Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Petra - it was more amazing than we anticipated. Floating in the Dead Sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wael was great - informative, well organised, good natured and funny!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the 'Week in Jordan' trip as you'll see exactly the same things (plus a bit more!) and take another one of Exodus' excellent cycling trips if you want to pedal!!! You'll have plenty of activity with all the miles of walking at Petra and the swimming at the Dead Sea and Aqaba.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at Base Camp was an incredible feeling, and the ascent of Kala Patthar the next day, whilst tough, gave the most impressive views of the Everest range.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Pasang Bomjan, was flawless throughout. He was very professional, extremely knowledgeable and the group felt very safe in his hands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice would be to not underestimate the challenge - at the highest altitudes the trekking is tough, even if you are fit. Otherwise, just do it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up Stromboli, watching fireworks from the volcano on two successive days, one up close and personal and then yomping down 500m in the dark. Spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It can be dusty!

Most Inspirational Moment

Sesriem Sand Dunes, Vic Falls helicopter flight, Chobe evening game drive where we saw lions,giraffes,elephants, hippos,impalas, springboks, baboons, amongst others in 3 hours !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrew was terrific : made the trip that much more enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Previous advice about a washing line with hooks was very useful.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many - a blue whale popping up in front of our boat, the stunning scenery, the friendly people, the narrow streets of Galle and the pristine beaches

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had a leader, Kingsley and a naturalist, Sunil. Both made sure we were well informed without being intrusive and were great company throughout the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are British take Stirling to change at the airport (loads of change bureaus as you leave). Don't change heaps because it's really easy to use atms as you go along and every hotel took credit cards for settling bills. Don't bother packing beach towels - every hotel had pool /beach towels for you to use. Pack light - you will be living in shorts and t-shirts as it is so hot and humid. An umbrella is useful for a sudden downpour or as a parasol. In Talalla have lunch on the beach at the seafood hut - it looks basic but the food was fabulous.

Most Inspirational Moment

Making it to the top!! The altitude on such a short trip (up and down the mountain) does play a factor on this trip, so making it to the top felt a huge achievement. The views were breath taking, literally!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Aziz was an excellent leader - very well organised, calm and coped well with a large group with differing abilities/needs. Aziz also had an excellent team around him, we were well looked after by the full team and the food was fantastic (both in terms of quality and quantity).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Even though this is just a weekend trip, don't underestimate how exhausting it will be. My fitness levels were ok but I would have enjoyed this trip a little more had I trained a wee bit more beforehand. That said, everyone had sore legs the day after the climb, it's a long ascent/descent day! Change money at the airport in Marrakech (after security but before going through to landside) as you can't change money at the hotel. Or use ATMs near hotel (which we did without any issues). Consider doing the trip in early April to get the chance to climb on snow (without it being full on winter) for me having to use crampons added to the fun of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The mountain scenery is stunning.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A bit of German helps! Not all railway employees etc were all that helpful. Be aware that the hotel in Friedrichshafen requires you to pay for drinks etc as you go along as you cannot charge to your room. When we ate out in Konstanz we were a bit taken aback that they didn't take cards. Doing the trip over 10 days helps as the rest days help recovery. Even though we went before the summer we found lots of things to do.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the wonderful cities and the pleasurable cycling combined with a guide second to none

Thoughts on Group Leader

It would not be possible to find a better guide. Marinella was attentive, had a great knowledge of history and culture and a great sense of humour

Advice for Potential Travellers

Request Marinella and book today

Most Inspirational Moment

I would put the question as the most inspirational momentS not moment. So many too mention but will mention the most memorable ones for me. Visiting Matsumato Castle in the evening, when the castle was all lit up, with the reflections of the castle shimmering on the moat. We were surprised to even go on the inauguration lighting evening with musicians playing within the castle. Another inspirational moment was being with the snow monkeys, how beautiful and cute to see a mother monkey affectionately holding and bonding with her baby monkey. The philosopher's path and bamboo forest were really a fantastic highlight of the holiday, highly recommended and to top up the fantastic memories we were very lucky to see Mt Fuji with its snowed peak, such a magical moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Ayaka Tsukamoto was very well prepared and knowledgeable, very energetic and always happy to advice or help when asking for optional favorites. She even went out of her way to find ways & means of pleasing some members of the group to see the sumo wrestlers. Ayaka is very promising, engaging, highly spirited and great to lead a group of new travelers from all walks of life, quite amazing. One needs to be adaptable, flexible and engaging and that was Ayaka.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A good level of physical strength and health is considered as there is quite a lot of walking on this tour especially in trains stations, quite a lot of steps to take. I would definitely carry some cereal bars or nibbles for long journeys. Do take a thick jacket or thick fleece as it was colder than expected in Kyoto in April and it rained too so always pack an umbrella. Make sure to take the optional day tours to see Mt Fuji (if lucky weather wise) and also to do the Philosophers Path & Bamboo Forest. If you don't like fish or don't eat shellfish make sure to communicate this as Japanese food is very fishy. Make sure to take part in the Hiroshima pancake, it was DIVINE and such an enjoyable evening to see live cooking and then eat.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult to pinpoint any single moment, but waking up to the sound of howler monkeys in the trees above our chalet on the first morning was something that will live with us for a long time!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We chose this trip as the guide was a bird expert. Giullamo did not disappoint. He was professional throughout, making sure we all got the most out of the holiday. His knowledge of birds and animals was encyclopedic and he had an instinct for spotting the wildlife before any of us were aware of it. He took the trouble to explain about the different environments we visited and his pride in his country shone through. The research he had done before the trip paid dividends, down to booking good restaurants; in one case reserving seats to watch a sunset before we sat down to eat. We all agreed we could not have had a better guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went to Costa Rica in the "dry" season, but the rain forests lived up to their name on a couple of occassions. Our waterproof ponchos proved invaluable to cover ourselves & our backpacks until the rain eased off. Having a pair of binoculars each was a good thing too.