Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The raw beauty of the last long hike - with a swim in a freezing blue mountain lake- .... unforgettable!Tea with one of the villagers, after visiting the school and walking around the village.A Hamam visitn Marrakech; we ended up in a very normal one, not meant for tourists. Once we overcame our inhibitions, we had a great relaxing time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

excellent. A Berber himself, he has inside knowledge of these mountains and the culture.He set a good pace, and was always friendly and pleasant company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

the temperature drops quickly in the evening. You might appreciate having a pair of warm non-walking socks.

Suggestions

It is a shame the flight and transfer were so late. We were rather shattered the next day. Some of us had to change rooms in the Marrakech hotel, as the air conditioning was not working.

Most Inspirational Moment

The blue whale watching trip off the south coast stood out.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter was enthusiastic and well organised, ensuring each day ran smoothly. The phrases "there will be undulations" and "let's try a new shortcut" essentially both meant severe hill climbing. But he led a good team that ensured we didn't get lost and always had snacks and drinks when they were most needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the days are tough; with the heat and road surfaces they require a good level of fitness.

Suggestions

A good way of seeing the country off the main roads generally.

Most Inspirational Moment

seeing and walking the ruins. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arzu was FANTASTIC!!!!! She was great! Knew what she was talking about, very knowledgable, inspiring, and i would love to take another trip with her!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do everything offered!! Even the small, little side things that didnt seem important were!!

Suggestions

The driver, Mustafa was excellent!!The hot air balloon ride was phenomenal!! And the driver was amazing!!!! 29 years experience made me feel soo safe!!I thought the last night may have been a little more special, instead of a smoky, loud bar, and i couldnt talk to anyone.In Celcuk, the Hitit hotel was TERRIBLE!!!!!!!! Worst hotel We staying in, by far!!! Dirty sheets, birds nest outside the window, no fire precautions, bathroom door didnt shut, nor did the toilet flush.. other than that, i had a GREAT time!! 

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit to Wadi Rum was very good, mostly because I had the chance to ride a camel for the first time - and a very pleasant experience it was too! The facilities at the site were OK, but would have preferred either very rudimentary or luxury, the Wadi Rum site is somewhere in between and doesn't quite hit the mark.Petra was definitely my favourite site. It was great that we had two full days as you definitely need this to have any chance of exploring the massive and well preserved site.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khaled was very good, he mostly directed us to where we needed to be and then let us get on with the exploring. He was always approachable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wadi Rum - definitely bring your own sleeping bag. There are beds and bedding materials, but you'll sleep better with your own stuff. And don't forget your ear plugs if you are a light sleeper. Alcohol - unsurprisingly not that common in Jordan, so if you really need a tipple with dinner bear this in mind as most restaurants don't serve it.

Suggestions

A really great insight into the country, and though the tour is only 9 days you really do get to see the main sites. The Dead Sea was fun.. you are REALLY buoyant! Petra is AMAZING.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were lots of wonderful moments.  Once I had managed to relax on the elephant ride it was a fantastic experience.  The elephant orphanage was worth visiting.  The safari was very exciting.  When there was a sighting by the tracker who was accompanying our group but in a different vehicle to us our driver received a phone call and off we went at speed in our truck to find it.  We were very lucky seeing a sloth bear and a leopard but seeing the wild elephants, buffalo, macat monkeys, crocodiles and loads more was wonderful.  On our cycle ride we saw loads of beautiful kingfishers and other birds.  The cold Lion beer and a home cooked meal in the middle of the ride was delicious.  Sri Lanka is beautiful country it was wonderful seeing so much and so many beautiful views.  Oh, I forgot to mention the temples.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Sujan was great.  He was very knowledgeable about nearly everything and what he did not know he seemed to have a book about it.  He was good company.  We all felt very safe and cared for.  All little stresses were taken away from us.  There was a kitty for Sujan to do all tipping and other sundry expenditure.  The bottled water was sorted for us.  He told us when we could change more money and where. He also encouraged us to be mindful that were a group and to be considerate of the others.  He made sure that the group went at the speed of our slowest member. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

There was a lot of packing and unpacking because of the number of hotels we stayed in, so organise your luggage if possible.  It also meant that it was difficult to get clothes washed and dried.  The hotels did offer a laundrey service but we were not always there long enough to get it done.  It was hot and humid and I would take more underwear.

