Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were lots: Vinales plantation, Hummingbirds, Trinidad, Vintage car tour in Havana & live music in restaurants/bars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nelson was a great guide, he looked after the group really well and enjoyed sharing his wealth of knowledge with us. He encouraged us to ask questions and was fun to have around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I took only Euros with me and never needed to change any of them for Cuban Pesos. Euros & US Dollars are accepted everywhere. Only take notes as coins are not accepted. Notes must be in good condition, they will not be accepted if they are ripped or too worn. Take small notes as you may find it difficult to use notes of 50 + Euros & USD were valued the same, 1 Euro or 1 USD = 400 cuban pesos (on average). Water is readily available to buy. There are no public drinking fountains so no need for a filter water bottle unless you want to fill up from the tap in your room. Take tissues/toilet paper with you for your comfort stops. When you get small peso notes, keep them for tipping at toilets or have some 1 US dollars. Take some gifts for the locals with you. You will enjoy meeting people throughout the trip and it is lovely to leave them something that we have in abundance but is limited for them. I took paracetamol, ibuprofen, deodorant, sweets & chocolate. Ropa Vieja (shredded beef) was the best dish I came across. The mojitos are good but try Canchanchara which was a delight to drink.

Most Inspirational Moment

We loved the variety of walks which meant that we saw different landscapes & got to understand the history & culture of the island.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We arrived at the hotel at 9pm after the welcome meeting but Paulo had left us a note & his contact details so we knew where to meet the next day. The first thing he did was to introduce himself when we met the following morning & from there on in, he made sure that the group knew what to expect & made the whole trip relaxed & worry-free! Paulo was friendly, funny, knowledgeable & was always happy to help! On our last day the weather was horrible so we could not complete the sunrise walk but Paulo arranged for another walk lower down which was lovely & made a nice end to our holiday! He gets extra points for endulging us in our hobby of geocaching, allowing stops so we could search without affecting the rest of the group!

Advice for Potential Travellers

There were quite a few undulating walks with lots of steps so concentrate on strenghtening knee & hips before you travel to make it easier on your joints or take poles.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the narrow Siq and catching the first glimpse of the Petra Treasury is a moment that stops you in your tracks. The way it emerges from the canyon walls, bathed in morning light, feels almost cinematic, like stepping straight into history.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was truly exceptional. His deep knowledge of history brought every site to life, from the stories behind Petra’s carvings to the secrets of Wadi Rum’s desert landscapes. Beyond that, his sense of humour kept the group laughing through long days of cycling and exploring, making every moment more fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your time, soak it all in, and don’t rush. Petra in the morning is unforgettable, Wadi Rum under the stars is pure magic, and Aqaba is the perfect place to relax and reset. Bring a water bottle, pack light, and just enjoy every moment.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk that changed me was Monte Tre Calli. Although everyone talks about the Path of the Gods (and wow yes, it is absolutely beautiful, and Vesuvius the day before was unforgettable) Monte Tre Calli was something on an entirely different level. The woodsy trails, the open ridges, the view at the top, the silence, the wind, the sense of being held by nature for six straight hours. That mountain felt beyond words. It was transformative. It felt like being connected to everything around me and to something inside myself that I had not met before. I will carry that day with me for the rest of my life. These were the kinds of views and feelings that shift your perspective permanently.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Veriano was exceptional. He meshed so naturally with every personality in our group and handled the entire week with calm strength and humour, even after a challenging start with a person early in the trip. His deadpan comments were perfectly timed and became a highlight for many of us. When I slipped and landed on my butt, I said I was fine, and he responded with a straight face, “If you wanted to sit down, you could have just told me.” It broke any embarrassment and kept the momentum of the day going. That moment sums up his energy: supportive, present, knowledgeable and patient. It honestly felt like travelling with a close friend who also effortlessly guided us through every trail without it ever seeming to affect him. His passion for the region and the care he had for our group made the trip unforgettable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is a real Level 3 and preparation is important. It is beautiful and rewarding, but physically demanding if your body isn’t used to this type of terrain. Train your legs for descending stairs, not just climbing them. I prepped using the stair master every day, but I didn’t realize how much of the trip would challenge the muscles you use going down. Strengthening those beforehand makes a world of difference. Bring poles, drink water and most importantly, stop and take in the views. It is not just optional; it is essential, for your body, your mind and your soul. There is nothing like these landscapes and it is worth slowing down to truly absorb them. Trust your guide, trust your gut and embrace every moment. If you are lucky enough to have Veriano as your tour leader, you are in very good hands.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most memorable moment on this trip of a lifetime was hearing the lions roar as we sat around our campfire as night fell on the Serengti, hearing them as we went to sleep in our tents and having them be our wake up call in the morning. We saw many lions including cubs, hunting pride and a pair mating.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have been on three Exodus adventures….. walking Italy’s Amalfi coast, cycling across Vietnam and now, the Kenya & Tanzania safari. The guides and support team have always been exceptional. But Raymond aka “Dolly” and his entire team: Edu, “C.V.” and Gordon took it to a whole new level! The team worked tirelessly to keep us safe and well looked after. Dolly’s passion for his work shone through. His knowledge of the land, people, places and wildlife was outstanding. Ditto for his people and group management skills. Oh….. and his sense of humour! Our cook, Edu, worked magic every day! Which was outstanding, given we were on the road without the benefits of a fully equipped and modern kitchen. I am a fussy eater but I enjoyed all our meals which were created in short order after camp was established. I asked him the meaning behind his “healthy chef”t-shirt and was surprised to learn he was also a registered nurse, with a skill set that he never had to use on our trip. It explained his never-ending reminders to “wash your hands.” He was also kept busy with grocery shopping, ordering fresh fish here, fresh fruits and veggies there. Our driver and mechanic who we affectionately nicknamed C.V., negotiated crazy busy city streets and the dusty, washboard, bumpy, narrow bush tracks with exceptional skill. Keep in mind he was driving a 15 ton overlander truck! He was constantly performing maintenance on the go to keep the truck working efficiently. Quiet but friendly and super-attentive-to-our-needs Gordon completed the team, always right there to lend us a helping hand, working tirelessly behind the scenes. Despite their primary roles, the entire team pitched in to set up tents, prepare food, wash and dry dishes, getting up in the wee small hours of the morning and working on as we were fast asleep in our tents. Thank you, thank you, thank you for making this the trip of a lifetime!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for very long, very bumpy, very dusty days. But it is so worth it!

