Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing Maglic, and visiting Sarajevo.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Evelin was a wonderful leader, he was full of energy, and was extremely passionate about his country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking through the meadows Bear watching and bear sanctuary

Thoughts on Group Leader

One of the best leaders I have ever met! Relaxed, but organised the group well. Patient and caring to everyone needs. Extremely knowledgeable about wildlife, history and passionate about nature.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the gorillas, extremely hard work to reach them but can't describe the feeling of being a few feet away. Ambition of a lifetime. The views from the Haven hotel of the rainforest and the peace of the area. Seeing real Ugandan life and meeting the people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Beki was a polite, cheerful, helpful person. His local and wildlife knowledge was immense. He played such a big part in making the trip enjoyable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Vrango island trip (although I would suggest reading up on other nearby islands as some boat timings stop off at various ones and I could have done one of them in the afternoon on way back - our ticket included all public transport, including the boats. I also enjoyed the walk around Suomenlinna island, Helsinki. Apart from a good walk in fresh air, the scenery was lovely and it was good to admire pretty buildings along the way too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter was excellent and very informative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Weather can be very changeable all of a sudden, take layers and jacket/raincoat and an umbrella. Transfers between hotels and stations from city to city involved a lot of carrying/lifting on and off your own luggage (in particular on trains... some had very high steps), best to take two smaller cases/baggage rather than one larger heavy one. Sounds like, from some reviews, I was on a different trip, guess it depends on who your tour leader is! Two negative points on the trip - one day in Oslo is not long enough (especially as there is a boat trip in the morning, which is lovely). The flight the day before gets in too late to do anything in Oslo and, due to delay from UK, we even missed the pre-arranged group dinner so Peter had to think quick on his feet for alternative. Definitely need another day, either added to itinerary/tour, or arrive day earlier and get as early a flight as you can in the day. We were all of the same opinion... another day needed in Oslo. I don't know why just the one day there, we had at least two in other major or capital cities, albeit Turku - as delightful a city as it is, one was long enough... although the tour arrives there on a Sunday when virtually everything is shut! and leaves early on the Monday.) The other negative point, for me personally, was the boat trip around the Stockholm archipelago... apart from the weather not being brilliant and handing out blankets and going rather fast (not to mention the commentary!). I did not enjoy the boat trip at all and found it a waste of time and money as the ferry from Stockholm to Turku took exactly the same route, so you saw the same places, higher up (top deck of ferry) with much better views. I personally think this could be an optional extra and the money spent on the boat trip put to better use, such as towards an extra night in Oslo! By comparison, the Oslofjord boat trip was total contrast, on a leisurely electric boat, and I did not feel like a tourist - better boat trip by far. Of course, this is just my opinion. Sculptures - cute "homeless fox" sculpture on waterfront before Drottinggatan in Stockholm, and cute "wise mouse" very tiny sculpture in Helsinki (on a staircase two roads up from the Cathedral) if you like different and unusual sculptures to the usual human/equestrian ones you usually find in cities. Dining out - the fish and chips in Gothenburg (Feskekorka... "fish church") and on western harbour on Vrango were the best I have ever tasted, the fish batter is nothing like British fish and chips and you can taste that the fish is really freshly caught. If you like Italian food, visit Rodolfino's Italian Ristorante (authentic Italian cuisine) close to Riddarholmen in Stockholm, at the top of Gamla Stan - I ate there both days and had the same dish both times, it was that good, service excellent too).

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to select Being in nature, the landscapes, the wildflowers

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic-see full review

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare by hiking similar distances and carrying all required items-ideally with elevation gains

Most Inspirational Moment

reaching the top, amazing views and one of our team really struggled - the guides supported him all the way up ensuring he reached the top - we were so pleased he made it and none the worse for wear.

Thoughts on Group Leader

our group leader was an experienced guide from a local village, he also helped in the mountain rescue teams. he had his nephew also helping as a very fit and knowledgeable and friendly support guide. he made sure that extra hikes each day were split for our capabilities and provided a local support team of excellent chefs, the tents were all taken down and ready each time we arrived, a lot of local knowledge about where we were. we were well looked after one of my best guide experiences.

Advice for Potential Travellers

as always make sure you train these are very up and down daily treks, the final ascent had boulders and the younger members of the group moved at a pace, it is hot for the first few days so you need to acclimatise if not used to walking in the heat - last week of May, if there is two of you share items when packing - there is little extra room in the tent. there are ATMs not far from the hotel just ask the guide in the morning before getting the coach, you need cash for drinks and stops, the airport transfer is the domestic flight bound so nothing available although you don't wait long.

Most Inspirational Moment

I will list everything because it was all a highlight. Our guide, our tour group, our condo, the hosts, the village of Les Houches, the French Alps, the views from our hikes. I really enjoyed trying to speak French in the villages.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were pretty impressed about everything about Adrian. He is very outgoing and very cheery and he knows the hiking guide world pretty well. We would definitely do a tour with him again.

Most Inspirational Moment

visiting the 3 capital cities and biking along the lakeside through the small villages.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was efficient, patient, charming, very good with everyone. Amusing to be with. Very knowledgeable about the country and its past. Very efficient when one person had an accident and had to be taken to hospital. He did not panic and arranged for the group to do something whilst we waited for him to return. Suggested good restaurants which were not too expensive for everyone. A delightful person to be with. Exodus is lucky to have him as a guide.

Most Inspirational Moment

The entire ride as the highlight. My wife and i loved every minute.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davide DiMauro is a fantastic group leader. He has has a wealth of knowledge and passion for Sicily which inspired us all. He is very attentive to the needs of all the various and frankly "challenging" riders. Exodus needs to clone Davide!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Sicily trip is great in all respects.

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking down the length of Val Ferret from the pass after a morning's climb.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Adrian was a great leader for our group, with its wide range of abilities. Patient and enthusiastic in equal measure.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hotel stays mean that you can use a daypack and carry only the essentials. Trekking poles are highly reccommended. Do not stint on your water supply for each day, as prolonged climbing will increase your consumption well above what you may be used to when hiking locally.