Most Inspirational Moment

I can't pick only one thing!  From Maria's brilliant food, to the stunning views in the El Chorro gorge, to the mass of wild flowers we saw on our walks, to the Easter Sunday parade in the next village, to the carriage ride round Seville - I loved every minute of it. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

All I can say is that Roger definitely lived up to the previous reviews about him on the website - and more.  Pretty much anything that our group needed during the week Roger was able to produce out of his daysack or his "office".  This included wet weather gear for those who had come without, a spare rucksack, a walking pole, and a shorter self-guided walk for a couple of us who opted out of one of the more strenuous daywalks.  On our first daywalk we were a little surprised to see the Cortijo dogs suddenly appear at our first water break (although they had been locked in when we left, they had managed to track which way we'd gone and catch us up).  But yet again Roger was ready for the dogs' Great Escape, calling the Cortijo to say the dogs were safe and with us, and then making improvised leads from rope he had in his rucksack.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's definitely worth taking walking poles - there are quite a few ascents and descents on the walks, nothing too much but I was glad to have my poles with me.  Also, it's worth thinking about what you are going to do on your last day, whilst waiting for your flight.  We all flew back at various times on the Saturday evening, but had to be out of our rooms in the Cortijo by mid morning.  It wasn't a problem for our group as between us we found various things to do - some of us went for walks, or to the village for tapas, or just chilled out at the Cortijo.  Perhaps Exodus could think of some possible options, and include in future trip notes......?

Suggestions

Only that I can see why other people have returned to the Cortijo more than once - and I'm fairly certain I'll be doing the same.  It was a great trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the high ridges and reaching the peaks.  I didn't manage to do the highest peak but did the second highest!  Not bad as I am new to all this and certainly wasn't the fittest in the group or the youngest!  Such marvellous views in such an unspoilt area of Tuscany.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara's the best!  She is a very experienced guide whose enthusiasm for nature, etc., is so evident plus her knowledge of the surrounding area is superb.  She has a lovely personality, a very caring person, and one always felt confident of her decisions, etc., be it for the capabilities of the group plus all aspects of safety during our walks as she always had our wellbeing forefront in her mind.  She had some very entertaining stories of her guiding experiences which we really enjoyed listening to, which she usually told us whilst we were relaxing on the side, or top, of a mountain during lunch breaks, etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You do need to be fit as there's a lot of walking up some very steep hills and ridges.  It was much tougher than I had imagined, but not beyond most fit people.  I would recommend doing some hill walking before you go.

Suggestions

Don't worry whether or not you'll have a good time if you haven't done it before - you really will!  You will meet like minded people!

Most Inspirational Moment

For me; completing the walks was inspirational since technically I was not possibly as fit as I needed to be!  The advantage to taking the walks more slowly meant I had time to absorb the scenery and appreciate the smaller details that can get missed so easily when you are walking faster.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara herself is inspirational - she has so much knowledge of the region and yet she is truly absorbed too by the tiny details of nature - she is also a fantastic photographer!  I appreciated the fact that she motivated the slower people in the group to keep going, without ever putting pressure on us.   She is a true professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My only advice would be that although the walk was classed as moderate; there were challenging aspects and a good level of fitness is desirable.

Suggestions

I was truly impressed with the holiday - lovely accommodation; good food and an excellent guide!

Most Inspirational Moment

The husky sledding for me was the absolute highlight but cross country skiing around the 'Basecamp' lake to the second lake and into a forest that was something straight out of Narnia and making it to the top off the ice-climbing tower... actually the entire week was full of inspirational moments!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eki was great, really knowledgable and friendly. The whole team was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Basecamp do supply everything you need, although we found that our own thermals were welcome, it was so warm and the ones they provide are fleecy, ours actually helped keep us cool! We also had our own socks and gloves which I prefered but again these are provided if needed. End of March beginning of April was very sunny, so sunscreen and sunglasses are definitely needed.

Suggestions

Just an absolutely fabulous week, couldn't fault it... apart from having to come home at the end! There is quite a lot of free time so it's up to you whether you choose to take out the skis/ snowshoes that are free to use or the optional activities, which can add up but we had read the trip notes so were prepared to pay the extra. We actually ran out of time to do everything we wanted so will be returning one winter soon!

Most Inspirational Moment

Our walk through miles of lemon grass in Tamil Nadu and seeing the craggy peak of Meesapulima, through whispy clouds. We had previously climbed Meesapulima from the soft grassy Keralan side and the change in its appearance and the terrains marked the difference between the territories in a dramatic way. The Sri Meenakshi temple at  Madurai was an assault on the senses. There was loud beating music, smells of Jasmine and incense, emotive pilgrims dancing, all existing together with a museum and shops, within one of the most architecturally astonishing buildings I have seen. The  intrically worked multi-coloured towers were astonishing in themselves.  Outside in a rickshaw we thought we were being attacked until we realised we were being were showered in holy water.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was charming and delightful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget to take antiseptic wash, sun cream and mosquito deterrent. With ample use of all three, I suffered no il efects from the trip.

Suggestions

It was a very good holiday!