Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Each day was different and difficult to choose any particular highlight. The optional glacier walk was well worth doing and very good value; pancakes in a mountain hut at 2,000 feet, spectacular waterfalls alongside the footpaths......  The journey to the centre involved a 2 hour ferry so you even experience the feel of a fjord cruise.

Thoughts on Group Leader

THe group leader was really good. He worked hard as the guest house host, guided us on spectacular walks after driving us up steep winding roads, talked about Norwegian culture and ensured we were all sent safely on our way back home. His staff were really great, and he and his wife ensured a very pleasant stay.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will have plenty of photo-opportunities, so don't forget your camera! Take sufficient money for a meal in Bergen and any going home gifts, and for drinks with your evening meal. Not much else to pay for, other than the optional glacier trip (and you can pay by card anyway).

Suggestions

Enjoy it and relax. The walks are at a relaxed pace and not too demanding, but can be modified according to the group abilities. This has whetted my appetite to return to Norway.

Most Inspirational Moment

Although the trip notes advise that you may not see anything you always hope that your trip will be the exception. I think on this occasion it was - we were lucky to see several wild orangutans as well as those in the sanctuary. We also saw gibbons, macques, red and silver leaf monkeys. Not to mention a range of insects, bugs, birds, civet cats, pygmy elephants and so much more. A memorable moment was when we watched a mother orangutan watching over her young as it explored how to travel through the trees. She would let it go ahead and when it was stuck she would come in and help by swaying the trees so it could reach into the next branch.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Zahari, was just brilliant. He worked so hard to ensure that each and everyone of us in the group had an amazing experience. He was knowledgable about his country and the wildlife. He obviously got a lot of joy out of seeing the wildlife too even though he has been there many times before. Our trip would not have been as special without Zahari's energy, guidance and support. Thank you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Leech socks - a must even in the dry season (can be brought there through the guide)Waterproof/poncho - it helps to keep bag/camera dry as well as yourselfBe prepared to get very hot and sweaty - have good walking shoes as trekking through the rainforest is uneven.The first half of the trip is quite strenous but be prepared to give everything a go.Optional trips, camera fees, street/restaurant food, souvenirs, drinking etc cost me about £360.00 for the 20 days.

Suggestions

It really was an amazing experience - you can not guarantee what you will see BUT even the smallest bug creates excitement when seen in its natural habitat (and donating blood to a leech is part of the souvenir process)!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing wild elephants with their babies in the Yala National Park.The white water rafting was lots of fun. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was fantastic.  A great person, professional, knowledgeable, well organised and able to pace each day and the tour overall. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The optional activities -  elephant riding, white water rafting and small boat trip - are really worth doing. Small gifts such as pencils and pens for children you meet as part of the tour are really well received.Take lots of Deet based insect repellant (didn't get bitten once), especially for the boat trip. Sun cream is important - you can burn easily and we saw several lobsters around the hotel pools.  Folding umbrellas are much better than rain jackets.  Power points in hotels are of varying types but a universal adapter plus a power board does the trick.There's some very good shopping for casual winter recreation clothes such as gortex jackets, hiking pants, fleecy tops etc in Nurawa Eliya.If you are looking to unwind for a day or two after the trip in Colombo I'd recommend the CASA Colombo Hotel. 

Suggestions

This was our first trip with Exodus and we would certainly travel again with them.

Most Inspirational Moment

The jungle.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable, imformative and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do this trip.

Suggestions

I loved every bit of it but it's too short.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not just one moment, but seeing real Cuban life as we cycled along was fascinating.  Trips to a salsa club in Trinidad were fun too, great music and Mojitos.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Freddie was the icing on the cake.  Have already said how knowledgeable he was, also nothing was ever too much trouble - we asked him endless questions  but he was always happy to share what he knew about his country, often offering fascinating personal insights.  He also had a great sense of humour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take padded cycling shorts and maybe a gel saddle cover.  We used over a bottle of DEET too (in August) but didn't get bitten.

