Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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289 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviewed July 2012

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Excellent week. Oliver was a fantastic guide and looked after the whole group professionally and expertly. Elaine provided fabulous food the whole week and although I don’t usually eat cake – her cakes are so delicious I had one everyday.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole week was brilliant. I loved each walk as they were all different in terms of the immediate landscape but always with the mountains as the stunning backdrop.Eating pear and chocolate tart and drinking hot chocolate at a mountain refuge in the sunshine with clear blue skies was a real moment of joy.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. One of the best leaders I have had on a group activity holiday. This is because he paid attention to the needs of the whole group and worked hard to ensure we all enjoyed the walking and the landscape.Elaine provided food for the week and she did so incredibly well. The food was excellent and the amount available was brilliant. In fact I would have to admit to eating a little too much. Large breakfast and lunch (enough to spread over '2' lunches), and a 3 course dinner. Good job I was on a walking holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This holiday is for you if you want a good introduction to the area, enjoy taking in the views and time to appreciate the journey.It is important to understand the grading of the walk as this will determine the level of the group that you will be walking with all week.If you want to use a holiday to push your own physical fitness then you need to understand your own fitness levels and how this compares to the walk selected.This holiday is graded as a B and this is a sound description of the walks.Oliver is a true group leader and will set the pace of the walk according to the needs of the group, as he should. I found the pace on the holiday good and it was great to see the whole group enjoying the walking. There was a great deal of diversity in our group, from marathon runners (not me!) to regularish walkers. But we all enjoyed the walking thanks to Oliver.

Suggestions

Oliver and Elaine make a great team. The chalet is homely and comfortable, the food fantastic and the walking varied, interesting and beautiful.We all fell in love with Dylan the dog. He is a real character and an asset to the chalet savoy team of talent.Olivers sense of humour is fun and the group appreciated this so much by the end of the week there appeared to be an Oliver style pun and joke competition running. His final joke of the week involving a moped is worth waiting for. However, underlying his humour is a real sense that he is there to look after you and he would not allow anybody in the group to compromise the safety and enjoyment of the whole group.Thank you to Exodus for once again providing a fantastic trip with what must be one of the greatest guides in the business.On another Exodus trip one guide described a fellow guide as a 'legend'. He was right but I think this is also a very appropriate description for Oliver, Elaine and Dylan.

Reviewed July 2012

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

This trip was fantastic as it combined trekking in Mont Blanc during the day with the luxury of chalet accommodation in the evenings!

Most Inspirational Moment

The walking was fantastic and the views were amazing - especially on the final day on Aguillette des Houches! I really liked seeing Mer De Glace on the free day - i've never had the chance to go inside a glacier before and it was amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver our leader was very funny and very knowledgable about the local area. He paces the walks just right- you get to have regular rests to catch your breath and he made sure we were all enjoying ourselves.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice would be to take all the essential equipment and clothing as the weather changes quickly on the mountains!

Suggestions

Oliver's wife Elaine does fantasic food - both packed lunches (with a piece of homemade cake) and three course meals in the evening. The chalet has a hot tub in the garden overlooking the mountains and a sauna which is really good after a hard days walking. They also have a dog who is the star of the show on the walks!

Reviewed July 2012

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

Fantastic trip with great walks and gorgeous mountain views

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Mont Blanc when it finally appeared out of the bits of cloud that always seem to be on it's summit Scoffing myrtle tart surrounded by lovely flowers and enormous mountains Watching the Mont Blanc marathon competitors dragging themselves up the Col de Posettes - might be back one day to do it myself

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver is an excellent leader - very knowledgeable about the mountains, the wildlife and the local area. We had to change a couple of the planned routes due to thunder storms, Oliver came up with really nice lower level safer walks to avoid the worst of the weather.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack all your gear for hot weather and also wet weather, we had everything over the week!

Suggestions

Just book it, it's a great holiday

Reviewed July 2012

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

If you enjoy being safe in good company amongst majestic scenery this is a super holiday. We had a great time.

Most Inspirational Moment

The solitude and amazing views in the Ferret valley. The wild flowers were particularly stunning there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver behaves in a very professional manner. As an experienced leader safety was paramount and was very reassuring in some tricky weather conditions. He endeavoured to make each day enjoyable and educational.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Remember this is a group holiday, not a competition.Be prepared for all weather conditions, and be flexible.

Suggestions

The Chalet Savoy is in a peaceful and picturesque setting with stunning views. It offers a homely environment, with excellent food thanks to Elaine. Its a super place to stay to sample Alpine hospitality.Last but not least, Dylan the friendly Fox Terrier is a delight with his amusing and inquisitive behaviour.

Reviewed July 2012

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

This was a fabulous trip. The views were spectacular, the hikes were challenging enough to make me feel fit by the end of the week, but not so difficult as to make me scramble for life. Oliver and Elaine were magnificent – they constantly made sure that we have fun, are well fed, and are safe.

