Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Tuscan Wine School - great experience and learnt a lot Florence - stunning city with so much to see. I love the Galileo Museum which I'd missed on previous trips to Florence. Siena - another stunning city with a great art exhibition. Enjoyed visiting Santa Maria della Scala, the hospital museum as I hadn't done that before San Gimignano - wonderful frescoes in the cathedral and lots of towers to climb plus great gelato Walking in the local area with a local guide Sarah, so passionate about her locality and informative about its history. Organising our own walk (after a visit to the tourist office) to Radda in Chianti a 25 km round trip via Castellina in Chianti or just do 13 km and get the bus back. Visiting the Etruscan Tomb at Monte Calvario, Castellina In Chianti

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simon was a great leader, very friendly and well organised. He recommended some great restaurants and activities and he was very sociable during and after evening meals. Great to have him collecting us and taking us to the airport and generally driving us around in the mini-bus. It meant that we didn't waste time travelling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would highly recommend this holiday but would think twice before going the last week of October as it seems Roberta is ready to close for the season. We returned to an empty, dark house at the end of a day out which felt very unwelcoming. My husband also had to put the cat out at night as it mewed loudly outside our room. If you go in October be prepared for cool to cold evenings and dress appropriately. The bedrooms are on the cool side and there is only one extra blanket. Also take a torch as the walk into town along a gravel road takes about 20 minutes and is not lit up. Roberta does provide vegetarian food but it is mostly carbs so good to take your own fruit. We didn't see a salad for the whole week. Finally on the days we ate in restaurants in which Exodus were meant to provide the meal our guide gave us 25 euros which was did not buy a three course meal with wine so be prepared that your meals out are only subsidised.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the wild dogs (we saw two packs) in Savuti and a leopard in the Khwai concession. Also the birds - a good pair of binoculars is an absolute must.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was excellent - very well organised and a good companion in the evenings round the camp fire. Stan (driver and wildlife guide) could read the behaviour of the animals well and, most of the time, moved the vehicle around so we all got a good view. Unfortunately, we saw very little wildlife in Moremi which was a great shame as it was the last two days - we stayed in the North East of the park and didn't drive to the west at all. Mello (awesome cook) and Paul made up the crew - they'd nearly always erected the tents by the time we arrived in camp.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Inexpensive Laundry opportunities at the Maun campsite and in Victoria Falls if you don't fancy doing your own. Take lots of wet wipes for the nights spent bush camping particularly when the bush shower isn't available (normally the first of the two nights in each bush camp). A silk or cotton liner for your sleeping bag is sensible - it started off very warm most nights but did cool down. Spare batteries for the torch, even a second torch. I got bad heat rash - antisan is a must. Swimming costume for the decent pool at the Maun campsite. Chobe river cruise is a must. Make the most of the visits to the supermarkets and liquor store - the Savanna cider is very drinkable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the sunrise in Annapurna Sanctuary. All of it really, the beautiful sunbirds, kingfishers, Himalayan bulbuls, the milky rivers in full force, thundering waterfalls, mica rocks glinting in the sunshine, the stunning stars and night sky at Annapurna Base Camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Keshar was excellent, aware of everyone's needs, looked after us all brilliantly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have any love of mountain trekking at all, do this one. Take binoculars, the birding is SPECTACULAR, should have a special birding trip. That was my only regret as would have liked a little more time birdwatching and a little less on tea stops. However, Nepal is a poor country and this is not a luxury trip. If you cannot manage a vegetarian diet under any circumstances, then perhaps not for you. The Dhal-Bhat is nourishing and delicious and different at every tea-house. Free refills! It is cold at altitude, have a 3/4 season sleeping bag, you will need it. Plenty of wet wipes needed, showers not available every day. Be prepared for smelly toilets. Wet weather gear a must. We had 1 day of downpours but were soaked through. There is competition for space around the wood stoves to get dried off! Be reasonably fit, you will enjoy it more. The only other Grade 4 Exodus holiday I had done was Sierra Aitana, and that is not at altitude. I managed this reasonably, but wish I had done that extra training.. The porters are the life-saving backbone to this holiday. They are truly amazing. Do not penalize them by having a bag of more than 10kg. Shop in Pokhara, Kathmandu a bit more expensive.

Most Inspirational Moment

First and foremost the wildlife was both accessible and so relaxed when getting super closeup shots, we were spoilt for choice. Our group was small and this added a certain freedom within the truck and made for great companionship. Seeing the local communities and businesses, whether this was local markets or town centres, we were free to find our own way if we wanted, as well as the well organised optional trips. Zanzibar provided a wonderful contrast to the game reserves and camping, truly relaxing it formed the perfect finale to our trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional! Makori provided a constant source of information, answers and advice whenever we asked. He maintained a relaxed atmosphere and together with his team, ensured a well organised holiday. On one occasion our vehicle slide sideways when it lost traction on a muddy track in Serengeti. The team took control of the situation and with some help from other jeeps, we were soon on our way to appreciative cheers from us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes as they provide important information, prior to departure. A soft holdall and a padlock for the locker is invaluable. As said in a previous review (Sept 2014), make sure you have exchanged sufficient money for local currency spending at the beach resort, otherwise the exchange rate (and charges) at the hotel make it very expensive. On our trip, sterling provided a better rate than did the dollar, so something to bear in mind. You could buy items in either Dollars or Tanzanian Shillings but the latter was a better price.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think riding and reaching the high point of the trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi was excellent- he was very knowledgeable about Vietnam with history, culture and customs, had a very easy personality and lead us very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hire the excellent bikes there - really well maintained , exceedingly suitable for the often rugged roads and always maintained by the mechanic and the other drivers Take advantage of the food kitty idea for morning tea etc- cold clean drinks and water always on hand plus lots of nuts and fruits. Saves a lot of effort to find the snacks yourself Temperature in October still really hot (eg 35 deg celcius) and would want it hotter!

