Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Angkor is the top of the trip, visit of King palace in Phnom Penh the worse (have to run...).And around that, few details interesting (visit of workshop for example) but nothing amazing (landscape quite flat, no elephant...)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Do the job but in emergency case, could be better. However pleasant and smiling behaviour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As we've been lucky with the rain, hope the same for you! We were in restaurant during a storm and it's scared...Take care of "friendly" citizen, it's always to have money. Never follow anyone without check his identity with the group leader for example. I've "lost" 2000$ with that mistake!Deal the price of Tuk Tuk ride at first, don't wait the arrival.From Saigon, two differents airports : one for international flights and another for domestic flights (for example if you have a transfer via Hanoi).

Suggestions

Visit Bangkok city

Most Inspirational Moment

A balmy evening spent in a restaurant terrace overlooking Mostar bridge eating exquisite seafood.A swim in a beautiful lake after a tough nine hour hike.A walk around Dubrovnik's city walls in the early morning before the crowds arrive.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Samer is an inspirational and informative guide with an encyclopaedic knowledge of Bosnia having lived through the recent troubles as a young boy. His optimism for the future and his love of the country is infectious. He is the perfect guide, offering encouragment when the climb seems a bit steep and ensuring all clients stay within their comfor zones.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

August can be (and was for us) very hot - take a good sunhat and plenty of sunscreen and drink lots of water.Enjoy the beers at the end of the day.Be prepared for some quite long minibus transfers between locations. 

Suggestions

I visited beautiful Montenegro in February and intend to explore this whole region much more in the next couple of years.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many high points but the views have to count among the most memorable parts of the holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was excellent; both friendly and approachable.  Nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bear in mind that August on the Amalfi coast is very, very hot and that the walking is therefore quite draining.  You will need lots and lots of water and lots and lots of suncream and a very good hat.... 

Suggestions

Ravello, in my opinion, should be included in the itinerary as it's too good to miss.   Everyone I have spoken to rates Herculaneum above Pompeii so I think it would be worth going to the former instead, there isn't time to do it all...There are lots of 'little extras' so take plenty of money.  The buses in August are packed, which is an understatement, so if you want to arrange private transport into, say, Amalfi, it'll cost you dear.   

Most Inspirational Moment

Without a doubt the most inspirational moment was seeing the gorillas. Nothing quite preapres you for the first flash of silverback that you see and the subsequent family of gorillas that you get to spend time with. I cannot stress enough how quickly the time goes, we blinked and they said we had 8 minutes left. Take photos but make sure you give yourself some time to simply enjoy this utterly mindblowing experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ahhhh there are simple not enough superlatives for Often.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't go on this if you are not into animals, I didn't fully engage with the trip notes so was a little surprised by the number of game drives ( my group will smile at this)!Do not take Mastercard!! If you need cash or in fact anything in Rwanda only visa debit will suffice.Avoid the orphanage/ old women morning and stay chilling at the lake was an uncomfortable waste of timeIn terms of cash to pay for extras really you'll just be buying drinks, snacks and souveniers I took $500 and was fineBring a headtorchThey have these foam mattresses to sleep on, I invested in a self inflating jobbie and it was a waste of moneyDownload a white noise app in case of noisy neighbours, amazing!Bring a travel pillow for the bus it was invaluableThere is a really mixed bag of accommodation you are in a little tent for six nights and wasn't as heinous and I thought it would be for those fellow non- campers out there.

Suggestions

Not entirely sure what else to add other than this was 2 unforgettable weeks. It is making me sad writing about it all as a mere memory now as know that unique time in those amazing places won't be relived. It was a once in a lifetime trip beautifully organised and lead that simply left you wanting more ( although think I might give game drives a rest, for a bit!)  

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved the La Nova refuge in France, even bought the T-shirt!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leaders we had for the 2 weeks were excellent at managing the group and our different speeds of walking and interests.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In general accomodation was OK, with some more OK than others! Enjoy the breakfasts at the Hotel Astoria and leave plenty of room for the myrtille tarte!

Most Inspirational Moment

All of the walks on the wall were fantastic. Eating (life) scorpions very different. The food was great (apart from afore mentioned scorpions). The Chinese people..... so friendly and genuine. I hate to admit it, but one the many highlights  was a spontaneous evening of drinking Chinese firewater after we finished the last walk.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kevin, our guide, couldn't have been better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the extension!

