Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The ascent of Mt Toubkal was great but the highlight of the trip was, without a doubt, the optional ascent of Mt Ouanakrim on the following day. This ascent is more technical (requires a bit of scrambling) and therefore lots of other groups don't do it. We were very lucky to be the only ones on the trek and at the summit on that day. The weather played part perfectly too - 2/3 of the way up we had the most beautiful view over the mountain range - brilliant early morning sunshine over a sea of clouds. And the view from the summit was even more spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

It was great to have a local Berber as a guide. Rachid was a great leader; easy to get on with, well organised, funny, very knowledgeable and always smiling. In addition to enjoying the mountains we learned a lot about the life in the Atlas and in Morocco in general.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take gloves and an extra warm layer (I had a light down jacket with me in July) if you feel cold easily. It gets cold in the evenings (if you want to sit outside) and the early start on the summit day can be chilly too.You can buy water and snacks throughout the trek but it's good to have small notes with you as the change of 100 dirhams is often a problem.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit is the most incredible experience. The route up to Gillmans point on summit night is tough. Much tougher than I was expecting. From Kibo hut to Gillmans is also where the altitude gets alot of people. If you can push through, without any serious altitude problems,  you will make the true summit. When you reach the summit it can be quite emotional to finally be there! Take lots of photos, as when I was at the summit I was so tired I hardly remember being there and didnt take in the view as much as I would have liked. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

The African walking company cannot be faulted. Their guides were fantastic. Especially George who kept everyone going when the going got tough. They were well organised and when the group needed splitting due to different fitness levels and walking speeds they coped fantastically by splitting the guides between people who needed it the most. Alot of people take Diamox on this trip and other groups we were passing had all taken it, encouraged by their guides to do so. Our guides did not push Diamox on us and encouraged us to do it naturally, by ascending slowly, which was great, and most of our group made it without it. Also, the porters where great, and every time we arrived worn out at camp, the porters were there, tents up all ready for us and twiddling their thumbs - il never know how they do it. Marvelous. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is more about mental determination and pushing through the altitude sickness than anything else. Come with a determined, but light hearted attitude so as not to get mentally bogged down with summit worries and fears. Take each day as it comes, enjoy each day and see each day individually. Get lots of sleep and eat and drink as much as you can. Keep your sense of humour on the way up, have a laugh with your group and save the true grit and determination for the summit night, which is an absolute killer. If you are slower walker dont start panicking, the guides will split and hang behind with you. The tortoise and the hare - walking slower than other members of the group is not a negative so dont feel rushed. 

Most Inspirational Moment

We had superb weather most days but the morning we were climbing Grand Col Ferret was misty, windy and cold. The leader had told us that this was probably the scenic highlight so we were disappointed that the weather was bad just at this time. We sat down for lunch just over the col, as soon as we could get out of the bitter wind. At that moment exactly the mist started to open up and slowly but surely the whole eastern side of the massif appeared, starting with the summits of the Grand Jorasses. It was stunning! Our leader, Ian, naturally said that was how he had planned it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

First class. Set the sort of pace that meant that everyone could cope. Always supportive and patient, knowledgeable and easy-going. Couldn't have asked for better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light. Socks and t-shirt dry overnight so you won't need as many clothes as you think. Exodus recommend boots but I used trail shoes every day and found them fine (but then I always use them).It is worth getting reasonably fit. The ascents and descents are generally more than most people from the UK will be used to, unless they walk regularly in Scotland or further afield. That said, all our group, in their 50s or 60s, managed it ok.

