Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

On our free day Eric offered a Via Ferrata trip.  Although the wether forecast was not great we took the risk of walking up to the first hut before we decided if it was safe to continue.  A little wet and chillier than previous days, but no one was turned away by the less than desirable condiditons.  Along the Via Ferrata the sleet and then the snow arrived.  Despite the poor conditions we had a great day!  The company was cheerful, Eric gave us all confidence and we all returned exhilarated.  Every other day we had clear blue skies!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric was a great leader.  He remained good humoured at all times and quickly got to know the abilities of the members of the group. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The spa was a lovely treat at the end of each day.... dont forget to bring a bathing suit.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many highlights, with sunrises and sunsets in all the parks, but a personal memory that will never fade was the sense of achievement and awe on hiking to the top of Angels' Landing in Zion - we saw condors flying below us!We saw lots of wildlife, including a bear, coyotes, elk, vultures and condors in the parks, plus dolphins in the bay below the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

In his own words: awesome!  Collin was great fun and inspired us all with his love of the places we visited, and added to that he was a safe and thoughtful driver and guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light: there were hairdryers in all the hotels and some had launderettes for washing clothes. American hotels provide coffeemakers but hot English tea is not so common - iced tea is widely available. Be prepared for lots of early starts and long days and take advantage of the optional excursions which are very good, but cost extra.  Breakfasts were often fruit and granola bars as we were up and away before most places opened, and there were a number of sandwich lunches, assembled ourselves from the frequently restocked cool boxes. Evening meals were taken in restaurants from pizza places to steakhouses.The journeys on the road in the minibus were well broken up with stops at places of interest and/or food every couple of hours. We swopped bus seats regularly and the front-seat passenger got to play their iPod selection of music, which gave us a great variety of soundtracks to our travels. 

Most Inspirational Moment

sitting in a mountain village in a torrential downpour drinking Vietnamese drip coffee - about as far away from our day to day reality as you can get.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simply terrific! His passion for + knowledge of his country's history and culture was impressive. He kept a large group in line, hit every schedule and dealt with any hiccoughs in a quiet and professional way. Our praise extends to the whole support team who were diligent and friendly at all times.     

Advice for Potential Travellers

don't panic about money exchange: dollars accepted everywhere, dollar or GBP exchange in most places.laundry faciliites available on route.malaria tablets not necessary.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing views over the emerald coloured sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was friendly and attentive but his English was rusty and we had to keep asking him for information.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just walking amongst the spectacular mountains of Corsica in good company, and still managing to get up and down some quite challenging hills and back to the Bar des Amis in the evening, without undue pain and distress, was all the inspiration I was seeking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rude was an excellent leader and guide. He knew the routes well, judged our abilities accurately and was always efficient and helpful, whilst exhibiting a good sense of humour. Could not have wished for a better leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Follow the Exodus trip advice and equipment list and you won't go far wrong. Read the description of the grade of walking carefully before booking. "Moderate" in this case is about equivalent to Ramblers grade D+, at least in my experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Balloon ride over the Masai Mara and then walking across the masai Mara surrounded by animals to have a champagne breakfast, just amazing. Especially when you spot lions within a few minutes of getting back in the truck. Makes you realise just how wild the masi Mara is. Having a silverback walk towards me, you really can get paralysed with fear, just amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Often and is team we're great, very well organised, approachable and very hard working.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take something to entertain yourselves with on the long drives. Make sure your padlock is quite large, small suitcase ones won't fit the lockers on the truck. Take a small overnight bag with you to transfer clothes from locker to your tent. Book the balloon ride you will never ever regret it and it is worth every penny. Pack light and take plenty of layers. Don't wear you head torch on your head, it attracts all the moths and mosquitoes! Embrace the camping it's great fun but shower and use the flushing toilets at every opportunity (of which there was more than I was expecting). Rip up the trip notes, unless they change them they don't apply once you get there. Don't bother taking pens, pencils for the orphanage in jinja, they didn't seem too bothered about them but do take some old clothes and shoes that you don't mind leaving at the end of the holiday. The local Rwandan beer is best and the local cider is really good, there is a brand you can buy all the way through the holiday I just can't remember it. Finally beware of the local Ugandan food if your team cook it for you.tasty but way too much fibre in it for most of us, especially when you have a long drive the next day!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The stunning scenery did it for me every day. The hotel food was great the staff at the hotel were very good the spa facilities were amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was fine very knowledgable polite listened when appropriate

Advice for Potential Travellers

The flight times from Gatwivk to Venice were tenable to say the least it made for a poor end to an otherwise perfect holiday

Most Inspirational Moment

Best moment was celebrating reaching the summit and delighted that everyone made it. We were blessed with clear blue skies and amazing views of the Atlas. Seeing Berber life in the mountains and respecting their culture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was exactly that. He led the group. It was a little disappointing to see him up front all the time. Not too sure he was convinced we (I) were actually going to make it, I tended to bring up the rear. He did however always make sure we arrived and left together.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a worthy challege if a little tougher than is made out in the trek description. There is scree all the way down Mt Toubkal and descent requires lots of concentration and descent boots. A good level of fitness is definitely required as you cover a big distance, climb and descend Mt Toubkal all in one day. There is a lot covered in a weekend.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was 7 in our group, what an amazing and inspirational group of like minded people. I found the first day tough, hot and steep and feeling the altitude. These people who I knew for just a few days kept me going with their support and wit. The second day was worse my boyfriend was ill in the night so neither of usslept........these guys and the group leaders were there to make sure we still made it to the highest point and the camp site. We had snow at the peak which made for a really cold night but the views and photographs the next morning were more than worth it, this made for a great start to day 3

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was great, inspirational, knowledgable and a lot of fun. She led the team well and was full of facts about the history,the locals and all the fauna along the way. She spoke excellent English and joined in with the jokes

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and ask questions before you go......if you do the moonstone read both trip notes for moonstone and classic inca. Take American dollars and change into local currency Take warm clothes for night time and cool light clothes for the warmer hiking days

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking high in the hills with glorious views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Patient, informative, interesting and helpful in every way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it!