Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Like most, I went expecting Samarkand to be fabulous (and it was) but Khiva was a real surprise.  Beautiful, calm, quiet and understated it was a joy to simply wander around.  No pressure, no overt-tourism, simple but lovely accommodation (and cold beer!) it felt safe, gentle, authentic and undiscovered.  A lovely old city right outside the door or our hotel, much to explore and a real gem of a discovery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilshod Khaitov (of Asia Adventures used by Exodus) was probably the best Guide and Tour Leader I have experienced over many years of worldwide travel.  Always there, willing and helpful, never intruding, full of knowledge and eager to share, he is a diamond among leaders.  I cannot enough praise the contribution he made to the success of the holiday and his advice was always accurate and timely.However, ladies - you may need to ask him specifically what is best to buy where as, like most men, his appreciation of retail therapy could be worked upon!  However, remembering that, he will quickly advise what is best to buy where and will give advice to prices (i.e., the amount to be bargained down). 

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a complete lack of ATMs so you will need to take US$ in cash, in a body belt.  However, at no time did I feel under threat as a "rich tourist" for mugging, etc and even when I needed to access the body belt in a shop, there was no worry about theft.  You will be subject to the usual small children selling postcards etc,but considerably less than other countries.  Bring your postcards home to post if you really want them to arrive but with advice from you guide as to what to buy where, you should end up with some lovely, unusual (if not unique) souvenirs.   Toilet paper is thicker than anything I have ever pasted on a wall (apart from Tashkent) so something moist from home will be appreciated. Hand gel is mandatory, due to the dust and whilst showers usually work (sometimes even with warm water!) be prepared for shortages.  In other words, pack a sense of humour!

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting new places.We were well looked after and given space to do what we wanted.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Prem was really interesting, supportive and inspirational.

Advice for Potential Travellers

do it. You will love it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing in the dusk on our first evening watching a family of hippos grazing a short distance away by the shores of beautiful Lake Niavisha ..... What a great start to our African trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob M was fantastic! A thoughtful, energetic and practical man

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the background notes so that you know exactly what the trip involves and do your research about the areas you are visiting to be well prepared ........ And then book with Exodus, with confidence.

Most Inspirational Moment

Beautiful views at altitude, looking along the North Cyprus coast

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent.....knowledgeable, supportive, informative (and with us most eves.....and when he couldn't be, he recommended very good restaurants)

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many inspirational moments during the trip. It was my frist trip to India - and the rich diverse culture simply grabs you from the moment you arrive and enthralls you until you leave.There were many wonderful things, from walks in nature reserves and tea plantations, elephant rides, cruising the backwaters in a houseboat and by Canoe.., ancient and exotic Palaces and Temples, tuk tuks crammed with school children ( I mean at least 10!) all beaming and excitedly waving at you as they pass by, and now I'm onto that - the chaos of the roads - which actually seems to work - from the many tuk tuks, buses, wagons, carts, rickshaws, vespas, and yes elephants all vying for space, watching wild elephants grazing on rich grasses, sampling the excellent food which is just waiting to be explored - and sample I did! We even met a local family and cooked with them to learn how to make some of Keralas dishes and Paratta!Probably the most thought provoking was our day trip to the southern most tip of India. We took a ferry over to an offshore rock where we had two very significant views: Looking South, the meeting of three waters: The Indian Ocean, The Bay of Bengal and the Sea of Arabia.  Nothing between you and the Antarctic.  Looking North, the town of Kanyakumari and the start of the landmass of the subcontinent of India - and the rich, colourful, noisy, kaleidoscopic and charmingly chaotic life of 1.2 Billion Indians.I really appreciated that I could do so much and get so involve in the local culture and activities, which is down oto the fact you are going with Exodus - who know the country inside out and have the logistics and ideas of where to go thoroughly reseached / tried and tested.  There is room in the itinerary for you to decide if you want to relax or if you want to explore some more.  You can tailor it to what you want within your group.  The important thing is you can place all your trust with the Group Leader and waste no time in figuring out logistics / systems. You just get to immerse yourself and enjoy India to the fullest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Touffique was exceptionally friendly and really good with the whole group. He kept us on track and was really helpful throughout the trip.  The itinerary was already exciting, but he always had "a plan" - for some additional adventures - which I readily did and was so glad to do so...... Nothing was a problem for him and he went out of his way to make sure the trip was enjoyable and memorable for us all. He managed to strike a good balance of being informative but also not making you feel like you were on a school field trip and will be tested afterwards :-). Overall a very good Group Leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take hand sanitiser just to be sure, and use before you eat. It is not that people are "dirty" there, it is simply the fact that naturally you are exposed to bugs you are not exposed to in the cooler climbs of Northern Europe. I used Vicks First Defense hand foam, and did not experience any stomach upset at all.  Other than that, take a deep breath, and get ready to immerse yourself in one of the big adventures of our life.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling the quiet coastal roads with spectacular views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ana was really great. She was experienced in organizing our tour, arranging meals together and is sociable and fun. She was also a good bike mechanic when necessary and able to adjust our itinerary to accommodate some rainy weather.