Suggestions

Just do it!  It may seem a long way for 8 days, but it was so worth it. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Angkor is the top of the trip, visit of King palace in Phnom Penh the worse (have to run...).And around that, few details interesting (visit of workshop for example) but nothing amazing (landscape quite flat, no elephant...)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Do the job but in emergency case, could be better. However pleasant and smiling behaviour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As we've been lucky with the rain, hope the same for you! We were in restaurant during a storm and it's scared...Take care of "friendly" citizen, it's always to have money. Never follow anyone without check his identity with the group leader for example. I've "lost" 2000$ with that mistake!Deal the price of Tuk Tuk ride at first, don't wait the arrival.From Saigon, two differents airports : one for international flights and another for domestic flights (for example if you have a transfer via Hanoi).

Suggestions

Visit Bangkok city

Most Inspirational Moment

A balmy evening spent in a restaurant terrace overlooking Mostar bridge eating exquisite seafood.A swim in a beautiful lake after a tough nine hour hike.A walk around Dubrovnik's city walls in the early morning before the crowds arrive.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Samer is an inspirational and informative guide with an encyclopaedic knowledge of Bosnia having lived through the recent troubles as a young boy. His optimism for the future and his love of the country is infectious. He is the perfect guide, offering encouragment when the climb seems a bit steep and ensuring all clients stay within their comfor zones.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

August can be (and was for us) very hot - take a good sunhat and plenty of sunscreen and drink lots of water.Enjoy the beers at the end of the day.Be prepared for some quite long minibus transfers between locations. 

Suggestions

I visited beautiful Montenegro in February and intend to explore this whole region much more in the next couple of years.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many high points but the views have to count among the most memorable parts of the holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was excellent; both friendly and approachable.  Nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bear in mind that August on the Amalfi coast is very, very hot and that the walking is therefore quite draining.  You will need lots and lots of water and lots and lots of suncream and a very good hat.... 

Suggestions

Ravello, in my opinion, should be included in the itinerary as it's too good to miss.   Everyone I have spoken to rates Herculaneum above Pompeii so I think it would be worth going to the former instead, there isn't time to do it all...There are lots of 'little extras' so take plenty of money.  The buses in August are packed, which is an understatement, so if you want to arrange private transport into, say, Amalfi, it'll cost you dear.   

Most Inspirational Moment

Without a doubt the most inspirational moment was seeing the gorillas. Nothing quite preapres you for the first flash of silverback that you see and the subsequent family of gorillas that you get to spend time with. I cannot stress enough how quickly the time goes, we blinked and they said we had 8 minutes left. Take photos but make sure you give yourself some time to simply enjoy this utterly mindblowing experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ahhhh there are simple not enough superlatives for Often.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't go on this if you are not into animals, I didn't fully engage with the trip notes so was a little surprised by the number of game drives ( my group will smile at this)!Do not take Mastercard!! If you need cash or in fact anything in Rwanda only visa debit will suffice.Avoid the orphanage/ old women morning and stay chilling at the lake was an uncomfortable waste of timeIn terms of cash to pay for extras really you'll just be buying drinks, snacks and souveniers I took $500 and was fineBring a headtorchThey have these foam mattresses to sleep on, I invested in a self inflating jobbie and it was a waste of moneyDownload a white noise app in case of noisy neighbours, amazing!Bring a travel pillow for the bus it was invaluableThere is a really mixed bag of accommodation you are in a little tent for six nights and wasn't as heinous and I thought it would be for those fellow non- campers out there.

Suggestions

Not entirely sure what else to add other than this was 2 unforgettable weeks. It is making me sad writing about it all as a mere memory now as know that unique time in those amazing places won't be relived. It was a once in a lifetime trip beautifully organised and lead that simply left you wanting more ( although think I might give game drives a rest, for a bit!)  

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved the La Nova refuge in France, even bought the T-shirt!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leaders we had for the 2 weeks were excellent at managing the group and our different speeds of walking and interests.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In general accomodation was OK, with some more OK than others! Enjoy the breakfasts at the Hotel Astoria and leave plenty of room for the myrtille tarte!