Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Realising we were kayaking in Halong Bay, and following waterways on sampans. Managing to climb over a monkey bridge ( slowly!) being watched by a 5 year old Vietnamese girl who was wondering what we were fussing over! Standing in a bus stop sheltering from the rain in Ho Chi Minh City- 10 minute rain shower, avoiding motorbikes on the pavement - unique !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bao was excellent he did everything he could for the group nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book now! Seriously though it was well worth it. I would go back again tomorrow ( and my daughter wants to live there now...) and recommend it to anybody. The journey can be tiring at times, but you get to see all of Vietnam pretty much. Take a day pack that is big enough for overnight stays ( halong bay and mekong delta) and a waterproof camera of some sort. Western food is available practically everywhere ( bar the mekong delta) if you have fussy eater, but even some Vietnamese options on the menus suit most fussy Western palates ( pork chop with rice for example) Fixed price stalls in the tourist market in Ho Chi Minh city are not fixed price! Delve deep in and bargain for all your worth. Be cheeky! You may get a proper bargain!

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole holiday was full of amazing experiences so it’s difficult to single out one moment  but here are a few of our favourites:  Kayaking in Halong Bay – enjoying the tranquillity of this awesome limestone landscape The Old Quarter of Hanoi –the lively street life and managing to cross the road by ourselves Hoi An – the fun of the tailors, the lanterns at night, the  bike ride– the exhilaration of hearing the wind rising in the banana trees before the monsoon rain descended on us Dinner with local people – the courtesy of our hosts and the wonderful food (but not the betel nut chewing – beware!)The Citadel at Hue – the monks’ music resonating around the courtyard of this splendid buildingGroup team building at Brown Eyes, Hue!!War Remnants museum – because it brings home how recently Vietnam and her people have experienced devastation and makes their optimism and sense of fun all the more amazing The Mekong Delta trip – all of it

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ha was terrific – very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his country. He seemed to intuitively know how much information we needed and when. We were a small group and therefore had the bonus of spending a lot of time with him. This was brilliant as he was great fun to be with – full of laughter and fun – which made for a very happy holiday. He gave us the opportunity to have a wide range of experiences and to better understand and appreciate Vietnam and its people. An excellent representative for Exodus!

Advice for Potential Travellers

As others have mentioned do travel light . You don’t need to take a lot of clothes as the laundry facilities at Hue or Ho Ann are cheap so you only really need to take a week’s clothes for a two week trip. Leave sufficient luggage space to bring home souvenirs. If possible have an idea of a garment you’d like made at Hoi Ann – it’s really worth it and great fun.  Take up all the optional excursions on offer– these provided some of our best experiences.  Just go – go soon – and make the most of the experience!

Most Inspirational Moment

I felt the whole trek was inspirational but the most inspirational moment was being camped beside & staring in awe of Mnt Salkantay as the day ended and the night came in and to then, the following day, walk beside it. Truely amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilbert was brilliant - a fasinating character. Very friendly, intelligent, always happy and had a story to tell. Full of knowledge & very passionate about his country and always wanting to teach you and share his knowledge & the history of the Incas.   

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you feel your fitness levels aren't great then do somerthing about it because this a a challenging trek for those that are not used to it. I would also advise to take plenty of tavel tissues & hand saintiser to keep your hands clean and free from germs to avoid a potential stomach bug. I would also recommend a decent camera as there will be plenty of this that should be snapped as memory of this wonderful trip. 

Most Inspirational Moment

So hard to choose: coming upon a giraffe during the 'walking safari' on the shore of Lake Naivasha; seeing the elephants just behind our truck at the campsite on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater; being so close to the lions in the Crater we could have stroked them (but didn't obviously) or watching a cheetah race and kill a gazelle right in front of our eyes -I can't decide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Clara, our group leader, was great. She was knowledgeable, funny and capable and together with Ester, our cook, and Bonface, our driver, they made a great team. We learnt so much from each of them not just about the wildlife and places we visited, but also the people and cultures of Kenya and Tanzania.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to buy a cheap pillow on day 1, it will make camping more comfortable. You will get a locker on the truck to put important/precious items in; your main bag is stored separately so does not need to fit in the locker. If you go on the village walk when you stay in Marangu you will be taken to a local school. They welcome donations of money or school resources so go prepared! Tsetse flies like dark clothing so wear light stuff when in the Serengeti.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable and great insight to Jordan, not just the places but the culture too. Organised some great extras too such as the snorkelling boat trip and cave dinner

