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Reviews

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

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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28 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviews

Amazing trekking experience.

Namaste! When we decided to book this trek we considered several things – costing, availability, timings and fitness level; and upon reflection, we chose the right trek at the right time – it was a fantastic experience. The trek itself is 18 days (with varying levels of distance) through a variety of scenery – from forests to valleys, from large villages to small hamlets – each day is unique and interesting with stunning views of the Himalayan mountains. You acclimatize slowly on gradual routes with a small group and guides: porters carry your large bag (exceptionally fast!) so you just have a day pack with you.
As we trekked in December we hardly saw other trekkers on our route and this made for a more remote feeling: you are embedded in the local culture from the start and to the end. This will be a memorable trip for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several inspirational moments on our trip - passing the Thorung-La pass, the views from Poon Hill, the views from Manang, the temples of Muktinath, the villages we passed through and the Nepalese people we met. I think overall it was the grandness of the mountains that overlook the circuit - they are incomparable and astounding to see and you will be in awe of them. The whole experience hasn't fully sunk in yet!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bikash Tamang was a fantastic group leader - compassionate, caring, funny, friendly and knowledgeable. He made the experience enjoyable and ensured the pace was suitable for all; we never felt rushed nor unable to stop and admire the view and take pictures. Bikash pointed out views we would have otherwise missed, recommended things to try and took us to good quality restaurants in Pokhara and Thamel. I felt safe with Bikash as group leader and reassured that any issue I might have had he would do his utmost to help sort it. He is proud to work for Exodus and is a good representative of the company and their ethics. We want to book another trekking experience in Nepal and I will be asking for Bikash as our group leader (if he is available).

Advice for Potential Travellers

The circuit can be dusty in a lot of places so a buff/face mask is a must - this was a great bit of kit that was used often and saved a lot of coughing. We found that the Steripens we used struggled to work at higher altitudes so take back up tablets for sterilisation just in case. Jelly babies! A good 'pick me up' for when energy is low. A good tip would be to write on the map you're provided with the dates of the mountains you see for reflection when you return - it is also useful the take a photo of the day's itinerary on your camera before you start snapping pictures that day so you know which day's photos are on your camera and can match up to any trip notes you make in your journal You won't spend as much as suggested in the trip notes but take that amount anyway as there's a lot to buy in Thamel and having extra spending money was great for us (practice bargaining as well if you're not used to it!). Don't be afraid to ask questions from your guides! Stop, take photos, interact with the locals and admire the views. Lastly, a headtorch. Some people in our group didn't pack one but I found I used mine often and there are a couple of days where you start in the dark and it is needed.

Beyond Expectations

An absolutely amazing trip. Nepal is such a beautiful country with very beautiful, kind and open people, and this trips opens a door into this culture. I have been mountain trekking and altitude trekking before, but this is by far my most favorite trip: first, there’s plenty time to acclimatize, a very gentle way up, with gradual increase in altitude, easy on the body (considering the trip and the physical activity). I found it easier on this trip than my other experiences (Kilimanjaro, Toubkal). And one of the things I enjoyed the most is passing villages, seeing the local people and how they live. You are embedded in the local culture from the start and to the end. This makes Nepal quite distinct! The landscapes change every day, and you can’t help but want to one picture after another. The food and accomodation are mostly basic, but one has to expect it on these kinds of trips, and as long as you have the right expectations, you’d be able to enjoy it hugely.

Most Inspirational Moment

All of it! So hard to pick! Seeing people, seeing children, dancing with porters, putting another rock on top of the rock towers, Poon hill, NEPAL! Loved it all, every day!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bikash is the best! I'd go to Nepal with him again tomorrow! He is very attentive to everyone's needs and moods, and goes out of his way to make this trip an amazing experience for all!

Advice for Potential Travellers

1) don't change money at the airport - they take commission which you can easily avoid in town! most places would change you all money you want, so you don't need to worry about the limits. You do need local cash from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Take cash pounds or $, as ATMs (in Kathmandu) have stricter limits (some 10,000 rupees = $100 = GBP80) and commissions (one definitely cannot take all one needs in 1 go at an ATM). 2) be prepared for temperature range - you could go from a tshirt during the day to down jacket over dinner. Take layers and be prepared. I would also advise taking cold medicine and sore throat meds along, just in case: It's easy to get one when not used to this temperature range. 3) nights are cold: it will be cold in your room, either take a good sleeping bag, or rent one from exodus, take a bottle appropriate for hot water (and a sock to put it in) for hot water bottle if you tend to be cold. The Thorang La Pass is going to be cold too! make sure you have appropriate clothes, including socks and gloves! 4) hot showers are not guaranteed, take wet wipes, that would make your life simpler! 5) snacks (chocolate bars) are easily available from all along the trek, but jelly babies go a long way in the mountains! Take them and share with your new friends! 6) we definitely used less money for meals along the trek than the trip notes suggest, but there are plenty of shopping opportunities in Pokhara and Kathmandu + some along the trek. Kathmandu has a lot of outdoors shops, easy to get any trekking gear you want if you don't have any, and it'll be cheaper - if you have enough time in Kathmandu before the trek begins. All above true at least for December departures!

