Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I particularly liked cycling through the villages and seeing local village life.  The trip to Lion Rock and view from the top was great, the train ride was great fun, the day playing traditional games was great too.  To be honest nearly every day had an experience to remember.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rhosan is a great leader, who is enthusiastic,  knowledgeable and funny.  He also has a very calm manner and makes sure everything runs like clockwork so there was  no stress at all on the trip.  We were lucky enough to be on his 200th trip so had the benefit of a surprise party to celebrate.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ladies - take a mixture of t-shirts/blouses and vests especially for the first week when you are visiting temples. If you need to charge anything while you are away invest in a cheap Indian/Sri Lankan adaptor which I got from Amazon. I found the information available beforehand confusing and when we got there some hotel rooms had 3 different types of socket in the same room.  A cheap adaptor is worth its weight in gold.

Most Inspirational Moment

No one particular moment but enjoyed the cycling, even if half of it was in monsoon rain and the walks.  The sightseeing was also enjoyable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was enthusiastic and knowledgeable, didn't talk too much and was always able to answer any questions asked.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring lots of t-shirts because the pace is quite hectic at times and there isn't often time for laundry.

Most Inspirational Moment

We had a week when it snowed a lot so the most inspirational moment was the day we had sun and could finally get an idea of the beautiful mountain location all around. We were lucky enough to spot with Robert, the local ski guide, a herd of reindeer moving up the mountain, they were far away but still exciting!

Thoughts on Group Leader

There was no group leader on this trip, however, the hotel has two great ski guides who take out the hotel guests on cross country ski tours. Wenche and Robert are very nice and open to any questions someone may have, it was a pleasure spending time skiing with them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some fun days in the snow regardless of weather, even if it snows during the week the surroundings are magical.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk across the highest point on Madeira looking out over the clouds (plus new year fireworks across Funchal harbour).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic. Andre was very passionate and knowledegable about Maderia where he was born and lived for most of his life. He was very concious about our safety, wellbeing and enjoyment all the time, but brought humour into things on a regular basis.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is the lowest difficulty grade walking holiday i have done. The others have been atleast moderate/challenging.  Most walks are fairly flat (walking along the levadas) with only a few short steep sections. The days are also 1/2 day walks. This is fine if that is what you are expecting and is enough for you but if you have been on harder walking holidays before you may find the walking too easy. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the multi-coloured mountains of the High Atlas was breathtaking, especially when we came across herds of sheep and goats making their way to pasture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I thought Hassan was a great group leader, calm, experienced, authoritative, sociable and fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You really do need all those cold weather clothes if you are travelling in the winter.  Although Marrakesh is warm during the day, when the sun goes down it gets quite chilly - a fleece is really handy both for the mountains and the town.  The gite is really chilly in the evenings until the fire is turned on.

Most Inspirational Moment

The morning we left to continue on to Tanzania, I knew we would be coming back - to THAT camp and THOSE guides because they are the best and it's a joy to spend time with them in a very special part of Africa with magnificent wildlife and endless adventures.

Thoughts on Group Leader

If you have the hide of a rhinocerous, a sense of humour and can give as good as you get, then Paul should be first choice if you want to maximise your chances of having the trip of a lifetime with regard to photographic opportunities. 

Most Inspirational Moment

All of it!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex was extremely well informed, and was endlessly patient with a group that had varied attention spans and energy levels. He escorted us practically everywhere and made sure that we had the "Cuban" experience. Alex cycled with us and took the trouble to spend time individually with each member of the group, usually whilst cycling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, this is a holiday for people who are physically fit and can take the heat and humidity in Cuba. Don't expect much relaxation or independent time. Some people had opted to stay in Havana for a day or so either before or after the trip and I wish that I had done the same. Bring wet wipes for your hands because we ate sandwiches as a picnic on some days and there were not always hand washing facilities available. Cuban sanitation facilities available on the road are limited to say the least. Snack bars or other portable energy foods / gels brought from home are essential too as these are not available in Cuba. You can buy drinks, but snack food is extremely scarce.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was fantastic and Finland is absolutely beautiful.  There was just the right mix of activity and time to chill (in a very peaceful environment) and I came home feeling relaxed and reinvigorated.Getting to try such a wide range of activites in a short time was great and the staff are so enthusiastic that even those that I perhaps found less appealing on paper (snow shoeing!) turned out to be great fun! One of the most inspirational moments would have to be travelling through the silent, snowy wilderness on my husky dog sledge.Similarly, when you can stand back and look at the quinzee that you have built you get a real sense of achievement. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Teddy was the best exodus leader I have had so far (this was my 5th exodus trip) his enthusiasm for his country and the activities was contagious and his energy was boundless.  He got on well with the whole group - and we were a very mixed bunch!  Similarly, the rest of the staff at Oulanka basecamp were really friendly and helpful; nothing was ever too much trouble.  One of them even lent me her own boots when I had problems with the pair I had borrowed!

Advice for Potential Travellers

You really don't need to bring much more than a base layer for the daytime as warm kit is provided.  Although, I would recomend bringing your own hats, scarves and gloves.In the evenings it can get quite warm in the dining room with the log fire so bring T-shirts/layers - I only brought 'warm' clothes and nearly boiled alive a couple of nights! This isn't the cheapest of trips, but the optional activities/food are worth it so bring plenty of money (you can pay for most things by card at basecamp) 

Most Inspirational Moment

Snowshoe walking in the woods after dark, following the trail with head torches was a special feeling, but spending a day with an eight dog sled team was amazing... a sled with thirty two paw power can fly!

Thoughts on Group Leader

An excellent leader, charming and informative, he has excellent people skills and was obviously keen to ensure everyone was enjoying their holiday experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dont expect to lose weight... the food is too good!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The people are inspirational, so welcoming, resourseful patient and seemingly happy. The contrast between the cities and the countryside was astonishing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Being my first group holiday experience I did not know what to expect. Puncham our group leader was patient, funny, experienced and all I could have wished for. In hindsight he provided me with a great first insight into India, always on hand for advice about local customs, food, and all that I needed to know about the parts of Southern India that we visited. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for an amazing holiday full of colour, smells, noise and contrast. A wonderful introduction to Southern India.