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Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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116 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviews

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Truly spectacular trip that will probably be one of the most challenging and memorable of my life.

Most Inspirational Moment

The moment when I reached the first summit- I was so overwhelmed by the achievement and the exhaustion that I very nearly cried. The other moment when I got in the shower when we reached the lodge at the end of it all. Running water never felt so good. I've never done anything on a holiday before where I felt such a sense of accomplishment (and maybe a bit of relief that it was over and that i'd made it!). 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Matthew, the group leader, was a great guide and always there to keep our spirits up as we walked. On the way down from the summit he supported me through a whole section of scree, literally holding me up in parts.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

All the websites seem to recommend chocloate bars like Mars to take as a summit snack. Don't do this! The caramel freezes solid and believe me when I say that there's nothing more frustrating than being desperate for a energy fix and trying to gnaw your way through a snack with the consistency of a brick.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Fantastic trip.  A liftime experience that you will not forget – very well organised and great value.

Most Inspirational Moment

Last 20 minute climb to Stella point - after a tough climb then seeing the sun rising off to your right and feeling the warmth of the sun, giving a great sense of achievement and happiness!  Big smile as itching to get up to the Summit and take in the fantastic views and scenery. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great guy - very calm collected and experienced.  Never had any doubts in his abilities as a climber, leader or organiser.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pay very close attention to your kit - make sure you have what you need and practise packing and unpacking.  Prior preparation and planning.......  Also make sure you have good waterproof wear and when the rain and mud comes :) You can make the most of everything then without worrying, i.e. the scenery, the company, the experience :)  Fitness I did not think was such a big issue - but that depends on you personally.  You dont need to train for a marathon but make sure you are in good shape.  The final climb is a long way up and you will feel it - but don't worry and keep going you will make it - its as much mental fitness as physical for the last climb.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Fantastic, a holiday of a lifetime

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit and watching the sunrise.Also watching our porters carrying all our gear on their heads and making it looks so easy!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really good, could not fault him.The whole team worked very well, we were given a briefing every morning and night so we were always clear on what we would be doing each day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Nomad Travel were excellent - they provided much better medical advice than my own GP and helped us put together a personal travel pack and at very reasonable cost.Invest in a good down sleeping bag, you won't regret it, and we used the lightweight blow up mats from Therma Rest, these were very comfortable and warm.Take plenty of one dollar notes  - we did not and it felt awkward when we could not tip as we only had large currency, once in Tanzania it is hard to get any further dollars and tipping is widespread and all done in american dollars.Do not buy a hat that is not adjustable and can be loosened off.  Everyone in our group had to cut their hats as we got higher as they really started to dig in and this does not help with any headaches.  This is the same for sunglasses, they need to be fairly loose.Aspirin seemed to be the leaders drug of choice for headaches rather than Paracetomol or IbuprofenThe leaders did not encourage the use of Diamox unless you showed symptoms of AMS and they would then recommed when to take it.  In fact they did not want you to take any medication without telling them first, including headache tablets.  This way they could moniter you much better for AMS than if you were trying to treat yourself.  We purchased Diamox to take with us so if we did have to use it we could at least take our own medication but luckily neither of us had to use it.  Others in our group did take it in the final 2/3 days but it is difficult to know if it really helped as it certainly did not cure their symptoms, although the AMS may of got worse without it.  Keep drinking - those in our group that drank anything less than 3 litres whilst walking certainly seemed to develop symptoms of AMS much quicker.  Those that used water bottles seemed less inclined to keep reaching round to grab a drink than those that had a bladder and drinking tube close to your mouth.  I veiwed my water as my medicine to prevent AMS and kept sipping every few minutes.  This certainly worked for me and I had no AMS symptoms at all over the whole trip.  By day 5 I had up'd my water intake whilst walking to 4 litres and grabbed any oppotunity to have drinks with our meals as additional fluid.Keep eating - even when you really don't feel like food you must eat! Take plenty of nice snacks with you and boiled sweets.  I found Power Bars good and they are light to carry and certainly give you a long lasting boost.Take at least a 35 litre ruc sac - you don't have to fill it but it makes it easier to pull clothes out quickly if you haven't had to squash them in.  On summit night you will take and use all your clothes as by 3am its very cold and you are not generating any heat as the walking pace is very slow. This is when the larger sac really helps.Train before you go - best form of training and the only training we did was walking and lots of it, especially using the walking boots you'll be taking with you. We trained with heavy ruc sacs and this really helped us on Kili, not that you carry a really heavy pack it just meant we were used to it.Washing - you are provided with a bowl of hot water at breakfast and before dinner. Take a light flannel and we used baby wipes as a top up. Take 2 hand gels, we kept one in our day pack and one in your wash kit.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

The climb itself was exceptional. The African Walking Company were incredibly hospitable and cheerful.  The representative from Exodus however, was less than helpful. In london, i confirmed the schedule over the phone – he had told us that we were sceduled to leave in the morning.. in fact the walking company were to arrive the next day in the afternoon.. and there was another nights stay at a differing hotel.I had to call from Tanzania, spoke to said representative and he assured me that someone would be picking us up that day. However, he was incorrect and once i had spoken to him a second time he did not apologise for the mistake and was most unhelpful. Due to this representative of Exodus, i am very sceptical of usign Exodus again. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Singing the Kilimanjaro song with the team and learning about their histories and life experiences.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Team Leader and the other members of the team were exceptional. They were fun, helpful, supportive and knowledgeable about the mountain and the wildlife.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would book directly through the African Walking Company and bypass Exodus. Their customer service is awful.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

it was hard, harder than I can put into words but still the best trip I have been on

