Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking up on the last morning of the Inca trail to find that llamas and alpacas had invaded the camp. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

This was our first package tour so have no comparators, but Rene Calancha did a great job - way above our expectations. He was a mine of information about each area we visited and was always willing to help whatever the issue, and even "rescued" me when my fear of heights got the better of me! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Three things: prepare your stomach for all eventualities - begin a course of pro-biotics before leaving;book a couple of extra days in Lima at the beginning or end of the trip; andif you're doing the Inca Trail, or similar, "train" for the long  ascents and steep descents before leaving so that you can devote your energy to dealing with the challenges of altitude.  

Most Inspirational Moment

Oooh tough one to limit to one moment.  As a student of geology the variety of volcanic scenary in the trip was fantastic. From choking gasses and parakeets as we peered into the masaya crater to panoramic calderas and a littering of volcanoes throughout the trip. Hot springs in Fortuna with compulsory Pina Colada's :-)The wonderous day off exploring Isla Colon, red frog beach, dolphins around bocas del toro.Clocking 48 Mph on a crazy 12 mile downhill ride from cool cloudforest to blistering hot plains in Panama.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rob was fantastic most memorable guide on a holiday for a long time.  For example I was the one unlucky sod that had my luggage not arrive (thanks AA!), the problem was taken out of my hands straight away and everything organised to ensure my holiday enjoyment continued while behind the scenes my luggage caught up with me.  Or the words of encouragement during the tougher days. Or the knowlege that our guide was a ex-paramedic.  We simply couldn't have been in better hands.I'd run out of space if i had to list the superlatives describing the support team who looked after us for the two weeks. All the team were great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get hill fit beforehand ! There are few days without some sort of hilly challenge. The fitter you are beforehand the more you'll enjoy the holiday.  Pack a couple of days essentials in your travelling companions luggage, it will save your life if american airlines mislay your luggage.When eating out, don't expect to get your starter before your main course. Things can get a bit chaotic at group meals.The trip was pretty intense with little or no off time or dual night stays in same location until Bocas Del Toro. So expect to be repacking your bags and moving EVERY day! plan ahead.... a full to the lid suitcase is hard to repack  ! Laundry service in la Fortuna (mid trip) is great you can plan on it while packing If you are curious about stuff ask rob! the trip doesn't have much in the way of formal visitors centres or local history you are on the go. Just ask rob he's pretty knowledgable or will find out ;-)    Play with Alfonso's bike bell ! (alf on our trip gave it to him after he kept ringing it)

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at Uhuru Peak, the true summit, was overwhelming. Alongside the enormous sense of achievement, it gave me the opportunity to reflect on how impressive our planet truly is and has left me still with a renewed perspective on life. 'Hakuna matata'....no worries!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Meke, our head guide, was a natural leader, not through dominance, but through people naturally looking to him for his calm, steering influence. Knowledgable and motivational, it was a real honour to be supported through this trip by him and his team.It was evident that the staff were happy to work for Exodus, who support the local community financially and educationally. This heavily influenced my decision to book with Exodus. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Remember to listen to the guides' advice! They have climbed Kilimanjaro so many times that they know what they're talking about. 'Pole pole', meaning 'slowly, slowly', is very important to embrace, as it increases the chances of summiting and also provides the opportunity to enjoy the awesome natural beauty of the climb. In addition, invest in good quality drinking water bottles/systems as continuous hydration is essential.I have never felt so cold as I did overnight at the higher altitudes, so do remember thermal base layers and some wool socks!Digital cameras may stop working at higher altitude due to the cold, biut I carried mine inside a 'bum bag' around my middle which kept it warm enough to keep working all the way to the summit. A manual camera is a good back-up plan, since it is essential to bring back the proof of your success for all those sceptical friends and family!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Watch out for bag snatchers mounted on scooters

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many, but possibly just slightly in the lead was the husky driving - what an experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hannah was fantastic, nothing was too much trouble, definitely went the 'extra mile'. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

They really do provide everything you need.  The cabins are well heated, plenty of hot water.  Food is good and plenty of it. Energy bars are a good idea to bring, just to take you over from lunch to dinner. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling fast down the avenue of Cedar Trees and noticing the group leader managing to cycle one handed and video in hand capturing the moment. The experience was good for the soul.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are ready for some very steep long hills, but the exhilaration of reaching the top and free wheeling through some of the most breath taking scenery is well worth it.  Wouldnt have missed it for the world.

