Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The cycling on Mjlet was lovely. So peaceful, beautiful and relaxing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ana was a great tour leader. Enthusiastic, knowledgeable and well-organised. She also made sure we ate in great local restaurants and quickly sorted out issues when they occured (such as the one restaurant that ran out of red wine!!)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by the short distances - there are regular hills with some particularly long climbs - nothing too difficult but do do some training before you go and you'll enjoy it more. The fabulous descents make up for all the climbing. We went in April it was glorious sunshine in the daytime but got quite chilly at night - take something warm!

Suggestions

It's a very beautiful country - enjoy it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on top of Mt Prado, over a mile high, the highest point in Tuscany. The remains of the winter snow about us, views every which way and nothing but silence, no bird song, nothing, just silence.  Save the only birds to get that high are Eagles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely fantastic, professional, faultless.  A truly amazing lady so enthusiatic about all she does and sees.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes carefully and follow them, they are there for very good reasons.  That way your enjoyment won't be spoiled. 

Suggestions

Yo!! Exodus you're the people!

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed Setenil village.I loved the delicious evening meals. (but they were really late and I was so hungry I'd have eaten anything)It wasn't really an inspirational trip, more a pleasant, interesting, relaxing one.

Thoughts on Group Leader

very good. Relaxed, low key. knowledgeable, sensitive to the group and their abilities. Flexible, able to adapt walks depending on the weather. Good ideas for Sevillle, but never pushy and over organising.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take waterproof jacket AND trousers. We needed them.Take your own snacks to keep you going between pakced lumch at 1pm and dinner at 8.30pm. The bar prices for drinks and snacks are very high.

Suggestions

I think that being offered a glass of wine on arrival, without any nibbles seemed a bit mean, given that we had all travelled for several hours by the time we got to the Cortijo. Just some crips would have been welcoming. We were cold in our rooms and it took a few days before we were given duvets.   The windows rattled at nght and were very draughty. The towels were quite old and threadbare and the showers nice and hot, but not very high standard.  I know that we were not to expect 'hotel style' accommodation on this kind of trip, so was rather disappointed that the bar prices were really high - certainly hotel style!!    We were a captive audience so had no choice but to pay 1.30 euros for a bottle of water - that seemed a tad exploitative.It was nice to have biscuits , tea and coffee availalbe during the day - a very nice touch indeed. But why were the dinners so late? I know this is the Spanish habit, but it was hard to go from packed lunch to 8.30pm dinner with a couple of biscuits. Either offer a more substantial snack when we get in from a long walk, to keep us going, or make dinner earlier.II don't think the owners enjoyed cooking for us on the first two nights. The meals were very simple indeed. The rest of the weeks the meals were gernerally excellent. Plenty of food, bags of flavour and authentic Spanish, of course. Wonderful. A highlight of the trip.  (but I think 12 euros for the cook book too expensive)

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling down from Ooty was a blast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi, and his assistants Shibu and Shaka were excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a gel seat cover!

Suggestions

Some of the hotels were basic and the rooms very small. Single beds were often not separable (space constraints) which was not great when sharing with someone I didn't know. Hot water and/or water pressure were sometimes elusive. Rooms did vary in the hotels though and some places were very nice. We were asked to pay a kitty of 8,000IR to cover all meals, snacks, water and tips for hotels/restaurants.

Most Inspirational Moment

The ridge walk to Monte Prado was excellent. Not only the highest peak in the area, but the residual snow from last winter forced us to a higher route over the ridge summits. A wonderful roller-coaster of fun with unhindered views in all directions.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara Bull is one of the finest leaders I've had the pleasure of dealing with. She was always willing to go that extra mile for everyone and managed to strike the right balance with the more experienced party members and the those on their first real walking tour.My free day was made far more enjoyable by her description and hand-drawn map of a simple valley walk from Braccicorti to Lago di Pentecosi and up to Villeta before returning.On the easier walks which were completed at a reasonable time of day, Sara volunteered to drive us into Castlenuovo for a celbratory cone of gelati.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have plenty of room in your cameras.In early spring, expect snow snow on the higher tracks, its handy to ensure your boots are waterproof.The Limone gelati in Castlenuovo is a real beauty! As is the Pistachio...and the Hazelnut...Hell, they are all good.

Suggestions

The tour of this quiet, crowd free part of Tuscany provides many walks which are a fun mix of easy and the more demanding. The latter only due to the steepness of ascent or descent which may test the less experienced. But don't be deterred, persevere, take your time and you'll enjoy a great reward for your efforts.

Most Inspirational Moment

A wonderful climb in the mountains.A visit to Santa Clara and the site dedicated to Che GuevaraListening to Buena Vista type music on the steps of Plaza Mayor in Trinidad.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was ever helpful and informative and organised the whole trip very well. An excellent leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Give it a go.

Suggestions

Cuba is a different cultural  experience from Europe,so it is all very fascinating- a holiday of a lifetime.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight of the trip was Petra. There are no words that can explain it. The two climbs to Ed Deir ( Monastary) and Attuf Ridge ( The High Place of Sacrifice) was an amazing experience.Second was sleeping under the stars with the Beduins in the Barrh camp in Siq Umm Tawaqi in Wadi Rum, after a camel ride earlier in the day, Lawrance of Arabia style!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Saddam al King was a first class guide and made sure to include a couple of side trips that werent on the itinerary and really added to the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try the Turkish baths. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and drink lots of water! Make an effort to get on as a group as it can make all the difference to how much you enjoy your holiday.

Suggestions

I will be travelling again with Exodus!

Most Inspirational Moment

It is nearly impossible to seperate out inspirational moments; my girlfriend and I got engaged at the Taj Mahal which was an amazing experience at a truly magical monument. Seeing four tigers on a game drive was unbelievable, but sites like Mehrangarth fort at Jodhpur, the palaces at Udiapur or the Jain temple in Ranakpur were incredble as well.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Arvind Tikoo made the whole adventure for me. He was excellent during all aspects of the trip, from organising celebration cakes, dealing with tour guides, local merchants and hotels to arranging visits to schools, farms, and brick factorys to break up some of the travelling. Arvind was also excellent at explaining the political, historical and religious influences that have shaped the areas we visited a true treasure and lynch pin to the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just make sure to savour every aspect of the trip there is so much to enjoy and experience. Also dont watch the indian driving too much it's crazy!

Suggestions

A big thanks to everyone for making this the trip of a lifetime; from the tour guides, Arvind JP our driver to all the staff at Exodus responsible for developing and booking the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wild dogs and the total tranquility of the Delta in the Mekoros.....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb...   Andrew was fantastic and a great cook.

Advice for Potential Travellers

one thing,  the truck is open to the elements,  great for game viewing, but not so when travelling long distances at speed, so a light scarfe is a must, desert rats style.     and also there's no lockable safes on the truck either so looking after your valuables can be tricky at times,  like keeping everything dry at victoria falls for example....   

Most Inspirational Moment

Seing the sacred sights and the Condors. I really enjoyed allthe nature we saw.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very knowlegable and looked after us well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be careful what you eat and take imodium and antibiotics with you. Drink lots of water to avoid altitude sickness.

Suggestions

Will always remember this trip.