Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

After having the misfortune of being possibly the only group ever to have our camp in the desert flooded by torrential rain on the day we were travelling there (apparently rain in area is very rare!). Our guide moved heaven and earth to find us another camp so that we didn't miss the unique experience of spending the night in a Bedouin camp. I am so grateful he did, as it proved to be one of the highlights of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ali is the best. I cannot say more than that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Buy water in shops, much cheaper

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the summits and doing a little bit of scrambling which I had never experienced before. The amazing views The beautiful forest walks Having your lunch "on top of the world" from your summit stops looking out and down for miles

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara is most definitely the best Exodus guide I have had - and I have done 17 trips with them! She is caring, encouraging, patient, knowledgeable and really inspires confidence. Nothing was too much trouble for her and she constantly suggested and provided extra things for us way above the call of duty. In addition she has a great sense of humour and fun to be around but maybe more importantly you feel 100% safe in her hands

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are considering this trip do it, it's great. Do take walking poles- they really are useful. If you are wondering what to do on the free day the popular option of Lucca is a great easy day off -it's a lovely little city and easy to get to and from

Most Inspirational Moment

Tortuguera national park on the carribean coast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of birds animals and plants, which made all the differnce if your knowledge was very limited, like mine. Great organisational skills, and superb interpersonal skills made the trip very enjoyable for everyone.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing hummingbirds on our trek at Vinales; The first Mojito with a gorgeous view; The Red Road and loadsa crabs (shame about the squashed ones); The chameleon in the coffee shop; The salsa class; Casa de la Trova in Trinidad; The Buena Vista Social Club in Havana.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Felix was great. He made sure we all had a great time, adapted the itinerary to suit us and kept us on track when we had to be. He was very patient too. He has great knowledge and passion for his country and it shone through.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book a few extra days in Havana. You do not get long enough there to enjoy this fabulous city. Don't bother with soap and pens etc for the locals. Just be ready to tip everyone!

Most Inspirational Moment

The Theatre of Epidaurus was the most interesting destination and you appreciate the calm and the shade much more having cycled to it from the coast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christiana put her heart and soul into the trip and ensured the group enjoyed the cycling, the history and the evening meals. The best moment was Christiana handing out large chunks of Halva at the top of the climb to Mycenae - truly food of the gods! Kristos and Giannis tirelessly provided all the unseen support that go to making the trip go without a hitch.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need to bear in mind that Greece is a hilly country and be ready to cycle up hills. Bring a camera - there are so many picture opportunities from the profusion of wild flowers, the archaeology and the fantastic scenery.

Most Inspirational Moment

All the cycling was fantastic with wild flowers everywhere and very little traffic. Great restaurants chosen by Christiana.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christiana was very competent and enthusiastic. She kept good control of the group, and with the help of her two assistants, catered for all our needs. Every hill climbed was rewarded with fruit or a local snack.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The cycling was not too difficult but do some training before you go. A gel saddle or your own might be more comfortable than those provided.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is hard to choose one experience from such a brilliant trip. There were a lot of amazing moments. The Ganges at both dawn and dusk, the elephants and the swim with the elephants, the sheer colour and smells and noise of the cities - all absolutely fantastic. But - The 'Diana bench' at the Taj Mahal at dawn was beyond anything that we ever anticipated - it was simply awe-inspiring! We were fortunate to be there during the festival of Holi. This was terrific fun, and it took about a week to get all the dye and paint off after being plastered from head to toe in coloured paints.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant! He was just great. Nothing was too much trouble and he made the whole trip appear effortless. Of course, he was working very hard behind the scenes but he just made everything happen. He didn't even loose anyone in the crowds of Delhi at night!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip - it is not a physically energetic trip, but it is great. We added a week of trekking in Nepal to get the legs moving after eating and drinking far too much in India.

Most Inspirational Moment

As with all good trips, there are so many. Dawn on Dune 45, visiting Dead Vlei - a personal ambition - the optional Cheetah safari at sunset (much better than the included Cheetah Conservation centre), the animals, seeing rhino at night, hearing lions roaring during the night, seeing "millions of zebras" and how they manage their time at the waterhole and not forgetting the mating lions..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ronney is right up there as one of the best guides I have ever travelled with. He works incredibly hard, takes great care of the clients, anticipates needs, is a great spotter, has a sense of humour and is a delight. Also, he makes sure that the locals are benefitting from the trip, by ensuring that absolutely nothing is wasted. He is a credit both to Exodus and Namibia.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. There are two laundry opportunities - in Swakop and in Etosha, plus some of the campsites offer handwashing facilities 2. The trip notes don´t mention that nearly every campsite has access to a swimming pool! 3. The local team don´t have DEET. Share yours with them and leave the leftovers behind. They are very grateful! 4. If, like me, you want to be sure of contact with home through the trip, you can buy a local mobile phone, SIM card and voucher at the airport - I paid 239 Namibian dollars for mine and donated it at the end of the trip 5. We had the opportunity to donate anything we didn´t want to take back at the end of the trip - do it. 6. You will get dirty. Dont take anything smart or find a way to pack it separately as everything will be covered in sand. 7. Consider the single supplement for the tent as it is a small space to share with someone you don´t know!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunrise from the top of Dune 45 and the rapid descent afterwards (straight down the side of the dune is the most fun way!). The wealth of animals on the trip - seeing our first desert elephant, our first gemsbok, our first zebra, giraffe, lion, rhino etc. We were also lucky enough to see meerkats and rock hyrax, as well as getting up close and personal with a horned viper!! This was balanced with the relaxed atmosphere of Swakopmund, which was a great contrast to the other elements of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ronney was truly outstanding and was the factor that turned a good trip into a very good one. His wealth of knowledge of his country, landscape and wildlife was truly impressive and his enthusiasm was always unwavering, even when he has been driving the safari truck for many hours! Ronney was ably supported on this trip by Hapi and Reuben, who both worked incredibly hard to ensure the camps were set up each night and that we were well-fed and watered at all times. We've never seen tents go up or come down so fast!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

When climbing Dune 45 - pace yourself - it is MUCH harder than it looks!! Travel with South African Rand as it is not always easy to get to bank on this trip to change money (and Rand and Namibian Dollars are interchangeable throughout the country). If possible try to take smaller denominations of Rand as some of the larger notes can be hard to change due to cheap prices in the country! Many of the campsites are in remote locations and although very well appointed, be prepared to share your shower with large insects (crickets, moths, locusts etc.) and lizards!

Most Inspirational Moment

Trinidad is a great place to see the old cars, history of Cuba and some of amazing architecture without as much of the tourism which is starting to creep into Havana. The people here were so friendly and the Casa was a great place to stay. We had some of our best meals here along with the best Daiquiri in the Floridita bar. A walk around the town at a leisurely pace is the best way to see the difference between the areas, walking through the poorer areas was safe and very interesting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Felix was so passionate about his country, he ensured we ate at the best places, persisted with the chance for us to see a cigar factory when the planned trip was unavailable. He told us the history of the country as we travelled around it, and made sure we kept our great driver Orlando, throughout the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack lightly as you don't stay anywhere more than 2 nights & will want to buy souvenirs to take home. Change your money at the airport as the first hotel didn't change Sterling and I had to borrow money until Felix took a couple of us to the bank in Vinales, this is easy once you get in but you do gave to queue, and there are not many of them until Havana. I spent money more in Havana than expected but about £250 will be enough for the trip, including buying some souvenirs.