Most Inspirational Moment

Inspiration moment 1 Well, like so many before me and with the aid of Exodus,  an item has gone from my to do list and I have summated Kili.  We completed all three summit points and getting to the highest point of Africa (Uhuru) and looking out accross the plainsone side and the Glacier the other has to be the most inspirational view I have seen so far.Inspirational moment 2 This has to be sunrise at Gilmans point, It was a clear and cold morning at 0530hrs and we had just had a very hard summit climb since midnight. After a short final climb up the rocks, we just had time to recover and Richard, my guide said, look.... it was an amzingly clear, full sky sunrise over the whole valley and Mawenzi. Awsome!!:-)   

Thoughts on Group Leader

Emmanual was our Group leader. His confidence and knowledge comes from the fact that he has been to the top more times than I have had hot dinners!He knows what to do, what to look for and how to get it done.He had great command of his whole team and was a genuiine nice guy who alwys had a smile and a laugh when you needed it.Great guy, highly reccomended.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. Listen to all advice from exodus.2. Talk to them after you have booked.3. USE the departure lounge. Its a great place to talk to others in your group and also others in previous groups to get tips from.4. Depending on the season, make sure you protect against the sun as well as the cold as this can catch you out.5. Dont take too much, many changes of clothes are not needed, nearly allof our group toook too much.

Most Inspirational Moment

This trip's major plus point over other trips concentrating on Kerala is the diversion to Madurai.  It was amazing, fascinating and well worth the travel involved.  The huge Hindu temple was definitely the real highlight of the trip.Otherwise, Kerala's amazing natural beauty (particularly the tea plantation and the backwaters) and its stunningly tasty food were things that will live long in the memory.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The day trip to the southern tip of India is well worth making.  After having spent time travelling you might feel like stretching out on the beach at Kovalam, but the trip was a nice chance to do your own thing.  There is a beautiful wooden palace to be seen and the chance to see three oceans meet.

Most Inspirational Moment

First sight of Himalaya; Feeling euphoria at the end of the first day when we realised we'd be able to do it!; Arriving at Annapurna Base Camp.  Being at Annapurna Base Camp.  Annapurna.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was excellent.  Very kind, very aware of how we all were managing, and gave us just the right amount of information at the right time.  I felt very confident in him.  He always managed to appear just when we might need extra help - in fact I always knew a dodgy bridge was coming up as Prem appeared out of nowhere!  Being supported by guides meant that everyone was able to do the pace they felt happy with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry about the plumbing!  You'll get used to it quickly.  Personally, I'd say just don't eat meat at all - it's just not worth the risk of spoiling your trip with an upset tummy, and it's no hardship to go without - there is plenty of choice.  Once we got past the mineral water area we got boiled water from the lodges.  Taking no chances I always added a chlorine tablet, and a top tip from a friend before I left was to add a Berocca - flavour and additional vitamin C!  I experienced no illness whatsoever.  Another top idea - if you have a metal water bottle, get it filled with boiling water in the evening, clothe it in your walking socks and bingo: a lovely hot water bottle.  Then you drink the water the next day.  How's that for multipurpose?  If you have a tendency to weak knees, it might be worth packing some support bandages; there are a lot of steps!  They're very well graded though, and the group leader sets a very sensible pace and gives you plenty of time.  Trekking poles also help in this respect.  It's a lovely trip and I'd definitely do it again.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the humpback whales near Tofino.The drive down the Icefields parkway.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joanne was very knowledgable about the area, and was good fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too much luggage - travel light!