Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The sense of history walking in the steps of travelers from centuries past, along the tracks and mountain passes. The peace and solitude in the area as there were very few other walkers around - some days we saw none.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had Jose Miguel as our leader, who lives in Sella and is passionate about the area and its history and ecology. He has lead much of the restoration of the old tracks and paths and is knowledgeable about them and their history. On the walks he was supportive and encouraging, whilst quickly able to assess individual strengths and weaknesses and make decisions as to ability to tackle the more demanding walks - just what you want from someone leading you in a mountainous area. He was pleasant and amusing, made triple-decker sandwiches to keep you going all day, and was all we could have hoped for as a leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had warm/hot weather (October 2014) but we would suggest going fully equipped for mountain weather with good walking boots with ankle support as many of the tracks are rough and stony. The trip is graded Moderate/Challenging and this is realist - imagine a longish day in the Lake District with sunshine. Ensure you carry plenty of water - on some walks there is no opportunity to resupply and we drank 2 to 3 litres.

Most Inspirational Moment

Several: 1. The Peace Park in Hiroshima, and in particular the 'Atomic Dome'. Very moving. 2. A quite-unexpected visit to Tokyo Zoo, and time to see the giant pandas munching through loads of bamboo. 3. A garden of azaleas in full bloom - very colourful. And cherry and plum blossom. 4. Mount Fuji in all its glory, from the air on flight out of Tokyo. 5. The cleanliness, the politeness, the hi-tech toilets.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good, though whilst he didn't lose any of us in the crowded streets and stations, etc., I felt he should have checked more often that we were all together.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. Public conveniences are plentiful, but most did not have any means of drying hands after washing - so I recommend taking a small hand-towel for such purposes. 2. During the holiday we stayed at 3 different ryokans, which varied in standard from OK down to very, very basic. 3. Take some ear-plugs to shut out noise of snoring sleeping companions!

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunrise from the top

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only do this if you want a challenge where the satisfaction comes after the event. Judging by the comments of my group, this isn't one you'll enjoy while you're doing it. If you aren't used to sleeping in tents, I'd suggest you practice before this trip - you need to be as refreshed as possible, and that means lots of sleep.