Advice for Potential Travellers

October may not be the best month to go. We had quite a lot of rain.

Most Inspirational Moment

That first sighting of the lions a family too !! with  cubs, how aww struck to see them playing trying to get up a tree with Mum at the top sleeping. That is what I came to see the cats !We also saw a great moment with a giraffe approached a leopard sleeping in a tree, it nudged its tail so the Leopard looked up and just watched the giraffe walk on, great to see. I saw the big 5 in the environment they should be in and that to me is just fantastic to witness.As a group we had some really funny moments and that will stay with me fantastoc memories thanks to all for that!!Exodus run a great trip and I would travel with them again!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob was fantastic, you couldnt ask him a question he didnt know the answer too. He was entertaing and very helpful the best guide by far I have ever come accross.  The rest of the crew was just as good Simon the cook amazing creations in the middle of nowhere!! and always gave alternatives to those that needed them! Kennedy the driver/Mechanic dealt with every hurdle the rough terain through at us, 2 shock absorbers, 2 tyres and a gear box (this did require a new truct, but Exodus were on it straight away!)

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are thinking about it dont do it!!  So much fun this trip the crew and group made it even better if that is possible!

Most Inspirational Moment

We had no idea we would be climbing mountains and to find that we could and did on most of the days was ( although challanging, a satisfying and inspiring experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Patient and encouraging. quitely confident and very experienced and respected by the local community with whom she had a great working relationship.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Despite discussions with local agent I was not prepared for the level of difficulty of the walks. if I had been more prepared I would have taken different boots, trained more prior to the trip and taken my own walking poles ( my leader however was happy to loan me some spares)

Most Inspirational Moment

The warm up hike day was amazing, to be walking up to Tigers nest monastry and hearing the monks chanting with it echoing through the valley..just great way to start the trip!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was great, very helpful and friendly. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy! Also ask your guide about hot stone baths in Paro, they were great! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Each cycling day had many highpoints, but for me the best day was the last one when we cycled 10k up the Danang-Hue pass, then 10k down again in torrential rain !! Ended the trip cycling through the villages as the children were leaving school.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simply the best ! My expectations for future exodus trip have been set extremely high. Not only were Danh and his team 110% safety conscious, he also ensured we experienced a variety of excellent food and gave us extensive insight into the culture and history of the country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hotel accomodation was far better than I expected, so don't bother with a mosquito net !The markets in Ho Chin Minh sold good quality rucksacks, waterproofs, caps, casual crossbody bags plus lots more, so providing you plan to get there before midnight, you could pick up most things you need when you get there. Oh, and if you fly Malaysia airlines, carry plenty of spare clothes on the airplane with you. On the way there the baggage missed the connecting flight, and on the way back there was a 14 hour delay in KL - we were sent to a hotel for the night without luggage. Malaysia airlines don't supply sleepmasks/earplugs/toothpaste/toothbrush like most other airlines do on long haul.