Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There are a few: The Mekong Delta - sailing on the Mekong, walking in the coconut/banana plantation and going along on a sampan boat. Getting back to nature is just magical after being in the cities. Hoi An - Phat rearrange the walking tour so that we had a whole day free. I spent it with some others seeing the main sites, shopping and visiting coffee shops, finishing the day with a cooking class making our dinner for that night. Vinh Moc tunnels and the War Remnants museum - these really bring to life the atrocities of the Vietnam war. The museum has a lot of upsetting images, I needed some quiet time afterwards to wipe away tears and get my head around everything.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Phat is a fantastic leader. He is knowledgeable and has a great sense of humour. He would rearrange days to make sure we used the short time we had really well, even giving up some free time to take us on a tour of Hanoi. He was on top of the various dietary needs of some of us. Phat reminded us constantly about responsible tourism - he is a gem!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good pair of walking sandals and do laundry in Hoi An. If you have the time, go to Hanoi a day early to do some sightseeing (or just recover from the jetlag), and go and see the water puppets. The overnight train starts in Hanoi, so the sheets and cabins will be clean - but take a sleeping bag liner and pillowcase just in case. If you are on a top bunk, it can get cold from the air conditioning. Order takeaway food for the train. There are 2 western toilets for each carriage, which are topped up with toilet paper during the journey. It is noisy and jerky so be prepared for little sleep. Walk along the Perfume River in Hue - there is a dedicated walkway away from the traffic. And go to the embroidery art museum. The cookery class in Hoi An is fun, you learn about Vietnamese cookery and you eat what you make. Buy lanterns in the night market in Hoi An if you want one - the best and biggest choice is there. On the last day the group flight leaves Ho Chi Minh City after midnight - book an extra day in the last hotel so that you can do sight seeing in HCMC and then freshen up afterwards. In HCMC on the last day, go to the cafe on level 50 of the Bitexco building (this is free - the observation deck is ~$10 - although the drinks can be pricey). And check out the street food market and the rooftop bars of the Majestic Hotel, Caravelle Hotel and Rex Hotel. The jade emperor pagoda is mentioned in the guide books but I found it a bit disappointing.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many highlights - watching a turtle nest and lay its eggs, watching the sunset over the sand dunes, the hustle and bustle of the morning cattle auction at Nizwa, Muscat's Grand Mosque with it's incredible dome and chandelier, sampling countless dates and drinking Omani coffee. The camp in Wahiba Sands was also very luxurious considering its location.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader (Qais) was very experienced and had a great sense of humour - the Omani people in general were incredibly welcoming everywhere we went.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling the Hai Van pass

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just book it. You won't be disappointed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the Mountains and gorges, Fes was also very interesting in the old and new part of the city.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good group leader, very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful when I was not well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Great holiday to see Morocco, but if you do not like travelling hours in a bus it could be too much especially when you feel rough!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling Hoi Van Pass. Visiting the beautiful city of Hoi An. Cruising and kayak on Halong Bay. Island stay at an eco-lodge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tung was excellent. He kept the group safe and took great care of accommodating everyones need. He prepped us well with the days activities. It was also nice he shared his personal history and experiences with our group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Would totally recommend the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Views of the mountains, the achievement of completing the long hike and getting to the lake on the last day and being brave enough to participate in the hammam experience which was a little out of my comfort zone but felt great afterwards .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was brilliant . Full of knowledge, answered all the questions and took us to some good places . Very supportive to all grades of walkers

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring waterproofs. we had rain but it didn't spoil anything but we did get wet . Also good boots and poles if you have them

Most Inspirational Moment

Certainly the 2 days at Petra. You really get a feel for it as you get into all the nooks temples and caves. Although the bright spring flowers at Jerash within the 2000 year old ruins was also pretty special too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bassam was enthusiastic, tried hard and meant well. His English was very easy to understand. Through no fault of his own his weakness came from inexperience with the details of trip (like how much spare time we need for photos, where exactly we went next, what they wanted from experience) and also with the diverse group of travellers that come with an Exodus group tour. But I have to say the tour ran according to the itinerary and he was pleasant company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went in March. The Spring flowers were in bloom and some sites were set off beautifully. With Spring in mind the weather was variable. Hot and sunny at Petra, hail stones at Wadi Rum and either hot sunny or cool and overcast at Dead Sea. Changed every day, pack for all weathers. For camping at Wadi Rum in Spring we recommend a sleeping bag liner, probably thermal or wear thermal pyjamas? The bus transport was a good size for us as everyone packed reasonably. Be aware if you take oversize luggage it may overflow into passenger compartment to make it cramped for travellers.

Most Inspirational Moment

The ridge walk....beautiful virgin snow and astonishing views....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabulous....went way beyond to ensure everyone felt comfortable and had everything to ensure they enjoyed their trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take crampons!

Most Inspirational Moment

Enjoyed the different walks in the area.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Engaging, knowledgeable and just the person to make one aware of what is around you, be it wild life, plant life or historical .

Most Inspirational Moment

The time spent in the Anti Atlas - the riad was great, the walking was great, the food was copious, there was lashings of mint tea, the hammam experience... difficult to pick a single highlight...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohammed and Habib were both excellent - really helpful and friendly

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just that this is primarily a walking holiday and the paths aren't flat, so there are ascents / descents / some rough terrain. Nothing beyond grade 3 though. Having bimbled along at a very leisurely average pace of 1.5mph for the first two days (partly because the walks were that much shorter but also because the paths were fairly rough in places) we were fairly concerned at the prospect of the 19m hike the final day. Not so much the distance but would it be possible to finish it in daylight? Apart from being "only" about 17miles (according to our GPS watch), the route for the final day was on a much better track so we were averaging 2.5 mph and got back again well before dusk (and that included a very leisurely lunch stop).