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Overall Company Rating 95%

1806 Total Reviews

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★ ★ ★ ★ ★
An action packed trip with wildlife, stunning coastal scenery and great walks
Cape Town and the Garden Route

A great trip. Every day we did something different from walking to zip wires to visiting caves and even riding ostriches and shark diving. The safari wildland was fantastic at both Addo Elephant Park and also at the private Scotia game reserve. We also so lots of sea life too! Our guides Bevan and Tish we excellent providing us with lots of information and also great food and hospitality.

By Michelle from Newcastle | 29 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★
A good holiday with an excellent group of participants and leaders
Red Hot Chile Trekkers - The Atacama Desert

I enjoyed the holiday, especially getting to the top of Licancabur, and although we were a large group everybody was fit and got on well. The walking was limited in scope by the (unsurprising) lack of water and I feel that the trip should be regarded as a collection of places visited rather than a genuine trekking holiday. For obvious reasons it is not an area suitable for continuous days of walking.

By William from Barnet | 27 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
THE best trip so far
Patagonia - The Classic Paine Circuit
Trekking in Patagonia was very special. The weather conditions were very rough - rain, snow, strong winds, hail and a lot of mud on most days - but I guess this is what one should expect in Patagonia. We had a very strong group and a lot of fun - even when faced with these quite tough conditions. Our team leader and the whole crew were amazing. They really took care of us but got us everywhere safley. We all became like one big family and everybody really had a great time. I've done a lot of tri ps with KE but this one felt very special. I can definitely recommend it... the landscape, the nature, the rough weather and what a great feeling having accomplished the whole circuit.
By Florian from Munich | 19 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Magnificent views, nice trekking
Mount Toubkal in Winter

Really interesting combination: nice trekking, excellent views and delicious food. Highly recommended!

By Varpu from Helsinki | 15 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Beautiful Island
Walking Undiscovered Tenerife and Pico Teide
We started in the south of Tenerife in the village of Chio. Quaint homestay with good food (although breakfast was a bit basic). The first day was a walk down Masca gorge to the sea. Beautiful gorge but very slippy underfoot - care required. The 2 day hike up Pico Teide followed. Definitely a highlight. We did the 6 hour walk to the refuge on the first day and then a fairly sleepless overnight followed by a 5 am rise to hike to the summit for dawn. Great experience but wrap up well. Below zero o n the summit. Then to the north of the island for 2 nights in pretty La Laguna followed by 2 nights in Santa Cruz. Great walks in the Anaga peninsula down gorges to the sea. The guides Cao and Aaron were great with excellent restaurants used for evening meals. Highly recommended trip.
By Colin from Edinburgh | 13 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Absolutly fantastic trip!
Mount Toubkal in Winter
This was my first time booking this kind of trip with a company such as KE, so I was slightly expecting at least something to go wrong. But it didn't! The whole trip was great! The kit list supplied was accurate as was the advice given when i called about a couple of queries. The guides were friendly and very very knowledgable about the mountains that surrounded us. Omar was especially good I thought; very passionate about his job! The food was also a highlight of the trip. Im already thinking a nd looking at what to book next!!
By Jason from Cambridge | 12 December 2016
★ ★ ★
A true winter mountaineering experience
Mount Toubkal in Winter
This trip delivers what it claims to do providing a true winter mountaineering experience. As such do not expect luxurious or warm living conditions; the mountain refuge is at best basic by alpine refuge standards and the showers and toilets particularly so. However, the food was excellent and plentiful and we were blessed with excellent weather for all days on trek, providing superb views throughout. Better communication from our lead guide would have been appreciated at times but on the whole a good experience.
By Katherine from Torpoint | 12 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Full On Winter Trekking
Mount Toubkal in Winter
This is an excellent trek for those wanting to visit high mountains in winter. However, whilst this may suit anyone with regular hill walking experience, be prepared for full on winter conditions. Our acclimatisation walk to a col was on similar ground to the start of the trek to the refuge. After a while, the way to the refuge got more serious. The snow was quite fresh and soft, with icy patches. Summit day weather was very cold, very windy and snowing. The fresh snow was deep in places, which sapped energy. There was too much fresh snow on the second mountain for us to attempt to summit that. Just be prepared for all weather conditions.
By Victor from Ipswich | 12 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Antipodean adventure
Walking New Zealand - North to South Island Explorer

