Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The huskies, actually having a safe to sleep in igloo, the snowmobiles - everything!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Teemu and Olli were great, as were all the others. Eki had the patience of a saint putting up with me for the climbing. They were all really knowledgable, helpful, fun and friendly, but left us to have whatever space we wanted

Advice for Potential Travellers

You really don't need any snow gear, it's all provided. The lodges are vey warm, so you don't need endless thick jumpers etc there either. I managed to go with just hand luggage! If you are at all fussy about your food tell them in advance, and tlak to exodus staff about it. There was no choice at mealtimes, and we had fish and elk for most meals - not things you might think to mention as dieatary requirements! But that said the food is superb, including the elk, and there was plenty. Budget on an extra £500, as you do have a lot of spare time to fill, and won't always have a partner for just wandering off on your snow shoes, although the tobogans were a popular free pastime that filled many hours!

Suggestions

Thanks for a great trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Havana is one amazing city which you will never forget. The buildings are so grand I don't think I have ever seen ceilings so high. It matches the persona of many Cubans whom I found to be extremely graceful, elegant, full of substance, charming and highly educated. They may not have much in the way of material possessions but they know what they need and make the most of and appreciate what they do have. Their resourcefulness knows no bounds and I feel proud and privileged to have known them and shared their capital city with them if only for a few precious days. Also I was mesmerized and fell into a trance whilst watching the women in the Cigar Factory it must take years of practice to be so good at rolling Cigars. I have a lot of repsect and patience for Factory Workers, they are the salt of the earth (or perhaps that should be sugar hee-hee).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Cuban and so very highly educated and knowledgeable about many aspects of life in Cuba. He is very experienced and could answer all of our questions. He was also very well organised and we managed to get everything we wanted to get done in the space and time that we had available. Often he would give very detailed information whilst travelling to and from places on the bus and he could go on for more than an hour. (I might have fallen asleep on one occasion because I couldn't keep up with my concentration but in my defence it was siesta time and the holiday was so calming and relaxing I couldn't help it:)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Visit this destination over and above others around the World before the political context changes forever!!! Cuba is original, classic, special and unforgettable to say the least. I feel so lucky to have been able to experience it.However just one small point about the food. If you like spicy Thai and Indian curries etc take some hot chilli sauce with you to the restaurants to add to the food because I wish I had done this.

Suggestions

Go! go! go!

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in the White Nile, the white rhino and the gorillas.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring loads of memory cards for your camera (or film). You'll need it. Also, bring a fast standard zoom lens for watching the gorillas and a long zoom lens for all the other wildlife.

Suggestions

If you get the chance, go for a boat trip on Lake Mburo. We didn't and regretted it.If you like coffee, bring a percolator and treat yourself to some local beans/ground coffee.

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking down on summit day to see where we'd come from and, on the way down, looking back at Kibo which seemed so far away.....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable and helpful group leader, previous experience on Kili as a guide really helped to re-assure us about the trek ahead.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Warm clothes! Those beautiful starry skies are chilly. Don't underestimate them.

Suggestions

I dithered for ages about going. Take the plunge. It's worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed the whole trip, but the best bits were probably the climb up one of the Atlas mountains - fantastic views, & well worth the effort - and camel trekking to the Bedouin camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Muhammad was a very knowledgeable and helpful leader, with a good sense of humour!  He was also very good at finding us some nice places for lunch!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We travelled in January, which is a great time to go in terms of there not being too many tourists, but it was very cold in the evenings, so I'd advise taking some extra layers if travelling in the winter! Also, our luggage didn't make the connecting flight to Ouarzazate, meaning we had to spend 3 days with only the clothes we wore on the plane & whatever was in our hand luggage!  Apparently this can happen regularly, so it would be a good idea to take a few emergency clothes etc. in your hand luggage - especially as the second night is in the Bedouin camp.

Suggestions

I'd recommend the trip to anyone wanting to visit Morocco, it had a really good mix of the desert and city, and of active days and more relaxing days.  Plus the food was far better than I'd been led to believe it would be!

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many, from Elephant Seals to King Penguins but one that i have fond memories was when sitting down just watching, not taking pictures, just sitting and watching Chinstrap Penguins.  You are all told at the start of the expedition that we must respect the animals space and not cause them any distress by being to close... Keep your distance...   These little guys, like the Adélie and Gentoo will waddle up so close, you could reach out and touch them. There is no fear from them, they are just so inquisitive. They melt your heart and leave you knowing this is the adventure and experience you’ve been looking for......

