Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights are too numerous to mention but the stand-outs for us were the two long descents from stunning Susques down into the Humahuaca gorge and the final days biking down Bishop's slope.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ale was charming, ever cheerful and worked hard to keep our large group on track. He had great local knowledge and interesting stories that embellished our trip. Our feeling was that there were not enough staff to deal with the group in an efficient way. There were just three people including Ale to drive the 2 vans and provide stop breaks and lunch. Loading the bikes and lunch preparation was slow and time consuming meaning that we often arrived late at the final destination with little down time before our evening meal. The van that was meant to be readily available with our possessions including additional clothing was always at the back of the group which sometimes meant waiting up to 90minutes getting cold for the van to catch up for example.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We definitely benefitted from arriving a few days earlier in San Pedro to acclimatise to the altitude. We also enjoyed visiting some of the sites not covered by the trip on our own (we hired a car), namely the Altiplanic lakes and Chaxa lagoon. Some people in our group suffered from the effects of altitude for a couple of days. Sandy gravel roads were a significant feature of this trip, with one full day on gravel. Experience in off road cycling would be of benefit for these sections. The bike seats were not comfortable for us, consider bringing your own or a padded cover. The weather was unusually warm for our trip meaning that the many warm clothes we brought were barely worn, however you do need some warm clothing for the cooler nights, high altitude and the Geyser trip. Salta was a complete surprise for us. Larger, more interesting and enjoyable than we anticipated. Well worth an extra night or two stay at the end as there is lots to do in and around the city. It also felt completely safe to walk around at all times of the day and night. Argentina is currently very cheap with the blue rate being offered by credit cards and currency exchange from American dollars.

Suggestions

Lunches prepared in the field were of a generally disappointing standard with questionable hygiene however this was felt to be largely due to lack of staff and preparation time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our early morning visit to the geysers at El Tatio. Crossing the Jama Pass from Chile into Argentina. Riding on the salt flats at Salinas grandes Descending the 42 km of the Bishop's slope.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Ale Moreiras who was an entertaining and competent leader whose professionalism and enthusiasm were an integral part of his guiding. It was evident that Ale and his co-leader, Claudio Sanuy, enjoyed their work and both worked hard, but without fuss, to ensure the tour went according to plan. In my case my wife became affected by toothache but Ale was able to find, and take her to a dentist, who saw her on a Sunday afternoon, prescribing antibiotics which allowed her to continue the tour. We were both thankful for this and I was amazed at Ale's resourcefulness. He seemed to have contacts everywhere we went and whilst some might say this was a coincidence, I think such things don't happen without effort being made to develop a network of contacts for times of need. I think Ale was the main organiser but Claudio was equally enthusiastic and the two complemented each other very well, each with skills and contacts to support the other.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a reasonable distance travelled on 'gravel' but this surface is much like forest trails that can be found in England. We did not encounter large rocks to be negotiated. However, unlike trails in England a lot of these are above 3500 metres and for our trip the weather was quite hot. The heat and altitude mean that all riders must be aware of how they feel at all times. Dehydration, altitude sickness and fatigue are real issues to watch out for. Enjoy the riding, the scenery is fantastic.

Most Inspirational Moment

Perhaps reaching the 3,457m top on the final day after a l-o-o-o-ng (13.5 mile) climb. Other Exodus trips we've been on make more of building up to THE big climb of the trip but this was a bit low key. But this is a minor criticism. The geyser trip was amazing but it really was mega-cold (-8 degrees someone said) to start with. Salt flats were great too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ale did a great job - knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, capable. Gave good briefings. No criticisms. Claudio was excellent support.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cycling was tougher than we expected - heat, ascents and quite a bit of gravel surface took their toll so if we did it again we'd want to be fitter (but I'd say we were 'moderately fit' which the grading specifies) . Exodus need to look at their grading system as this 'Moderate to Challenging' was much tougher than the 'Moderate to Challenging' of Kerala that we've done. Our biggest concern in advance was the altitude but this had zero apparent effect on us, except occasional shortness of breath walking around. It probably affected our cycling capability too but we weren't conscious of that factor compared to the other points above.

Suggestions

There was less down time, perhaps to enjoy the hotel, than in some previous Exodus trips. But that's the nature of the trip - no complaint.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling and climbing through Los Cardones National Park at altitude with the Cerro Malcante mountain (5070m) on the horizon, we stopped for a fabulous picnic lunch just before the main 2000m descent to the finish.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tai was excellent in every way and worked really hard with his assistants to ensure that everyone enjoyed the trip to the utmost.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We have tended to take trips where the focus is sightseeing in the destination towns and cities. On this trip scenery and wildlife are king, and we thoroughly enjoyed it for this.

Suggestions

This was our first experience of South America, and we will most certainly be back!

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all brilliant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ale Morwiras was great: enthusiastic, sociable, informative and a great organiser.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have suitable warm clothes for the days at high altitude.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day had its own inspirational moment - the Moon Valley in the high desert, the Tatio Geysers at sunrise followed by a dip in the thermal pool, cycling on the salt flats, the 2 incredible 35km descents, the breathtaking geological features and amazing colourful rock formations.... I could keep going on!! One really special moment was being entertained by local musicians in the incredible amphitheatre - a fallen cavern created by an ancient waterfall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ale was first class! He was a great leader and went over and above the call of duty every day. He also had great knowledge of the political and local history - fascinating sensitive and charming. Also the support team were fantastic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for altitude- much of the trip is at significant altitude but the trip allows for acclimatisation. Also bring clothing for all temperatures- above 4000m it is quite chilly and it’s well below freezing visiting the Geysers at dawn! Others on our trip have recommended a good saddle or padding for the rutted gravel and a good camera is a must!

Suggestions

I just couldn’t recommend this trip and the leader and more highly - both were exceptional (legend) Book it - you won’t be disappointed!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Salt plains, geysers and hill of 7 colours. Two awesome downhill rides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ale was excellent- not only in role of trip leader, but also in imparting knowledge of local history and politics. Very organised and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking boots or shoes recommended for sand dune and geyser walk. Trip rating of 4 feels right. None of us had significant altitude symptoms. The only climbing at altitude was on the last day of the trip, when we had acclimatised. The 30% non tarmac was on sandy/gravelly/corrugated roads which needed some care for the uninitiated. The birdwatching/ barbeque option for the day off in Salta was hugely enjoyed by the 10 of us who chose this.

Suggestions

The scenery was stunning - pack your best camera

Most Inspirational Moment

The ride through the rain forest; riding on the pampas.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant - your tour leaders are always good, but Ale was exceptional and inspirational. The support staff were brilliant too!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t be fooled by seemingly short distances - most of the rides are at high altitude, so pace yourself.

Suggestions

We were astounded by the variety, the silence on the high planes. The best trip ever.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting on the bike every day and discovering that once again the scenery was superb and different.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Leader and crew were a brilliant team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be sure to have your own comfortable saddle or a gel seat cover because the corrugated gravel roads can be hard on your tail end! You might also want to take a buff or something you can use to cover your mouth as some of the days can be quite dusty. The cycling looks like short distances, especially at the start but the roads/terrain and altitude mean it is still quite challenging.

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding through the hill of seven colours in Purmamarca.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide we had on our trip has been working with Exodus for many many years and is very knowledgable of the area as well been born in Argentina. He went above and beyond to make sure everyone had the best time and gave us tips to ride on different terrain, as sand for instance and I felt I've learnt a lot by the end of the week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just book and go!