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I was primarily interested in the Inka Trail and Machu Pichu but the rain forest and Lake Titicaca were brilliant. Three holidays in one.
First clear glimpses of Machu Pichu.
Brilliant,brilliant, brilliant. Well done Carlos. He was everything a guide should be and more. I would class him as a friend.
Trip notes give most of the information but I would stress the deet, sun cream and walking poles for the Inka Trail.
I must again stress the quality of the main guide,Carlos. The local guide in the Rain Forest Louis was also excellent.
Wonderful trip as it combined beautiful, ever-changing scenery, amazing temples, picturesque rural scenes, wildlife and colourful markets. Our guide was lively and funny, and our group was friendly, so we had a lot of laughs along the way.
The relaxing houseboat cruise and canoe trip were so enjoyable as we could observe village life, coir spinning, birds, etc. in their beautiful, quiet and exotic surroundings. Walking through tea plantations in Munnar was also lovely - they are dotted with silver oaks and stetch for miles over rolling hills, with some high mountains in the distance, and the tea pluckers, all women, working in groups, were friendly and interesting to watch.
Avtar was likeable, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and fond of jokes and silly expressions, one of which "easily peasily, lemon squeezily" I couldn't get out of my mind for days after my return... He took pride in his job and tried to show us lots of things to break up the coach journeys, which he called adding spices. Although he generally kept an eye on our group when sight-seeing, he let people wander off occasionally and wasn't quite strict enough about setting off on time (himself included); on the other hand, he was patient and resourceful, e.g. he proposed an (easier) alternative walk when he discovered that the steep Munnar trek would be disappointing as the tea plants had been cut down in that area. Also, as no one wanted to do the optional excusion from Kovalam to Kanyakumari, he took us on a walk to see the Fishermen's Beach, and was willing to accompany us if we had free time or offer advice on what to do. He refunded unused kitty money to us on the last day.
It was very hot and also very humid the further south we went, so perhaps best to go before March. I would not advise visiting the Periyar Tiger Reserve in March because the wild elephants are irritable during this dry season and have calves and could charge at any moment (NB: tigers have not been seen by tourists for years). Our local guides were clearly frightened and often told us to run when spotting an elephant that could be aggressive, but had been told we wanted to take photos of elephants and it was difficult to persuade them that we actually wanted to leave! We could not do the Periyar Lake boat cruise because tickets were sold out when Avtar tried to get some a few days beforehand. A reservation system has just been re-introduced and includes a significant booking fee but even so there's no guarantee that places will be available. No one wanted to queue up for 2 hours and risk not going and it would have been particularly bad on the day we were scheduled to go because it was a Sunday, when local Indians go. Swimming can be dangerous in Kovalam because of currents - the waves are high and surfing is possible, so best to swim in hotel pool.
Funnily enough we weren't bothered much by mosquitoes. The food was really good and cheap - a lot of vegetarian meals but quite a bit of fresh fish and some meat. The coach was comfortable and the microphone worked well so we could hear everything that Avtar said. The driver and assistant were good. The roads weren't too bad and we stopped frequently as there's always something to see by the roadside, e.g. brick-making, religious processions and colourful markets, which broke up the journeys - Avtar did consult us first to make sure we wouldn't prefer to drive fast and arrive earlier at our destination! I loved this holiday with its variety of things to see especially the martial art and Kathakali shows which were new to me.
Nervous of going on the trip alone I was immediately made to feel welcome by other trip members and the leader.
The most exciting part for me was the experience of the Inca Trail. Lots of things I would rather not have done ie chemical toilets, camping on hard ground but all this was put in the shade by the experience of climbing above the clouds. The scenery was fantastic.
Our group leader was very professional and caring. I was ill in Puno but he very quietly showed his concern and arranged for me to sit at the front of the coach. He was very knowledgable about all aspects of Peru and the archaeaology of the sites.
Listen to the advice of the Tour Leader and I am sure you will learn a lot and enjoy the experience of the trip as fully as possible.
Go with an open mind and experience everything you can.
Jordan is a lovely country: the people are friendly, the landscape is constanty changing and the historic sites have been beautifully restored.
We had an amazing trip and my group of fellow travellers were great. It was a shame it only lasted a week.Jerash was a lovely surprise as I had not appreciated there would be other ancient cities apart from Petra (my lack of prior research!), and a great way to start the trip.Visiting the dead sea and covering ourselves in Dead Sea Mud was a great way for the group to bond very quickly, especially when it reacted with my sun cream and gave me orange stripes!And well, what can I say about Petra-it lives up to every expectation and I am so glad we had 2 whole days to spend there. Although, I still didn't see it all.
He was efficient and friendly, but did not necessarily blend into the group as well as other tour leaders I have had previously in other countries with exodus.
It is more expensive than I expected, especially with the current exchange rate, but the exodus suggested amount was adequate.
It is not at all like other middle eastern countries that I have visited previously, eg egypt. People are very friendly and welcoming and when they say hello it is not followed with the hard sell-they do just want a conversation, so you can feel really relaxed and at ease. There is also no hassle for blonde females on their own. I think it is an amazing country and I would love to go back as only 1 week is not long enough.
