Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The Great Wall, Terracotta Army, 3 gorges, the amazing scenery especially around Yangshou.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was an absolute star, she coped well with the large group, she was knowledgeable, had the patience of a saint and always had a smile. She really went the extra mile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check size of group. Cruise ship was also far larger than expected, 320 as opposed to 150, and was a bit like being at a Butlins camp including the wakey wakey call in the morning that burst through the intercom in your room. Learn some basic phrases in Chinese. Go cycling in the rural areas.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having been steeped in ancient history from an early age I was amazed to find myself in Troy and to realise that it was a very small small acropolis but with great influence both geographically and historically.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have been on many Exodus trips and generally have admired the leaders. This time though, Tolga excelled all my previous experience. Knowledgeable and caring about his country and caring of his guests ---and a gastronome who led us to all the best eateries [all Exodus clients seem ready for the next meal].

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do take the trip. One tip is that in terms of cash, it is better to put money into your back account at home and to use the many ATM's available everywhere. There are far more ATM's [and they are open all hours of course] than there are exchange outlets.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all inspirational, each day offering a new highlight. The mountains are starkly white and rugged and set against a blue sky (of course) are impressive. The sea in background adds another dimension and from a height seems vast. The Carres Gorge is quite breathtaking in it's scale and the canal a mindboggling feat of engineering.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was inspirational. He was passionate about the environment, informative about local geography, flora and fauna and took an interest in each member of the group individually. A great guy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Binoculars an asset if you're interested in wildlife.

Most Inspirational Moment

The caring, compassionate and experienced guides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He worked so very hard and nothing was too much to ask

Advice for Potential Travellers

Own bike or not? The comfort of your own bike would be great but hiring one far out weighs the pros of that. Hiring a bike was the right decision based on being able to mend punctures easily, some of the road conditions, not worrying when bikes are loaded on to the truck.

Most Inspirational Moment

I was looking forward to the Inca Trail in particular, and saw the visit to Machu Picchu as secondary, and potentially over-hyped, especially after visiting lots of Inca sites on the trail. I am pleased to say that the trail certainly didn't disappoint, I loved every minute of it. I am also pleased to say that Machu Picchu itself actually exceeded expectations; words like awesome and inspiring help but it is difficult to find words to adequately describe the experience, it really does have to be experienced at first hand.

Thoughts on Group Leader

It helps to have a great leader, and we had one of the best. "Olly" was the glue that held the group together and made the whole experience special. His knowledge was second to none, and his confidence soon spread through the group. With everything being "20 minutes", along with our often recited phrase of "Where's Olly", these memories will live long.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare for a long flight(s) and if you are not a good road traveller then I would suggest closing your eyes a lot. Don't worry about any 'altitude' issues, acclimatization will come quite quickly. Don't be squeamish about the use of 'facilities' whilst on the trail, and throw yourself wholeheartedly into it. Prepare for a fantastic lifetime experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

I avoid the use of the word inspirational. There was no part of the holiday that stood out. It was all excellent, what else is there to say?

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide was extremely physically fit and capable, we went to some places where considerable care was needed but none of us ever had any concerns about our safety. In the case of one person needing some minor medication the guide was able to deal with that as a matter of course. Having the guide’s dogs along was also good fun including the extra one that joined us and accompanied us to the summit one day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In detail; this is very much a walking holiday and is not for the faint hearted or unfit. Although my wife plays tennis several times a week and I walk every day we both found ourselves at our limit for a 66 and 64 year old. Consequently this will probably be our last at this level i.e. non-challenging grade 3. What Exodus regard as moderate fitness means being able to walk from say 10 am until 5pm with as many breaks as you need.

Most Inspirational Moment

I have traveled to lots of places around the world but have to say the Dolomites were inspirational by themselves. Hiking in snowshoes on freshly falling snow, like we were able to do was very inspirational.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Alex was very knowable of the outdoors and the trial offerings in the area. He quickly adapted where we would go depending on the weather and did a remarkable job. He did a good job instructing people on how to improve their hiking efficiency and thus improve technique, safety as well as conserve energy. If I was ever stranded in the wilderness, Alex is someone I would want with me. That said, I also found him a bit arrogant and not someone I would want to lead my next Exodus trip. A co-leader was Martin. Martin was fantastic. He may not know the Dolomites like Alex but he too was knowable about the outdoors and had great leadership and people skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When drinking at the Hotel Adler bar, rather than pay as you drink, they encourage that you charge the item(s) to your room. Which is fine. But it is a 4 star hotel with 4 star bar prices which you won't discover until you go to check out. May want to close out bar tab nightly to avoid surprises on the last day.

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in lakes surrounded by the Dolomites. The architectural wonders of the region. And the wine in Verona!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele is a really good guide and a really great guy! He organised everything efficiently and is very knowledgeable – from the palaces of Palladio to the best gelati in the Veneto. He even arranged an extra ride to make up for a rained-off day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take decent waterproofs just in case: I stupidly got caught out a couple of times.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our most inspirational moment amongst so many must have been the time spent in Petra. Nothing can prepare you for the dramatic setting of this long lost city. Wadi Rum came a close second.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Sami, a very well educated, highly knowledgable and enthusiastic guide was not only great fun with a wicked sense of humour but also easy to talk to about the current problems facing Jordan's neighbours.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although this trip is graded a "2", to make the most of this week, you need to be fitter than the average person as it is a very full-on experience with very little spare time to relax.

Most Inspirational Moment

I found:* open, generous, welcoming people!* fresh, delicious food & great street snacks!* totally beautiful mountains & lakes providing fabulous cycling!*attractively  backward in some areas, everywhere felt very safe!* stunning & uncrowded World Heritage sites, fascinating history!*glorious coastal downhills to wonderful beaches, views to die for!& much more!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Armand(leader) is a really good man - caring, informative, articulate, efficient & FUN!