Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved that you saw so may different things on this trip like the Dead Sea, Red Sea, a night in the dessert, amazing Petra and other historical sites. I honestly cannot think of a better way to see Jordan and being on the bike in this remote country was also an experience in itself. Petra was truely amazing and a very unique experience for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader was very knowledgeable about his country and very interested in telling you his stories. He was also part of making Petra really special when he took us walking for 9 hours and most of the days outside the normal touristy routes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared that Jordan can be extremely hot even outside the high season - so you need a lot of water while exercising on the bike. Otherwise just enjoy every moment of this trip - it is truely special.

Most Inspirational Moment

The camaradeship on some of the toughest walking days, up and down the sides of mountains when some of us were less steady on our feet or woozy at the heights or exposure. A great recommendation for the sort of folk who go on these Exodus trips, from 27 to 63 in age range and varied backgrounds and lives.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superlative in her versatility and dedication to making the most for us of the week. Such as giving us chance to spend last half-day af a great local mushroom and chestnut festival in 'Newcastle' (as one of our number preferred to translate mediaeval town name!) instead of easy option of taking us to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a battle to get hot water in the showers first or negotiating which flat gets first dibbs! Hopefully, they will have sorted this problem out by next season as basic but nice accommodation fine but you do need a hot shower at end of the day! Minorish quibble that the farmhouse needs to sort.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk up to the natural arch, I have never been one for being wowed by places, but my breath was definately taken away here!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Couldn't have asked for more! Sara was fantastic and even went out to buy me tissues when I was ill. She obviously loves her job and really cares about clients.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking poles and good boots.

Most Inspirational Moment

Realising and then accepting that a 'keep 5 metres' distance from gorillas!' doesn't apply to gorillas keeping away from us. After an initial few minutes of mutual wariness we might as well have been members of their troup/family.They carried on and walked by us or around us ...never through us. WOW! Were we lucky or has this become the norm!? The eyes of the younger animals say so much but we didn't look directly at them;there were warnings about that also.

Thoughts on Group Leader

One or two unforseen circumstances were dealt with aplomb and expertise and even if the leader wasn't able to directly deal with things beyond his control he knew of someone who could. Individual queries or needs were dealt with as if we were the most important member of our group at that time.The expertise and knowledge of the leader through years of Exodus experience meant that the encounters of our group of all things animal,vegetable and mineral were many and varied and rarely boring.Our leader was a great bloke whose care and humour was much appreciated.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Kigali to Nairobi can't be beaten even by the Nairobi to Kigali variation.The end of September seemed much less plagued by Mosquitos than we feared.This year may have been unusual but the massing of Wildebeest and Zebra by the Mara at the end of Sept/beginning of October was an amazing sight. To the locals they were a welcome sight at this time.The long and sometmes bumpy journies were well chronicled before the trip.They are a necessary if somewhat uncomfortable part of a long overland trip necessary if we were to see and experience so much.Pack a pillow/cushion.

Most Inspirational Moment

The sheer scale of the Great Wall, stretching mile after mile through glorious scenery and bathed in sunshine was a sight to behold. Seeing the Terracotta Warriors and cycling round the 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) of the immense city walls of Xi An were also truly memorable experiences.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was extremely likeable, enthusiastic, knowledgable and catered efficiently for the diverse requirements of a group of 16 people. He could not do enough for us and was even available on the phone to assist on our free day in Beijing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Never say you'd like to do this trip (or any other) one day, as all too often that one day never comes. This is a great trip, if it appeals to you then do it soon.

