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Reviews

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

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133 Reviews

4.9 out of 5

Reviews

A fantastic trip in an unexpectedly beautiful area

I loved this trip. The hiking was a great level for a sporty but relaxed holiday, with hikes that were just the right length and suitably varied. The scenery was stunning and the mountains weren’t crowded, we passed a few local hikers but were largely on our own. Jose the guide was so passionate about the area and was full of information about the plants and animals of the mountains.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Aitana Peak trip on the final day because the scenery was just glorious.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic. Jose was relaxed and friendly and great at accommodating different abilities and speeds within the group. He's full or passion and knowledge for the area. He's a great guide!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and difficulty rating before booking (the trip was rated 4 out of 7 - Moderate / Challenging at the time we did it). For us this wasn't a tough hiking trip, but it was slightly more challenging that some of our fellow travellers expected. One frequent Exodus hiker said it was tougher than some other similarly rated trips he'd been on. Jose was great at making sure everybody had a great trip though and this didn't affect anybody's enjoyment, we stuck to a pace that suited everybody and Jose made sure we were all comfortable. Bring lots of layers as we experienced lots of different weather in February. Be prepared for beautiful scenery and great food!

Challenging Trek With An Excellent Guide and Support Team

This was an excellent week of walking. The paths are steep in some places but well defined and Jose guided us with care and attention on the challenging ascents and descents of the Sierra Aitana. The walks were well-paced by Jose but the days are long so you do need to be fit. We trekked through a number of landscapes illustrating the historic and current use of the area and Jose with his local knowledge enhanced our understanding of how this area has evolved over the centuries as well as the current challenges. The views from the walks were amazing – one way you could see the coast from Alicante to Benidorm and beyond and the other the folding valleys and mountains of the interior. The skies were blue and the days sunny and warm and we experienced very little wind even on the summits. We were based at the Hostel Rincon de Pepe where we had a wonderful week being looked after by Raquel. The food was amazing and hearty (three courses plus wine). The terrace was also great place to have breakfast every morning as the sun rose out of the Med, as well as a beer or two after the walk as the sun disappeared behind the mountains.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Puig Campana. This was a challenging walk but worth the effort as the panoramic views especially over the coast were stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was an excellent leader and guide. He was informative, approachable and very organised and had a good support team. Jose briefed us every day so we knew the detail and the challenges of the next walk and made sure we were prepared. Jose's sandwiches which he made for us every day are rightly legendary as is his paella. He made recommendations and arrangements for each of us for our free day and even ferried us around. Nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was clear, dry and the right temperature for walking but taking many layers is the best approach as it can cool down quickly out of the sun. It is strenuous in parts so you do need to be fit, have a head for heights and have some good boots.

Outstanding week's walking with a great guide and a relaxed environment

This is a great week’s walking in a little-known (and underrated) part of Spain. The Aitana range is a compact set of mountains so you get to tick off almost all of it, and there are great views from the top of all the peaks, out to the coast and across to the surrounding peaks. Most of the walks are reasonably demanding, but also rewarding.
Being based in one location, with very short transfers (or none) for each walk makes for a very relaxing week aside from the walking. It’s also a fairly short transfer to/from Alicante Airport.
The vast majority of meals are included which makes it much better value than some other (apparently similarly priced) holidays.
Jose the guide is exceptional: hard-working, helpful, supportive and deeply knowledgeable about the area.

Most Inspirational Moment

Personally I really enjoyed the Pico de Serrella day, as it had a very nice mix of different types of terrain, with lots of variation. The Aitana peak (the highest in the range) was also a great day. Although it's the highest point in the range, the approach to it was mainly fairly gradual and pleasant. The scramble up to the Pas de la Rabosa (including the squeeze through "Fat Man's Agony") was also good fun!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was outstanding in every way. He knows the area like the back of his hand so there's no-one better as a source of information. But on top of that he was friendly, good-humoured and supportive, and we always knew we were in safe hands. And the sandwiches he made for the lunches were amazing!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare properly for some solid days' walking with some tricky ascents/descents and lots of uneven ground. The raw stats on the itinerary may not look too intimidating, but the terrain makes it harder work than those would suggest. So if you want to enjoy it, make sure you've done some preparation! Be equipped with lots of layers to accommodate varying weather during the day. During our trip the weather was very good and there was no rain, but the wind can be a significant factor and going from a sunny, sheltered spot to a shady, windy part makes it seem like an entirely different climate. Also, make sure you take enough water bottles for your needs (or a bladder). In my opinion the "large water bottle" suggested in the trip notes is probably not enough (unless it's very large!). I had one 500ml and one 1L which seemed about right for me most days, although we went at a cool time of year, so I'd have used more in the summer.

Fantastic Adventure

Thank you to our leader, Chandra, guides Prasan, Sagar and Mingma and helpful group of porters for an amazing trek. Our group was also amazing, great company and full of interesting travel stories!

Most Inspirational Moment

No one moment stands out as overall the whole trek was fantastic, apart from perhaps the gruelling pass day, but that came with a great sense of achievement. I had never been to Nepal before and the scenery surpassed my expectations. Everyday the scenery changed and was stunning, from deep gorges, sunrises over the mountains to high plateaus and remote villages. The trek really does take you off the beaten track. The teahouses are therefore quite spartan, however the remoteness and spectacular walking more than makes up for some cold showers. Often a bucket of hot water to wash in was a much safer option! I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of food on offer and it was amazing how the teahouses produced 16 hot meals all at once on very limited cooking facilities.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabulous, always smiling and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are suitably fit so that you can really enjoy the walking without too much effort. Especially lower down we frequently walked for 2-3 hours without an official break. However the pace is relaxed and there are so many photo opportunities that you don't really notice the distance. As one of our group advised, cut up a snickers bar into bite sized pieces so you can actually eat it at the top of the pass. Hydration tablets meant my water bottle was still drinkable at the top, even if more like a slush puppy! If just water most bottles had frozen over by the top of the pass. It is worth bringing quite a lot of snacks with you. Everyone says it, but really pack light. The down jacket I hired was really good quantity and kept me cosy in the teahouses at night and over the pass. If you suffer from poor circulation like me, I recommend hand warners inside "down" mitts with liner gloves. It was amazing to have warm hands all the way over the pass! I bought "down" mitts cheaply in Thamel before the trek.

