Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Impossible to pick on one moment so I won't. Approaching the Treasury at Petra is very exciting. The path is so narrow and after a fairly long walk, there it is, the glorious carving of the Treasury, still with details after 2,000 years. On we walked, enjoying the huge scale of the city. Another exciting moment after a long walk is seeing the Monastery with a carved facade just as impressive as the Treasury. It was great having two whole days to get to know this place a bit. In Amman there is also a Citadel, big scale Roman remains on a hill. Lovely to see the sunset from up there, whilst hearing the call to prayer resonating around the busy car packed city below.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eddy was great, an excellent raconteur with a lovely sense of humour. He shared his knowledge and love of his country throughout our trip. I think he took us slightly off piste a few times. In Petra we took tea with an elderly man who was born in his cave there, and still lives there, the last and only resident of the city when it was emptied out of its residents to make way for tourists in the 1980's. He refused to leave. A wonderful character. We also had a fun time at the spice shop in Aquaba. Eddy and the owners seemed to be the best of friends but what was great for us was that we were able to taste a lot of the products and taste the tea. It was all so fresh compared with the stuff we get here. We bought rather a lot and the Jordanian tea with sage has already been enjoyed by some friends.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare to be overcome by the awesome scenery. Take sandals that can get wet in the Dead and Red Seas and embrace the absence of alcohol. Learn how to tie a scarf round your head......functional and fun!

Most Inspirational Moment

From the wildlife aspect: a troop for 8 giraffes crossing in front of our jeep. Or maybe the lion kill? Or the weaver birds in the reeds? A vast herd of buffalo? Not to mention two rhinoceros. From the hiking: climbing to 3165m in the Drakensburg, the last 40m by chain ladder.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As I have said, Innocent is charming, reliable, knowledgable, and keen to help with any (reasonable) request.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Add on Cape Town!

Most Inspirational Moment

We had an amazing thunderstorm on Halong Bay that showed the mountains in a mythical way and gave me goose bumps. I loved the bike ride in Hue and Bon always made sure we could communicate with the locals, who were extremely friendly.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bon was amazing. He was so knowledgeable about the history and so good in telling us stories about every day life and get us to interact with the local. He e.g. arranged for us to have a lunch with a family in Hue, in their home and that was one of the highlight of the trip, for sure. He was very helpful with everything and went above and beyond the call of duty.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get massage...many massages. It helps you to get the jet lag out and well...it´s just really lovely :) Good idea to bring a sleeping bag linen for the night on the train...and not to expect a great sleep that night. And well...don´t think too much about it, if you want to go to Vietnam than this is the tour!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the pyramids and valley of the kings

Thoughts on Group Leader

The best group leader you could get

Most Inspirational Moment

My first sight of the Pryamids was breathtaking. The early evenings sailing along the Nile was so relaxing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohammed was so knowledgeable and a lot of fun to be around. He joined in on the fun and joking round but kept us informed of the schedule and was well organized.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the early morning departures.

Most Inspirational Moment

The group Leader Lam's " Story Times" told us about what to do expect for that days cycle , information about where we were going and history about the country . Thank you

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam was incredible and made the trip so enjoyable. He got to know all of us very quickly and had our dietary requirements catered for

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you read the trip notes to ensure you take everything with you. I took my own saddle which I definitely recommend

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to Everest Base Camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

His organisational skills, helpful explanations of Mountains and wildlife were excellent. However he let himself and the group down with his attitude to money. Very disappointing. We are people trying to enjoy a holiday, not commodities to be exploited and milked for money.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Everest Base Camp is a wonderful trek. It is inspirational and borderline life-changing. However when choosing a tour operator try to choose one that has the interests and the enjoyment of the traveller at the forefront of the agenda. I'd suggest that Exodus do not share these values.

Most Inspirational Moment

The overnight stay in the Bedouin camp, we had a meal prepared for us out of a sand pit, and sat by a log fire underneath the stars in wadi rum. Absolutely incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Aladdin was amazing, super friendly and nothing was ever too much trouble. He was very informative and really passionate about the history and heritage of his country. He honestly made our trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just to make the most of the optional extras on the trip. We done Petra by night and that was well worth seeing. The camel ride was fun and another tick off the bucket list. Aladdin also recommended Petra kitchen, where you get to cook your own Jordanian meal. After a long day walking it’ll be the last thing you want to do but if you push yourself it was a great evening with some of the best food we’d had the whole holiday- and bonus you get the recipes too.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Tongariro Crossing and the visit to the Milford Sound, but so many wonderful days so very difficult to choose just one. I would therefore say, the entire trip!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Chris Cameron and second leader was Richard Mortiboys. Chris was an excellent experienced leader with a lovely friendly personality and huge knowledge of the country and all the plants. She had boundless energy and tremendous enthusiasm for the country which was very infectious. Her organization of every part of the day was very clear and well planned, ensuring the best possible experience and full confidence in her leadership. Richard was the second in command and he and Chris worked very well together, sharing the driving and general care of each and every one in the party. He was extremely kind and caring when some of us had left items at various places enroute and he spent a great deal of time and effort to ensure that these items were successfully forwarded. They were both excellent leaders and they certainly made the trip a resounding success.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't pack too many items. When you are moving on regularly, there isn't the time or the inclination to uncover more than the top few items of clothing!

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved it all! But if I had to pick one thing, it would be swimming in a large rock pool with the sky and craggy peaks above me. Or seeing a whale alongside the boat. No, I cannot choose!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Justin was probably the best tour leader I have had. Loaded with knowledge. He was able to add perspective to all our visits. He really did bring the trip to life with his enthusiasm and love for his country. Superbly organised.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice would be to just go! Relax, go with the flow and prepare to love every minute.