Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I'm not going to go for the obvious and say meeting the mountain gorillas for the first time - it was seeing a lone cheetah up close in the wild just lying in the sun completely unperturbed by us all, then putting on a show for us as she rolled around stretching and yawning. Completely natural and uninhibited behaviour but a total joy to behold, with all of us completely bewitched.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Often was a very good leader indeed, and he was brilliantly backed up by his team of Benard the cook and Patson the driver. All 3 worked very well together and had us all entertained and in good humour for most of the trip, which made a great holiday even better. Often was always kind and curteous to us and handled any potentially difficult situations that arose within the group with tact and charm. He also showed that he is very knowledgeable about the wildlife whilst we were on safari in the truck, as he was inside with us being the spotter and guide. His evident pride in his country shone through and was a great inspiration to us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to book the Nairobi to Kigali itinerary rather than in the reverse order. This way you start off with camping and finish off with reasonable hotels, which all in our group said they preferred. You also get to finish on a high with the mountain gorillas and are "hardened up" a bit by then for the trek up the volcano to find them. Just as importantly you don't start the holiday with a trip to the Rwanda Genocide Museum in Kigali. I fully understand and agree that Exodus have included it in the itinerary as it really raises your awareness of the human tragedy that occurred, but I just feel relieved that I made the visit to the museum at the end of the holiday to bring you back down to Planet Earth and not at the beginning, which may have kicked the holiday off on a bit of a downer, but this is just a personal feeling. Either way its going to be an unforgettable holiday. If you are into photography, take your longest lens with you. I had a 70-400mm zoom which was ideal apart from phographing the gorillas, where my smaller and much lighter 70-300 mm zoom was just about right. Read the Trip Notes and Last Minute Information carefully - the bit about taking a day pack with you is important. You will need to pack clothes and toiletries for 2 days into it as you will be leaving your kit bag in the truck when you go to the Masai Mara, as you travel there and back in the smaller 6/7 person jeeps which you also use for the safaris. You will also need to take your camera bag with you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Most of it was inspiring but I suppose I would have to choose the free afternoon in Petra when our guide took those that wanted to, for a hike round the back well away from the usual tourist route. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

We couldn't have wished for a better leader,  Zuhair was able to explain things with interest and humour. He and his team organised everything to perfection and went out of his way to give us the best time ever, he even entertained us with many stories eventhough one or two of them ended with a dodgy moral.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't go if all you want is a cycling holiday. Some of the experts found fault with the equipment but we were perfectly happy, the bicycles were better than those we have at home. September in Wadi Rum, we really didn't need the sleeping bags, a liner would have done as the blankets were the thickest I've ever seen. Some of the group slept round the fire with the locals.

Most Inspirational Moment

After three days of solid trekking, and a LOT of uphill, we finally breached over the mountaintop and through the 'Sun Gate' looking down over Machu Piccu. The sun was shining brightly on the ruin; lighting them up as if it was still a bustling Inca town. The scene was wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader/guide was phenomenal. An intelligent guy with a wonderful sense of humour and fluent in English. He joined in with all our activities (including a rather messy trip to a bar in Cuzco on our last night), taught us about the Incas, answered all our questions, and took care of us when we needed him. Top guy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate the fitness required to do this trip. While the trek is short, it can be very strenuous at times, as the Inca Trail has a LOT of steep and high steps that you must traverse. Furthermore, at one point you will ascend to 4,200 metres, so be careful of Acute Mountain Sickness.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking along the cliffs in the beautiful nature reserve with the sparkling sea below.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A delightful person but perhaps a little opaque at times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Recommended but check to see if Exodus have improved the programme and found the money to hire a coach.

