Thoughts on Group Leader
Didorali was an amazing tour guide. Solicitous, intelligent and speaks excellent English
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
ATJ: Tajikistan Expedition: Pamir Highway and Beyond
This was a totally amazing and very real adventure! One of my all time favorites; for me, it ranks with Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Rwanda. It’s not for the faint of heart – it’s tough and yet worth every squat on a toilet, dust in the eyes, bumpy roads and lack of privacy. It makes one feel totally alive. Plus it’s an incredibly beautiful and fascinating country filled with lovely people!
Adventure in Andalucia
The Level 2 tour in Andalucia, and it was nothing short of incredible!
Most Inspirational Moment
One of the highlights for me was walking the El Caminito del Rey, which offered stunning views and a real sense of achievement on this hiking tour. The accommodation was very relaxing, with dinner outside every night. We enjoyed the stunning sunsets while listening to music.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our guide was outstanding, with deep knowledge of local town history and wildlife. Michael organization made the trip smooth and enjoyable, adding a fun and educational dimensions to each day.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Embrace the opportunity to relax in the breathtaking Spanish countryside, soaking in the stunning views. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking a holiday wanting to take a break away from technology and opportunity to meet some amazing fellow travelers.
Fantastic holiday in a really interesting region
This was one of the best Exodus holidays I have been on…and I’ve been on a few! The guide really was excellent and made the trip fun, interesting and unforgettable. He really knows the region , both its history and the natural environment. The bus was very comfortable and spacious which made the journey undemanding. There were 16 of us in the group and we all enjoyed the trip .The hotels were good and we didn’t move on every day which was good. It’s a full on trip so not much time is spent in the hotel. Breakfasts were very good and the location of the hotels meant it was easy to go out on your own. The itinerary is varied… Sarajevo and Dubrovnik are great cities. Mostar ,although very busy, is a must see and the smaller places especially in the mountains were fascinating.
Most Inspirational Moment
So many… Lukomir was a great day. Walk around the lake and the fantastic village food provided by the family. Be warned. There is lots to eat…have a small breakfast! Sarajevo is a mini Istanbul.. great atmosphere in the old town but the tunnel museum shows exactly what they went through in the war. Watching the divers jump from the bridge at Mostar. Wine tasting was fun as was the trip to the Ostrog monastery.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Evelin was a five star guide. Enthusiastic, energetic, inspiring…. he bonded well with the group and took care of everyone. He did more than was expected…accompanied us on extra trips eg up the cable car in Sarajevo to see the bob sled run from the 1984 Olympics. He worked so hard and was always cheerful . Samir was a very careful driver and the various city guides were knowledgeable. Evelin was great when we encountered a 2 hour road closure…we all ate wonderful goulash in a roadside cafe and had a really fun few hours. The restaurants he chose were first class.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go now as this region is still not too touristy apart from Mostar. Take walking boots if you have them for the Black lake walk and the Tara gorge viewpoint. The walking is not hard but the gravel can be slippy . Take sterling to change in Sarajevo . Very hard to use a card anywhere except Dubrovnik. Euros are accepted here and there but we ended up changing euros for Bosnian marks. Good to go in June as the scenic roads are open. The drive from Zabljak across the mountains is stunning.
Incredible Adventure!
This is my 9th Exodus tour and can honestly say it was one of the best. Wild camping in Africa is such an awesome experience – night skies, dawn and dusk safaris, animals everywhere, plus a visit to Victoria Falls. This is an incredible trip to an incredible country – you won’t be disappointed! It is well-named: if “Wildlife and Wilderness” appeals, this is a trip for you.