Most Inspirational Moment

All the activities and walks were enjoyable and covered something necessary for the Madeira experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was a local who was passionate about Madeira and had an in depth and insiders knowledge of where to go and what to do and see on the island, which he was happy to share with us. This was invaluable for all the walks and activities we did which he also planned and organized very effectively.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The two guesthouses in Encumeada and Santana are in wonderful (though isolated) locations and full of character. This tour would succeed with a group of between 6 and 10, (we had 8), any more and it could be unwieldly. The levada and coastal path walks offer a lot of spectacular views and photo opportunities. The paths can be quite narrow so take care. Make sure you try some poncha (rum, honey and juice cocktail) and don`t miss a walk around the old town of Funchal and a visit to the central market. Watch out for nun pirates in the interior :-) (we did not come across any, this could be a myth)

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights of the holiday were sea kayaking and swimming in Ha Long Bay; snorkelling off Nha Trang and visiting the orphanage there;  climbing the 150 steps up the Marble Mountain and seeing the caves used as a hospital by the Vietcong during the American Vietnam War in the 1960’s; cycling to the beach at Cua Dai; shopping in Hoi An; riding on the reunification express and culminating in the Mekong Delta homestay where our hosts made us very welcome.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Although the travelling group of 15 people ranged in age from 24 to 65 we very quickly bonded, and a good time was had by all, thanks to Tom our marvellous guide who gave us just enough information to make everything interesting and created opportunities for excitement and fun too.   The evening on board the boat in Ha Long Bay was a great ice breaker. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

When we told our friends and family we were going to Vietnam the general response was “What do you want to go there for?”  We had heard that Vietnam has beautiful scenery, that it is not yet very commercialised, the food is enjoyable, and that there is some interesting history and culture. We found plenty of history and culture and delicious food, but also enjoyed the shopping, the variety of activities provided and the friendliness of the Vietnamese people.  They are very poor, but seem very happy.  The traffic is insane – imagine China’s bicycles replaced by mopeds! Red traffic lights are there to be ignored and the mopeds use the pavements as much as the roads...  Building is going on everywhere and the country is just beginning to become more commercialised. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Glacier walking was amazing... the daredevil flight in the float plane... getting to the top of the Harding Ice Field hike... There is so much incredible scenery everywhere you look, it is difficult to pinpoint one place!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had an excellent chef to do the campfire cooking, which was fantastic. They had obviously done a lot of research on Alaska even though only one of them had actually been there before. As we were the first trip of the season there were a few organisational / timing problems from the Exodus itineracy but the guides sorted these and did everything they could to make sure that everyone completed all the activities they wanted to. Thank you!

Advice for Potential Travellers

With the trip notes as they are now, there is more hiking suggested on the itinerary, i.e. when you 'stop for a short hike' during a driving day. These tend to be just lunch stops or a short train (a mile at most) to a viewpoint. Take advantage of laundry when you get it, and collect quarters for the varying prices of showers and washing machines. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Asbjorn had it all planned out in advance and everything went like clockwork

Most Inspirational Moment

Slowly paddling down river watching the sun rise and listening to the early day bird and hippo noises - a level of tranquility you just can't get in London!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Legend. Knew exactly what he was doing and how deal with everyone in the group, whilst providing plenty of entertainment during the day and around the camp fore at night.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check out the flight times before you book flights with Exodus, BA direct may be a better option. If not, you can get out of Nairobi airport and into the city easily for dinner to pass the stop-over on the way back.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being able to just float within a few metres of Elephants at the waters edge while they got on with doing their own thing.Setting off just as the sun has risen -the tranquility on the water as wildlife starts to show itself.Sleeping at night with the sounds of the bush all around you.

Thoughts on Group Leader

TK and Carlos were brilliant . Looking after our tummies (excellent meals ,including full english breakfasts , prepared on 2 gas rings!).our safety and generally being there to help and inform whenever it is needed.Such lovely guys.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Trip notes ! They are there for your benefit :-)Be prepared that if you come in July you will most likely have some big headwinds winds and rough water -2 days were a tad hard work .I definitley want to canoe on the Zambezi again but i would opt to miss out on July next time!If you have hands liable to blister easily i would suggest a pair of fingerless sailing type gloves.Travel very light - you have to carry that bag in and out of the canoe a lot !