Across hundreds of reviews, one thing comes up again and again: the guides are exceptional. Names like Dusty, Charlie, Liz, Torva and Tiegan are singled out repeatedly for warmth, knowledge, energy and making solo travellers feel at ease. The 4.95 guide rating isn't a fluke — it's the backbone of the whole experience, with travellers crediting guides for salvaging trips even when weather or logistics went against them.

The recurring complaint is accommodation, specifically the hostels. Multiple reviewers describe cramped rooms, noisy or badly located hostels (one above a late-night bar), clogged shared bathrooms, no towels or plug sockets, and confusion over whether a hostel was compulsory or optional. Older travellers in particular found the budget hostel standard uncomfortable and mismatched to their expectations, and one reviewer had a serious allergic reaction to food prepared nearby. This pulls the 4.35 accommodation score down against otherwise stellar ratings.

Food and communication from the office are secondary but real weak spots — a couple of reviewers mention slow or absent responses when problems arose mid-trip, and food scores the lowest of all categories at 4.2, though few reviews dwell on it in detail.

This operator suits younger, budget-conscious, flexible travellers — especially solo travellers — who prioritise scenery, guiding quality and value over polished lodgings. It's a poorer fit for older couples or anyone wanting hotel-standard comfort as standard; those travellers should actively pay for the hotel upgrade rather than assume the base package suits them.