Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

So many moments. The guides - Lakpa (apologies for any incorrect spellings), Pemba and Nima are wonderful. Tea in the morning, banter, knowledge and expertise are second to none. Care, humour, everything - faultless.The scenery - has to be seen to be believed - the mountains are incredible.It's very difficult to find words to describe this trip. It is by far the best thing I have ever done.Our group was brilliant - we were very lucky to have an Exodus member of staff with us - thanks to Chloe X   

Thoughts on Group Leader

All the staff were great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a metal water bottle - doubles as a hot water bottle at night.I was very glad of a down jacket but layers would have been as good. Do take a good hat. You can buy hats and all sorts in Namche and Kathmandu  - I spent a fortune in the UK -wish I had waited till I was there to buy stuff.Go slowly - the best things about the trip are the people you will meet and the scenery - don't rush through it.Take good lip balm - high factor.Egg, chips and beans :-)You can charge phones, camera batteries etc everywhere but it gets more costly higher up. However, not unreasonable anywhere. Fitness - I did Snowdon and a high level walk in the Peak District back to back plus general walking as often as possible. It is hard but there are plenty of breaks and because of the scenery and the group and the guides its ok. Get as fit as you can but don't worry too much about it. Take ear plugs if you are a light sleeper. Typical day - woken by the guides at 7am with "Morning tea". Then pack your kit bag and have breakfast eg - porridge, toast, eggs, pancakes.8 ish ( bit earlier on Base camp day) start walking, usually 1 or 2 hours before you stop for refreshments somewhere beautiful. Its a good idea to take snacks - chocolate, dried fruit.Some more walking. LUNCH :-) Try the Momo's.Either more walking or you will have arrived at your tea house.If you have arrived at your lodge by lunchtime on the way up there will be an acclimatization walk -DO THESE. a) they are fabulous, b) they are really helpful.Lodges/nightime - all the lodges we stayed in were great. Most had hot showers - girls - have showers as early as possible so that your hair will dry. I took dry shampoo also.Take wet wipes.I had planned to write a journal - I managed this for 2 days, too much to do/see/people to talk to.Back in Kathmandu - Pizza Hut - turn right out of the hotel - go to the roundabout, turn right, PH is just across the road. Mango Smoothies! The Irish Bar in Thamel is great.Nervous? - there are 5 suspension bridges - (up and down) - I am a wimp,I hate heights and exposure, I managed them - the guides and the group will get you over them - do not let them stop you doing this trip. Don't look down - I recited telephone numbers while crossing them. They are short and made of steel. Seriously. If I can do them anyone can!!    

Suggestions

You are reading this review because you are tempted. Book it! Enjoy. :-) Thanks Exodus x 

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Hassan 2 MosqueExploring the souk in FesTaking a camel out into theSaharaWalking out of Todra gorge

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was personable, informative, and demonstrated assertiveness when needed in resolving disputes with locals and solving problems. He had a good sense of humor and knew when to allow us time to relax and when it was important to get us moving. He was really punctual, uncannily so and keep the trip on schedule without any real effort.  In my opinion he could not have worked harder to make out trip special and I grew to have a lot of respect for him over the duration of our stay. Thank you so much Mustapha.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travelling can be stressful and going away on your own and planning trips can be a lot of work. I found travelling with Exodus meant I could go away and focus on having a great time without having to worry about how I am getting to the next place on my journey. For an inclusive holiday where you want something different with out the hassle I would recommend an Exodus trip. I will certainly be travelling with them again given the opportunity.

Suggestions

I would like to commend our driver though out the trip. He was safe, adept at negotiating the roads and at no point did I have any concerns about his driving.  Finally I would like to extend a big thank you to Exodus for the opportunity to travel with them, I have some great memories to take away form my vacation to Morocco.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling in the hills of south west sardinia, with sunshine at 25 degrees, and coming across beaches that are pretty much empty at this time of year.Eating sardinian food, with a bottle of Ichnusa...does it get any better!Crossing a 20 metre stream about 30cm deep over pebbles, and being the only one in the group not to get wet feet.....definitely deserved a beer!Watching my partner beat me by about 5minutes on the longest and steepest climb of the week....I've got to get some calf muscles to match!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michelle and Roberto were brilliant, very attentive to any needs, and total fun for the whole week. We have done numerous trips with you, and these two were among the best we have evr had.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do the trip!

