Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in Matera around the cave houses, seeing the cave where the bones of a 28000 year old skeleton were found, going into a 600 year old trulli that was still being lived in, walking through the olive groves enjoying the countryside vistas, sampling the local produce at fabulous picnics put together by our lovely guide, visiting Ostuni the white city, the list goes on. In short we thoroughly enjoyed our week and would do it again.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We loved Marinella, she loves her job and her country, she is a mine of information and does her best to make sure that everything runs smoothly for everyone. We enjoyed her sense of humour and her company, she is an absolute delight. We were impressed by Marinella when one of our group members had an accident (before the walk even started ) and she had to balance care and organizing her as well as guiding the group, she must have been under a great deal of stress but she handled the situation professionally and we never felt that she could have done better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you do this trip in November make sure that you take warm clothes for at night and good walking boots.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the summits were brilliant. It was difficult terrain. A lot of loose stones underfoot so I had to walk with poles which I don't usually do but it was challenging and the guide really helped. The scenery was beautiful and the local villages of Guadalest and Benimentall were lovely.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was fantastic. His English was excellent and he had a great sense of humour. He was incredibly passionate about his country and very knowledgeable. His guiding was faultless, made excellent sandwiches - really! Respected and managed people with different levels of experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely need ankle support boots and poles. Bring thin layers.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many! I particularly enjoyed the Periyar walk in the jungle - much more interesting than walking on Wimbledon Common!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Philip was splendid - he could hardly have been better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the Leader's advice and you will not need the Imodium! The curries are yummy!

Most Inspirational Moment

After I got the electric bike I reached the top of one of the really steep challenging hills first with only half the power to help, after struggling the previous day on my normal bike and getting in the van this felt great. Being able to swim in clear sea and float around relaxing tired muscles was also a highlight for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both group leaders were enthusiastic and informative both about the cycling and Sardinia - it's history and it's culture. How they dealt with the challenge of differing cycling capabilities within the group varied, I much preferred it when our leader cycled in the middle of the group and gave those at the back chance to catch their breath before setting off again. Some days it seemed our leader spent all his time at the front and did not appreciate how tough some of us were finding the pace. We all chipped in a small amount to fund snacks and this meant our leaders organised fruit, nuts and snacks every day along our route which went down really well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would definitely recommend training with some longer trips out on your bike before you take on this trip. I took my own pedals and cycling shoes but would not recommend this as it was actually more of a problem on the tracks and little benefit overall. A gel saddle cover is definitely worth taking. There was an option for an electric assisted bike - I used this for a few days and loved it. I hardly used the power as you could turn it off but I did feel more confident stopping to take photos knowing I could always catch up by adding power if I needed to. I would definitely recommend getting this for anyone who is fit but maybe not too experienced with cycling. It's a heavier bike so takes more leg power to keep it moving when the power is off but with a bit of power it massively improves the speed and your ability to get all the way up the steeper hills.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many - The first steps on the Wall, and the realisation of its vast scale, the third or fourth day of trekking when you looked around and saw nothing but green mountains, with the Great Wall stretching away as far as the eye could see, with no one else but our small group in sight. the Great Wall stretching away as far as the eye could see. Not forgetting the first sight of the warriors.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kevin was absolutely superb, we could not have wished for a better group leader, He shared his considerable knowledge of Chinese history,culture with us with passion and good humour. Even before and after the actual trip Kevin took care of us, taking us out on our first and last night in Beijing for Food and a trip to a theatre. Exodus should be honoured to have Kevin as a Group Leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are some physically challenging sections, scrambling up or down steep and uneven slopes. I took trekking poles and was very glad of the extra support. If you are afraid of heights some sections will be uncomfortable. Our group was of mixed ages and abilities - from students to retirees, from occasional day hikers to multiple marathon runners - all managed the walk. What i wasn't prepared for was the actual walks to reach the wall some days - I stupidly thought, after reading the itinerary that we got dropped off on one end and picked up the other - not quite like that but still all great.

Most Inspirational Moment

The desert, the Lake District and Patagonia were each a highlight, but there was something special about Patagonia - the setting, the landscape, the wildlife, the colours, the weather, the wind, the air.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex was excellent, timings spot on, kept us on track, plenty of info. One of the best guides I have had.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not a trip for culture vultures, more for scenery observationists, physical geographers, those seeking a special place to chill out, and photographers. Hotels - all decent clean hotels in good locations. Flight timings good for the internal flights. Be a bit clever with packing. I went two days ahead of the trip, and got over the long flight out and saw some of Santiago. If you see something to buy then buy buy buy, especially before travelling to Patagonia. There is a lot of travelling about but this trip actually felt like a holiday. Plenty of time for naps on the buses.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling over the Andes mountain pass between Chile and Argentina, with the later visit to the Conguillio National Park and the Eco-lodge

Thoughts on Group Leader

They were all great - thank you to the local team Marcello, Taiel & Jero

Advice for Potential Travellers

Most days had good weather, but you should also pack proper rain proof gear, as the weather can be erratic

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many highlights including the following: 1. Hearing the early morning cries of the Indri lemurs in Andasibe. 2. Seeing mouse lemurs and the rainforest in Ramofana. 3. Seeing ring tailed lemurs very close. 4. The amazing landscapes and the "black pool" at Isalo. 5. Travelling to and from Nosy Ve by a traditional dhow. 3. The welcome given to us by the villagers when our bus broke down and we had a 90 minute delay while Andree fixed the bus.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ritza was excellent. She was very friendly, enthusiastic and approachable throughout the trip and gave some very good talks on the bus on Madagascan life. The dealt with the bus breaking down crisis brilliantly and got the ladies on our trip dancing with the villagers.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long drives on some poor roads (although most of the roads outside the Tana to Fianarantsoa section were fairly decent) but that is realistically the only way to see the number of attractions which are covered by this trip. The accommodation was very good throughout but I would try and although the food was generally fine I would try and eat outside the hotels whenever possible. The town close to Isalo has an amazing pizza restaurant about 200 yards from the hotel.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing sea turtles being born and seeing their journey back to the sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb! Knowledgeable, patient, enthusiastic, with great command of the English language

Most Inspirational Moment

The gorilla trekking was the definite highlight, to spend that time so close to those magnificent animals was incredible. I was amazed how close we got, which made it very special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kip was an excellent leader, knowledgeable, helpful, efficient & friendly. Nothing was too much trouble. Along with the rest of the crew (Dan, Ken & Amos) he made the trip run like clockwork.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring long sleeves, long trousers and long socks for the gorilla trekking. Also a $50 note to exchange money at the Kenyan border, you get a better rate with larger notes (this is not mentioned in the trip notes)