Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The jewellers at Agra where I was allowed to wear the emerald ring made from Mumtaz Mahals crown and other fabulous emerald jewellry made fo royalty. - slumdog millionairress!  No where else in the world would one get this opportunity  certainly not Bond Strret!  This was on our last day where we cycled I the morning, stopping to drink chai from clay cups, bused up to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and then went to the jewellers - what a day! This jeweller also fixed my friends diamond ring bought in Jaipur by replacing the lost diamond - free of charge!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sanjay was just great! always motivating us and supporting us when cycling especially on the uppy uppies.  Most impressed that he would never accept his dinner until all his guests had received theirs.  An ideal host providingus with rum and coke and great dancer, really getting the diwali party-on-a-bus going. Harish was just as kind and thoughtful and a real companion on the trip.Our coach driver Rauol, his assistant and Michael the mechanic were also very polite, helpful and attentive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I developed Guyons syndrome aka handle-bar palsy early on the trip and still have not recovered full feeling in my little and ring fingers on each hand, my grip is also weakened.  I would definitely advise cyclists to bring proper padded cycling gloves (I didn't) as the vibration from the rough road surfaces probably induced this condition see http://www.qwinerveprotector.com/BicycleGlove.html. I woud also advise a face mask for cycling through the cities and dusty roads, as I developd a cough/cold and a number of our party developed terrible coughs.  I had booster vaccinations for diptheria and polo and tetanous plus Hep A. I didn't need the anti-biotics the travel clinic at Boots provided (£5) for severe diarohhea but a lady on our trip did (she was on the verge of returning to the UK early) so I would recommend bringing some.  Also, always, always put on the sun tan lotion, anti mosquito lotion and bring plenty of anti-bacterial hand gel.  I had no stomach problems which was always a fear of mine for going to India.

Most Inspirational Moment

The friendliness of the Cambodians was uplifting especially when one bears in mind the horrendous recent past the country has endured. Our time in Phnom Phenh and the visits to the killing fields etc brought home to us its horrifying history.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader Moh was good; very friendly and keen to do her best but would probably benefit with a little more experience. Digger, the Cambodian leader was excellent whereas the Vietmanese leader seemed more intent upon collecting email addresses from the group for his own future benefit than leading the tour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for temperatures during the middle of the day of up to 40 degrees! Drink lots of water and take advantage of the beautiful fruit, serveed at regular intervals by the support team along the way. There's always the option of dropping out on any day and travelling in the support vehicle if needs be.

Most Inspirational Moment

Everyone on the trip was very good fun & got on well. Arriving at Machu Pichu was great too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She didnt really know how to deal when this wasnt quite as expected

Most Inspirational Moment

The panaramic view of the tea plantations

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ajay Gupta was an efficient leader but with little passion or interest in the area - South India.He is probably more at home in North India where he comes from.One of the things that struck some of our group was his complete lack of understanding about where we came from so that he had no point of reference to know where our interests may lie.  One thing Exodus should consider is letting all their long-service guides visit the UK - it would help the guides understand the people they are dealing with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take much in the way of extra clothing as it really isn't required.  Get a good road map of the area to be visited as the Indian ones are poor.  If you want some decent drinks - gin, vodka etc., buy at the duty free in the Indian airport of arrival prior to customs.

Most Inspirational Moment

The marriage proposal at the top of Mt Toubkal was a really wonderful climax to a great climb.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader was a genuinely nice guy who wanted everyone in the group to enjoy getting to know Berber life. He worked hard to ensure that everyone had a good time, although his goat like fitness & energy left some of us shame-faced!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This was my first trip with Exodus for about 12 years and I had worried about whether I would be up to the trip. Although the pace was demanding at times (many of us later confessed to doubts after the first two extremely hot hours!)  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this trip to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Being alcohol free, eating very healthily and walking every day was a great detox from ordinary life and I would defy anyone not to enjoy the experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole holiday; culture, country and people were inspirational. For me the history - throughout this land's existence from ancient times to the present is fascinating, and yet the geography managed to eclipse it all - just. A wonder of a country. The itinerary cleverly kept us interested and open to contrast - for example, the fine culture of Jeresh & Petra, then travelling onto the arid, magical dessert of Wadi Rum, followed by the sun and fun and sea of Aqaba. Brilliant!Another bonus, were the people I was lucky enough to travel with - they were in themselves inspirational and very interesting and I ended up learning a lot from them too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ali is a top flight leader, hugely knowledgeable, confident, capable and thankfully with all our many and eager questions... patient. The other two team members also deserve a mention- our driver and our tourist policeman are also excellent. All three are charming, friendly utterly helpful and had a good sense of humour. We all felt very safe and well looked after without being hurried and with freedom to go at our own pace.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A) Do read the 'Trip Notes' before leaving. Bring a good warm sleeping bag and clothing for the dessert and in winter and a good walking footwear for Petra. B) Book this trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

The mountain mini-trek was beautiful.  Incredible views, some level of challenge but adapted to meet the needs of our group. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Moustapha was very knowledgeable and calm and helped to make the experience so memorable

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was colder than I expected in April.  Although this didn't spoil my trip, I probably would have packed differently in retrospect.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Mt Toubkal, I don't think any of us had climbed anything like as high as this.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I wish to compliment Rich Astridge, our Principal Tour Leader, on theexcellent job that he did for the group. Rich is a great advert for Exodus. He is clearly a most experienced and talented leader, who wasmodest about his achievements and engaging with his anecdotes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's very hot in July, up to 50 C when we were there, but we all survived. Make sure you wear some headgear, however dodgy. Anything from stylish Berber wrap arounds to upside down shorts will apparently do!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling to the Dead Sea. The way to the Dead Sea was very hot and challenging. But when I reached to the Sea, I felt very glad. And, finally I floated on the water, which was one of my dreams.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He always thinks of tour members and how he tells the history of Jordan.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Drink a lot of water and have fun.