Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I really wanted to see a keel billed toucan up close. I had been to Costa Rica the previous year and had not seen one of them. Our guide, Alejandro, went out of his way to find me a keel billed toucan in Tortuguero and I got some excellent photographs. Another highlight was our encounter with two Tapirs in Drakes bay on the Osa peninsula. We had been to Corcovado national park on the previous day and not seen any, although I knew our chances of seeing one was slim. On our second night at Drakes bay, two tapirs wondered out of the forest onto our lodge grounds and sauntered around, munching the vegetation. They disappeared off into the forest again only to reappear 20 minutes later for another walkabout. They weren't even slightly nervous. What a sighting!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Alejandro Rodriguez, was an exceptional guide. He really took good care of us. From the beginning of the trip we felt we were in safe hands. Nothing seemed to phase him. British Airways lost the luggage of one woman on our trip and he was on it straight away; she was reunited with her luggage later on in the trip. He worked tirelessly in the background organising things for us, from booking optional trips on our free days, to booking restaurants for us, and even organised free excursion and trips for us on our free days. He was also an excellent wildlife guide and spotter. Within hours he knew the particular interests of each of the group members and ensured that each group member was catered for. He knew who was interested in birds, who was interested in mammals, who was interested in plants, and who was interested in frogs, and ensured that all our interests were satisfied. He was also very knowledgeable on Costa Rican culture, history, politics and eco tourism and sustainability and kept us amused for hours on the long bus journeys with his witty accounts of all things Costa Rican. Overall I think he was probably one of the best guides I have ever encountered.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a hat and gloves for early morning quetzel spotting in Savegre cloud forest

Most Inspirational Moment

The snow leopard sitings.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Valerie was a fantastic leader and also a great friend to the local people.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely hire the really warm sleeping bags and down jackets from Trekhire (who will deliver to anywhere in the UK). It is cold in the mountains in February!

Most Inspirational Moment

Gliding along the Backwaters in our houseboat, sipping the ice cold beer we had brought with us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely exceptionnel. We have been on many Exodus holidays and always had excellent guides but Bijou was right up there with the best. Always cheerful, kind and considerate, Bijou somehow managed to meet the needs of the party, both as a group and as individuals. No mean feat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Kochi was hot and humid and after a long flight, rather tiring but the optional cruise in the afternoon was well worth it. The moving boat providing a welcome breeze. At the other end of the holiday, a 1.15am departure from the hotel was less than ideal and we felt our final day should be a relaxing time in Kovalem so reluctantly missing out on the final optional trip to Kanyakumari. I would have liked to see the meeting of the three oceans but .. maybe next time.

Most Inspirational Moment

There is no doubt that the various and varied sightings of birds and animals was what inspired me the most.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was knowledgeable and caring. My only criticism was his lack of punctual departures. It was slightly annoying to get up and breakfast early to then wait 15 or 20 minutes after the designated departure time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes on the web site are not completely accurate. For example, Day 11 we did not visit a banana packing facility. The trip notes need more detail in how long the bus transfers are, e.g. Day 10 the transfer to the Caribbean coast is long which is not noted in the notes. The heat and humidity can be very stressful on your body, particularly on the Pacific side at the coast. Listen to your body and ease back if you feel you are beginning to suffer from heat stress. Think about booking your own flights and extending your time in Costa Rica as it is a wonderful country to visit.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the snow leopards , albeit through spotting scopes . Completing some tough walks at altitude and cold temperatures.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Delhi airport arrivals - painfully slow immigration procedure , over 2 hours before being cleared and then collecting luggage. In camp - very cold at night so check if extra blankets / duvets can be hired from local homestay to offset cold ( even with a good sleeping bag temps of minus 23 in a tent at night not to be disregarded ). Wear lots of layers as once snow leopards spotted you then wait for hours to see what they get upto. Standing still means you chill down quickly , also when sun sets late afternoon the temp plummtes. Delhi airport departure to UK - make sure you have copy of itinerary . Airport security (Army) outside will deny you entry to terminal unless you have passport AND proof of flight , either on line checkin screen shots / boarding pass ( even with online check in no boarding pass issued until inside terminal, wifi unavailable to show online checkin ) etc. If someone already inside terminal they may be able to get printed itinerary from checkin desk ,showing name of passenger but then that person unable to leave terminal to pass itinerary to army security guard outside plus waiting passenger. Makes for a stressful time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling down from Ella in the pouring rain and stopping at Buduruwagala to see the amazing gigantic standing Buddhas

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Ruwan was brilliant. He was a very knowledgeable tour guide and was always pleased to answer our questions. His organisational skills during the whole trip were excellent and he was great fun to be with, always willing to go the extra mile for the group by organising a cricket match and a fantastic barbeque on the beach.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need to go and go now, whilst there are fewer tourists visiting Sri Lanka. You will have a great time! The day climbing up to Nuwara Eliya is very challenging due to the heat and the ascent, but you can always get in the mini bus if it becomes too much.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved seeing the sloths and monkeys, my husband saw over 170 new birds.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was friendly, knowledgeable, approachable, patient. His English was perfect. He made our holiday memorable. While on the trip we accidentally left our belongings in a hotel safe when we moved on to another hotel. Eric arranged with the hotel and colleague for us to get them back. He did this in a very discreet, efficient and kindly way. It was also our 50th wedding anniversary, he arranged and paid for a celebration cake and we had a wonderful evening with the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the rain.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the W trek in the company of a great group, fantastic leader and 3 entertaining Chilean guides. We really experienced Patagonian weather at first hand, one moment really strong winds, to sleet/snow and hot sunshine in a short space of time!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Xavier was a fantastic guide, always cheerful, very knowledgeable, great organisational skills and took us to some amazing restaurants. Thanks for making it such a memorable rewarding trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As everyone says, pack light. Don’t take a poncho as some reviews say. Either use plenty of dry bags or have a CLOSE fitting waterproof cover that is securely attached to your rucksack in several places. At the start of the W trek you are given a sleeping bag liner, travel towel and reusable metal water container. There are plenty of places to fill up a water bottle on the trek so you only need one water bottle. Only ever carry a maximum of 1 litre. If travelling for longer in Argentina get a local Claro SIM card.

Most Inspirational Moment

Simply just seeing such a variety of scenery in Morocco

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both group leader and bus driver were very good

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take extra warm clothing for trips run at that time of the year

Most Inspirational Moment

First seeing a wild toucan at Tortugera.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Johnny Villalobos. He was outstanding in every way. He had a very good way with people and, specifically, he was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the wildlife that we had come to see; and proud of Costa Rica’s role in world conservation. We wish to nominate him for the Exodus Annual Leader Awards (Trip Code AHP 230212)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Days in the highlands are wetter, colder and windier than you would imagine. Good walking shoes/boots or trainers are essential.