Most Inspirational Moment

how hard the porters and guides were willing to work to ensure that all the party had an enjoyable trip and reached the top

Thoughts on Group Leader

excellent organiser and leader who worked well with his team. Informative and willing to offer advice when required

Advice for Potential Travellers

stop thinking about it and book the trip, you will not regret it

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

The most thrilling, rewarding and emotional adventure I have ever been on.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, but here are a few:Setting off from Stella Point in the knowledge that I was going to make it to Uhuru Peak prompted me to burst into tears. An amazing and unexpected personal experience - I hope no one saw me.The camaraderie with guides and fellow trekkers. Personal bonds made for life.So much laughter, especially in times of despair.Getting to the top of the Barranco Wall and, of course, Uhuru Peak - a truly spiritual moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham was calm, inspirational, knowledgeable and, by the end of the trip, a true friend. And I have the upmost respect for his whole team, all wonderful people.

Advice for Potential Travellers

First of all read Henry Stedman's book. That's the only guidebook you'll need.Take wet wipes.Plenty of hiking before you go with a heavy load. I hiked 250 miles during the 5 months leading up to the trip.Take something to wee in at night time - you really won't want to leave your tent at night.Hire their mats.Take all the time you need and be positive and remember to laugh and laugh.Talk to the guides and porters, they are such wonderful people.The only time I got blisters was on the way down - that day and a half of descent was an unexpected torture.

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Brilliant experience. It will no doubt end up being the best and worst thing you’ve ever done.

Most Inspirational Moment

Turning the corner on day 2 and seeing Kibo covered in snow basking in the African sunshine. Overall it's a far more beautiful trek than I expected and the summit itself was breathtaking - literally!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simon was very organised and experiences having climbed Kilimanjaro over 200 times. He had lots of very good advice for us and made sure we were well taken care of. He was also keen to make sure we gave them feedback to ensure that the trip was going as well as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure and go out of the tent occassionally at night! It's not tempting but the starlight views at midnight and dawn (around 6am) are breathtaking. Take more wet wipes than you think you need. Also Aquaphor cream is great for sunburn, windburn, chapped lips, and very painful runny noses which you will probably get on summit day! For night visits outside it's good to pack essentials into the pocket of your down jacket (wipes, headtorch etc) so you can just grab it and go. Sheepskin boots are really comfortable after a day's walking and always warm - even in the higher camps. Take a sigg or similar to use as a hot water bottle (but check they've purified the water so you can drink it when it cools down)And if you have them it's worth taking a pair of goretex socks in case you do end up with more rain than you expect (umbrella is also handy as the rain just pours down)

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Fantastic trip, wonderful experience, highly recommend. Guides, Porters and stomach engineer (aka, chef) all did an excellent job. Trekking is not particularly arduous although summit day is more demanding given A) you ascend overnight, (B) the cold and C) the lack of Oxygen at that altitude.If you have a reasonable level of fitness then, all things being equal,  you should manage to make the summit.While it can be warm during the day it can get cold at night. We woke several mornings to frost on the ground so take warm clothes with you and a good sleeping bag, either your own or a hired one.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the sun rise over Africa from Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, was magical. Well worth the overnight hike. Oh, and having my photo taken at the summit to prove I made it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Simon from the African Walking Company, was superb. He was organised, approachable, calm, patient, enthusiastic, encouraging and had excellent English. He led his team of porters and guides very well. A true leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You might want to consider taking Diamax to help combat the possibility of altitude sickness.The fitter you are, the easier it will be and the more you'll enjoy it. Try doing some hill walking in the Highlands, the Lakes or Snowdon before going. It will help build up your fitness levels.Take warm clothing. While it is warm during the day it can get cold at night. We woke up to frost on several mornings. The ascent to the summit is done overnight, that does get cold. I'd recommend thermals for legs and upper body. In addition I'd suggest you have another 3-4 layers of warm clothing. On top of my thermal vest I had another vest, a warm shirt and a windbreaker then my jacket. Gloves, a balaclava and a hat were also used. On top of my thermal longjohns I had lined trousers designed for wearing in the Scottish winter. That kept me warm. You'll be sleeping in tents so take a torch and a head torch. You'll need a head torch for the overnight climb to the summit. Make sure you take, or hire, a warm sleeping bag and good quality ground mat. The tents can get cold. Take cash in US dollars. Moivaro Lodge, where we stayed before and after the climb, don't accept Sterling but do take US Dollars as well as Tanzanian Shillings. Take your US dollars in small denomination notes. Tips for the guides and porters are paid in US Dollars. Most shops, street traders etc accept US Dollars.If you leave getting your visa until you arrive in Tanzania be prepared for delays. Try and be one of the first off the plane; first come first served. It's all a bit chaotic but they eventually get there.  

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

A great adventure, well organised by the African Walking Company. A must if you like a bit of walking and can put up with a frosted tent in the morning.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top!!Thank you for our guides for the great support and the signing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We did not have a Exodus group leader as the trip was ran by the AWC. I was actually a little disappointed by the service provided by the Exodus representatives. They were not forthcoming with information, missed a floor mat order and on departure day just left us at the airport. Whilst I am a frequent traveler it would have been a little re insuring that someone stayed with us at the airport at least until we all checked in.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be ready for cold nights and warm days and do not give up you can do it!

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

Very enjoyable but summit trek was tough.  Relieved to get to the top.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the summit definitely, with the rest of the group.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joseph was excellent.  Young but very confident and dealt with everything in a calm and efficient manner.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be fooled by the fairly easy going first 6 days.  The climb up to the summit is hard work because of the cold, lack of sleep the evening before and  altitude.  But you will get there eventually.  Just keep putting one foot in front of the other!