Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the Lac Blanc walk. We had lunch on a rock overlooking four glaciers. Aiguille du Midi on the rest day was a highlight and so was the walk from there to the Mer de Glace. And every evening meal was a delight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Super chap. Worked really hard to ensure everyone in the group had walking of the right level with great sensitivity. Knowledgeable and good fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A good choice if you are travelling alone, as the format of the chalet holiday provides company. And as almost everything is included, you will not need much spending money. Chamonix is lovely, but full of expensive outdoor clothing shops. A pharmacy and supermarket are 5 mins' walk from the chalet.

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

Seeing bears and a wolf at the bear hide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udo was very good, friendly and informative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for the walking not the wildlife.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not one particular moment just the general experience of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anna was well informed and organised the daily cycles well but we had problems with three difficult members in our group with whom she was extremely patient.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely need cycling experince and always wear your helmet.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on top of The Kofel and taking-in the stunning panorama. Don’t let the dire warnings in the walking notes put you off - it’s undoubtedly high and a scramble to get to the top but if you do the ‘overtaking manoeuvre’ described in the notes, and you’re reasonably able-bodied and sure footed, it’s well worth the small detour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider making use of the local Tourist Information office - they’re very helpful and can book tours for you. We used them extensively including booking our tickets for Schloss Neuschwanstein which, considering the massive length of the queue for un-booked tickets at the castle when we arrived, was definitely a good move and highly recommended. Pre-booking the guided tour enabled us to pick-up our tickets as soon as we arrived at the castle and then go off and look at other things prior to our timed entry. All the walks (we did) were on well signed paths and were easy to find and follow. However, some of the walks described in the walking notes descend over fairly uneven ground with some tricky tree roots at times - walking poles might be advisable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Realising we were kayaking in Halong Bay, and following waterways on sampans. Managing to climb over a monkey bridge ( slowly!) being watched by a 5 year old Vietnamese girl who was wondering what we were fussing over! Standing in a bus stop sheltering from the rain in Ho Chi Minh City- 10 minute rain shower, avoiding motorbikes on the pavement - unique !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bao was excellent he did everything he could for the group nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book now! Seriously though it was well worth it. I would go back again tomorrow ( and my daughter wants to live there now...) and recommend it to anybody. The journey can be tiring at times, but you get to see all of Vietnam pretty much. Take a day pack that is big enough for overnight stays ( halong bay and mekong delta) and a waterproof camera of some sort. Western food is available practically everywhere ( bar the mekong delta) if you have fussy eater, but even some Vietnamese options on the menus suit most fussy Western palates ( pork chop with rice for example) Fixed price stalls in the tourist market in Ho Chi Minh city are not fixed price! Delve deep in and bargain for all your worth. Be cheeky! You may get a proper bargain!

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole holiday was full of amazing experiences so it’s difficult to single out one moment  but here are a few of our favourites:  Kayaking in Halong Bay – enjoying the tranquillity of this awesome limestone landscape The Old Quarter of Hanoi –the lively street life and managing to cross the road by ourselves Hoi An – the fun of the tailors, the lanterns at night, the  bike ride– the exhilaration of hearing the wind rising in the banana trees before the monsoon rain descended on us Dinner with local people – the courtesy of our hosts and the wonderful food (but not the betel nut chewing – beware!)The Citadel at Hue – the monks’ music resonating around the courtyard of this splendid buildingGroup team building at Brown Eyes, Hue!!War Remnants museum – because it brings home how recently Vietnam and her people have experienced devastation and makes their optimism and sense of fun all the more amazing The Mekong Delta trip – all of it

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ha was terrific – very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his country. He seemed to intuitively know how much information we needed and when. We were a small group and therefore had the bonus of spending a lot of time with him. This was brilliant as he was great fun to be with – full of laughter and fun – which made for a very happy holiday. He gave us the opportunity to have a wide range of experiences and to better understand and appreciate Vietnam and its people. An excellent representative for Exodus!

Advice for Potential Travellers

As others have mentioned do travel light . You don’t need to take a lot of clothes as the laundry facilities at Hue or Ho Ann are cheap so you only really need to take a week’s clothes for a two week trip. Leave sufficient luggage space to bring home souvenirs. If possible have an idea of a garment you’d like made at Hoi Ann – it’s really worth it and great fun.  Take up all the optional excursions on offer– these provided some of our best experiences.  Just go – go soon – and make the most of the experience!

Most Inspirational Moment

I felt the whole trek was inspirational but the most inspirational moment was being camped beside & staring in awe of Mnt Salkantay as the day ended and the night came in and to then, the following day, walk beside it. Truely amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilbert was brilliant - a fasinating character. Very friendly, intelligent, always happy and had a story to tell. Full of knowledge & very passionate about his country and always wanting to teach you and share his knowledge & the history of the Incas.   

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you feel your fitness levels aren't great then do somerthing about it because this a a challenging trek for those that are not used to it. I would also advise to take plenty of tavel tissues & hand saintiser to keep your hands clean and free from germs to avoid a potential stomach bug. I would also recommend a decent camera as there will be plenty of this that should be snapped as memory of this wonderful trip. 

Most Inspirational Moment

So hard to choose: coming upon a giraffe during the 'walking safari' on the shore of Lake Naivasha; seeing the elephants just behind our truck at the campsite on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater; being so close to the lions in the Crater we could have stroked them (but didn't obviously) or watching a cheetah race and kill a gazelle right in front of our eyes -I can't decide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Clara, our group leader, was great. She was knowledgeable, funny and capable and together with Ester, our cook, and Bonface, our driver, they made a great team. We learnt so much from each of them not just about the wildlife and places we visited, but also the people and cultures of Kenya and Tanzania.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to buy a cheap pillow on day 1, it will make camping more comfortable. You will get a locker on the truck to put important/precious items in; your main bag is stored separately so does not need to fit in the locker. If you go on the village walk when you stay in Marangu you will be taken to a local school. They welcome donations of money or school resources so go prepared! Tsetse flies like dark clothing so wear light stuff when in the Serengeti.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable and great insight to Jordan, not just the places but the culture too. Organised some great extras too such as the snorkelling boat trip and cave dinner

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are at all dubious about Jordan - don't be. There are not a lot of tourists at the moment which is great for us as have such a greater experience in Petra and other places but not so good for Jordan itself. Jordan needs you and you won't regret it.