Most Inspirational Moment
Finding two chairs that someone had thoughtfully carried up to the Castell de Castells.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very capable and well organised. He contributed greatly to our enjoyment of the trip.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Sierra de Aitana Trek
Comfortable accommodation in wonderful surroundings, excellent meals, varied and challenging walks led by a knowledgeable and proficient guide with a real passion for the area, its history and culture. The packed lunches praised in previous customer reviews did not disappoint.
Winter walking in a little known area of Spain
This area of Spain is little known and on three walks we saw no-one else and on one we saw just one couple. It is just behind Benidorm but is little touched by tourism and gives an insight into rural Valencia. The walks are demanding but the views are breathtaking and are either to and from the hotel door or after a short drive. The weather in February was mild and sunny and the lower slopes were covered with almond blossom, making it an unusual opportunity to do European mountain walking in the winter months.
Most Inspirational Moment
Each of the walks had its own charm. I remember particularly a long descent from the Serrella massif down a hidden valley.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I have travelled frequently with Exodus and other similar trekking companies and Jose was one of the best tour leaders I have walked with. He was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about mountain walking and about the ways local people have responded to the challenges of the environment over the years. He combined this with a mischievous sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Get fit in advance: the walking is 1000 metres ascent and descent in a day and the paths are often rocky and uneven.
A great trip
A very enjoyable and energetic walking holiday in a scenic part of Spain. Our guide, Jose, was excellent, passionate and informative and was able to modify the planned itinerary to cope with some inclement weather. His packed lunches were awesome. The hostal was comfortable and the food was delicious (as well as copious – don’t expect to lose weight on this trip!).
The only disappointing feature for me was the lack of consideration given to those who are unable to be on the group flight and thus cannot avail themselves of the group transfer from Alicante. Exodus recognises that the hostal is rather inaccessible. My flight arrived slightly ahead of schedule and I reached the arrivals hall when, according to Jose, he hadn’t yet left the carpark and it would have been no great inconvenience to have waited for me. In the event, I had to take a bus to Benidorm and a taxi to Benimantel (there are no local buses on Sundays), at an additional cost of €45. By the time I reached the hostal, Jose and the rest of the group had left to go to Guadalest for lunch. I don’t actually know what the solution is but bearing in mind I paid the same as the others, the London-centric transfer arrangements should perhaps be reconsidered. No hard feelings, I’m about to book my next trip with Exodus. Cheers.
Most Inspirational Moment
I'm not sure that there was such a moment, other than being inspired to have lots more holidays!
A great week of hiking
Great hiking in wonderful mountain scenery. The accommodation is in a quiet and peaceful location, and serves very good food.
Most Inspirational Moment
I didn't go for inspiration, I went to hike.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The leader went the extra mile to ensure that the holiday was as good as possible for the group. He was very highly organised and exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about the area. Plus he makes great sandwiches.
Sierra Aitana Trek
A brilliant trip. Challenging but worth it.
Most Inspirational Moment
Getting to the summits were brilliant. It was difficult terrain. A lot of loose stones underfoot so I had to walk with poles which I don't usually do but it was challenging and the guide really helped. The scenery was beautiful and the local villages of Guadalest and Benimentall were lovely.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose was fantastic. His English was excellent and he had a great sense of humour. He was incredibly passionate about his country and very knowledgeable. His guiding was faultless, made excellent sandwiches - really! Respected and managed people with different levels of experience.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Definitely need ankle support boots and poles. Bring thin layers.
Sierra de Aitana
A memorable trip based in a perfect location for both trekking & leisure time.
The walks are lengthy but well planned to made more manageable with long gradual ascents/descents.
A basic hotel but with friendly staff & excellent food fuelling you for the long days ahead!
It does have a pool for warmer days (larger than a plunge pool as described in the particulars).
Most Inspirational Moment
Summiting Puig Campana on the final day
Thoughts on Group Leader
An excellent guide very experienced & good company. His brother also joined us who enjoys sharing mountain survival skills & detailed local knowledge. He creates the best sandwiches for lunch I have ever seen! Don't expect to lose weight! I was disappointed at not summiting Aitana & did feel he was overly cautious given low cloud/mist. It felt as if he thought that if there was to be no view then it wasn't worth it. The cloud & mist was negligible & we could easily have managed the summit without any significant risk.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do some pre-investigation & planning for the day off. The local coastal town is very limited & the alternative beach is very nice but again very quiet. Obviously it depends very much what you are looking for.
A Great Week in the Sierra de Aitana
Five excellent guided walks in the mountains surrounding our accommodation at El Trestellador. Each day was very enjoyable and the walks took approximately 6 hours. It was extremely hot for October and the mountains have little shade, so plenty of water had to be carried. The packed lunch provided was superb and enjoyed on the peaks each day. Returning to El Trestellador for a cold beer was equally enjoyable.
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved the accommodation. It was simple, very clean and our hosts were so friendly. The food provided each night was exceptional and more than enough for the largest appetite.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose is a nice guy with a passion for the Sierra de Aitana. He knows everything about the area and makes the walks interesting. He also is responsible for the excellent sandwiches.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is not an easy week and deserves the Activity level 4
First Class Walking snd Eating
Marvellous walking but needing good fitness and some ability to walk on difficult rock ascents and descents. A beautiful area, great guides in Jose and Jaime, very friendly and comfortable hotel and excellent food.
Most Inspirational Moment
Standing on top of Puig Campana after a long and in places complex ascent and seeing all the other places we had been to in the week.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose and Jaime were both excellent. Very safety conscious and very experienced and full of interesting information about the area. Exodus has some excellent local leaders and these two are among the best.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is more demanding than the Picos challenging week. Partly due to the length of walks and partly due to the more technical sections. There is very little height exposure and what there is not precipitous. Poles are useful, even to a non pole user like me. It does rain and can be very wet so you must bring waterproof bottoms and an umbrella or poncho are useful as it is also hot (Sept/Oct). They advise boots and those who did not use them did have a few problems. You can get away without using them but be prepared for blisters/ sore feet.
Sierra de Aitana Trek
Great trip to a beautiful and interesting area. The fragrant wild flowers (in June) were an added treat. Probably not considered a headline destination but shouldn’t be missed. The local accommodation was clean, comfortable and hospitable and situated near two lovely villages.
Most Inspirational Moment
.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was very good, professional and enthusiastic with great local knowledge and spoke excellent English.
Sierra d'Aitana
A really good trip in a part of Europe that it would be very easy to miss / ignore. A nice hotel with good food and wine supplied with dinner. Extraordinary G&Ts. The hills are not as high as others or as epic, but they are beautiful and amazingly green. The huge variety of plant life was staggering, and I’ve never had a walk smell so much like a herb garden. Good week for re-charging batteries after a busy start to the year.
Most Inspirational Moment
Standing on Serrella looking at the difference between the two valleys separated by only a few hundred metres.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose was great - knowledgable, good humoured and relaxed. He makes unbelievable sandwiches for lunch.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be a bit fit these are longish walks.