Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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4 Reviews
4.3 out of
5
Reviews
Suzy Horne
Reviewed July 2023
Stunning trek amidst amazing scenery
This is a great trip with an excellent balance of activities! The trek was absolutely stunning with amazing scenery and big horizons in wild mountains! It starts in more gentle pastoral sandstone lands, with lots of nomadic herders and yurts, and progresses to gorgeous high mountains, turbulent rivers, and wild mountains, passes and lakes. The warm up walk in Ala Archa National Park south of Bishkek was a good way to start the trip and the stay in the yurt camp on Lake Issyk Kul pre-trek, was a delight (as was the Jety Oguz yurt camp!) The opportunities for swimming/dipping (Lake Issyk Kul, Ala Kul, rivers if you find a sheltered bend!) were great, as well as the 2 hot springs visits, and the cultural visits around Bishkek, Karakol, Burana Tower and Cholpon Ata petroglyphs gave the trip a good variety of activities.
Most Inspirational Moment
Lots of beautiful scenery moments, but the 2 that really made me gasp were (1) when stunning Karakol Peak first came into view and (2) seeing gorgeous turquoise Lake Ala Kul for the first time.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our western leader Valerie is absolutely brilliant! She's great company, deals seamlessly & efficiently with all logistics and any problems, and is a fantastic storyteller! Dan, our local guide, is super-knowledgeable, also good company and has a great sense of humour, as does Ali, our second local guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Logistics worked really well - the standard of tents, comfort (the karrimats and foam mattresses provided mean you don't need to take your own sleep mat) and quality and quantity of cuisine were all excellent. The trip notes are being updated, but there are no showers or wash basins at the fixed camps (though you can request a bucket of hot water or bathe in the rivers). Handwashing facilities though are mostly available. With the rivers, hot springs, and sauna at Karakol camp, I think it was the cleanest I have ever been on trek! We had a couple of really wet, cold days, so I'd recommend a pair of waterproof gloves, and highly recommend walking poles for the steep sections both up and down, and river crossings.
james flatt
Reviewed July 2023
Disappointing trek
Having done this trip I was sent a survey form which I completed and pressed ‘continue’ thinking there were more sections rather than final submission so it was submitted before I had read through and checked it. I assumed you received it. If not …… There are a few things I want to bring to your attention; the survey form for Ak Sai camps was given at the end of the tour, I was unimpressed with some aspects of some camps but not others as I couldn’t remember which camps were where by the end of the trip some could have received unfounded criticism which is not deserved while others that do may escape, may I suggest in future a form is given as visitors leave each camp so they are able to give a fair assessment of that particular camp, rather than a general one for all? I understand the camps are owned by Ak Sai but tendered for and run independantlyr For my part I found the camps OK, some of the terrain was uneven but this is camping, not glamping so there are no adverse comments there. The food in some camps was unappetising and there often wasn’t enough. Breakfast was left at one end of the able and sometimes never reached the other end, apparently one day French toast was available. I never had and knew nothing about it until it was discussed at lunchtime. On the subject of lunch it was laid out on a table for everybody to make their own picnic, unless I was at or near the front I missed out on the items which were non regular and sometimes regularly offered, I shouldn’t have to elbow my way to the front of the queue to ensure I had a share of what was available. Having paid so much money for a trek I expected better, I regularly woke up in the early hours hungry, this impacted on my sleep and ability to walk and enjoy the trek. I don’t think the camps are accustomed to such large groups, we were fed in a mess tent which was sometimes very cramped, especially in inclement weather, some leaked in the rain. , Valerie asked for more cheese one day and said there were raised eyebrows when they gave her some I had the impression that the main focus was to make money often by penny pinching on the food with consideration for those paying it being a low priority, perhaps that is a reflection on the parent company of Exodus which seems to ahve little or no other connection to the travel industry and its requirements. I was very critical of the guide who in my opinion failed in his task, unless that task was to split the group and stay with the front group. This became apparent early on when I was struggling in the heat, he would stop for a rest to wait for the remainder to catch up, after a while he would just say ‘lets go’ and go, no 2 minute warning and obviously no visual check on others because I was often getting something out of my pack as they were going. I will admit that this really annoyed me so after a few occasions I made no attempt to pack up or keep up with him, this resulted in the first group leaving long before others were ready and continuing with the group spread over a half mile . often without there being any visible contact with those in front or behind (I was told there was once a gap of about 2km) Often the worst place to be was in the middle, out of sight of the front and back therefore being unsure which track to take if there was a choice, that meant waiting for the assistant guide at the rear to catch up and tell us. Towards the end we had gone over a high pass of loose scree, rocks and wet mud and through snow to reach a path at the bottom, I had injured my knee on the descent and stopped with the rest