Most Inspirational Moment
Watching the sunrise on Mount Toukbal.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Poor.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take dry bags to out in the kit bags.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Mount Toukbal Climb
My partner and I choose to use Exodus again having experienced a fantastic trip with an amazing guide to the Anti Atlas in October 2014. However we were very disappointed with this trip; on the first night the tents arrived after us: consequently we all got completely soaked despite wearing our waterproofs; our kit bags when they arrived had not been covered properly and consequently some travellers had wet kit; there was a no toilet tent; the tables and equipment were very poor quality. None of these problems had we experienced the previous year. To add to this the guide was very unfriendly, set the pace at that of the fastest walkers (bad mountain leadership)! To summarise we are very reluctant to use Exodus again; pity after such a good first experience. We are travelling to Nepal in February with a rival company.
Camino de Santiago
Unusually hot for September.Trainers would have been better than boots as lot of road and gravel walking although I didn,t get any blisters.Very pleasant group of 16 some with Exodus for 1st time.food great. Most meals taken in a group .Camino busy but that meant lots of cafes which we enjoyed.
Most Inspirational Moment
Finishing the 18 mile day!
Thoughts on Group Leader
He had not walked the Camino before although he had cycled it .Very pleasant
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take trainers as well as boots.
Great walking amongst fantastic scenery
Some fantastic “easy” hill walking around Amalfi.
Most Inspirational Moment
Joining the hotel staff for cookery lessons. You got a real sense of "joining in" with the family run hotel kithen
Thoughts on Group Leader
I have travelled several times with Exodus & never had a bad tour leader. Emily was one of the very best.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Carry your waterproof coat every day, even though we only needed them once. Not sure boots were required, stout shoes would have been fine.
Everything you want in a hiking trip and much much more!
This was my first trip to this part of the world and went with an open mind regarding the turbulent recent history of the country but what I found was a wonderfully warm, hospitable and friendly country with no hangover from the past.
The walking was truly wonderful with spectacular views wherever you looked, from the magnificent Sutjeska national park where Bosnia’s highest mountain (Maglic) resides along with some wonderful ancient forests to the mountains around Sarajevo and the visit to Bosnia’s highest inhabited village (1469m).
Walking in the Bosnian mountains really is a hidden gem and something anyone that enjoys walking should do before the world finds out about this.
The city trips of both Sarajevo and Mostar were equally a great part of the trip and both city guides were not only informative and knowledgeable but also warm, friendly and answered every question that was put to them.
Most Inspirational Moment
Meeting the inhabitants of the country's highest inhabited village and having lunch that they kindly prepared for us, the walk to the village was truly spectacular with stunning views wherever you looked, the friendliness and unassuming nature of the villagers was indeed inspirational as it is a tough life living off the land and I can imagine that the winters can be harsh and long!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Samer was a wonderful leader, his knowledge of the mountains was second to none and he looked after the group with patience and encouragement throughout, even on some of the more arduous climbs. He was more than just a leader though, he was a historian always happy to answer any question the group might have, he was an interpreter when we had problems getting out requests across to the locals and at times he was a comedian with his own brand of humour!....... if you get Samer as your guide you can be reassured that you will be in safe hands!
Advice for Potential Travellers
The walking is rather strenuous and a fair bit tougher than we have in the UK but it is easily done with anyone that is a regular walker and the views more than make up for the effort!
Undiscovered Italy
What a lovely trip to a part of Italy is mostly as yet undiscovered. Daily you will see ancient sites and experience the countryside and the gastronomic delights of southern Italy. You will walk about 8 miles a day through mostly flat / rolling countryside. The only real day of climbing is the first day in Matera where you will explore the national park that is in the ravine behind the city. We went in September so as to avoid the high-heat of summer and that was a good decision.
Most Inspirational Moment
The little things. Seeing a hummingbird as we paused on a country walk. The incredible vibrant color of the frescos on the walls of rupestrian (rural) cave churches in Matera and in the countryside. The first moments of a cool dip in the Adriatic sea. The clear love that our guide and local tour leaders have of this little known part of Italy.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Guisseppe was marvelous. He grew up in Bari and is very knowledgeable about the area. But most impressive and infectious is his clear adoration for the Basilicata and Apuglia regions. He loves the outdoors and was full of information about the agriculture and history of the area. His English was wonderful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
On your free day in Alberobello, find out if it is market day and if it is stay in town. Ask Guisseppe where to eat - he'll direct you to an organic restaurant with a garden.
Memorable Markha Valley
Stunning scenery and great camping adventure.
Most Inspirational Moment
Being able to enjoy spectacular landscape ranging from the different valleys, canyons, with a multitude of colour changing rock formations.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The guide Rajeev was extremely organised and took great care of the group. Both him, his assistant Wangail and the team were also very social which is always nice.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do prepare for any weather conditions as with this being the end of the season we did wake up to Snow one morning. Also with is being hot during the day do not pack too much in your day bag.
Inca magic...
Amazing trip. Photos do not do the place justice and you have to see the 360 degree views for yourself and walk the trail to truly appreciate the magic of it all. There are some challenging elements on the walk but nothing too difficult – but this just adds to the feeling of achievement once you finally reach the Sun Gate.
Cusco is a wonderfully historic city, and the Sacred Valley and other local sites should also be visited to fully comprehend just what the Inca’s accomplished in such a short period of time.
Highly recommended to anyone with a reasonable base of fitness and sense of adventure.
