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2257 Total Reviews

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★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Incredible trip in a beautiful country brimming with wildlife

The Ultimate Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Safari

This was an amazing trip and a brilliant introduction to Africa, particularly for those who like a wildlife-focused holiday. I didn't know much about Uganda before I booked, but it turned out to be a beautiful country with a huge range of landscapes. I didn't expect it to be so green! The local operator was very professional, and the guides and drivers were great. It was a little bit strange as the tour was run in English and German, with the group split between two buses according to language. ... The tour leader travelled in the German bus so we missed out on a bit of information as we travelled, but it meant the 3 of us on the English bus had plenty of room to spread out, which was great on the game drives. The buses were well designed for game viewing with a roof which lifted upwards so you could stand up and see out, but still be shaded from the sun. The tour leader and drivers were great at spotting wildlife. A fair amount of the trip is spent on unsurfaced roads, but I didn’t find these a huge problem. There is one very long and dusty day of travel on Day 4. The worst road was the one between Queen Elizabeth National Park and the hotel (about an hour each way) – it was surfaced, but full of potholes and not the most pleasant drive. If you suffer from travel sickness I would definitely recommend taking Stugeron or similar! The pace of the first week is pretty full on with lots of traveling and packed days. There were lots of early starts and we were often out for 12 hours, not getting back until sunset. The pace calmed down a little in the second week, with a few periods of free time. The dinners the first week were a bit samey – generally chicken or fish, but they were fine. The hotels in the second week tended to have a more varied menu with meat, fish, pasta, pizzas etc. The local fish, tilapia, was good. We found that a few lunches were included near the beginning which weren’t stated in the trip notes. Drinking water was provided for free by the local operator throughout, and was also provided in hotels. Most people in the group got a bit of a stomach upset at some point, but not enough to cause problems or make them miss everything. The hotels ranged from average to great. The stand out hotels were Enganzi Lodge near QE National Park, and Birdnest at Bunyoni. The latter was beautiful, and a great place to relax a bit towards the end of the trip. I also loved the safari tents at Murchison Falls as you had hippos grazing around the tent at night. In Uganda you’ll need to change money into local currency, but in Rwanda you can use dollars fairly easily. The guidance provided by KE on spending money was fairly accurate, apart from the tipping guidance. Others in the group who had booked directly with the local operator were advised to tip 5 to 10 USD per person per day, and we had a leader and two drivers. There was also a school visit (which isn’t in the trip notes) and others in the group donated money for desks and beds, so you may want to take extra money (and pens etc) for this. The game drive in Murchison Falls was incredible and we saw so much wildlife; the one in QE NP was a little disappointing in comparison, although the boat trip there was great. We were a bit unlucky in Ishasha as it was a grey and rainy day so the lions weren’t climbing, although we did see one male lion in a tree in the distance. We saw 9 species of primates across the trip which was incredible. Of course the highlight of the trip was the gorilla trekking, and I did both the Uganda and Rwanda treks. The latter was much better, but I think this is down to luck on the day and which group you see. In Uganda you are in a forest so the light isn’t very good for photography. We were lucky that they were close by (less than 1 hour), but the trekking was very steep as you are going into and out of a ravine. You can hire a porter for 15 USD (which also supports the local community). We had a much longer trek in Rwanda (6 hour round trip) but the walking was more interesting, it was less steep and it was beautiful weather. Porters here are 10 USD. We got really close to the gorillas and a baby gorilla even snuck up and played with my hair. Some of the group did the golden monkey trek and they came away with some great photos, although there were about 20 people in the group which they said was too many. In terms of what to take, I would recommend at least 3 long sleeved shirts (2 for the days when you will get hot and sweaty and 1 for the evening) as we wore these most days. There is chance to get laundry done at QE NP. There wasn’t much opportunity to wear shorts (it’s not the done thing for women) so we mostly wore long trousers, and occasionally crops. There are pools at a few of the hotels, but there isn’t always a lot of time to use them. I took walking poles but didn’t end up using them – you are provided with them on both gorilla treks, and these are much more fit for purpose. Gaiters could be useful but I didn’t end up wearing mine and just tucked my trousers in my socks instead. On the Rwanda gorilla trek there are stinging nettles everywhere and they kept on stinging me through the thin pair of quick dry travel trousers I was wearing – they were really painful! I ended up having to wear waterproof trousers over the top. Gloves were also vital for this reason, and most of the group donated theirs to the porters afterwards. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this trip to anybody considering it!