Loved Vietnam, beautiful food, stunning scenery, fascinating history. The trip was hectic, perhaps too hectic at times and does not allow enough time in each place to really soak in the local atmosphere or to explore on your own. Felt like we were on a strict schedule which could not be altered – too ‘organised’ and too much ‘tour guide chat’ for my liking.
Despite appalling weather and the cold, Halong Bay was spectacular and the boat we were on was excellent as was the food provided. Trekking in the hills north of Hanoi was tough but brilliant – the flora was amazing and witnessing the incredible hard work needed to grow rice was quite humbling – I'll never complain at the price in the supermarket ever again!The mopeds. Sheer entertainment, you never knew what you were going to see next transported on one the thousands on the road – could be dozens of eggs, chickens or even someone with his leg in plaster and crutches! The food everywhere was terrific and I am definitely converted to this style of cooking – bring on the fish sauce! Cycling was fun but quite intensive in the Mekong Delta, especially if you're not so young or fit!
Our guide was full of information and history which was good but it was a case of information overload at times. Added to this, being a local (which is good) however, his English was not always understandable which did not help. His instructions about the next day's schedule and arrangements was often lost in translation leaving some members of the group confused as to what was needed or happening. This all sounds a bit negative but he was a very nice person who was trying to please and show off his country. I feel the culture difference e.g. his and our expectations, was a bit of a barrier.
If you don't like package holidays, don't do this trip, too much herding. In 14 days you only get 2 days in the same hotel so make sure you have an easy access suitcase! On the plus side, things are very cheap - food, clothing (get shoes, suits, shirts made to measure in a day or less in Hoi An). We stayed in some great homestays which I found the best accommodation. Some of the hotels were a bit characterless but to be fair you don't get much time in them as most days have a very early start. Fun night on the train to Hue – was like the scene out of Some Like it Hot!
By special request, we were taken to a 'snake farm' which turned out to be an appalling zoo. The concept of animal welfare is completely alien here and our guide just did not understand why we were so horrified by what we saw at Ve Tham Quan Trai Ran Dong Tam. Bears in tiny cages without a blade of grass or any form of activity, snakes in concrete boxes again completely bare, otters with minimal water to swim in and monkeys with metal collars round their necks with only a metre or two of chain to allow movement fixed halfway up a tree. Totally depressing and inhumane.The trip is a whirlwind tour and it certainly gave you a flavour of the country. Would definitely go back but under my own steam so I could spend more time exploring at my own pace.
I'm glad I did the two week cruise to see the different terrain, flora and fauna. A great experience to get so close to wild animals. I can't swim, but with the help of a bouyancy aid and hired snorkel, mask and fins it was fantastic.
It's difficult resisting the temptation to stroke the animals, but you are not allowed to. That does not stop the sea lions coming up to you both on land and when snorkelling.
Our leader, Juan, was excellent. He spoke very good English and was enthusiastic and had encyclopaedic knowledge of the Galapagos. He even played his guitar and arranged a sing-song for when we crossed the equator.
Travel light and bring plenty of sunscreen.
Again I have had a great holiday with Exodus and will no doubt be travelling with them again. The trip notes etc are very helpful, but here are a few points that would make them even more helpful and would avoid people taking unnecessary items or having trouble fitting things in on the return trip. I had never been on a yacht and assumed the cabins would be about the same as on the Vavilov/Ioffe ships on the polar trips. But the Cachalotte cabins are much smaller with minimal storage space. Thankfully I used a rucksack that could squash down to fit in the small space under the bunk. If you are sharing with a stranger, storage space is even more limited. The Cachalotte and Napo provided bathroom towels and biodegradeable soap and shampoo, so you don't need to take these. The Cachalotte also provided beach towels.The flight to Napo bans all pressurised aerosols, so take a roll-on deodorant for that bit of the trip. The Quito hotel will store any items that you don't need for Napo. Don't bother with a washing line or pegs - there are pegs on the Cachalotte so that you can hang your washing on the wire handrail on deck. As soon as you arrive on the Cachalotte and when you arrive at Napo, you are given a 1 litre refillable drinking bottle to use and keep, so don't bother taking one. (although a Camelbak is handy when walking carrying a camera). The Cachalotte also give you a tee shirt, so that is one less to take.Day one in the Galapagos visits the Darwin Research Centre, where you can buy decent tee-shirts for $15, so that's another one you don't need to take. The bouyancy aids worn whilst on the pangas that take you ashore each day are perfectly adequate for a total non-swimmer to use when snorkelling. It would be a great shame to miss the snorkelling just because you are not confident in the water. Most days the water was warm when snorkelling but in a couple of places it was chilly so a summer shortie wetsuit would be handy but not essential. The Cachalotte had a couple of walking sticks (one may have been a broom handle!) that are useful on a couple of the walks on trickier terrain. It would be useful if they had a few more proper walking poles so that people do not have to carry their own. The trip notes suggest taking plastic beach shoes for wet landings. I took them and never used them. For most walks, trekking sandals (preferably closed toes) are sufficient. But as you are required to wash your shoes each time you get back on board ship to avoid transfer of seeds etc to the next island, your shoes are going to get wet anyway. And for days when walking boots are needed, use your sandals to land, then dry your feet and change to boots. I was expecting to sit on hard seats in the Napo boats but was pleased to find that they had comfy cushions. They also provide ponchos for if it is raining heavily (but you should still take your own waterproofs). When returning home, do not buy duty free booze if you have to change planes in the USA or EU. Even though it may be in a sealed duty free shop bag and you have the receipts, it will still be confiscated by security and you will not be allowed to take it on your connecting flight. I lost $25 worth. And here are a few suggestions for improvements: The Cachalotte needs to keep a bigger stock of tee shirts so that everyone can get the right size. Several people had to make do with what they were given. All guides should carry a first aid kit on every outing. A fall on sharp lava or a spikey plant can cause nasty injuries. It would be useful to have a computer on board that could be used to backup camera memory cards onto a CD or DVD. As we waste so much time in Quito in case there are delays etc, have a second contingency free half day trip to the cable car or other attraction for days when everything goes smoothly and to schedule.
