Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

We were lucky to see a rare buddist ceremony in Nara and the chanting made the temple really come alive, although I can't really pick a 'best' place or moment as it was all fabulous.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had 2 leaders (one experienced English leader from the UK and one comparatively new French leader living in Japan) and the mix of personalities (one very strong on organisation and one very laid back) worked really well. They were very knowledgeable and told us all we needed to know to make the most of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want to make the most of the trip, even though it can be done at a leisurely pace, I would recommend getting some ideas of what you want to see before you go and getting up early with bags of energy so you can fits lots in on the 'free' days. This is simply beacuse there is so much you could see you don't want to waste a minuate and that can be tiring.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too hard to pick out just one. Everyday had moments of magic and there is such a great sense of achievement at the end.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rupert was an excellent walk leader - setting a good pace whilst being aware of and responding to individual needs.  He was very informative on the huge variety of local plants and flowers.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just book the trip - it is worth it.  As a solo traveller this trip was perfect for me.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the sun come up behind us, illuminating the tip of Everest so it glowed golden and set it apart from the other peaks

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was perfect for the tour, he managed the group well, he was clearly respected by our stopping off points along the way, he joined in when he was needed and he helped us when we needed him most - he was a benefit to the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate what fitness you need, make sure you have enough to occupy you when not walking, don't eat the Yak meat, bring plenty of wet wipes, take stacks of pictures, there is no rush, use the boiled water rather than the bottled - it works well as a sleeping bag warmer, savour the time away from the stresses of modern living - turn your phone off, don't underestimate the power of the sun up there, talk to other groups early on - you will see each other many times, if you suffer from hangovers don't drink too much in Lukla on your return journey.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting  Herculaneum and Pompeii  -  although Pompeii was what we decided to do on our spare day - with the expert organisational assistance of our group leader.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Barbara was fantastic  -  she had superb knowledge of the area and Italy in general - and being a fluent Italian speaker allowed her to easliy smooth out any organisational blips.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes -  use the spare day to go to Pompeii  and ask Francesco the guide who conducts the Herculaneum tour to join you in Pompeii  ( extra expense but definitely worth it ! )

Most Inspirational Moment

Sleeping in the  desert cycling the  rift valley

Thoughts on Group Leader

our Jordanian tour leader Khaled was very knowledgable,caring, opend minded and in love with his country ... really excellent and very professionnal

Advice for Potential Travellers

lets yourselfbe surprised  by the desert ...the time of the year was perfect (just right  temperature,...)

Most Inspirational Moment

In a remote camping spot -seeing the sunrise  over the mountains- it was  my birthday !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was fine -he was both  knowledgable and friendly .He was able to pace the group according to speed of  various members'  walking  ability and  the age range

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take deet - I didn't and got bitten ! My walking stick  was useful as some of the downhill is quite loose .

Most Inspirational Moment

The jewellers at Agra where I was allowed to wear the emerald ring made from Mumtaz Mahals crown and other fabulous emerald jewellry made fo royalty. - slumdog millionairress!  No where else in the world would one get this opportunity  certainly not Bond Strret!  This was on our last day where we cycled I the morning, stopping to drink chai from clay cups, bused up to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and then went to the jewellers - what a day! This jeweller also fixed my friends diamond ring bought in Jaipur by replacing the lost diamond - free of charge!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sanjay was just great! always motivating us and supporting us when cycling especially on the uppy uppies.  Most impressed that he would never accept his dinner until all his guests had received theirs.  An ideal host providingus with rum and coke and great dancer, really getting the diwali party-on-a-bus going. Harish was just as kind and thoughtful and a real companion on the trip.Our coach driver Rauol, his assistant and Michael the mechanic were also very polite, helpful and attentive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I developed Guyons syndrome aka handle-bar palsy early on the trip and still have not recovered full feeling in my little and ring fingers on each hand, my grip is also weakened.  I would definitely advise cyclists to bring proper padded cycling gloves (I didn't) as the vibration from the rough road surfaces probably induced this condition see http://www.qwinerveprotector.com/BicycleGlove.html. I woud also advise a face mask for cycling through the cities and dusty roads, as I developd a cough/cold and a number of our party developed terrible coughs.  I had booster vaccinations for diptheria and polo and tetanous plus Hep A. I didn't need the anti-biotics the travel clinic at Boots provided (£5) for severe diarohhea but a lady on our trip did (she was on the verge of returning to the UK early) so I would recommend bringing some.  Also, always, always put on the sun tan lotion, anti mosquito lotion and bring plenty of anti-bacterial hand gel.  I had no stomach problems which was always a fear of mine for going to India.

Most Inspirational Moment

The friendliness of the Cambodians was uplifting especially when one bears in mind the horrendous recent past the country has endured. Our time in Phnom Phenh and the visits to the killing fields etc brought home to us its horrifying history.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader Moh was good; very friendly and keen to do her best but would probably benefit with a little more experience. Digger, the Cambodian leader was excellent whereas the Vietmanese leader seemed more intent upon collecting email addresses from the group for his own future benefit than leading the tour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for temperatures during the middle of the day of up to 40 degrees! Drink lots of water and take advantage of the beautiful fruit, serveed at regular intervals by the support team along the way. There's always the option of dropping out on any day and travelling in the support vehicle if needs be.

Most Inspirational Moment

Everyone on the trip was very good fun & got on well. Arriving at Machu Pichu was great too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She didnt really know how to deal when this wasnt quite as expected

Most Inspirational Moment

The panaramic view of the tea plantations

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ajay Gupta was an efficient leader but with little passion or interest in the area - South India.He is probably more at home in North India where he comes from.One of the things that struck some of our group was his complete lack of understanding about where we came from so that he had no point of reference to know where our interests may lie.  One thing Exodus should consider is letting all their long-service guides visit the UK - it would help the guides understand the people they are dealing with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take much in the way of extra clothing as it really isn't required.  Get a good road map of the area to be visited as the Indian ones are poor.  If you want some decent drinks - gin, vodka etc., buy at the duty free in the Indian airport of arrival prior to customs.