Most Inspirational Moment
Some awesome wildlife moments - Wild Dogs with pups, Hippos whilst poling, Lions mating only a metre from the truck, Lions on a Buffalo kill with another Buffalo trying to resurrect its unfortunate companion, Pel’s Fishing-Owl in the campsite plus a Leopard at sunset in a tree. Just to name a few… Also the scale of the place is mind-blowing, particularly wild camping at the Salt Pans where we watched moonset then sunrise in quick succession. Botswana also appears very friendly, relaxed and safe. Great people and great country.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Kenny and his team were incredible throughout. Very organised crew, making and breaking camp very efficiently and cooking the most wonderful meals (fresh bread rolls plus breakfast porridge was very welcome). You are well looked after on the trip, so don’t worry if you’re not the most seasoned camper.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Our visit was late June and it was pretty cold on the truck, especially during early morning game drives and the travel days. Bring warm clothes/scarf/snood (very dusty also). Blankets are provided. The Okavango Delta helicopter ride was awesome - much longer (45 mins), cheaper and much more wildlife than at Vic Falls. Would highly recommend this followed by the short flight option at the falls, if your budget allows. I took a trail camera with me, based on another review on here. This was a great extra as was able to get footage of Hyenas, Honey Badger, Jackal, Springhare and several deer all visiting us during the night. Added an extra dimension to the trip.
Not as advertised
The walks were incredibly slow, and the distance covered (especially days 2, 3 and 4) are far less then the plan. 15 miles instead of the advertised +25 and that is being generous. On a day when we started early (830 is not early) to try and beat the rain, in a period of 2hours 30mins covering less than 2.2 miles I was stopped for 1 hour 10mins waiting for others. Hotel was appalling, I had room by road, the binman turned up before 7 on one day and parked under the window!
Most Inspirational Moment
Final day when guides added an extra peak, views amazing (Brda and Debela Pac)
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent- both guides did their best and shared that they have informed exodus about the lower mileage
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are active and looking for a walking holiday, don't book this trip. Very disappointed
Been home for a week and have not stopped smiling.
Identifying the specific thing that makes this trip memorable is impossible. Croatia’s vibe is uniquely its own. The country and it’s people are welcoming, cosmopolitan, small town warmth, pragmatic and joyful all at once.
There’s was not a single second that was disappointing. The small group focus of the tour allowed for connecting with other tour members which enhanced the experience. Visiting small local businesses like the winery in Ston and Lumbarda felt like we were being welcomed into their homes.
Our tour leader was the amazing Vajna! If you are blessed to have her as your guide rest assured you are in fantastic hands, she is thoughtful, full of knowledge and I simply cannot say enough about Vajna or this trip!
I’ve been home for a week and have not stopped smiling.
Most Inspirational Moment
Can I say the entire trip? No? Well then I'll say Korcula and Mljet national park as there were no crowds on the trail up to the incredible view.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Vajna is her own incredible brand! She cared for us like her little ducklings 🐥 we were prepared for every step, catamaran que, restaurant selection and walk/hike.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book the trip...yesterday
A fantastic two weeks in the Alps
A very well organised and excellently led trek over an iconic alpine route. There are plenty of spectacular views of the Mt. Blanc massif and a good variety of trails from river valleys to forested climbs and from alpine meadows to rocky mountaintop paths.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many inspirational moments and picking one out is difficult. I’d say climbing to the top of Brévent on the final day and seeing the extent of the Mt. Blanc range we’d walked around ranks very high.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Adrian, our group leader, was excellent. He was knowledgeable, providing informative briefings each evening about the next day’s walking. He was great fun and seemed to have an unlimited store of energy and enthusiasm (even when faced with yet another damp start to the day). He looked out for everyone and was supportive to anyone struggling on a particular day. Kieron, our camp leader, was equally good. He cooked great food, and plenty of it. He was always cheerful and is very knowledgeable about the region and highly experienced. Tents were always set up and waiting for us, whatever the weather. The bar was always well stocked. He went out of his way to ensure any individual catering requests were met.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The trek involves some long days and big ascents and descents so ensure you’re in good shape for up to 8 hours walking with lots of up and down. If you’re unsure about the camping, go for it - it’s good fun. As a camping group we became a very close team, benefiting from the collaboration in camp. Bring good waterproofs and bring a power bank for your electronics.