Most Inspirational Moment

We saw all sides of Vietnam - from the frenetic city of Hanoi to the stunning natural wonder of Halong Bay with a visit to the beautiful farming regions. Highlights included; Amazing food in interesting places Having tea with a local family in the mountains and learning about rice farming Sailing and swimming in Halong Bay Touring the beautiful temples of Hue, exploring the outlying villages and having an oscar-worthy reenactment of farming traditions from the lady at the museum. Seeing the beautiful city of Hoi An lit by lanterns at night time Visiting the fascinating Cu Chi tunnels Sailing through the Floating markets in the Mekong Delta Having children running out to greet you as you cycle through villages in the Mekong Delta Having an impromptu cooking lesson at the homestead in Mekong Delta Watching fireflies whilst swinging gently in a hammock after a delicious dinner

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Thom, was excellent - he ensured we were entertained at all times and constantly sought out extra activities for us. He fitted in well with the group and had a great sense of humour. Thom was very enthusiastic in his love of Vietnam and we learned a great deal about the culture and history of this fascinating country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would advise taking a sleeping bag liner for the homestays and overnight train (it is an interesting experience!) and plenty of hand sanitiser/wet wipes. Get yourself a Non La on arrival - they are the best way to keep cool in the sun. Definitely worth investing in a camel pack to keep your drinking water cooler on hikes/cycle rides. Take as empty a suitcase as you can - if you need more clothes just buy them there (cheaper than laundry and they are fantastic quality)

Most Inspirational Moment

Ah, the elephants at the orphanage were overwhelming...(but then I am an elephant addict). Yes, they do seem in need of a good meal, and it was heart-breaking to see that it is a bit like a zoo, but in fairness, the elephants in the wild on safari were just as skinny. I also liked the wonderful hotels and food, especially since the last fantastic place was trumped each night to come! I particularly liked the 50 mile uphill ride... the best burn-off I've had in a long time!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Smashing Suresh a lovely, affable person who aimed to please and worked hard to provide a top service.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yep. As a hardened world cycle tourist, I would say fervently, to avoid padded shorts in hot and sweaty climates. Grin and bear it without pads or you will end up with 'nappy rash' as many of my fellow travellers did. Merino wool undies and t-shirts are also the way ahead as in the monsoon showers they dry within the hour (you can wring them out at the breaks), and sponge dry with a small travel towel. Also, I ditched my socks which was far more pleasant for hot and sweaty/wet climates.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching how hard local porters work and how humble, polite and happy the locals are - the western world can learn a lot.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Gele was exceptional throughout the entire length of the trip - he is a credit to Exodus. From his local knowledge (best places/dishes to eat, mountain names/heights, cultural/legend stories etc.), to 24-hr care for those in difficulty, to the great banter we shared: the man is a model trekking guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If, like I was, you're in any doubt whether to book, please do so - you will not regret it! When you're trekking enjoy the journey and savour every last minute. Take it very slowly particularly early on in the trip as this will aid acclimatisation; in my group many who exerted themselves early on struggled further up. Save energy for EBC and Kala Patthar days as these come back-to-back and it's the lack of rest between these two days that causes some people to opt out of the second day. Listen to how much your guide suggests you should drink as this is the second crucial factor in preventing altitude sickness. Sleep, water, sugar/food, body warmth should be your priorities - especially once above 4000m. Diamox may be strongly advised by your guide - remember that it's up to you to make the decision whether you take it or not. I reached EBC and Kala Patthar without any significant altitude sickness related symptoms, and I didn't take Diamox. Enjoy!

Most Inspirational Moment

everything was just well put together and the leader made sure we got the best out of the trip: Loved the space in Mai Chau, the bussle of Hanoi, the history of Hue, the colours of Hoian and the pace of the Mekon Delta

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tom did everything he could to make sure we saw and knew about the country he loves. Nothing was too much trouble

Most Inspirational Moment

It is difficult to pick one moment as each setting is almost jolting. Perhaps the spot where the tectonic plates meet (where the settlers had their annual political talk-fest circa 1000 AD...yes they did!) particularly gripped me. Significant land and political movements in the one spot! Our group experienced it close to end of day so there were less crowds and tour leader gave us a taste of its significance.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Well Kristjan is simply remarkable. He makes tour guiding into an art. You get the information and a taste of the life (in this unusual place) via stories, working knowledge, wit and finely-tuned planning. He also had good antenna for group and individual dynamics.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't assume you will see the Northern Lights with the naked eye. I didn't; however, my fellow travellers vowed and declared they did! Best take a camera cause that's where they most show up; hang around, and don't be too disappointed if you don't see them. There is so much else that is intriguing.