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are at all dubious about Jordan - don't be. There are not a lot of tourists at the moment which is great for us as have such a greater experience in Petra and other places but not so good for Jordan itself. Jordan needs you and you won't regret it. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at Machu Picchu after four days of trekking and seeing it bathed in afternoon sunshine was a fantastic moment. I don't think that Machu Picchu would have been quite as amazing if we hadn't done the trek. As they say, it's all about the journey, not just the destination!We saw so many animals, plants and birds in the jungle - caimen, capybara, a sloth, howler monkeys, possum, turtles, butterflies, toucans, green parrots, scarlet macaws, weaver birds, spiders (including a tarantula!) and more..... Frank and Ephrain, our guides in the jungle was fantastic at pointing out the tiniest of creature and telling us lots about the (sometimes amusing!) medicinal properties of the jungle flora.Being welcomed so warmly by our hosts at the homestay on Amantani Island and hearing about their way of life and their traditions was inspiring and such a contrast to the lives we lead - for the better in many ways.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was a fantastic guide. One of our group's luggage was left by Iberia/Lan in Madrid and Juan went to great lengths to make sure that the bag and client were reunited as soon as possible.Juan has a real passion for his job and pointed out wildlife at every opportunity. He has a great sense of humour and was great at making sure that everyone was ok.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is the option in the trip notes to book a hotel for the last night of the trek. I would strongly recommend it! It means that after arriving at Machu Picchu you can shower and have a good sleep before going back to visit Machu Picchu the following morning and heading back to Cusco later in the day.Take walking poles for the trek - I found them invaluable. There are lots and lots of steps and your knees will be grateful!You'll be able to get washing done after the jungle in Cusco as you are there for 2 nights. However, we weren't able to get washing done after the trek and for the rest of the holiday.You're likely to be affected by the altitude when you arrive at Cusco - this could be headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, insomnia, tiredness. Follow your guide's advice and drink lots of water, don't eat large meals in the evening (your body can't digest it so well at altitude, hence its need to purge!)US and european plug adaptors are both suitable.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were lucky we had 2 days of snow - it really made the trip even more spectacular than it would have been anyway.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carl, was very Knowledgeable, and was on hand with lots of suggestions for the day off. He kept the group together well, so we ended up at the summits all as one group. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Please take walking poles! we were not expecting snow and it stopped us from doing a grade C walk that was scheduled. The poles were essential for the second day of snow as well which was grade C, without them it would have been a little dangerous.All drinks, treatments in the spa, bike hire @ The Adler are all put on your room tab so you don't need to take huge amounts of cash.Be prepared for a lot of food - buffet style breakfast and 5 course dinners!!! absolutely delicious though.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the refuge with the "postcard" views, a family with 3 young children running it, and donkeys, a cat etc.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was very considerate, sweet and keen. There is nothing negative to say.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a very sturdy/strong pair of walking boots with you as the paths are very rocky in Picos.

Most Inspirational Moment

The first night at the water hole at Etosha was just incredible.  5 minutes after sitting down over 30 elephants came down to drink and the next few hours flew by as a succession of animals came & went. Unforgettable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ronnie was great.  Friendly, funny, knowledgeable and with a great eye for wildlife!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We followed the advice of others on here and took South African rand with us.  It's accepted everywhere and saved the hassle of changing money on arrival.

Most Inspirational Moment

Thethi and Valbona National Parks

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader and driver were both great - full of motivation and enthusiasm for their country and showing it to others. Very inspiring people.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just be aware of what you are booking. Albania is a very interesting country, and if you want to mix a few days walking with the rest relaxing, long lunches, dropping into museums/castles along the way, then this could still be a good choice.