Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Chobe, seeing lions eating a kill in the early morning game drive. Elephants crossing the river again in Chobe. Getting up close to severla rhinos in Mtobo on foot and Victoria Falls.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide seemed a bit distant at times and was not too concerned about the well being of the group. The safari trip in Mtobo is quite long and hot. Despite taking our own water it soon ran out and the local guide had only a small supply. The Exodus guide had been on this trip before an knew the situation but failed to brief us to take more or ensure enough water was available.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suitable convertor for South Africa plug sockets required. The general populace are nice and friendly, but very poor, so tip heavy! Take the flight over Victoria Falls. Take more water at Mtobo! Consider just a safari in Botswana as that seemed to have the best wildlife as this trip falls short.

Most Inspirational Moment

Ploughing through snowy weather to reach a mountain hut serving the best goulash I've ever tasted.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was excellent. She was an attentive, caring guide who was very much a part of the group throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have your own walking poles, bring them. There are plenty to borrow, but they are not height adjustable.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many, but i just loved cycling through the countryside and seeing the amazing wildlife.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was fantastic, everything that you would want in a leader. Incredibly organised, friendly, insightful, with a wealth of knowledge. Franklin, our driver, was also lovely and couldn't be more helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too much, you can get washing done relatively cheaply. There is no issue with wearing normal lycra cycling kit. Take uk sterling-it is easy to change, we had real problems finding working ATMs that accepted our cards and had cash still left, having said that you will need relatively little money, it is cheap by our standards. The climb to Ooty was much steeper than I had imagined but there was no shame in putting your bike on the bus and walking up-still a massive sense of achievement. Be prepared for lots of selfies, we were a relative novelty and saw no other European tourist for the first week-lots of people wanted photos!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Thanh Vo, has an extensive knowledge of Vietnam and we learned a great deal about the country from his descriptions of the places we visited and his answers to our questions.

Most Inspirational Moment

The stunning surrounds of the National Parks, knee deep in snow with a great group of fellow travellers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was exceptional - a passionate advocate for the nature he helped us discover, gave expert tuition for the new skills we needed - all delivered with great humour and sense of fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t think twice about this trip - if you love nature, discovering the great outdoors, and want to feel safe learning new skills - it’s a must!

Most Inspirational Moment

Everything - I couldn't just pick one thing. The excursions were outstanding, especially the Husky Dog Sledging which was definitely a highlight. The scenery was unbelievable and picture-postcard perfect. The guidance from Martti and Anton for the snowshoeing and cross-country skiing was professional and encouraging and full of fun and interesting facts. A session of Sauna Yoga with Nina was the perfect end to a physical day - and she was patient, bubbly and encouraging and obviously loved what she was teaching us and eager for us to enjoy it too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Martti was brilliant, a real coup for Exodus! He had a great sense of humour, was knowledgeable and you can tell he loves his job. He was consistently patient with everyone when he was teaching us how to ski, snowshoe, etc. He always had little interesting and fun facts to impart to us, whether about the history of Finland, the nature and scenery we were passing or the food we were eating. He also encouraged us to use the equipment in our free time and freely offered advice and maps on placing for us to visit in the surrounding area. Without a doubt, one of the best group leaders I have ever had the pleasure to meet on adventure trips with both Exodus and other companies. We were also fortunate enough to have Anton working with Martti, who was also excellent and very personable. He was jolly and also had a good sense of humour and was very helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Relax, have fun and embrace the experience and everything contained within and around it. Pack lightly - the equipment that Basecamp provided for us worked excellently and kept us very warm and dry. The footwear was so effective at keeping my feet warm and dry that I am now looking to purchase similar for my own personal use back in the UK (I generally suffer from very cold toes when I am out hiking in the UK, but the Solomon boots they provided keep my feet warm and comfortable throughout the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the improbably named Strudlekopf – a moment when you felt you were in a proper adventure

Thoughts on Group Leader

Loved Jenny – she tolerated my chronic inattention and snowshoe dyspraxia with considerable grace.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t go if you are not a regular walker and used to the hills. Take loads of layers as it does get cold and the wind can be cruel – at one point I needed a thermal base, fleece, soft shell jacket and Gortex waterproof. Pay particular attention to your boots; we ended up buying new lightweightish 4 season boots in Dobbiaco at some expense.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention , glorious scenery which constantly took your breath away

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was knowledgeable, calm, good fun snd accomodated all different levels in the group. We felt very safe and well led.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do this trip! Getting up in the mountains and slow away from all the ski paraphernalia was fantastic. As a life long skier, I didn’t miss it at all. Lightweight 4 season boots are a must . Feet can get v. Wet if they aren’t waterproof . Unusually there is a kettle in the room but provide your own tea/ coffee/ hot chocolate as anything provided in the room is charged for . There is a supermarket across the road from the hotel. A flask is very useful to take a hot drink . There are hit stops but sometimes they are at the end of the route.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved Petra as they is so much history and culture and also Wadi Rum the star gazing was so cool, made me thinking I was floating in space surround by the stars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abdullah is funny, friendly and very thoughtful of all the group. He is aware and helps everyone. He knows so much about the culture, he could easily be a professor at a university. Best tour guide. Five stars out of five stars.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Beware of all the shops as they sell similar stuff and that there is not a lot of alcohol as Muslims do not drink. The weather can a bit cold and there is a lot of smoking. I am from a country where smoking is not a big thing.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me there were two: Discovering the vast area of Petra beyond the Treasury was sensational. We drank tea at the Place of High Sacrifice and took a lesser-trodden route back – the scenery was simply stunning! Wadi Rum was amazing – an overnight in a tent in the desert is an experience not to be missed – the evening meal was delicious!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Mikhled, was a real ambassador for his homeland. Demonstrating he loved his job, he shared his passion for Jordan with the group. He was professional, caring and at all times determined that our holiday would be the best he could organise. His choice of restaurants and lunches was a feast for the palette and gave a great introduction into Jordanian cuisine. The cooking class he organised allowed us to make some of the dishes ourselves (the recipes were sent to the group to allow us to try at home). Mikhled was at all times courteous, smiling and able to keep the group amused with his dry sense of humor. When difficulties arose, he was able to support and help to find a solution. Thank you Mikhled for making our week such a special experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip gives a lot but also expects a lot from each group member. It is vital that each person takes responsibility for themselves, their belongings and their timekeeping. It is important not to overestimate your fitness or underestimate the physical demands necessary in such a trip. There are many vista rewards for walking and climbing the age old routes but good footwear is an absolute must. The temperature range is quite diverse (from 8-20 degrees during our week) depending on which location is being visited. Make sure you have layers, warm clothes and a hat as well as swimming gear. For the Red and Dead sea we took water shoes which protected our feet from coral and sharp rocks. A lunch pack is available in Petra – this is a great option as you can choose your stop based on where you are rather than where food is available for purchase. Take a small backpack as you will need to carry the lunch pack. Not all ATM’s work with all UK bank passes so it’s a good idea to get a few Jordanian Dinars before leaving or at the airport to make sure you have money as necessary. There are lots of opportunities for shopping and cash is sometimes preferable. We used about 350 dinars per person during the week.