Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I don't know about inspirational, but the highlights for me were snorkelling near the harbour seal haul-out and being joined by a pup in the water, and also an unexpected sighting of a family North American river otters when we got back to the harbour in Nanaimo.  Also seeing a mother and cub grizzly bear at Orford River and the sightings of orcas and lots of pacific white-sided dolphins on the boat journey to and from the bears.  And encountering a mother raccoon and three kits in Stanley Park, Vancouver city.The stay at the Canadian Princess resort at Ucluelet was lovely - relaxing and a home from home.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jo was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and a good fixer. She is extremely communicative and chatty.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to help with lifting your luggage on and off the roof rack of the minibus each time the group moves hotels, and pack a bit lighter to make this job easier.Canada is very expensive, so budget plenty for eating out/buying food (no meals are included in this trip).  In British Columbia you need to add on a sales tax of 12% and (if eating out) a tip of 18% which is in practice mandatory and often goes straight on the bill, so everything is effectively 30% more than the menu price.If you're veggie, choice is pretty limited when eating out, so consider doing some food shopping once there so some of your meals can be 'DIY' in your hotel room.We were blessed with beautiful weather and Jo had the idea of collecting money for a kitty to buy picnic food which worked really well (but wouldn't if it rained a lot!), so we got 6 picnic lunches for CAD40 which was good value.   

Most Inspirational Moment

Finally climbing up Mt Toubkal was the most memorable time of the trip but actually all the way just as good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was a very nice berber man who has great temper and very proud of his country. Taught us very interesting things about the Berbers. Looked after everybody and was never tired to help. Was open minded to our special requests and supported us in harder moments. Very good English and good humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Next time I would take my own mattress as extra layer as the one provided wasn't quite thick enough for me...

Most Inspirational Moment

The location of the hotel would be hard to beat.  On a holiday such as this, there is rarely a single stand-out inspirational moment: rather, the experience builds, with a variety of being out in the fresh air amid beautiful scenery, combined with trips to interesting destinations.  By the end of the week, the stresses and strains of everyday life back home seemed a distant memory.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin was very pleasant and knowledgable, and was excellent in his role.  If there was one criticism, it would have been the failure to adjust the itinerary to circumstances.  The advertised trip to look for beavers was a total waste of time, and predictably so: nothing much has been seen of them since June or July, because of low water levels.  Standing around in the dark on the bug-ridden bank of a not very pleasant smelling river, with someone shining a torch trying to catch a glimpse of a a distant brown creature in muddy brown water, was not my idea of a good use of time.  There were other attractions locally we could have visited instead (such as the bat cave, which other groups visited), but possibly Exodus do not give their guides discretion to change published events, and maybe some people would have been disappointed not even to try to see the beavers, but I felt that much better use of this time would have been possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I stayed an extra night in Bucharest: it seemed to me a pity to see nothing of the capital other than the airport.  The group flight necessitates an early departure for Bucharest, and I was able to secure an evening return flight a day later, meaning that I had nearly a day and a half to see the city (which was plenty) for the cost of only one night's accomodation (and I would recommend the Rembrandt Hotel, situated in the heart of the old town and ideally located to see everythingworth seeing). 

