Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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165 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviewed January 2012

EVEREST BASE CAMP

It was a tough trip, especially the hill up to Namche Bazar but it was so enjoyable too. The tea lodges were so much better than we thought they would be, food was excellent and plentiful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the rock at Everest Base Camp was fantastic but equally were some of the early morning sun rises and glimpses of Everest on the way up.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Gum was brilliant, nothing was too much trouble for him and his team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of wet wipes and loo roll, a camel pack makes drinking the required amounts of water a lot easier, a naglene bottle is useful to fill with boiling water and use as a hot water bottle at night then drink the next day. Walking poles were a big help for me. Flip flops were useful for when showering. Your own pillow case to cover the pillows provided in the tea lodges is a little luxury worth taking.

Suggestions

We added the Chitwan safari on the end of our trip, this seemed very staged for tourists, the lodge and staff were very nice but but the 6 hour journey in a old taxi on very bumpy roads in near 40oC heat with no air conditioning was not what we were expecting. The lodge also had frequent power cuts so the room fan would often not work at night. The Garden of Dreams is the best place to visit in Kathmandu, it is a little area of tranquillity amongst the noise and dirt of the city and we had 2 fantastic meals inside there.

Reviewed January 2012

EVEREST BASE CAMP

A fantastic trip into the Himalayas and at the same time a chance to really feel that you accomplished something.

Most Inspirational Moment

Without doubt, making it to base camp. On the day you walk up there, you are feeling sleep deprived, tired, possibly sick and then sense of achievement and relief at making it is fantastic. Also, just walking through the mountains and seeing the beautiful snow covered peaks.On top of that the members of the group were brilliant and all helped each other get there and back. It was great to see everyone achieve their ambition.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Uggs was great and as promised very lucky. Lukla Airport had been shut for 6 days before we flew in and 6 days before we flew out. He assured us that he always got his groups in and out on time, and against all the odds we did keep exactly to schedule. The entire team were brilliant from the leader, to the rest of the guides and our yak man. They all showed great patience and gave encouragement when needed to help you get up sections if you were struggling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it. Prepare yourself though, and the more fitness you attain the less you will suffer ;-) Apart from EBC day, the other days are not too long, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. As the guides put it, if you can manage day 2 of the trek, you can manage all of it!!I took Diamox with me (just in case) but didn't need to take it. Paracetemol, ibruprofen and cold & flu tablets are enough to get you through. Don't forget your strepsils though as the Khumbu cough is a matter of when not if.

Suggestions

There is quite a lot of sitting around once you reach the next tea house to give you a chance to acclimatise and recover so take cards, books etc with you.The food was way better than I expected if a little carbtastic. You can also meet all your junkfood needs all the way to 5,400m as Pringles, Twix's and Mars Bars are available all the way up!!

Reviewed January 2012

EVEREST BASE CAMP

great people. great trek. great guides.

Reviewed December 2011

EVEREST BASE CAMP

A once in a lifetime experience. Amazing, awesome and a trully fullfilling trip. It was alway’s going to be more than just about the journey. Thankyou Christine for sharing this with me.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our first sighting of Everest was awesome, a magnificent sight.The weather was very kind to us. We were blessed with beautiful blue skies, snow capped peaks and ever changing scenery crowned with the ultimate lifetime achievement of reaching Everest Base Camp.The many faces of Ama Dablam was just incredile.The culture and humble lives of the Nepali hill people made me realise how very fortunate we are and just how much we take for granted. Prayer flags decorate the trail leaving memories of those who went before and celebrating lives of those who have never returned. It really has been an amazing trip, physically,mentally and spiritually. Believe in yourself and your abilities.This is truly an inspirational trip for everyone.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Urgen, quite a character. He was good at organising and very knowledgeable. He was respectful of the very different dynamics of the group. Urgen read our group well and in his word's alway's told us to "listen to your body" Good advice. Pace was good to allow us to get used to the altitude. He was quick to address any small problems that arose. He had the support of Chhong sherpa who I have great respect for.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Put in a few hills before you go, good cross training. Buy a metal water bottle it has two purposes. 1: A must as a hot water bottle at night in your sleeping bag ( Amazing, one of the best pieces of advice that I got) and 2 : You can drink the ware the next day. Take Chlorine tablets for the water it will save you buying it.If you do not have a sleeping bag then hire one from Exodus (Christine did and it was Fab). Loo rolls, you can buy Andrex one's that have no cardboard and do not take up a lot of room. Baby wipes are a godsend. You must try an Everest Beer, braw. Accept the culture and take each day as it comes.

