Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There was no one moment just lots and lots of fantastic moments.  Every day brought something new and  I loved the diversity of the weather as it made each hike individual.  One day we were hiking in shorts and t-shirts and the next day every layer is on and it's snowing!  Wow ..... I am from Scotland which has 4 seasons in one day and the Rockies were still a wow factor for me.I suppose I am a sucker for sunsets and the sunsets (and sunrises) in Waterton were some of the best I have seen.  The sky at night and magnitude of stars were also amazing.The hikes were "awesome" and we often got a 360 degree view of the most amazing mountains and scenery ... oh Moraine lake and Valley of the 10 peaks ... just stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Renee and Catherine ... what a team ladies.  You were well-organised, fun, knowledgable, caring and the food you guys cooked was just amazing.  Cheers to both of you as you worked hard from morning to night and you made this trip for me - thank you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Packing - Layers, layers, layers.  The weather was so changeable so expect the unexpected.My advice is to take enough clothes for one week as when we visited Jasper there were laundrettes and we had time to go and do laundry. Jasper was probably about half-way into the trip.Sleeping Bag - Take a good one!  Mine was a 3 season one and I had to buy a blanket as it got down to -3 one night as you are sleeping at high altitude.Tents - The tents we had were 4-man tents which were shared by 2 people or by one person if they had paid single supplement (or you were lucky as a single person who hadn't paid the supplement and there was no person of the same sex to share with ;o).Time - this trip is packed full of hikes and travel so don't expect too much time to yourself.  Obvisouly each evening you can have your me-time after dinner but as it was cold we all spent most evenings round the camp fire and as it got dark early (and cold) we tended to have early nights. Charging phones/cameras - most of the toilets/showers had electric sockets for charging and there was a USB charger on the mini-bus too.Hikes - The hikes were on great paths and were challenging but achievable and the ascents for a day were normally around 700m - 900m.  There were even well-maintained outhouses (long-drop) toilets at the start of every hike. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick a specific moment. Reaching the summit is the obvious answer, but also the support from fellow climbers each and every day. Seeing the porters run past you up the mountain to the next camp carrying all the tents, bags, food, equipment... all done with a smile and cries of Jambo!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Charles was excellent. He told us exactly what we needed to wear and carry for the next day, what to expect from the weather and terrain. He was also very conscience about checking for signs of altitude sickness and giving advice on how to deal with the symptoms, providing constant encouragement every step of the way!

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will need less clothes than you think. One set for the daily climb and a clean set of clothes for the evening. Make sure you have enough layers and thermals as it gets very cold the higher you ascend. Bring lots of wet wipes. I hired a mat and sleeping bag (equipment was in very good condition and the sleeping bag was very warm) and brought along a Thermarest which provided a bit of extra comfort. Take the advice of your guides. Drink plenty of water, eat lots to keep your strength up (the food was much better than I thought it would be) and take it slowly. In the end it will be down to your determination more than your fitness. Do whatever you can to reduce the risk of altitude sickness.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk down the Dimosaris Gorge and the well earned swim after (although the beach wasn't deserted as stated in the brochure - there were 4 other people there!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Costas was an excellent Leader - extremely knowledgeable about the area and its history, enthusiastic, a good communicator and very sociable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book now.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking with girafe's, zebra, eland, wilderbeast  and gazelle's on day 2 was real Africa !  The sunrise balloon trip over the Serengeti is breathtaking  and a must do !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was a wonderful friend to have with us on the trip

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to assist with the chores and be part of the team which helped strengthen the holiday friendships

