Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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171 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Anthony Turner

Reviewed July 2014

Mont Blanc Circuit

Great way to undertake this classic long distance Alpine trek.

Most Inspirational Moment

Fighting the snow and biting wind on the high passes in July. Be prepared for cold weather. Also the amazing view from the 3842m Aiguille du Midi cable car. Highly recommended if you have good weather.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Nick (mountain guide) and Tom (camp manager) were excellent. Very knowledgeable, full of enthusiasm and great company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The descents are really hard on your knees. Take knee supports and trekking poles if you have a history of knee problems.

Reviewed October 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

A wonderful trekking holiday through spectacular alpine scenery. The guidance from the leader and the support from our camp support meant I could focus on enjoying each day’s trek to the fullest.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the border crossings, from France to Switzerland, Switzerland to Italy and Italy to France were all spectacular - difficult days that made me feel a sense of achievement as passes were crossed, moving from one country to another. On two of the rest days I took the opprtunity to take the respective cable cars up to stations high up on glaciers. An amazing experience to see the high mountains without having to be a mountaineer.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Jenny was quite frankly superb. She was organised, kept us well briefed throughout the trek, and was tremendous fun to socialise with. It was pretty obvious she had many years of leading and her experience showed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For anyone who walks regularly or is reasonably active, this trek should not pose any significant physical challenges as long as you are reasonably fit before you come on this trek. That being said the more physical preparation you can do pre departure, the more you can enjoy the trek. Read the pre departre notes and even look at the Exodus trekking fitness guide and be honest with yourself you can do what's described. You want a challenge not an ordeal.

Reviewed October 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

If you’re considering it, do it!

Most Inspirational Moment

When the clouds cleared and we saw Mont Blanc for the first time. Just beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really knowledgeable. Interesting to talk to.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In my view there are only a couple of difficult days really, the rest can be long but are not too strenuous. I was worried it would be harder than it actually was.

Reviewed September 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

An absolutely brilliant trip – the views were truly spectacular and I thoroughly enjoyed the walks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Passing from Switzerland into Italy over the Grand Col Ferret was a really special moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was extremely helpful, friendly & knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go for it, you won't regret it!

Reviewed August 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

A great trip, with great scenery and cake stops. It’s hard work though!

Most Inspirational Moment

At the Col du Bonhomme refuge one of our party played the guitar that was in the refuge. It seemed quite surreal for us to be singing along to the Pretenders 500 miles at 2,100 metresThe views across the whole trek are sensational, hard to pick a highlight, but the descent into Italy down the Col Ferret was pretty niceThere are plenty of cake stops along the route, which certainly helped me, the cakes at each refuge were really good and I was lucky to be part of a group that wanted to stop and partake at regular intervals.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mike Rhodes was an excellent leader. I have no experience of the other leaders, who I would expect to be just as good, but if you end up with Mike you are really lucky.He is a really nice man, who knows the area like the back of his hand. He can identify every flower, peak (including who climbed it first) & animal you might encounter and is a wealth of knowledge on the area generally, including recommended activities on the rest days.Because of his knowledge he is able to adjust the route to fit the group's ability, he put several tougher climbs in for our group as we were all fairly fit, but these were also avoidable for those who would rather have a rest.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Compeed! - I was lucky and didn't suffer with blisters, but on a 10 day trek, if you do suffer you will certainly get through them. Mike also uses surgical tape over the top of the Compeed to stop them rubbing on your sock and coming off. a bit of vaseline on the top of the tape helps even more. There are quite a few chemists, shops etc on route who sell them, but better to be self sufficient Don't wear white t-shirts - I doubt mine will ever be white againYou can buy stuff in Chamonix before the trek starts, but it is pretty pricey and best left for things you forgot to bring, I would recommend purchasing anything you need at home. Take your camera, ipod etc chargers. The support van is well kitted out and I was able to charge batteries in it once we got to camp or overnight (it had about 8 socket points the group could use) A book is useful for the evenings, as is a small speaker for your ipod, but obviously only if the whole group like your taste in music! Wet wipes are useful for the 2 days you are basic camping (ie no hot showers, but there are toilets)

