Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Constant views over the mountain range - emptiness - apart from a few yaks, sheep, goats, and tea tent people.  Great museum in Hemis monastery - with very interesting pieces about history of the place and old photos of frozen rivers. Loved Leh for all the local tiny side streets and general life there.  Made me really wonder what it's like when all is blocked off in winter.  Must admit to loving the colourful clothes and stone jewellery - everything is simply beautiful - if you like the tibetan nepalese type things.  And it is an opportunity to share a chat and a tea in several places.  Very interesting to hear about how Ladakhi people are living now, learning to make the most out of visitors and seemingly retaining their identity - hopefully will stay this way.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oh - where to start???  This lady is the most professional, knowledgeable, patient and dedicated guide I ever came across.  Her knowledge of buddhism is encyclopedic - and she keeps all information really lively and interesting. Her knowledge of the area is amazing, so is her dedication to the Ladakhi people, and clients alike.  She is working relentlessly to improve life for the Ladakhi, which is an enormous plus point in my book - and am very glad Exodus is supporting this.  She makes sure that drinking water is available in all tea tents, works with others to train people how to use solar power, UV water filters etc.  Every day she made sure all of us were ok in terms of coping with altitude, giving all the necessary advice at all times.  Some of us did struggle a little with altitude - but thanks to her recommendations it was a great experience.  And she keeps her sense of humour at all times.  I think she is a solar powered green modern buddhist deity ;-)  Better add her name - Valerie Parkinson.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Having read other reviews, I did not think it was that hot - but yes - a wide brimmed hat is crucial - and 50+ sun cream and lip salve.  Absolutely follow the advice to drink lots of water - 4-5 litres a day a must.  If you are concerned about the altitude - you can consider taking Diamox 2-3 days before the trip.  But not a must - I took some on day 2 after arriving and was fine after that - but everyone is different.  Do take all the things on the packing list.  The level of fitness required was less than I expected - but maybe because the pace was always slow enough to cope with the altitude.  Expect a lot of temperature changes - you will need warm trousers or leggings and thick fleece - as well as thin T-shirt. There are some steep-ish ascents - but short ones - and 1-2 slightly slippery but again brief descents - but mainly the paths are really easy.  A walking stick comes in handy when crossing rivers.  Take 2 big 1 litre bottles with you that can cope with hot water.  Camel back water bag also handy.

Most Inspirational Moment

Friday spent in Funchal

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bruno was funny, experienced, knowledgable and helpful.  He had a lot of responsibility looking after people who hadn't ever walked in the moutains before.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Please read the details of the walks carefully and decide if it is suitable for you.  Remember to take into consideration the temperatures.  Don't forget to take a fruit knife as you nearly always take a pack lunch.  If you don't like changing accommodation every other day read the details carefully.

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit to Vesuvius, Pompei and Ercolano.

Most Inspirational Moment

In a trip filled with so many experiences, it seems churlish to pick just one.  So, I'll pick three and even that's difficult: cycling through the villages in the jungle meeting locals, visiting the family who live in the Exodus built house and sunset at Sigiriya rock.My daughter's favourite three were: visiting the turtle hatchery, going elephant riding and snorkelling in the Indian Ocean. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was brilliant.  He was very well informed and worked tirelessly to make sure our trip was a success.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If the elephant orphange trip is still just an option when you do this trip, take it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching dead woman's pass for me and other's was the highlight as the hours to reach it seemed relentless (then we remembered we had to go back down the other side)!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Filamina was very knowledgeable about all things Inca and was happy to share her culture with our group.  Everyone walked at their different pace, sometimes up front, othertimes at back or somewhere inbetween and either she or Davide made sure everyone was okay and not left behind.  Everything was very well organised and fell into place from the briefing the night before to our final night group meal in Cusco.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're not used to walking, then practice.  Some in our group (including me) had never really hiked before and although we all got through it, we weren't expecting it to be quite as challenging.  The altitude will hit you, not necessarily with altitude sickness but you will notice it so just stop, drink and take in the scenery.  Apart from minor headaches from some in our group, none of us really experienced altitude sickness.  Physically this was the hardest challenge many of us in our group had ever done.  Every day you will be climbing, then going down, then back up again.  It was a great experience and we were very lucky with the weather as I really can't imagine doing let alone enjoying this trip in the pouring rain.  Our group was fairly large at 14, and for the most part got along extremely well.  Lots of laughing in the dining tents at meal times and encouragement on the walk itself.  Toilet facilities are pretty basic, but we all got over the embarrasment fairly quickly.  Keep a sense of humour!Finally when reaching the Sun Gate, don't be suprised if you're a little underwhelmed.  It's not because Machu Pichu isn't stunning, it is and the scale of the site is breathtaking...but for me and others we were kind of relieved that all the hiking was nearly over (45-60mins away)!

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the view of Kang Yangtse from above Nimerling . Well worth the effort of the optional walk from camp .There were amazing views from the top of both high passes .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was great and gave us so much information about the area and the people and lots of information about Buddism . She always made sure everyone was well first thing in the morning and looked after us all throughout the day .

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want to walk in a little populated area then do this trip . You will be at altitude so take it easy in Leh and drink lots of water .

Most Inspirational Moment

The true story of the Giant Marmots gold.. told with all seriousness by our leader at Pragser Wildsee.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic - informative, knowledgable, entertaining - the complete package!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles might be advisable...

Most Inspirational Moment

So many of different kinds! Seeing the lepoard in its tree with its kill, an antelope, on the next branch. A cheetah trotting across the plains. Lions with their coats stained red from a recent kill. The colours of the birds. Visiting a medical clinic offering free health care to the local Masai

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chris was superb - extremely knowledgeable and very ready to share his knowledge with all of us. Equally willing to help us spot birds. A wonderful sense of humour shared by all 3 staff - especially when the hyena ran off with the bin! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Head torch is essential.  The sleeping mats provided were exceptional - we had taken extra air beds but never needed them.  Heed the warnings about cold nights - they are cold!  remember it can rain!  Hot showers do not always materialise.

Most Inspirational Moment

The final day up to Lake Blanc was amazing and a wonderful experience. The views were stunning and the weather and company perfect.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Graham Hickman has a love for the mountains and a passion to share it that is obvious to everyone. His knowledge, wit and experience, together with a few little extra trips thrown in made this a special trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, double check everything you get told by the admin team, unfortunately the opinion of their accuracy was not high!

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved all of the walking, expecially the trip to Mount Vesuvius.  Took the additional trip to walk the rim which was unbelievable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Albert, was very knowledgable and everything ran smoothly.  He briefed us each evening with the agenda, pick up times etc for the next day.  He had a great sense of humour and made the walks very enjoyable.  He knew some great places to eat and drink in Amalfi also.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For this particular holiday it is important to have a good pair of walking shoes.  Also a micro towel would be good to take as we end a few of the walks on the beach.  Saves taking a bulky beach towel with you on the walks.  Most of the walks are around 9k, so not too far but there is quite a lot of climbing up and walking down, so if you have troublesome knees some walking poles would be beneficial!