Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The dedication of the guides to helping us all achieve our goal particularly during those moments when the terrain was difficult and during summit night when everyone found the going tough.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham did an amazing job organising a large group of people which encompassed numerous porters, guides and ourselves as clients. Although much of his work was behind the scenes when coordinating the porters he was always observed speaking with them to ensure everything worked smoothly. His manner with both clients and porters was inspirational.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being in the high Himalaya's is inspirational, every moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sukhman, our team leader made all the difference: he is kind to a fault; respectful, happy, and has every facet of a great leader. Sukhman's team were brilliant to; Kagei has summited Everest six times, Lakbar and Cammi did everything with a smile. It's a privilege to be with such great people and I hope Exodus and future trekking parties appreciate as much. It's these guys that make it possible and fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

What you won't find on a packing list that's useful: Wet-wipes (work it out); fresh coffee, playing cards, chocolate, a water bottle that can double up as a hot water bottle at night. Most important of all ..... a sense of humour.

Most Inspirational Moment

The temples in Angkor and the surrounding area.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Phuong was warm and welcoming, always ready to help and go the extra mile. Our guide in Cambodia who we only had for a brief time was also excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Think carefully about whether you need to take Malaria tablets. In January when I went it was possible to manage without them. Just go well prepared with insect repellent. Pack enough layers too as it was cool for the first half of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Quite a few here..... Getting to Ometepe Island on the smaller, very crowded ferry (the larger one having broken down) on a VERY rough lake Nicaragua. Did I mention that there was a coffin on board.....?! Hilly days in Costa Rica. Finally seeing Toucans with minutes to spare! High-fiving the kids in Nicaragua. Riding onto the beach and diving straight into the Pacific. The rest of the group - great fun all the way!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roberto was superb. Always smiling, always encouraging, and always with a plan B, C and D if required! (And they were). The bus organisation was fabulous as well, Lots of water, snacks and fruit - thanks to Neno.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A few of the hotels leave a little (lot) to be desired - do not expect quality - or hot water - all the way. There are some long bus transfers - be prepared. Bug spray is essential. But - if you go with an open mind you will have a fabulous time!

Most Inspirational Moment

This has got to be the husky sledding. As part of the trip, a 2-3 hour husky sledding excursion is included, this was approximately 10km. There is an opportunity to do a 6-7 hour excursion of 30km as an optional extra. Don't hesitate! This was the most amazing day. This is the opportunity to see where the huskies live and chat to the husky guides who live there with the dogs. The dogs get so excited, they bark and howl at the tops of their voices, tails wagging and trying to keep the sled from moving before it was time to go was hard work and took all of my body weight! Mushing through the frozen forest was like going through the wardrobe into Narnia...so beautiful, so remote and so quiet...apart from when you stop and the dogs, who don't really want to stop, start howling and barking..ready to get on the move again!! You get full instruction as to how to operate the sled with safety again being a priority.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Amazing! Henri was so knowledgeable, a great leader, organizer and extremely motivating plus he had a great sense of humour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The advice given by Henri is not to use skin care products with oil. I did some research before I left home and came up with Kiehl's products which are "torture tested" in Greenland. I'm happy to say my skin survived!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing elephants in the wild for the first time is always a thrill. I have seen them on several occasions but it is always a thrill.The lodges at Royal Natal park and in Swaziland together with the views were something special

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ende was fantastic he organized everything brilliantly. I would happily go with him again, also I cannot speak to highly of Collie and Marco who were very knowledgeable and interesting to listen to.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for this one

Most Inspirational Moment

Many inspiring moments (and people) although climbing to the top of the ice wall (with Henri's assistance) is a lasting memory. Most inspiring was that Base camp staff have an impressively respectful attitude towards maintaining and supporting the natural environment. Running a team of Husky dogs for 30k across the Arctic Tundra was also fairly awesome (I'll never complain about walking my dogs in rain showers again!).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri was the group leader for the 'wild' people. He did a most excellent job for the duration of our stay. Activities were well organised and well paced with sufficient choice of activities and options for ’down time'. He was knowledgable about, and skilful in all the activities: cross country skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, trekking and more. He engendered a sense of safety such that we didn't even worry when a wild person accidentally walked into a snow drift almost as tall as her. He and his colleague calmly walked her out of it whilst her wild comrades were rendered incapable by laughter! He was diplomatic and generous with his time. He was eternally patient with the wild people and motivated them to succeed in their chosen activities. His character and personality were perfect accompaniments to his knowledge base and skill sets. Henri was an excellent leader and his 'support' colleagues (in particular Julie, Tessa, and the chefs) were equally impressive in their roles.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking across frozen lakes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri was excellent. Good communicator. Good organisation of large group into smaller groups doing varied activities.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good layers of kit provided. Light fleece base, medium fleece mid plus shell outer. Thermos flask for warm water etc. But would take own thermal (fully loop lined) socks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Moments that I will remember for a long time include the wonderful old american automobiles, the fantastic dilapidated towns of Havana, Trinidad and Santiago but there were other towns as well. The music venues in these 3 towns are a must - make the effort, at least once (you will be exhausted) as generally after 10pm is best and the alarm went off at 0640 everyday! Watching my wife trying to dance with some locals was truly the laugh of the tour!! Above all, we felt as though we really got to know the country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Jamie was a lovely guy but he could have been 'tighter' on departure times (leave at 0830 probably meant 0850 ) and making sure everyone understood what was going to happen next (very difficult with these sorts of groups but on my Indian trips those guys managed it!) Always smiling and his knowledge of Cuba's history was all encompassing and engrossing. Our 2 bus drivers and mechanic didn't really speak English but they were fun to have around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You must do some cycling training and get a few miles in the legs. Like all these Exodus cycling trips there is a range of cycling ability. I took my wife for the first time and she enjoyed it immensely but she did get the training in before hand building up to 40 miles in a session. We are 66. There were some hills but all more or less manageable and you can always hop on the bus for a rest!

Most Inspirational Moment

Full day huskie sledding through the snow clad scenery, reminded me of Narnia. Starting the day with excited Huskies to the silence when sledding was serene.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri was a great leader, engaged the whole group with learning new skills from snowshoeing, cross country skiing to quinzee building. Nothing was too much trouble for him or the other staff within the complex.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need much money as you can pay for extras and optional activities at the end of the week on credit/ debit card. You also only need little clothing, base layers and change of clothing for the evening. I found that even 11kg of luggage was too much and most clothes were taken home unworn. Once the taster activities had been done you are free to use the equipment as you like during your stay.