Suggestions

Possibly my only wish would have been for slightly better bikes, these were a little 'sit up and beg' style, did the job, but something like a trek hybrid would have been better.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around Pompeii and then up Vesuvius.Ravello and the Villa Cimbrone.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert is an excellent leader. Very organised, calm, knowledgable and encouraging. Thanks to his contacts we were treated to warm welcomes and great hospitality everywhere we stopped.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Climbing poles would be useful as there are an awful lot of steps and some uneven paths.

Suggestions

Our first Exodus holiday approached with a little apprehension! All unfounded - the hotel is a gem and Albert made us all feel totally at ease. Our group 'gelled' together quickly and the holiday has provided us with wonderful memories. You even organised the weather for us. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Undoubtedly seeing the Everest peak for the first time from Tengboche, and eating breakfast outside whilst admiring it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Pasang was exceptional. He had a great deal to do organising our schedule as a result of delays getting into Lukla due to weather, althought you wouldn't have realised since everything ran very smoothly.His knowledge of trekking at altitude also ensured that everyone was as best prepared as possible for the conditions and indeed everyone made it to Base Camp.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have metal water containers to use as hot water bottles in your sleepbag at night! The evening temperatures can get very low.

Suggestions

Poor weather caused us delays flying to Lukla and we spent a couple of tense days in Katmandu airport at the beginning of our trip stressed that we may not make the start of the EBC trek. Pasang organised helicopters when it was clear the planes were not flying. Weather also caused problems for the helis but we got there ok.The Heli trip wasn't that expensive and actually added additional adventure for all of us.Exodus might want to review how much disruption weather at Lukla causes to the start of treks and if it's not uncommon think about having a heli option as part of the standard schedule.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many to choose from, but here are a few that still stand out in my minds eye clearly:* Seeing the famous Sigiriya rock, the hotel we stayed in had stunning views of it and the climb up was fun with breath taking views of the surrounding areas. As it was the school holidays we had families on days out climbing the rock as well which added to the adventure.*  Visiting the Pinnawala elephant orphanage, where we watched herds of elephants run down the street at 10am for their daily 2 hour river bath. It was amazing to see so many elephants together and lots of baby elephants too. It really is an extra-ordinary sight to see them playing in the water as normal families would on holiday in the swimming pool!* I did the optional white water rafting, well worth doing as it's so much fun and we laughed so hard during the time spent there as no one escaped out of the waters dry!* Walking to the Worlds End at Horton Plains was really enjoyable and a real treat, as en route you see the beautiful Baker Falls and when you reach the worlds end point - the view below is just absolutely astonishing. I won't say anymore - you'll see for yourself!* The optional whale watching was also very worthwhile and we saw a whale as well as hundreds of dolphins playfully splashing alongside our boat and showing off their talent by spinning out of the water.* Having lunch at the Tsunami house was a real treat and it was the best lunch I had the whole time I was there, even thinking about it now i'm getting hungry.. * Kandy is a very hip and happening place, perhaps the soul of the party for me. We had dinner at this hotel/restaurant called 'Helgas Folly' look it up, it's a very strange and 'barking mad' place due to decor - but worth a visit if only for the experience of feeling like you have crossed over to another dimension!! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Isanka was very cheerful and patient throughout the whole trip. She was always very attentive to everyone's needs and made it a constant priority to ensure we were having fun and understood all that we were doing. She gave us manageable history lessons , and if like me you didn't hear her the first time she was more than happy to repeat herself. Isanka was always very open to all the curious questions the group asked her, and we learnt alot about sri lankan marriage ceremonies and the culture from her! (There were 5 girls on the trip!) 

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need to take malaria tablets, which I found out after the first day. So even if your nurse insists that you do, like mine did, you don't!What you do need though is plenty of insect (mosquito) repellant (a few people ran out on the trip and you can't get the good stuff there) and also the after bite care. Also I would advise taking a travel sunblock to keep with you at all times as due to humidity you do tend to sweat it off and often need to top up whilst outside.Girls - for the temple days if you have a sarong to cover below your knees is fine, and you can show your arms so short sleeved t-shirts is actually acceptable too- just not low cut though!

