Most Inspirational Moment
The beautiful, awe inspiring scenery.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Could not fault her.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just go for it.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Cross country skiiing
Excellent group, the leaders had extensive knowledge of the area and the sport. Liz was a thoughtful encouraging and inclusive leader. No complaints at all.
Snowshoeing in Transylvania
This was my first snowshoeing holiday and despite being a bit apprehensive beforehand I absolutely loved it. Everything combined to make it a fantastic holiday – a get away location in the middle of the national park, a very homely hotel with superb food and hospitality, stunning scenery on each walk and a very interesting daytrip to some of the local places of interest. Add to that a really friendly group of fellow travellers and it truly was a week to remember.
Most Inspirational Moment
It was a week full of experiences, but for me the last two walks were the best. The walk to Bran Castle took us through some beautiful countryside, and the castle itself was very interesting (our guide also advised that this was the best time of year to visit as you may have to queue for up to two hours in the summer to get into the castle). Our last walk through the gorge to the Piatra Craiului mountains was also stunning. It was quite a slog up to the mountain hut, but well worth it for the views, as well as the soup and mulled wine we enjoyed inside the hut.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Thomas was a star - I liked his relaxed style and his bad jokes! We had a full group of sixteen people, so he had to work hard to make sure that everyone was coping okay with the terrain. He made sure that we had all the vital information for each day's itinerary and generally went above and beyond to make our holiday as enjoyable as possible.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The hotel is quite isolated in the national park - no other bars or restaurants around. I loved the week away from it all but don't pick this holiday if you want a busier nightlife. Linked to this, take plenty of supplies with you, e.g. toiletries and snacks for the walks, as it is the middle of the holiday before you get a chance to stock up on such items. Be aware that there are a lot of working dogs in the neighbourhood. I was never woken up by them howling, but I know that some of the others in the group did find it a bit of a problem some nights. Also, make sure that you have a good level of fitness. I am a keen hill-walker so did not find it a problem, but on balance I felt that this Grade 3 holiday was more difficult than a Grade 3 summer walking holiday with Exodus.
Costa Rica
Overall very good, plenty of wildlife to see and local people very friendly. Disappointed with dynamics of group as although 16 of us 14 were one group so felt like outsiders, they were also a lot older than us so on occasion with specific options for treks and ability we were out voted. Some of the accommodation was very basic no hot or running water for two days at Cahuita and the food was hit and miss. The breakdown of days at different hotels could have been better, spending one night at Florencia arrived in the dark and departed very early so unable to use the facilities, could have arrived a day earlier or at least earlier in the day so could use facilities but rest of group wanted a later start again we were outvoted.
Most Inspirational Moment
Actually it was the friend I went with, I have terminal bone cancer and she made me feel so special and ensured I enjoyed every day to the fullest, she was inspirational to me
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader was very good, although communication could have been better with how the days were going pan out, timings changed quite frequently of start times, where we were going to eat although had to pander for the whole group some of which were very demanding. Knowledge was excellent and came across very passionate, happy to answer any questions and always very friendly towards us considering we felt we were on our own
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for lots of travel in small coach with many bumpy roads, some of accommodation is very basic. Don't worry about taking local currency as everywhere takes dollas although change is always given in local currency Be prepared to allow an amount of money for tipping which although not compulsory ended up being 220 dollas which hadn't accounted for
Fun in Madeira
Lovely bunch of folks , lots of laughs and good local guide who always made sure we could eat together and knew some great restaurants. He also found us chances to swim in the sea at the end of some walks.
Great weather and varied walks amongst the flowers, plants and mountains of subtropical Madeira.
Plenty to do in Funchal in our free time, beautiful gardens.
Most Inspirational Moment
Being with such lovely people
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andre was lovely . He was up for a laugh and happy to answer all questions. He made sure we understood what we were doing with a meeting the previous evening. He was young and fit and had the transport , local buses and minibus , well organised and also knew good bars for an after walk drink and a good variety of excellent restaurants.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go for it. That was my first holiday on travelling on my own and it was excellent. I recommend going from your local airport if you can. I went and returned a day early so that I could fly from Manchester and this fitted in well with the holiday.
