Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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68 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Ann McNulty

Reviewed April 2018

Comfortable trek with beautiful scenery

This is the third trek I’ve done in Nepal, the fourth in the Himalayas. I enjoyed the trek, found it easier than Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit and Ladakh- the Markha Valley. Yes, the numerous stone ‘staircases’ were a bit tough at the time, but very do-able and we were not rushed but had plenty of stops to catch breath and drink water. The tea-houses were OK (I always find the basic level of accommodation, especially the toilets & showers, also the rooms a tougher personal challenge than the actual walking) – the food they offered was OK (I didn’t get sick!!), if a bit repetitive.
The scenery was beautiful – big mountain landscapes, valleys with rippling streams and waterfalls, small villages and families farming their terraces using water buffalos and wooden ploughs. Always, the high snowy peaks were in the background. Add to that the colourful rhododendron forests and tiny bamboo bridges. When we first arrived at the Annapurna Sanctuary, I was a bit disappointed as there was no snow on the ground….and muttered to my friend ‘Oh no, just a load of old rocks!!’, but then, as we arrived at ABC, it started snowing heavily…and snowed and snowed all afternoon. The next morning, we trekked back across the flattish section between ABC and MBC and it was stunning – a perfect ‘winter wonderland’ and everything i’d hoped for.
This trek reached a lower altitude than I had experienced on my previous Himalayan treks and I was fortunate not to experience any symptoms of altitude sickness at all (whereas I did have some (manageable) symptoms on the previous ones.
Sunrise at Poon Hill was also a delight. I’d experienced this once before when on the Annapurna Circuit, but, unfortunately, on that occasion, although we climbed the hill, there was no view to be had – it was all obscured by clound. However, on this occasion, Mother Nature decided to reward my persistence and we were greeted by beautiful views of the mountains.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk across from ABC to MBC in the snow! Also, sunrise at Poon Hill (yes, I love snowy mountains!!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Prasant was an excellent leader. He was always upbeat, very bubbly and full of fun, and nothing was too much trouble. He was very informative and constantly worked very hard to please everyone, always very professional regarding his responsibilities as a tour leader, but ever mindful that we were on holiday and our personal enjoyment of the trip was very important. There was one occasion when a member of the group was suffering quite severe altitude problems in the middle of the night at MBC. Prasant was woken up and he immediately went into action to help her with oxygen etc. We were very impressed with the professional way in which he and his team dealt with this - they had obviously all been trained very well in this and it made the rest of us feel that we were all in very safe hands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

With a strong possibility of snow at ABC this time of year (end of March), yak-trax and gaiters are worth taking. Both can be purchased very cheaply in Thamel (1 mins walk from hotel), the only thing is that you may not have time to do this, arriving at about 5pm, then a trek meeting straight away & dealing with trek-related issues after meeting. (Shops will be open until about 8pm, but....) I didn't take bug spray and anthisan with me, being convinced that it would be too cold for mosquitoes (!!)...however, you are walking through forests, close to water....I got quite a few bites - so take these products with you! It is cold at both MBC and ABC, so ensure you have all the usual cold-weather gear with you, plus good waterproofs just in case it's (not easy to dry out wet stuff in a cold, unheated tea-house!) I wished i'd taken a sarong with me to cover myself when I dashed between my room and the shower! (Often no hooks in shower for hanging clean or dirty clothes on.)

Suggestions

Yes, I'd really like to heap some praise on the whole of the Exodus team working in Nepal. As mentioned, I'd done some other treks in the region in recent years, but with all the people doing this, I never expect anyone to remember me - but they do!!! It's a wonderful feeling to roll up at the Royal Singhi and the door opens and out spill people with the Exodus T-shirt, beaming smiles and 'Hello - you've come back - do you remember me?!' - it felt like meeting up with old friends, asking after & receiving news on previous trek leaders and colleagues... Even our Sirdah, Hem, I'd met previously on the Annapurna Circuit, and it was wonderful seeing him again and spending another holiday with him. The whole of the Nepali Exodus team are a lovely bunch of people and very special....(I hope this gets conveyed back to them).

Peter Hodge

Reviewed April 2018

Peter Hodge

I am aged 62 with a decent overall level of fitness but no previous experience of trekking and limited day hike practice.

I found this trek very ‘do-able’ and a fantastic way to experience the marvellous scenery and huge peaks of the Himalayas. The pace was very steady, the acclimatisation gradual; and the combination of group encouragement and the novelty of the scenery made the walk a pleasure.

The tea houses were basic but clean and comfortable and the food wholesome.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not a moment as such, but the soaring mountains were an incredible sight through the trek.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Prasant was a great group and team leader. He led the group with great patience and good humour, balancing leadership with friendliness and always willing to go the extra mile to make our tour a success. He was knowledgeable, competent, and happy to share his knowledge of the country, its people, and wildlife.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Discuss your requirements with Exodus in advance to see if there are ways in which the package can be tailored to meet specific requirements such as flights, extensions.

