Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment was being part of the team installing solar cookers along the trek. To see the difference our fundraising could make to the lives of everyone living in the mountains was an honour.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima was everything you would want in a group leader. His love for his country and for life in general was infectious. When things got tough (and they almost certainly will) Ngima was there with words of encouragement and the ability to turn tears into a smile. He took his job seriously and I felt that our safety was his number one priority, but this did not stop him from having fun. We all felt that our trek would not have been so enjoyable without him as our leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the warnings seriously. This is a hard trek, not just fitness wise but also because of the altitude. Go away with the knowledge that it will be tough but a good sense of humour and determination will help get you through. It is worth it.

Suggestions

Sort out everything you think you will need to take then take some out! Be prepared for everything but you probably don't need 3 hats, 5 pairs of socks and 3 complete outfits for the trek! Essentials: head torch, good gloves with a thinner pair underneath, wet wipes - lots of, zip lock bags to pack things in your trek bag - keep your clean things clean and your smelly things contained! If you're not sure then just do it, you won't regret it! 

Most Inspirational Moment

The stunning contrasts of all the first three days' walks and scenery was superb.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bruno Castanha was excellent and went out of his way to be of assistance.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check accuracy / up-to-date-ness of trip notes.

Suggestions

The option of a walking tour in Funchal at the end of the week would have been good.  Whilst not the biggest place in the world, given that you've just a day there I think this would be a nice option to make the most of it.  I know it's a walking holiday but I enjoy the charms of both city and country life so this would have made a welcome addition. The walks on days 4 & 5 along the levadas were very similar to those done on the first few days but these were somewhat forced upon us by the landslides six months earlier.  Whilst pleasant enough they significantly lacked the wow factor of the first three days and were a little on the easy rather than moderate side.   The trip notes should really have been updated to reflect this given that this was hardly a surprise. All in all though had a great holiday. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching a cheetah lounging around on a small mound at dusk and hoping she would stay for sunset. The driver was very accommodating in moving the Land Cruiser back and forth until we were in the perfect position for a silhouette. Then we waited … and the cheetah delivered.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul is an excellent wildlife photographer; passionate about the wildlife and passionate that you get the best photos you can.However, you need to be proactive in asking for advice. For example, after photographing a cheetah a sunset Paul made the comment, “I hope you were underexposing for that”. This tip would have been nice before the event and also assumes you know why you need to do this and how to do this. Paul is of course willing to help but you can sense his frustration that you may have missed the opportunity!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I feel that you need a certain level of knowledge about your camera and photography to get the most out of the long days and excellent opportunities afforded by this trip.

Suggestions

Having been on a few "photography" holidays, I believe most fall into two types.The first is to learn about photography - the technical aspects of shutter speed, aperture and ISO; the different perspectives offered by wide angle, medium and telephoto lenses; how to process RAW files using Lightroom etc. The trip then allows time to practise these new found skills.The second is the opportunity to take photographs – get up early because the wildlife is active at dawn; stay up late because the wildlife is active at dusk; lunch at 3pm because you were waiting for a cheetah to hunt. These types of trips assume a certain amount of photographic skill and concentrate on getting you to the right place at the right time. Then it’s up to you.

Most Inspirational Moment

The day long (optional) dog sledding was without a doubt the highlight of the trip for us although all the activities were excellent.  All the dog sledding is run by a small outfit (Kota Husky) that is a family firm.  The leader, Lauri clearly cares immensely for the dogs and his control of them is impressive to see.  The long trip takes in some wonderful sights and you really get a feel for the personalities of the dogs.Lunch is served outdoors, prepared for the boss of the outfit, and Lauri's wife Marijka.  Sitting on reindeers skins around a log fire, eating and drinking local fare is a great picnic, made all the better by the fact that you arrived driving your own team of husky!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eki, the group leader was outstanding. He has an excellent sense of humour and great communication skills both of which he puts to good use when instructing and guiding.As you would expect his local knowledge was excellent and he genuinely cares about the environment around him, something which rubs off on all those around him.Whilst Eki was an excellent group leader, a great team backs him up .  Nothing is too much trouble and they make excellent hosts in what feels a little like their home.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice to potential travellers is 'go for it'.  Do not be put off by the thought of the cold or anything like that.  My wife was really enthusiastic about the trip but was also apprehensive as she suffers with the cold when all others are walking round in shorts however she loved the trip.  The equipment they issue you is top quality and is perfect for the weather conditions.  If you want to take along your own cold weather clothing but everything they issue is sufficient.

