Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The sunrise on the ascent and the views from the summit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham organised everything brilliantly. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack well, you will need less clothes than you think, but do have a change of clothes for the camp, even though you spend most of the day walking, I found changing in the evening really refreshing. Buy the best kit that you can afford, especially boots (the majority of the group had solomon boots). If you cant afford a decent jacket hire one, my son did and it was excellent. I would also recommend the hired sleeping bags, we did and weren't cold at night, some of our group brought their own and were cold. Be prepared for cold nights, once the sun drops below the horizon the temperature seriously drops it's near freezing most nights. Take the trip one step at a time, don't think about tomorrow just think about the walk till lunch, breaking it down really helped. My last bit of advise is to think positively. Your fitness will get you through each day, but mental toughness will get you to the summit.

Most Inspirational Moment

Two stand-out; the first is the spectacular vistas of the Matterhorn when it finally comes into view on the final day's walking into Zermatt, until then the mountain remains hidden except for the odd fleeting distant glance.The second was the optional ascent of the Breithorn some of us completed on the free day in Zermatt, completing my first European 4000m peak and the stunning views right across the Alps and the Bernese Oberland, with both Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn visible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mike (a new leader for Exodus this year) was an excellent group leader/ mountain guide, his knowledge and experience in the mountains was very impressive. Mike always gave you confidence he was in control however demanding the situation, including when we got snowed off the mountain at the Cabane Mont Fort!Jayne & John the support crew/chefs were also excellent, the tents were always up and tea ready for us when we arrived in camp, even when we arrived at Les Hauderes a day early. The food in camp was impressive, first time I've had duck whilst camping.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn is a fantastic route with amazing scenery and the Exodus trip is very well organised, so if you are looking for a fantastic journey through the Alps with all the hassles sorted this could be the trip for you.The walking is demanding so you do need a good fitness level for the trip, the days are harder than the Tour du Mont Blanc.Remember the weather can do anything in the Alps especially at the start/end of the season so be prepared for that, we had most things from 30 degress and sunshine to heavy snow over the two weeks (that much snow is not normal for the end of August though).

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many; the one that has stuck with me most was hearing how the siege of Sarajevo effected our guides and their families personally.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable, warm and friendly. Anaid in particular deserves a special mention.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's a fascinating part of Europe that is well worth a visit.

Most Inspirational Moment

So much to be inspired by; bathing elephants, making new friends, eating home cooked curries by the fire, learning new words and songs through daily teachings from our guide and seeing traditional stilt fisherman trying to make a living in all weathers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujee went above and beyond the call of duty - he was amazing, so organised, caring and his ultimate objective each day was to ensure that we all had a great time - nothing was too much for him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book now!  Sri Lanka is a country trying so hard to recover from so many years of adversity - the people are a joy and the country is very rich in its variation in scenary and climate with so many hidden joys to discover.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing soaring condors nearby in Colca Climbing around Machu Picchu  Sandboarding  near Ica and being amazed at how much I enjoyed it 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent  Good - very good - leader  Thought ahead about the expected and the unexpected  Very well  informed  A credit to you 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The flight via Amsterdam are much more conveniently timed  than those via the US And listen when your guide tells you to keep drinking water - when we got cavalier about this we did feel some - avoidable - altitude sickness 

Most Inspirational Moment

Without a doubt the final climb to Gilmans and then the summit was the highlight.  It was a tough evening but the sense of achievement at the top was amazing.We got on well as a group so it was brilliant that we all reached the top

Thoughts on Group Leader

The head guide Henry was excellent we had detailed breifings and good advice throughout the trip. Also his team of guides were very good.  They took execellent care of us particularly on summit night.In addition the porters were incredible - our porter met us half way down Kibo to help us with our day pack, and the food on the mountain was of a really high standard and there was plenty of it!

Advice for Potential Travellers

* Summit night was cold so be prepared* Take earplugs to help sleep in camp* We took diamox and would recommend taking it* Walking poles are on the kit list as optional but would def recommend taking them

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu after four amazing days walking was incredible, to the point I burst into tears. The site truly is magnificent and no words can describe Machu Picchu or the surrounding area. It's out of this world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial was incredible. Fantastic sense of humour, extremely well organised. He planned each day's walk so that we avoided the masses. I often found myself walking parts of the trail alone, although the guides were just a few metres in front or behind me, but it felt like it was our own. Ricky was also amazing, funny, cheeky in the best way and always had the best interests of the group at heart.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Layers are a must although the 7kg weight limit is difficult to stick to. However when you see the porters and how much they carry, you understand why the limit is 7kg. Good waterproofs as we had some rain are a must as is a good warm sleeping bag as it got cold at night on the trek.  Take a walking pole or two. We are so pleased we did in the end as they are a god send. Expect a lot of steps. Especially on day two. The walk is tough at points but stick to the pace of your guide and you will be fine.  We didn't suffer too badly with altitude sickness but we did take Ibuprofen regularly throughout the trip to stave off any symptoms. Also a water reservoir is much better than a water bottle as you can sip constantly which stops you stop starting alot on the up bits.We loved the hot springs at the end of the final day, as the feeling of hot water on your skin was amazing. (We also turned them into a Brits abroad holiday as we all had beers and were quite loud, very funny).Take something warm for the flight just in case the overnight flight is cold, like ours was and pack some spare clothes, toothbrush, baby wipes etc. in you hand luggage as the travelling is quite long.Enjoy every minute, as like I am now, you'll miss being on the trek so much. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mike is an exceptional leader.   He clearly has a passion for the outdoors and his knowledge was impressive.    Mike did an excellent job for the 2 weeks!  :)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it!  you will not regret it.   Its a good physical challenge

Most Inspirational Moment

Has to be when a young chap fell to his knees and asked his girlfriend to marry him. In Machu Picchu at the Temple of the Sun with all our group looking on. She said Yes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excelllent guide, very knowledgeable and very well read.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not much, it's a 4 day trek, the 2nd day is indeed a bit difficult, the 3 rd day is so and so, first and last are really easy. Service was very attentive, food was excellent but I still recommend you drink one dose of Dukoral beforehand just in case. Lots of stray dogs in Cuzco, way too many, none was aggresive but still, I felt uncomfortable, a dog bite is an immediate trip ending event. The 7 kg maximum porter bag weight was really hard to cope with. We had some rain, it was the last week in August, make sure you pack rain gear. Have sun screen and use it! also a light hat, the sun is very strong plus the hat will make double duty and protect you from burning. If you forgot anything there lots of stores in Cuzco where you can buy pretty much everything including memory cards for the camera. Pharmacies too if you need something. There are lots of ATMs in Cuzco, no issues. You should also be able to buy Peruvian soles from your local bank before leaving, I was able to in Canada. USD are accepted pretty much everywhere, exchange was roughly 2.5 new soles per USD. Take USD, no Euros or Sterling. Credit cards are also widely accepted. The hotel Exodus uses in Cuzco is a good choice. Do go on the side trips on the day of arrival and the following day, they are interesting and you will have the opportunity to see Inca ruins, craft markets and beautiful scenery. Do take it easy on the first and even 2nd day in Cuzco, it is 3,300 meters and you feel it the moment you exit the plane. Do not run!! it gradually gets better, when you're back from the trek you can run if you so wish.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing teh 360 degree view on Friday and being able to have lunch at such a magnificient spot.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I think Oliver is a very experienced leader, with a day he could assess everyone's capabilities within the group. He could accurately predict times, which I found a great help.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for good walking over the number of hours stated in the brochure. If you enjoy walking and are reasonably fit, all you need to do is pray for good weather and then just enjoy!