By Charlotte from Leamington Spa | 03 July 2016

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exactly what was promised . . .

Climb Mont Blanc and Gran Paradiso

This package was exactly as promised. Trip planning was well organized, questions answered well, the lodging and staff very good (Yeti Lodge in Argentierre), and the guides hired were excellent. Only suggestions would be for a bit better advice on gear to bring (especially boots), with specific models of major gear suggested (guides would be more than happy to say what they use and KE should forward that to travellers). Overall a very fun trip, though success *does* depend on some luck with ... weather/conditions as with any mountain travel.

By Larry from Arlington | 27 June 2016

KE Adventure reply

We are pleased you enjoyed your holiday. Choice of boots is very personal issue. Since different manufacturers use different shapes of last, what may be a perfect boot for one person, may be too wide or too narrow for another and there is no substitute for actually trying on the boots for comfort and fit before you buy. For this reason we prefer not to specify a particular make or model, but instead provide the information in the equipment list that these can be any insulated boot which meets the requirements of mountaineering grade B3 or B2.

★ ★ ★ ★

Arctic beauty

Realm of the Polar Bear

Thoroughly enjoyed seeing Polar Bears in natural habitat- stunning scenery. The bird cliff nesting grounds are stunning and travelling in june we were fortunate to see many of the flowers in bloom. Loved going through the sea ice in the ship. Glad I brought good binoculars though- absolutely essential as many of sitings of bears were several km away. There was more emphasis on the history of the area than I had expected and personally i would have enjoyed more lectures about in particular the ... geology of the area and glaciers. Ship was comfortable, food good and lovely people travelling from all parts of the world. I shared a cabin with a stranger- worked well and we will remain in contact. I added on my own extra night in Svalbard with kayaking and hiking and would recommend this for anyone that likes to be active (but do take care to make sure you have adequate fitness for proposed activities…)

By Elizabeth from Brighton | 23 June 2016

★ ★ ★ ★

Great mix of culture and adventure

Volcanoes of Indonesia

The land of the Living Mountains is a fantastic way to have a taste of Indonesia. A great mix of culture and adventure travel. The quiet breaks between the treks allow us to rest in the hotels or go for a stroll around the villages. The accommodation and food had a high standard and the vast majority of the meals were based on local ingredients and cuisine. All the guides had excellent english and the whole trip was very well organised. The only downside is the long car transfers (particularly ... in Java) and the more popular vulcanos can be very busy and crowded at times.

By Elsa from London | 22 June 2016

★ ★ ★ ★

Wonderful way to discover the Midi Pyrenees

The Pyrenees on Foot Walking Holiday

This is a wonderful trek with beautiful scenery and lots of history of the region. The guide was very professional and did a wonderful job. I would highly recommend this to anyone considering hiking in the region.

By Sarah from West Perth | 22 June 2016

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Excellent walking in a remote region

Walking in the Balkan Borderlands

A very well organised holiday

By Deborah from STAFFORD | 21 June 2016

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

If you're a sucker for snow-capped peaks, this is the trip for you

Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit

What could be better than day after day of snow-capped peaks with none of the distractions of daily living and a dedicated team that takes care of all the details!

Over the years, I'm sure I've been on 25+/- trips similar to this one, and Val is by far the best trip leader I've encountered. She's super knowledgeable about the area and its flora and fauna and the right combination of relaxed and on-it.

