Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Fantastic sunsets over the breaking waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Great seafood and wine. Boutique accommodation, especially the Literary Man in Obidos.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ruben is an exemplary ambassador for his country. He is a remarkable and engaging young man. I doubt we have had a better leader in any previous Exodus trips. After a leisurely first day's ride he was able to accurately gauge everybody's level of competency and ensured that each individual had the best experience possible. He was well supported by Rafael who was in charge of transportation and excellent picnics. Between them their calm and friendly nature made our whole experience delightful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book an extra night in Porto at the start of your holiday. It is a smaller city than Lisbon and easier to explore on foot. We ate in Volta e Meia in Figueira da Foz on Ruben's recommendation and it was fantastic. If you want to go as a group be sure to book as it is very small and intimate. The first 2 days of cycling are predominantly flat and easily managed by infrequent cyclists. The following 3 days are more challenging so either get some practice in, hire an e-bike or take up the offer of a ride in the support van for the longer hills.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the streets of Matera - so many ups and downs with sites looking so far away, but then you round a corner and you are on top of it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Selenia was great, vibrant and I only wish I could speak italian as well as she speaks english.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you visit Lecce on your day off a 2 hour tour costs 15 euro, but this does not allow for entrance into any of the churches. It is easy to tour on your own. Take and use insect repellent if you are prone to insect bites.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were too many inspirational moments to settle on one, but if I had to choose, seeing herds of elephants on several occasions visiting the waterhole in Etosha was probably the very best.

Most Inspirational Moment

Salt plains, geysers and hill of 7 colours. Two awesome downhill rides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ale was excellent- not only in role of trip leader, but also in imparting knowledge of local history and politics. Very organised and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking boots or shoes recommended for sand dune and geyser walk. Trip rating of 4 feels right. None of us had significant altitude symptoms. The only climbing at altitude was on the last day of the trip, when we had acclimatised. The 30% non tarmac was on sandy/gravelly/corrugated roads which needed some care for the uninitiated. The birdwatching/ barbeque option for the day off in Salta was hugely enjoyed by the 10 of us who chose this.

Most Inspirational Moment

We all managed to complete a 9k hill climb with the help and encouragement of the leaders - it was a slog but rewarded by the best gelato at the top! I also learned a bit more about how to use my gears and pace myself up a hill and can't wait to put my newfound experience into practice in future. However, there were many inspirational moments I could think off but mainly what a great bunch of people were on the trip - we were a diverse bunch in terms of age and background but everyone just got on really well and that helped to make the holiday into an unforgettable experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leaders, Jon and David, were fantastic. They shared the work both cycling with us and providing van back up, looked after the bikes, provided on-the-road guidance and advice, organised the meals and ensured everyone felt included in all the activities - they even organised a small celebration as one group member was celebrating a birthday during the week. They both had great local knowledge so could explain much about the areas we were travelling through and points of interest. They both worked extremely hard for long days with little time to themselves but remained enthusiastic and engaged the whole time even though they do this week in, week out it never showed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are thinking about this sort of trip, particularly if you are planning to go "solo", I would highly recommend it. Make sure you are fit for the holiday and you will get out of it what you put in.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight of the trip was the trek to the Tiger's Nest Monastery. It looks unreachable (and strangely familiar from the famous photos) and then suddenly you are standing outside! The Thimpu Festival was also spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kemey was organised, articulate and incredibly eager to do anything he could to make us comfortable. We were given a very warm welcome.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The day that we visited the Thimpu Festival it rained. This is apparently not unusual. We were therefore sitting out in the rain for about 3.5 hours. It helped to have a good waterproof, something to wrap around your legs to keep them dry (poncho) and a sit mat so that we were not sitting directly on wet concrete. The temperature varies throughout the trip - it helps to have layers. We travelled in October and it was warmer than we expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment and quite frankly the most surprising was a birthday cake our chef had baked for a member of our team, at 4,600metres! Also a very big shout out to our wonderful team leader, JT - every single day he would pick up rubbish my fellow walkers had carelessly thrown away on the trek, its selfless acts like that that inspire you to do your best and not to let anyone down.

Thoughts on Group Leader

JT has a permanent smile on his face. His knowledge and understanding of the mountain is second to none and is an inspirational character. JT, David and Hanse (assistant guides) all became our hero's and we all had a lot of fun during the trip, in particular after we had all scaled the Barranco Wall, what a fabulous afternoon! Its no wonder JT won the Exodus guide of the year in 2016, I have no doubt he will be up in the running for guide of the year again, he absolutely deserves every accolade he gets. I also have to give a special shout-out to our 2 other assistant guides; Hanse and David. Both of whom I have to say were incredible on summit night for so many reasons, and again so incredibly professional, funny - we all felt very safe.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, get the miles in! Trust me, you don't have to be a marathon runner or a triathlete etc, in order to take part in this epic adventure. If you are sensible and start to add in extra park run's or spin classes every week plus wracking up the walking miles every weekend, you shouldn't have any problems. I would also strongly suggest you read up on all the points of view in regards to taking the anti-altitude tablet, diamox. I took it and it worked, but please note it doesn't work for everyone, so listen to all the advice given, listen to your GP and make an educated decision. Finally......take a hot water bottle, trust me, you'll really appreciate it on the very cold nights.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just being in the mountains and looking at the views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Shaun, was a lot of fun, very knowledgeable and patient with all of the questions (and there were many!). He did an incredible job at balancing the needs of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you read all the trip notes and know what you need. All of the information is there for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every hike! MAking it to the top of each hike and the view ...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared with your fitness, good gear, comfortable boots, enough layers to be warm in the morning, and it gets warm at the top! Of course depends on the time of year you do the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit on day 3, stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic, adaptable to conditions and knew what we were capable of, nobody was pushed too hard

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get put of the normal holiday routine, you won't regret it