Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

It is so hard to pick a most inspirational moment as the whole trip was very special.General highlights which came along constantly include cycling through all the towns and villages, waving and smiling at all the amazingly friendly people, high fiving the children, practising English with locals on their mopeds driving alongside us as we cycled. The landscape was so beautiful and varied - different every day. And each village we passed through had it's own character. We did a lot of cycling, 110km was the furthest we cycled in one day - but it was so much fun I didn't notice the distance.The day we left Dalat was an incredible day of cycling which included some uphill sections but then an unbelievably beautiful 30km descent down winding mountain roads through impressive scenery into the valley.  Cycling 10km uphill to the top of the Hai Van pass on the day we left Hoi An was a spectacular challenge with such a feeling of achievement on reaching the top! And the food was delicious - a different local speciality every night.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam was incredible. He was so enthusiastic and went above and beyond to ensure that we were all happy. He made time for everyone in the group, to talk to them, answer their questions and crack a few jokes! He explained very skillfully to us what to expect of each day or section of cycling so that we were prepared but not daunted, informed but not bamboozled with information. Along with his team he organised us and looked after us so well that all we had to think about was enjoying the cycling! The mechanic was always at hand to fix any problems with the bikes, the bus was always available should anyone need a rest from cycling for a leg of the journey, and water, snacks and fresh lemonade were all in plentiful supply constantly. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I wasn't sure how my legs were going to cope with the mileage but I was definitely bike-fit enough to enjoy all the scenery and interactions with people without struggling with the cycling. Cycling over hills in North London every day to get to work and back stood me in good stead for the hills in Vietnam.

Suggestions

I would recommend a trip with Exodus if you would like to have an active holiday in an interesting part of the world and fancy an organised trip rather than doing your own thing...

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to pick out one inspirational moment as everyday had its highlights. The walks were great - Walk of the Gods, Vesuvius and a lovely walk on Capri. I really enjoyed my visit to Naples - even though it doesn't have a great reputation! Ravello is beautiful and of course, Herculaneum and Pompeii are so interesting

Thoughts on Group Leader

Barbara was a fantastic leader. Extremely knowledgable and professional but also very friendly and fun. An ideal leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Nothing in particular. I was worried about the heat in August but it was managable. The hotel is in the hills where it was fresher and I had no problem sleeping.

Suggestions

I have no hesitation in recommending this trip. It was a really great week packed with wonderful experiences and memories.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zung honestly couldn't have been better. Gracious, calm, fun, informed, intelligent, organised, great company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book now!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many every day, between amazing scenery, great team spirit, the best group leader (Lam) ever and his so smily team, great food and ever so friendly locals! However, cycling through endless graveyard scenery (might sound a bit dark now but it was unique) and rice harvesting at sunset time near Hue. And how brilliant was wave jumping at Mui Ne after a day of sweaty cycling in the August heat!!  And last but not least the great team spirit!

Thoughts on Group Leader

You can wish for no better tour leader than Lam! The enthusiasm for his country and his efforts to look after everyone of the entire cycling team are just unparalleled! His team of drivers and mechanic just loved him, and so did we! He is simply the best!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The summer heat and humidity make cycling more demanding than in Europe. A camelbag will provide water more easily and cooler than a water bottle. Bring very good sunscreen and enough clothes to change (even though washing is possible every 5 days or so).  

Suggestions

This is a great and fast-paced trip with so many different impressions and experiences! Highly recommendable, especially during the summer months when groups are smaller.

