Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many!  Probably the most stunning moment was the suspension bridge walk through the top of the tree canopy in Monteverde Cloud Forest, which also, as a bonus, began and ended in a hummingbird garden.  To look down on primary forest from above rather than peering up from below, to see the vastness of the plants and trees and to realise a lot of the time you couldn't actually see the ground, was an almost spiritual experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Antonio, was fabulous!  He was the font of all knowledge and appeared to know the answer to every question asked of him, delivering vast quantities of information with a wonderful combination of patience and humour.  His enthusiasm and pride for his country took him way beyond the call of duty - he took us on extra walks in pretty well every location we visited, just to show us more of the natural wealth of Costa Rica.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Packing light is easy - laundry services in all the locations are excellent!

Most Inspirational Moment

The views of southern Morocco were breathtaking

Thoughts on Group Leader

excellent. The leader was well informed, knew the route, told us exactly what to expect at each stage and even took some extra time to share some bike maintenance tips for my own bike

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult to put a " number one" but how can that not be Petra. Petra is a place that we had always wanted to see, but we had no idea just how vast , beautiful and awe inspiring it would be. The highlight of Petra may very well have been hiking ( not very strenuous ) in the mountains above Petra and looking down at it from the heights. Exploring the temples and caves that the " normal " tourists don't get to see. Wadi Rum was also a surprise and a delight. Sitting alone in the silence watching the sun go down. Or going out with the group in the evening and just lying on the sand, gazing at the stars in the silence was truly inspirational. There was much laughter and fun amongst our group, which also made this holiday

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair, was full of fun. He was extremely knowledgable and we felt very safe in his experienced hands. He knew the best routes to take, the best places to eat and the best things to do. We loved listening to his story's and anecdotes on the long journeys and around the camp fire at Wadi Rum.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a sleeping bag for Wadi Rum, it will be more comfortable. We went in February and on a day to day basis we could go from T shirts and needing sun block to needing a warm jacket. Take layers to peel on and off. It didn't rain when we were there, but it can do. A torch is essential at Wadi Rum, and shoes you can wear in the Dead Sea also. The Red Sea was a little cold in February but we could snorkel and there was a lot to see. But I suggest you take some warm clothes to put on for when you get out of the water..

Most Inspirational Moment

More than one... Petra by night gave such a wonderful first impression; the two days in Petra, especially walking high over the Siq; standing atop Mt Nebo looking out to the promised land; sunset by the Dead Sea; eating fresh dates in a market in Amman; and perhaps my true favourite, a day and night in the beautiful desert of Wadi Rum, with the many coloured sands, camels in the distance and the sun setting to reveal stars brighter than I ever thought they could be!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Often the group you are with can define the trip, and the same is true of the group leader. Zuhair was a fantastic guide around his country, for which he has such a deep love and passion for. Feel free to put his knowledge to the test (as someone in our group did!). I think are group really bonded and in part this was due to his gregarious and infectious personality. We always felt safe and well looked after, and he has more than a 1001 stories to entertain you if you wish!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I undertook this trip as a single Caucasian woman, and, having never travelled to the Middle East before, was at first a little apprehensive. No need to be - not at all in Jordan - so don't worry. Guys may say hello, often their just shopkeepers wanting to make a sale. If you're blonde you may get stared at like you're an alien - but never treated badly. Obvious point for all (except men, well, yes actually men too!) - don't go around wearing mini skirts or you will receive a lot of comments.If you travel in Spring be prepared for all weather conditions and pack layers, as well as sun cream.Hip flask good idea if you fancy a nip in the desert. Bring lots of money if you want to drink alcohol - e.g. one glass of red wine cost me £8.50.

Most Inspirational Moment

Oddly enough it was summiting Ouanakrim, and not Toubkal. It's fair to say that the group were by and large of the same opinion. More snow, better walk, better views, and a good scramble all added to the experiance.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan, local guide who knew and was known and respected by just about everyone. He first climbed Toubkal when he was just 9, which is a few years ago, but I'll not let on how many. Couldn't have asked for better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it, but try and pick a winter with a bit more snow, something that was sadly lacking this year.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the orphanage the night before the "Ooty ascent", and talking to the older children about their plans for careers in professions such as doctors and barristers-a long way from their current circumstances. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vish was calm, knowledgeable and ever helpful, ensuring a perfect trip from start to finish.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear a cycle helmet!!  Indian driving is a totally new experience, although in my experience you seem to have more chance of falling foul of the occasional pot hole than you do of falling foul of their driving style!

Most Inspirational Moment

Lying on my back in the desert at night looking up at the stars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very knowledgeable and did his best accommodate the various needs of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You won't regret making this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

By far it was seeing the sunrise at Gilmans Point. Our guide had timed our walk to perfection so that we could enjoy a cup of tea while viewing the curvature of the world, amazing stuff!Other highlights were mixing with such a fabulous array of people who I got to know. The benefit of having a night in the lodge before and after really broke down the barriers. (the Kilimanjaro beer probably helped also)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Florence knew everything there was to know about climbing to the summit. You felt completely safe with his leadership and guidance and for those unfortunate members of our team who fell ill he took the greatest of care.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice is simple - if you have the time and money to do it, just do it as you will not regret it. Exodus were very organised and supportive in the run up to the trip and the African Walking Company who led us up the mountain were nothing short of brilliant.Don't shy away from any problems you might have such as altitude sickness. Inform your guide immediately and he will work with you and make it better. These folk climb this mountain every week and have no doubt experienced everything.Take an iPod for summit night. Walking for 6.5/8 hours can be very tiring in the freezing cold so stimulate the brain as best you can.Snacks are important for when there is a break in walking. Don't however worry about the food as you will get 3 course meals and believe me we were never hungry. The water they supply is also perfectly fine and not a single member of our 15 strong team had a problem with it.Drink and eat even if you don't feel like it - it's the best combat against altitude sickness and fatigue. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing The Treasury at Petra from a less touristy view from above was amazing - walking a back route wherewe only saw 2 other walkers wasgreat. similarly some of the trekking avoiding the main paths gave us birdseye view of the sites such as the ampitheatre which just dont look the same from ground level. Petra is truely a place that lives up to expectations, a huge site that you have plenty time to explore both with a guide and on your own giving you a chance to really appreciate it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide was very well informed and full of interesting insights into all aspects of Jordanian life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pick up dinars before travelling the rates in UK are alot better. read the trip notes as far as clothes etcconcerned, a head torch is handy for the desert and your own sleeping bag. Otherwise layers of clothes good if not in high season as weather can be changeable!

Most Inspirational Moment

After watching and photographing all the different hummingbirds at such close range;  seeing toucans, scarlet macaws, 4 species of monkeys, 3 and 2 toed sloths, iguanas, bats, crab eating raccoons and a coati run toward us at Monteverde; plus the red eyed frogs and large caimans at night: it must be a small group of us coming together to see a pair of quetzals feeding in the trees at close range on a free afternoon.

Thoughts on Group Leader

There wasn't a wasted moment in the 2 weeks with Antonio giving clear guidance and assistance. We thought that his knowledge of birds was good until we found out his specialism is plants. He was flexible and did all he could to meet everyone's interests, rescheduling as necessary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only a few showers going in the dry season, but miss the turtles. Brilliant time to go for birds as rain is not a problem. Quite a variation in temperature from a few degrees first thing in the morning at altitude to hot and humid near Golfito. Travelling on the dirt tracks is not too uncomfortable. Local food is good simple fare and not expensive, with restaurant owners very pleased to see you. The Costa Rican's are very friendly, there's no hassle and you don't need to speak Spanish.