Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The walking was great, especially as we were really lucky with the weather (7 days of sunshine!). Wonderful views throughout and a nice mix of woodland and mountain pastures. The two main walking days were certainly my highlight.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin was great, one of the best Exodus leaders I have had. Extremely knowledgable and it was really nice to have a local guide who grew up in the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to read Bram Stocker's Dracula before you go and stock up on tasteful Dracula souvenirs at Bran Castle!

Most Inspirational Moment

Bob and Alan we inspirational, both are just under double my age at somewhere around 60. Both were amongst the fittest people in our group. When I was told Bob had run 5 miles and swum 100 laps of the pool before breakfast before the upcoming 6 hours walk I thought they were pulling my leg, they weren’t.  I aspire to being as fit as they are when I am nearing retirement. As one of 4 mild vertigo sufferers, still being alive having walked across the ridge was pretty inspirational (challenging departures only). Having muttered a raft of expletives on first sight, with Liz’s and the group’s encouragement we all got to the other side, this was very gratifying. On the later walks looking back at the mountain one you had already been up was very cool.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was awesome and dealt fantastically with everything that was thrown at her. She is almost certainly never going to have so many people keel over exhausted or injured on her again. 4 vertigo suffers, myself included, on an exposed ridge would test the patience of a saint. Although Liz clearly doesn't get why some bits are particularly terrifying, she never ran out of encouragement.Very good driver, which helps in the mountains 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some departures are moderate and some are challenging. Pick your departure carefully being realistic about your own level of fitness. If you can't walk at a brisk pace for 5 hours don't book a challenging departure! The exodus web site describes the grading system in massive detail http://www.exodus.co.uk/walkinggrades?Just like in any sport, get fit to play don't play to get fit. That said if you are fit, the challenging departure was awesome.

Most Inspirational Moment

I cannot possibly describe everything I enjoyed but here are samples: rising at early light to see storm petrels dancing on glassy smooth water before the morning breeze comes up; flamingoes in dayglo red, as vivid as the vermilion flycatchers; small flightless cormorants with bright turquoise eyes that stood preening themselves as we passed by or surfaced near the panga as they returned from fishing expeditions; male frigate birds sailing through the air with red throat sacs inflated to impress their girlfriends; gorgeous green dragonflies in the highlands of Santa Cruz and elegant coffee and cream dragonflies near the beach at Floreana; a great blue heron, taller than I am, that I was cautiously approaching when it decided to walk towards me, I might be exaggerating about its height but I don't think so; marvellous sea caves with nesting noddies; evening on the north side of Santa Cruz where hunting sealions swam rings round hunting sharks and opportunist pelicans perched on the boat waiting to pounce on the dozens of fish that shot across the surface in fright; hunting packs of blue footed boobies that form merry-go-rounds of dozens, if not hundreds of birds when one of them spots a shoal and whistles for its friends so that they can take turns at diving and circling round to have another go; Espanola where, rather surreally, albatrosses with pretty faces sat on their nests gently touching each other's bills and necks whilst in nearby bushes the mocking birds were attacking each other ferociously.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Darwin Alvarez is probably the best group leader I have met, very knowledgeable, helpful and considerate and well able to adapt the daily trips to circumstances and the particular preferences of individual members of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do read the trip Notes! They do tell you what to prepare for in the islands. It helps to be moderately fit but the walking is lightweight compared to that on Exodus walking trips, no more than 2.5km on any walk and the greatest height gain was about 140m. The steeper paths had flights of steps and often handrails. To get the most from the trip you should be able to snorkel (often opportunities twice a day). Plenty of shallow water beach visits and life vests are provided if you are not a strong swimmer. James and Suzy have given good advice on keeping baggage light. I wish I had taken earplugs. The engine and generators are noisy and you move between islands at night!

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots of moments that could compete for this, to name just a few  - lunch next to the river where the elephants came to bathe, trying durian and other exotic fruits from the roadside markets, climbing Sigiriya and cycling round the local villages, playing traditional games, relaxing on the south coast, elephant rides (realised rather too late that elephants don't need bananas peeled for them).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sampath was excellent - he looked after all of us, entertained us and gave us a real feel of life in Sri Lanka. Was also brilliant at effortlessly organising us all without us feeling over-organised. Never too busy to answer questions and manage all the behind the scenes running of the trip. It was also reassuring to learn from Sampath how much Exodus have given back to country particularly following the aftermath of the Tsunami. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

We arrived a day early and left a day late than the Exodus trip dates - an excellent decision as those booked on the Exodus flight didn't arrive at the first destination until the evening so essentially missed this part of the trip - a lovely beachside hotel. The Exodus flight also left very early on the last day leaving no time to explore Colombo. Sampath gave us ideas of what to do in Colombo for the day and we had a brilliant time.Sampath was very open to suggestions from us re things we would like to see and do and accommodated as many as he could eg sampling roadside food, organising tuk tuk ride, tasting toddy etc.  

