Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Not sure about inspirational, but memorable highlights included: (1) Second half of Day 3 ride along Hvar towards Sucaraj - cruising along the narrow part of the island with amazing sea views to left and right. I had got in my stride and thought: this is cycling at its best. (2) Lunch at Mate restaurant on Day 5, Korcula - simple but traditional fayre, a great stop over on a relaxing day of cycling. (3) Traditional dinner on Day 5 at family establishment just outside Korcula - amazing slow cooked lamb and simple but delicious salads, great setting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good overall - responsible, responsive and took good care of us in general. However, he could have been more communicative: I (and I think some other fellow travellers) would have preferred if he had provided more detailed information in the daily briefings.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some reasonably long climbs - eg, 11k and 9k climbs on Days 2 and 3. Whether or not they are "challenging" depends of course on what cycling you are used to. But I think if you do not have any experience of cycling in hilly areas, then some of the hills would be quite challenging. Also beware that whilst you can decide at the bottom of the big climbs to go in the van instead, there was no option of quitting half way (no place for van to stop).

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the border crossings, from France to Switzerland, Switzerland to Italy and Italy to France were all spectacular - difficult days that made me feel a sense of achievement as passes were crossed, moving from one country to another. On two of the rest days I took the opprtunity to take the respective cable cars up to stations high up on glaciers. An amazing experience to see the high mountains without having to be a mountaineer. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Jenny was quite frankly superb. She was organised, kept us well briefed throughout the trek, and was tremendous fun to socialise with. It was pretty obvious she had many years of leading and her experience showed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For anyone who walks regularly or is reasonably active, this trek should not pose any significant physical challenges as long as you are reasonably fit before you come on this trek. That being said the more physical preparation you can do pre departure, the more you can enjoy the trek. Read the pre departre notes and even look at the Exodus trekking fitness guide and be honest with yourself you can do what's described. You want a challenge not an ordeal.

Most Inspirational Moment

The evening tour of Dubrovnik.....perhaps the walk around the city walls.Mljet National Park is pretty special too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very professional, yet relaxed as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you can afford it, book on the tour with the premium accomadation.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Sun Gate, brought tears to my eyes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutley fantastic, helpful, knowledgeable, sense of humour, aproachable. Her vocabulary was good.Kept us informed all the time of what would happen next. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The two day overnight walk into the mountains. The views of the mountains and the clouds below you were awesome.All the walks to the peaks were well worth the effort 

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had the slightly unusual situation that the leader was swapped part way through the trip. Both Ale and Sarah were excellent.Ale's easy going approach worked well on the longer walks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take snacks or buy them in the local supermarket. The breakfasts were basic and I was hungry early on in the trek each day. This is especially important for the overnighter. Whilst the evening meal was great, breakfast was toast and jam.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Great Wall of China, something I never thought I would achieve.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Emma was absolutely fabulous and couldn't do enough for the group. She worked tirelessly for 3 weeks never getting fazed or missing a beat. She is a credit to the company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just enjoy because you can't fail to. Don't take to much with you. You don't need anything more than shorts and flip flops. Even on mount Emie it was beautifully cool not cold. Oh and ensure you have wheels on your case.

Most Inspirational Moment

Although not included in the itinerary, I took the advice of an Exodus member of staff and booked on a flight over the Namib desert from Swakopmund. To say it took my breath away is an understatement, I haven't seen as much sand since the last time I sat through "Lawrence of Arabia"! Also, flying up the coast and seeing Swakopmund almost clinging onto Africa by its fingertips was pretty amazing. The best thing of all was that it only cost about £160 for two and a half hours which was very good value.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Steven's command of english wasn't bad but he did sometimes seem to be struggling to find the right words so it helped if you'd read the trip notes so you could help him along. He did, however, really know his job and he was very helpful in arranging the flight above, even to the extent of walking down to the travel agency with me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Contrary to the impression given in the Trip Info, some of the driving days were very long and on at least one occasion we were erecting tents in darkness. Added to which the dirt roads become pretty punishing after a while so there were days which I endured rather than enjoyed. With regard to the camping, the tents were good and the food even better but be warned that it can still be very cold at night in August / September so pack accordingly.

Most Inspirational Moment

When the clouds cleared and we saw Mont Blanc for the first time. Just beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really knowledgeable. Interesting to talk to.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In my view there are only a couple of difficult days really, the rest can be long but are not too strenuous. I was worried it would be harder than it actually was.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking above the clouds in the morning after spending a night in Rifugio Battisti, on our way to Monte Cusna, the second highest mountain in Emilia Romagna, the peaks of distant hills seeming like islands above the sea of clouds...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara and Ale (Aleandro) were both excellent leaders. Sara was very organised and knows the area very well. Ale led most of the walks, and has a great sense of humour. He even carried a heavy bottle of Prosecco (as well as hundreds of biscuits) all the way up the mountain to Rifugio Battisti, to share with us to celebrate his birthday!

Advice for Potential Travellers

There a few slightly awkward sections of the trails that have wires/cables that you have to hold on to for extra security, but they're only short sections (perhaps 10-20 metres) and not at all technical. The walking is no more difficult than most Munro walks in Scotland.

Most Inspirational Moment

The first part was in the Amazon - the highlight was definitely after the long hike through the jungle to reach the lake, we spent a couple of hours in canoes, being gently paddled around the lake, and surrounded by butterflies, with them landing on us constantly.  Seeing monkeys and toucans as little turtles as well.  A fabulous day.The second part was the Inca Trail.  The first two days were the hardest physical challenge of my life, and the second two were full of fun and laughter with my new friends, whilst the pain was forgotten.  And when we arrived at Machu Picchu I couldn't help but cry with joy and relief at the beautiful sight of the ruins in the late afternoon sun.   We had worked hard and earned the view, and it was well worth it.Lastly, the brief stay on Amantani Island on Lake Titicaca was something else.  Having dinner in the evening and getting to know our host was special.  I felt like I'd really done something to help the local community.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was superb.  He knew everything about everything.  With a degree in archeology there was nothing about the incas and other local empires he didn't know.  Plus his passion for all flora and fauna meant he was able to point out and name every animal and plant we saw.  Quite amazing.  And he had a great sense of homour too!Juan - thank you for making this trip unforgettable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate the Inca Trail, but if a desk potato like me can do it, so can you!Oh, and take blister plasters, even if you never get blisters, and clean socks for every day of the trail. Plus wet wipes are good, and hand cleanser.Take more clothes than you think you need for the jungle, and some detergent, as you'll end up taking 2 - 3 showers each day.