Most Inspirational Moment

I had expected summitting to watch the sunrise at Gilmans Point to be the highlight of my trip; however the reality didn't quite match up to the expectation. I did suffer from the altitude on the way to the summit but with a lot of encouragement from a wonderful tent/room mate and the superb guide Shaban I did make it to Gilmans Point. After the long trek back down and resting in my now lovely warm tent toasting in the suns rays I thought about what I'd just achieved- reaching Gilmans and asked myself if I was disappointed in not reaching Uhuru Point. I realised that reaching the summit had become inconsequential as the whole experience of Tanzinia, the trek, the guides, porters and spending time with a group of wonderful people all setting out with the same goal in mind was a highlight that I won't be forgetting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Abraham was terrific. He was a strong leader that we all felt completely confident with. He was very well respected by his team & I was grateful to have his expertise on the first trek of this kind I had undertaken. He was extremely observant of both trekkers and porters/guides and looked for opportunities to strengthen the skills of the guides at all times. We were exceptionally lucky to have not only Abraham but a fantastic team of guides and assistant guides in Seraphin, Nico, Shaban, Nemis, Julius and Marwa who I'm sure will develop into confident group leaders.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate the cold, it was freezing. Even in the hotel it was chilly as seemed to be misty a lot of the time. I didn't take a spare pair of trousers for the evenings around camp and really wished I'd had some comfy warm trackies. Do invest in decent warm base layers, it'll be money well spent! Experienced group trekkers dressed up for the last night at the hotel and were unrecognisable from their dusty trekking gear- a nice touch, I'll definitely be dressed to the nines on my last night next time!!

Most Inspirational Moment

5 mountain tops in 7 days!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware that walking is long days in hot conditions. Accomadation and food great but good level of fitness required.

Most Inspirational Moment

Definitely the first glimpse of Machu Picchu.  However, viewing the condors in Colca Canyon comes a close second.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizio was very helpful and took great care of us especially while crossing the Andes when some of us experienced mild altitude sickness.

Most Inspirational Moment

The welcome we received from the villagers in the mountains.  I can never fail to be inspired from those who do not have the material wealth or development that I am used to in the UK, but who still go out of their way to be hospitable.  The food, both at the gite and during the rest stops on the walks was nothing short of sensational.  The goat herders whom we saw during our walks - our leader told us that they live in the villages but come into the moutains every day to round up the goats and take them to the nearest source of water.  I found this very humbling, to think these people walk into the mountains, sometimes for a few hours, to find their livestock and move them on.  I couldn't imagine that happening in the UK.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was fantastic, approachable, knowledgeable and with a good sense of humour.  He joined in with the group of an evening, even to the point of bringing out a set of drums and teaching us Moroccan songs!  His appreciation of the area and its people was amazing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure your walking boots are comfortable and in good order - you will be on your feet for many hours!If you go the same time I did - late August - be prepared, it is HOT.  Even in the mountains we were walking in plus 30 degree C temperatures and Marrakech was closer to 50 degrees C.Mingle with your group - you will be amazed who you meet! 

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole group making it to the top of Dead Women's Pass, and all the way to the Sun Gate.The view from the Sun Gate down to Macchu Picchu was surreal - but well worth all the effort!Seeing how everyday people in Peru live gave me much more insight than a "normal" holiday would have done.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Carlos was absolutely brilliant! He looked after us perfectly, giving us enough freedom when we needed some space, but always being there if we needed any advice or help. He also tailored our trip to perfection, and was able to "read" the wishes of the group.A very good asset for Exodus to have!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry too much about the altitude. The aclimatisation days (and advice to stay off alcohol!) work a treat, even if some of the walking has to be done at a slower rate than you may be used to...

Most Inspirational Moment

The ridge walk to M Prado on my birthday and the walk to M Sumbra - both on lovely September days.

Thoughts on Group Leader

There are good leaders and then there is Sara Bull. Enthusiastic, energetic and competent. She planned the week to make the best of the weather though it turned out better then forecast. It was a moderate grade and there were different levels of fitness but she organised the walks so that everyone felt comfortable and no-one was left champing at the bit: she gave excellent intructions so that we could go ahead and wait in the sun while the others caught up. I had my birthday on the second day and hadn't told anyone but Sara found out and planned a fantastic surprise in the evening - I was very touched. She always went the extra mile. I've never got so much out of a free day - she planned it all for us and we had a great day in Lucca.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Moderate means you should be able to go up and down hills confidently.