The best analogy I can offer to illustrate Val's gifts is a swan. Swans make their ... graceful gliding along the surface of the water look effortless yet just below the surface out of sight, they are feverishly paddling. We don’t see the hard work done by the swan’s webbed feet which propel the graceful motion we see and admire - and yet it all happens. That's precisely what the best trip leaders like Val do.

By Andrea from PORTLAND | 21 June 2016

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Flowers and Fantastic views

Levada Trails and Peaks of Madeira

We had a wonderful week walking in Madeira through spectacular scenery. We had never been to Madeira before and were really impressed by the dramatic, yet lush landscape. We loved the abundance of wild flowers and ancient woodland. Our guide, Roberto, spoke excellent English and was very knowledgeable about the island, and, understandably, proud of it. The accommodation was good, usually with pools, spacious rooms and generous meals. The holiday allowed for plenty of time to socialise ... over a local 'poncha' or a meal. The landscape is steep, and some of the walks were quite demanding, but very rewarding and well worth the effort.

By Catherine from Cambridge | 19 June 2016

★ ★ ★ ★

Great holiday but disappointing group flight

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The operation of the local operator in Cusco was a bit haphazard but the organisation of the trek and tour of Machu Pichu was superb. Nep the guide was very knowledgeable, attentive and good fun. My only complaint is with the group flight. The timing of the outgoing flights were terrible. It took 24 hours to get to Cusco. Avianca food was inedible, the staff are rude and the the last connection was an hour and a half late, so we arrived very late. On return from Machu Pichu we did not arrive in ... Cusco until 21.30, so did not get a final evening is Cusco as stated in the trip notes.

By Paul from East Grinstead | 15 June 2016

KE Adventure reply

Thank you for your review. We are glad you enjoyed your holiday on the Inca Trail and that you thought the organisation of the trek and tour of Machu Picchu was superb. We are sorry you had a bad experience with Avianca. Many of us here at KE have flown with Avianca and found them to be fine, but of course it is possible to have an individual bad flight with any airline. It is certainly a long way from the UK to Cusco and there are not many airlines that will complete this journey in less than 24 hours, but some good news is that from the end of June this year, Avianca will be operating flights direct to Cusco without the need to change planes in Lima, which means a total journey time from the UK to Cusco of just 18 hours!

Some photos of a great holiday in good company. Special thanks to Roberto!

Levada Trails and Peaks of Madeira

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By Catherine from Cambridge | 14 June 2016

A week in the Jotunheimen.

Traverse of the Jotunheimen

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By Andrew from Wigton | 12 June 2016

IHL.01.16

Italian High Level Route

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By Warren from Burnley | 12 June 2016

June 2016

Italian High Level Route

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By Emma from Kendal | 12 June 2016

Madeira - Walking

Levada Trails and Peaks of Madeira

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By Steven from Haywards Heath | 12 June 2016

mountain views from the Annapurna Base Camp and the range from the hotel

Annapurna Sanctuary and Poon Hill Trek

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By Andrew from ST. ANDREWS | 10 June 2016

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exceeded Expectatons

Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

Having spent the last 40 years trekking independently and burdened with a full pack, this excursion was pure luxury. All you have to do is walk (with a light daypack). Everything else was taken care of by the good-natured, competent, and unobtrusive support staff. And you couldn't ask for better food, served three times a day (and that doesn't include the daily afternoon tea). The hot water and towel delivered to your tent each morning and at the end of each day's walk was another welcome ... luxury. The trek was further enhanced by the presence of a guide, in our case a young women by the name of Kantu, who gently orchestrated the whole show and instructed throughout, making the experience both carefree and educational. We were free to fully immerse ourselves in the spectacular Andean world around us. I could ask for no more.

