Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Thailand adventure holiday, independent reviews
 Reviewed 24 Aug 2008 by Helen Dowson |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The holiday was so varied and had so many highlights it's difficult to choose. Khao Sok national park was breathtaking and the first sight of the elephants coming back into their camp was special. Visiting the bridge over the River Kwai was very moving (we were offered this as an optional extra).
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take a decent sized day sack for the hill tribe trek. You have to carry everything you need for that few days which wasn't really clear from the trip dossier. If you get wet like we did you'll appreciate the extra dry clothes. It was warm so it was easier to get wet and change at the end of the day than wear a waterproof. You'll also need proper walking shoes or boots. Those wearing trainers really struggled with the slippery conditions. The trek is graded easy-moderate but you should be careful to read the description which goes with this. It is easy relative to other treks offered by the company but not easy for a novice walker or someone who is unfit. It's easy and cheap to get laundry done so don't worry about taking too many clothes. You don't necessarily need a backpack for this trip as we were transferred to all hotels/trains so didn't have to carry our stuff far. If you are planning to stay on afterwards wait and book the accommodation when you get there. It's much cheaper than booking it from the UK.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We used local guides, put money directly into local communities by staying in villages and bought local crafts. We travelled by train rather than flew. The rafthouses in Khao Sok had a minimal impact on the local environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was my best ever holiday. I've packed so much into the last two weeks that I feel like I've been away for ages. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this holiday.
| Reviewed 30 Sep 2008 by Tom Macklin | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Probably my favourite part of the holiday was staying in the raft houses on the lake at Khao Sak national park. It's the most peaceful place I've ever been, with stunning views and water that is both clear and warm. The raft houses themselves are super basic, but this just adds to the charm of the whole place. Its great to be able to walk out of your bedroom, straight into a warm lake! The people that worked there were fantastic, as were the two treks that we did. And we saw some great wildlife including monkeys and tarantulas.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
1. Pack light - you really don't need very much, especially as everything you need, including clothes, can be bought in Thailand at a fraction of the price in the UK.
2. Take the tour leaders advice about extra activities, places to eat etc. Everything ours suggested was fantastic.
3. Don't pre-book an airport transfer. It's really expensive. You can get a taxi once you're there very cheap (remember to haggle!)
4. Go to a Thai boxing match - its great fun.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I think that our whole trip benefited local people. From staying with the hill tribes in the north, to the raft houses in the south, everyone we met was very friendly and always welcomed us to stay with them. The hill tribes were especially friendly. They are very poor so us visiting really benefited them and in return we got an un-repeatable experience. Our tour leader was careful in explaining why we did certain things and not others (particularly in Bangkok) so to support the most ethical sides of the country and to help protect the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Overall the holiday was absolutely brilliant and I would highly recommend anyone going to Thailand for the first time to consider it. The only problem is that you do so much in two weeks you may feel that you want another holiday afterwards to recover! It was extremely well organised, and great value for money.
| Reviewed 16 Feb 2008 by Liz Conway | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Hilltribes and the Rafthouses. These are experiences that will live with me forever- the ultimate peace of being in the middle of nowhere when at the Raft houses- just being able to jump in the warm water of the lake and to see so many stars. To meet the tribes people and learn about their way of life was such a privilidge.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Beware the toilets- buy toilet paper/wet wipes.
You can hire a sleeing bag at the Chiang Mai hotel instead of lugging one from home (cool season visit)
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I would like to think so. For example I felt that the young men had employment leading the treks and may have left the area if there hadn't been some of this kind of employment? Hopefully some of the money would help towards education/funding a teacher. It was important to respect their culture and I hope this will continue as these treks become ever more popular.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A wonderful holiday that exceded all my expectations. Very well organised and a lovely tour leader, Pong.
A good mix of age groups, however I was unprepared for some of the difficult group dynamics.
| Reviewed 3 Jan 2008 by Kama Wager | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The holiday was amazing, I was blown away every day and every day my expectations were exceeded by far! Staying with the hill tribes and in the rafthouses were the most memorable parts as the local people were just the most friendly, welcoming people you could ever meet. However, I was taken away by the whole holiday.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pack light, and you really can get everything you may need out there for a lot less money!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. We went to many remote areas using local tour guides, staying in small local guesthouses, eating at local places and travelling by public transport!
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I would give it 11 out of 10, it exceeded my expectations! I was very impressed by how organised everything was, the amount of activities we did and do not have one thing I could complain about. I travelled alone for the first time and would now definitely travel again in this way. I met loads of really nice people too. The tour leader was passionate and inspiring.
| Reviewed 20 Aug 2007 by Nigel Ritson | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Sampling the produce at the local market, playing football with the hill tribe children and riding an elephant through the jungle.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just read the info from the operator, it tells you all you need to know.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, we walked to the hill tribe, and left via elephant. Staying in one of their huts benefited them as it put money directly into their community.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic, fabulous and brilliant. The guide was superb and we really feel we have seen Thailand in a way we have never seen another country before.
| Reviewed 18 Nov 2006 by Edel Erickson | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Lots of great memories, bamboo rafting, trekking, elephant riding, cooking in Chang Mai, markets in Bangkok, massage in Wat Po.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring a warm sleeping bag when you trekking with the tribes, it can get REALLY cold.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The Hill Tribe villagers obviously benefited from us staying in the village and we had massages and bought crafts from them. I just hope that the Western influence doesn't change their culture too much.
| Reviewed 16 Jul 2005 by Imelda Redmond | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The holiday was great, probably the most memorable was staying in raft houses. Jumping straight in the warm lake during the monsoon rains.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The advice provided by the travel operators was excellent, we followed their tips.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes I did, our tour leader was very helpful and knowledgeable and always answered our questions on these matters.
| Reviewed 12 Feb 2008 by David Abram | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Visiting remote villages. Would have prefered longer time at each rather than just one evening, night and setting off in the morning.
Trecking by raft.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Get fuller details in advance of level of effort needed.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Slightly added to finances of local people but more in giving them knowledge of outsiders. At one the children were fascinated by my electric razor, for instance.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
More effort required than the "easy, moderate" as stated. Should have been "hard"!
Most fellow travellers were excellent, as always on these outings, but for the first time the full enjoyment was spoiled by antics of one.