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97% of our customers rated their holiday Good or Excellent

2243 Total Reviews

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★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Awesome winter trek up Toubkal

Mount Toubkal in Winter

Awesome trip, food amazing, guides awesome and caring, had a really good bunch of people who turned out as friends. Not as a negative just hints: No T Shirts or shorts on packing list need them it was 24 degrees in Marrakesh. For summit day poss take a porridge pot (just add water) and snacks, only meal on trip I felt was lacking make sure you don’t bonk !! Last night meal is reduced menu so don’t get excited, we ordered from main menu and paid difference also ask guide to sort a few ... alcoholic drinks in advance as it’s a no alcohol restaurant. Found an awesome bar in main square 3 stories up with 360 panoramic views ace way to end the trip

By Jonathan from Chorley | 03 January 2023

★ ★ ★ ★

Unforgettable experience, but seriously hard climbing

Hill Tribes of Northern Vietnam Cycling Adventure

We did this trip in Nov-Dec 2022. The first thing to say is that the cycling is hard. KE had graded this as a 6, but we have done a few KE trips before, including Jordan’s Dead-to-Red, which is listed as an 8, and Vietnam was harder than that, much harder. Because you are cycling on very small tracks and roads, the gradient is often >10% and sometimes this goes on for several miles. On day 3 we cycled 61 km, but climbed >2000m. In total we cycled only 466 km, but climbed 9553m. So, if ... climbing is your thing, this holiday is for you. The second point is the itinerary, which is often far too ambitious. On day 2 we cycled 110 km (on MTB hardtails) and arrived well after dark, too late to see the ‘pretty amazing waterfall of Than Ban Ba’. On several occasions the group had to board the support vehicle (and still arrived after dark). The itinerary often suggests time in afternoon for exploring, but there simply was never any time for this. The lunch breaks were also quite long and –if these were shortened a bit- you could get in a bit more cycling. The third thing is the weather. We were expecting fairly hot and humid conditions and this was certainly the case to the first 2 days, with temperatures of around 30-35 degrees. But on the third day this dropped to 7 degrees and we were all freezing. So, if you do this trip around Nov-Dec, pack for all conditions. You will need warm jacket, thermal base layers, bib trousers, winter socks, warm shoes, overshoes, buffs, gloves etc. The accommodation can best be described as ‘variable’; anything from comfortable hotels to very basic homestays. The first and last homestays were lovely and clean, the other 2 were much more basic with pretty unhygienic shower and toilet facilities Saying all this, we did have an awesome holiday. Vietnam is amazing and we really felt we saw the heart of the country. The people we met were all super friendly and welcoming. The homestays certainly provide a good opportunity to see how the local population lives. It’s also good you’re supporting local communities. The countryside was beautiful with many stunning views. Our guide Shi and the support team were fantastic and nothing was too much trouble. Shi was very knowledgeable (56% of Vietnamese men are called Nguyen!), a keen cyclist and coffee connoisseur. One of the highlights was the Vietnamese food, which was truly delicious. However, as vegetarian or vegan you will be struggling as soon as you leave Hanoi. Rice, noodles and cabbage only gets you so far. And bread (or wheat) is simply non-existent. After finishing our last day cycling Shi took us to a spa bath + massage place in Hanoi, which was a great experience. It was also dead cheap and maybe should become of the program? The cruise in Halong Bay was a relaxing finish to the holiday, although this is much more a mass tourism experience. Some of us felt this could be made an optional extra. We have fed back most of the above to KE and I think they will adjust the grading. As long as the itinerary gets streamlined a bit, this will be a pretty perfect cycling adventure (as long as you like climbing and bring warm clothes). All together, a highly recommended trip and an amazing experience.

By Nico from Dorchester | 01 January 2023

Wadi Rum and Petra Trek

Jordan's Wadi Rum and Petra

By Christopher from London | 30 December 2022

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Back to the Baltoro - all change?

