Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking  out  of  the  Siq  in Petra  atnight  by  candlelight ; waking up in the  desert ; the  amazing  fish in the  Red sea and bagpipe players in the  ampitheatre in Jerash!

Thoughts on Group Leader

What  a great guy, knowledgable , tolerant  of  children , would arrange  anything ,he took us to Petra at  night and organised  our  boat trip and our trip to Jerash when  the gladiator  show  was on.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a  sleeping  bag  to the  desert ,take  a fleece  and  sunblock  and   go  because  it  was  well worth it.The  Dead  sea  is  just  a strange  experience  .

Suggestions

My  son  who is  13  really  enjoyed  it  ; he  rode  a  horse  a  donkey  and a  camel in 2  days .

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra at night

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very interesting and well organised man

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wet wipes are important

Suggestions

Water is always important

Most Inspirational Moment

The old cave temple paintings and sculptures were stunning, the rafting was so peaceful, the lovely hotel at Sigiryi, the baby elephants crossing the river, the leopard crossing the road (!), shopping with the locals for sarongs and saris in Bandarawela, the food and the wonderful tea? No for me it was sitting in the doorway on that crazy train ride with our legs out watching the amazing countryside go by… worth the wait for sure!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was fantastic - he kept us all amused with his infectious giggle and little sayings, he looked after us well. He is very knowledgable and his passion for his country shines through, he obviously loves his job.He coped with a very mixed group so well and also commended us for looking after each other which was rather touching.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep a stock of good mosquito repellent and some antihistamines for the last third of the trip.Mind the rocks in the sea at the beach hotel, I am still suffering from cuts on feet, sustained swimming in waist-deep water - ouch! Don’t let that put you off the sea is otherwise wonderful…Even if you don't usually keep a diary make a few notes each evening, it will help sort out the photos and some parts fly past so fast you'll need a personal reminder of what you did each day.Go with an open mind and be as lucky with the weather as we were!Do try the cocktails - you're on holiday after all!

Suggestions

Back just a week and we are already planning our reunion party!Looking forward to the next Exodus holiday...

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many , but sitting alone on the beach at the bay of pigs with a crystal beer watching the sun go down was special

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was a star, his enthusiasm was infectious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

dont miss Cuba

Suggestions

Viva Cuba Libre

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Everest for the first timeThe khumbu ice fall - stunningly gorgeousspending 2 nights on Everest base campMeeting some of the climbing sherpas, and others who have summited Everest

Thoughts on Group Leader

Valerie Parkinson is a delight to trek with. Her knowledge of the local area, it's people and her personal experiences are unparalleled.......

Advice for Potential Travellers

A warm sleeping bag - minimum 4 seasonA few of your favourite snacks tucked away in your kit bag

Suggestions

Just do it...............

Most Inspirational Moment

Many highlights - some that spring to mind were:Walking the walls of DubrovnikView from the top of the "mountain" on the island of MiljetThe seafood platter at Mali Ston on the peninsulaKorcula old town from the boat

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great - entertaining and knowledgeable, and the right level of laidback and organised!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go on the day trip to Mostar, its well worth it. I'd read some previous reviews that said it wasn't - but decided that I definitely wanted to go just to get the extra stamp in the passport! However, although it was about a 2 and a half hour drive each way, Mostar is great, the views on the way are beautiful and the countryside is really interesting. We stopped at different places in both directions and it was really great to see how different Bosnia and the interior of Croatia are from the coast and the islands.Other advice is to take some warm clothes - in April most of our group misjudged the temperature, especially in the evenings!

Suggestions

Great trip, thoroughly recommend!

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra is definitely the highlight and this trip gets it right allowing you to spend 2 full days there. You have to go and experience the place as no written words can capture the beauty and history of the place. Camping and camel riding in Wadi Rum were also v special

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader (Khaled ?) was the one who made the trip very special with his combination of knowledge and enthusiasm for his country. He was very patient with what was a large group and everything went smoothly in a packed week thanks to him. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in March be prepared for colder weather as most of us did not take enough warm clothes

Suggestions

I had a great time with a really good group of people from all over the world, thank you.Although I would have liked to have spent more time in the desert I appreciate it's difficult to spend the right amount of time in each part over a week ! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra was as amazing as everyone says. We loved seeing all the stalls and the camels and donkeys, giving a flavour of what it must have been like when Petra was a trading place. Reading a newspaper in the Dead Sea. Wadi Rum, including the camel ride on the first afternoon. Snorkling at Aqaba just a short distance from the shore, seeing the public beach and then seeing a man ride his camel down the pavement. The church at Madaba.

Thoughts on Group Leader

It may be that our group leader was not properly briefed. He didn't seem to know what was expected of him and didn't know that according to the trip notes we should have had a lesson is bread making and a morning camel ride. (Fortunately we had the opportunity the afternoon before). He did know a lot about the country though and gave some good insights.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Talk to your guide abouth the Jordanian view of society and acceptable behaviour (particulary of women). We found it added very much to our holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the buzz of getting to the beach on the last day with everybody completing a very enjoyable trip without any major mishap and feeling that we had accomplished some great riding over some really challenging terrain. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

A+. Gold Star.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get a reasonable level of fitness and offroad ability before you go. Just riding footpaths or fireroads back home may not be enough. You will enjoy the rides that bit more if you have some confidence in the corners and on very rocky surfaces. Get a rush by letting yourself go, but in as controlled way as possible, as nasty spills are possible. Learn how to fix your own punctures if you dont know already!!

Suggestions

Research your flight options, but otherwise I think the trip offers great value for money and riding that cant be found in the UK. Cycling is a great way of seeing a country and avoiding the usual tourist traps, this trip certainly demonstrates that. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The raw beauty of the last long hike - with a swim in a freezing blue mountain lake- .... unforgettable!Tea with one of the villagers, after visiting the school and walking around the village.A Hamam visitn Marrakech; we ended up in a very normal one, not meant for tourists. Once we overcame our inhibitions, we had a great relaxing time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

excellent. A Berber himself, he has inside knowledge of these mountains and the culture.He set a good pace, and was always friendly and pleasant company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

the temperature drops quickly in the evening. You might appreciate having a pair of warm non-walking socks.

Suggestions

It is a shame the flight and transfer were so late. We were rather shattered the next day. Some of us had to change rooms in the Marrakech hotel, as the air conditioning was not working.