Annapurna circuit group winter trek

A trek that shows Nepal from the city to the mountains. Watch the landscape, people, villages, food and animals change as you climb from the city, to subalpine, to alpine. A wonderful introduction to Nepal that has adventure as well as social fun with the guides, porters and other trekkers in the group. Also a good way to start high altitude trekking with experienced guides who carry oxygen and first aid.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting local villagers who live high up in the mountains with limited resources

Thoughts on Group Leader

Experienced, knowledgeable and also joined in with our group socially and befriended us. Worked very hard to include everyone's preferences and requests even though it was a group trip

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the altitude seriously and join a group or be very careful taking time to acclimatise and take plenty of very warm clothing and sleeping bag and thermos. Be prepared for limited hot showers during the winter season and electricity

Annapurna Circuit 12 November - 2 December 2017

A very good tour with an excellent team which was only fair when it came to the transparency of the costs and to a few below standard accommodations, even in the local context.

Most Inspirational Moment

Obviously the mountain views and the friendship among tean members and with the staff

Thoughts on Group Leader

Angeloo Sherpa was simply fabulous, discreet but always present, highly responsible and experienced, caring and competent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to impress on Exodus to see that the accommodations have the basic, minimum comfort. In four occasions, there was not even a nail in the romms to hang clothes. we were lucky that we had superb weather and therefore no wet clothe. Such sloppiness, carelessness is unacceptable.

A great and memorable Annapurna Circuit

The whole trip was excellently organised, the accommodation generally better than expected as was the food. The scenery was breathtaking. We were lucky to have perfect weather the whole time. The group leader was excellent being always good humoured, friendly and helpful. Slight downsides were the amount of road walking where occasional buses, lorries and jeeps would tend to hoot at us and then cover us in dust as they passed. Also, some tea houses made hygiene difficult by having very poor or no hand washing facilities in the toilets.

Most Inspirational Moment

The first close up view of the high snow capped peaks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was excellent and always had his finger on the pulse of the group. He was pro-active in seeking continuous feedback from the group and dealing with any issues promptly and effectively. He also clearly was effectively managing the guide and porters. He was excellent on safety issues especially those relating to altitude. He also ensured that an appropriate pace was set at all times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have adequate clothing for very cold nights and make sure you bring plenty of socks. In general, the packing list in the trip notes is very good including its recommendation for using a Steripen for water purification.

Annapurna circuit

I have just returned from a very exciting three week trip to Annapurna circuit. Every day was different and full of adventure. With excellent guide in Gum, we all managed theTharong La pass without any altitude problem. The people of Nepal and all the staff including porters are really happy to help and always smiling. Just make sure you take enough clothes for the cold weather. If you forget there is plenty of opportunity to buy anything you need.

Most Inspirational Moment

Throng La pass, lovely lunch stops on the way.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gum was the best leader I have ever had. He was always relaxed, smiling and was able to deal with all our needs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have plenty of clothes for the cold and include a tshirt for the warmer days.

Annapurna Circuit Feb 17

This classic trek is not for the faint hearted. Although the distances covered are not great, the fact that much of the trek is above 3000m means that effort required is significant and the day crossing the Throng La Pass at over 5400m is by far the most strenous with a 4am start and 1500m climb – equivalant to climbing Ben Nevis from the summit of Mt Blanc.
The trek has been very well thought out with slack included just in case there are delays on the pass due to weather or sickness.
The mountain views are awesome but there are also stretches of near desert where the going isn’t quite so good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunrise on the snow covered mountains was spectacular

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Prem, was outstanding. He organised everything to run like clockwork. He took great care of the group especially when some of us were suffering the effects of altitude thus ensuring everyone achieved their goal of completing the trek. His sense of humour was just what was needed to keep spirits up, we could have wished for better. Not sure how he influenced the weather but it was almost perfect for us - but just one day behind us every day the weather had closed in with heavy snow on the Pass just a few hours after we crossed it. We named him 'Prem the Lucky'!

Advice for Potential Travellers

February turned out to be a good choice - clear weather (mostly) and deserted tea houses that we had to ourselves. From what we saw of other folk on the trek, Exodus was a good choice. Having seen other trekkers trying to tackle the high passes independently I was glad we were in the hands of competant leaders and had a happy support team of sherpas.

Bill McOwan

An excellent trip even though we could not complete the circuit because of the disaster on the Thorong La pass. My and I am sure the rest of the groups thoughts are with the families and friends of those who died or were injured in the storm.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views of the mountains at Manang. Our Nepalise guides and porters who were always very helpful and always had a ready smile.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kumar is an excellent leader and a credit to Exodus. He should be commended for a job well done.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure your kit is in good condition as you never know what weather you will get in the mountains - Monsoon rain to snow blizzards. Get your visa before you travel as the process at Kathmandu can take a very long time.