Most Inspirational Moment

Finishing the walks in one piece. Views from the top of tuila.Great beaches, esp cala luna at the end of a tough walk.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rudi was exceptional, planned everything down to the last detail. He made the experience very enjoyable

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are aware of the terrain and potential difficulty of the walks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Mount Robson without clouds on its peak!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - we had to spend 31 hours on the boat fromBella Coola to Port Hardy instead of the expected 11. Michel sorted out our hotels etc very quickly cancelling our hotel in Port Hardy and booking us into another hotel in Parkville. He made a point of consulting us as to what the group wished to do - either spend two nights in Tofino or one night in Tofino and one night in Victoris.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the sun rise at Gilman's point was breath-taking - a welcome relief from the trek up to the summit in the dark and cold. The final hike to Uhuru peak was surpisingly straightforward and the photos at the true summit were amazing - and have no formed the basis of out wedding thank-you cards!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was very experienced. Some of the rules and advice for high altitude trekking may seem counter-intuitive but the leaders explained the kit, clothing and techniques simply and effectively. They all had a great sense of humour and motivated us throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice for potential travellers -  1) make sure you are fit! There were marathon runners and tri-athletes in our group - we all found the final summit hard to reach but it was a real team effort to get there.2) Try to keep your water bottles warm during the summit ascent - trying to drink semi-frozen water is a horrible experience when you have to stay hydrated3)  If reaching the summit is your goal do everything you can to maximise the acclimatisation. Arrive a few days early and walk around the local area which will be at more altitude than you are used to.4) Don't forget the suntan lotion on the summit ascent (like I did). Sun at 6000M will burn your face to a crisp - I had chapped lips for days after5) Get a comfortable 35 litre day sack (eg Osprey)

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery is stunning and seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time  took my breath away and put a huge smile on my face.  All of the  scenery up until Grand Canyon had been amazing and I was concerned that the big one would be a damp squib after Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, etc etc but it wasn't : )Sunset, Moonlit and Sunrise walks were FAB FAB FAB

Thoughts on Group Leader

Charles Knowlton and Ryan McCarty were not only competent and well organised they were great fun and such great guys (dudes).  Across San Francisco to the wilds of the desert then to Vegas they were enthusiastic, knowledgable and incredibly patient throughout. They added humour in our visit to the ET Highway and Rachel - hats at the Grand Canyon, enchantment in the moonlit walk in Canyonlands and entertainment at the campfires ....... As a company you should be proud to have such great people working for you - look after them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get your head around the participative camping and think whether it is for you...  I felt it enabled us to eat some great food and gelled the group (who were all such great folk too). Tte coffee needs to go on, food needs to be cooked and this is before/after busy and long days.  The group I travelled with embraced it and everyone worked together and it resulted in great meals - ably supervised by Charles (making sure we weren't all cooking pasta), shared chores and real communual spirit.The desert is HOT HOT HOT ..... was great to get up early to walk before the midday sun (and I'm not an early bird)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring trekking poles: while the trip notes listed them as "optional," I was very glad I'd brought mine, and used them every day.  Both strict vegetarians and die-hard carnivores would do well to bring along some extra nibbles-- for, while we were served relatively little meat, the village cooks tended to be skilled at making a little go a long way (and so the same bits and bobs tended to show up in a variety of dishes).   

Most Inspirational Moment

To me meeting the Bears in the WSPA sanctuary was incredibly emotional as a supporter of the charity this part of the trip was very special to me and having the oppotunity to see 7 Bears in the wild including 3 cubs was outstanding and a moment i will never forget!!! Nature is always a source of inspriation to me where ever i go and Romania was no different.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin the guide is very knowledgeable, polite and truly passionate about Romania and its incredible wildlife, with good reason. He must be so proud to show people his country and all it has to offer. I learnt a lot from him during my time there and he was able to answer all my questions. Thank You Cosmin :) I would like to mention Katarina & Herman who run the guest house also, what remarkable people thank goodness there are people out there who care so much about the natural world, and who do all they can to protect it. Well Done and what a beautiful, well run guest house.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As a huge animal lover i find it hard to understand anyone who doesnt like Dogs but if you have a fear of dogs be warned there are dogs everywhere!!  although all the dogs are all very very friendly, well looked after and love to be in your company, i enjoyed this. I went at the begining of September and the weather was hot and sunny - Take sun cream.