We arrived in Auckland at our hotel
Yes the journey was two days of hell
There we were, snoring in bed
When Vicky phoned, “Are you dead?”
Great big earthquake, seven point five
“It’s ok dear, we’re still alive”

Rotorua, place of fascinating things
Wonderland of geysers, mud pools, hot springs
Tongariro Crossing was a no-no
Winds, hail and snow, we couldn’t go
Three whole days of storms and rain
But our enthusias m didn’t wane

Exotic forests, waterfalls
In wet weather gear we saw them all
In Wellington, the “Windy City”
Flash floods there which was a pity
Choppy sailing across Cook Strait
Arrived in Picton rather late

But next day, in brilliant sunshine
Walking the Nydia track, we all felt fine
That night at an “eco-lodge” - don’t disparage
Slept in an old railway carriage
To Torrent Bay, via Abel Tasman track
Then we sailed a catamaran back

Blow holes, pancake rocks at Punakaiki
Fantastic shoreline, what’s not to likey!
Famous Fox Glacier our next port of call
Jewel-like Lake Matheson’s scenery didn’t pall
Lake Wanaka, a favourite place
Tranquil, stunning, full of grace

Up Mount Roy, a hefty climb
Views from the top quite sublime
Te Anau in Fiordland National Park
Next day, up with the lark
Rain and hail, then turned to snow
To Milford Sound we had to go

Spectacular scenery from a boat
We really don’t want to gloat
Raging cascades, penguins and seals
Snow-capped peaks, a magical feel
Sun shone again and off we went
Ever upwards, a steep ascent

A remote hut where we were to stay
A wilderness, spectacular by day
The best star gazing in the world?
At night the Milky Way unfurled
Next day’s walking not for the weak
A windy ascent of Erica’s Peak

Then long descent to Lake Tekapo
Sun and wind burnt faces aglow
The sun shone with skies quite textbook
For our last day’s hike around Mt Cook
Avalanches, glaciers, icebergs – what a way
To end our New Zealand holiday.

By Nicholas from High Peak | 11 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Remote Trekking, good sightseeing, excellent guide
Golden Hills of Burma

We were looking to get into very remote areas on this trip and we certainly did that (no other tourists seen for several days)! All the logistics of the trip worked seamlessly. The sightseeing of temples and 'life' were very good too. Sai is an excellent tour guide, passionate and informative about his country and very organised.

By Arthur from Hindhead | 11 December 2016
Everest 4 Pass Trek
Everest the Hard Way Trek

By David from Skipton | 11 December 2016
Everest timelapse
Everest the Hard Way Trek

By David from Skipton | 11 December 2016
★ ★ ★
Travel time excessive for length of trip
Patagonia - The Classic Paine Circuit
I was disappointed with this trip as it was supposed to be a trip of a lifetime for my husband's 60th birthday. The length of the trip is too short in terms of enjoyment compared with the length of time it took to arrive in Argentina and at the Ecocamp. There were 3 flights, one of them with a 7 hour stop over in Buenos Aires. Our flight from London Heathrow on day 1 was at 06.20 but we did not arrive at the destination airport (Calafate) until 07.35 on day 2. We all therefore felt exhausted aft er 2 nights without sleep but were unable to check in to the hotel until 2pm. We therefore spent an aimless day walking around Calafate too tired to enjoy it. Day 3 we were told it was about a 4-5 hour trip to the Ecocamp but never actually arrived at the Ecocamp until late afternoon. We just about had time to shower and have dinner and then returned to our rooms to try and pack our Bag A and Bag B by headtorch. Thus we had three days of our holiday before we even started to enjoy it. The first day of the trek is very long - 10 hours - which we expected but our guide was on such a mission to get us there that we barely had time to stop for photos or have a drink. As the temperature was excessively hot we were walking for 10 hours in mid 20 temperatures and the first day is pretty boring and samey. My husband and I were both at this point wondering why on earth we had spent so much money to come on such a trip. The following days walking improved in terms of scenery but every day seemed to be a rush to get to each place. The campsites are not particularly nice and the food was abysmal except in the Ecocamp. We are quite happy to rough it but felt that the cost of the holiday is quite excessive when you consider what we got for the money. We booked the extension at Tierra del Fuego which we thoroughly enjoyed and cannot fault the tour company who organised our holiday there. They were absolutely fantastic and could not do enough to help us. Our trip home was pretty eventful in that every flight was delayed for some reason and it took us 3 days to get home. We have both come home feeling like we need a holiday and not having a good feeling about this trip. We are unlikely to book through KE again as we felt the holiday was overpriced and rushed. If anyone is considering this trip I would recommend you book your own flights and take at least 3 weeks holiday otherwise you will spend more time travelling than actually enjoying the holiday.
By Nicholas from Bath | 08 December 2016