Most Inspirational Moment

One of the most inspirational moments for me was the Meemure trail walk. It was really jungly jungle, and resonant with the sounds of insects and birds. Another moment was walking through a village one afternoon, on the way to a river for a swim, to the very beautiful strains of a Buddhist sung sermon being broadcast across the village. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was great. Full of energy, very knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about his country and its peoples.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect to be hot and sweaty a lot of the time. Expect to eat curry and rice - its delicious in Sri Lanka. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to choose just one highlight out of 5 varied and interesting walks, with stunning views every day. As a couple, we get 2 choices (!) - on the 2nd walk, passing through Alpine meadows on one flank of the Val Ferret while looking across to the stunning rock and glacier faces on the opposite flank; and on the final day, the view from our higest point across the Chamonix valley towards Mont Blanc, the Aiguille du Midi etc - the whole range spread out before us. And it was 25C at 2,300 metres!Then there was the Lac Blanc; the views from both ends of the Chamonix valley; the delicious myrtle tarts at the mountain refuges; the fun group; the sunshine... sorry, I am going on a bit now.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver and Elaine really could not be bettered for a holiday like this. Oliver wears his immense experience and mountain skills very lightly under the front of relentless flattery ("No group has ever looked so good on day 2" etc etc) and terrible jokes. He shepherded us unobtrusively and helped to engender a strong sense of mutual support among the group. Elaine ran a great house with hearty mountain food to keep us going and clean, comfortable beds to crash in at night. The hot tub, table tennis table and endless energy of Dylan-the-Villain all added to the fun. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go prepared for all weathers, and have a wonderful time. Look out for each other in the group. Laugh at Oliver's jokes (especially the one about aliens landing in Les Houches). 

Suggestions

Go find out for yourself!

Most Inspirational Moment

Really enjoyed cycling through the national parks and seeing wild elephants - a magical experience. Getting to the top of the hill near Ooty was a rewarding moment. Believe me, you feel every one of those 36 hairpin bends. And realising on the last day as we reached Varkhala that it was all over was surprisingly sad. None of us actually wanted to stop riding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our team of Joseph, Vishnu and Shibu were fantastic. Joseph was a patient and encouraging cycling guide, while Vishnu was a fountain of knowledge. Shibu made sure that all our stuff was always safe in the van (no mean feat when he had demonstrators outside smashing it one day!). 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Training helps of course, but generally the ride felt a lot easier than I expected it to. Don't come expecting to lose weight like I was hoping I would; Indian food is awesome and your lunches and dinners will be a constant feast that you will find impossible not to sample.

Suggestions

A fantastic trip. As I'd only taken up cycling a few months before, I wasn't sure how I'd cope with the miles every day, but there was so much to see it was never an issue. It's really well planned and organised too, so the guys know when you're going to need a rest stop or cup of tea, for example. I'd recommend this to anyone - you see so much more on a bicycle than you do when whizzing through places on a bus. Go for it!

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many memories lodged in my brain... Dressing up as a geisha in Kyoto, standing at Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo mesmerised by the surges of people as the lights change, the Fox shrine outside Tokyo with the thousands of orange Tori, the mad fish restaurant in Kyoto (if you go with Dan definitely ask him to take you), the views of the Japanese Alps, the temples and shrines at Nikko and in Kyoto, and the amazing cherry blossom just coming into full bloom everywhere.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dan our group leader was fantastic. As Dan spoke fluent Japanese this meant we could visit places that an Eglish speaking group would not normally get to see. His knowledge of Japan and Japanese culture was also excellent and I felt like I learnt so much about the country that I could never have got from a guide book or a trip on my own. He also put in a lot of time and effort planning suitable restaurants that would suit the varied needs of the group, and also helping individuals make best use of their free time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's a full-on trip where every day is very busy and packed full of interesting stuff, so be prepared for long, busy days with lots of walking. Even though you're tired and got jet-lagged, keep going and do as much as you can as the is so much to experience that is new and different in comparison to Western culture. Make sure you have snacks and water each day to kee your energy up. Make sure you're camera has a big memory card - I took over 300 photos (and that's even after I did some serious editing every night!) Try all the different food - you may not love it and probably won't want to eat it again but it's all a great experience. Trip notes say bring a rucksack - I would say that a wheelie trolley would be fine and possibly a bit easier.