Most Inspirational Moment

The view from Aiguillette du Brevent on the last day was spectacular. But the whole week was filled with inspirational moments. We were all taking photos uncontrollably.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver is fantastic! He is knowledgable, fun, funny, and very responsible. He went out of his way to make sure we all feel comfortable. I also thought he was really great at gauging the group's aggregate fitness. His wife Elaine should be mentioned as well. She manages the Chalet and cooks all the delicious meals throughout the week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring wet-proofs as it does rain on occasion, even in the summer! I found walking poles to be really useful.

Suggestions

Have fun!

Reviewed July 2012

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

A seamless complete walking package/experience that resulted in absolute enjoyment & many wow factors.Good Alpine walking suited for all ages with average/reasonable hill walking fitness – even for retirees.The joy of being expertly led.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking with constant views & spectacular viewpoints.Profusion of flowers against magnificent backdrops.Paragliding alongside Mont Blanc.Views from the hot tub.Views from L`Aiguille du Midi on a good day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Everything you would hope for - well organised, people skills, knowledgeable(local conditions, geography/geology, flowers, guiding) experienced leader, clear expectations, sense of humour, joyful, calm, considerate & supportive, helpful, willingness to share, mindful & informative of potential difficulties, mindful of the whole group, to be trusted. Oliver & wife Elaine were central to a warm, comfortable, much enjoyed house party.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Crocs or similar to walk to & from the hot tub unless you prefer bare feet on gravel.Walking poles are so helpful.The trip notes include everything you need to know especially clothing & walking days.The walks have achievable challenges which add to the enjoyment.Need to be able to carry up to 2 litres of water.No need for Swiss francs.

Suggestions

There is great joy in walking. being led & sharing as a group. Remember this is what you sign up for.

Reviewed July 2012

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

The walks were definitely challenging for an occasional hiker such as myself and the trip notes are well written in this regard. An experienced, individual hiker might find Grade C treks more suitable, however. Views were lovely but not awe-inspiring. I found the chalet very clean, cosy and comfortable. Elaine worked hard in the kitchen to produce well-planned and balanced meals. Word of warning; if you’re not used to the French diet be prepared to put on a few pounds despite all the daily exercise! The third floor lounge is spacious and a great gathering spot before and after dinner. Refreshments were economically priced and well-stocked. If you’re looking for a reasonably paced holiday with very well-informed and like-minded travellers, this won’t disappoint.

Most Inspirational Moment

Day 3 that took us past the "Spencer Tracey" hut. Best views on the whole trip in my opinion. All the wildflowers: I grow many of the same in my own alpine gardens at home and it was a delight to see them in their natural environs.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have to agree with some of the comments made by a previous reviewer. Oliver was more than a little cranky at times and certainly overbearing in his admonishments and lectures to a few members of the group. There were wide variances in ability levels and some folks walked ahead of the group at times. This turned out to be unacceptable for safety and liability reasons but I'm not sure that the resultant very public and lengthy dressing down was appropriate. It created some hard feelings and then confusion when the leader's pace abruptly changed part way through the tour. Clearly, it is very important to follow his advice and his lead at all times both for your own safety and that of the group. and to keep things harmonious. Despite his cranky outbusts, Oliver took his job seriously. He was very safety-conscious and always made sure that group members were properly outfitted and equipped. He was a fount of information about the wildflowers, although I found it difficult to engage him in additional conversation on this topic. He obviously knows the routes extremely well and is very fit and capable. Some of the primary routes were off-limits due to remaining snow and rain-related washouts but Oliver chose some alternatives to avoid these hazards. Last but certainly not least, I was extremely grateful that he waited for my delayed flight at the airport in Geneva. I was last to arrive and I think some of the group had been waiting for some time. I appreciated his consideration knowing that alternate transport to the chalet would have been inconvenient and expensive to arrange last-minute. He has a rather eccentric taste in movies which he made available to us in the evenings in the lounge. Good for a few laughs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take all the mandatory equipment listed. You will need and use all of it. A bandana worked better than a hat for me (and a couple of others). I found my binoculars to be a useless addition and abandoned carrying them after the first day. Be quick on the shutter button if you like to take lots of pics. There wasn't ample opportunity to do so unless during the two daily breaks. If you're not a regular hill walker, be prepared for the effects of steep and long ascents. It took me a couple of days to get my "legs". On the last day, be sure to take more water at the signposted stream on the way up. It's a longer walk than the others and one of our party ended up dehydrated despite relatively cool conditions. The walk into Chamonix on the day off takes longer than suggested and doesn't really follow the river as advertised. But it's popular with locals and certainly very safe. Don't get too concerned if Oliver's directions for getting to and from the chalet, seem vague. You'll find that it's quite easy to get around either walking or by bus. You will receive a free bus pass at the beginning of the trip which comes in very handy. I found the chalet meals to be hearty and filling but I noticed a couple of the bigger, more active chaps, could have used a little extra food. The servings are set so if you're bringing a big appetite, you may want to consider packing or purchasing some snacks.

