Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few inspirational moments: seeing volcanos (outstanding landscape) - visiting a small school and connecting with the children - one stage (Chocolata Road to San Juan del Sur) where we felt so close to the local people - the birds and animals - the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Apart from the natural beauty and memorable opportunities to connect with people on this trip, what made it so tremendous were our team: Roberto (Tour Leader) - Paul (Assistant) and Luis (Driver) - they looked after each of us and were 100% dedicated to making this trip a terrific experience. Our safety and our enjoyment was their goal!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for all kinds of weather - hot and sunny and at times rainy. This means you need enough "kit" or you'll be doing lots of washing at night and hoping things are dry by morning. Well padded gloves are really necessary - along with sun glasses (obviously) and clear glasses (for overcast / rainy days). We had small bike bags that fit on our handle bars and were GREAT for a camera, sun screen, extra water bottle, etc.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights of the trip for me were Etosha National Park, Carnivore Cheetah reserve and climbing Dune 45. The first camp in Etosha had a fabulous watering hole which attracted a variety of animals. It was very addictive watching the coming and goings of the animals!! At the Cheetah reserve we managed to get within a distance of 20ft from the Cheetahs what a fabulous experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Ronney, he was a very experienced guide and full of enthusiasm. The cook Jonah prepared a variety of great food for every meal and of course not to forget Ruben who erected/dismantled our tents every time we moved to another site. All great guys. Jonah even managed to cook a lovely meal one evening during a thunder storm on the Waterburg Plateau.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take high factor sun cream and even higher factor for face and neck. I only took South African Rand as it is widely accepted in Namibia. If you are a vegetarian then there is not much choice on the menu when eating out. Bring some mixed nuts/seeds as I did. The electricity is unique to Sth Africa/Namibia but our truck had a variety of extension leads including once with an English plug. I'd no problems charging batteries/phone.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not sure whether it was 'inspirational' but there were two stand-out moments. Firstly, standing on the balcony at the gite, staring up at the night sky and being able to see the Milky Way with the naked eye, while two of my fellow travellers explained the constellations. There were so many stars; being a city girl, I'd only ever seen a fraction of that number. The other one was reaching the highest point of the second (shorter) walk and seeing the glorious panorama of the High Atlas and Anti Atlas ranges. There was a lovely clear sky and you could, to quote The Who, see for miles and miles and miles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was a lovely, gentle and humourous man. He seemed quite introverted and didn't join conversations easily, but if you take the time to ask questions or show an interest, he opens up and can be very funny, in a dry way. His timings for the walks was impeccable (one fellow walker said he could run the Swiss Railway) and he really pushed us on the last day to be able to get us back by nightfall. I think, at the time, we felt a little abandoned and that we had to look out for one another, but in hindsight I can see why he pushed us. He was also very helpful in the city, giving tips and advising as to where to go. He has been with Exodus for nearly 25 years and knows his stuff.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too much spending money - at the gite the food is provided and Marrakech is generally very cheap. Also, you can only change your money inside the country so it's worth keeping that in mind. Learning a couple of basic words of Arabic is useful - the waiters/taxi drivers etc seemed to be very happy when I said hello and thank you in Arabic rather than French.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling long distances most days in temperatures of 36 degrees was made much easier with plenty of stops where we were provided with drinks, energy bars, local snacks, and fruit. I was proud of what I achieved.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was enthusiastic, kind, full of local information and a pleasure to be with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The first few days are the longest distances to cycle.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting in touch with local life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Super

Most Inspirational Moment

The infectious fun easy going manner of a super tour guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

One of the best.

Most Inspirational Moment

The extension to Easter Island - very good excursions, wonderful history. Local Agents in Easter Island & in Santiago & Hotelier, all very helpful regarding the delayed flight back to Santiago.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Miguel was a very knowledgeable guide. Fewer arranged group meals than expected. Also a bit more notice on some timings would have been helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy the country, be prepared for all weathers, early starts & some long days. The food on the internal flights is very limited, you may want to eat at the airport.

Most Inspirational Moment

The fabulous views in the winelands, the Karoo and on the Whale Coast (especially). Each day had a different 'wow' factor and each day I found my ability growing. As someone who does not cycle regularly, the fears of the longer rides, through hilly country and with strong headwinds, grew less and less as the trip continued until the only 'challenges' were the optional climbs that we slotted in on the rest day and at the end of the longest ride.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wynand was a fabulous leader. Full of energy, full of knowledge and a clear love for his country, cycling and the flora and fauna. He made sure that no one was excluded, was a friend to all and ensured that we knew what we were doing, what to expect andmade sure that we were well fed and watered.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with the flow. Relax and enjoy.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, I was literally inspired by Trinidad where we had time off to ourselves. The Casa Particular where I stayed with two other members of our group was a cozy, homely retreat with a family atmosphere. I felt inspired to paint. While others went on excursions, I sat and filled my sketchbook with water colours, painting the little cobbled squares and tall towers with their round windows. Where else in the world can you see 18th century buildings in pristine condition without an advertisement, a traffic light or any other piece of 21st century clutter? Even the few wandering tourists were so sparsely distributed that they did not interfere with my concentration.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yasell was an inspiring guide whose grasp of English and knowledge of Cuban history kept me fascinated all the time. He was very attentive and amusing. I admire his patience. It can't be easy to deal with 16 people of all different ages. As a result of his commitment and attention to detail, we all felt we were being very well looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't gripe before you grasp the realities of life in this very different world. The hotel receptionists may ignore you. They will not have a room ready, the toilet will not have running water, the handles are going to fall off the doors and the taps will be broken. The light switches will not work. The showers will have lost their brackets. The barman won't speak to you. In short, no one (except our excellent guide, driver and mechanic) will appear to be accountable for anything! Nonetheless Cuban people, once you get away from the big hotels, are wonderful to spend time among. They are often very warm and not afraid to show their feelings. It feels safe and ultimately very hospitable in spite of the chaos.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Inca trail was brilliant - as much for the sense of achievement in finishing it as the sights you see.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Caesar was excellent. He made sure we got the most out of the trip, organised everything and generally was an interesting person to chat to about Peru.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Immodium for the Inca trail - several of us were struck down with an upset stomach.