Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

White water rafting was brilliant. Cycling around Giritale. Elephant ride and the Elephant orphanage.The walk on Horton plains to see World's End.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was great very helpful and Knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

 It was a great trip but I felt let down and cheated by the standard of the hotels provided. Before each one Sujan warned us how bad it would be and what to expect. I just wish this was told to us before we booked.8/10 hotels were shockingly bad - dirty sheets, dirty towels, dirty bathrooms - plus loads of little crawly friends to keep you company in the room. Geckos come as standard. A lot of time is spent on the bus - take travel sickness pills.Expect curry and rice for breakfast lunch and dinner.Do all of the extra activities not only because they are worth it and fun but also because the alternative option is staying behind doing nothing at one of those awful hotels.Take loads of insect repellent and sun screen. Don't forget Afterbite. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day's walk along the river and opening up into a wonderful view of the Atlas mountains.Staying in the village - welcoming smiles, slow pace of life and beautiful setting. It was a privilege to visit such a remote part of Morocco.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hasan was very calm, experienced and caring. It was great to have a local guide who understands the Berber culture and language and was able to relay his knowledge to us. He had a good sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take warm clothes! The Gite was very cold in early April - it even snowed. Most of us were under-prepared and needed gloves, hats and thermals and a warm coat/jacket.

Most Inspirational Moment

...where to start........from the picturesque villages, to the dramatic coastline, to exploring the ruins of Pompeii, to standing on the rim of Mount Vesuvius itself, to great food and hospitality!Every walk was different, and just when we thought the highlight of the trip had passed, the following day brought another! The terraced villages clinging precariously to the staggering limestone karsts along the coast was a sight in itself, but inland, the Valle delle Ferriere was an unexpected treat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was absolutely brilliant; extremely knowledgeable, patient and good humoured. We couldn't have asked for a better leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

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Thoughts on Group Leader

Amicable, but tour not what I had imagined, more suited to retired americans.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a guide book, be prepared to go and do stuff on your own.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visting the town of Hoi AnnSnorkelling in the East China seaOvernight boat trip to Halong Bay and KayakingRelaxing mud bath in Nay trangDelicious foodPassion of the group leader for his country

Thoughts on Group Leader

His passion and knowledge about the country's history really inspired me and I enjoyed hearing his entertaining stories and jokes. He spoke good english and was very helpful when any problems arose. He tried hard to make sure everyone in the group was happy, which is not an easy job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you read about Vietnam so you know what to expect in terms of climate, food and acitvities. Some people on the trip go to Vietnam with different expectations and were not prepared and this is such a shame. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Wadi Rum and Petra are two amazing places. We just fall in love and hope to be back there soon:* 2 days in Petra is a great idea - on the first day you learn what is where and you can spend the second day enjoying it! * Wadi Rum is great! It was more "Wadi Rum experience" than a real desert adventure, but this is what I expected from this trip. We are going to do Wadi Rum Adventure next time :-)

Thoughts on Group Leader

What I like about Exodus is that they are using local team leaders.Our team leader was great - very knowledgeable and approachable. Our group was not an easy one, but IMHO he did a great job. Also he definitely became more than just a team leader - he became a friend. Highly recommended!Regarding food: we always went with his recommendations and we were never disappointed! Comment to Exodus: you should make it all inclusive trip, as discussions over where to eat can split the group - I felt sorry for the team leader as some people on the trip were thinking that he is dishonest with them when it comes to recommendations.

Advice for Potential Travellers

* Trust your team leader! They know what they are doing.* Read Trip Notes.* Enjoy and smile! 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many; us all collectively lighting a tribute to those who suffered in the war, at the sight of a village whose population was all killed one dreadful morning 45 years ago, was moving. It was like it happened yesterday because the landscape had not changed around the village and there were children cycling back from school looking and sounding like the children who were killed leaving for school that fateful day. Reaching some personal goals in terms of the cycling, getting to the top of hill top passes, cycling to the coast for the first time and jumping in the sea, the overnight train ride and seeing Hanoi for the first time after getting off the train. Halong bay was stunning and I got up at dawn to sea the sun rise over the limestone peaks. But the real inspiration is seeing the strength and energy of the Vietnamise people, after the war you think they would turn their back on people from the west, but they were happy to share their time with us and let us see how they live.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam, was caring, effective, knowledgeable and his fitness was inspirational on the bike rides. Every single arrangement he made for us worked and his recommendations around places to go and see we're always spot on.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only go on this trip if you are a fit cyclist. I was on the margin of not strong enough and it was a tough challenge. It says it's mostly flat, somewhere, it's mostly hilly. We had a wide range of ability levels and e erroneous was supported to finish. But my advise is if you have not cycled over 70km in a day in the uk, you are going to find 100km in the heat very very tough. And oh yes train and train before leaving. You will enjoy it more if it's not painful

