Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Being told by everyone that I was amazing, inspirational,brave, super fit by the team and even complete strangers we met on the trek. I thrived on this and although it was challenging at times I was more than ever determined to complete it.Being given a standing ovation by the rest of the team and the porters when I arrtived in camp at the highest point  Winay Wayna 4150m ( it means forever young female) and since everyone else was about half my age I did feel proud to have done this. Similar experience at the Sun Gate after climbing those practically vertical steps having abandoned my trekking poles and did on all fours hands and knees, many photos were taken.Was presented with the tee shirt 'I survived the Inca Trail' at Machu Pichu, by our guide Juan. Willl treasure it forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was excellent he explained in clear detail the days' proceedings and also gave descriptions of interesting features on the way. He was extremely knowledgable about the whole area.For me personally he was very encouraging, he said I was his 'challenge'!!! Often he would help by carrying my day pack. Also on the cold camping nughts gave me his hot water bottle!!He should share in the achievement as without his help and encouragement I may not have  'survived'

Advice for Potential Travellers

I trained for about a year prior to going because I knew that as an older member it would be challenging. This paid off and I think even younger persons should do some kind of training. Most people felt it was a bit more than 'Moderate'.The mantra for going upwards was attitude not altitude and for coming down concentrate.I found going up I got breathless so you need to try and increase your lung capacity. Coming down I was fine as I do not have any knee problems. Overall try and increase your stamina and endurance.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the sun rise over Angkor Wat was probably the one of the main highlights. This wasn't really part of the tour, but suggested by the guides as optional, who then organized to have a 'taxi' waiting at 5 am. It was INCREDIBLE!! But all the time we spent in Angkor Wat was amazing. Definitely is one of the 7 wonders of the world.Going to see the students at the School for underprivileged children in Cambodia was very insightful. Great kids! The Mekong home-stay was really fun as well as the riding around the Delta... would have liked that to last 2 nights it was so good! The family were lovely.The local people, especially the kids that would rush out and say HELLO and wave when you could cycle past...  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Al was with us all the way from Bangkok. Always ready and willing to help and full of knowledge about history, food, where to get odd and ends etc... Always with calm, with a smile and made sure you didn't have to worry about anything.Fila, our Cambodian guide was GREAT especially with  the tours around the temples in Angkor Wat. He is passionate about his country and for its future. He was keen that we tried all the specialities of the Cambodian cuisine and I am pleased that he did. There is some great food!  Or Vietnamese guide was good too, but after Fila, he had big shoes to step into... 

Advice for Potential Travellers

This tour is set up for all levels... you just do what you can at your speed. There is no stress if you aren't very fast and the speedy ones race ahead, but always waiting at the next stop.There are regular breaks and the support teams always ready with food and drinks waiting for us.  The support teams in each country made sure that the bike was ready for you in the morning and at the end of the day packed it up for you. As well as loading and unloading your luggage at the hotels. You almost didn't have to lift a finger to do anything... Apart from the cycling it was a relaxing holiday as you are so well looked after by the guides and teams.You are in Asia and it will rain... get used to it. It cools you down, and then you get dry in the warmth. I would not say that it was a down point... It is a change from the heat and sweat.Make sure you wear padded pants. 

Most Inspirational Moment

So many.  Negotiating the souks - still not sure how I managed to find my way out!  The amazing mosaics on the walls and floors of the kasbahs and palaces.  Haggling over the price of a taxi journey to save maybe 50p!  Walking in the mountains.  The delicious al fresco lunches prepared and delivered by one man on his donkey on two of the walking days.  Spotting birds I'd never seen before (it helped that there was a great great birder on the trip - thankyou Joe!).  Eating Christmas cake on the terrace as the sun went down (brought by one of the group to share).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan wonderful.  He was very welcoming and friendly from the moment he met us all at the airport.  As well as guiding us on the walks he worked hard in the gite, serving us meals, arranging a heater and in lots of subtle ways was genuinely kind and helpful throughout the trip.  He made sure that everyone was catered for.However, the guide in Marrakesh (Mohammed) was not so impressive.  There was no "orientation" included as part of the guided tour. Very disappointing.  We were taken to two retail emporiums - one a pharmacy were we were given a hard sell demonstration of various lotions and potions - the other a carpet place where they trapped a number of the group and tried to sell their wares.  I can only assume that these were the places that offered the best commission to the guide.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

There isn't that much walking - only 2.5 days of walking in the mountains plus an hour up to the gite and back again on the first and last days.  A lot of spare time in Marrakesh, but that may have been down to the flight times.  Some of the group managed to fit in a massage and hammam on return to Marrakesh.  Haggle everywhere.  Cold in the gite at night.  We saw very little of the community; a few people working in the fields and children playing on their way back from school.  Go for tea at the Berber house.  It gives you the opportunity to see into a typical yard and understand a little of what goes on behind the locked doors and gates.  Bonus - we sampled some delicious cakes and fresh local nuts.Take earplugs. Go soon.