This was a fantastic holiday. Gave a chance to exercise but also to rest. The hospitality was most courteous, the roads in Jordan excellent, the hotels very comfortable and the food was so typical. Just GREAT!
Petra itself was outsanding and more than I could ever have expected. The rock formations and the (natural) colour schemes were out of this world. A stay in the Bedouin camp and the camel ride through the desert were true highlights. It was soul refreshing to be able to have a walk in the desert as the sun rose and take in the stillness of it all.
Our group leader was most knowledgeable, always ready to help and making sure we lacked nothing.
For that time of year, take a few extra jumpers because it WAS cold due to icy winds from the North West (?)
The bikes were in very good shape (wish mine could have taken me up some of those hills!!!) but the bus was always there to pick up anyone who wished. I pushed my bike instead... another opportunity to look at that majestic landscape! Having said that, there were more downhills than climbs and the whole journey was not too taxing at all. The mechanic was outstanding and the 'chaperones' on the rides were absolute aces on their bikes. That's what I call real cyclists! It was kind of reassuring to have a tourist police escort on the way too.
An amazing country, full of interesting and extremely friendly people. A challenging and exhausting two weeks but all self-inflicted fun. You will not want the holiday to end and you will definately want to do it all again.
Not being funny, but watching someone from your trip unknowingly pull 9 people in three taxi-bikes has got to inspire you! ;-)
Extremely well organised, very informative, took great care in making sure everyone was ok and enjoying themselves...most of all he was a lot of fun!Let's not forget the coach driver and support bus driver...they were also extremely amusing and very caring...jokes and banter were shared despite the obvious language barrier! It was the people who made the holiday just that much more special.
Go on this trip, without a doubt!I didn't even cycle before going to Cuba so I was a bit concerned I wouldn't be able to keep up, but the group tended to split off into capabilty levels (depending on how many mojitos were drank the night before) and no one was really competitive and no one got left behind. You do need a good level of fitness before going and the cycling is sometimes quite challenging (against the wind), but it was all worth it and you can always reward yourself with a well deserved mojito or two..
I think the balance between memorable and exciting cycling, and visiting some wonderful historic places was just right. Great fun and recommended.
Cycling full pelt downhill for 30km in about 50 minutes.......starting in the mist, rain and cold weather at the top of the mountain and ending up safe and sound at the bottom with the biggest smile on my face!
Chi was the leader - what a great chap....couldn't have wished for a better tour leader.
If you go in March, the temperature difference between south and north is very noticeable. The mountains outside Dalat are colder than you will probably pack for.........and Halong Bay was a bit nippy too. Take a fleece and a light rain-proof jacket. Oh, and the coach will not have heating....just air con. No issues with mozzies, the hotels are great. Look out for the old propaganda posters to buy in Hanoi.
My second cycling trip with Exodus - the previous was Cuba - and this was better. As ever, it's the group that makes the difference, and I was lucky enough to have a great one.
Vietnam is very populated country. There are people everywhere: children, weddings, and specially mopeds. It is loud. Anytime of the day, anywhere there is a moped next to you : wwwuuuuu, you hear. And everybody pushing the horn, biiiii …. in Europe it is a sign of danger, in Vietnam it means: look, I am coming. People are nice yet they speak limited English. Landscape is superb and very diverse. The trip was very well organised. The things I disliked – they took us to restaurants that rather offered wanna-be western food rather than local, some were real tourist traps- 3 of 4 leaders did not speak English – would have been nice to talk to them more, only Chi our main guide did (he was a very good guy though)
- day5 the downhill section from Dalat mountain to sea level, 30km all downhill at a speed of over 40kmh, RIDE OF MY LIFE - day 10 the penninsula on the way to Hue City, this was most like in guide books, this is the vietnam they show on TV
Chi was very good, excellent guy, very fit biker
- suncare, long sleeve shirts for the ride
thank you