Suggestions

If you like coffee, take some instant with you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Inca trail and seeing Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate. Despite seeing many photos previously I wasn't prepared for the hugeness of the siteAmazing food whilst campingRiding in the dune buggy and sliding down the sand dunesSeeing the Humboldt penguins in Ballesta IslaTalking to the Peruvian peopleTravelling with a great group of people

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizzio was an excellent guide, very friendly and very caring. He has a very laid back attitude but is extremely well organised. Fabrizzio was very concerned for our well-being and ensured that we drank plenty of water and rested well and always checked how we were doing particularly when people had been unwell but he was never obtrusive. He was clearly very proud of his county and shared his knowledge with us. He also took us to some excellent restaurants. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

 Things I would have liked to know:If you fly from Lima to Puno be prepared for feeling extremely tired for the first couple of days even if you take it easy and also be prepared for headaches, almost everyone in our group suffered headaches for the first 2 or 3 days.Wear waterproof trousers on the boat trip to Ballestas Island - the sea was very choppy and we all got wet - it was like a theme park water ride.Do the Dune Buggy optional excursion and sand boarding it's great fun and excellent value but don't put sun cream immediately before or you'll get plastered in sand.The long coach trips are inevitable and the roads can be very winding making it difficult to read so audio books or Ipod will help pass the time. We had someone who knew lots of games so we were kept entertained. A pack of cards might also be useful particularly when you are camping. Take dollars and change into soles - you will need both, your guide will advise how much to change and there are many opportunites.  If you are travelling with United Airlines via Houston they do not do vegetarian meals on the Houston to Lima stretch so make sure you buy something at the airport if you're likely to get hungry. If you don't like your room for any reason politely ask to change as the guide and the hotel are keen to ensure you are happy.Take a swimming costume for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes. Towels can be hired and you can buy soap and shampoo very cheaply. It's just what you need after 4 days trekking and they even serve you a beer in the pool - heaven! There was also a pool in the Nazca hotel.Poles were a must for coming down the many steps on the Inca trail. Hire a sleeping bag then you only have it for the days of the trek, you also get a thermorest mattress and the sleeping bag is a four season so keeps you snug and warm. 

Suggestions

If you're thinking of doing this trip go ahead and do it. If you enjoy walking and are reasonably fit you'll be able to cope with the trek. There is no need to rush as there is nothing to do at the campsite so take your time, enjoy the views and put one foot in front of the other and you'll get there.I am scared of heights so had some concerns about edges but there was no need the paths are wide and there aren't any exposed edges. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The penultimate day of cycling - 110km into Hue, including a 10km up-stretch through the mountains.  Off the bike, it would have to be cruising in Halong Bay, one of the numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites that we visited along the way.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding.  Lam is full of knowledge about his country, and a highly organised and competent tour leader.  Full of fun and energy, he led us brilliantly and is an excellent ambassador for Vietnam and Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Being comfortable whilst cycling is the key to maximum enjoyment.  Own saddle and padded shorts are for winners!  One of our group also brought cleats - a nice to have but not essential. 

Suggestions

Bring a camera, charger and spare SD card - you will not be short of things to take photos of.

Most Inspirational Moment

Dificult to pin point - the first day in Havana, Trinidad and going on the Catamaran, Santiago. The scenery was lovely, the people friendly.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Raimon(do) was fantastic - an excellent source of knowledge, good organisational skills, friendly approachable. All the drivers were fabulous.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't go in the summer if you can help it - it is very hot indeed.

Suggestions

I understand that this trip has only recently been added in August (probably due to high demand for us teachers!)  However, I do think that there should be a difference between the Winter and Summer itineraries.  I don't understand why we didn't start cycling until 8.30 or in some cases midday (!) whilst in India and Indochina we generally started at 7.00 or earlier.  The heat was really difficult.  Also, there were a lot of transfers.  Admittedly, we got a taste of the whole island, but I feel that much more time could have been spent in Havana, Trinidad and Santiago and some other places left out - alternatively, extend it by a few days.  This all sounds negative, but it was still a great experience and one that I would recommend - in Winter.  The hotels were fine, some very interesting colonial type buildings, the food nowhere near as bad as I was lead to believe and the mojitos were a must have!

Most Inspirational Moment

Crossing  the top of the pass on third day- from campsite two the steep path  looked impossible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan had a good sense of humour, good communicator and excellent leaders. Fast walker!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Weather in July 45' C in Marrakesh and putting  socks and boots on hot feet  at 40'C an experience. Weather soon became plessant- just chilly for summit. Some short showers in afternoon.Walking was hard -sections of path at higher levels rough.  The 5 hour day and optional aclimitisation extra hike met varied abilities and needs. No  altitude sickness issues in our group.Make sure you use handwash- hand bowl washes not really promoted. Some tummy issues! No real washing facilities for first three nights- don't expect bowls at you tent or mugs of tea!

Suggestions

Unlike other EXodus trips some days  toilet facilities character building. Enjoyable butsome walking hard-especially  in the heat!