By Bruce from Victor | 09 June 2016

★ ★ ★ ★

Lovely short trek

Verdon Gorge - Europe's Grand Canyon

We had four days of lovely walking, expertly led by Emma. The day through the gorge itself was great fun, with tunnels and impressive staircases to negotiate - we even had lunch on the beach too. It was so much more satisfying to do it as part of a longer point-to-point trek because there was plenty of variety of terrain on the other days to enjoy. The variety of small hotels we stayed in, some more idiosyncratic than others, all added to the charm. It turned out that lunch options mainly ... involved getting to the minimart or boulangerie first thing in the morning and this worked better than I had anticipated.
The travel arrangements for this trip took a while to research and sort out. Getting to the start wasn't too bad and the train trip was well worth doing. For the benefit of others, the 13:05 from Nice works best but note you can't buy tickets in advance and there's no left-luggage facility at the terminus. However, it's a shame that onward travel from Moustiers seems to involve an expensive taxi ride whatever you do. Our option (not mentioned in the trip notes) was to catch the airport shuttle from Manosque to Marseilles because the flight timings worked better and you can buy tickets for this online. Perhaps a group transfer back to Digne or Saint Andre might work better.

By Adventure from WORCESTER | 08 June 2016

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

An excellent adventure

One Week Mount Toubkal Trek

This is an excellent trek, culminating in a challenging but very rewarding summit of Toubkal. Late snow meant that we needed a revised itinerary and it was comforting to know this level of preparation was involved. The revised itinerary worked seamlessly. The trekking covered varied terrain with lots of tough ascents and (equally tough) descents. There was also a small bit of scrambling, which was great fun. The party I was with started as strangers but soon became friends. Hassan, our trek ... guide, was excellent; very knowledgeable and engaging. Chris Gill (who joined us from KE) was an absolute star!

By Jonathan from Northampton | 07 June 2016

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A great family holiday with the just the right level of activity

101 Smiles on the Dalmatian Coast

Great mix of activity and family time. Superb guide really knowledgable and great with the children.

By Christopher from Bath | 06 June 2016

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A REAL MUST FOR TREKKING CULTURE VULTURES!

Towers and Trails of Cappadocia

This walking holiday was a relaxed venture that took in the best of the UNESCO Heritage Site valleys of Cappadocia - that house historical rock hewn churches and settlements of incredible magnitude. The accommodation was first rate and located close to the walking activities. The holiday consisted of a series of 6 days walking in picturesque landscape and archaeology - sometimes 2 or 3 valleys/areas in each day.

Our driver would take us and our tour guide Ibrahim by air conditioned minibus ... from the hotel to a walk start point - and collect us at the finish of each of the linear routes. Lunch would be taken at the end of a valley route - or a slight deviation along the way. A nice touch was stopping at hidden little home owned farm drink stalls/cafes selling freshly pressed orange juice!

Ibrahim was extremely knowledgeable in the local history - and was adept at picking out the highlights of each route and site. I especially liked the way he made each day better than the previous one. This always left the group really looking forward to the next day. He also knew the local restaurants well, and we were never disappointed in his choices of eating venues. Ibrahim's recommendations of food choices never failed to disappoint.

If you're going to undertake ONE KE Adventure trip in your life - DO THIS ONE!

By Laurence from Congleton | 06 June 2016

Latest from our Travellers

97% of our customers rated their holiday Good or Excellent

Incredible trip in a beautiful country brimming with wildlife

Exactly what was promised . . .

Arctic beauty

Great mix of culture and adventure

Wonderful way to discover the Midi Pyrenees

Excellent walking in a remote region

If you're a sucker for snow-capped peaks, this is the trip for you

Flowers and Fantastic views

Great holiday but disappointing group flight

Some photos of a great holiday in good company. Special thanks to Roberto!

A week in the Jotunheimen.

IHL.01.16

June 2016

Madeira - Walking

mountain views from the Annapurna Base Camp and the range from the hotel

Exceeded Expectatons

Lovely short trek

An excellent adventure

A great family holiday with the just the right level of activity

A REAL MUST FOR TREKKING CULTURE VULTURES!

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