Most Inspirational Moment
Swimming with sea lios
Thoughts on Group Leader
Good - both of them
Advice for Potential Travellers
Never let go of your valuables
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Amazon and Galapagos
Excellent wildlife, the snorkeling was amazing – turtles, sea lions and occasional (small) sharks.
Good guides.
Hectic with early starts and busy schedule.
Worst experience was having my bag with all my valuables stolen from the hotel lobby – although we were aware of steet crime we did expect to be safe within the hotel.
Definately a challenging cycle!
We signed up for this trip having done a few other cycle holidays and always finished feeling more cycling would have been good. Not so on this one! It’s certainly a challenging route, with many long hills and often some long climbs before you get to the start of the days longest climb! But the bikes are good, the roads are mostly in good condition, with very little traffic and we were very well looked after along the way. As always, cycling is the best way to see a country and this tour certainly gives you an insight into way of life in the Albanian countryside, how things are developing and a lovely few days in Macedonia too.
Most Inspirational Moment
A few moments of relief on reaching the top of some big climbs - and the time in Macedonia around Lake Ohrid, including visiting the old town (UNESCO site).
Thoughts on Group Leader
Vimo (maybe not the right spelling, sorry) was excellent. Managed the group really well, gave a good briefing about the next day each evening, set out meeting points so that people could cycle fairly large chunks at their own pace and was always on hand with snacks at the re-grouping point.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for some long tough climbs. If that's what you like and what you are expecting then you'll will have a great time! Do consider the impact the weather, particularly the heat, might have on your cycling and ability too when deciding to go. August in Albania is HOT!!
Tour Du Mont Blanc Hotel Trek
This was an excellent walking holiday, well paced, interesting interaction with fellow travellers & informative interludes from Ian our guide.
Most Inspirational Moment
The excellent weather giving us spectacular views of Mont Blanc
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ian was excellent , informative, interested in the individuals within the group & led well giving the group the appropriate amount of time to walk & have breaks.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are undertaking this trip the cable car from Italy op & then over to the Aiguille du midi was well worth the expense with a reduced rate for people over 65 if they ask.It is cheaper over all to go from this side & the travel across the massif was truly spectacular.
Trip of a lifetime
This was the trip of a lifetime, words cant describe how amazing it was. Everything went perfectly and smoothly we had zero issues or problems other than very very minor ones. Vincenzo our guide was absolutely amazing and our driver Salvadore as well. They both did everything to make our trip wonderful. I could not recommend this more highly. The food, the hotels, the scenery, everything was perfect.
Most Inspirational Moment
I was brought to tears several times, it is hard to say what was the most inspirational. The whole thing was outstanding. Generally the best thing about the trip was the schedule. It was just so well planned with the right amount of adventure but also enough rest time. Really well done!
Thoughts on Group Leader
I loved Vincenzo!!! He was like a brother to all of us, he put up with our silly questions and helped us in every way he could. He was very professional and knowledgeable. I would go on a tour again with Vincenzo as the guide any time.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure to have electrolyte tablets with you at all times. It is very hot and it is easy to get dehydrated. Those tablets saved our bacon a few times.
Experience the best of Peru in 2 weeks
This rates among my top trips ever (and I’ve been on quite a few). Peru is an amazing destination. It is also a huge country and it would be difficult/impossible to organise the variety of activities that enable you to sample some of its highlights without the top organisation of Exodus’s UK and local teams.
Most Inspirational Moment
Just a few of the inspirational moments were: 1. Reaching Machu Picchu and sharing the sense of achievement and iconic views with my wonderful travelling companions. 2. Sunrise over the high Andes followed by breakfast on top of the world (well... at 3750m) 3. Reaching 'Dead woman's pass' without actually dying! 4. Dawn and dusk in the rain forest listening to the chorus of birds and beasts.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Raul was a top group leader. His love of his work and his country is infectious. His knowledge of the history, archaeology and culture of Peru are encyclopaedic and he makes the complex arrangements of a tour that encompasses 4 very different environments (mountain, jungle, lake and city) seamless. He treated the group as his family and interacted well with assistant guide, porters and local guides. He was supportive to members of the group who suffered altitude sickness and he is a master of tact and diplomacy.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is a breathtaking trip - in all senses of the word. The itinerary is packed so you'll need to be fit and active. Lots of early starts and rushed showers in your enthusiasm to see as much as possible at each destination.
Kenya & Tanzania safari adventure Aug 17
Saw all the infamous National parks & so much awesome wildlife, too numerous to mention.
Great group, relaxing tour pace & even the camping was great!
The way the trip is organised & run by the crew is flawless, I am so impressed & will definitely have consider this type of trip again.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the wildebeast crossing the Mara river during the annual migration was the most awe inspiring thing I have ever seen, made up that we managed to see this...thanks to the crew !
Thoughts on Group Leader
Erillah was a fantastic tour guide, relentlessly cheerful & knowledgable, supported by Wilson & Esther - awesome chefs who looked after us so well, & Sam, the driver, who kept us safe at all times & gave us the best 'African massage' !!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take binoculars & pack really light, you really won't need many clothes as you can easily wash en route. We all got affected by motion sickness due to the rough roads, so I would recommend taking travel sickness medication.
