Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Great mix of ages and nationalities in what soon became a tight group.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Experienced and knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be ruthless when choosing the kit you will carry. 8-9 hours of challenging walking every day. Long and often steep climbs and decent. Worth every step for the places and views you will encounter.

Suggestions

First experience of Exodus. Good website to find a suitable package at a reasonable cost. Good experiences before and during the trip. Will certainly consider using again.

Most Inspirational Moment

The final day when we walked along Le Garnd balcon Sud and saw the Mont Blanc range slowly reveal itself as the clouds drifted upwards and away.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnie Briggs was an inspirational leader who was a major contributor to the success of the Tour. He kept us in sight like a patient sheep dog allowing the free spirits amongst us to surge ahead but being there with the more plodding members of the party as they stomped up the hills using the Alpine amble he had taught us and which we found so useful. Lots of small steps and use of the gluteal muscles to pull the legs back at each extended stride. he was full of information about flora and fauna and history of the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You can travel with just one small to medium sized ruck sac taking merely waterproofs and a light alpine fleece washing things and hat gloves and maybe a change of clothes. Many of our party washed out quick drying clothes overnight .

Suggestions

I have been on many such treks and rate this amongst the very best.

Most Inspirational Moment

by far the most inspirational moments of the trip were the magnificent alpine views of glaciers and soaring peaks. the snow level was very low and this added to the majestic landscape we saw. Also the fact that there were many other groups and individuals along the route and the friendships made were excellent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

First class. She had done her homework on the group and planned her day around supporting each individuals needs - quite difficult on a trip like this. She was informative about local issues and confident and clear with her directions and instructions. She also had a sense of humour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a tough walk and dont underestimate the fact that you will be walking over 70 miles with 6500m of ascent over 6 days. Travel as light as possible - about 9k max.

Suggestions

i would have preferred to stay at the higher level huts and hostels rather than keep dropping down to the valley accommodation.

Most Inspirational Moment

How do you pick one moment! Achievement of getting to the top of a long upward climb, views, picnic lunches on mountain tops and in valleys, wildlife, flowers, eating wild strawberries and cherries on the go, good company, paddling in glaciers, swimming in a mountain top lake to name but a few...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant, helpful, knowledable. Very organised but relaxed at the same time. Nothing too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light!!!

Suggestions

Thank you for a great holiday. Will def go with Exodus again. Help and advice does not stop once you have booked, the company contact you before you leave with a contact for any questions you may have. Useful information is emailed to you. An excellent company. Our guide was very knowledgable, answering any question on the walk and the environment, pointing out things he knew would be of interest to us as a group and to individuals with particular interests. He was caring and ensured all things were sorted and straight forward for us so all we had to concentrate on was enjoying ourselves. On our last day one of the directors joined our walk, a really lovely man who did not intrude but became part of the group. He was genuinly interested in our thoughts of the holiday. Thank you for such a great holiday!

Most Inspirational Moment

The views of Mont Blanc and associated mountains on the last day. It was clear, the sky was blue - you couldn't help but keep stopping to admire the view

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nick was a great bloke who was a very relaxed leader but willing (and able) to exercise control when necessary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light and then remove half of what you've packed - honestly you don't really need that much for what is 4 nights away. You'll appreciate it going up those passes.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Col de Ferret: beautiful weather, a lovely day's walk and incredible views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nick was superb. A light touch from someone with a great deal of experience and knowledge.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need to be quite fit to walk for 7 hours a day up and down mountains carrying your pack.make the pack as light as possible. Nowhere really to do washing. Washed hair once in hotel, but not in dormitory accommodation so no need to carry shampoo along.  Showers were sometimes busy so needed to queue and occasionally cold!

Suggestions

It was a really superb week and I would highly recommend the walk.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being able to see so many alpine flowers in mid July - this was because the snow had stayed later this year - and having a leader who was as interested in identifyingand talking about wild flowers as I am!The baked apple stuffed with nuts and fruit, heated up in an aga at one of the refuges. Walking across snow bridges over glacial streams and seeing glaciers close up. Rupert's homemade dice game with the wooden dice he made - played on a pavement while waiting for the bus!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rupert was excellent in leading us all, excellent knowledge of alpine wild flowers, very relaxed approach, made sure everyone was OK in the group all of the timen.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Long walking days with over 1000 metres of ascent and descent most days are wonderful - but good to be reasonably fit before you come to get the most out of the trip.Think minimal when packing your rucsac - pack as little as you need - then rethink and pack less!Walking poles are really useful for both the descents and for crossing snow patches.Don't worry about the dormitory sleeping - its fun!

Suggestions

As a vegetarian I thought I might have a very boring diet - but no, the trip is fine for vegetarians - I really enjoyed the food.I enjoyed every minute!

Most Inspirational Moment

The view from Grand col Ferret.The camaraderie of the group members.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rupert was very knowledgeable about the local flora & fauna,customs & food.He tried hard to keep together a group of differing fitness levels & was always encouraging everyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A good level of fitness is required & be prepared for very basic levels of accommodation in the hotel dormitories'.Keep your rucksack as light as you can.

Suggestions

Hard days .Tired nights but a great experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery and the isolation

Thoughts on Group Leader

excellent. very knowledgeable. Looked after the group well - knew how to set the walking pace

Advice for Potential Travellers

don't under-estimate the physical work involved. If you're prepared then you'll love it.

Suggestions

Personally, i would like to have done 1 - 2 hours more walking each day, especially as it is labelled as a challenging trip. However, i appreciate the guide has to cater for various people.The food at each of the huts / hotels was excellent - better than i expected

Most Inspirational Moment

Crossing the Col du Bonhomme.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alison was great. Very informative but relaxed.

Suggestions

1 week isn't enough, but if you are thinking about this trip, because you only have a week, go for it. Just one day in the Alps is better than a week in the office.