Most Inspirational Moment

How can I pick? Every day was different... cycling through busy towns full of rickshaws and cows - to quiet villages where happy, smiling children rushed to say hello; through tea plantations in the hilly areas to beautiful stretches along side sandy beaches fringed with palm trees; from a long, challenging climb up a very big hill to a wonderful relaxing day drifting down the Keralan backwaters in our own luxury boat. Curries of every description - sadly an Indian take away will never be the same again!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was excellent: very knowledgeable, informative and helpful - as was our cycling leader ( a great character) and our brilliant van driver who sorted out all our problems with a smile on his face.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Distances were quite long compared to other Exodus trips we've been on - but this suited us well and the van was there should you have wanted to use it.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was no single moment.  The entire week was so varied with the use of the local railway to get to & from the walks, the villages and magnificent mountain scenery.  Hugely enjoyable.    

Thoughts on Group Leader

Richie, our leader, encouraged us all so that even those of us who doubted our abilities did manage to achieve all the walks.  He gave good advice without 'pushing it' and enabled us to really enjoy the week.  The best leader I have come across on this type of adventure holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Christmas day walk to Worlds End, cycle ride and Lunch in Giritale and swimming with the locals in the river at Kitulgala.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was an excellent guide, very knowledgable and professional with a great understanding of the differemt needs of individual members of the group. Enthusiastic about Sri Lanka's culture and history. Easy going with a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for an active trip and take lots of mossie spray. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Scrambling up Maglic and finally getting to the top of Maglic Mountain - a fantastic challenge and experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alen was a brillant guide very knowledgeable, passionate about his homeland and had a good sense of humour. The biscuits he brought along for our coffee breaks were appreciated!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a very long day going up Maglic Mountain but don't miss it as it's definately not one to miss. I went in September and it was freezing in Bosnia - take warm clothes! Weather very mixed - sun, rain, wind, freezing!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking high up in the mountains on narrow ledges but with the most amazing views, there was something new to see every day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic, he really enjoyed his job, was enthusiastic about everything and made us laugh!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take enough light weight clothing, if it rains they dry out quickly!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Mount Toubkal would be the obvious one and it is definitely up there on the list but to be honest reaching the summit of Mount Ouanakrim, the second highest peak, was probably the best part of the trip especially as we did this the day after Toubkal so we had great views across to the summit of Toubkal and it was a great reminder of what we had achieved.  We were the only group on Mount Ouanakrim which was great after the comparative bustle at the summit of Toubkal and made the trek up worth the effort.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was friendly, approachable and a competent guide. He looked after the group well and provided all necessary advice and information on what to expect each day. All the other support staff on the trip were also fantastic, setting up camp, transporting bags and equipment and cooking up a storm every mealtime ensuring we were fully fuelled for our mountainous escapades. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring plenty of sunscreen and use it! It feels a lot cooler in the mountains but it is so easy to get sunburn!  Gloves, hats and a warm fleece were also invaluable for a couple of the early morning starts we had as well as for the windy summits. Wearing two pairs of socks will help prevent blisters but remember to bring blister treatments just in case and look after your feet - take advantage of cold streams to soak them at the end of a long day walking. Get money before leaving Marrakech on the first day and if possible change large notes for smaller denominations and coins so you have easy money to pay for bottled water/snacks/showers at the refuge. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Experiencing Havana was amazing.  There's something special around every corner.  I couldn't stop taking photos and ran out of memory on my camera!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Freddy was great.  His in-depth knowledge of the areas we visited, the history, geography and the local environment were just what we needed - and all the personal stories he was able to give us from his own experience made it more relevant and interesting.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cuba is obviously changing fast and tourism is becoming an increasingly important part of the economy.  If you want to see the 'before' rather than the 'after', now's the time to go.  Just remember to take an extra memory card for your camera!