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to say, it may sound too obvious, though, the day we done the peak of Toubkal would probably be it; though again, all the scenery throughout the trip was impressive. I was surprised how well everyone in the group got on, having reasonably similar interests, which made the trip even more enjoyable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan had a great sense of humour, and, also well organised, keeping us informed of any thing we needed to know.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If, like me, you're not used to having breakfast, having something you can snack on while walking is quite handy. I also noticed a few of our group had crocs (or similar rubber slip on shoes) and, although I had previously wrote these off as a fashion disaster, they did seem perfect for around the camp site.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the beautiful coast and the visit to Herculaneum.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jo Payne was fantastic. Good guide and a great sense of humour. Very caring and helpful. She tended to underplay the walks a little (so this didn't put people off), but we all helped each other and discovered we were actually capable of achieving more than we might have first thought. She was extremely encouraging and gave plenty of breaks with little stories of local knowledge. It was obvious that she was very highly thought of by the local people. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get reasonably fit first. Poles are a good idea as there are lots of 'undulations' and steps. It is cooler in the mountains than on the coast so a jumper (and pyjamas at night!) is a good idea.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Three Chimneys walk and the ascent up Monte Piana both provided amazing awe-inspiring views. The archeological features relating to World War 1 were also very fascinating and surprising.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Karl was a very friendly, sociable, and amusing leader and ensured we were all well informed. He also went at a pace allowing us to enjoy the many varied views and to take photographs. He clearly wanted us to enjoy our time there to the full.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget your camera!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The nature of the trek in camping low and climbing out of the valleys over the cols meant an opportunity to 'reach the top' virtually every day, with a new spectacular view to discover.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mike was a fantastic leader, really knew his stuff and was able to add lots of value through his own experience and knowledge, and kept the group motivated and moving well. The support crew of Jane & John were second to none also with delicious catering and ensuring the welcome sight of biscuits & a cuppa awaited post a tough days trek! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Several moments.1. We did the optional Inca Trail day walk to Machu Picchu. We alighted from the train directly down onto the track, no platform of any kind, and just the 4 of us (including our guide). Everyone else on the train continued to Machu Picchu. We were in some remote jungle next to the river and as we crossed a footbridge a flock of parrots screamed overhead - I felt like Indiana Jones! We saw hardly anybody else on the trail. Not counting our guide, my wife was the youngest at just 59 and our excellent guide, Juan-Manuel, paced our walk gently so we took 6 hours of steady climbing to reach the Sun Gate and get our first view of Machu Picchu. I was literally moved to tears.2. Snorkelling in Galapagos. A group of 4 or 5 sea lions joined us just to play.3. The tameness of everything on Galapagos. Having to walk around Boobies and Albatrosses because they don't get out of your way - in fact they are more likely to come closer for a good look at you.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had three. Juan-Manuel in Cusco/Machu Picchu, Esteban in Quito and Sylvia on Galapagos. All three were excellent. Juan is a professional archaeologist as well as tour leader so has immense knowledge. Esteban's pride in his city and country was infectious - he also took time out to praise the UK's handling of the Olympics and the oening and closing cermonies. Sylvia is Swiss but a long time resident of Galapagos and also had great knowledge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Altitude: This affects people differently. I knew people who have done this trip before and was told I would have a headache on the first night in Cusco and perhaps feel nauseous. I was a bit concerned because I know from previous experience in the Alps that I don't do altitude well. However neither my wife or myself experienced either of these symptoms but I did feel a little short of breath at times. This did not impact at all on our ability to enjoy any of the trips or activities. More surprisingly I had most trouble with the breathlessness when trying to sleep.Inca Trail: For anyone used to a little hill walking in the UK, pennines or lake district for example, it is no problem.  But don't get fooled by references to "short" trail. It is only short compared to the 4 day hike of the full trail. We took it pretty steady and it was at least 6 hours of steady uphill walking.Cachalote (the boat in Galapagos): The boat is quite small and the cabins are tiny but the bunk beds are comfortable and ensuite toilet and shower facility are fine. There is no opulence here (none wanted either). We had 2 large suit cases which were difficult to deal with in the small cabin. Most travelling is done at night and it can be pretty rough. The food is simple but excellent and generous.Snorkelling: The water is quite cool. I have no wet suit and elected to do without (available for hire), making do with a couple of tee shirts. If you can swim in UK water you'll be ok as I was, it is a bit warmer than UK,  although I was coming out with numb fingers after an hour in the water. The Americans on the boat used wet suits and they were complaining of the cold!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Leopards. We saw a Warthog up in a tree, & then with difficulty spotted the male Leopard, we then spotted another male Leopard prowling around under this tree hoping a few morsels would drop down.We had just left Khwai village & heard a racket from a small herd of Impala, my husband looked around to spot a female Leopard, who then "allowed" us to take some photos before leaving as there was now no chance of her hunting down a meal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was always cheerful even when our vehicle came to an abrupt & terminal halt, some 30km from our camp for that night. He & the other guys always looked immaculate, I have no idea how they managed to do so, as I managed to look very dusty just sitting in the truck being driven around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The entry fee to Victoria Falls needs to paid in local currency  (Kwatcha) not dollars, & this has been so since July 2012. It is difficult to get local currency even in Livingstone the only useable ATM had long queues although the Barclay bank readily changed sterling it closed at 11.30am on our Saturday visit. One of the best ways at get local currency at the campsite was to pay in sterling and then the change willl be in local.Make sure you have enough Pula for the Chobe river cruise (don't miss out on this well worth going on). When we were there the credit card machine was a bit hit & miss, they wouldn't take Sterling/Dollars

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of the last hill!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Personable, organized, and spoke English well.  Michele was an inspiration.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring better rain gear.