Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were 2 stand-out on a personal level during our trip:While all 13 members of the group successfully completed the demanding 1-week itinerary, special mention is due to the oldest member of the group, who, at 75 years of age, was an absolute inspiration to everyone, some of whom were less than half his age. Another group member whose pre-trip training was severely curtailed having been hospitalised for pneumonia 2 months before departure showed utter determination in admirably defying the odds to get up all of the most challenging ascents and just never gave up.There were coutless moments of scenic inspiration. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Graham, a top-class guide, did an excellent job. He managed the spectrum of ability in the group very skillfully so that everyone successfully completed each days' walk. He was gently engaging with everyone and did not insinuate himself socially in any excessively imposing way. He had helpful suggestions and advice on clothing options, and gave regular tips for cost-saving measures when buying foodstuffs to take with you each day. He had a great knowledge of local terrain and prevailing conditions which gave a very comforting sense of confidence to all of us. At the end of each day he did a summary of our progress with the aid of a map, and sumarised what to expect on the following days walk. All of this greatly added to our sense of enjoyment.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't expect luxury accomodation on route - it is adequate and appropriate to the rustic nature of what you are doing in the surroundings you are in.A good basic level of fitness is highly desirable. It is physically tough but not excessively so for those with a reasonable level of fitness. Although challenging, it is relatively short. I would consider it a good preparation for those considering longer treks of a demanding nature (such as the GR 20 in Corsica or Everest base camp).Those with a sense of sociability and teamwork will find this more rewarding than those with strongly independent, individualistic attitudes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just sitting at the top of a mountain and seeing nothing but more mountains in every direction!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader organised everything with great efficiency and nothing was too much trouble. She was friendly, helpful, very encouraging and her knowledge of the area was extremely good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Easy - the most inspirational moment was getting to the top of Africa. That's what it was all about.A close second was saying thanks and goodbye to the guides and porters. They sang a beautiful Kilimanjaro song for us, and it was then that you realized just how many people were supporting us on this trip.... carrying bags, putting up tents, peeling spuds and most importantly, looking after the porta-loos. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Emanuel was our group leader and he was fantastic. He had the right balance of humour and professionalism. He quickly gained our trust and we knew that listening to him meant increasing our chances of getting to the top. Top marks, despite the fact that when you asked "how far?" the reply was always "don't worry, we'll make it in time for tea"... 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Think positive and you'll get to the top.  Keep drinking and snacking on summit day - It was easy to forget to do this and my water bottle froze. I was jealous of the camelback with insulated tubing. Even a neoprene bottle cover would have made a big difference.Hire the Exodus sleeping mats - You don't need to worry about carrying them and they looked so much more comfortable than anything you could buy.Bring a nail brush - The grey volcanic ash gets everywhere. Bring US dollars - Small and big denominations. Credit cards were only accepted at the airport. Bring more than you think as tipping the guides and porters becomes quite an emotional event and you don't want to be short when this happens. Bring walking poles x2 - Turns out that they are not just for "old" people ;) They stayed in my bag for the first 4 days, but they were a life saver when skiing the scree on the way down.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our particular highlights of the trip were; Armenia Stunning scenery and church locationsGeghard Monastery and its Armenian rock sculptures inside Sanahin with its monastery and the museum of the Mikoyan brothersGeorgiaGori's Stalin museumUplistsikhes enormous cave city Alpine regions and Mount Kazbek scenery

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Mere (Armenia) and Elisa (Georgia) were superb ambassadors for their countries. Different styles but both equally knowledgable and looked after us well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go knowing that you will visit easily 20 plus churches on this trip. It did drain us toward the end.Instead of the synagogue in Yerevan, visit the Museum of Sergio Parajanov, a film maker and artist born in Georgia and living his last years in Armenia. Its full of his art and collages and gives a different insight into the two countries. We travelled in June 2012 and Georgia is under a lot of construction and renovation. Hopefully this will be more complete come 2013. It didn't adversely affect our trip, but you should know.Most of the time you arrive at your destination around midday and it can get hot. This is particularly relevant to the walk to Gergeti Holy Trinity church. I would recommend that the group take the jeeps up and down. Then ask if you can do the 4km (return) walk to a waterfall. Do not go to the Russian border it is a waste of time, there is nothing to see.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting the 12 others in my group who were all fantastic people! Everyone had a good chat during the trip and we all got on well with each other (I hope we can all stay in contact!). The scenery around Mont Blanc was breath taking of course and I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere back at base in Chamonix.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A real inspiration to me to see how he organised the group and kept in control. The bag packing briefing was really well done and I learnt a lot about what I didn't need on the trip. Graham was a very responsible leader heading off quickly at one stage whilst the group took lunch to make sure that a refuge was open then came back again to give us the all clear!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take note of how little you need on the walk! Less is more but don't forget the important clothes such as waterproof trousers!

