Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding down the river valleys to Lake Garda

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele was charming, extremely friendly and extraordinarily patient and helpful. Great sense of humour and really worked hard to keep spirits up when the weather briefly turned grim. One of the best I've encountered. His recommendations for restaurants were invariably brilliant - the best food at very reasonable prices. In particular the Venice choice was outstanding and we'd never have found it without his help.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't bring a rucksack as the panniers are fine. Do bring a waterproof jacket! The trip is described as Moderate, but really is a lot easier than that. Mostly flat with few hills, which was fine for me but might disappoint more ambitious cyclists.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Toubkal, despite difficult conditions will stay with me for a lifetime.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Hassan Zbair was a credit to Exodus. Cool, calm, confident and resourceful. Hassan went above and beyond a number of ties during our trip. A wealth of knowledge about Morocco and the Berber way of life. Hassan spoke several languages and was able to make everyone feel comfortable and relaxed. We had extremely wintery conditions for a May summit and Hassan quietly and calm reorganised the sleeping arrangments and trek route to ensure we all got the very best experience we could. Hassan made sure that we got the final summit in the bag in the face of 2 feet of snow and very strong winds whilst at the same time making completely sure we were all safe. I'd gladly be guided by Hassan again on any mountain trek.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, if travelling in early May, you may need to consider that it might still be snowy and should pack winter kit, just in case! You need a good pair of water resistant walking boots, period. Also useful might be a pair of crampons for poor weather (but these can be hired at the refuge for 200dh). Take toilet rolls! Finally, don't use the currency exchange in the airport (its a rip off) use an ATM instead, there are loads near the hotels in Marrakech. 2000dh is plenty (150 sterling) for water, snacks and a few souvenirs.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking towards the Sun Gate after 4 days of trekking was amazing. I suffer from asthma so found the steps going up tough but with the support of Ollie and the group, the feeling of success when we all walked through the gate as a group will stay with me for ever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ollie was a great leader. He helped me through my asthma with the altitude challenges. He just gave gentle encouragement and never made you feel that anything was too much trouble. His knowledge and story telling through the trip was superb and was a major factor to the success of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Whatever you think you need for the trek - halve it. We all probably took too much. Buy a rain poncho - it was invaluable Believe you can do it - and you will. As we used to say - take one step at a time Don't rush the trek - stop and enjoy the scenery and reflect on what an amzing experience it is

Most Inspirational Moment

I was inspired by the spirit of the Lithuanians exemplified by the Hill of Crosses, the sculptures on the Hill of Witches and the work of the ARKA gallery in Vilnius that I visited independently.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jolita was practical, knowledgeable and usually good humored. She organised suitable restaurants for group meals and was at hand to assist individuals each evening if needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to travel a day before the tour begins as there is lots of interesting things to do in Tallinn. Bring an eye mask as some hotel rooms have roof windows without curtains/blinds Plan what you want to do, the official trip to Jurmala is for a half day only Bring clothes suitable for colder days If you wish to save money you can buy salads etc in the supermarkets some of which are located close to the hotels

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting the local women for an evening of song & dance was fantastic and the cave trips were a fabulous bonus. Being out in great countryside away from the city was the best part - day after day of lovely tranquil walks

Thoughts on Group Leader

Svetla had a great sense of humour and was a lovely, calm guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I'd suggest taking a walking pole, although as lots of the walks are through forest a suitable stick can be found en route. Some of the ascents are steep and in wet weather pretty slippery. The group return flight was very early so would advise booking your own. If you stay in Sofia check out the restaurants Made in Home and Made in Blue - although you may need to make a reservation.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra is incredible, could have spent more than two days there it's that big.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgable and honest guide. Would recommend.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it, worth going to. Even some of the smaller visits during the week such as mount Nebo and Kerak castle are well worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the ascent of out summit on the first day, with fabulous views of mountains, chestnut forests, marble quarries and the coast. But every day was different and they were all good in their own ways.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant. Sara is very experienced, very knowledgeable, and very keen that we were all looked after, all having a good time, and being given any information we asked for about anything at all. Our weather wasn't always great but she was always prepared with a variety of suggestions and ideas as to what we could do, while giving us as much choice as she reasonably could. I can't imagine how anyone could know an area, it's people and wildlife better than she does, or put more time and energy into looking after both us and the environment. She also went out if her way to make sure that being gluten- free was never a problem for me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes - read the trip notes and consider the weather! We took waterproofs and good walking boots while not particularly expecting to need them, and very much did! The walks we did were varied and some fairly low-level, but in a mountainous area the weather is always a factor ( though Sara was well- equipped with alternate and enjoyable bad- weather plans). Also some of the terrain is fairly steep and uneven underfoot. I found walking poles absolutely invaluable, though some of our party really didn't, so my advice would be to go with what generally works for you. Oh, and the free day ( which in my case was very much needed) - all of our group went to Lucca, ( for which we were given maps, train times etc by Sara) and I think it was a good decision - not too far to travel and a really attractive and surprisingly quiet town.

Most Inspirational Moment

Crossing Cho La

Advice for Potential Travellers

WI Fi is very common throughout most of the trip, much more common than mobile, although often unreliable. Take a solar powered battery bank,very useful. Most of us spent about £20/day out on the trails. Views on Diamox were mixed, some took it others not, we all managed to hit the high spots without any altitude problems.

Most Inspirational Moment

A few highlights - seeing the Treasury at Petra for the first time, cycling through breathtaking desert landscapes, sleeping outside in the desert, and an encounter with a camel...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair was wonderful. He had an astonishing depth of knowledge and a real passion for the history of his country. He was kind, thoughtful, well organised and had a never-ending bank of stories to draw on. He introduced himself to us as a storyteller and he certainly proved himself on that front! His sense of humour was infectious and most of all he really seemed to care deeply that we should have the best time possible while he was looking after us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes say that the cycling is mainly flat; I'd say this is wildly inaccurate! The distances are short but those hills are steep. Having been on other trips graded the same as this one I would say this one could be graded higher, if the distances were slightly longer (for me, there wasn't quite enough cycling and a bit too much stopping and starting). Jordan was more expensive than I thought it would be. I took the amount of money suggested in the trip notes and had to be very careful I didn't overspend. I bought nothing extra beyond food and drinks and only just had enough money. The trip notes also advise not to wear lycra but everyone in our group, including the bike leader, wore lycra and this was not a problem at all.

Most Inspirational Moment

The summit, wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it.