Suggestions

I thought the the cable car ride up the Aguille du Midi was over-priced and over-rated. But being a resident of the Rockies has probably spoiled me for mountain views. It is much cooler at the top, so be sure to take a sweater or fleece. Generally speaking, I found the service people in both les Houches and Chamonix, and on the bus routes to be friendly and polite. My French is just passable and although there's no need to be fluent, it is well received if you try the lingua franca.

Reviewed July 2012

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

An excellent holiday and nice to know that at the end of each day, one returned to a chalet with all creature comforts and good food.

Most Inspirational Moment

This was my first mountain holiday in four years. I was pleased to find I could still get up into the mountains with my two new hips. A real sense of achievment to be back amongst the peaks and panoramic views. (Sorry folks if I held you up a bit on the upgrades).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver was an excellent leader, keen to share his extensive knowledge of flora and fauna and of the geography of the region. He lead the group in a very civilized fashion, and kept us all together. The organisation involved was first class and everything ran very smoothly. He gave good ideas for the day off, and provided us with much humour and entertainment throughout. And one must not forget Dillon the amiable foxhound who walked three plus times as far as anyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget walking sticks. Take a water supply with a feed tube. If you stop to drink - as I do - you get behind all those keen types who drink on the hoof - at least on the upgrades. Mind you, I like to stop , so don't really approve.

Suggestions

Elaine and Oliver work very hard to make a successful holiday. Elaine cooks the food with flair - varied, good quality, giving a mixed diet, and plenty of it. The chalet is homely and in good order - very comfortable but not the Savoy Hotel. A very good atmosphere. Oliver becomes sommelier and maitre d'hote and Elaine appears to do everything else including a bit of taxi driving to pick us up. My wife andI thank both of you.

Reviewed July 2012

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

the best walking trip i have been on….great hosts in oliver and elaine…spectacular scenery and views…

Most Inspirational Moment

i took the cable car up the aguille du midi on my day off and the views of the distant mountains and the surrounding peaks were pretty spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

oliver was a great guy,very experienced leader and good fun....he was very happy to help and answer any questions about anything at all....he put no pressure on anybody and maintained a pace which all group members were happy with .

Advice for Potential Travellers

take warm and wet weather clothing at all times when walking as the weather can change at the drop of a hat.

Suggestions

i have been with exodus before and several walking trips in the alps....i enjoyed this trip the best,as the views were constant and spectacular......the walking was not too hard on the feet and oliver and elaine were a great friendly couple who made everyone very welcome.

Reviewed July 2012

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

I had never been to walk in the Alps before and had never been on a walking holiday of this sort, so decided to go with Exodus. The whole experience was excellent, from the chalet where we were based, to the area as a whole and the walking in particular.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moments seemed to go on and on. The views on all the walks, with the exception of one when the weather closed down, were superb. Mont Blanc was almost always on view, but closer in the flowers on the meadows and the occasional wildlife, such as marmots, were a treat, especially in June.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver, our group leader, was highly experienced and this was obvious from the moment he led us up the first ascent. He was assessing the capability of all 15 of us so that he could set the right pace and balance the walking with rest stops. As we got fitter during the week, the pace increased slightly and the walks became slightly tougher, but this was very much in accordance with the trip notes. Oliver has a great sense of humour and a wealth of jokes which I much enjoyed. They made the whole experience great fun. He was also very careful, where necessary, to explain the safest way to walk across ice and snow and to show how to minimise the risk of a fall. This was kept in proportion and it did not become a health and safety show. He also insisted that we keep ourselves well hydrated, which was necessary as we experienced some of the hottest weather of the year. Oliver has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the plants and flowers that we encountered which were in profusion at the end of June. Oliver has a small fox terrier, by the name of Dylan, who accompanied us on 3 walks. He is a great character whose company we all enjoyed and who became quite a mascot of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy this tour. It is a great introduction to the Mont Blanc area and Oliver will show you all the best bits of the Tour de Mont Blanc. You need to be of average fitness, but the walks were never of any great distance (perhaps 9 miles), but some longish ascents are included. If you like walking in amazing scenery, you will find this tour excellent value for money.

Suggestions

Oliver's wife, Elaine, runs the chalet. It was a delight to find that everything we needed was on tap from the moment we had arrived to the day we left. She is an excellent cook and we all made the most of the meals. On the Wednesday we went out as a group to an expensive restaurant but I would have preferred to have had a meal back at the chalet! The packed lunches were just right - never too little and always delicious. The chalet facilities were also always available. The hot tub in the garden, with great views of the Mont Blanc range, was very well used and soothed tired limbs. The sauna was also well frequented. For those who wished to stay in touch with the outside world, the Wifi was always on and a computer was available for those who wished to use it, as was a TV, coffee and tea. Elaine made the place run like clockwork and was a delight to chat to.

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