Expert Insights

October 02, 2013 In Search of the Snow Leopard

Read time – 2 minutes Ladakh in winter? With sub-zero temperatures and cut off from the rest of the world by the snow?! Yes – the Hemis National Park is as pretty in winter under snow as it is in summer and is home to one of the most elusive cats on the planet –...

October 02, 2013 An Iceland Adventure

Read time – 2 minutes After travelling across the moon-like landscape of the Rekjanes Peninsula we headed to the south coast. As the dark Icelandic landscape of lava gave way to green pastures we spotted some Icelandic horses, unique for their five gaits. A word of warning though: don’t refer to them as ‘ponies’ or...

October 02, 2013 Leader profile: Ana Kunstek in Croatia

Read time – 1 minute Born in Croatia’s capital city of Zagreb in 1973, Ana was always a keen sportswoman, playing handball, skiing, synchronised swimming and of course cycling. Introducing Ana Ana has been leading groups for Exodus since 2007 and sees the role as much more than simply a job. She always has everything...

October 01, 2013 Darwin’s Galapagos

Read time – 3 minutes I spent my first night on the islands with an American who sailed our main Galapagos boat, the Cachalote, from Florida across the Caribbean and the Panama Canal to its new home. He talked about pirate attacks off Haiti and other exciting tales en route, but I only had one...

October 01, 2013 My Kilimanjaro Climb on the Rongai Route

I arrived home and flopped down to some mind-numbing soap opera when I suddenly realised what I’d agreed to. “I’m going to climb the tallest mountain in Africa!” I told my kind and supportive flatmates, who all burst into laughter. The next day was the first of many spent in preparation for Kilimanjaro. It became...

October 01, 2013 Reasons to visit Amalfi

Read time – 3 minutes Amalfi Amore The sun’s rays caress my eyelids as I sit back on the terrace and allow the floral aromas of a crisp white wine to gently unfold on my palate. I open my eyes in the knowing bliss that the holiday has begun, and that there’s a week of...

October 01, 2013 Sailing Down the Nile

Read time – 2 minutes The sun is setting now. A gentle wind sweeps through my hair. I am content here. Sayed, our leader, knew today’s early morning visit to Abu Simbel would tire us all, and that a felucca ride on the Nile would be the best way to end our day. He was...

October 01, 2013 Canyoning in Turkey

Read time – 2 minutes I am not usually afraid of heights, but as I watched my group disappear one by one over the side of a forty-metre waterfall, my heart started to beat harder and faster. A Lycian Activity Holiday We were standing in a deep canyon that formed part of the River Esen,...

October 01, 2013 Ruins, Rainforests and Beaches of Central America

Read time – 2 minutes “Vamanos … time to go … vamos” our guide kept repeating, leaving me with no option other than to (reluctantly!) part with the cool bench where I had sought refuge. Mayan Civilisation Sitting and observing the grandeur of these pyramids in Tikal Guatemala had left me so mesmerized that I...

October 01, 2013 Trekking in Wadi Rum

Read time – 3 minutes The small dot wheeling above me was a steppe buzzard. I only knew that because Mr Nabil had pointed one out earlier that day. Passing high to my left, it had appeared from over the red mountain to the south, which although looked close enough to touch, was actually 25...