Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

My highlights included an early morning walk around Madurai as it woke up and a morning jungle nature walk around Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Bijou was outstanding.He went out of his way to look after an elderly member of the group with limited mobility, whilst ensuring the rest of the group received all the attention they required. This included arranging for my wife who had a chest infection to see a doctor. He also was extremely well organised in arranging luggage being delivered to and collected from rooms. He was good at providing insights and perspectives on his coutry and the lives and culture of the locals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Our tour include an 84 year old with limited mobility (she was assisted in a wheelchair through airports on the journeys to and from India). This is far from ideal on a fairly leisurely tour that is still an adventure tour and requires reasonable mobility. It is a group tour so cooperation and flexibility is often required to fit in. You should be prepared for slow service in restaurants (one member of our tour struggled to accept this at least once)! Also accommodation is ok, but especially at the Homestay and Boat, it is pretty basic.

Most Inspirational Moment

"Halong Bay cruise Angkor Wat and the temples and enjoying the local food"

Thoughts on Group Leader

"They both worked very hard and ensured the trip worked for everyone in the group. Everyone in the group was very impressed and praised them at the farewell dinners."

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many there was no downsides to the trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Make this man in charge of all your trips he is the best guide I have ever had

Most Inspirational Moment

"The day of the dead cemetery visits ~ outstanding and both so very different. The Mexican people. Nothing but hospitable and friendly. Our driver Adolfo and guide Marcos. "

Thoughts on Group Leader

"Very knowledgeable about the sites we visited - lots of anecdotes and local knowledge about the families we visited "

Most Inspirational Moment

Varanasi; seeing the devotees on the ghats alongside the Ganges was fascinating and moving. We were particularly lucky because our guide, Jatin, took us to view the evening Aarti ceremony from the river, which was not part of the advertised itinerary.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jatin was excellent. Always willing to accommodate the group, quick to respond to unexpected situations and a calm hand on the tiller throughout. He was knowledgeable about the sites we visited, warm in his interactions and reassuringly professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We would highly recommend the trekking extension. The suggestion that it is suitable for weekend walkers might be a little misleading as the trails consist of steep, long climbs and ascents on rough stone steps. That said, the distances are relatively short and the pace gentle. The experience of seeing the mountains and experiencing something of village life more than made up for the effort required, and the teahouses were great fun. Do it if you can. On the other hand, it's difficult to recommend the Everest flight. I was hoping for epic views and photographs and took a wide lens to take on the hoped-for immensity of the Himalayas. In the event, the flight path was distant from the mountains and I was glad of a long lens to make them look closer. Even then, the windows were small, dirty and misty and the shots I took were disappointing. I do appreciate that some find the experience a highlight, but for me, the trek gave a much better sense of the Himalayas. We found a trip to the Monkey Temple later in the day to be far more worthwhile and considerably less expensive.

Most Inspirational Moment

The numerous Jaguar sightings and the overall experience of being in the Pantanal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As I’ve said many times before, Paul is a force of nature and goes above and beyond to ensure clients get the best possible experience and sightings.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gosh, there are so many inspirational moments!! I think connecting with the natural world -whether that be through seeing the vast range of animals and birds in their own habitats (including an incredible moment of seeing a herd of elephants at a water hole in Etosha NP), and the vastness of the landscape which was so varied across the countries. I particularly loved going to the Namib Desert and climbing Dune 45! That was incredible! Also, the camping in the Okavango Delta - was a little hair raising and had its adrenaline moments with lions and elephants in the middle of the night - but I wouldn't have changed it for the world! The camp crew here were absolutely fantastic and I highly recommend that Exodus use these guides again.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam - Omumborombonga Samoras - was absolutely brilliant! One of the best tour leader's I have met. He was absolutely on the ball and his knowledge of his country, Botswana, of the animals, plants and birds, was excellent. He kept us on track yet was also flexible to stopping and taking breaks when the group needed to. It was evident that Sam was super-experienced, and his great sense of humour kept us entertained. Michael was our driver, and again, was awesome to have on our trip with his brilliant sense of humour, his helpfulness, and his very safe driving.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't think twice about this trip - book it! You will not be disappointed! Take mozzie spray. You will need it. Be prepared for long coach journey's and very bumpy roads - but this is all part of the adventure.

Most Inspirational Moment

Great guides and like minded fun trip companions.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too hard to pinpoint a single moment. Climbing Lion Rock at Sigiriya, the ascent to Nuwara Eliya, visiting Yala National Park, swimming in the warm Indian Ocean, having a cooking demonstration in a family home followed by delicious meal cooked in banana leaves...it was all good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Could there ever be a better group leader then Suresh? He said at the beginning that we just needed to enjoy ourselves and to leave everything else up to him. True to his word, we barely had to think. He organised everything and any additional request or service, big or small, was no hardship at all. Always available, friendly and funny and always having everything under control to ensure we had a great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it! The cycling was rated moderate and there were a couple of very hard uphill days, however, although I had done next to no training due to illness, I opted for an e-bike and everything was doable with the option of an air-conditioned mini-bus always available!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many highlights but for me it was the variety of the walks as well as the chance to visit Seville.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michael (Miguel) was excellent. He has a passion for the natural environment and was able to provide lots of knowledge of the flora and fauna of the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although not on the itinerary, the walk on the Thursday of the week finished at lunchtime so for those interested, our guide organised for some of the group to visit Ronda.