K2 and Concordia

Andrew's review of the August / September 2022 K2 and Concordia trek - below - is both comprehensive and evocative, but I can add a slightly different perspective. I first trekked to K2 in 1990, with KE, Baltistan Tours and the legendary Rex Munro. The 2022 trip was a chance to return with my son, who is about the same age as I was all those years ago. Some things had changed a lot; Skardu is a town, not a village with an airstrip, you can photograph bridges without fear of military interest ... and there are horses carrying luggage along the trail. However, the biggest difference is no doubt the road through the Braldu gorge to and beyond Askole. Not only does this cut almost a week from the walking, but has also bought noticeable improvements for the villages and people along the way. Although as we found this year, when it's washed away, you have to return to the old ways and travel by foot. One thing that hasn't changed is the scenery - I took many of the same photos again from the same places. It's a tough trek, even in the warm, dry days that we had this year, but the sense of increasing scale and remoteness is worth it. To spend time in Concordia again, with very few other parties, was particularly welcome. Bart did an excellent job of stepping into Rex's shoes for me, as did Zafar, who has taken over at Baltistan Tours from his father, who waved us off all those years ago. I'm glad that I had the chance to repeat what is probably the best trekking that I've ever done.

By Graham from Godstone | 23 December 2022

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We really enjoyed this trip

Walking Salzburg’s 10 Lakes

My husband and I really enjoyed this trip. We hiked 5-6 hours every day and then landed in another story book Austrian town. This was our third KE trip and our first self guided one. The hiking wasn't too difficult so it hikers of many ages could do it. We loved the solitude of the trails and the views from the top.

By Jane from Saint Paul | 23 December 2022

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A Wonderful Walking Holiday in a Fascinating and Friendly Country

Walking Holiday on the Captivating Cape Verde Islands

Cape Verde is a superb warm weather destination for winter walking not much visited by anglophones - think Canaries but with fewer people and a fascinating blend of Portuguese and West African culture. We are so pleased we chose this as a pre-Christmas boost. Friendly locals and a marvellous local guide (Odair) who expertly shared his love of the people, culture, gastronomy and landscapes. Particular highlights for us included walking on the flanks of and climbing Pico do Fogo with its active ... vulcanism, an evening of wine-tasting and local music (also on Fogo), the balcony walk, the Cruzinha to Ponta do Sol coastal walk, and exploring Ribeira da Torre, all on Santo Antão, and the wide variety of local produce (particularly vegetables, fish and fruit) served at our filling and tasty meals. Things to note: make sure you have trekking poles as the descents are steep and can be very rocky (and gaiters for the volcanic sand on Pico do Fogo). Day 1 of the itinerary doesn’t exist as you arrive after midnight and we didn’t get to our hotel till after 02:00 after major delays at immigration despite (because of?) the new EASE system - consider flying out a day early to arrive at a sensible time or KE could rejig the itinerary while still fitting it into a 2 week holiday? Similarly days 2, 3 and 4 are tough days with very early starts and it might make more sense (inter-island transfers permitting) to be after Santo Antão. The valley walks on Santo Antão are a bit similar and connection issues meant a change in the itinerary with a bit of a wasted day on São Vicente; another volcano hike (after all it is Cape Verde’s major feature) such as Tope de Coroa might have been more interesting. Bottled water is freely provided throughout and meals are more than adequate but midday snacks for the hikes might be appreciated by some. Overall an excellent holiday and we would return in a heart beat to explore more locations and other islands.

By Gillian from York | 21 December 2022

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exciting and Fun Filled Adventure in Cambodia

Backroads of Cambodia Bike

This was a wonderful tour for travelers who like active and immersive holidays. The tour is fast paced and covers a wide cross section of Cambodia. We had an excellent guide who took countless opportunities to add spontaneous interactions each day with local Cambodians going about their daily lives. This made the trip so much more enriching to help us understand the culture. In addition, our guide had an excellent knowledge of the architectural, political, and religious history of this country. ... Our trail bike rentals were good quality with good service from the driver and mechanic when needed. Cambodia roads are mostly rugged dirt paths, so trail bikes are a must. Rides are 20 to 25km per day, but the rough roads and trails make it a solid workout. Rides this length gave the right amount of time to see all the sites that are on the itinerary. The planned tour strikes an excellent balance of active biking and immersion into Cambodian history and culture. Do bring a pair of water socks if you are a swimmer. You are going to want to swim in all of the waterfalls you visit as they are spectacular and unspoiled!

By James from Hopewell | 15 December 2022

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

What a fantastic trip!

Walking Holiday on the Captivating Cape Verde Islands

From traversing lava and volcanic ash on Fogo, to hiking through forests and the steep, fertile hills of Santo Antao, our guides were knowledgeable and really supportive on challenging routes. Cape Verde offered great coffee, bananas and surprisingly good wine. We enjoyed local music, learned about the history of the islands and swam in warm seas.

By Cannings from United Kingdom | 12 December 2022

Fantastic trip!

