reviews
Read holiday reviews by Mountain Kingdoms travellers.
So many unique memories of Japan, a truly outstanding experience.
The programme for this cultural tour is excellent, with a range of experiences from watching Sumo wrestlers at their daily training, to spending the night in a Buddhist shrine, where we attended their prayers at daybreak. From a mountain trip to watch macaque monkeys playing in the snow, to boat trips on Lake Ashi, where we saw Mount Fuji, and to Miyajima Island to admire the stage setting for the No theatre productions. We returned truly different - with so many unique memories, really healthy after the cuisine. and mindful that a holiday can make such a difference. This was a holiday to bear comparison with any other in the pantheon of outstanding experiences. We both thank you as the originator of this trip. You had the imagination to appreciate what it could be, and the efficiency to realise the dream so effectivley. You can be proud of your work!
An exceptional holiday to Bhutan.
An exceptional holiday. Such a delightful contrast of culture, festivals, information and history. Travelling across the country with beautiful scenery and welcome from everyone. Our guide was so informative, good company and attentive to every detail. Thoroughly enjoyed the walking.
Everything I hoped it would be and MORE!
I travelled to Uzbekistan with a couple of friends in mid April, visiting the fascinating Fergana Valley first of all, as a trip add on - a must in my view! It was exciting travelling to Kokand on the very comfortable train through the lush countryside and mountains. For me, the culture of the Fergana area and opportunity to visit top artisans of silk weaving, batik and ceramics, alongside beautiful palaces and mosques was a unique experience! Our guide throughout the whole trip was excellent...she was so knowledgable, charming and prepared for anything, a real joy to spend time with. We travelled widely across the country but everything was so smoothly organised, the drivers excellent (even if the roads were a little bit bumpy!) and the transport high quality. All the hotels we stayed in were very comfortable, not too big and in great locations. As for Uzbekistan...the star of the show! What a beautiful country, lovely welcoming people - especially the children who love to practice their English with you! There is so much to see and absorb and having around 4 days in each city - Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand in particular- was a really good amount of time to explore them properly. Leisure days in each place were welcome, if only to wander, especially very early in the morning, meet Uzbekis and then shop and haggle in the wonderful markets and bazaars! Each place we visited had its own special atmosphere and mood. I loved the quiet majesty of Khiva in the early hours and the busy back streets of Bukhara! The colours and patterns on the buildings combined with their history was heady stuff - so beautiful! We all loved the delicious food too - everything cooked from scratch wherever we went, fully seasonal and yes, quite meat based, and so tasty but with lots of substantial salads, soups and fresh bread too. The local beer is very welcome after a long day sightseeing! Mountain Kingdoms were excellent( and very patient!) from the very start in helping us plan and organise this trip...there was even a birthday cake on my arrival in Tashkent! What a lovely, thoughtful surprise. I HIGHLY recommend the Silk Road to Samarkand holiday, it really was everything I hoped it would be and MORE! Thank you to Mountain Kingdoms and our brilliant guide Shakhnosa for making it such a special adventure.
Thought provoking trip to Armenia
Hiking Armenia is a thought provoking and full on trip with long days not to be underestimated. Armenia is well worth a visit with some stunning sights.
Impressive guide
We were impressed by the pride and enthusiasm of our guide who told us about so many Armenians who are not honoured for their achievements as Armenian eg the inventor of the MIGb aeroplane Artem Mikoyan and the humbling respect for their many ancient monasteries and churches.
Breathtaking Patagonia
The varied itinerary and breathtaking scenery. The local guides were very knowledgable, enthusiastic, helpful and caring of our wellbeing. Overall the organisation and planning was well thought out and executed. The standard of accommodation was very good, in particular the Eco Camp. We were very fortunate to be part of a small but convivial group.
Gentle Walking Bhutan - tailor made holiday
An exceptional holiday. Such a delightful contrast of culture, festivals, information and history. Travelling across the country with beautiful scenery and welcome from everyone. Our guide was so informative, good company and attentive to every detail. Thoroughly enjoyed the walking.
Beautiful Bhutan
We were a small group of four ladies, who fortunately got on very well. The tour was very well organised by our exceptional guide Tshokey and driver Dorji. Everything about Bhutan exceeded my expectations in ways that are difficult to describe. The scenery was stunning, temples interesting and colourful and the people genuinely happy and obliging without exception. The accommodation was all of an acceptable standard and the food plentiful, although a bit repetitive, but that did not matter. The icing on the cake for me was managing the climb to the Tigers Nest which would not have been possible without the encouragement and patience of Tshokey. I cannot fault Mountain Kingdoms in any way.
Varied itinerary, excellent food and hotels
A varied itinerary covering over 2000 miles, exploring 7 of the 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka with five other like-minded travellers in the group. Food and hotels were almost all excellent, especially Lady Hill in Galle where the welcome and service were excellent. Our guide was informative and went out of his way to make sure all went smoothly. The highlights for me were the day spent visiting Sigiriya/Dambulla and the day on Nainativo exploring the Hindu Nagapooshani Amman Temple and the Buddhist shrine Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya.
Smooth from start to finish
Everything went so smoothly, from start to finish. All the guides were very knowledgeable and entertaining and all the accommodations and transportation were very comfortable. I could not have asked for a more enjoyable holiday. Well done Mountain Kingdoms!