Thoughts on Group Leader

All Quark staff are fantastic and knowledgeable in there field of expertise from Historian to Ornithologist. All Expeditions are ran as the collective team, its the team that makes it work, no single individual, the expedition leader always gave praise to his team.  Graham Charles was our expedition leader. Energetic, a mass of knowledge about polar travel and above all else he does what it takes to make this a trip that you will remember. His adventures are inspirational, his tales leave you wanting more he is a master at what he does.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect the unexpected…  It does rain so take a rain cover for your camera and Lens.  Always keep a spare set of batteries close to you in your jacket to keep them warm.  Charge batteries every night as you will take more pictures then you can imagine. Don’t think you need an SLR with a huge lens. Penguins to Seals can be metres away, I saw great pictures from all levels of camera equipment.  Its not as cold as you might think, but take plenty of layers for those days when the wind picks up and the chill factor plummets...

Suggestions

Only one thing that i would advise any traveller on this trip.... Take time to stop... put the camera down and just watch everything that is going on around you..... its fantastic experience that is difficult to put into words.. don’t live the whole trip through a camera... You will miss so much....

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was fantastic from start to finish.  Everyone on the trip was as inspired and dedicated as myself to achieve their goal, and the support and guidance from Exodus and their associate climbing company was second to none!  Although the sight of Kibo getting closer every day was motivation enough! The sunrise at Gilmans point, with the encouragement from our climb leader, was the drive needed to successfully reach Uhuru and celebrate with my team!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader and all of the guides of the African Walking Company, used by Exodus for the actual climb, were friendly, supportive, full of information and very aware of our individual needs to stay safe and healthy throughout the whole trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ask lots of questions, and listen to the advice of the guides! Although the climb was not physically challenging because it is a long, slow, steady ascent, coping with the altitude was the hardest aspect of the climb.  Drinking lots and lots (and lots) of water is vital to reduce the headaches that feel like they would make your head explode!  Diamox and Ginko tablets were taken as a precaution and I felt they did help.  Oh, and only take what you will need as a minimum in your day pack.... carrying 3-4 litres on top of waterproofs, jumpers, snacks and other "just in case"'s makes for a much harder walk....

Suggestions

Enjoy every last second of it! the elation and pride of reaching the top immediately overrides any feelings of discomfort and disheartedness you may have experienced along the way.  It is the adventure of a lifetime, and you are there with people that share your goal of reaching the highest point of Africa!  Make lots of friends, take lots of pictures, and keep lots and lots of memories that you can share and inspire others with!  And life will seem very boring when you get back home...

Most Inspirational Moment

Wouldn't say there was a"moment"  it was all enjoyable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carlos was good, well organised and flexible to the needs of the group.  I think he did a good job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

no not really,  all our needs were catered for

Most Inspirational Moment

Best place I went to has to be Trinidad with its manana attitude, sun, nightlife and beautiful setting...am even thinking of taking a career break and going back there for a while...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader had amazing knowledge of the country, its culture, history and society and whatever we asked him he had an answer dotted witrh personal stories. He was a lot more open than I was expecting...and was a great slasa dancer...

Advice for Potential Travellers

None really, just expect the unexpected and the lower the expectations the more you will be blown away

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding along the coasts and cycling through Sierra Madre and country side . Visiting farm houses and being their guests in their simple houses and live style . Trinidad is a magical place and I loved the music at Casa Trova in Santiago . Cuba is colorful rich in culture, music, art , simple things that we take for granted in our countries are very precious over there !! ( an example :toilet paper, ice cream ..)

Thoughts on Group Leader

The best way to be really helpful sometimes is to be there without imposing yourself to the group ! Sometimes it's best to lessen more then talk. That's the best advise I can give him... but it was fun to meet a real Cuban, BIG ego w BIG personality  and a BIG love for life, sport and WOMEN !!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, bring your anti pollution mask  !! Cuba has very little traffic ,it's great for cycling but ironically  the few ancient  trucks and cars  create a huge cloud of black smoke that get straight in to your longs , even in the middle of the country side !! Strongly recommended !

Suggestions

More morning cycling till reaching the beach , these were the best days ! more farmer home visits for snacks fruits and coffee .  Pls keep the stops while cycling in the country side and in peaceful places more then in village's park w loud cuban disco music coming out of gigantic speakers ! ... also the advantage is that bathrooms are better beyond the bushes most of the time then the official bathrooms ( except for private houses that are pretty decent !) !  In my opinion : less military sites and military museum , we do not need to see extra propaganda ! Instead add a sugarcane factory visit , or tobacco farm stop .. or a rum factory site,  it's very interesting to see something related to actual Cuban's lifestyle and living. Thank you was great in any case !