Suggestions

Sri Lanka is such a beautiful Island - I can now see why it is called The Pearl of the Indian Ocean. It has so much to offer and the people there are so friendly and happy to have us as tourists in their country - so what are you waiting for ... book the trip that will ensure you have an adventure of a lifetime!! My review has not done any justice to how amazing my trip really was. Oh and you get to go to the gem factory - wow! Girls get ready to sparkle and boys get your wallets out! Book this trip .. now! :-)

Most Inspirational Moment

Lac Blanc - it really is a beautiful as it looks in the photos.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ian was brilliant - he had great knowledge of the Mont Blanc region and was able to point out all the various flora and fauna en route.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go! Seeing such spectacular views in one week is amazing.

Suggestions

A brilliant trip, best of all because you get to eat cake in France, Italy and Switzerland!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many moments along the trek that it is hard to pinpoint any particular element of the trip.  Anyone who has avidly read any of the books about Everest and her neighbouring peaks or the stories of expedition groups attempting to summit these ranges will be in their element as the trek to Base Camp takes in some of the key areas mentioned in so many of these books.  For me, Tengboche Monastery and Namche Bazaar were particularly moving to visit and the fact that we followed the same route Hillary and Tensing took to Base Camp made it even more poignant especially with next year being the 60th anniversary of their summit.The trek is by no means easy and there are some difficult and steep passes to conquer on the way but this makes the arrival at Base Camp even more of an achievement.  There is so much to see along the way, and as you pass through or stay at the various settlements and teahouses you gain a real insight and understanding of Nepalese life and a respect for the local people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were lead by the amazing Valerie Parkinson, who not only happens to be the Exodus Asia Base Manager, but more impressively, the first British woman to summit Manaslu without oxygen and, in her 50th year, ascended to the South Summit of Everest (8761m).I had been lucky enough to meet Valerie on two previous occasions at Exodus slide evenings - both after her return from Everest - and knew that if I was going to do this trip, that it should be with Valerie not only to hear her accounts of her time in the mountains but because I knew that I would be in good hands.Having Valerie as our Leader made the trip even more special as she recounted tales of her many trips in Nepal and India in addition to the amazing story of her time on Everest and Manaslu. There were one or two health issues along the way which she dealt with quickly and professionally with minimum fuss or impact on our holiday experiences. Nothing was too much trouble and she and her team looked after us from the moment we arrived to the day we departed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are planning to do this trip:-do the training beforehand - the trek is not easy, there is difficult terrain to deal with along the way, steep climbs, steep descends, narrow passes and high suspension bridges.  On average, you will be walking about 6/7 hours per day and you will be tired by the end of it.  Hill walking or steep stair walking would be good to get your leg muscles developed sufficiently.make sure your boots are broken in and you have the right equipment - it will be hot lower down but it will get very cold further up - don't skimp on the technical clothing.  There is a weight allowance which applies to your kit bag on trek (you can carry as much weight yourself in your day pack as you like although I would keep this to the bare essentials - 7 hours of a heavy pack is not fun!) - making sure you have the right technical gear means that when you do have to wear your socks for 3 days straight (oh yes you will!!!!) they will not stink the place out when you take them off!if you can, get your visa before you go - it saves a long queue at Kathmandu airportdon't forget your sun screen and sunglasses - you will need both of these for most of the trek and in particular at Base Camp where the sun's glare is very strongpack at least 2 Buff scarves - the terrain gets very dusty along the way - it may not prevent the Khumbu cough but it might help it a little and it will also be invaluable in Kathmandu to stop you inhaling all the car fumes!go with an open mind and heart - Nepal is an amazing country with the most kind hearted, generous, hard working people - get to know your sirdar, climbing sherpa and the other local team members (including the Yak boy!).  Not only will you find out more about the Nepalese culture and way of life but will enhance your holiday experience so much by chatting to them.keep smiling - there will be times when you question whether this really is a holiday but persevere - you would never return from a fortnight in Spain with the memories, sense of achievement or new friends that you will from this trip.

Suggestions

Enjoy it!  I wish I was coming with you!

Most Inspirational Moment

The Inca Trail which was the reason for going. What an experience and fortunately the weather was good.however second would be learning about the anti plano and Lake Titicaca and meeting some of the local Imara Indians.  So many memories i could go on forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carlos was excellent and very attentive. We were a little nervous i think at first and he sensed this and kept us entertained.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Use Exodus, read the trip notes and enjoy!

Suggestions

just a very big thank you for a holiday of a lifetime!

Most Inspirational Moment

The trail was the reason I booked it and I wasn't let down by it.  Amazing views

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really good.  Very knowledgable, could answer all questions and very patient

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it