Most Inspirational Moment

Santorini was the highlight

Thoughts on Group Leader

Poor- she hadn't walked the trails and got lost on Naxos. Her communication skills were not good and too much was left to our memory on matters such as timing etc., Furthermore we didn't see her at all until breakfast on Day 2. We were just deposited at the hotel in Athens - there wasn't even a notice at the hotel and we had to ask check in staff at the hotel for information!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not like most Exodus walking holidays- the walking is no more than a stroll.

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in the icy lake on the first day(definitely focussed the mind), the starkness of the Memorial Cross on the mountain top,  "Daniel" our lederhosen-clad, accordion-playing, yodelling-mentor; the fabulous flora/fauna and Apenol Spritz!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Karl was a really well-informed and accomplished guide; he was conscious of the differences in abilty within the group on different days and gave us alternatives when possible;  he (and his lovely wife) were great fun to socialise with too!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's very tempting to book an Exodus trip because it "appeals and fits with holiday dates"; it really is important that everyone realistically takes account of the grade of the holidays -v- their abilities to ensure complete enjoyment for all; we heard one lady who'd arrived for the "C" grade week say she wanted some easy walking - not easy for a guide to accommodate all-comers!  Pack for ALL weathers, we had blazing sun early on which gave us a false sense of security.......coming slowly down a mountain in driving snow reminded us that we must take NOTHING for granted in the mountains! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Highlights:-The final day walk around the Tre Cime Di Lavaredo - probably the nicest walk I've ever done!  Fantastic scenery in the background, 3 or 4 different valleys so scenery constantly changing, close ups of marmots, a small peak, stop at a mountain hut, rock tunnels, mini-lakes, everything.  Climbs of Monte Piano and Durrenstein were also pretty special.The food at the hotel ranged from good to exceptional.  The home made ravioli filled with soft cheeses, and the goats cheese strudel with strawberry sauce were phenomenal (and I'm not normally a huge cheese fan). Hotel pool / spa area was great for unwinding after a long day in the hills.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Karl was a very good group leader.  Obviously experienced in the mountains, got on well with everyone in the group, and had a very dry sense of humour.  Managed to tailor each day of walking to accommodate all the different levels of ability in our group very well, while ensuring everyone's safety.  Built good relationships with the hotel / mountain huts we visited.  Tweaked the itinerary slightly (we did the same walks as in the trip notes but in a different order) which I thought worked well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

'Official' flights were at awkward times, especially for anyone not based around London.  Would recommend investigating flights of your own, and then making your own way to the hotel.  I flew from Edinburgh direct to Verona, then took a bus to the middle of the Verona, and then the train north to Villabassa - hotel was only 100 yards from the station.  It's not that difficult to do (www.trenitalia.com gives all the train times) and saved me the hassle of changing plane / staying overnight in Gatwick on the way home (plus the environmental impact of taking another flight).   

Most Inspirational Moment

The several times we drove up the very high mountains into the superb alpine meadows, which were alive with flowers and singing birds.  The countryside was at its best in early June.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The Armenian guide Mere was a class act.  Very knowledgeable with a very professional and entertaining way of putting things across and very attentive.  The driver  Edward was also excellent and I never felt ill at ease with his driving.The Georgian guide Elisa was good but appeared a little tired and world-weary at first, but brightened up.  The driver was a friendly chap, but he worried me as he often answered his mobile phone while driving and even made some calls.  On Georgian roads this is a bit scary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure to drink a lot of water, as it can be very hot.  Bring rehydration salts.

Most Inspirational Moment

Two in particular.  The canopy walk in Monte Verde was wonderful - a great chance to get above the forest and have a bird's eye view.  The second standout is Esquinas - the night hike was a great experience.  The sheer variety of sounds in the frog chorus is amazing.  There were others too - the beach in Manual Antonio and Tortugero etc.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gio's knowledge of the flora and fauna of Costa Rica is amazing.  It was obvious that he enjoys showing off his beautiful country.  Also a very nice guy who made sure we has a great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I went in May/June - off season and the rainy season.  It rained most days but not all day and didn't prevent us from doing anything.  The compensation was visiting all these wonderful places and having many almost to ourselves.  In particular it was lovely in Tortugeuro - we had the run of the place!  Don't be afraid of the rain.