KE Adventure reply

Thank you for your review. We were sorry to hear that overall you were disappointed with your Paine Circuit trip, particularly the length of travelling time. Unfortunately the journey from the UK to Patagonia is a long one. When booking flights we use airlines that have 'agreements' with each other so we are able to issue your flights all on one ticket. This helps if there are any delays or cancellations to your flights. The flights we use to get clients to Calafate are with Iberia & LATAM. LATAM is the only major carrier that operates a flight from Buenos Aires to Calafate. As you need to change airports in Buenos Aires from the international to the domestic, we need to allow a minimum of 4 hours for this connection. We explain this in the 'Dates and Prices' section of the trip on the KE website. There is the opportunity to shorten the 'flying time' by flying direct to Buenos Aires and having an extra night there & on the return too. This involves issuing 2 separate tickets, but as the flights are on different days that is no problem. For any of our trips that involve long haul travel, we are more than happy to arrange flights out a few days before the trip starts and extra hotel nights on arrival, to allow people to recover from their journey. The first days trekking on the Paine Circuit is a long one, but as it is relatively flat we find that most groups are able to comfortably achieve it in a day and is great preparation for the long day when crossing of the John Garner Pass. We understand from your leader that the unusually hot temperatures you experienced during the holiday made it feel much more difficult. We were sorry to hear that you did not enjoy the campsites or food on trek, as we usually receive very good feedback about these for the Paine Circuit.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Amazing
Antarctic Hike and Sail Expedition

Its not called the Ice planet for nothing, there is nothing on Earth that compares. You've got to go!!