Walking Holiday on the Captivating Cape Verde Islands

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By Paula from London | 12 December 2022

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A proper South American experience

Volcanic Summits of Chile

The local guys (Christian, Guillermo & Alvaro) at High Mountain Experience were excellent, being well organised, attentive, informative and always very friendly. Whilst the time spent in the cars was longer than I would have liked, it was part of the trip if we were to get to the places in the itinerary. The scenery was outstanding, and the trekking was almost always a pleasure. The food was what was needed and was generally very tasty - special shout out to Silvio! My team mates helped ... make the trip that much better - a very tight group. Loads of special memories! As a hint, make sure you pack down mittens for summit night on the 6000m+ peaks - it was -25 degrees on Ojos and my combo of decent gloves and North Face mittens wasn't up to the task!

By Angus from Eastbourne | 06 December 2022

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing Manaslu Circuit Trek, Bucket List Ticked

Around Manaslu Trek

We chose to travel with KE Adventures after researching many companies providing similar treks, their range of treks appealed to us, The Manaslu Circuit in particular offered us the challenging adventure and quiet trails we had hoped for. Having booked the trip three years before we eventually travelled, delayed by Covid, KE were flexible and helpful, reassuring us about the current situation in Nepal and when the time came, handling our flights as well. KE's website provides a great deal of ... information, the additional advice and detail supplied after booking was comprehensive. The holiday was everything we'd hoped for and more, everything ran seamlessly to schedule, our guides and porters were excellent, helpful, professional and friendly. You can travel this circuit independently, we met trekkers travelling alone with guide and porter (you must have an accredited guide to enter the Manaslu Conservation Area) but for us the peace of mind of travelling with an experienced company, was vital. We couldn't be happier with the service provided by KE, we would (and indeed already have) highly recommend them to anyone looking for an adventure, we would and probably will travel with them again.

By Adam from Lincoln | 01 December 2022

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Challenging but Fabulous Trek

Gosainkund and Langtang Trek

Having read the trekking notes and analysed the ascents and descents I knew this was going to be a challenge, but it really was worth it. The route allowed me to acclimatise well and the scenery got better as the trek progressed. The climb of Tsergo Ri was tough but very worthwhile, the views from the summit awe inspiring. The tea houses were sometimes basic but all very comfortable, hot showers in some were really appreciated. Our sherpa Raja was the perfect host from the minute we arrived at ... Kathmandu airport to the time we left. He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and kept us extremely well informed about the areas we were trekking through and the bird and animal life he spotted on the way. Singhi and Bhupal, his right hand men made sure that we had everything we needed at all our overnight or day stops. The sleeping bags and duvet jackets provided were excellent, and the kit list a very good guide. Like another review, I would suggest the addition of some nuts and dried fruit to your pack, sometimes 4+ hours between meals stops means a little top up is required. If you are confident you can walk (albeit at a good steady pace set by the lead sherpa) for 6 hours a day then I would strongly recommend a trek into this fabulous area.

By Martin from STAFFORD | 28 November 2022

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Superb hiking and experience of the 'real' Madagascar and its people.

Trek Madagascar, The Land of the Lemur

Madagascar, island of contrast and majesty. From sprawling city mass, craggy mountain tops to stunning rice-growing terraces that sculpture the hillsides; along with deep valleys and luna landscapes and magical night skies. Creatures and sounds like nothing we've ever seen or heard before. And people so curious, generous and kind. Our guides were enthusiastic and knowledgeable; keen to share the unique beauty of the land and its creatures and the way of life for the people of Madagascar. The ... camping and hiking experience was exceptionally well managed; with superb food and support at every point in our journey. The Guides were extremely careful to respond to the various abilities of each individual member of the group, ensuring the experience was both enjoyable and safe. An unforgettable experience from beginning to end. Many thanks to every single member of the various teams, porters, drivers, cooks, guides; each and every one playing a vital role, with good humour and determination and skill.

By Philip from Rotherham | 28 November 2022

★ ★ ★

Not the trip we expected.