Carpathian Walking & Bears
A wonderful holiday based in the beautiful, remote, rural village of Magura. The village is accessed via a long, winding unmade road so get used to a bumpy ride. If you get out of the van immediately after you leave the tarmac it will take approximately 45 – 50 minutes to walk up hill to Villa Hermani through the woods – follow the bright pink paint splodges on rocks or trees. Transylvania is like stepping back in time, where local people still travel via horse and cart and cut hay with scythes, although they will be on their mobiles as mobile signals, 3 & 4G and WiFi are readily available. Romania is home to many European brown bears and seeing them from a hide in the forest was one of the highlights of our trip. In addition to the walking there is a visit to Bran Castle which was given to Queen Maria of Romania in 1918, and to the delightful city of Brasov.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many inspirational moments so I will list them in no particular order: Viewing the bears in their natural environment from the bear hide Watching the bats in the bat cave The 12 mile walk along the gorge and through meadows Visiting Libearty, the bear sanctuary Seeing red squirrels in the woodlands The stunning scenery
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our guide, Traian was very relaxed and friendly and was keen that all our needs were met. He briefed us on the following day's activities after our evening meals. Traian was extremely knowledgeable about his country's geography, history and politics and he was keen to share his knowledge with us. Before dinner one evening he gave an informal lecture which was really interesting due to the content and Traian's delivery. Traian's passion about his county's future is apparent and we felt we came home much more aware of issues that the people of Romania are experiencing. Traian also leads 'Highlights of Romania' and I believe we gained from the information that is given on that trip. Whilst he had a rather casual approach to walking he didn't get us lost and he let us lengthen walks whilst others continued in the vehicle which we appreciated.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't change your money at the airport as the exchange rate is very poor 4.1 Lei to the £ compared to 4.95 to the £ in Brasov. The restaurants in towns accept credit cards and Villa Hermani accepts local currency, sterling, US dollars & Australian dollars but not credit cards. Your bill for the bear hide trip , beer, wine, tea and coffee is settled on the Friday evening before you leave. If you are used to walking regularly the walking is extremely leisurely, however if you are unfit, over weight or don't like hills then you will find the walking more challenging. We were somewhat disappointed with the amount of walking but enjoyed the long walk and every other aspect of the holiday. Villa Hermani provides a hairdryer which is perfectly adequate but not as powerful as at home. Walking poles are available to borrow from Villa Hermani If you are travelling with Tarom Airlines they do provide you with a complimentary hot meal and a glass of wine or beer, tea or coffee on the flight. We were also given a tasty sandwich on the transfer bus as we did not arrive at Villa Hermani until shortly after midnight.
Some fairly challenging walks with fantastic views followed by more leisurely sight-seeing
The trip notes warn: “This trek is suitable for the average walker who is prepared to put in some physical preparation”. For us, as a family of 5 adults, the longer walking days provided more challenge for some than others. However, worries (suggested to me by my doctor) that my creaky 60-year-old knee would give up were unfounded, though I found walking poles essential.
The trip notes perhaps understate the poor state of the remote mountain road down to Theth, with vertiginous drops off the side of the road and some scary moments passing other vehicles. It is not only on the walks that you need to be able to deal with heights!
The ‘basic hotel’ in Theth is, in fact, delightful: rooms are simply-finished but very attractive and the view from the terrace down the valley as you sip raki or a cold beer, or both, is lovely. Service is slow at busy times but the family who runs the hotel make up for any failings by their warm welcome.
Most Inspirational Moment
We went for the walking more than the sight-seeing and the walk over the Valbona pass was, despite its challenges, the high point. The views up from Theth were very different from those on the way down to Rragam and Valbone. Everywhere we looked there were jaw-dropping views. The drive down to Berat was very long but the city is beautiful and well worth it once we got there.
Thoughts on Group Leader
It would have been great if the guide had been more knowledgable about the basics of the geology, flora and fauna of the mountain area.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do assess your own level of physical fitness and do some preparation, even if a stiff climb up the South Downs is rather tame compared to 1000m ascent in the Albanian Alps. Don't be put off by any enduring reputation that Albania has for violence. There are probably still a great many guns in private hands but we didn't see any. The political situation described most eloquently by Robert Carver in 'The Accursed Mountains' no longer applies: the book is well worth reading but not as a guide to modern Albania. A lot has changed in 20 years!
Fantastic country and cycling tour
The country was wonderful – everyone was very friendly, the views were stunning, and the new roads made it perfect for cycling around. Don’t be put off by preconceptions about Albania – we were all delighted to find it much more pleasant to be in than many other European countries, and will no doubt be full of tourists in the next 5-10 years. Definitely go before everyone else realises how good it is. It’s very cheap too, especially in the more rural parts.
My only complaint would be the repeated promises of ice cream, which mysteriously never materialised!
Most Inspirational Moment
The long descent on the second day, speeding down a mountain with amazing views, a new road surface, and no cars!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very sociable, organised, and clearly passionate about his country.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Withdrawing 30,000 LEK at the airport should be sufficient for the whole week.
Brilliant family adventure
We travelled with children aged 11 and 14 and found ourselves in a lovely group of 4 families from across the UK. We totally lucked out with our amazing coach (and driver, Ohman) and our wonderful guide, Gustavo.
Every day was different and we learned so much about where our food comes from, nature, and all types of wildlife. Accommodation was slightly basic at times but we coped and all pools were lovely.
The 14 KM white water rafting is not to be missed and we also enjoyed the night walks and boat trips. Had an amazing trip on a catamaran and swam with tropical fish and the kids jumped off the boat back into the blue sea. We always felt very safe and well looked after with Exodus.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the green turtles lay their eggs and watching the kids follow her back to the Caribbean sea.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Amazing: Gustavo looked after us so well and knew so much.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take warm clothes, when it rains it's quite cold (we went in Aug) - it rained most days but was manageable. If you need special diet food take your own.