By Alan from CHICHESTER | 05 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Delightful 81km hike over 5 days through spectacular volcanic scenery
Walking Lanzarote - The Island of Eternal Spring
The GR131 on Lanzarote from Playa Blanca to Orzola is a delightful 81km hike through spectacular volcanic scenery with moderate climbing and descending (1,700 m up and down over 5 days). Local guide Andreas added to the overall enjoyment sharing his local knowledge on the history, flora and fauna of Lanzarote. The daily routine was to stop half way for an excellent picnic lunch carried by the members of the group, and to stop at a bar or cafe at the end for refreshment. Side trips to local attra ctions such as Cesar Manrique's house in the lava fields, Los Cuervos volcano, the Jardin de Cactus and the Jameos de Aqua volcanic cavern were added on different days to complete the day. A trip by ferry to Isla Graciosa and the climb of the yellow volcano Montana Amarilla completed the touristic overview of Lanzarote. Dinners were taken in restaurants in and around Costa Tequise, the base for the holiday, which offered a variety of local cuisine, including the tasty but unusual "Black Squid Ink Paella". The daily temperature was pleasant and enabled us to walk in shorts and T-shirts, although it was a bit windy on the higher and exposed elevations making a light wind-proof jacket well worth taking. We had a little rain on one of the days, but this is unusual for Lanzarote which has low annual rainfall. Overall a brilliant 6-days of walking and sightseeing.
By Michael from Chelmsford | 03 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A Little BIt of Everything - Just Pick A Date
Oman Adventure Trekking
This trip is very well thought-out, combining a variety of short and long & low- and high-level walks interspersed with sightseeing visits to forts, souks and the fabulous Grand Mosque. Our guide, Hanna, worked incredibly hard to ensure to smooth running of the trip and he was ably helped by the 4 man crew (and what a nice bunch of chaps they were) who did all the driving and cooking. The wild campsites were at lovely locations and only at the last one, on the beach, was there anybody else a round. The logistics mean that you do have to deal with your own tent, but given that you're unlikely to have to pitch it in rain or wind, it's not too much trouble. Forget about trying to use the tent pegs though, just use rocks to hold down the corners. We found that although the walks on Days 3 and 5 are quite modest in duration it does help with getting used to the heat. The trip notes mention scrambling on Day 4 but that was no more than a few steadying handholds here and there - it was however a full satisfying day over rough and rocky terrain with not much in the way of paths. It's really only the two days over the Selma plateau that push up the grading for this trip. The first day is certainly a long one with over 1800m of ascent, so it was enterprising of Hanna to organise a donkey handler to turn up en-route with extra water supplies and to serve up coffee and dates. Throughout the trip everyone we met was friendly and welcoming and that, as much as anything else, makes Oman a fascinating destination. Another winner fron KE.
By Adventure from Worcester | 02 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Exceeded expectations on every level, probably the best holiday we've ever had!
Guatemala's Magnificent Seven
We booked this trip after going to Nepal with KE to compete in the Everest Marathon 2 years ago. We picked the Guatemala trip from the brochure description, it seemed to offer adventure and a holiday with travel to somewhere we had never thought about before. Wow were we in for a treat. Again KE's organisation was impeccable, so easy to book and complete all preliminary tasks before travelling. The guides for our trip were from Old Town Outfitters in Antigua, 3 local guys who were just fantastic . The trip starts in Antigua, which is a beautiful town and then takes you on a whirlwind of trekking, high camping, forests, fields, erupting volcanoes, roaring volcanoes, hissing volcanoes, quiet volcanoes, very high volcanoes, beautiful lakes, busy cities and some relaxing times as well. Our chief guide, Sebastian, was so passionate and knowledgeable of his country, this just flowed over us and made the trip an absolute pleasure. We expected to climb 7 volcanoes and so we did (I actually summited 10 as went up 3 again, don't ask!!) but it was the immersion and exposure to the people and culture of Guatemala that made the trip so special. KE's planning of this trip is superb and when you cannot believe things could get better (like after the 4th day camp high on Acatenango next to the erupting Fuego) they actually get better, and better. I cannot think of anything to improve the trip at all. Tips for future travellers. The fitter you are, mountain walking wise, the more fun you will have. Travel as lightly as you can, its either steeply up or steeply down! Just have an open mind and heart and lap everything up. Remember where you actually are, most of the time you are walking through peoples livelihoods! Get this trip booked now!!!
By Timothy from ST GEORGE | 01 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
What a great experience.
Annapurna Sanctuary and Poon Hill Trek