Reviewed August 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

Yes, it’s the best trekking trip I have ever had. Good roomy, thunderstorm proofed tents (easy to pitch up and dismantle), great camping sites (only two had no internet access, and no showers) with one having a large LCD TV screen to watch the Tour D’ France going up Alpe d’Huez (an excellent treat for me as I had biked up it 10 days ago), and, not forgetting, good food (four nights at local restaurants on Exodus tab). Of course, the scenery was just awesome, and we took lots of beautiful picture postcards.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many. Most would include doing the touristic stuff in Chamonix (Aguille du Midi to see Mt Blanc at close range; trip to Heilbroner; seeing skiers going down Vallee Blanche, Mers du Glace and the Cave); having lunch at Lac Blanc; seeing Ibex, Marmot, and even a baby poisonous snake; doing the Balcony and the Bovine trail; multi day view of Grand Jorasse; having gelato in Courmeyer; ascending Col du Tricot in just over an hour; watching the bungee jumpers in St. Gervais; the paragliders taking off in Mt Brevent and toasting our successful completion at the top of Mt Brevent….10 days trekking, 3 countries, 176 km, 10000m cumulative elevation. Too many pleasant memories so much so some of us had withdrawal symptoms on returning home.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mike was knowledgeable and experienced. He modified the start times based on his estimate of what time we would like to arrive at camp e.g. on the day of the TDF going up Alpe d’Huez, he made sure we arrived at 2.30 pm in camp so we have time to settle down, and get to watch the race at 3 pm. This flexibility also ensured we did not get caught in bad weather, although there may be an occasion when we got wet (although not very heavy). Safety was always a priority, and he was always around to lend a helping hand whenever there were obstacles such as crossing a fast running stream, climbing down a ladder, walking over a slippery patch of snow, and climbing over steep rocks adjoining deep ravines. Matt, our driver and cook ensured we always have enough fruits, bread, cheese, and salad for our lunch bags. We were never hungry. And dinner was something that was always a pleasant surprise, with enough for second helpings for those who wanted more. I am still trying to lose the 2 kg I put on.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My group was an experienced group, having done tougher treks in higher altitudes. However, this trek was still very challenging, especially the last two days where climbs of cumulative 1500m elevations were the norms. Train hard. Also bring lots of warm clothing as it can be very cold at night. Bring long sleeves/pants, a hat and sun block to protect from the UV…we were deep fried by the end of the trek. Be careful of ticks even though lyme disease is not prevalent in the alps. I may have been bitten, and had symptoms that were indicative such as muscle and joint ache/pain, fatigue, ear ache, and other normal flu symptoms after returning home. As a precaution I took doxycycline (an antibiotic) to kill the bacteria

Reviewed August 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

The best trip ever!

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the Auigille de Midi on our last free day, with the cloud swirling around us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Jenny, could not have been better. She is experienced, caring, thoughtful and knowledgeable. I would also like to mention the camp manager, Graham, who is a fantastic cook, and gave us 110% effort. He adapted his repertoire to the weather, and was always ready to give a hand with things not strictly his responsibility, like sorting out mobile phones, helping to pack tents etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pay attention to the kit list!! Including the optionals like poles and umbrella. Take as many clothes as you can fit in your bag as stuff gets dirty and wet and there are not many opportunities to wash clothes ... Take lots of COMPEED :-), neurofen and bite cream. You need a warm sleeping bag, it can be cold at night.

Reviewed August 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

Amazing trip with stunning scenery. Walks were challenging as described but rewarding and well guided.

Most Inspirational Moment

Took a short but steep detour to a quiet peak with a 360 degree view of Mont Blanc and surrounding mountains with clear blue skies and no one but a pipe smoking Italian who was striking a pose to share it with.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was perfect for the task. He dealt with a range of abilities and experience and ensured everyone had the holiday they wanted and more.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be fit and comfortable with ascents and descents. Take an umbrella as it's infinitely better than putting waterproofs on in a short shower. Take an inflatable pillow as clothes in a bag can get a bit much after 2 weeks.

Reviewed August 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

A challenging walk for those people with a reasonable level of fitness. Beautiful views, great scenery.

Most Inspirational Moment

Whilst the walks were fantastic taking the cable car up to the Aguille du Midi was absolutely awesome. The views of Mont Blanc were amazing. What can I say, simply brilliant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was really good considering this was her first time on this tour and she had to cater for a range of walking ability.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As you can guess the first is at the end of the tour go up the Aguille du Midi and buy a multipass ticket (4 euros extra). However, go early to avoid the queues. Take a packed lunch, water and walking trainers and walk the balcony route to the Mer de Glace from the mid station. You can then get the cable car down the ice caves and get the train back to Chaminox on your multipass ticket.Take compeed and a knee brace (we had several people develop knee trouble and braces were expensive). Take some gaffer tape in your bag (comes in useful for all sorts). Fill up on snack bars and chocolate on the first day as it may be sometime before you can again. It's expensive so take plenty of money if you want drink and cake etc at the refuges.

Reviewed August 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

Mesmorizing and awesome tour of Mont Blanc… to see the mountains up close was such a pleasure

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking up close to the mont blance massive range and se the reflections of the mountains on the river ..wow

Thoughts on Group Leader

Trip leader was experienced and knowledge in regards to the mountains and the tour ...

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't wait... go for trek...

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