Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Managing to get our select group of ’Trevor’s Angels’ to the top of Kala Patar!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. He was extremely personable and knowledgable but also very aware of how we were all doing. At the slightest sign of anyone not being 100% , he would check how they were doing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely get your visa beforehand - we did the online bit but still had a huge wait. The only way to avoid the wait is to send passport off for visa in UK. Sadly, if others in the group don’t you will still have to wait but outside! Stock up on anything that will help counteract the Khumbu cough - lemsips, throat sweets ...

Most Inspirational Moment

Final camp realising last time needed to assemble own tent

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good but aware / keen to keep us together even in last 48 hours

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take: Gaitors Ear plugs Eye mask Head torch Dead Sea neoprene booties Compeed & variations Buy Arab scarf in event of sand storms Take Jordanian dinards £150 circa. Expect to spend £100. Dessert freezing at night.

Most Inspirational Moment

Valley of the kings.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic. Very knowledgeable. Great fun. Looked after every member of the group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Summiting Stromboli. We got to the top and unfortunately cousin cover prevented us from seeing the lava eruptions. After 45 minutes of trying out luck just as we were leaving the cloud suddenly went and we got to see the full show! It was amazing to watch.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Benoit was amazing. Knew his stuff, showed us all the best bits every day and was very passionate about the country and his job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Things will always go wrong on these trips like buses not turning up on time, getting up early after going to bed late. Well worth those small sacrifices.

Most Inspirational Moment

The view of the Andes from our campsite on the 3rd night. Beautiful inspiring and simply amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul was excellent, he went out of his way to ensure everyone managed to the trail and more than that enjoyed it. A mix of ages and abilities but he made it work. People smiled in the rain and beamed at the views, his knowledge and Peru. Nothing was too much trouble people felt important and special and look after. His knowledge and theories on the inca's were great and his local experiences brilliant. THANK YOU!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just to it - it is challenging but not as hard as you think, the comfort part of the trip is exceptional and makes it that bit more special and is worth the extra cost. Catering was just way beyond what you would ever expect

Most Inspirational Moment

The penguins waddling down the street holding wings!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Warren was amazing

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are quite a few hills so I would advise getting a few of these in before you go.

Most Inspirational Moment

Although the scenery was stunningly beautiful with so many Instagram worthy vistas, it was the people – group members, our hosts and Sara our guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

What can i say...Inspirational. A wealth of knowledge and experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and make sure your fitness is up to muster. Although nothing extreme, there’s a fair amount of altitude to be ascended.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was a great holiday. The Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, the pandas, the Three Gorges, Jangshuo and the Three Kingdoms show. Couldn’t pick one out. A possible improvement might be to take another overnight train rather than have the overnight stop in Wuhan. After visiting the dam we travelled for one and a half days on a series of trains and coaches whereas getting an overnight train would have been more restful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kris was a great group leader - funny, patient, informative and took care of everybody. She is one of the best guides we have had and we have done quite a few Exodus holidays.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light. I would suggest not more than 15KG and wheeled luggage. You will be moving around a lot. Take toilet roll and hand gel with you when outside the hotel. Pack a mug, spoon , tea bags and coffee as hot water is available on trains and at airports. Don't expect cold milk though, take powdered if you like your tea white - it wasn't always available except in better hotels. Laundry is cheap to do in Jangshuo. The Three Kingdoms show was fantastic. Can't comment on the others but the rest of the group thought all shows were good, especially the acrobatic show in Shanghai. Carry money and passport at all times. Take cash as credit cards can't be used when the group leader is organising meals etc. The trip notes were about right in terms of what you need for money. China is not as cheap as you might think. Shanghai was the only place we used credit cards and even then not everywhere. Luggage is X- rayed before you get on trains and flammables and sharp objects ( even scissors) may be confiscated. We got away with a penknife but one of our group had their aerosol deodorant confiscated. Keep power packs and camera batteries in hand luggage, even leaving Shanghai. They will get you to open your luggage even after you have handed it over at check in. You will need sunscreen and insect repellent. Trainers were fine, walking boots not needed, but you will be walking quite a lot. If you upgrade to first on the overnight train you will get your own loo and 2 in a cabin (£70 each). Some of the group thought this was definitely a plus. Accommodation on the boat was better than I expected ( not necessary to upgrade) but it is worth upgrading for the food as it means you will eating with a group of 30-40, rather than 300.

Most Inspirational Moment

To try and sum this up is a challenge. There were so many and so varied. They range from walking through Petra with the amazing carved rocks faces, to watching the pale crag martins (birds) "floating" along the cliff faces; watching the sun-set over the Martian like landscape of Wadi Rum and then drinking tea around an open fire in the desert camp; Taking in the 360 vista of the quiet flat rocky desert around Qasr El Kharana, to travelling alongside the Dead Sea knowing you're 380+ metres below sea level; and finally being waved to by the whole school when we stopped outside, to taking in the view of Jordans own Grand Canyon - Wadi Mujib.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nidal was a great guide, very experienced and excellent company. He seemed to know everyone, and everyone knew him too. Very knowledgeable and friendly, and a great ambassador for his country. He took care of all our needs and ensured we got to see every aspect of Jordan. He was ably assisted by our great driver Mather.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a well balanced trip that ensures you see and experience a great deal of Jordan. Although jam packed it was well paced and we had enough time to really soak in all of the sites and meet the locals. I would not hesitate to recommend this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Great Wall in the mountains with hardly anyone else in sight. Great opportunity for silent meditation whilst walking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jerry was fantastic. Knowledgeable, funny, energetic and an amazing, last-minute organiser despite difficulties caused by a large Beijing conference.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you only consider yourself moderately fit, I would recommend doing a bit of training before the holiday to avoid stiff legs in the morning. Parts of the wall are exceptionally steep, both up and down, and the trip involves walking for 6 consecutive days. And if you go in April, be prepared for all weathers - we had freezing temperatures and sleet one day.