Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Each walk was terrifically enjoyable, led at a good pace so we had plenty of time to enjoy the fantastic scenary. We had a rich variety of walks from local villages, woods, mountains, gorges and valleys. All this with interesting wildlife and little shrines and churches appearing in the middle of nowhere.The view from the Great Arch on the last walk was something to behold....created by wind and rain we had a spectacular view of the mountains, valleys and tiny shepherd villages below.Walking on these tracks with no other tourists in sight....bliss. We had the fresh air and views to ourselves for 95% of the trip.The farmstay. Set in acres of land its great to see the comings and goings of a traditional Tuscan family rather than stay at a stale hotel. Mama's food is superb and plentiful, whilst the packed lunches were of a good variety as well. Accommodation very comfortable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb. Sara led the walks at a brilliant pace to let everyone walk and enjoy the views in their own comfort zone. She had terrific knowledge of the local flora, fauna, local customs, history and gave accurate analysis of the challenges that each walk entailed. She has a great relationship with the family you stay with and the setting at the farmstay is terrific. With Sara's help we were fed like Kings for a week.Excellent recommendations for restuaranats in Lucca and the local town.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Other than GO, not really. Given the high summer temperatures in July and August you may want to make sure that you are reasonably fit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andre was a very committed and knowledgeable guide who knew the walking routes like the back of his hand, and clearly cared very much that each member of the group should have a great experience. 

Most Inspirational Moment

There was a good variety of experiences, from visits to the archeological sites, to free time exploring towns and sampling ice cream in gelaterias, to an amazing walk on the slopes of Etna - and even a wine-tasting afternoon!  The landscape was beautiful, and very varied, and towns and villages were a delight with their cobbled streets and beautiful buildings.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Fabio was first class - all the information we could want, and a great sense of humour as well! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to single out, however trip to the Dead Sea was amazing, seeing Petra by Night was fabulous too!  Meeting all those other like-minded people was good too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was good, however did not cycle with us which was a shame.   Also think at other times he had his own agenda.  He had been out 12/13 weeks on the trot and I basically think he was too tired for all of us!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is very hot, just be aware of that.  However you will see all of Jordan and it is a fantastic place.  A camelback is a good thing to have too.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sharing a public bus with 30 Greek school children and various locals on the way up to one of the mountain villages for lunch, with all sorts of public arguements and discussions going on around us!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - highly knowledgable, entertaining, and tireless. Helped out with dinner every night (including serving and clearing!), dealt with all the various needs of the group well and went beyond the call of duty in showing us the local nightlife!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of camera batteries and memory cards, be ready for several hours on ferries (weather was very calm for us). I'd recommend booking an extra few days to see Athens at the beginning or end (if you haven't already) as there is no time on the trip for this (beyond the first evening).

Most Inspirational Moment

To echo my friends review. It had to be the ascent and decent of Ooty. The cycle ride up the 36 hairpins was the most challenging thing I've ever done. I was very emotional when I got to the summit. You can also see why the British decided to live up Ooty. It has very much a European climate and in places you would be hard pushed not to think you were cycling through UK countryside, with only eucalyptus trees giving the game away. There are also traces of European architecture which was interesting to see in exotic surroundings. If I thought the ascent was challenging and emotional, the descent from Ooty was truely amazing! Vishnu wasn't wrong when he said we would be cycling through different climate zones. I tended to think of it as starting in a UK climate, then Southern European and through the tropics. I struggled to decide whether to keep stopping and taking pictures or enjoy the ride down. After a few pictures I decided to concentrate on the ride - it seemed to go on forever! Fantastic! I must also mention to cultural differences and the general friendliness of the people and if you've ever wondered what it's like to be famous, you're certain to get a glimpse of it in India. On occasion, mutual fascination developed into posing in pictures taken by ourselves and the local people alike. I also enjoyed the boat trip through the backwaters and the Safaris. As well as the previous evening bus Safari, I went on the early morning Safari. I would reccommend this for the sunrise, the would through the bush and the fact that we saw ant hills up close and a lone elephant in the distance. More importantly, we saw a stick insect, which looked out of this world!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vishnu, Joseph and Abbie where brilliant!The trip ran like clockwork. It was very well organsied and I felt completly at ease with everything and total confidence in our guides.We couldn't have asked for a better group leader in Vishnu, lead cyclist in Joseph and support vehicle driver in Abbie. You could rely on them all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just be careful regarding eating food and never drink the local water. Firsty I'd like to say the food was brilliant, but I was aware that the pre-trip advice was not to eat un-cooked food or drink the local water. For the first week, I stuck to this advice. For the second week, I relaxed my rule after watching the other trip members eating salad and fruit and not getting ill. Its possible that this caused me to fall ill with a bad tummy! I should have known better as I am susceptible to this sort of thing, whether it be in India or Southern Europe. I was the only one though!Always make sure you apply DEET or other insect repellant to exposed areas of skin!

