Most Inspirational Moment
Good throughout. Probably the second day was the best.
Thoughts on Group Leader
As stated above - wonderful!
Advice for Potential Travellers
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Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Snowshoeing in the Dolomites
A well-planned trip taking advantage of the spectacular scenery. We were also lucky to have perfect weather and snow conditions.
Special mention must be made of Sarah Bull – possibly the best guide I have ever encountered. Her attention to detail is extraordinary, as is her commitment and her sense of fun.
PETRA AND WADI RUM BY BIKE
This tour is well balanced between cycling and cultural visits one of course to a seventh wonder of the world site. The cycling days are quite short compared with other Exodus cycling holidays but this is offset by varying desert scenery and other activity. Plus if you are not a ‘keen’ cyclist the descents far outweigh the ascents.
Most Inspirational Moment
The visit to Petra and trying to visualise what it was like so many years ago. Taken by surprise by the size of the site which is not 'developed' and there is a need to use different muscles in the legs (as opposed to cycling) to get around most of the site as there are many steps.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Wael H. was very well organised and led from the front. His English is very good and he is very conversant on cultural topics in Jordan. The tour from a transportation and logistics perspective was seamless.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do not worry about any security issues as the party does have a friendly tourist policemen in attendance and the Jordanian people are hospitable.
Finnish Wilderness Week
This was a week of extensive snow scenes, amazingly empty, quiet open spaces, beautiful skies, both day and night and plenty of winter sport outdoor challenges ! The ethos around Basecamp is infectious: look after the local environment, utilise local resources and food sources, be proud of the Finnish culture and enjoy the snow!
As a group we learned many skills from fire lighting to ice climbing all in a very friendly and thoughtful manner and using really effective kit. The holiday was truly “made” by the lovely staff who run this centre.
Most Inspirational Moment
Stepping outside the main cabin after dinner to watch the northern lights directly above our heads for the next 2 hours! Racing through the sunlit snow behind a team of wonderful huskies! Sleeping out in our very own Quincee, warm as toast in a -12 starlit night! Cooking our reindeer sausages over a campfire in the forest.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our guide was Juuka. Very funny, gentle, thoughtful and caring. He had a vast amount of knowledge and skill in the outdoors and made every session special! We understand that he is relatively new in the job but he seemed very confident and had a natural ability to include everyone and bring humour to all situations!
Advice for Potential Travellers
The Basecamp kit that is loaned to you is very good and we did not need any of our own apart from under garments. We had very little need for many of our evening clothes and little need for cash as everything could be put on our bill. Go for the optional lunches......they were excellent and plenty of it!
Alison - Venabu Cross Country skiing
A great introduction to cross country skiing in Scandinavia. The hotel ski guides were really helpful and sorted us out on the waxing which we had never done before. The hotel was good – free tea and coffee at all times made it feel very homely. Buffets were excellent with plenty of choice.
Most Inspirational Moment
Probably 2 inspirational moments - we had good displays of the Northern Lights - which was a real bonus & also on a ski safari the guide persuaded us to "climb" on skis to a hill top 300 feet above the ski track. We had fantastic views and a great ski back down - which I had not thought I would be able to do.
Thoughts on Group Leader
There was not a Group Leader as the holiday was via Headwater but the ski guides from the hotel were very good - they were great leaders and also considered conditions on the day and the abilities of the group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We really enjoyed having booked a week when there were ski safaris as well as the guiding. The ski safaris were longer days and had more off track.
Snowshoeing in Finland
A relaxing week spent in glorious Finland. If you like snow to feature in a holiday then you cannot beat Finland. The people are lovely, the venues calm and relaxing and the activities can be as full on as you want them to be. This trip can be very relaxing and had less guided walks than I had anticipated but you can participate in many optional extras or take as many unguided walks as you like. If that doesn’t appeal then sit and relax by the fire and eat plentiful and delicious food.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the northern lights four times in one week.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Martti was a charming host and a great advert for Finland. He clearly shares the ecological ethos of Basecamp Oulanka.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you want a very active week be prepared to take unguided walks or optional extras. Don't forget your driving licence if you want to snowmobile.