Suggestions

Wunderlust is an amazing thing. If you have it and want to go here then live your dreams. This trip was everything and more than I had ever expected or imagined. Exodus surpassed all expectations. I would definitely recommend them to you.

Reviewed November 2011

EVEREST BASE CAMP

Had a wonderful time. The scenery was even more inspiring than i had imagined and the size of the mountains and valleys were awesome.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the sun come up over Everest and Nuptse from Kala Patther (5550m) and knowing i had achieved everything i had set out to do.Also looking at Everest Base Camp and thinking of all the dreams that had been achieved and the heartache it had caused.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Due to adverse weather in Lukla we were delayed 6 days. We had Sherpa Nima who took us sight seeing in Kathmandu and was there to answer any questions / queries we had (as well as showing us some excellent local restaurants). He was also excellent in the mountains and answered all the questions we had. Nothing was too much for him and he was also a very funny guy.He certainly made our trip even more enjoyable with his sense of humour and knowledge. A great wee guy & a credit to the exodus team.We also had lead guide Asay who like Nima was a very funny guy who couldn’t do enough for you. He would wake us every morning with a cup of black tea and a huge smile. Like Nima very knowledgeable guy who spoke good English.Again another credit to exodus.Also have to mention our Yak driver Fhurer (spl). He didn’t speak much English but we had some good laughs with him especially our last night in Lukla in the waves bar. Another great guy who liked a game of pool and a dance -lol

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not buy expensive trekking gear in the UK. Take boots & socks only, all other trekking gear can be bought in the Tammal area at very reasonable prices (Decent gear at a fraction of uk prices and you’ll enjoy the banter with the locals over prices).Same goes for toiletries. Travel with bare essentials from uk and you can stock up at he local supermarket across the road from the Royal Singii hotel at a fraction of uk prices.This way you save money and your kit bag is a lot lighter on the way out.At the end of our trip we donated a lot of gear to the Exodus porter scheme which will allow the porters to get the use of trekking gear that you will not be using regularly back home.

Suggestions

The driving in Kathmandu is a must see and you’ll not believe how bonkers it is. Jump in a taxi and ask the driver to take you the monkey temple via Tammal (have your video camera handy). Sit in the front if you can and enjoy the ride - you’ll love it.Due to fog / mist in lukla & Kathmandu we were delayed by 1 week from starting our original trip. In this time we were offered several alternatives which would allow us to meet our timescales for flights back home. As we were doing the trip for charity we opted out of these alternative trips and Exodus were very helpful. They paid for all our additional accommodation in Kathmandu and arranged our new flights back home and no extra cost to us. They were very helpful in dealing with any queries we had and i would thoroughly recommend them to anyone. Weather permitting you'll get approx 1.5 days in Kathmandu. Check out Tammal area, Monkey Temple & Durba Square - all worth seeing. These can be easily reached either by walking or a short taxi trip. You can even hire the taxi driver for the day for 1000NRPs (approx £9).

Reviewed November 2011

EVEREST BASE CAMP

We set out to trek to Everest Base Camp. Unfortunately the airfield at Lukla was fog-bound for a week and no-one could get there from Kathmandu. Our Exodus Group Leader, a very competent and helpful chap called Sukman made alternative arrangements for us to drive to Pokhra and trek to Annapurna Base Camp instead. The result was that we still had a really memorable time with spectacular views and many challenging days’ walking.

Most Inspirational Moment

The fact that after about 5 days of rain forest walking in grey weather we reached the tree line just as the clouds cleared and we were suddenly in the middle of exactly the type blue sky and mountain scenery that we had imagined before we set out.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was excellent and continuously re-arranged our routes and stops to account for the changing weather conditions without any fuss or mistakes. He also joined in our group and made sure that we received the best treatment in all the tea houses.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you either go with an experienced travel company or work out your own contingency plans for when the weather doesn't do what it should.

Suggestions

Have a look at the linked photos.

Reviewed November 2011

EVEREST BASE CAMP

For any trekking fan or anyone who enjoys landscapes of natural splendour this is a must on the ticklist of holidays. The scenery is fantastic, the culture is interesting and amazing and the people are just brilliant.To trek in this wilderness with a group of like minded people is not just a holiday but a lifetime experience that should be done at some point.