Most Inspirational Moment

Even though this trip was over christmas, I had no major expectations of having much of a christmas, especially given we were at 4,000m, the night time temperatures were about -10 C and the accommodation and food were limited accordingly. How wrong could I be. A superb group of people we enjoyed christmas decorations, a christmas tree, swapping xmas presents, music, drinks dancing and just fabulous fun. All repeated again in Lukla before our final flight to KTM. I had a fantastic time..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader led the group extremely well.. He was extremely consultative and only pressed a specific point or course of action when it was supported by reasoned logic. Extremely non-confrontational he led almost as a friend rather than a leader which I think is great credit to his skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in December / winter time be prepared for the cold. The hut communal areas only get warm once they light the stoves which may not be when you want it !. The rooms obviously have no heating and are extremely cold. The best tip is to make sure you have one or two aluminium sigg type drinks bottles which you can fill with hot water before you go to bed and use as hot water bottles. It helps enormously. You need a good quality sleeping bag (per the notes) and thermals..

Suggestions

OUr trip returned to the UK on the 30th December however I had arranged my own flights and returned on the evening of the 1st Jan. In essence I was able to enjoy New Year in Kathmandu. I can thoroughly reccomend it... It cost me £22 in the 'Yak and Yeti' for an evening of complimentary food and drink which extended into the early hours. Great music and disco, I would suggest not to be missed !

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling into the Sierra Maestra mountain region and arriving in a little paradise with a natural rock pool and waterfall, having a massage and a delicious meal al fresco with a few Mojitos and Cuba Libres.  Inspiration to go on another Exodus holiday for sure.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was superb, nothing was too much trouble.  His local, political, social and historical knowledge really gave us an insight into how the Cuban people feel and live.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with the flow.  The Cuban people don't have the luxury of constant water and electricity like we do, I showered by the light of my headtorch one morning!  It all adds to the Cuban experience. 

Suggestions

I'd definitely recommend this holiday to anyone who enjoys cycling, meeting new people and really getting out into the heart of a country.  The Cuban people have very little, but they are still content and that's something that could teach us all an important lesson in the capitalist world of wealth and possessions.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the crater at Gilman's point, I almost cried.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The head guide (Simon) and the assistant guides were all really friendly.  When we got up higher they were always making sure we were ok, willing to walk slower if you liked.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Summit day (going from 4,700m to 5,900m) is hard, probably the hardest thing I've ever done and the thing I'll measure all future endeavours against!  I'd say I'm very fit and I struggled once we got above 5,000m; I wasn't sure whether I was going to pass out or puke (thankfully I did neither).  Other people who were fit struggled, but then some people who'd done no training made it ok, so as lots of articles I read before the climb said, fitness is no protection against altitude sickness.  I didn't use diamox, some people did; there seemed to be no correlation between taking it and not feeling awful.  

Suggestions

When you start the climb on day 1 you could be anywhere given you're in Forest.  From day 2 you know you are somewhere completely different. The food was really good and you wouldn't believe how much can be carried up a mountain.  We certainly did not go hungry.Nights are cold so make sure you have a good sleeping bag.  Woke up on day 3 and water outside the tent had frozen, woke up on day 4 and the bottle next to my pillow had frozen. 

Most Inspirational Moment

First sight of Machu PichuFlora and fauna on Inca trail

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go a day early

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably seeing people still relying on donkeys for work and washing clothes in the the stream - humblimg to realise how much we have that we probably don't need.  Mind you, getting a better mobile signal in the Sahara than I do at home was also quite up there!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very good. He made sure he spent time with each member of the group each day and made sure all needs and fitness levels were catered for and felt inclusive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book a few days more in Marrakech - the time we had on this trip wasn't long enough. Also, change your money back before you go through passport control. THere are no money exchanges once you are in the waiting area and the airport shops only take Euro.....

Suggestions

Really enjoyable for a weeks trip, would recommend it.

Most Inspirational Moment

On foot, it was coming to the end of the siqq to see the sun beaming through and the Treasury on the other side; it was a truly Indiana Jones moment! On the bike, it was the huge descent from Mount Nebo toward the Dead Sea, breaking around each hairpin and flying at about 30 mph on the straightaways. Both were awesome!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowlegeable guide and great cyclist. He made sure that the most fit got a great workout and the least fit enjoyed the cycling at their own pace. He never made anyone feel out of place, regardless of their ability.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Drink loads of water! I never had any pain or soreness because I drank a good 3 litres a day. And I'm not much of a cyclist.