Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

In a week where the off track snow was so unpredictable and difficult I would offer the day the group did the Blue 23 trip. The weather was brilliant. It was an area new to me and provided new views and vistas.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders, Ilse and Mary who swapped about the groups. They were excellent. They instructed, lead the groups and maintained our spirits. They laid on films, lectures and quizs in the evening based on a theme of skiing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The bus takes 3+ hours from the airport to Kvitavatn. You may wish to have a snack to hand to tide you over until dinner on arrival. The ski hire is excellent and not expensive. It saves hassle on aeroplanes and at airports.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Although there is no resident Exodus rep the hotel guides (Robert and Wenka pronounced Venka) made us very welcome. They are both skilled skiers and knowledgable about the tracks and mountain terrain.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The brochure understates the ski potential by a long way. The hotel Ski Safari trips are worth the holiday in their own right.The leaders were able to accomodate guest with litterally no x-country ski experiance to those of us with 30 years skiing.This hotel is also the start and finish point for some DNT hut to hut routes so for those who would like longer trips there are DNT huts within easy day skiing 

Most Inspirational Moment

Zip wiring over the jungle.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very professional and well informed - his knowledge of Costa Rica's Wildlife added significantly to the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need a lightweight bag for Tortuega, as they use a separate boat for the luggage. It rains a lot even in the dry season, and ponchos are more useful than jackets, especially if you have a big camera. Confirm that your insurance covers helicopter evacuation - it emerges as a condition of taking part half way through!

Most Inspirational Moment

Rather surprisingly, a bird watching moment! I am no twitcher and so be honest birds have never really done it for me in the wildlife stakes.  That was before I saw a Quetzal - what a beautiful creature. It was worth standing for an hour and cricking my next and thinking "I am sure those two feather sticking out from the hole in the tree have been put there by the Costa Rican tourist board and there is in fact no bird in that hole."  When the bird flew out I could not believe what I was seeing - his mohican hair do and his beautiful green and red plummage.  Even better was the fact that all the "profession" twitchers had given up for the evening and gone home and so it was only a select few of us that enjoyed that wonderful moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was excellent and his knowledge of Costa Rica was amazing.  He enthused about his country and his knowledge of wildlife was incredible.There was no such things as a daft question (although I am sure we asked many) and he made a great effort to book optional trips for us.  The tour finished on the Friday afternoon but we did not fly out until 11pm (ish) on the Saturday.  Despite not being on the itinerary he took us in to San Jose for a walk around on the Friday afternoon and arranged trips for those of us who wanted to go out on the Saturday.  He went above and beyond the call of duty.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Poncho, poncho, poncho.  Invest in one of these as when it does rain you will be glad you did - not only does it cover you, it covers your backpack too.Don't forget your camera.  If you have been thinking about investing in an upgrade with a good lens, do it before this holiday as the photo opportunities are endless.Torch - don't forget to take one with you so you can spot all the frogs, snakes and tarantulas at night!

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Che Guevara's mausoleum in Santa Clara.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was an exceptional leader who took us to a couple of fantastic paladares as well as more "up market" restaurants. (I should also like to mention our driver Eduardo who was always smiling and attentive to the ladies when disembarking from the coach). 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it now! you will not be disappointed, guaranteed! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Angkor Wat at sunrise, it was well worth getting up at 5am.This should be the time to start the tour of Ankgor Wat as later in the afternoon the heat becomes unbearable also there are a milion other Tourists.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Leader Siam was brilliant even though he had just ridden with us 10-15k when we stopped for a break he was around the group making sure we all had drinks, snacks and answered endless question with a big smile on his face.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are at least a little bit fit and you will enjoy it much more, don't bother taking energy drinks or bars are the kitty provide plenty of them.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment of the holiday was the dramatic scenery of the Blyde River Canyon. An amazing spectacle and our final cycling destination.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tallis was a very knowledgeable guide and tour leader. His enthusiasm for the flora and fauna of South Africa was infectious. His success at herding 14 'cats' was not always as apparent, despite this he always maintained a sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For those wanting a full-on cycling experience, this may not be for you, however, if you are happy to compromise on the cycling for the other aspects of the holiday then I would thoroughly recommend the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing a 22 Km ski on the final day from near Cortina to Dobbiaco, finished off with a ski down the hill at the Nordic Arena in town.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant - a great teacher and group leader seemingly effortlessly coping with all levels of skiing ability and sociability.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your own walking boot/shoe insoles - the ones in my hire boots were very tired and scrunched up inside the boot on some days.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking down the Sik in the dark , illuminated only by candles, on our first evening in Petra. So our first experience was unclouded by the knowledge of what we saw in the light the next day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really experienced, professional, very knowledgeable and friendly, good sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a sleeping bag for in the desert, but if it is broght, sleep outside, ear plugs helpful.Dont expect western standards for hotels, but the ones choosen by exodus are always adequate and suit the 3 star status. we found ours good, some other people on the trip weren't impressed. service good and food reasonable too.used ATM for money, but had an unsuccessful attempt on the first day. Also plenty of places to change money, so would recommend taking some cash to do this too.Walking trainers suffice for scrambling round the rocks and paths of petra, if you are a confident/ experineced walker, and actually provide better grip.