Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Podgora village trip and lunch.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledeable and competent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Vegetarian meals are scarce please carry something to eat.

Most Inspirational Moment

First view of The Treasury at PetraThe journey through the "secret" way into Petra led by the amazing lady Bedouin guideThe optional balloon trip over the desert in Wadi Rum (arranged at our request by Khalid our guide at a few hours notice)The genuine kindness and welcome offered by the Jordanian people, both young and old, everywhere we went.

Thoughts on Group Leader

5 *****. Very capable affable and in clear control of all aspects of the trip 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take good light weight walking boots.

Suggestions

This holiday, arranged by me very much at the last minute, exceeded my expectations many fold and has re-ignighted my love of and desire to travel.The only negative aspect was the sanitary arrangements in the Bedouin camp stay in Wadi Rum!! The loos had no running water, hence a build up of raw sewerage which was very unpleasant!! I do appreciate that the desert, as with the country as a whole, has problems with its water supply and that improvements planned by the hosts had been delayed by the serious illness of a senior family member. They more than made up for this with their hospitality. May I suggest that a composting toilet system might be the answer? Both enviromentally friendly and, if designed properly, much more pleasant for the user.My "luggage label for life" is, sadly, enjoying a life of its own as it parted from my luggage of its own accord shortly after its arrival in Jordan. I understand from fellow travellers that some of theirs suffered a similar fate!!Thank You to all your staff in the Uk and local handling agents for thei conributions toward an amazing holiday With regard to the accommodation in Amman, I would have preferred this to have been more centrally located, to afford easier access to the City in free time 

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick one... Elephants with their little ones just before sunset on a sand island, us making an approach crawling in the warm sand - a breathtakingly beautiful and uplifting experience. Lions counting the little airplanes landing and taking off at a tiny airstrip we found during the driving safari part of the trip, as if plane spotting during their siesta...The Southern sky... with Milky Way and constellations of such brightness that one could only see such celestial show in high quality astronomy books.The visits to the orphanage and the village were truly inspirational. Ernest is a wonderful dedicated man, huge respect to him for what he achieved and what he keeps striving for. Right next to our camp, herds of different animals coming to drink, as if they were using time slots in a well-organised system... a truly incredible parade, first baboons, then they left, impalas came, then after them came wild hogs, then guineafowls appeared...

Thoughts on Group Leader

I simply can not praise Cuthbert and Best highly enough and one can only have deep respect for them. Superb people, their competence, expertise, personality all made the trip even more memorable. In any situation, one can feel perfectly safe with them, and as it was shown many times, anything and everything gets magically solved. Truly, many many thanks to both for the wonderful experience. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The daypack should keep one going so packing light is very advisable. A 25-30 litre backpack would be highly sufficient even with camera and extra lenses without problems.A dry bag is VERY recommended, the river can get very choppy when wind picks up and one can end up with quite a bit of water in the canoe. 

Suggestions

It was at the same time an amazing, uplifting and humbling experience. Zambezi is truly a mighty river and nature has put on a "show" one could not imagine.Being so close, experiencing everything, being part of the landscape rather than observing it from some artificial 'bubble' has advantages that are just undescribable.In that sense, one can't possibly imagine a more perfect trip for that complete immersion in local nature. Thanks to Exodus, the local leaders and the group for making this an extremely memorable trip.  

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk in italy was great. Unspoilt scenery, and great views all day. I loved visiting anancy on our non walking day, it's a beautiful city with lots to do. Also thoroughly enjoyed the day a few of the group were not permitted to walk as our wet weather gear was not considered adequate by the leader, had a relaxing day enjoying Chaminox

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable of the area, with a witty joke for every situation. I appreciated his concern for health and safety, but at times this made the situation a bit restrictive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect to walk extremely slowly! Pack everything on the list as nothing is optional. If your large (e.g tall or fat) you may get stuck in the shower or toilet as the ensuite facilities in some of the rooms are tiny.

Suggestions

The home cooked evening meals were excellent. We had a lovely group which added to the enjoyment of the holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting between full grown male and female lions calling at full volume.  Good light, visible breath and an experience that brought back many memories and will not be forgotten.  There were others - huge wildebeest crossings, leopards in fantastic light - the list goes on

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul Goldstein - what can you say that hasn't already been said. Inspirational, challenging, always keen to deliver the best....

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book one asap

Suggestions

I am sure it will not be my last photographic safari with Paul

Most Inspirational Moment

So many... Beautiful sunsets in the Wadi RumHot air Ballooning over the Wadi RumJerash...who knewand of course Petra

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khaled was great. He got the balance absolutely right. We had a mixed group with several interests and abilities, however he was able to satisfy the explorer in all of us. Nothing was too much trouble and his knowledge was boundless.

