Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The crystal alpine Black Lake in Durmitor National Park and the walk & lunch at Lukomir, Bosnia's highest village. The contrasts of Sarajevo from the chilled Otoman influenced cafe culture; war damaged buildings; communist era trams; the war tunnel museum and great baklava.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

We lucked out and benefited from two excellent and extremely knowledgeable tour leaders (one was learning the itinerary for a future trip). Anaidt was an infectiously enthusiastic history student and able to provide the historial insight. Alen was a mountaineer and snowboarder so great in the mountains. Both were great travelling companions and dealt extremely well with water born illness which struck down half the group event though they themselves were also affected by the bug.    

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bear in mind that you are crossing lot's of boarders (mostly very smoothly and quickly) including an unexpected crossing at the beginning of the trip where you cross somewhat unnecessarily from Croatia into Bosnia and then into Montenegro - rather than from Croatia direct into Montenegro which the trip notes don't mention. All the hotels were of pretty good quality. The hotel in Sarajevo is the best on the trip but located about 5 km from the city centre - although very easy to get in by tram.     

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing to the summit of Mt Elmo crystal clear skys and views to die for. Eating lunch looking over to the other side of the valley reviewing yesterday's walk and picking out the bunker we sat on and didnt even know until we continued the walk.

Thoughts on Group Leader

No group leader it is self guided

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dont be put off by the fact its self guided the walking instructions are easy to follow and with the maps provided very difficult to get lost. The Dolomite paths are the best sign posted we have ever come across our own national parks could learn a lot from the Italian and Austrians.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational aspect was without doubt the way in which the whole group and the locals rallied round in an emergency.  Luckily, we had a doctor and a nurse within the group, although there was nothing that could be done to save our fellow walker.  The helicopter rescue service and local cafe owners all played a part, as did the group members and the Exodus staff, who helped the daughter over the next few days.  The general conclusion of the group was that, tragic as the death was, there was something to be said for an instant and painless death on the slopes of the most magnificent mountain in Europe.   I already agreed with the Nike slogan, but this event just serves to reinforce the reality that life is fleeting.  "Just do it !"

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mark was a genial, knowledgeable and experienced guide.  He quickly assessed the abilities of the group and made sure that everyone knew what was proposed for each day.   He was calm and controlled during the incident described above and instilled confidence in the group as a whole. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

All of the walks started with a steep and unrelenting climb for at least a couple of hours.  It would be unwise to sign up to this tour without making an effort to get fit beforehand.   We followed the advice of John & Jayne and previous reviewers and went to the nearby Hotel Aguille du Midi on the "cooks night off".  This restaurant offered several menus including a five course menu at E33 and some decent wines at under E20. The food, the atmosphere and the service were extremely good.  If this restaurant were near me, I'd be there every week !On our "day off" we took the cable car up the Aguille du Midi and then traversed to the Mer du Glace and took the train back down to Chamonix.  At 3840m the AdM quite literally takes your breath away, with incredible views down the valley and across the Mont Blanc massif.   The much diminshed Mer du Glace looked a sad and rather pathetic shadow of the photos on the station wall showing the glacier 100 years ago  

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing to the top on the last day

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very efficient, good humoured, helpful and patient.

Most Inspirational Moment

Vesuvius and the waterfall walk.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric the group leader was excellent. Top man!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are used to a lot of exercise it will likely not be challenging enough for you; however, it is a great trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

davis tell me how good a stander my wildlife knowlgew was real ment alot to me and seeing cheetha and lepoard and a black rhino that are highy endagerd but we got lucky as this trip to make  a proper big 5 dose lake nakuru and masia mare black rhino best change is the full one day in lake nakuru national park  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davies and his co worker Peter are amzing you get amzing experence with any of these two for us davis  and peter these two care about there homeland wildlife in kenya and real love take care off people on safrai and they also make sure the place you are staying are upto stander 

Advice for Potential Travellers

 so if go on classic kenya hoilday plse dont take out on peter and davis and other people on safrie with you if you dont get to see wildlife you one as thses is not a zoo it a game resever in mara and lake nakuru is national park 

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in Thethi & Valbona was great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Julian was experienced, reasurring & knowledgable. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The first two days are the walking, then the trip is mainly sightseeing. The walks are moderately challenging - mainly for the scree that you walk down. Worth it though. No special kit needed.There are some longish drives that are neccessary to see so much. Lovely to swim in the sea down in Vlore.The food was vast, amazing, filling and local. Lots of dairy and meat. Do try the local / house wine - it was remarkably good everywhere. Really. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Finding out that the Alps is great when you return in your 60s to match up with your memories from years pre children when you were in your 20s. Inspirational is not quite the word, more amazing as the rescue helicopter arrives after only a short while to sort out a broken wrist and winch me off the slopes where I had rolled to transfer me to hospital.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Calm, efficient and totally in control to summon help in what could have been a very serious situation.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have an in date EHIC card (I didn't realise they expired.) your national insurance number is the bit of information you then need to know. Check helicopter rescue higher than 2000metres is included. Mine did have and repatriation to UK was easy with a family member being flown out to escort me home.

Most Inspirational Moment

Quite a few inspirational moments. One that sticks out is singing and dancing around the camp fire in the Sahara desert. Truly amazing!! Get involved!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent group leader. His extensive knowledge of the land made me feel safe and at all times i felt comfortable. His leadership skills and attitude towards the trip has definitely had a positive effect on me. I will be using Exodus' services in the future :-)

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are unsure of what to pack get in contact with exodus! I followed the universal list... however, i did not need a jumper, waterproofs or a sleeping bag for my trip. It all depends on the season. This was extra weight i could of done without!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The best moment was taking part in an impromptu salsa session in the main plaza in Trinidad around midnight and seeing a meteorite shower that went on and on and simply took our breath away.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was a likeable and engaging guy who whilst dealing with challenging issues at times, such as finding hotels had been double booked at the last minute, needed better organisational skills particularly in such a large group.  A number of people came down with what in hindsight appeared to be heat exhaustion and there did not appear to be an awareness of the significance of this.  Starting cycling in the midday heat after spending a few hours in an air conditioned bus is not a good idea, neither is spending the whole day on the road in 'undulating' conditions and being over 8 hours between breakfast and lunch.  Insufficient stops for water at times did not help and overall I did not think that Jose had a real awareness of how potentially hazardous this could have been (despite one of our number having to be hospitalised for a time due to severe dehydration).  Overall I just do not think that Jose had a real 'grip', which we acknowledge may have been in part as a result to him not firing on all cylinders due to his medical condition.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take 2 water bottles with you so you alweays have a spare.  Take a few packs of hydration tabs you can put in your water bottle and put one in each time you fill up.  If you have a headache, sore eyes etc  - chances are you are dehydrated so take plenty of water at the end of the day together with tabs or hydration salts if you have.  If you are cycling in Summer and tend to use up lots of energy on a bike then consider taking some protein shakes with you (for example 'for goodness shake')  as it will quickly 'kick start' your recovery.  If you want a break on the bus then take it and don't let the guide persuade otherwise - you know yourself better than they do. Finally if you are dehydrated, unlike me don't go daft on the cocktails and Bucanero!!