Stunning
This was a wonderful trip, well organised and lead by the wonderful Valerie Parkinson.
We had a great mix of people, who all got on together, and this does really help when your trekking in extreme conditions.
The hard work put in by the spotters, porters, cooks and helpers was gratefully appreciated. No task was too much trouble, and always done with a lovely smile. These guys certainly earn their money.
Most Inspirational Moment
The whole trip from start to finish was good fun, but seeing a couple of snow leopards was the highlight of the trip. The wonderful scenery. We had 36 hours of snow, but when the sun came out and seeing the snow capped Himalayas in all there glory, was truly magnificent.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Valerie is a natural. Laid back, well organised, and was great fun to be with. You can see the pleasure she gets from being in the Himalayas, and helping the local people.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do take the warmest of sleeping bag. We had very low temp. so everything does freeze during the night, so if you need to keep anything warm, just put in your sleeping bag. My face wipes, contact lens solution where all frozen after the first night. I have to admit, that over the six days camping, I only changed once, and probably only washed once, but everybody is in the same boat, so don't worry. As we had a lot of snow, I was really glad to have a pair of micro spikes. They made a huge difference trekking on the snow and ice. They give you a lot more confidence, but do buy decent ones ( Yak Trak ) as cheaper ones will fall apart after one day.
Fabulous holiday
This is a great holiday for walking, fabulous views and a lovely place to stay. The guides are well informed and very helpful, pack lunches perfect and good food in the evenings.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking & views
Thoughts on Group Leader
We were lucky enough to have both guides who were great,
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go to the BBQ on the free night, fabulous food and a great atmosphere
Sri Lanka a dream holiday
A fantastic holiday. Well organised our guide Roshan was informative, helpful and very calm and he together with his team looked after us exceptionally well. A busy holiday but still well paced, amazing sights and I can’t wait to go back.
Most Inspirational Moment
The manicured hills of the tea plantations and Horton plain.
Thoughts on Group Leader
As I said above Roshan was very good and exceptionally calm
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just book a trip to Sri Lanka don’t wait!
Perfect
A wonderful get away from it all trek, well organised, great scenery, food, leaders and fellow travellers.
Most Inspirational Moment
The night skies were truly amazing, so many stars and no light pollution at all.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leaders Lahcen and Hassan and the team were fantastic, knowledgeable and helpful and looked afer us really well.
I didn't want it to end..........
A superb trip, a lifetime experience
As the other 227 reviews have said, the beauty of the environment, landscapes, birds and animals you see, hear and experience is breathtaking. I won’t repeat the details again, but its all true!
Costa Rica has extraordinary biodiversity therefore ecotourism contributes a big chunk to the GDP, and so they do tourism very well. They know their market and hit it square on. This tour, in a short period of time provides experience of a range of ecosystems, a new environment every 2 days and each day reveals a whole new range of fabulous things.
While nature is the main draw to this trip, it also offers a great opportunity to learn about Costa Rica as a country.
Most Inspirational Moment
Varys day by day, really. For me it was the whole dynamic- you are taken to a range of wonderful places, with a group of great people, a super guide who you could ask about anything and who would give you an informed honest answer .......... maybe it was : the afternoon sitting watching humming birds and toucans, or the time on the water at Tortuguero or the sloths/armadillo/bats/agouti/coati/howlers snoozing by the road maybe San Jose and the sculptures maybe singing sea shanties with the group in the bar ask me tomorrow and it will be a different list - a lot happens in 2 weeks
Thoughts on Group Leader
Mayer Jiménez is an excellent leader- he will definitely get my vote for best leader this year I have the impression that the quality of leaders is high. They take a 5 year tourism degree covering the whole range of information visitors may want, not just around the animals, birds and environment but all aspects of Costa Rica including socioeconomic, sources of energy, you name it . The quality of knowledge and information he seemed to be able to supply and skill in knowing just how much was wanted was great. His ability to spot animals and birds was extraordinary, however this links to one of the things I particularly liked- he seemed to love doing it and his interest and enthusiasm was infectious. So a clever guy, highly trained very experienced, well organised and smart at handling the group. His happy place seemed to be with a pair of binoculars around his neck but he had great people skills too.