Costa Rica Walks and Wildlife

We did a lot of research before booking this Costa Rica holiday. We were excited by this trip because as well as the opportunity to see wildlife it included an appreciable amount of hiking, much of which was away from the main tourist areas. We read the trip notes carefully taking full account of the descriptions and GPS data for each day. The holiday we had was very different from what we expected based on this research. The opportunities to see birds and wildlife were great and our guide was ... excellent in this respect. However the walks were disappointing, most were quite a bit shorter than the trip notes suggested and several were either along well trodden tourist routes or were along dirt roads. Our guide had not done this trip before and did not seem to have been given appropriate guidance in the routes. The accommodation was mostly good- much as would be expected for this type of trip, although the unlit uphill pathway to our rooms on the oso peninsula was a health and safety risk. Food was largely good with the ubiquitous rice and beans supplemented by both Ecuadorean and international dishes. A second area of concern for us was the amount of time transferring between places. This was considerably longer than the notes suggested, not so much because of the time on the road but more a result of overlong lunch and coffee breaks and the almost daily supermarket visit to buy snacks which were not needed as the food was plentiful. As a consequence we often arrived late at our destination and had no time to enjoy it. When we expressed our concerns to KE their response was to say that the GPS information was just an example and that we should not expect it to be the same for our trip. Whereas we accept that some variation is inevitable because of local conditions, we felt that our trip was massively different from that described and this could not be because of the weather which was actually very good. KE have now removed the GPS information from their site. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and there were many positive aspects to this trip, however on balance it was disappointing and we would not have chosen it without the walk information which has been removed.

By Lynn from Lutterworth | 27 November 2022

KE Adventure reply

Thank you for your review, Lynn. We were sorry to learn that this holiday did not match your expectations and, as you are aware, we have addressed your disappointments with various aspects of the trip directly in our private correspondence with you. This adventure holiday is designed to provide an insight into the many different elements that define Costa Rica. It is not intended to be a long or continuous walking holiday and the walks on this trip will vary according to the best options for wildlife viewing, but will always be appropriate to a grade 3 walking holiday.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great walking week

Timeless Trails of Portugal's Algarve

Had a wonderful week with our guide, Jonathan and fellow travellers. The beaches and coastline were stunning. The walks were paced just right for us, starting around 9am and finishing around 4pm each day. Jonathan brought his 2 dogs, Choccy and Alana, on the walks they were great fun too. Violeta’s home cooking was fabulous and we were looked after really well on their eco farm. A fabulous week and recommend.

By Elaine from Hebden Bridge | 26 November 2022

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Trek which totally met my expectations.

Gosainkund and Langtang Trek

A very varied trek, with the 12 active days encompassing a wide variety of terrain and environments. First three days are hard and slightly lacking in terms of long distance panoramas, but they are interesting and ensure effective acclimitisation for the more challenging, and rewarding, remainder of the trek. T houses were good and sometimes exceptional, and there were some excellent "coffee stops" along the way. Compared to other treks I've done in Nepal I saw more wildlife, fewer co-trekkers ... and probably more variety of terrain etc. On the other hand, I saw fewer locals and less local farming activity etc, than I had done on treks such as Manaslu. One significant benefit was the very short (one hour) travel to the start of the trail. Its graded a 7 by KE and it fully warranted that classification. Average hours per day actually trekking was around six, which meant that on most days we arrived at our accommodation around 1630 - 1700, so a good standard of fitness was definitely required.

By Clifford from Torquay | 22 November 2022

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Perfect Wildlife and Culture Trip for an India Virgin!

Tigers, Temples and the Taj Mahal

We spotted 7 tigers on our trip and were delighted! Wildlife spotting in the Indian jungles is an emotional roller-coaster! Due to the foliage you see much less than you would in the wide open plains of, say, Africa (and not everything is the perfect photo opportunity), but what you do see you value so much more. I enjoyed the bird watching excursions much more than I expected. Having seen a negative comment on an earlier review I had limited expectations for this aspect of the trip but, as a ... complete novice, I found them really interesting. Our guide Ajay looked after us all brilliantly and we wanted for nothing. He sorted out a tip kitty, explained all the food to us, the train journeys went seamlessly, and he knew all the best photo angles at the tourist sites so acted as our official photographer! Tips: 1/ Take more warm layers than you think you will need. The breeze in the game drive vehicles is chilly early morning and late afternoon. I used my gloves one morning! For reference I went in November. 2/ There were swimming pools at all but 1 of our hotels so take your cozzy if you fancy a dip. 3/ Upgrade to first class on the sleeper trains. Not that much more and you can request your own cabin. 4/ Binoculars essential I would say.

