Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I could choose some of the amazing trips or juddery but visually astonishing zodiac tours but I won't. It may seem simple but the best moments for me were when I was on top of the ship looking out at the serene untouched enviroment. i was wrapped up warm but the cold wind on my face and the silence was amazing. Usually we are surrounded by the noise of people and traffic but when you are the only one looking out and there is no-one in sight and just the peace of solitude all around it is simply breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was an Aussie called Woody who was always around wearing his shorts, whatever the weather. The group leader was very experienced and ran a well organised and ordered team of professionals. He kept the slight distance I would expect from a leader but was at the same time highly approachable and willing to help if anyone needed anything at all. This chap knows what he is doing!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go, it is stunning. Make sure you take warm clothes though, and underlayers are always good as well.

Most Inspirational Moment

Huskie sledding. Though bitterly cold the landscape was memorable especially as the daylight faded into dusk. The guide was a very interesting guy and the dogs were fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very friendly and amenable though didn't provide much insight into the Finnish way of life or culture. The team as a whole did do a good job though and I don't want to take anything away from that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The option to X country ski anywhere other than on the lake was very limited for a novice. There did not seem to be any trails as such and trying to attempt to go through the forest in deep virgin snow on undulating ground was very challenging if not impossible.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sharing a train train trip from Kandy (PERADENI JUNCTION) to NANU-OYA with what seemed like thousands of other like minded passengers but in particular with a family and friends on a annual pilgrimage to a hilltop temple. The generosity and kindness of our fellow passengers with their food and snacks together with the magnificant scenery made this an inspirational journey............

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader SURESH GAMIATH BANDRA was truly amazing as nothing was too much trouble.....  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes take this trip for a truly amazing experience before SRI LANKA is spoilt by hoards of holiday makers

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent when out skiing - I was a complete beginner and he made me feel very confident and safe. Excellent choice of routes and activities - we all learned lots and saw some great areas.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You get very hot when cross country skiing so don't need loads of thick ski clothes - layers are best.  Some people in the group had paid extra for a deluxe room - this turned out to be no different than the ordinary rooms (just an extra table), so it isn't worth paying the extra.You don't get a free day but some of us chose to spend a day snowshoeing / walking - this was a lot of fun and well worth doing if you want a change from skiing one day.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunrise at Siem Reap - not part of the Exodus tour, but our guide organised it for a group of us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader in Vietnam was a very nice man, knowledgable and helpful.  However his command of English was a little hard to understand at times.  I was impressed at his coolness under fire (literally) when the hotel at one destination (on the Mekong River) caught fire in the middle of the night.   He found us alternative accommodation at 1 am in a nearby hotel.The group leader in Cambodia was very good indeed.  Pleasant, local, very knowledgable and excellent English.  Helpful above and beyond what was strictly necessary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check which hotel is being used on the Mekong Delta trip - if it is the one with Golf in its name, then don't go - this was the one that caught fire.  The smoke alarms didn't work, and the hotel staff were no-where to be seen.  I have no idea who would have got us out of our rooms if our tour leader hadn't come along and called us.  The fire was actually in the disco in another part of the hotel, but the corridors were full of smoke in the main hotel.  Also disco (before that) was thumping away till at least 12.30 (time of the fire) and showed no sign of stopping.  All our rooms looked towards the disco/town, and none had river views, whatever the Exodus brochure claims.  Hotel pool was also closed, due to broken tiles on the bottom, staff unfriendly and unhelpful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arrival at Macchu Picchuthe flowers and different excosystems along the trailthe train journey from Macchu Picchu to Cusco was fun 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Disnardia was great, she was very knowledgeable, fun, organised and a great leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enoy the trip, even the 10 hour bus journey from Cusco to Puno went quickly and the sights along the route were amazing-would have spent more than a day exploring Lake Titicaca

Most Inspirational Moment

Sleeping out in the Wadi Rum was my favourite part of the trip. Initially sleeping in the desert was the part I was most anxious about but the tour leader and the group made it the most fun part and I am definitely going back to do a weeks trek there. Moving from riding camels and watching the sun rise in the freezing desert to the warm sunshine of the Red Sea in the space of an hour was spectacular and expressive orf Jordan's diversity.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ali was an excellent leader. He was very knowledgable and spent time getting to know everyone. He cared about people's different situations and abilities and catered for everyone as far as possible so that included the rock climbers, the adventurers and all those just wanting to relax and take in the culture. It showed just how well he knew the areas. He really came into his own in the desert where you could see this was his favourite part of the trip and he started having fun and that rubbed off on the rest of the group and we all had a great time with him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware that on the last day the drive from the Red Sea to Amman on the desert highway is very long. There are no rest stops for at least 2 and half hours on this road.

Most Inspirational Moment

The cuban people. Always smiling and waving when you cycled past them. Was following a bus with school kids and they went absolutely banas when I pedaled as fast as I could to keep up.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gladys was the perfect group leader. She made everything like a walk in the park. I loved the way she said "you may now go on you own free willing". She had an infectious smile and always a good story to tell about the places we stoped. Even the in advance dreaded long transfer day in the end went by in a flash because of Gladys. Mixing cubra libre and mojito was one of the many highlights of the trip. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind :)Bring clip on pedles, cycling shorts and shirt, small camera that fits in the shirt and lots of suncream and moscito replant since it is difficult to get hold of in Cuba.November was a nice month to travel. Warm but not to warm and horrible weather at home :) 

Most Inspirational Moment

In no specific order:the scenery is just outstanding.  Great variation and amazingly exotic.food fantasticall the locals so friendly and welcomingthe hill climb to Ootythe beautiful houseboat trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really top class.  Totally organised, incredibly helpful and ensured a completely relaxing trip.  These guys really make the difference between a good trip and an outstanding trip.  Orchestrating 16 Europeans through all the logistical challenges is a big ask (!), and our team were fantastic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Getting cash from ATM's is a pain as most won't work.  So best take Sterling and just exchange it at hotels.  The rate they give is as good as the airport (or credit card) and everything is so cheap out there anyway it doesn't matter if you lose a few rupees in the process.

Most Inspirational Moment

Summit morning, after a week on the mountain and a vey early start on the last approach day, what a reward, sunrise over Africa.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham (Chief Guide) and George & Joseph (Assistant Guides) were superb, they know the mountain intimately and were always there to help the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

To enjoy this trip, get fit & kit up appropriately, you are considering the summit of a proper mountain. Read the exodus kit list and ask questions. Proper boots, quality warm / sun protection and wet weather kit are essential as are basics like walking socks and water bottles.