Would highly recommend this trip. It provides great variety in scenery, beginning in the very hilly area around the base of Mt Olympus; down into lovely valleys and then stunning coastal scenery. We found the written directions to be excellent while the red and white track markers gave us lots of help as well. We were very impressed with Mehmet who kept in contact with us at the end of each day.
Very well planned service. Our Tour Director was very knowledgable and very accommodating. She really made us feel at home and gave tremendous information. Our drive was excellent and made us feel very safe. The tour covers a lot of interesting sites and at the same time gives you free time to explore on your own, should you wish. All the hotels we stayed in were very good. Whole of the tour is well planned and every day, next day's itinerary, was given in good time so that we can decode how we want to utilise the day.
The coach is very comfortable. Everyday cleaned the coach so that everyone can get the best view while travelling. Sufficient comfort breaks are already built-in to ensure that everyone can travel without any anxiety.
Local guides were very knowledgable and helpful and gave valuable details that make you appreciate the local history, community, architecture and customs. In all the hotels we stayed the staff were very polite and went out of their way to help.
Overall the tour was way nicer beyond our expectations. We can say with certainty that we will be using Costsavers in future.
really makes any tour with her very entertaining and informative. I do not have enough words to describe how effective she is as a tour director. I look forward to join her in other tours in future.
The Rongai route begins at the remote northern side of Kilimanjaro near the Kenyan border. We will be hiking through a true wilderness area towards the jagged Mawenzi Peak then cross a barren desert before climbing up Kibo’s eastern crater wall. The Rongai route is a more slow ascent and is therefore preferred by those with little or no backpacking experience but is equally enjoyable for even the most hardened Kilimanjaro climbers.
During the climb you will have 5 nights of full-service camping, with a private toilet tent. There is a large communal tent, which is used for dining and at other times in the event of inclement weather. Limited single accommodation is also available and includes a single tent as well as the hotel nights.
We can arrange extra accommodation before or after the trip if needed.
Explore the tasty, fresh and healthy Bulgarian cuisine, famous for its quality vegetables, dairy products and variety of mild spices. Learn more about the millennia-old tradition of wine making in Bulgaria. Start with the capital, modern and buzzing city which keeps impressive history from Antiquity to nowadays. The travel will pass by the Rose Valley, where you can smell the famous liquid gold – the Rose oil. Wine-tastings in several wineries in the mountains will ponder your senses. Meet the hospitality of the locals and be a guest in the house of the most famous granny in the village. She can show you what Bulgarian cuisine means. Taste, smell and feel the beauty of this unknown country and have a lot to share with your friends!
Embark on an enchanting eight-day journey through Guatemala, a land rich in culture, history, and natural wonders. From the colonial elegance of Antigua to the mystical ruins of Tikal and Yaxhá, discover iconic landscapes, explore vibrant local traditions, and savour the enduring allure of Mayan heritage. Immerse yourself in volcanic adventures, highland markets, and majestic lakes for a travel experience like no other.
An exceptional experience. Each day brought new wonders, every stop on our itinerary proving fascinating. Tour leader Saleh was one of the best guides I have ever met, bringing fresh appreciation to all that we did. A trip not to be missed - and one that I would gladly repeat. Highly recommended.
The tour starts off with a visit to Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu Natal. There we will stop by Pietermaritzburg's City Hall, which claims to be the largest brick building in the southern hemisphere. There we will visit the Gandhi statue also before we head towards the Drakensberg mountains.
We head towards the Giants Castle Reserve in Drakensburg Mountain range. Conveniently built high on the front of the Drakensberg, Giant's Castle camp is surrounded by beautiful landscape, deep valleys and grassy highlands which presents tourists with spectacular unforgettable views.
Giant’s Castle Reserve has a set of sandstone caves which have been turned into an outdoor museum. The San Rock Art depicts life of the San and Khoekhoe people who lived in South Africa for 1000s of years before Bantu and European migration. Both considered ‘hunters and gatherers’, the San were more nomadic that the Khoekhoe, who started to herd cattle when introduced by the bantu people who migrated from central Africa. The San and the Khoekhoe used rock art to communicate their story between clans and people.
Giants Castle’s caves is one of the best maintained Cave Rock Sites in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa. The site has been developed for tourism and offers guided tours on the hour from 9am – 3pm daily. Only 30 minutes from the camp the leisurely trail offers guests an original cultural experience and a spectacular landscape adventure. The local guide will elaborate and display the history and culture behind some of the best-preserved artwork by the San people.
Next stop will be the small town of Howick to visit its waterfall. KwaNogqaza or Howick Falls is approximately 95 m in height and lies on the Umgeni River. The local Zulu people named it the “Home of the Tall” referring to its height. Next to the falls lies a quaint old section of Howick which has a selection of historical museums and antique stores to visit.
Next is the Nelson Mandela Capture Site Statue and Apartheid Museum. The Capture Site boasts a large sculpture of Nelson Mandela made up of multiply steel columns which stand between 6 and 9 metres tall. Tourists at the Capture Site are required to stand 35 meters away from the large Nelson Mandela bust for it to come into clear focus. Facing west the impressive sculpture creates a uniquely beautiful landscape for the local Howick community. The museum is dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s life and his struggle against Apartheid government.
They did an amazing job, took care of my every need, and got me up the mountain in style. Big shout out to my guide Rama, my chef Kuruwa, and my porters Muhammad Ali, Sariri, Rezwan (Numba D), Moyo, and Salim.
UTracks organised a great trip on this section of the Camino however the track is poorly signed and even with a good map app, getting lost seemed to be a daily occurrence. The signage is not the responsibility of UTracks but in my view if signage could be improved, it would make for a more enjoyable trip. After Porto, the signage was good.
Take a scenic journey through Croatia and Slovenia on this 14-day trip from Dubrovnik to Ljubljana. See both history and nature at their best, including Roman ruins, walled cities, unspoilt beaches and rugged islands just off the Adriatic Coast. Taste wine with locals on Vis Island, stroll through Plitvice Lakes National Park or hike through the Hvar hinterland in your free time. Explore the green islands of Mljet, snack on salty cheese and discover Diocletian’s Palace on a guided tour in Split. Learn about the region’s rich history and architecture and lose yourself in the serenity of this beautiful and historic region.
It was a great trip and the Tour Director was on top of everything. The drivers were both professional and friendly. Just an FYI Scandinavia has a high cost of Living