Reviews

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

so many: the cape Agulas Kaap de goede hoop the penguins at Betty's the shark diving the coffeestop at Elin

Thoughts on Group Leader

Adonia and Ernesto were friendly people who learned us a lot about South Africa

Advice for Potential Travellers

Beware of crime at the ATM in the city centre of Cape Town, that happened to us before we started the trip

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to pinpoint. It was just jaw dropping to see and experience how ancient Egyptians created such amazing buildings, structures, art and stories. I was also impressed by the High Dam and implications of that for the success of modern Egypt.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rania was a ball of energy, always helpful, knowledgeable and well organised. Even more impressive given she is a woman in a man’s world.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It’s a fantastic experience so go for it. Be ready for early starts, a busy schedule and high temperatures in Aswan but all worth it for an amazing adventure. Personally I found the optional trip to Abu Simbel was not good value for money as travel took up most of the time, over 8 hours, and we only got 1.5 hours at the temple. Take English pounds/ US dollars where you can as works best in terms of getting best prices. We were told Dec/ January is a good time to do the trip as temperatures and crowds are more manageable.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many inspirational moments but the mushing was probably the most inspirational.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Martti was fantastic. Very knowledgeable. Very patient. Looked after everyone’s needs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In previous reviews a lot has been said about the gear provided. It is perfectly adequate but you may wish to bring some of your own stuff e.g. a good down jacket, some snow shoes for getting around the base camp and maybe a ski jacket and trousers if you are intending to spend a day (downhill)skiing in Ruka.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our stay at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge was truly memorable and such an experience being immersed in the rainforest. Wildlife and the sound of nature was around every corner. You can just sit on the veranda of your cabin and soak it all up.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Erick was such a knowledgeable leader. His ability to spot and identify birds hidden out of sight from mere mortals was incredible. His experience and input made the trip so special and without his guidance and insight, we would have missed so much.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Even though we went in the "less rainy" season, it still rained. At some locations, it was cold, especially in the evenings. As advised, we took a poncho to keep the rain off, but in fact you need something a little more robust and perhaps warmer! That said, other locations were steaming hot, so you need a bit of everything really! Also, even though this trip is classified as a level 1 (leisurely), don't be fooled into thinking this will all be on flat ground. Some trips were quite strenuous and when combined with high altitude, it did make for some challenging walks. But the wildlife made it all so worthwhile.

Most Inspirational Moment

Staying at the Hotel Del Paine, with a wonderful view of Torres del Paine, was totally cool.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Felipe was fantastic. He had to do a lot of improvising, and did it well. Some things haven't totally reopened since covid. On our day trip to Valparaiso, he had trouble finding a lunch spot opened on Tuesdays, but had a friend with a newly opened restaurant, which was great! Felipe is obviously a very experienced guide. He said it was his first trip since the one he was leading when everything shutdown in March 2020.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had a bad experience with the glacier boat trip at Grey Lake. We had to pay in advance, but then the weather was too bad, and the trip was cancelled. At first, they said they wouldn't refund our money, but then relented. However, we had to push to get the local Chilean agency, Turavion, to actually follow through on the refunds. The 6 people who used credit cards got their refund, but those of us who used debit cards did not. Turavion couldn't figure out how to refund us, which I found surprising. At any rate, 2 months later, I'm still out almost $500. I've disputed it with my bank, and they are working on it. So at the very least, my advice is to pay with a credit card.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, the most inspirational moment of the trip was the 5km snow shoe hike in the Rissintunturi National Park. Trekking through the spruce forest and seeing the strange formations formed by the snow build up was out of this world and offered me a magical snow walking experience. A close second was the visit to the Husky farm and stroking the friendly dogs and doing the dog sledding on a 10km mushing adventure.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anton was our group leader. His skills were exceptional and he was very knowledgeable about anything nature wise. He also spoke good English, was very patient and had a brilliant sense of humour. Martii and the rest of base camp staff were always accommodating and friendly.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being able to experience the country, flora and fauna with such a well informed and passionate guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pablo was excellent. His English was fluent. His knowledge of topics relevant to 'Discover Costa Rica' and of managing small tour groups were brilliant. He was professional and friendly and unfailingly pleasant and polite to all, including one couple who were always ready to complain and want different rooms etc. (There is always one!). My only criticism is that maybe he could have tried more to ensure that those of us who wanted to see the wild-life and take poor holiday photos had more opportunity to get the long lenses out of the way. Having said that I think they would just have been rude and made things unpleasant. He went the extra mile when I left my iPad in one hotel. I was successfully reunited with it before the end of the trip thanks to his actions. He was also excellent at managing the situation when some of our group tested positive for Covid. I would also like to comment on the superb driving skills of Jose who was our driver for most of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do read about the sort of place you are going to and that it is a 'Group' trip. You are going to rural Cost Rica, not Eastbourne. You are staying 2 nights in each venue with several hours driving in-between venues. Rural roads in Costa Rica are hilly, windy and not always paved. If you are a long lens enthusiast please remember that everyone has paid the same for the same opportunities to view wild life and some people wan the opportunity to do that without long lenses always pushing to the front and staying there.