of the group at the bottom. I took off my pack and found a knee support; my boot had to be removed to fit the support. At that point the ‘let’s go’ could be heard and he was off, I was only a few metres from him and he must have seen me or as I suspected (and told Valerie) I was invisible to him. There was no consideration for me to get ready to stick with the group so as usual; I went at my own pace with Ali behind me. I had little faith in his abilities to guide after the last day on trek. Each evening he would brief us on what to expect the following day, this was the only information I received from him as I was always behind and out of earshot during the walks. He would tell us if water shoes were needed for river crossings, one occasion he told us they were but in fact were not needed but towards the end he made no mention of them. When we reached the river there was no bridge and the previous days’ rain had probably increased the volume of it. So my questions would be, did he know there was a river there? If so did he know there was no bridge and had he taken the rainfall into account when deciding if water shoes would be needed? For my part it did not pose a problem but some needed physical support to cross it, I am sure it would have been easier if shoes were worn. I took such shoes but with no apparent need to wear them they were left in my main pack. The guide waded across the river in his walking boots, not the best plan in my opinion. He isn’t the worst guide I have had on a trek, the really bad one is in a league of his own so that statement is not cause for relief. Having been to Kyrgyzstan before I had an idea what to expect but this trip failed to live up to my expectations which I now think may have been too high but taking into account the cost of the trip I found it disappointing and poor value for money. The last couple of days of the trek should have been the best, the scenery had the potential to be spectacular but wet dull weather spoilt that as did catching a cold, these are unavoidable but the poor guide, food and value are avoidable, or should be.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very good, more than can be said about the local 'guide'
Advice for Potential Travellers
Avoid disappointment, choose something else
Suggestions
Its all in the summary
Lucy Romyn
Reviewed July 2023
Fantastic, off the beaten path trekking
Brilliant trip exploring a spectacular mountain range. Wide variety of scenery and weather! Great campsites with few other westerners.
Most Inspirational Moment
Camping just below the high pass at Lake Ala-kul
Thoughts on Group Leader
Valerie was amazing. Full of stories of past treks and expeditions. Friendly and professional, she kept everything running smoothly with her great organisation skills and sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take waterproof gloves and warm ones for at camp! There are washing opportunities at most campsites (in rivers) so you can go light on clothes.
Michelle Elliot
Reviewed September 2019
Vast landscapes and stunning scenery
A fantastic trip! When I told people that I had been hiking in Kyrgyzstan, nearly everyone immediately asked ‘where?’ It is a remarkable country, and a trip that has been planned to ensure absolutely stunning days of walking in the Tien Shen mountains. The cities have their own charm and fascinating history and they bookend the trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Opening the tent every morning to see sunshine and blue sky with a backdrop of hills or peaks was quite special. Walking for several days and seeing only our crew, nomadic farmers and their animals was wonderful. This is not yet, but likely will become, far more popular as a walking destination so it was a privilege to be able to see the natural rhythms of summer life in the mountains. The food and hospitality in some of the more remote camps was surprising, delightful and gratefully appreciated. A particular highlight was watching and taking part in the 'first' Highland Games in Kyrgyzstan - a brilliant opportunity for the group and the porters to compete together!
Thoughts on Group Leader
This inaugural trip had a few different leaders, each playing important roles. Overseeing everything was veteran trip leader Suzy who has a deep knowledge and love for the country and its mountains. The local city guides had great English and brought the local history to life. Ilya and Asa are tremendous guides, bringing confidence, competence and laughter to each day (all day). It was a really good group!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Some of the details within the trip notes were not accurate, though it was the first time this trip had been offered so the growing pains and unforeseen issues were to be expected. Not all the walks were as long as noted, but there are so many opportunities to continue to explore around the camps. Or relax and read. Or bathe in the icy rivers, swim in Issyk Kul Lake, or soak in the thermal pools. The porters are hardworking - get to know them if you can - athletic competitions do not require a shared spoken language. The camps and equipment are of very good quality and very comfortable - you do not need to bring a sleeping mat. The food is plentiful and tasty, and there are hot drinks and snacks awaiting the group upon arrival at camp every day!
Suggestions
I require a gluten free diet and therefore the advanced planning and discussions about the ability of local operators and their teams to accommodate such a dietary need is important. The Exodus staff were brilliant in asking the questions prior to booking. The local city guides were helpful and responsive, particularly in Karakol. The camp cooks did remarkably well in their remote settings. The lead guide Ilya even carried packages of rice cakes for me. I never went hungry but it was important that I also brought food along with me. It is also important to continue to ask questions and seek clarification along the way.
