Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Day 9 where you cycle for the whole day from Bayamo into the Sierra Maestra. This was the best cycling of the whole trip.The final stretch on a dirt track into the jungle was rewarded with a super location for a hotel by a plunge pool and waterfall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was very good - well informed and very proud of his country. We got plenty of "education time" from him!He oversaw the cycling well and ensured the group had plenty of rest breaks and were safe on some of the busier stretches of road.  He was a bit over cautious on day 5 when it rained a lot - being British cyclists some of us were used to getting wet and would have prefered to be back on the bike instead of in the bus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not just a cycling holiday - it is also a cultural tour of Cuba. If you are going just for the cycling, some of the first week is rather tedious and boring roads, with long straight stretches. But the second week picks up with more variety in the routes. There are plenty of rest breaks and refreshments and snacks  - and rum drinks as welcome drinks at the hotels! Do not expect to loose any weight on this trip - even though you cover about 600k on the bike during the two weeks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Obviously the high point of this trip was reaching the summit of Toubkal and looking out over the Atlas mountains. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Hassan was clearly very experienced however none of the group felt he was terribly communicative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack for every type of weather condition in the mountains. Although our group did the trip in themiddle of August, we had rain, hail, thunderstorms, wind and sunshine all in one day! Take waterproofs, gloves, hats, thermals, layers...The terrain on the mountain is generally fine on the first day, but on the summit day there is a lot of climbing over rocks/boulders followed by a lot of scree. Walking poles were certainly useful on the scree.The quality of the gite and the mountain refuge was good - better than expected in fact - though ear plugs are advisable as you sleep around 4 to a room in the gite and as many as 16 to a room in the refuge. Take some form of entertainment too as there is nothing to do otherwise! One of our group had a pack of cards which kept us amused for hours!As a Muslim country, alcohol is not readily available and indeed the hotel we stayed in in Marrakech did not serve any and frankly, after the exertions on the mountain, a beer would have been most welcome!Do explore the souks of Marrakech, though preferably not alone, as it is very easy to get lost!

Most Inspirational Moment

The first time I could "touch" the wall. Leaving the repaired/tourist wall and proceeding along the unrepaired sections. The views! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent leader. Very patient, knew his stuff and was prepared to share his own thoughts.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The accomodation on the walk is basic but genuine. If you like coffee - take your own.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a couple of inspirational moments, firstly arriving in Mumbai, a domestic flight to Napur and then travelling by road to Pench National Park, this was my first taste of India - WOW. At Kanha NP we had a sighting of Leopard and some distant glimpses of Tiger and a female dragging a carcass. (There had been reports of the kill the previous evening and she had cubs to feed). Then on to Bandhavgarh NP where our group of 4 were privileged to experience a very close encounter with an 8 year old male Tiger, once he had passed our jeep we all felt extremely emotional. I know we will all remember that moment for ever!!! The following day for almost an hour we watched a young Tiger, once joined by his brother, lying on the road, cleaning, relaxing and generally showing off for us. Our guides knew their business, gained us a prime viewing position and we felt completely safe.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Group Leader, Harish Kumar worked continually to make this a most memorable holiday. His photography skills and advice were gratefully received.  Thankyou Harish.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you love wildlife and feel obliged to see the Taj (which is wonderful) just book this fantastic trip. You will not regret it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing some of the large birds of prey.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Best I don't say really. Not my kind of guy. May be a good photographer, but a bit too bossy. Intolerant. Needs to hone his man management skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with your own agenda, and try to get part of it incorprated into the trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader were perfect. One very organized that made sure everything went smoothly, some others more extroverted. All very knowledgeable of their country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's a great experience for cycling freaks as well as leisurely cyclists. Sportive and flexible midset guarantee loads of fun and an unforgettable trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Managing to cycle every day and enjoying it, riding through the villages and the children giving us hi fives, doing group Mexican waves whist riding through the villages and making the children laugh at us, visiting the temples, hanging out with really fun people and enjoying drinking beer every night and still managing to get up early and cycle in the heat, the boat trips, the island home stay......the amazing delicious food.....the exodus staff......I could go on as it was all inspiring and I didn't stop smiling for a while after I returned to the UK...even the grey sky's and rain of Manchester airport!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nee was fantastic....totally looked after us and had a wicked sense of humour. All the leaders worked so hard and made our holiday so easy to enjoy. Special mention to Fila who made us all smile with his enthusiasm and cheeky sense of fun......

Advice for Potential Travellers

Kit list musts for this trip 1. Good size water bladder with bag section - can recommend osprey - would not have been without it! 2. Anti bacterial gel/hand wipes/pocket tissues - lots of but you can easy buy out there 3. Long sleeve cycle top or cycle arms to stop you getting burnt - I didn't have them but wished I did. 4. Padded gel seat to go on bike. Don't really need your own saddle as bikes are pretty good - specialised. 5. comfy shorts that can be rolled up easily going in to temples and loose long sleeved shirt 6. Recommend water sport sandles to cycle in, instead of socks and trainers - make a downpour much more pleasant and cooler! Only need 1 pair if they are comfy 7. You will need mosquito wipes and sun cream - take small pack size for your water bladder bag 8. Sunnys, cycle helmet, summer cycle gloves 9. Anti histamine tablets if you react to bites and mossy bite relief - I only got bitten 3 - 4 times though 10. Something nice-ish to wear in evening when go to restaurant or bar .... Top tip - don't take too much as you will not need much on cycle days.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight has to be the day we climbed to the summit on Killy.  It was a long exhausting day starting at midnight and finishing some 15 hours later.Ours was a small group of 7, mostly in their early 30's apart from my wife and I in our late 50's and it was great that we all bonded so well and encouraged each other to keep going when it got tough.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide was called Naiman and in his quiet, confident manner we felt that he was using his experience to look after our well being and make sure that we had the best chance of getting to the top of both Meru and Killy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Follow the advice of the guides  - they do know best!  Try to eat at all meal times, even if you don't feel like it and drink lots of fluids.Do tell the guides if you are not feeling well, don't keep it to yourself.  They will be able to advise you based on their extensive experience of altitude.

Most Inspirational Moment

The temples and warmth of the people in Cambodia.  I have been to Vietnam a couple of times before so was not expecting this to be too much of a highlight this time around.  But I was wrong - just loved how in your face everything was.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nee is very diligent, hard working, conscientious, organised.  Could not ask her to do more!  My only suggestion would be that she not feel she needs to manage everyone's expectations at quite so low a level.  From her comments about the homestay, I was not sure I was going to like it at all.  But it was wonderful! The local guides in Cambodia and Vietnam were great as well. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Can't think  of anything.   

Most Inspirational Moment

The Great Wall of China takes your breath away.  Just outside Beijing, the wall is crowded with tourists.  Our trip took us about 3 hours outside Beijing to a section of the wall where you could look in both directions at the Wall snaking its way along the mountain tops without seeing any one walking on it.  I'd love to go back when all the autumn colours are out - I bet it is even more beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Emma, was great fun although she did get lost a few times.  She was well informed and good to be around. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

This holiday is rated as leisurely to moderate.  It is hard work with its almost constant travelling.  Pack as light as you can as you will be carrying your cases up and down a lot of stairs.  I found there were some activities that sounded really good but that I was not fit enough to do, like a 16 mile bike ride in Yangshuo.   But with a really good group and some creative thinking, it is possible to join in - it is easy to hire tandem cycles or electric cycles.  Don't settle for being left out of things.  With a bit of imagination and support from your fellow travellers, you should be able to do just about everything.