Suggestions

The organisation in Nepal was excellent. A combination of the experience of Exodus and Prasant, our leader, enabled us to see as much as possible - for example, the bus drive to trek start to see the countryside and the flight back from Pokhara to allow time in Kathmandu. It also enabled us to get the best of the weather on trek, through early morning starts and mid-afternoon finishes.

Andy and Ann Walsh

Reviewed January 2018

Awesome

Fantastic in all respects. The trails were good, ascent and descent almost entirely stepped, nice and quiet . Views were spectacular and the surroundings changes with the climatic zones (subtropical to alpine), plant and animal life was varied and interesting which prevented the trekking from becoming monotonous.
The level of care given by the Guide, Sirdar and porters was excellent. Gum Hari RB were well informed and happy looking after us.
Accommodation was as good as could be expected once on the trails (a long way from modern development), hotels in Pokhara and Kathmando were excellent.
The change from 2 days in Kathmandu to 2 days in Pokhara was a very good choice and indicative of the consideration exodus paid to the enjoyment of its clients.

We intend to go again this year we were so impressed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing at ABC amongst the giants of the world. Walking in the footsteps of previous mountaineers/heros

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely fantastic. Great guy . Really cared for the group. Organised everything for us - made life easy and enjoyable Gum the guide

Advice for Potential Travellers

The fitness is important - you can complete the trek, but how do you want to feel at the end of each day and the beginning of the next. 10 days moving some quite long. Make sure you have the right gear and you have tested it and know it. Dont believe you can wash and dry clothes - you cant. A sigg bottle is really useful - buy boiled water for drinking after the evening meal just before bed - a lovely hot water bottle for cold feet ! (helps local economy and tastes better than the chemical treated, sis tablets added - lemon) Be prepared to have a cold wash or no wash especially high up, be smelly everybody is in the same situation.

Suggestions

Food was good considering the location and plenty of it. Sincere thanks to Gum, Hari RB and the porters Thanks to Exodux staff for a smooth and pleasant/informative booking experience

Karen Wells-West

Reviewed December 2016

Annapurna Sanctuary & back!

11 days of wonderful walking through farmland, forests -the mountains were the bonus! Fantastic wildlife, views to die for, with a soundtrack of rushing water a constant companion.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having made it to Annapurna Base Camp, having quiet time alone to try to absorb the sheer beauty and unpredictable power of the landscape. Also following the river back down again - amazing waterfalls everywhere!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bikash was brilliant, helping this very novice trekker achieve her goal to make it to 4,000m, with lots of laughs and singing on the way. He never made you feel you were too slow - he encouraged everyone to walk at their own pace, but kept a quiet eye out for problems & difficulties, and calmly dealt with them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although I knew there were stone steps, I and others underestimated how many! There are times when you are walking up steps for several hours, so finding a good, comfortable pace is essential - not fast, but steady. We walked in November where the days were hot - T shirts & shorts, but the nights are down jacket & thermal time. I had packed loads of thermal gear, but not enough summer layers. Also, be warned that on the flight back the luggage allowance is 10kg hold and 5 kg cabin - not 15kg hold as most of us thought, which meant there was a frantic unpacking at the last minute, and I left things I needed on trek back in Kathmandu. Safe drinking water was plentiful, so I didn't need my purification tabs, but take some just in case...

Suggestions

Our guides Durga & Soraj were equally wonderful, but we were pushed off the bus into the hotel so quickly at Pokhara that I didn't have chance to thank them properly for all their help, entertainment, and knowledge. They were always smiling - even at 5am, and their singing at ABC was a special moment. Our porters were also smiling and cheerful - even after carrying our kit up a mountain!

Peter Watkins

Reviewed November 2016

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Spectacular scenery! Blessed with very good weather which helped a lot.
Trek was significantly harder than expected with much more daily ascending & descending.
Local support staff; guides, porters, etc were excellent. (The rest of the group were a pleasure to be with).
A very memorable trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Poon Hill! Sunrise over the Annapurna range I will never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent! Always seemed to have everything under control - even when group members needed last minute changes. Unflustered and always smiling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes are inconsistent. There are a LOT of steps to ascend and descend in a significant number of the days. This makes for some long and arduous days & is not indicated adequately in the trip notes. Although only a couple of the group failed to complete the complete trek, the general concensus was that it was harder than the rating indicated.

Suggestions

Some of the TECHNICAL information provided by the UK headoffice was inadequate; need for poles, level of fitness required, etc.