Chimps and Gorillas of Uganda
The main objective of the holiday was to see chimps and gorillas. The local organisation was well set up to see both of these and we had excellent sightings, and while nothing is certain, one would be very unlucky not to see them both. In addition we saw a lot of other animals including lions, giraffes, elephant, buffalo and various antelope. While this was not a dedicated bird watching trip we nevertheless saw and identified almost 170 species including such specialities as Crowned Crane, Finfoot and the weird, but much sought after, Shoebill Stork.
Most Inspirational Moment
There was no just one special moment! Being so close to gorillas, seeing a pair of Shoebill storks rise out of the marsh yards from us, getting to within a couple of yards of a Malachite Kingfisher....
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jude, our leader was outstanding - as good as they come. His knowledge of animals and birds was exceptional and his ability to pick up distant birds enviable. He new where we were likely to see key species, and regularly checked with locals, resulting our seeing giraffe and lion, species not so common in the area we were visiting, and missed by other groups around. I doubt we would have seen the Shoebills without his knowledge and determination In addition to all this he was very caring and incredibly hard working all helping to make this and exceptional holiday
Advice for Potential Travellers
The gorillas live in demanding terrain - steep sided valleys - climbing down and getting back up is strenuous! No problem for anyone who goes hill walking regularly, but if one doesnt do much walking of any description, it will be hard work (but worth it!). There are porters available to carry ones pack (local lads who appreciate the cash) importantly they will also give you a pull up on the steeper bits if you need one - much appreciated by some members of the party -so hire one and couples, hire one each if you both think you might need a pull!
Cycling around the island of Sardinia
Good cycling around the island. A couple of the days are a bit tough, but you can always get in the bus if you don’t fancy it.
Most Inspirational Moment
Completing the tough climbs.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Leaders were very friendly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The choice of places to eat seemed very limited. Quite often you are in a hotel in the middle of nowhere and have only the hotel restaurant to eat in. The quality of the food was not great and it was very expensive.
first time skiing of any type
first time skiing of any sort so everything was new to me! Enjoyed it immensely [apart from the classic ‘third day ‘when everything ached and nothing worked!!] By the end of the week the last 3 days comprised quite a lot of of track skiing and suddenly I was managing to stay upright, turn and stop going down hill!
The enjoyment was enhanced by the generally superb weather, mainly clear blue skies and sunshine.
Most Inspirational Moment
The fourth day [Thursday] everything suddenly started to come together. On Wednesday night I had gone to bed fully expecting to be hardly able to move certain parts of my body on Thurs am, but not only were there no real aches, when we got going I actually felt like I was starting to cross country ski!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both Ilse and Mary were supportive, instructive and very helpfull.
3 countries in one week!
If you want to cram in 3 countries in 2 weeks then this is the trip for you. Cycling is not nearly as difficult as other moderate to challenging trips. Because of the distances involved you’ll spend quite a bit of time on the bus.
Most Inspirational Moment
It was amazing to see so many volcanoes, stunning beaches and wildlife.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Memo took a while to warm to us but once he did he was good fun. Paul the mechanic was really friendly and a special mention to the bus driver who understands more English that he lets on and is a very safe driver.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Not matter what time of year you go it will be HOT! Think 33-38C during the day and down to 20-22 at night. Expect it to rain and for it to be heavy! Food is great value, fresh and tasty. You can't go wrong with whatever you order. Group flights were with United airlines. I'd say they are the "Ryan air" of intercontinental flying and best avoided unless the price is too good to ignore.
Cuba libre
This tour, A Taste of Cuba, did what it said on the tin. It provided an introduction to the country, mainly the western part and La Havana.
Most Inspirational Moment
Trinidad - despite its touristy nature it was a charming small town. I had a superb massage there so this is probably my personal highlight!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lazaro was an outstanding group leader. His command of English was incredible as he had never visited the UK or the US - just read a lot he said. He was informative and always willing to answer questions. He was always approachable. Above all he was keen to let the group know about his country, its history, culture and people.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The trip was a bit breathless - there was not a lot of free time except in Trinidad and Havana. Some people had extra time at either the start or the end - I wish I had done this. Cuba was more expensive than I had imagined, certainly for food but less so for drinks and trinkets. Be prepared for long lines to change money especially at the airport; the ATM in Havana did work though.