Wonderful walks with a super guide

José is such an engaging and encouraging guide. The views from the tops of the mountains were fabulous. José’s explanations of the local area were wide ranging covering the history, agriculture and much more. The walks were at times quite challenging but José was very good at keeping us all together and ensuring everyone was able to manage the walks. His talks strategically placed for recovery on strenuous sections. The lunch sandwiches were fantastic (prepared by Josè). The hotel was comfortable and the food, which was substantial, was prepared by Raquel who runs the hotel. She was always very friendly and welcoming. We made use of the bar and terrace after the walks for a relaxing beer. Definitely take sticks as some downhill sections have loose stones underfoot.

Most Inspirational Moment

The 360 view from the top of Aitana peak was fantastic. I felt we were on top of the world with the sea visible on multiple sides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

José was amazing. Such a lovely character, kind, entertaining and extremely knowledgeable about the local area as he has been leading groups around Aitana for 25 years!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We hadn’t really walked much before this trip for various reasons, unusually for us. I’d recommend doing some long hill walks before you come to get your legs primed!

Excellent walking and superb guide

Jose was the best guide I have had in many Exodus treks. His lifetime of local knowledge allows him to have chosen the best possible walks, and to describe them very accurately in the trip notes. In hot weather the stops for him to show and explain features of the geography, history and flora were very welcome as well as interesting! His sandwiches were fantastic and added to the enjoyment of the day! The hostel was also perfect, peaceful and comfortable with delicious food and a terrace for drinks with views down to the coast.

Most Inspirational Moment

Achieving difficult walks that stretched my ability.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As above, Jose was exceptional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be fit enough! The walks are tough, especially in the heat, and much more enjoyable if you have done a good number of ten mile walks before you go!

Great Trip - Superb Guide

A really enjoyable trek in spectacular surroundings. The trek was made so much more memorable by the local guide (Jose Miguel) who was: knowledgeable, friendly, well organized and provided some much more information about the local history and customs. Each day was a different trek from a central location which was itself friendly and provided good food. I would strongly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to enjoy the scenery of this region but with the support of an extremely good local team.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. I have done a number of walking trips in Europe and elsewhere with good guides but Jose was the best that I have encountered.

Secluded trekking !

These treks are on paths less travelled which is both a blessing and a curse. Did not encounter many other trekkers as this area is someone secluded from heavy tourism. However the terrain is to be respected as is the heat and dryness of the sun. Steep climbs and descents as the trip notes explain. This part of the country is unspoiled and it is a privilege to explore it. Be prepared for sore feet and thirsty mouths as you must carry your day’s supply in water. Poles are a must as is confidence ! The hostel was very comfortable and the staff warm and welcoming. I appreciated the massage that was arranged for me on the free day.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few. One was when I completed day three (which ended with a refreshing swim) having been suggested not to do it as it was deemed difficult. Another was when I walked a few Km’s solo while the group summited on day 4. I was discouraged from that part but decided to walk a bit alone to find some solace and enlightenment. The third was finishing off the week and being told I exceeded expectations. However I never doubted my ability to persevere. This is why I trek mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose is very knowledgeable of the area, both geographically and historically. He has the week organized like a well oiled machine and is available to the trekkers throughout. He sleeps in the hostel and dines with the group after briefing us of the next day’s expectations. He makes our sandwiches in the morning which shows his nurturing side. He will tell you if he thinks your abilities may not be up to par for the upcoming trek. So not so much a cheerleader but a realist. You have to adjust to that vibe. But I would trust him in all situations. He was really a hands on guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You’ll need to carry a lot of water so take two large refillable bottles with you. There are thorns along the paths so although there is heat, I recommend wearing pants. Bring poles and a sun hat as well as a lot of sun block. Rooms are very comfortable and well equipped. Only the group stays there so it’s relatively quiet. This trek is hard. The footing is unsteady and the sun is a factor to contend with. Book a massage on the free day

Discover the Sierra Aitana

This trip was exactly right for me. Superb mountain scenery in south east Spain, and just the right amount of challenge. Oh yes – and sun every day.
The hotel is well placed in the centre of Aitana. The food and service are both excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

Scrambling up to the Aitana ridge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Guide Jose is excellent - my best ever guide. He lives locally, and so is very knowledgeable about the terrain, history, culture and wildlife in this area. His itinerary is carefully chosen to acclimatise the group for the more challenging walks later in the week. Every walk was a different delight, with rock pinnacles, forest glades, ridge walks and expansive views into the mountains and down to the coast.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The route descriptions and gradings are accurate so read carefully in order to decide if it is suitable. Note that the temperatures are still warm even on the summits (This was September), so lots of water will need to be carried (2.5+ litres).

Fabulous holiday

This is a fantastic trip for more experienced walkers. The mountains are stunning and unspoilt. The walks are varied and well thought out. Jose is an experienced and enthusiastic local guide who is passionate about what he does and has extensive local knowledge. It was fun to visit the coast on the free day and we had plenty of support with arranging transport. The hotel was clean and welcoming.