Advice for Potential Travellers

you'll need at least two t-shirts per day! It's hot and there's a fair amount of walking. Jordan is fairly westernised so whilst being respectful, shorts and t-shirts are fine for all.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the peaks on each walk and seeing the Garfagnana region streatch out below. Stunning vistas. The walks were invigorating and packed with interest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was faultless. She worked hard to ensure that organised excurtions went smoothly, for example, scouring the local villages to get train tickets for the next day visits to Lucca. Sara had a wonderful sence of humour and was a mine of information on the walks and about the tales and experiences she had encountered. She made the trip a smoothly run operation. She's a treasure as are the family at the farm who worked behind the scenes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you know what you are letting yourself in for if you take this trip with regard for walks- the Walking in Tuscany tour and in the Garfagnana would be akin to say doing some of the peaks of the Lake District or the highlands of Scotland. Certainly do-able if your walking ability is of that level. This is not a trip for gentle rambles around tuscan villages, although we had a few of those when circumstances necessitated.

Suggestions

Mamma's cooking was superb, as a vegetarian I never felt I was getting second best. The best meals were her Parmigiana, her pasta with Pesto and her deserts were sublime- the Tiramisu Ice Cream and her Pannacotta here gorgeous. It would have been nice if we could have eaten outside a few more times as the outdoor dining area was just idylic on our last meal.

Most Inspirational Moment

We had just arrived on our first Island and three young sealions came to investigate us and played around our feet on the beach and in the shallow waters edge.Snorkelling with penguins, Galapagos white tipped sharks sealions and giant turtles.Waking up each day in a different location with yet another beautiful view from our ship - The Catchelote.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Darwin was excellent he was extremely well informed and protective of the Islands and the wild life.Our guide in Quito was equally well informed and passionate about his City with lots of reccomendations of where to go & what to do whilst we were there.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do take walking boots/shoes with you they are the one item of footwear you will need & possibly walking sandals to. If you are sailing on the Catchelote you wont need any other foot wear - as you are required to remove your shoes as soon as you board and the dress code is very casual with very small cabins - so dont take any luggage you dont need.Do take medication for sea sickness with you  - if you dont need it thats a bonus 50% of our group suffered from sea sickness to some degree & its such a shame to reduce your enjoyment of the trip and the wonderful food served on board.Do take the best camera you can with lots of memory - you will need it as there is so much to see and photograph.

Suggestions

We chose itinery B in the hope we would see whales & luckily we did - The trip was fantastic the Catchelote and crew great with lots of excellent food - just limit the amount of luggage you take as you dont need very much.The holiday was more active than we expected with lots of walking and snorkeling - so brush up on your swimming skills before you go - as you really would miss quite a lot if you chose not to snorkel.If you have been thinking about taking this trip - then just do it !

Most Inspirational Moment

The feeling of achievement when i reached the top of a hill/mountain that i never thought i would make and the quiet , peaceful beauty that opened up in front of me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Liz worked non stop in ensuring we were all catered for, all fit, all happy and enjoyed our holiday. Only one comment but it needs to be said.....MY GOD IS SHE FIT!!!!!! Thanks for everything Liz.

Advice for Potential Travellers

yep.Do go on the trip it is fantastic but be prepared for really challenging walks. I walk my dog daily over hills etc and often do around 10 miles at weekend but i found the climbing really hard going but enjoyable and the group were great ,no stragglers were left behind and encouragement was given to all whether first time or 14th time.

Suggestions

Great group of people on the trip really made the evenings fun. Mamas meals were delicious and Luccias cakes to die for. The Prosecco went down well also.If this is a typical Exodus holiday (and the rest of the group assured me it was) i will definitely be doing more. Lovely being able to get to know other people from all walks of life and look forward to meeting more on different trips.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few - visiting the Berber family for tea was very humbling and was one of the highlights, finishing the long 19 mile walk in good spirits, the buzz of Place Jamaa as dusk fell to nightfall and the different smells, sights and general excitement buzz around the place and all without alcohol !  Oh yes the horse and carriage ride around sights on the sunday morning....The whole holiday was good and the group magic - Thanks everyone!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was very knowledgable, organised and good company. You felt you could ask him anything. He had this week off to a fine art and it showed! He was very attentive to needs of group and helped those who found some of it more difficult.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Well - we were lucky and didn't get a funny tummy but a good few did so be prepared for that.  We only needed a sheet sleeping bag ( September) and saved us lugging a bigger one over. 

Suggestions

Just a great alround holiday. Really enjoyed the walking and could have done with another one in holiday ( but we wern't ill) and less time in Marakesh but that was just the way the flights were.  Beds in Gite very hard and I didn't sleep well at all but it was what it said in trip notes! Basic!Recommended trip though.