Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing 800 - odd steps up a steep cliff face in Petra, feeling exhausted and out of breath upon reaching the top, turning around fully and then discovering the massive stunning facade of El-Deir! A prize worth the hard climb uphill.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable, capable, kind, socially very responsible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of spares for photographic equipment or electronic equipment in general. It is hard to come by and ridiculously expensive in Jordan.

Most Inspirational Moment

As a first timer on a "proper" African safari we got off to a brilliant start but every day became special in its own way then the last drive on the last day exceeded expectations with the elephant encounter to surpass all others.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul's own indomitable style kept the group on high alert and his art as raconteur made evenings highly entertaining - his enthusiasm and passion for animals is manifestly evident.  A different judgement of your photography together with samples of his work provides stimulating thoughts and aspirational desires. I hope to have the delight of travelling with him again.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was the only one in the group NOT to have an SLR - some could be intimidated by this.  Also if you have an ipad or similar for downloading and reviewing work with PG in the evenings - be sure to take it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Two moments really - a day and a half spent witnessing a young cheetah play-fighting with his very tolerant mum - leaping up into trees and having to be taught how to come back down! Plus a close encounter with a herd of elephants - a teenage one in particular. Who approached our vehicle a number of times to use it as a scratching post! A magical moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul was his usual whirlwind of hyperactive energy - mad keen on us both seeing some big cats plus also honing our photographic skills into the bargain! It's hard not to find Paul's enthusiasm contagious - and the occasional yelling for 'faffing about' is fine as you know it's just because he wants us to be in the prime position to get the best shot and to experience the animal behaviour up close.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect early starts and long days - not a problem for most as the adrenaline tends to kick in if you have a sighting or hear of a sighting and are going hell for leather trying to get there as quickly as possible! Evening and mornings can be cold - so take a fleece or something. Generally very hot during the day, so any pale people like me need to take a good amount of suncream!

Most Inspirational Moment

I needed and enjoyed the safety of the group but loved the opportunity of free time to tailor some of the trip to my own desires, thus a morning spent walking from Pisac, followed by fresh juice and corn in the market, was wonderful and will stay with me forever; other highlights include returning to Macchu Picchu for sunrise, and climbing to the top of the island for sunset on Amantani, and standing watching Lllama, Vicuna and Alpaca graze next to big lonely lakes, surrounded by even bigger skies, and seeing the ice maiden Juanita in Arequipa.  The white water rafting, the sand boarding........I could go on and on.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizzio was great.  He knew everything there was to know about Peru, the Incas etc.  For me he really came into his own when walking us around Maachu Picchu, his love and pride was evident and he enabled us to fully appreciate what we were seeing.  I felt well looked after but not in an obstrusive way at all.  His advice was first class.  He does his job very well indeed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As long as you drink loads of water, and I mean loads (3-4 litres a day), and move slowly you should not be affected to much by the altitude (but you will pee a lot).  Take the opportunity to sleep early at night and on the bus as there are a lot of very necessary early starts to enable you to see everything possible. Enjoy every minute.  Go with the flow.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was a great group leader. Very knowledgeable, always there help if needed. Thanks Sara for making this a great.holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Beautiful country, great challenging walks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great group leader. Inclusive of all abilities. Very good English.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Compede!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many good features of this holiday that it is impossible to pick out one moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oustanding: calm, boyish charm makes him an excellent leader.  Also picked out some very good restaurants to take us to at lunchtime and in the evenings.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get yourself on this trip if you can as there will be few better trips.  If you are a particularly fit cyclist have a week at a gentler pace because the scenery is spectacular and the weather is almost certain to be good.  If you are put off by the "Moderate" label try and get some practice in so you can feel comfortable booking yourself on to this trip.  The longest distance was about 55 km so it is not so far.  The hills are long rather than steep but you can always ride in the minibus and skip the long hills if they are too much for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being on top of Mt Prado, with the most stunning views imaginable sharing a fantastic picnic lunch. But every day was different, each trek having its own personality. I wouldn't have wanted anything to have been done differently.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara Bull is the best leader I have had on a trip. She knows the region very well and her enthusiasm for the Garfgnana is genuine and infectious. She was very attentive to all of the group members' needs and requests without being intrusive. She was also very good company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just book it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Them most inspirational moment of the trip was watching the sun rise on one early morning above and watching the early morning mist drift past the mountain range- it's so easy to see how the Inca's viewed the area with such spirituality and reverence. The ruins of outposts along the Inca trail were so charged with emotion and charm.We were also lucky enough to see a wild deer near to a small lake on the trail, that was at points only about twenty feet away.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I don't think we could have had a better tour leader than Charlos. He was so incredibly knowledgable and he and Wilson were so patient when it came to waiting for me to take the hundreds of photographs which I took (over a thousand!). The English spoken by Charlos was exceptional, and I think the best I've heard from any guide. He was articulate in explaining the many sights of Peru, it's culture and beliefs. Exodus sends its guides and chefs to college and courses to help them create a wonderful experience for the holiday maker. This shows in the fantastic quality of food which was served up on the hiking part of the trip. They prepared three meals a day for the group, which was amasing and certainly helped fuel us for the journey.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles are a must, and the best time to travel is May/ June, as there are no mosquitos, and the temperatures are lower- a great point considering you'll be excerting so much energy hiking the many steps of the trail. And the gentle breeze we encountered throughout the walk made the hike comfortable and a really beautiful feeling when you reached the top of a long climb. A head torch is also a must, as navigating around the camp at night can be challenging.

Most Inspirational Moment

The desert in Wadi Rum.Stopping for a tea break along "The Jordanian Grand Canyon" and having our first Bedouin Whisky Party as Danny called it.  FLoating in the Dead Sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was just brilliant, extremly knowlegable, very professional also very well-organized, Danny have made our tour so special with his skills, his art or presentation of the subjects, he also looked after us very well & we felt so safe with him and most of the time made us feel very special, I was also surprised how Danny acted very professionally toward some of the ladies in our group that were keen on him, well, I also thought that Danny was a charming person & in my opinion he is number one middle east, in which, he did not like to be called that way, truly fantastic person.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it, you will never regret it.