Having been on many trekking holidays over the years, I can honestly say this trip was one of the best and exceeded my expectations. Starting at the beginning, the flights out to Nepal and the airline used were fine (Jet Airways). We had to change at Delhi which was the normal Indian organised chaos, expect to go through several stages of security. The security process just has to be endured, they have a job to do. TIP If transferring at Delhi make sure you go to your airline desk near security to get them to annotate your onward boarding pass with DT. TIP At Kathmandu airport get to the visa machines as quick as you can and you can speed up the visa process little. TIP Change small amount of money at the airport as you can get better exchange rates in the city. TIP Watch out for the people (porters) who will carry your bags out to your transport, they will ask you for UK paper money as a tip, 100 Nrps is plenty. We were met by a KE guide at the airport, we were given a warm welcome and were on our way to our hotel in no time at all, the guide explained exactly where we were going, how long it would take and what to expect when we got there. All good. We stayed one night at the Yak and Yeti which was very comfortable. We met up with most of the rest of the group at the evening meal, and were delighted to find we were with a well balanced group as far as age and gender were concerned. It wasn't long before we realised that we were all going to get on very well. Next day travel to Pokhara was delayed by weather and/or airspace congestion, not a lot KE could do about that but we were kept well informed throughout the wait. The flight to Pokhara was very good, TIP Sitting on the starboard side gives the best views of the mountains on the way to Pokhara, Port side for the return journey. In Pokhara the group opted for a boat trip across the lake and a hike up to the Buddha Stupa. We enjoyed the afternoon and the views from the top of the hill. Hotel in Pokhara was again comfortable. I will gloss over the rest of the trip as I don't want to post any spoilers. Needless to say, as the days go on the views and contact with Nepal life get better and better. All of the Lodges were clean, comfortable and helpful. TIP if you want a hot shower make sure you get one early as solar heaters produce limited amounts of hot water. TIP always look after your hand hygiene carry hand gel and use it before you go hand to mouth! The food produced by our support team was varied, tasty and plentiful, be prepared for the effects of eating cabbage at lunch times!! It was our anniversary during the trip and I have to say a big thank you to Janak for managing to produce a fantastic decorated cake at MBC (3700m), I think the whole group enjoyed that treat. Our Guide for the trip was Dorje, He is an experienced guide and we found nothing was too much trouble for him or his team, our welfare and comfort were his primary concern, he would always ensure that the group was fed and watered at ever meal before he and his team would eat. The whole of the support team were faultless. As well as Dorje and Janak a big thank you to Pema, Raju and not to forget the very hard working porters, without whom we could not have completed the trip. I highly recommend this trip to anyone with good general fitness, you don't have to be super fit as the pace is always sensible as it should be at altitude. TIP exchange any remaining Nrps you have either in the city or at the airport as once you leave Nepal you will not be able to do so.
By Tina from Verwood | 01 December 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Trip of a Lifetime!
Ecuador's Triple Crown
As a mountaineer and a world traveler, I was not entirely sure what to expect from the Ecuador Volcanoes. Though I was drawn to them, they - and the country itself - seem rather obscure and not nearly as flashy as Kilimanjaro or Aconcagua. And yet, from the moment the KE rep picked me up at the airport (around midnight), I could feel the warmth and friendliness of the Ecuadorian people. KE has found gold with Camilo and Mariojlen Andrade and their ground operations, and with their exhuberant loc al trekking and climbing guides. Camilo is the ultimate Renaissance man - a classic mountaineer who has climbed the greats many times, but a gifted artist with a literary background and a love for the Kichwa culture. I felt so blessed to be welcomed not only into his hacienda Pantavi near Tumbabiro, but also to his office and his home, all three of them filled with museum-quality art. He knew so much about every plant and animal, about farming practices, about which mountains were used in pre-Columbian times for rituals. Every turn was a fascinating bit of information - and he also used this explanation time to give us rest breaks on the high altitude treks! During the first 3 days of the trek I was quite ill (altitude sickness or some water-borne issue - my advice to travelers - bring your water filter or tablets, even for washing your toothbrush or cleaning out Nalgene bottles). Camilo quickly consulted with our local guide Avram, and found an alternative route so I could continue the trek. It can't be fun for the guides to wait as the client vomits or takes a nap during the trek, but I appreciated the extra care when sick and hiking in a foreign country. Imbabura, Cayambe and Iliniza Norte were spectacular. They will go down as some of the best climbs of my life. I love scrambling, so the 2 scrambles were great fun and Cayambe was the hardest thing I've ever done, but highly rewarding as well. I am not sure what happened on Chimborazo, but the mix of sketchy conditions (black ice, loose scree & ice, 45* snow gullies) and a freak whiteout meant nobody summited. I chose to stay back in the hut. I think we were all tired by that point and there wasn't a whole lot of gusto for the summit and sometimes the mountain