Most Inspirational Moment
Rainbow Mountain day-hike. Reaching the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu for the first time after 4 days of hiking. The ever-changing scenery and spectacular views of the Andes.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Adolfo was brilliant. He kept a good pace on the walks with lots of rest stops, provided us with lots of interesting facts and info and had a laugh and joke with us along the way.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Some elements of the hike can be challenging, especially for anyone with knee problems as parts are quite steep. But a basic level of fitness and sense of adventure, along with going at your own pace, should see most people through just fine. Plus the views are spectacular, which takes your mind off things... We had a few extra days (before and after the Exodus dates) in Cusco and we were glad we did as there is so much more to see and do in the city and surrounding areas that you probably wouldn’t have time otherwise.
Walking in Mallorca
Another wonderful Exodus holiday. The walking was superb and the accommodation characterful, with the contrast of the hotel near the seafront of the beautiful coastal town of Puerto Soller and then the stunning converted monastery at Lluc. Highly recommended.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many during the week however the summiting of the two high peaks(957m & 1,181 m) and the stunning coastal walk to Cala Tuent were the highlights.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Eduard was absolutely superb. His leadership of the walks was first class. His knowledge of the local environment and history of so many aspects of the island was also excellent. Above all else he was an extremely sociable person and simply great fun to be with. He also supplied delicious packed lunches! Keep doing what you're doing Eduard!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Mainly if you're thinking of booking this holiday then definitely go for it. With regard to the weather it was 33 degrees on one of the days, even in September, therefore make sure you have plenty of water and sunscreen with you.
A superb introduction to China!
Flying into Beijing, visiting Tiananmen Square and walking some off-the-beaten-path sections of the Great Wall was a wonderful introduction to China. As usual, excellent local guidance and support from Exodus.
The trek itself is more ‘challenging’ than ‘tough’ and usually left me feeling there was just a little bit of that ‘extra action’ that was missing at the end of the day.
That being said, if you’re a first-time hiker or looking for short bursts of quadricep-burning challenges with lots of photo-ops, this is a great place to start.
Most Inspirational Moment
Probably the 'Tai Chi' lesson at sunset in Gubeikou, with the uplifting Chinese music playing in the background. Also, climbing up the 'Spider-man wall' on Day 2 and approaching the 'Stairway to Heaven' on Day 4. Definitely not for the faint of heart or vertigo-sufferers! But a great feeling once you've overcome these challenges. I made some wonderful friends over a forgettable number of rounds of 'Mongolian Firewater' and karaoke!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jerry Wu is a fantastic tour leader. Active, funny, efficient and full of information - he made the experience memorable and clarified many a misconception that we had around ancient and present-day China. Huge respect for Jerry, Driver Ding and all our hosts in the country-side guest houses whose hospitality and efficiency made this a superb adventure holiday.
Advice for Potential Travellers
1. Pack light. An 8L daypack with 1.5-2.5L water per day is more than adequate. 2. Some of the guest houses baths do not have 24/7 hot water. Check the drains for blockage before soaping up. 3. While the food was delicious, strict vegetarians must be prepared to contend with traces of meat in stocks. 4. If you'd like to step up the challenge level on this trek, do not bring trekking poles. 5. Bed Bugs!
The best holiday ever!
This was the best holiday of my life so far and that says a lot as I am a frequent traveller who visited approximately 20 European countries, many beautiful places and had several fantastic holiday experiences. But this holiday trumped all of that. For those who are not sure if this is the trip for you, trust me it is worth every penny.
I am absolutely satisfied with how Exodus dealt with all of my questions and how they organised this trip. It was all very simple. I arrived to Geneva early Saturday afternoon and met with everyone at the airport included our tour guide. The journey to Chamonix took one hour. Chamonix town is like no others. The town it self is very beautiful and is surrounded by even more beautiful mountains. The views were absolutely unbelievable. We were accommodated in a Chalet which was very beautiful. In the Chalet we met with the rest of the group, and I have to say I couldn’t ask for a better group. Everyone (including our guide – Jenny Smith and the two hosts – Rich and Sarah) was nice and friendly and made this experience even better. The weather was very good, except for one day when it was raining, so we had all the fantastic views. Every day was absolutely fantastic, so get in shape so you don’t miss a thing. No words can describe just how beautiful the views were. The trails them self were in good conditions and I felt very safe on them. Yes there were some difficult sections, but our guide has always helped us out. The best thing about the trip is that when you think nothing can out do your day/moment/view there is something even better, and better and better… You will truly see the best parts of the Alps, experience a new culture, taste things you never ate before. You really want to have a hot chocolate in Italy. The hosts Rich and Sarah were wonderful and I am thankful that they were out hosts as they were friendly and funny and always lifted the atmosphere. Not to mention the fantastic food, truly it was world class, and I miss it already.
Most Inspirational Moment
There is so much to chose from as there were many breathtaking moments. Chamonix is probably the most beautiful town I ever visited. The mountains are very beautiful, and there are many memorable places. I enjoyed every second of walking, I loved every view, I loved everything. Even the only day with bad weather (rain and poor visibility) had it own magic. You would think that it would ruin your day, and yes it did a bit but I still loved it. But I think my favourite was the walk from La Flegere to Le Brevent. The views were magnificent, the trail challenging yet very unique and enjoyable. This is the day when you want to have a nice weather and good visibility the most.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader Jenny Smith was fantastic. She was very helpful, informative and had a great knowledge of the area. She is a very nice person who I thought always gave her best and sometimes even went above and beyond in the most positive way. On every evening she informed us about our next tour and always gave us several options on how to do the route depending how good/tired we felt. She is a great leaded who always gave us her hand and helped us to go through all the difficult sections.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes and take all the gear that is says you need and always take waterproof clothes with you as the weather in the mountains is unpredictable and changes very quickly. You don't want to catch bad weather and not have the right gear, because the things can go really bad for you. Also make sure you have the right boots for the trip, I recommend ones with high and strong heels that will support your ankles.