Jamie Neggers

Reviewed October 2016

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

This was by far the best trip I have taken in yet. Nepal was stunning and I only wish I knew how amazing it was before and I would have definitely spent even more time there.
Exodus were great and made sure the trip lived up to my expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was amazing. Nepal is such a special place, when we saw a double rainbow in the morning at Annapurna Base Camp photos could not even come close to capturing the beauty.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tsheten was great, young guy who knew his stuff and has a great sense of humor. Looked after us very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take more spending money than you think you will need, the price of things do go up as you go up the mountains and also when you are in Kathmandu it is very easy to pay for things with a credit card.

Suggestions

It went flawlessly and the organization made it so I could just show up and enjoy my trip rather than having to run around co-ordinating things. It was the first trip I did with Exodus but will definitely not be the last.

James Appleton

Reviewed April 2016

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek Feb-March 2016

Very enjoyable trek to Poon Hill and ABC which must have some of the best panoramic views in the Himalayas. Interesting group of trekkers, Well organised with excellent leader, guides and porters.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spectacular early morning views of Annapurna range from ABC after heavy snowfall the previous afternoon. We were very fortunate to have beautifully clear days at both Poon Hill and ABC.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kumar did an excellent job leading the trek assisted by his three guides and seven porters. He managed the pace of the trek well to cope with trekkers who wanted to walk faster as well as those who wanted to spend more time taking photos and/or identifying birds. His approach was professional but he was always jovial and willing to provide information on the local culture and traditions as well as wildlife, trees, plants etc. He and his friendly team of guides helped to ensure that the trek was such an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I followed the Exodus 'get fit' program for the 6 or 7 weeks prior to the trek and found that this provided an adequate level of fitness even for a nearly 70 yr old who lives in a rather flat part of England and spends much more time playing golf, tennis and cycling than hill walking. Some of the days were quite demanding, especially the day climbing about 1300 m up to MBC. Take a good sleeping bag as it was cold at ABC (-10C).

Suggestions

It would be helpful if the trip notes could be revised to include meters of ascent and descent for each day rather than just the sleeping altitude. Tea house accommodation is basic but adequate. Food was generally very good and lemon tea-breaks always very welcome.

John Sampson

Reviewed December 2015

Annapurna Sanctuary trek code TNS 151107

This is a wonderful trek with beautiful and varied scenery and a good length- neither too short nor too long. We were fortunate in having good weather, a group that gelled really well and an excellent leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching Annapurna Base Camp and standing in the Sanctuary surrounded by snow capped mountains on 3 sides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Gele Bishokarma, was excellent. He ensured that everyone was looked after and that everything ran smoothly. We felt we could have complete confidence in him which helped us in turn relax and enjoy the trek to the full. His team ( assistant guides and porters ) were also really helpful and friendly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

While the trek is within the capabilities of most people it helps to be fit to enjoy it. Probably the most important bit of kit is your boots. Make sure they are well worn in and not too tight bearing in mind there is as much downhill as up.

Suggestions

I cannot fault the arrangements in Nepal but I think that more detailed and accurate information could and should have been easily available beforehand. To quote just 3 examples: the trip notes suggested the weight limit for the Pokhara to Kathmandu flight was 10 kg whereas it is 15 kg ; when I enquired as to the recommended size of day pack It would have been helpful 33 MPaif an approximate size had been indicated ( nearly everyone had a 32 litre rucksack which was just right) ; more information should have been readily visible on the website as to what spare clothes one could take to help people in Nepal. Both I and my stepdaughter had to chase up our kit bags shortly before departure which the notes said would come to us automatically some time earlier.

Garry Bird

Reviewed November 2015

Annapurna Sanctuary

10 day trek via Poon Hill, night at MBC, overnight at Annapurna Base Camp

Most Inspirational Moment

Walk up from ABC onto the ridge overlooking the glacier.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant. Every aspect of the trip was covered by him. Always one step ahead. Very sociable, amicable but most of all professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't pack too many clothes. Travel light but use good quality kit.

Suggestions

Good camera is a must. People with cheap cameras or ones they could not use did regret it as the scenery is breathtaking.

Michael Heaney

Reviewed October 2015

Annapurna Sanctuary, the enjoyable way !

Fantastic trek with amazing contrasts in scenery; jungle and monkeys to the high mountains in only a few days. Nice pace to each day that ensured that the altitude increase was never a problem. Superb Exodus Leader and wonderful Guides and Porters made the trek a truly memorable experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching ABC , Annapurna Base Camp on a clear, crisp day with the panorama of the Sanctuary laid out before us was amazing. To achieve this in the company of a lovely group of like minded people made it all the more special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great Guy, so passionate about his country and the people. Always on hand to share his knowledge of the mountains, the animals , the plants and the culture and always looking out for the safety of the clients. Added to this was the humour and when encouraged some great singing !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be put off by the situation in Nepal post Earthquake - get out there and have a great time but also help the country recover by spending some money.

Suggestions

Excellent organisation on the trek.

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