Most Inspirational Moment

As I'd wanted to go to Sri Lanka for so long, the whole trip was inspirational for me. If I had to pick out the most exceptional moments though, I would have to pick highs and lows (in relation to sea level!!) The highs were climbing to the top of Sigirya, which tested my head for heights something rotten coming down a not terribly wide staircase literally nailed into the side of the rock!!) and climbing Adams Peak and seeing the sunrise (even though it wasn't a clear sky) from the summit. The low, which was probably my most favourite moment of the holiday, was taking an optional whale watching tour at the end of the holiday which was out of this world! However, it seems unfair to only pick a few moments of the holiday, as we did and saw so much. Everything was great - from the cave temples to Kandy, the cycle ride in Giritale and the visit to the Tsunami house (both of which involved a most stunning local curry lunch!), World's End to the Ella Gap to Yala National Park...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was fantastic! He was smiling from the day he met us to the day he left us! He was always happy, helpful and efficient and has clearly benefitted from his many years of experience to make the holiday into an absolute pleasure for everyone. It quickly feels like he is an old friend and just another part of the group. Roshan started every day with an informative talk about various aspects of Sri Lanka, whether it was politics, traditions, food or the numerous amount of holidays so we learnt an awful lot (before our mid-morning coach nap!!) Do watch out for his cheeky sense of humour though and his appalling number of English clichés!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is actually a pretty active holiday with lots of travelling, so can be tiring - our group frequently used the travel time to cat nap!! However you have your own bus and can often leave bags (or yourself!) on them whilst visting various sites. Be warned though - the bus may be inclined to break down every so often, but fortunate our drive and helper were technically minded and managed to patch it up well enough most times!Don't go too mad on the clothes front - shorts & t-shirts are the way forward - but ladies, make sure you have some below the knee trousers or skirts and tops that cover your shoulders to respect the rules in the temples. Do take some travel wash though as there are not that many opportunities to do laundry.If you're planning to climb Adams Peak, be prepared for 6km of steps up and 6km down! You don't need walking poles and a good pair of trainers is sufficient. If you're reasonably fit, you should be fine - I am but by God my calves hurt next day!! Also, wrap up warm for the summit - it's pretty chilly up top at 4.30 in the morning!!Take a good supply of wet wipes, hand detergent and tissues! And DEET is a must if you don't want to get bitten!For the Yala National Park safari drive, make sure you have spare batteries and memory cards as you'll doubtless be zooming for England! And be prepared for a very bumpy and dusty ride! My t-shirt was so filthy afterwards, I just threw it away!!If you are there in the right season, definitely go on the optional whale watching tour. It cost about £50 for pretty much a 5 hour trip, we were plied with tea, biscuits, water, fruit, omelettes & cake throughout and saw 3 different types of dolphin, two different types of whale and a couple of sea turtles - amazing!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Not sure if it was Halong bay that certainly had the WoW factor, cycling through the Paddy fields, Climbing the muddy slope in the rain (warm mind), the Mekong Delta or the Tunnels. It was one mind boggleing adventure after another. never a dull moment, but definatley planes, trains and automobiles, Oh with a few bikes and boats thrown in for good measure. Oh yeah and the highjack of a local boat to take us across the river as we were on the wrong side, classic...Spontinaity at it's highest

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bonkers but great, especially as at one point it must have been like hearding cats. very good local knowledge. would stop and show you anything, although that did mean we tried a few wierd and wonderful things including snails and fish eyeballs; Beer corner with the loacls, sugar cane drinks and much more.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for lots of travel and sleeping on buses - grab the kip while you can, as you may not actually get it at night especially if the rice wine comes out.

Most Inspirational Moment

Pompeii and Vesuvius!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Enthusiastic, great local knowlege, friendly, worked hard to make sure everyone got the most out of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A good pair of walking shoes needed and be prepared for sore calves.

Most Inspirational Moment

"If you go down to the woods today you're sure of a big surprise" - Well we certanly had a surprise.  We saw close-up in their natural habitat, a Mother bear and her three cubs and then a Male bear appeared, all this watched  in a hide.In the bear conservation sanctuary we also saw a number of rescued bears including one from Tibet-all had a story to tell. We also witnesed a altercation between a pack of wolves.  So experiencing closeup bears, wolves, birds and the ocassional dragon fly(to keep David happy!) was the highlights for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The experience was made all the better by Cosmin, our guide, who was very enthusiastic and compassionate about animal conservation.  He was able to share his knowledge with us.  Just wish he wouldn't keep stopping for every bloody bird he met (feathered kind I mean)Katrina, was our accomodating host at the guest house.  She equally shared Cosmin's passion for wildlife and always around if we had any questions.  Katrina gave us a guided tour around the bear conservation sanctuary.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our group varied widely in fitness and cycling. The fitter members coped easily, but others showed amazing and inspirational determination on some of the more difficult days

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was lovely. He was friendly, kind, and helpful, and was brilliant with all of us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to get some experience of cycling on rough tracks, and be prepared to spend long days on the saddle.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many inspirational moments, but to name a few:Finding stunning and incredible views around every new corner.Watching the sun rise over the mountains at the third campsite, hugging mugs of warm tea whilst taking in the panoramic scenery.Walking through the sun gate to marvel our first glimpse of Macchu Picchu; not to mention basking in the magnificence of the lost city itself. Getting the hang of bartering at the market in Macchu Picchu - the selling pitches are much less aggressive here than in Cusco.Sipping nice cold Inca Kola in Macchu Picchu after our 4 day trek. Sitting in the main Plaza in Cusco, watching people go about their daily business.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Juan, was absolutely incredible; his enthusiasm was infectious and his infinite knowledge, his friendly yet professional manner were second to none. He made an already amazing trip absolutely unforgettable; nothing was too much trouble and he genuinely wanted to ensure that everyone had the holiday of a lifetime. What a star!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a warm sleeping bag! I used a 3 season bag and was freezing on a couple of nights. Take stuff sacks - the weight limit of 7KG of equipment meant that our clothes were pretty smelly by the end of the trip; being able to seal them away in stuff sacks prevented the whole bag smelling rotten!