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was visiting Pompeii & Herculaneum with walking round the rim of Versuvius a close second.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert did a great job of making sure everyone got the most out of the week. Even though a couple of the trips had to be swapped to different days it actually worked out really well. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be ready for sore calves after all the steps down to Amalfi and Positano :)

Most Inspirational Moment

The summit of Kala Phatar ( View over to Everest) and the 2 night stay at Base Camp Everest. Seeing the climber on the Khumbu icefall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lapka was great, paassing on all his knowledge of the area all the way throughout the trek. A mention also for Dawa, Harri and Mingmar for their happy go lucky attitude and the wake up cup of T every morning.Thanks you guy's n hope to see you all again

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't think about doing it!!! Go and book it as you won't regret it. Best holiday Ive had

Most Inspirational Moment

The summit of Toubkal definitely gives you a top of the world feeling (we were very lucky and had about an hour and a half there).  Once up there it's worth making some time for yourself to pause for a while, after all the excitement of the photo-taking and whiskey-sipping (see below), and just sitting quietly and taking it all in, watching the birds drifting around and feeling the majesty of the mountains. I was inspired by the hard work and dedication I saw around me from the people who made sure we had a great time.  Especially our chef (Lassan) who was always joking around and still managed to make us some fab food, popping his head in the tent for a quick "bon appetit" at every meal.  Just the sight of him had us all grinning and wondering what was going to happen next!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both guides Mohammed and Yehye looked after us very well throughout the trip, really bringing Morocco to life wih their stories and personal insights into Moroccan traditions (especially at the hammam in Aroumd - thanks Mohammed!).  I had some very honest and fascinating chats with both of them about the political and social realities of their country.  They were patient, kind and genuinely interested in everyone in the group, and keen for us to have the best time.They were also very generous with their nuts!! (and dates and figs - easily beating our Tracker and Go bars for some quality en route snacking)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a hip flask for a welcome celebration at the summit (it's a "dry" week!).Take a camelback or similar for at least 2 litres - if you have to keep stopping to open water bottles you might not drink enough of the stuff.  You can buy bottled water everywhere so don't worry about taking purification tablets.  I also took another bottle so I could have 3 litres every day.You don't need a mattress for camping - these were provided and very comfy (a bit like those foam covered sun lounger ones).  Just bring your sleeping bag.   Remember a head torch for those late night comfort breaks.Walking poles are helpful on the descent but not essential if you've got strong knees.  I was fine with one.Stay an extra night in Marrakech at the end - it's all a bit of a culture shock when you get back there from the mountains but after a day you are ready to enjoy it!   

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the Atlas mountains. The visit to a local household in the village and the kids we passed who never failed to make us smile. Scenery was incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

10 out of 10. He was knowledgeable, experienced and always worked hard to make sure everyone was okay and getting the most out of their trip. Helped members of the group out in countless ways. The minibus driver also needs to be commended, he drove confidently and as safely as he could on roads that were difficult and coped well with other road users.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Exodus equipment list and try to follow it as best as you can. Don't moan about lack of creature comforts. Appreciate where you are, who you are with, what you do have, and what you are doing.