Most Inspirational Moment

We did an impromptu visit to a local school - which was fabulous. The cycling was amazing

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rahim and his deputy Dipan were fabulous. We felt very safe in their company even in the busier towns.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it

Most Inspirational Moment

The Taj Mahal was pretty special, Delhi was amazing, and the camel cart ride great fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jitan was a great facilitator and leader. From our first meeting he was friendly but professional. He tried to meet everyone’s needs and to ensure everyone had the best trip - he succeeded.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long bus travel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group was privileged to have Amer with us. Amer is a skilled storyteller and a encyclopedia of knowledge. His history lessons were detailed and he pushed us to rethink what we, as Westerners, have been taught about the Middle East. He encouraged us to ask questions and didn’t shy away from providing honest answers. Beyond his knowledge of history, Amer has a deep love for his country. He is proud to be Jordanian and that passion radiates in every conversation, in every place we visited, in all the lessons he gave us. I count myself very fortunate to have experienced Jordan through Amer’s eyes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I have never felt safer traveling than I have in Jordan. I walked the busy streets of Amman’s downtown at 11:30 pm alone and wasn’t looking over my shoulder or holding on to my bag too tightly, as I do in many North American cities. I left my bag with phone and wallet on lounge chairs as I swam in the Red Sea and the Dead Sea with no reservation.

Most Inspirational Moment

the things I enjoyed most were the walks I had come to do, especially enjoyed Puig Campana and Fat Man's Agony way up onto Aitana.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was a very knowledgeable and informative leader, having grown up and live in a nearby valley. He sensibly tailored the walks to the group ability and on the hotter days. I was happy where needed to slow down, admire the landscape and take yet more photo's.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My trip was end of October and apart from the day we arrived, sunny and at times hot for some, therefore be prepared for 6-8hours of walking in the heat. The rocks coming down most paths though dry were often skiddy and easy to slip down on, which I even did despite having new grippy boots and poles. I found the walks on the easier side of challenging, shorter than I was used to, equivalent sort of climbs to what I do in the English Lakes with less exposure due to the bushes/ scrub (only short exposures was on the last two days with a steep rocky slope section with good zig zag path and a step across with a chain, then 2-3 move simple rock scramble/ climb with a chain; there are others but are optional/ extras to the walks) and I found the heat much less sweaty for the equivalent English heat, though was the youngest in my 50's and others may have struggled at times on parts of the walks. The route's may be adjusted therefore accept the advice Jose gives as he knows the area. Autumnal colours only seen really on the last 2 days higher up, most trees look evergreen to me. It is worth doing the optional day trip to the coast, I enjoyed both places and the coastal walk to a viewpoint over Benidorm with large butterflies, though didn't have time to do all I wanted. Jose set up a WhatsApp group for photo sharing. It is a worth doing the optional first afternoon self-guided walk to scenic Guadalest; I didn't mind when we went a bit further down and therefore had a longer road walk; it is a very good introduction to the area. 8 people is the optimum number for this trip as that is the capacity of their mini-bus; if more book they have to book another vehicle which can limit options. The people in our group were mostly in their 60's I think. The pension we stayed at I liked, nice location for sunrise and sunset, closer to the road than I had expected though didn't bother me, though is on the simpler more basic side; expect some things not to work as well or have to collect a replacement toilet roll from the corridor for example, the shutters I gave up on closing too fiddly when tired so bring a sleep mask, be careful in the tiny bath/ shower as the shower curtains suddenly fell down on me while washing my hair which was rather surprising, and don't look under your bed until the end of the trip (it was rather dusty). There was plenty to eat/ snack on; vegetarians may want to check there is no meat, there were some occasions when this was queried both in the pension and at the day off restaurant. Kettle and hot drink things in the small lounge downstairs. I didn't need to touch the small supplies I brought with me in case. I did drink some spring water the last day, but then had a mild stomach upset once home. Overall an area well worth a visit and hope Exodus keep doing this one.

Most Inspirational Moment

Moments- Driving through the Andes, Exploring Cusco, Seeing the condors at Colca Canyon, interesting and photographic Santa Catalina Convent in Arequipa.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Giscard was brilliant- not just a group leader but a teacher, a listener, an expert in cookery & altitude walking, a father figure and like a brother. He quietely looked after us all individually.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines will be on everyones 'Must See' list and didn't disappoint but there's so much more to see. Layer up with clothing. If you have a decent camera, take it, with the appropriate lenses, for city but especially wildlife shots.