Most Inspirational Moment

We had a small group of 10 and we soon became a great team, I think the highlight for most people was the 2000 metre climb, hard work but very rewarding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh, what a gentleman, he will go out of his way to make sure everyone is having a good time and he on call 24/7 making sure everything is in place, he even insisted I used his personal mobile phone during the two weeks after mine stopped working on the 3rd day. Fantastic Leader and very good company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you train before hand as it is quite challenging on some days or will spend some time in the back up bus. This is the best way to see the real Sri Lanka.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the pass in the middle of the second week was certainly an achievement for everyone on the trip, even the hardened cyclists.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader on our trip, Long Le, was fantastic and probably the best leader of the four Exodus trips I've done. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble and he was equally attentive to all in the group. His walking tours around the food markets were excellent and allowed us all an opportunity to try food we'd never get back in the UK - duck brain and tongue anyone? He was incredibly organised and efficient in checking us in and out of the hotels and getting us moving in the morning.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a pretty full on trip with early starts almost every day. Breakfast was usually at 6am with cycling or coach journeys starting an hour later. A few of the days include quite long bus journeys, either getting to the start of the cycling or at the end to get to the hotel, so take an iPod or a book to read. There were a couple of opportunities to get laundry done so don't over pack; it's very cheap - about $1USD per kilo of washing. Just embrace everything that there is to see and do and you won't go wrong on this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The unscheduled bonuses. The celebration of the feast of St Cosmas and Damian in Alberobello on the first night. The town was lit up with thousands of lights, there was music from the bandstand and fireworks later. The show of traditional Puglian music and dancing at the Masseria was also wonderful. The food and the wine too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Angelo was great. Friendly, passionate about his country and always making that extra effort to ensure we had the best time!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't go if you are watching your weight!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Petra was one of the highlights of my life! I had wanted to go there since I was 11 years old in junior school and saw a movie on the discovery of Petra in a history class. Exodus is one of the few companies I found to offer two full days in Petra - and both days were full on and only for the fit and active. I had no idea that the Petra Archaeological Park was so extensive as most people are really only familiar with the much-photographed Siq and the Treasury - but there is so much more! We walked and hiked and climbed all over the park for 2 days for about 8 hours a day and saw an enormous amount, mostly with a running commentary from the eloquent Danny. It was an experience etched in my mind forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Danny Haddad, had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the history and archaeology of Jordan, and patiently answered all our questions about the social, political, cultural, economic and environmental aspects of life in Jordan. He spent about 14 hours of each day with us, and was a great PR person for Jordan, being highly proactive in engaging us in conversation about Jordan and inviting discussion on issues of interest while on the bus travelling between stops. I have not yet come across someone more passionate about his country and more willing to help immerse a group of travellers into his culture than Danny. He was a fabulous guide and is an amazing asset to Exodus. We were extremely fortunately to have him guide our group. The trip to Jordan, and especially Petra with Danny revealing its history and archaeological wonders to us, is one of the highlights of my life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are fit and be prepared for high temperatures in summer - even in September when I went it was over 35 degrees centigrade in Petra. Wear hiking boots and socks when visiting the Petra Archaeological Park as there is a lot of climbing of steps which are covered in fine dust and are quite slippery on the descent. Even the flat parts are also covered in a lot of gravel which can be quite sharp. I wore hiking sandals the first day and constantly had to empty my sandals of stone and huge quantities of sand! The second day in boots with ankle support which didn't allow sand and stones to ingress was much more comfortable. A hat is essential, as are spare camera batteries if yours doesn't have a rechargeable battery. Even a spare rechargeable battery would be a bonus as you will takes masses of photos! A warning - don't change Dinars back into whatever currently at the airport on departure as the exchange rate is horrendous and I was really stung there. Rather work on about JD 200 for the week and carry some of your home currency in notes to exchange when you run out. It was easy to exchange GBP, USD or CAD via our guide.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to pick out one specific item that was the best, but for me the highlights included seeing the Great Wall at first hand, the Summer Palace in Beijing, Xian walls and Great Mosque, seeing the giant pandas so close, and cycling/boating while surrounded by the stunning scenery around Yangshuo. Also, if you get the chance, see the Shanghai acrobat show- it's awesome!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Kris (Chris?) was excellent. As well as being well-organised, ensuring we were all ready when we needed to be and dealing with any problems or complications that we encountered, she was also full of interesting information about the various places we visited. She also made sure that at mealtimes my girlfriend, who was the only vegetarian among us, always had something she could eat. She certainly enhanced my enjoyment of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you bring some imodium because there is a good chance of getting an upset stomach at some point. Chinese trains have hot water dispensers, so it's also worth bringing a plastic cup/beaker for tea/coffee. I'd read up a bit on China and Chinese history before the trip, and I found it enhanced my enjoyment because I had a better understanding of what we saw.

Most Inspirational Moment

An educated and welcoming population despite their relative material poverty. Unique political and economic system in action. Music, dancing and those cocktails everywhere - just cannot resist joining in. Some amazing colonial architecture in La Habana. Trinidad a delight of colours and history. A ride in a classic car.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was very helpful and a great ambassador. Really helped group get under the skin of island life and what it was like for the population. Fun Cuban sense of humour and went out of his way to support us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Maybe get Salsa lessons in before leaving - trip lesson is too short and late in schedule. If you master basics early, chances to join in are everywhere during the trip. Quad measure Mohito's slip down too easily. Food in private restaurants surprisingly good - had anticipated it being very bland and basic. Don't expect mobile data or wifi. Usual tropical climate precautions - sun cream, hat, lots of water and insect repellent evenings.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention but I loved the harder cycling days through the Sierra Maestre mountains, coupled with the legendary salsa clubs of Santiago and Trinidad. Also loved the frequent swimming opportunities in natural rock pools and almost comically-perfect tropical beaches.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hard to fault - Freddy was brilliant. My only regret is that I can't pack him in my rucksack for my next adventure as I fear future guides now have a really hard act to follow.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's worth doing a little training beforehand - none of the rides are super-hard but the heat adds an extra element so I'm not sure this is the ideal trip for a complete cycling novice. That said, we had people ranging from early-thirties to early-seventies, with varying degrees of cycling fitness, and the vast majority coped perfectly well with all the rides. Hungrier riders might want to pack their own energy snacks - the support team kept us well topped-up at snack stops with fruit and water, alongside the occasional local treat, but packing a few of my own energy bars would have been sensible too. Also as noted elsewhere, I would take plenty of hard currency with you - Cuba is not as cheap as some might expect and the availability of ATMs is still pretty limited outside larger towns so worth planning ahead.