Most Inspirational Moment

The auberge in Merzouga, literally right on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, and the camel trek and night out in the bedouin camp was awesome! It was such a relaxing place to be after the hussle and bustle of the cities in the north, and had it not been a full moon (which in itself was great) i'm sure we'd have seen millions more stars. Do make the effort to get up early for sunrise, we did it both days and it was great, although suprisingly freezing cold!! The desert Berber's music after dinner was great too!Essaouira was also a favourite, a real laid-back and charming city. Make sure you resist tempatation and do all your shopping here...it's cheaper and you can get everything here (including the cool wooden soup spoons that you'll be using in the mountain gite!).Jemma el fna square, Marrakech - you must eat at the food stalls! It's an amazing experience, the food is piping hot and so much fresher than anywhere else we ate, plus hearing the banter from the guys working on the stalls "take a butchers", "see ya later aligator", etc. will have you in stiches! I can personally recommend stall 114!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was great! A really friendly guy who seemed to really enjoy sharing his country, its culture and his Berber roots with us. He'll happy answer any question you have and do his best to help you with anything you need, including buying the music that was played in the minibus and teaching us the amazing Berber card game Bonjour Madame, Bonjour Monsoir! It'll be spreading across the UK soon!I have to mention Abdul too, our lovely driver who took us very safely on this wonderful tour! ..and always with a smile! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's easy to change money in the airport in the baggage reclaim area, there's also loads of ATMs available, just tell the guide you need one and he'll find somewhere to stop.The meals worked out more than in the trip notes so be aware of that. We ended up having 3 course meals for both lunch and dinner on some days at the start which was both excessive and expensive, although cheaper than in the UK. I wish I'd spoken up sooner and asked for more cheaper places or supermarket stops for lunches! A few words of French would be really useful if you get the chance to learn some before you go, otherwise English and body language will be fine.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a couple of downhill rides on the tarmac which for someone with my pretty low technical ability were just superb in terms of speed and the views.  But I think like many others the best part of the ride for me is the last 10K on the last day down to the Beach.  From this point the Atlantic glistens and dances off your sunglasses, the road runs smooth, fast and sinuously down hill at a pace hugging the hill side before levelling out onto the coast road and then onto the beach.  A quick pause for end of trip photographs with friends then a sprint into the ocean.  Simply a great way to end a trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz Proctor - this trip takes me into double figures of experience with Exodus and so I feel I'm in a good position to say Liz was one of the finest guides I have come across so far. Liz understands keenly the fact that it is an adventure holiday and their is some risk involved, but never crossed the line into smothering you with health and safety vernacular, she explained how it was each day, what to look out for and what to do if got into trouble - then it was over to you.  She was always there should you need help but never pushing it in your face.  This plus her general aura of amiability, bonhomie and excellent knowledge/experience made her an excellent guide.  She does however go like a greased whippet on the pistes so I wouldn't try racing her too much!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I undertrained for this trip, I neglected any climbing training, there are a number of ascents (fear not these are more than counteracted by the number of descents) so I would prepare for the uphills a little more before arriving.  Also some of the descents can be a little technical and hair raising, a little practice of the basics (more than I had) would I feel be invaluable before arriving.

Most Inspirational Moment

When I left the main group and went off with another group member to Namche for something to do....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Generally a nice guy...

Advice for Potential Travellers

Kiss goodbye to all the luxuries that you take for granted... Take a BIG book as you'll spend most of each day sitting around in a lodge staring at the wall... There are no TV's... One or two lodges had a chess board and a deck of cards but I strongly advise you to take your own entertainment as there really isn't anything to do beyond 1pm on the average walking day....     Also the time WILL come where you have to use a squat and drop toilet so just get used to the idea now !! Oh yes and the bridges can be very scary so if you have a HUGE fear of hights then leave this one alone...