Most Inspirational Moment

I was trying to get a better understanding of the recent troubles, so found Sarejevo and Mostar very interesting as well as quite exquisitly beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anaid was terrific, but this was his last trip as he is leaving Exodus for pastures new. Hope you get someone as competent and friendly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You really have very little time in Croatia - just one evening in Dubrovnik. One of our group was far-sighted enough to book a few extra nights there independantly and I wish I'd done the same. We had a couple with us who had spent some time there and thought it wonderful. If you have the time I would strongly recommend doing the same.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wherever the terrain allows, women work small, stony allotments with hand tools and push primitive wooden ploughs behind donkeys.  It's hard to believe that this archaic way of working the land is continuing so close to Europe. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were lucky to have Mohamed Ait Loghan as our guide. He knew the landscape well and was happy to spend time answering our many questions.  I was also impressed with the rest of the four man team who made the trip run smoothly and kept us well fed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The tents are pitched on top of sharp stones (no such thing as a grassy pitch here) so even though a fairly thick sleeping mat is supplied, taking your own self inflating mattress to put on top makes a huge difference. Flip flops are not really substantial enough for the evenings around the tents, take trainers or proper walking sandals.  If you enjoy a nightcap be sure to take a hip flask as alchohol is not available anywhere on the trek.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ana -was a great guide, sharing lots of local knowledge and keeping us all organised and good at issuing clear instructions so we didn't get lost.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would recommend being reasonably fit- the coast line isn't flat, but nothing too steep.

Most Inspirational Moment

How can you single out one inspirational moment?  I would say that one whole day was extra special.  We went looking for a leopard with 3 cubs, saw two leopards on the way in the Landcruiser headlights then found the leopard with the 3 cubs who then casually climbed the perfect tree just in front of our vehicle! And all this before 7am! On the same day seeing one of the largest Widerbeest crossings of the season and on the way back to camp stopping to check on a cheetah and her 2 cubs.  But that was not all before we got back to camp we saw a lone leopard draped over a tree branch and with Paul's help took sone awesome photos silhouetted against the evening sky.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul Goldstein exudes passion and inspires all around him.  His energy and enthusiasm are infectious.  His main desire is perfection and second best is simply not good enough, which gives rise to occasional outbursts when you forget his advice.  All this serves to ensure you get the best possible shots in the best position possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a fleece as it gets very cold in the mornings, especially when you are travelling at speed in an open-sided Landcruiser.  And if like me you are on your first trip with Paul be prepared to have the 'mickey' taken out of you mercilessly.  Join in and have fun and give as good as you get and you won't go far wrong.  If you are good at telling jokes (un-pc especially welcome) you will fit in well.  Oh and don't forget to take some sweets with you as Paul kept asking me and I hadn't any.I only have one complaint about Paul.  Why on earth would you support a football team like Spurs when the Arsenal are so much better and nearby?

Most Inspirational Moment

There are a few:Wilbert and the porters making us hot chocolate at 5am in the morning on the 4th morning above the clouds with a fantastic view of the mountains.Getting to the top of Dead Womans Pass, very tough day, I had a cold and the altitude had an effect on me, Wilbert kept an eye on me but as I felt it only at the very top there was only one way down, a 2 hour walk down steps!!! Thanks to all that offered to carry my rucksack! Watching the porters run by with massive packs on their back's, also the excellent food they make in the most basic facilities.Reaching Sun gate and seeing Macchu Pichu was brilliant.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilbert was fantastic, he was very knowlegdable about the Incas, very passionate. He had a great sense of humour, we even taught him some slang and had a laugh during the trip when he asked if we needed a "Jimmy" or "Pony"........Our luggage did not turn up at Cuzco, Wilbert and his team worked very hard to get the cases to us before the trek otherwise we could have had to hire all our equipment. Thanks loads for that!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pick your luggage up a LIMA and check it in again for Cuzco.Walking Poles, Toilet Paper, Sun cream, Mozzy spray, head torch, spare camera battery are all essential for the trek. You will need baby wipes but the Porters provide a bowl of hot water in the morning so you can wash the important bits so although you don't shower until the 4th day we were not as smelly as expected.The 2nd day of the trek is tough but the other days, although long, are reasonably ok. Anyone can complete the trek although I would advise that the fitter you are the better you will enjoy.