By Laura from Kendal | 21 November 2022

★ ★ ★

A good walking holiday, unfortunately adversely impacted by schedule changes

Walking Holiday on the Captivating Cape Verde Islands

Cape Verde is a great destination for winter walking, with Fogo and Santo Antao being the main attractions for hikers. Both staying on Fogo and climbing the volcano were real highlights, although the long walk down from the crater to the coast was tedious and should have been replaced with a better walk (even the guide agreed!). Schedule issues led to the loss of 2 days planned hiking and a further night in Praia, where we stayed at one of the worst hotels I've ever stayed in in terms of noise. ... Santo Antao is the main hiking island with some superb paths, although once again the sequencing of walks could in our view be improved (eg the final day). The holiday is well graded - walking is straightforward with lots of gradient (and it can be quite hot). Apart from Praia, accommodations (including homestays) were great. Local food is varied and excellent. Our leader, Odair was terrific and a great ambassador for his country. By way of conclusion, we think KE needs to have a critical look at both the itinerary and scheduling of this trip. It should have been a 5* trip. It missed the mark for us for the reasons stated, but we still enjoyed the trip.

By Andrew from AMBLESIDE | 21 November 2022

KE Adventure reply

Thank you for your review and suggestions to improve the itinerary all of which have been noted. We're glad you enjoyed the trip despite the issues you have highlighted. With regard to the scheduling, the itinerary was originally designed so that we fly from Fogo to Sao Vicente via connecting flights through Praia. This is the way this trip has operated for several years. However, shortly before your departure, the only airline servicing these islands changed their flight times, making a same-day connection impossible, requiring an overnight in Praia. We did notify the group of this change prior to departure as soon as we were informed of it, and we rearranged the itinerary to minimise any disruption, which affected 2 days of the holiday.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fabulous treks and a beautiful contrast between 2 spectacular mountains.

Highly recommended!. Mt Kenya was a great preparation for Kilimanjaro. The 2 mountains were quite different, making a perfect contrast. The peace, the scenery and landscapes, and notably the summits. Mt Kenya - This mountain is relatively quiet. we only saw 4 other trekking groups the mountain, and we only shared the 1st camp at Chogoria gate. We had the mountain to ourselves. Lake Michaelson camp down on the lakeside, a step descent and a steep climb the following morning, was a beautiful ... location. We didn't see any rain but the clouds were very predictable. Lovely sunny mornings and some evenings but the clouds bubbled up from around 11am. Perfect pacing by our guide William and trek leader Benson. a 4:00am start on summit day for the climb up. Lenana Peak is across from the Batian Peak (the highest of Mt Kenya) with spectacular views and a beautiful sunrise. Mt Kenya peaks were my favourite. the 2nd half of descent day from the summit down to Old Moses camp was probably the dullest and a bit of a slog. Kilimanjaro - by contrast it was a shock when we arrived at Machame Gate to see probably 100 trekkers and 300 support getting ready to set off. Day 1 through the beautiful rainforest talking to the other trekkers was great, such camaraderie. The camps were busy with everyone following the same route but the atmosphere was great with different porter groups singing songs. Shira camp and Barranco camps were specular with amazing views of the mountain. The combined My Kenya & Kilimanjaro itinerary meant we had only 6 days on the mountain compared with 7 for most others. The last 24 hrs up to the summit is long and hard. The climb up from Barranco camp to Barafu camp, a few hours rest before starting to the summit at 11:30pm. I should mention that our trek leader suggested an early start after day 1 to get ahead of the crowds. We regularly were off between 6:30-7am and it worked a treat. We had the trails and climbs to ourselves much of the time. Barranco Wall is a tricky scramble, with narrow paths and steep drops in parts. The guides were very well prepared and regularly checked our blood oxygen levels. So to the summit. 11:30pm start, pitch darkness following the boots in front for 6 hours, looking back to see a string of head torches following. It was very cold with a wind chill. Go extra prepared for this. Once at Stella Point it's a walk around the crater rim to the summit. Another spectacular sunrise!!!! and awesome views across Africa. Tired and emotional and the 2nd group to summit at dawn - incredible elation and experience. There was no snow at all on the summit just ice cliffs off to the side. The summit is so different from Mt Kenya because of the much bigger volcano rim. 3 hours descent through the dusty scree back to Barafu camp for a well earned breakfast. Highly recommend doing the 2 mountains back to back, yes its tough but great for altitude acclimatisation. Yes there's quite a bit of travelling notably to cross the border between Kenya & Tanzania, a whole day on the locals shuttle bus but part of the experience. I didn't enjoy Nairobi, a very busy city with lots of congestion and pollution. Overall an unforgettable trip. Thanks KE again!

By Paul from Warrington | 21 November 2022

Mount Kilimanjaro

By Paul from Warrington | 21 November 2022