An amazing adventure in a stunning country
No words or photos can really do justice to this trip, but, to give you an idea, it went straight into my top 3 trips ever, alongside Zim/Bots/Namibia and Falklands/S Georgia/Antarctica, even though I has a bad case of travellers’ tummy.
Most Inspirational Moment
Hard to pick, but either the stunning river valley along the Afgan border, the extraordinary scenery in the very remote area between Lake Zorkul/Djartygubez and re-joining the Pamir Highway.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tour leader was well organised and very helpful. Ideally he'd have known more about plants and birds etc, but as he stepped in at the last minute, due to the planned leader (who was more of a mountain guide) having a family emergency, he did extremely well. The drivers are exceptional. They minimised the bumps and made me feel safe on roads that would normally have me shutting my eyes.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you want an adventure through staggering scenery and an incredibly welcoming country and don't mind roughing it, go on this trip. However, the roads are very bumpy (I am pretty sure all the Toyota Prados we had needed a full service after the punishment we gave them), the drives can be long, you will be sharing rooms with potentially several other people (max 5 in our case) and washing facilities can be basic. Make the most of the hot springs. No matter how delicious it looks (it is), do make sure you avoid all uncooked fruit and veg unless you have washed it yourself in bottled water, even in the nice hotel in Dushambe. Ask if you can pre-book a single room in Qalai Khumb after the Bartang. For some reason it was not included in the single supplement. Similarly the Pamir Hotel in Murgob isn't necessarily included in the single supplement (due to only a few en suite rooms. That said the shared showers at the end of the corridor was more likely to have warm water.) Altitude increase is pretty gradual and they have back up plans if you do get altitude sickness. Nobody in our group seemed to have anything worse than a mild headache. NB a side effect of Diamox is diahorrea, so think carefully before taking it. I was given ciprofloxin by the Tajik doctors . Amoxycillin did nothing for my traveller's tummy. The tour organisers were amazing at getting me medical support.
Sicily cycling
Open air, history and good food! A surprisingly full and rounded introduction to Sicily. All on a bike.
Most Inspirational Moment
Learning of Ancient Noto. Amazing history in this SE corner of the island. Wonderful baroque towns.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Perfect leader. Excellent knowledge of island, history and invaluable guiding to best restaurants and stops. Well designed week. Well looked after on the road.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Could be hot at the end of June! Made the moderate rating just enough for this average cyclist. Do be ready to jump in the sea; it’s lovely - and welcome! All the hotels are good quality. Singles and couples in equal rooms.
Wonderful Mont Blanc
As we have always found with Exodus this trip was well organised with good accommodation and a varied programme of walks. We had the added bonus of sharing the trip with a nice group of people. We stayed at Chalet Chalupa and enjoyed Les Houches which is a little further out from Chamonix but all the transport worked well as the trip covers all parts of the valley. We took advantage of the hot tub on several occasions after the days walking!
Most Inspirational Moment
Mont Blanc from various viewpoints but in particular from the Aguille Du Midi which we visited on the rest day. We bought a multipass ticket so we were also able to visit the ice cave in the glacier at Montenvers. We very much enjoyed all the walking days especially the trip over the border to the Italian side.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Maria is an excellent guide and looked after all our individual needs on the walking days and at other times. We all found him fun to walk with. We did the walks pretty much as there trip notes but Maria varied the order in view of the weather and other factors which meant we got the best from each day. We invariably had our lunch at the highest point after the morning's climb so to enjoy the best views. Special mention too to our hosts Gon and Lau, our drivers, chefs and general nursemaids. They prepared excellent meals for us and kept the honesty bar topped up!
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is covered well by other reviews but if you can extend your holiday either side of the trip (we did both) On return to the airport we stayed an extra night at the NH Airport Hotel which provides free airport transfer both ways and free travel passes for the tram to Geneva centre. There is also an Alpine garden walking distance from the hotel.