Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking along a narrow ridge with steep drops of hundreds of feet on both sides. It felt both risky and exhilarating at the same time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both of the group leaders - Albert and Martin - were superb. They had a first class knowledge of the routes, the terrain, the region and its culture. They were always on hand to give us help and guidance on a wide variety of matters - those related to the walks and extra-curricular activities too. They had high energy levels and nothing was too much trouble for them. They were the main reason the trip was so enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare for any kind of weather! We went in late August and the first two days we had unseasonal snowfall which created a good covering, including some pretty deep drifts up on the mountains. Plenty of layers, gloves and hats were all necessary. The next two days it was 25 degrees, so sun cream was essential. The next two, it rained pretty heavily at times so waterproofs were the order of the day. Be prepared for anything and take what you can reasonably carry. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it - especially when you're 3000 metres up!

Most Inspirational Moment

My favourite time was in the yurt camp at Son Kul lake. After a really hectic couple of weeks this was a brilliant place to relax and chill, walk and ride local horses. There are very few places in the world with no phone or internet access and no sound of roads, planes or trains - but this is one of them. I would have stayed another week here just to unwind and enjoy the spectacular surroundings if I could have.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Alejandro, was quite exceptional - his patience, calmness, kindness and good humour kept us all together as a group for this long and quite intense trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip requires a really small wardrobe in order to manage a lot of one-night stopovers, with very cool lightweight, easily washable clothing for the incredibly hot places (Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) and a down jacket, hat, gloves and thermals for the much cooler places (Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan). If you take the Astana extension - just make sure your free day is NOT a Monday, when everything (yes, literally everything!) is closed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the mountains on our longest hike and then swimming in a beautiful lake in the middle of glorious views -magic!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was professional, polite and friendly - an absolute gem.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take enough money for tips and extras! And it's a great trip if you like both culture and hiking.

Most Inspirational Moment

Panoramic views of Mont Blanc and valley are spectacular. So nice to visit Courmayeur too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Shaun, very cleverly tailored the walking itinerary to suit the group's wishes and the weather conditions so we got the very best out of each walk every day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You won't go hungry on this trip. Food is high-end, sumptuous and plentiful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our guide Lina Duseviciene´s told us her family´s history. In Kolkja villagers where selling their onions -

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Monte Tre Calli and seeing Positano and the coastline for the first time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Martina Cipolia has an outgoing personality and is very passionate about hiking, the Amalfi coast region and Italy in general. She set the hiking pace at a level where everyone could keep up. There were plenty of opportunities for taking photographs. On our free day she organised for our transport to Herculaneum.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Exodus website mentions bringing water bottles. If you are taking this trip in the summer months it is recommended you bring water bottles which can hold 2 litres.

Most Inspirational Moment

The fact that I got on and managed to stay and hold on for a camel ride of 1 1/2 hours to our Sahara camp. Seriously, the late afternoon, early evening thunderstorm in the Sahara desert was a wonderful sight to behold and one I won't forget. The next morning the shades of the orange sand with the different levels of moisture from the rain overnight were truly beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohammed was a good leader for our trip. He was well organized and phoned ahead for our meals and reservations in advance. He was very knowledgeable about the places we went to and he also subcontracted to local guides so we got a more personable experience. On several occasions, he purchased extra water to supplement our supply, which was of great benefit. I particularly enjoyed the personal touches he made by our group having dinner with a local family and tea with other families in other towns, so we got an up close personal feel to our trip, which made it very memorable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would like to recommend to potential travelers that they purchase and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated while on the trip as the temperature in Morocco was anywhere from 35-42 degrees in August. Wear a floppy hat and definitely apply sun cream regularly too.

Most Inspirational Moment

Kotor,Cetinje ,the Montenegrin scenery;Sarajevo in general and atmospheric Mostar all impress

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sabina is an excellent cheerful guide who manages the tour friendly and efficiently, she imparts her keen enthusiasm for these countries and is willing to share her personal insight into their history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Like others have said,just visit and enjoy the experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed the company of the other riders. I am so glad I took this trip instead of a self-guided trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jon Hobson is very easy to get along with and to talk about anything we want. He took good care of us, riding at a good pace, stopping frequently for us to regroup and to refill our water bottles. At lunch and dinner time he provided us with great suggestions on places to eat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would suggest you have a good fitness level as there are some hills which are hard to ride up.

Most Inspirational Moment

The icing on the cake for this ride was how much I enjoyed the company of the other riders on this trip. I think I was just as sore from laughing so much as my legs were from riding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Martino Falsini took good care of us, keeping the ride at a good pace so we weren't too far spaced out, stopping frequently to regroup and to refill our water bottles. He provided us with commentary on many of the towns we passed through.