Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved being able to get up early and go for a swim in the sea. One morning I had the beach to myself watching the sun rise and as I was swimming pelicans were flying close by skimming the waves with their wings. Giving a "high five" to local kids whilst cycling up hill and not falling off my bike! Cycling through amazing scenery hearing and seeing howler monkeys and birds and trying to spot snoozing sloths in the trees.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Roberto. His knowledge of the history, politics, wildlife and roads! of all three countries was excellent. He was a very dedicated leader and worked hard to ensure that every day went as smoothly as it could. Roberto was incredibly well organised and always smiling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bug spray, I smelt of deet for two weeks but managed to avoid being bitten so it was worth it. Imodium tablets! The food was great and there was always a safe water supply but I did need them. Pedals, I clip in when road cycling but not if I mtb. I didn't take my pedals but wish I had as the cycling is mainly road cycling on a mountain bike. Build up your stamina before you go. It is quite hilly and very very humid. If you are sharing a room it is always worth asking if they have a second key, most of the hotels did.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many but Torteguero was the most amazing place, cruising along the waterways seeing the abundant wildlife. But the beauty of the cloud forest at St Elena was also truest stunning. Also the getting up and 5am to see the quetzals at Savegre. As was swimming in the warm Pacific and seeing the Pelicans flying above. And watching the white faced monkeys grooming in the trees.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carla was extremely hard working and put a lot into giving us as much information as possible about where we were and what we were seeing. She was so enthusiastic about her country it was quite infectious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are lots of opportunities to do your own thing so make the most of these, I had some of my best moments when walking alone in the forests and gardens.

Most Inspirational Moment

Learning about the country

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader, Roshan was excellent. He clearly enjoyed his job; was highly informative, quietly assertive with the group when needed; personalised the tour (such as supporting Tsunami victims, having good contacts for Tuks tucks/ local drivers, using great local companies for elephant watching/ whale watching that he had built up a reputation with over the years) and enjoyed engaging with British/ westerners and clearly understood english humour! The whole tour ran to time; he clearly did background work in the evenings, arranging trips the following day. He told us he had undertaken the trip 234 times before over the last 15 years; yet one would not have known it; his delivery sounded very fresh as if we were his first trip. Roshan has been voted as on the best Exodus guides and rightly so; this should continue.The tour leader, Roshan was excellent. He clearly enjoyed his job; was highly informative, quietly assertive with the group when needed; personalised the tour (such as supporting Tsunami victims, having good contacts for Tuks tucks/ local drivers, using great local companies for elephant watching/ whale watching that he had built up a reputation with over the years) and enjoyed engaging with British/ westerners and clearly understood english humour! The whole tour ran to time; he clearly did background work in the evenings, arranging trips the following day. He told us he had undertaken the trip 234 times before over the last 15 years; yet one would not have known it; his delivery sounded very fresh as if we were his first trip. Roshan has been voted as on the best Exodus guides and rightly so; this should continue.

Most Inspirational Moment

No inspiration just a good, informative and fun time

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi was a treat! He has a quirky sense of humour and withstood all our idiosyncrasies as you would expect with such a diverse group with a smile and patience. He told us lots of information about Vietnam without being wordy or prejudiced. A very nice man

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take this trip but don't expect to loose weight even though you will cycle long distances. The food is too good!

Most Inspirational Moment

We enjoyed the Sierra Maestra mountains, the community of Gibara, and swimming in the Caribbean after cycling in the heat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jamie was a great leader. He kept us well informed, organized and safe. He knew his history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a few extra snacks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Impossible to pick just one moment - history, culture, flora & fauna, food and cocktails... A total immersion into every aspect of and the real grass roots of an amazing country. If time is limited, this certainly packs plenty of punch and you don't feel like you've missed out on anything.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rayselis completely made our trip. She was more than a tour leader - she became one of the group, joining in every experience. She is extremely enthusiastic, super-friendly, patient, so knowledgeable, passionate about every aspect of her country and eager to share her thoughts, experiences, knowledge and emotions about it all. She took us to all the best places and ensured we had the most amazing holiday ever. You really couldn't have asked for more.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Euros were a useful addition, as they could be spent in Havana - saves queuing for currency exchange. They were used at the same value as CUCs, and change is given in CUCs, which was useful for getting lunch on our last day and acquiring just a few additional CUCs for the afternoon. Financial tips are very much appreciated, of course, but it's not money Cubans want, it's the things that simply aren't available to buy. A bar of soap, a few toiletries, pens and paper, chocolate etc - they're even more appreciated than cash, as they can't buy them easily - if at all - otherwise.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were taking a few minutes to visit an ancient church, and while we were there, got invited in (more like press-ganged, actually) to a wedding party that was going on in the church hall... not only did they try to get us to eat with them, we ended up on the stage where the bride and groom were greeting groups of guests in turn - and thereby got included in the wedding photos, in full lycra :-).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joseph did an excellent job of both leading the group on the road and helping us enjoy the other aspects of the trip - for example suggesting the typical cuisine of the specific area we were in to try.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If G&T is your thing, pick up a bottle of gin in duty free...the local stuff is less than entirely great...

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to just choose one, I loved the buildings, the jaz clubs, cycling through small villages, the children waving us through with a smile & a hola!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Laz was a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable, giving us a short overviews of the history of the places were travelling through. The cycling was broken down into bite size legs which gave some respite from the sun and a chance to top up our water bottles.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't wait, book now.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every place we went to was stunningly breath taking and even the Northern lights put in an appearance.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was exceptional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dont park at the airport. Go the night before and stay in a hotel. The rip off parking charge at the airport was the only thing that marred the holiday. But then you cant expect anything else from London area I suppose.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being the only people on Monte Piano in the fresh snow on a clear day was incredibly moving, having been there in the summer and seen the trenches from WW1.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was tireless in looking after all the needs of the group including organising ice climbing or skiing for small groups on the free day. She was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather is very variable so lots of layers are important. It can be very warm if the sun is shining but the ridges can be windy and cold.