just says no. The stay in the village of San Clemente was one of the most special experiences I've had in a foreign country. Manuel and Laura were lovely hosts and the setup of the compound was so unique. It felt like home and I'm glad we were able to spend time there. The food was delicious - very balanced meals for high-output hiking and climbing. Always a delicious protein, a carb, some veggies and dessert. My stomach issues and altitude prevented me from truly appreciating the delicious meats and traditional dishes like arepas, humitas, plantain and quinoa soups and yucca fries. It was obvious the meats were fresh and organic, the eggs were that morning's pick, the fruits and veggies came from nearby farms. I wish I'd had much more of an appetite than I did! Also, the tea selections were really interesting! It is almost impossible to predict how the group dynamics will go, and part of this may be owed to Camilo and his leadership, but our team was amazing!!! It could not have come together better. We each found climbing partners who matched our pace and temperament, and this allowed most of us to summit most of the mountains. It was also a good thing we got along because we spent quite a lot of time together climbing, driving, eating, touring, etc... I am glad i booked a single room because, at the end of the day, I needed some time alone. But our group was amazing and I think I've made lifelong friends among my teammates. And I think we all fell in love with Ecuador. Now for the improvement feedback: We really tried to do too much on the trip. I appreciated the cultural aspects of the tour, it wasn't just about climbing - I wanted to learn something about the country. But sometimes I felt like we really needed to pare down our itinerary to get centered for our next climb. A couple times our schedule changed without notice or explanation and it took a lot out of us - exhausted us. As an example, we were supposed to stay in a local hacienda after Iliniza, a 20min drive from the trailhead (Hacienda de la Cuella). But, with no explanation, we ended up driving 4hrs to Riobamba, getting in after 9pm (after leaving Quito at 5am), totally dehydrated and barely able to eat. We went to sleep, then woke up to drive another 90 min to train on Chimborazo the next morning. Though I loved the Iliniza climb, I can say this day was so difficult - it drained every drop of my energy and it might have been much easier if we'd stayed locally after that climb. Additionally, the day we were to climb Chimborazo, we drove an hour out of our way to tour an old church, a handcraft market and a mountain lodge. We were never sure why these changes occurred and even though we were pretty easygoing, I felt like we needed to get more communications, as well as a little more rest. My teammates overruled me on the pre-Chimborazo tourism. Though the original itinerary said "leisurely morning in Riobamba," they wanted the distraction, so we proceeded with the new itinerary. I think it had no bearing on our summit - conditions and weather decided that - but I can't discount my own sheer exhaustion and its part in my decision not to attempt it. All in all, this was an extraordinary trip. KE has a great organization, fabulous ground crew/local outfitter, and its choice of lodging was so unique, I feel like we saw a side of the country that most travelers don't get to see. Again, trip of a lifetime and I will definitely book with KE again.
By Meryl from Olympia | 30 November 2016
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Awesome experience, stunning scenery and great fun!
Everest Base Camp Trek
Quite simply this was the most amazing trip. The service from KE before departure was excellent, always someone with plenty of experience on hand to advise. All travel documentation was promptly provided. On arrival in country the team looked after us incredibly well prior to moving up to Lukla. From the very start of the trek we were expertly led through to Base Camp, with the individual needs of the group carefully considered at each stage. The lead sherpa was outstanding; energetic, great sen se of humor and genuinely wanted to enable us all to get the most from the trip. Where slight changes were necessary there was no fuss, just simple solutions. In terms of hints and tips I would suggest the following: 1. The accommodation is very basic after the first few nights, but nothing more than you should expect bearing in mind the altitude and that all supplies are moved up the mountain by porter or animal. Do not expect 4* hotels. Shared rooms, shared toilets, limited showers and basic food. This is a trek, not a "pampered darlings" expedition! 2. Wi-Fi is limited and does not always work. Do not expect it to do so! 3. Water is essential and having a minimum of 2 water bottles is essential. Personally, I used a camelbak to ensure I was sufficiently hydrated. 4. You will have to pay to re-charge phones/cameras etc. Take a charge bank and this will provide you with the flexibility to charge when you need to and reduce the cost of re-charging devices. 5. The distances on the trek summary are a guideline. Some days it may be a little more and some a little less. Be flexible in your approach. 6. Weigh your trek bag before you go and make sure it meets the criteria. Overall, this was a trip of a lifetime and truly exceeded my expectations. Nepal is a wonderful country, the Nepalese people genuinely friendly and the sherpas are fantastic. Thank you KE for making this all possible!
By Adventure from Cirencester | 29 November 2016
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