Advice for Potential Travellers
1) Packing-Pack light Remember you will pack and unpack 6 times plus the guys loading the bags do so by hoiking up on to their shoulder then through the back window. They don't bat an eye but I couldn't watch knowing the weight of mine! I didn't need my heavy walking boots, or camel back. You do however need walking shoes & sandals with GRIP. Most surfaces have loose surface I'd consider getting one of the adapters you can attach to your camera then take pics through the guides scope Load up a Costa Rica animal app- they are very good 2) Places San Jose Don't just see San Jose as a place to stay post and pre flight. It is a very interesting city. I loved the sculptures in the parks. We were lucky to be there when Jorge Jiménez Deredia was exhibiting which was fabulous. Visit the Cathedral, National Museum of Costa Rica, MADC and Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. If I had another day I'd have done the Jade museum and Museum of Costa Rican Art ............and more cake shops and cafes La Fortuna/ Arenal -10 min walk into town- great icecream shops mmmmmmmmmm! Supermarkets reasonably priced Santa Elena- Beso coffee shop for great coffee and lovely bakery products at other end of the high street. You may be taken to the very pleasant tree house but try to push outside of comfort zone and go elsewhere (Amys was good pm but all of them look pretty sound) . Supermarket here is reasonable and I wish I had bought more in the tourist shop ( I got a mug for $6 here which was $16 in duty free/ airport. In evening, go into town to a restaurant- give the bus driver night off and get a cab back- only $6 and gives you freedom to do as you want. Use official cabs- red with yellow triangle . The views in mountains en route from Santa Elena to Manuel Antonio are so wonderful............then suddenly from nowhere you crash back to reality, urbanization, palm oil plantations and Manuel Antonio- about 15 shops/ overpriced supermarkets and a couple of average restaurants. However........there are nice places Mayer took us to an amazing restaurant next to a bar with a real aircraft in it. Great for sundown. There is also a nice restaurant near the hotel ( ask at reception). The pool is small but nice to chill out by- but watch the cheeky whitefaced monkeys- they will pinch your things. You can also see squirrel monkeys near the hotel.
COLD country with the hot sun
Overall, a good “Highlights” trip, but some of the distances between the “Highlights” are long – there is probably not much can be done to reconfigure that, given the geography.
Also, don’ be fooled thinking Morocco is a hot country. It is a COLD country, with a hot sun – in winter months, (we visited at the end Feb/early March) it can be very cold in the mornings and evenings/night.
Most Inspirational Moment
The desert sky at night – wow! No light pollution, and a wonderful view. The camel ride to get there was great too.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our Guide Mohamed was very good – informative, polite, considerate and with a sense of humour. And thank you very much for the cake on my birthday – a lovely surprise!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be aware that hotel gradings in Morocco may not equate to the same in the UK. When it says Premium, the hotel won’t necessarily be 4*! The standards (eg. maintenance of buildings - dodgy sockets / broken mirrors etc) may not be what you would expect. The travel times given in the trip notes might be misleading – when there are lots of stops for breaks en-route, the journey will (obviously) take longer. So to manage expectations, the travel times are probably just road travel times, and participants should be prepared for late arrival at some destinations. I didn’t feel it was a problem, as I was happy to have the breaks and enjoy the journey, and don’t understand what the rush to get to destination was. Top tip: Don’t wear your good mesh-top walking shoes/boots in the sand dunes! The beautiful sand is like powder, and your shoes will fill with sand in the structure of the shoe, which then squeezes your toes – and is almost impossible to get it all out.