Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra has to be the highlight of this trip - it didn't disappoint.  The sheer scale of the ancient city was mind-blowing.  I loved exploring the heights above the heart of Petra and would particularly recommend the exhausting walk up to the Monastery and also the place of High Sacrifice.  Spooky!Wadi Rum was also a brilliant experience - we had an evening meal cooked in a desert oven.  So tasty!My third highlight was Jerash - a vast Roman city, situated to the north of Amman. I just wish this visit had been included at the end of the trip and not on day 1 when we were all exhausted from our 3am arrival the night before! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Dan, was extremely knowledgeable about Middle Eastern ancient history and was keen to share this with us.  However, sometimes his zest for his subject - and his desire to keep to the planned itinerary - created an inflexibility as regards tuning in to the needs and wants of the group.  A number of the female members of the group would have liked more opportunities for good quality shopping ... for example, we were rushed through the row of shops and stalls lining the main street in Madeba in order to reach the Church containing Mosaics ... Dan also tended to mumble, so stand near to him if you want to hear what he has to say! Our group numbered 22 so, frequently, hearing his discourse clearly was a real challenge!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take lots of immodium - about a third of our group got D and V!November is a great month to go on this trip if you are lucky with the weather...  the previous week the group had rain and cloud all week but we had sun! So take layers of clothing because even if it's hot in the day it's usually cold at night, particularly in Amman in the north. And take a rain proof jacket.Petra really is the high-light and you have two good days to explore.  If you want help to get around horses and donkeys and camels are available but can be high-spirited if egged on by their youthful owners! My sense is that on foot is best ... so take solid walking shoes for tramping over thos dusty and loose boulders and slippery steps.  

Most Inspirational Moment

Actually completing the 70k ride on the third day even if it was nearly dark Learning the history first hand from some inspirational people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was fabulous when the ATM ate my card at 10pm she and the local rep were calm (I wasn't) and it was all sorted out by 8 the next morning.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only take the bare minimum for cycling and wash it out

Most Inspirational Moment

Quite a few - it was lovely seeing the ladies picking tea in the mountains; watching the people praying and worshiping the various Hindu gods in the amazing temple in Madurai; watching life on the backwaters from the amazing and very relaxing houseboat; and the people in general - so friendly and unassuming

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ajay was a fantastic leader, you could tell he really cared that we were all having a good time.  He was very knowledgable and keen to answer any questions we had.  Any feedback was taken on board and he did his best to make right anything that people weren't happy with.  He was particularly good at organising the restaurant staff pretty much everywhere we went - this was sometimes beyond the call of duty!  Great leader, who contributed to our enjoyment of the trip. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I don't really understand the previous comment by an 'independent traveller' who criticised the fact that the Exodus trip has a leader who did a lot of the organising.  This trip was a great introduction to India - and choosing a company like Exodus, paying a bit more, comes with this service.  The great thing about being on a group trip is  meeting like-minded people and relaxing in the knowledge that someone else is dealing with the logistics of the organising (which was often a challenge, even for Ajay who could speak the language!).  It would be very difficult to fit so much in in a country like India in only 2 weeks, that was another reason I chose a company like Exodus. Take pounds sterling with you to exchange, and do not rely on a Mastercard, as most ATMs are Visa.   Also - ladies don't have to be so strict with the dress code (the trip notes are a bit misleading); apart from the religious sites, bare arms and legs were seen as acceptable.  I was a bit disappointed I had packed to cover up in >35 degree heat! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots of things. The last days cycling had some real highs. I enjoyed Havana and Trinidad. Nice sightseeing and also the beach in Trinidad. Cubans trying to teach me to play the guitar etc..

Thoughts on Group Leader

The best. I was very disorganised at the start of trip and Freddy was very helpful in sorting everything out. He really wanted us to enjoy our holiday, get to know Cuba and its history, gave us a good personal perspective and we got to see the best of Cuba. Top bloke

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have clip in peddles and your favourite saddle you can certainly bring them. The bikes were good quality front suspension mountian bikes. A racer with thin wheels wouldn't be suitable. I hybrid even without suspension would probably be suitable. The roads on this trip were reasonable quality provided you are sensible and avoid the larger pot holes

Most Inspirational Moment

Trinidad! So beautiful!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was phenominal. He really exceeded all expectations. He had so much knowledge about the history and make up of the country and he cared for the group so well. I learnt so much from him. He really made the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it! The bus is ALWAYS there if you're tired!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling mountain passes and Chapman's Peak. Whale watching. Cycling along the stunning coast back to Cape Town.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tallis was really excellent. Low key, flexible but very well organised. Supported everyone in the group. Also very knowledgeable about flora and fauna and had a great sense of humour. Our driver Sifiso was also excellent. Could not fault the team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware the hire bikes are mountain bikes with road tyres, not ideal for this sort of road trip. Road bikes or hybrids would have been much better. Allow some extra days at start or end to explore Cape Town and climb Table Mountain.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking on the Great Wall and seeing the young pandas playing. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a full-on sight-seeing trip especially at the start where there is little time to relax or do your own thing. Choose your dates with care to avoid the main holidays. Pack light as you will be moving your bag a lot.

Most Inspirational Moment

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Thoughts on Group Leader

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Advice for Potential Travellers

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Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the rich countryside, past farms and forests.. fragrent and fertile!But the historic visits were much more interesting than I expected and I felt much better informed by the time I left - was glad to learn it all.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Just brilliant: Freddy told us so much about Cuban history and helped us look at what we were seeing with informed gaze. Always ready to answer questions and help us get the best out of our stay. He was relaxed, cheerful and patient with us all!

Advice for Potential Travellers

BRING YOUR OWN SADDLE! the saddles on the hire bikes were excruciatingly hard and knobbly and those who brought their own had a much better time. Bring a universal bath plug - several places had no plugs. Make it clear what degree of cycling energy you plan to put in - and don't be deterred by others with a different outlook.Several of our party were there for the cycling 'challenge' of travelling quickly through the terrain. This made a difficult contradiction with my motivation - at 66 I was there 'to see Cuba by bicycle'.. you can't see much if you are rushing to the max. If you are like me and don't want to rush, stick to your guns, don't be hurried and in extremis  get on the bus! Get out and explore each of the places you stay in: you will be surrounded by wonders and you are VERY safe: just ENJOY!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many! I think I can only generalise - I was amazed by the extremes of the country from the Atacama desert to snow capped volcanies to glaciers to penguins etc. etc.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was invaluable for all of the travelling involved and he eased us through the various local airports especialloy the more remote ones where only a little English was spoken.   His administration was first class.I do feel however that although he had lived in various parts of Chile he could have provided more 'tour' information, the information he did give was accurate and informative.On the whole he made a positive contribution and the trip was the better for his presence.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Chile was more expensive than I had believed it to be, it is a fairly prosperous society and most things were more expensive than the UK.  Almost everywhere would take US dollars and in the exchange bureaux I rarely saw an exchange rate for sterling.  Although a little more expensive generally everything was good value and some of the meals were huge!Easter Island was also expensive but as virtually everything is imported this is perfectly understandable.