Suggestions

An amazing trip, I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult to pick one moment that was inspirational, there was reaching the summit, walking above the clouds and seeing for miles upon miles, but I think for me it was the determination and hard work of the group that I was lucky enough to be with that really inspired me. The never say die attitude, the laughs, and the the determination and stubbornness that we were going to get to the top.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham, our group leader, made the trip fun, was always there to provide practical advice and for a laugh and a smile, made it all the more worthwhile having a leader like that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Whilst it sounds a cliche, but enjoy it. Sure there are going to be times when it's not so easy, but appreciate the times that are good and that altitude isn't affecting you to appreciate where you are and how lucky you are.Don't forget to put on suncream, as even in the 'winter' months it can still be warm.To enjoy the time that you're spending with your fellow travellers, whether you know them before the start of the holiday or not. 

Suggestions

This was a truly fantastic experience, and the more and more I look back on it since I've returned home the more and more lucky and proud I feel, both of the group and myself.Yeah it is physically and mentally challenging, surely the most demanding thing I've ever done, but I certainly wouldn't change it as it was such an amazing experience that'll provide you with so many memories.As Nike say, Just do it. 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many moments of the holiday I enjoyed so here are a handful... The walk to the top of Lions Rock in Sigirya, seeing the wall-frescoes of the Cloud Maidens, and having a panoramic view of the landscape was well worth it. The scenery of Sri Lanka is beautiful, and breathtaking; I really enjoyed the jungle walk in Kitulgala, the walk on Horton Plains, and the game drive in Yala National Park. Also, while I can't say I loved the hairpin bends on the roads (got a bit travel-sick!) away from the cities and towns, watching the scenery evolve from neatly tended fields, to gentle sloping hills and then to majestic rugged mountains draped with lush forest and long waterfalls, was worth the drive, and I'm really glad I chose this tour.Walking around the the well-preserved and beautiful ruins in Polonnaruwa. Galle was another really interesting place due to its history involving foreign colonies.I'm don't have green fingers, nor am I enamoured with plants, but I really enjoyed the walk around the herb and spice garden near Matale, as well as the beautifully tended Peradeniya Botanical Garden in Kandy. Also, the wildlife in Sri Lanka was a real pleasure and highlight of the trip (both in and outside of Yala National Park); in particular, seeing the huge fruit bats take into the early evening skies in Kandy was a wonderful sight. Sadly, our group didn't bag a leopard on the game-drive, but we saw plenty of other animals, such as crocodiles, elephants, jackals, raptors and wild boars, to make the tour a wonderful experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan is one of the best tour leaders I've met. He's warm, knowledgeable, patient, professional and has a great sense of humour. Also, he went out of his way to help us (in one way or another, whether it concerned acquiring more Sri Lankan currency, going to a nice toilet or seeing a doctor), and made sure we were looked after, i.e. prioritising safety over cutting costs, when we took three small vans instead of two, to take on the narrow (and sometimes hair-raising) hill roads. Sujan is also a great communicator, as he articulated exactly what was on the agenda, as well as what to expect.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As other reviewers have mentioned, this tour has something for everyone, and you should try to go with an open mind. I was unsure whether or not I'd enjoy the botanical aspect (such as the herb garden and the Peradeniya gardens), and I loved it.In regard to the above about having an open mind, go wild with the food; I'm not a vegetarian, however the vegetarian food such as the banana flower curry was delicious, and I went back for more. The seafood meals in Ahangama were also a major highlight, thanks to the skill of the chefs.

Suggestions

Despite some of the hotels being of Standard quality, they really were lovely (as well as the Comfortable accomodation) and I'd happily stay at those places again. Also, while there's no real pressure to buy items at the wood-carving factory or any other of the other places we visited (such as the gem-factory and herb/spice garden), you're highly likely to get the same item, or similar, from your average gift shop (even in the highly touristic areas), and the seller is more flexible to further negotiation about the price. The stocked items at the places we visited were still, even after the discount, overpriced. Visiting the aforementioned places is worth it and I found them interesting (except maybe the gem factory), but it goes to show that patience is, indeed, a virtue! It also depends on what you're happy and willing to pay, but I think in terms of wood-carvings, most people would agree that the bigger and more intricate the item (and depending on the material used), the more it should cost. ;)