonell

Absolutely loved the Sapa region - Mountains & mist and Ian was a fantastic tour leader. Hoi An town was just amazingly beautiful & relaxed. (more)Heather Johnson

It was quite a whirlwind and, although everyone got extremely tired, the memories of Vietnam will mellow like a good wine. (more)Christine Mackenzie

Most memorable? It has to be Kyrgyzstan. The landscape, the people, sleeping in yurts - even the food. All fantastic. (more)Sue Noble

Seeing the breathtaking mountain views in Kyrgyzstan was the most memorable part of this holiday. (more)Jayne Hanlin

The most memroabel part of the holiday was the yurt stay in Son Kul and Tash Rabat and Samarkand. (more)Karen O'Driscoll

Memorable parts? Visiting Machu Picchu. Tips? Be prepared for the effects of altitude. We didn't get altitude sickness but suffered from tiredness, headaches and shortness of breath, especially when walking up hills. You need to give yourself longer to do things requiring physical effort. Local benefits? Yes, all guides, drivers and hotel staff were locals and we stayed with a local family on Lake Titicaca. There was an emphasis on conservation and reducing environmental... (more)Dianne Margaret Reidy

Memorable parts? The lovely boat trip and time spent in the Mekong Delta. Tips? Try to get your mind round the Dong currency before you travel as it is quite daunting. Take ear plugs!!! Local benefits? No, not really. Overall rating? Very good value for money. An awful lot is packed into a sort space of time so therefore is very tiring but at the end of the holiday you definately feel that you have SEEN Vietnam. (more)Margret Reader

The Great Wall and toboganning were the most memorable parts of the holiday (more)Lourdes Macias

The "Guilin/Yangshuo" segment was the most enjoyable, the place was scenic and relaxing, and we had lots of options for activities from kung fu to cooking class. (more)Christine Frank