Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Being up in the mountains, after the struggle of getting up there during the mornings! Lots of steep slopes, enjoyed it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

A very well prepared and competent person with the ability of creating a pleasant holiday for all age participants; Mr. Hutchinson was certainly up to the task of bringing the group of very different hikers to the most astounding scenery available around Mont Blanc - regarding the fact that the days were long and also demanding physically. He encouraged and helped us also when struggling with blisters and all sorts of little nuisances, I was surprised of his dedication and continuous presence during the whole week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get ready for serious hiking - good shoes and socks, enough training before your trip, and you'll enjoy and get the best out of it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing over boulders to eat lunch beside a fast-moving, glacial stream; foraging for wild raspberries for dessert; friendly encounters with Italian sheep and having the privilege of petting an inquisitive lamb; a butterfly resting on my shoulder for an interminable amount of time; sitting in 'grasshopper meadows' and hearing the incessant chattering from the hillsides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rupert was an outstanding leader. He had great knowledge of the area and put each walk into context in relation to where we had walked previously or to our accommodation. He was attuned to the needs of individuals in the group, giving waypoints to stop at to those who wanted to move ahead faster and supporting those who moved at a slower pace. He shared his botanical knowledge with us, offering alpine leaves for us to sample, collecting herbs with which to make a 'tisane', or pointing out dangerous plants used as early anaesthetics.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The paths are a mixture of paved ski-tracks, woodland trails and rocky paths with short sections of cables, chains and vertical ladders. The ascents are steady and sustained from the word go, steep at times, with few level sections until you have gained height. With this in mind, I would suggest you get some regular hill-walking in before you travel to better prepare yourself. If you plan to wash a few items of laundry, pack a washing line and pegs and, if you are lucky enough to get a room with a balcony, you can hang it outside.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was well-worthwhile and enjoyable. I doubt there was one inspirational moment. When on the Italian side of the Alps in the beautiful Ferret valley a flock of Italian sheep ran towards us - we expected them to go around us and keep well away. Not so. They ran up to us wanting to be petted and even licked our boots! Are Italian sheep always so friendly?

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader (Rupert) was excellent; very attentive to the needs of the group and each individual, very knowledgeable about the area and relaxed in his approach to leading the group. I have been with several Exodus (and Explore trips) and Rupert is by far the best leader I have so far been with. Exodus are lucky to have him as a leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bear in mind that the weather is a major factor. Our leader Rupert adapted the itinerary according to the weather forecast, which of course he was wise to do. We only had one day of bad weather though, which happened to be our free day. Take clothing for hot/dry through to wet/chilly conditions. Anything can happen in the Alps, even in summer. It was snowing high up on the Aiguille de Midi.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing inside the Glacier on our "day off," At last those long forgotten Geography lessons clicked into place. A bit late for my O levels though methinks. Stupendous

Thoughts on Group Leader

As above he was really brilliant, couldn't fault him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You are walking up to 900m uphill almost every day. This like a top Lakeland fell from the Lakeside in five days out of six. Make sure you are fit enough to enjoy the breathtaking (no pun intended) panoramic Vistas that will enchant you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Good views

Thoughts on Group Leader

good

Advice for Potential Travellers

train first - some hard climbs

Most Inspirational Moment

My friend and I took the liberty of running any part of the trails that we could (with our guide's permission/advice). After sprinting a section of a trail with an overly qualified expert of the mountains (our guide's husband), with his go-ahead we decided to continue running down the rest of the mountain instead of waiting for the rest of the group and taking the gondola down. It was a steep path down, but we ran it all the way and managed to beat the group back, even though they took the lift. It was one of the greatest feelings.

Thoughts on Group Leader

loves what she does, knowledgeable, accepting of any pace/desired activity level of the group

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get some good shoes -- Mammuts or Salomons -- and a good backpack

Most Inspirational Moment

On day one a paraglider landed in the field in front of the whole group before we'd even set-off for our first trek. Needless to say by the end of the trip more than half had booked a paragliding jump. Also being spied on by Marmots as we decended into the valley - little did the chubby fellow know we were looking for him !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simon was flexible enough to ensure we all got the best out of the trip given our differing abilities. Having different options at certain points allowed everyone to enjoy there holiday at their own pace. On a more personal level I enjoyed his very dry sense of humour - back of Beyonce made me chuckle every time. Thanks Simon - my vision in Blue !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definately get a bit of hill-walking in before the holiday - it will make all the difference & just in case your wondering yes you are trekking the alps & yes they are steep yet so worth the view !

Most Inspirational Moment

Finding out that there are times where "awesome" is the only word that suits the wonder of the landscape.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jen was great, encouraging the group onwards and upwards, sharing her enthusiasm for the mountains.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't enjoy scenery like this without walking uphill! Walk regularly and often before you go and don't forget you start at 1000m so you need the first day to acclimatise. After that you'll be itching to return for the full circuit, I know I am!

Most Inspirational Moment

stunning scenery all week but especially aiguiile di midi on restday and deep inside glacier at montevens

Thoughts on Group Leader

highly skilled

Most Inspirational Moment

1) coming across a (wild) Ibex 2) Feeling so close to the highest peaks on the Italian side of the range while walking through fields of Alpine wildflowers whose varieties were such an unexpected treat 3) spotting a marmot on a rock (and hearing his or her bird-like call!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simon Conroy is another exceptional Exodus leader and guide. Experienced, encouraging, informative, worldly, accomodating (and humorous), we felt in the best of hands with a guy who could literally handle anything.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring your walking poles, plenty of sunscreen, hydration tablets for your water bottles and music (on your mobile phone or iPod) to share as the chalet has a sound system that accomodates this.