Most Inspirational Moment

Without doubt reaching the highest point of the trek (Kala Pattar) bang on time for sunrise beginning to peak like ethereal light over Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse after a hard and extremely cold walk up to it. Words nor photos will do that moment any justice so I wont add any more to that.Another close moment was a long day going down when all of the views were at their best due to light and sun and were able to get some truly magical photos of sunlit peaks and landscapes out of this world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sukman was simply brilliant, a nicer friendlier man you could not meet. Always smiling and always checking if everyone in the group was ok and when needed man managed individuals in the group to the end goal half hour by half hour. Also socialised well within the group and treated himself as part of the group and good fun to play Pool against (though watch the table rolling off in Namche).A special mention also for the fact that in a group of 8 people at different abilities he timed our ascent of Kala Pattar to perfection for sunrise, and we always felt in capable hands of someone who has been to basecamp 40 times plus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have any doubts on ability to do this trip don't, anybody that can trek 3 or 4 days in the Lakes or Wales for 5 or 6 hours a day can manage this. There are some hard longer days but take your time and listen to the guide and you will succeed.Above 4000m dont try and ascend like you would in this country it wont happen and you will lose breath and struggle, relearn yourself you are not summiting in a day and back - it is a long drawn out ascent. Do not hire the down jackets if you have not got one simply take layers instead - they will be easier, more effective and less stressful to repack them in the morning in your bags which is nearly impossible with a 4-5 season down jacket.At night once high (4000m or higher) sleep with a neck gaiter and hat on, the rooms are cold and you will get headaches moreso if you dont keep warm at night. Take some Tiger Balm, Olbas Oil for sinuses.

Suggestions

This is not easy but it should not be expected reaching the foot of the highest mountain in the world to be easy - at the same time it's not hard, as long as you have ability to mentally push when you need to you will succeed. Expect headaches a bit but dont jump for the Diamox there is no need take a nurofen instead. Dont go mad on prep training - we walked in the Peak District monthly for 6 months, one trip to Lakes with 40 miles covered in 4 days and biking for 15 miles and walking for 10 miles on flat regularly leading up to trek was more than enough to be ready. Exodus are an excellent company to travel with, and everything from their website and trip notes, through bookings and leading up to and the holiday itself is done professionally and with you the customer in mind whilst still looking after the communities they are trekking amongst which was clear to see. I would recommend them to a friend or anyone based on this experience.

Reviewed November 2011

EVEREST BASE CAMP

This holiday was the most amazing holiday ever. The views were out standing ,wonderful. The Exodus team looked after us very well. I would recommend this holiday to any one who loves to trek, but you do need to be fit. The group of people that were on this trek were brilliant and they helped make the holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many amazing things about this holiday . The flight to Lukla was incredible and the views were out of this world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Prem was wonderful. He told us lots of information along the way. We had fun with him and the other sherpas. They helped to make this an incredible journey.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You must be fit. This is a long slow walk up and up but its worth it. Take something like Albus oil with you to help clear your head but also to help on the odd occasion with smelly loos.

Suggestions

The weather was at its best when we went , clear blue skys and brilliant sunshine. So i would recommend going at the begining of October. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

Reviewed November 2011

EVEREST BASE CAMP

This trek exceeded my expectations. Although very exhausting and a test of endurance and stamina it was an absolutely fantastic achievement to reach Base Camp and Kala Patar. As our leader says this is a "Life time experience, not a holiday’ He was absolutely right and I can’t wait to go back and do the Annapurna Circuit.

Most Inspirational Moment

Landing in Lukla is something I'll never forget!! Stunning all round scenery.The whole trek was an inspiration and you don't really appreciate what you've achieved until it's over. Our group, our leader and his team were a great bunch of people, we had many laughs.I'll be going back.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pasang was an inspirational leader, ensuring everyone in our group got the best possible memories out of their holiday. Pasang was very sociable and friendly. We were all very well looked after, there was always something in his medicine bag to help us out with any health issues, and there were a few!! Pasang and his team worked extremely hard to make our trek, enjoyable and rewarding. Hot tea to wake us up, even when it was 5 am sometimes!! His knowledge of the Himalayas, the culture and the history was second to none.Pasang introduced us to local dance or he tried to after we all had one or two beers, I don't think anybody was quite getting it right but we sure had a laugh trying. Great after trek party.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a life time experience of a trek. It's a grade C so most people would expect it to be difficult at times. A certain level of fitness is recommended as trekking for 12 days back to back is very exhausting, and with the advice from Pasang everybody had the legs to achieve their goal. "Slowly, slowly, slowly take in the scenery and take your time". Altitude can affect any body whether you are fit ot not, listenening to the leader's advice got us through it.