Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Being on top of the wall in quite solitary places and getting a sense of the level of engineering, foresight, and work that went into its construction. It's a wonder, yes, but I hadn't expected it to be so beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kevin is a brilliant group leader: focused, fit, friendly, intelligent, knowledgeable, caring, humorous and fun. Not only is he highly skilled at his work, but he's a super multi-tasker willing to take on any job to make our visit easier. He served tables, made us tea and even sorted out the plumbing. The four of us who went onto Xian couldn't have found our way around the rail station in Beijing without Kevin's help. Plus he makes a point about being transparent about how our tip money is spent. Exodus and its clients are lucky to have him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware that a certain level of fitness is required for this holiday. Several of our group were daunted by the steps, the heights, and the ladders. The ability to manage steep paths is essential. Take warm clothes if you go in October, as the nights can be cool (2 C) and the homestays are neither well heated nor insulated. Wear layers. Always carry toilet paper with you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Realising that I was actually going to achieve a goal that I had set myself nearly two years earlier as we approached Base Camp, following in the footsteps of some great men and women.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simply superb as described above.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Commit to it and you will do it, every moment is worthwhile, remember slowly slowly, the mountains aren't going anywhere, enjoy what's round every corner!

Most Inspirational Moment

All the walks were excellent but the Cares Gorge stood out as the scenery was magnificent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was an outstanding leader. Very knowledgeable about the routes, the history, the flora..... He looked after the group very well and his level of fitness was superb. Nothing was too much trouble for him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take binoculars to appreciate the scenery and bird life.

Most Inspirational Moment

Up close and personal with the orang-utans and snorkelling in Flores.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yadi was pleasant and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take account of the amount of travelling on this trip. The internal flights are at the mercy of the airlines and scheduling may not always be as efficient as travellers would like - you just have to go with the flow. That said, the individual wildlife and other experiences certainly make it worth it. The Trip Notes suggested taking a mosquito net, etc, but the hotel in the malarial area - Flores (that we stayed in - Eco Lodge) supplied them, along with a plug and tablets (so we didn't require them) and they weren't required on the boat.

Most Inspirational Moment

The six days hiking getting to Machupicchu was fantastic, the high mountain views and varying landscape was incredible, the numerous Inca ruins were a treasure to see, varying wildlife , birds and flowers added to the adventure and the thought of finally seeing an anceint Inca stronghold was enough inspiration for all to complete the trek.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilfredo was an excellent guide, very knowledgable in all things Inca, good understanding of individual hikers needs, all ways willing to help and resolve issues and knew the mountains well providing excellent camp sites with fantastic views

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind , expect the unexpected, the weather and temperatures can vary in the mountains so go prepared. check the packing list but only take essentials due to weight restrictions

Most Inspirational Moment

We lost two days of cycling due to rain but Michele quickly sorted a new itineray and in each town he found excellent restaurants and the best tourist sites to visit. In Padova the Scrovegni chapel painted by Giotto was a marvel to see.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele Quaresimin is the best guide I have ever come across and I have travelled the world and come across many guides! He is professional, friendly, caring, resourceful, gives 100 % every time - he brings back customers to the Exodus tours because he makes the trips come to life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like cycling and love Italy and Austria - do this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

As others have said, too difficult to choose just one. The many shrines where locals are praying while tourists gaze upon them, the giant Buddha at Nara, the Golden temple and gardens, the scenery of the Japanese Alps with the autumn colours, the monkeys, the excitement of the bullet train's speed and the unforgettable experience of the Onsen.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chiko Hansen worked very hard to ensure we all saw as much as possible. She offered suggestions and accompanied people on visits that were outside the itinerary. It was tough for her to try and keep 15 people together in the busiest railway station in the world. She is incredibly energetic and it could be hard work trying to keep up! It is a huge benefit that she is Japanese (though now lives in Australia) and so could give us insights into the Japanese way of life. We ate with Chiko in some great local restaurants that the ordinary tourist would not have found. On the downside, her sense of direction was not always the best and she had to be persuaded to occasionally stop to allow eating or comfort breaks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for more walking than the trip notes suggest. Quite a lot of energy required and good idea to carry snacks and water in a small backpack. Take comfortable shoes that are easy to slip on and off for temple visits. Do plenty homework to help decide what you want to do on the free days as some places will need advance booking. If you want to see the Tokyo fish market make a plan to go early (0600-0700?) as when we went at 1000 it was closing. Evening eating places seem to close by 9pm, so plan to eat fairly early. Look out for the "Western style" toilets as you have to squat in the Japanese ones

Most Inspirational Moment

Not caving on a 14% slope and doing the last hard climb all in one go!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Armand was friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful. A great group leader always available to help, take us out to great places to eat and motivate us to ride!

Advice for Potential Travellers

A rather tougher 3 rating than some of the others, but so worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many - Cambodia with its awe inspiring temples, but then the sadness of the killing fields. huge numbers of children shouting hello when you cycled by, cycling through a flood in the Mekong Delta...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit was amazing. He was so professional and made sure that we were well looked after and had nothing to worry about for the whole of the holidday

Most Inspirational Moment

the Hot air balloon flight was incredible, the views of the 'fairy chimneys' amazing. The rock formations of the 'red valley' and the white. Goreme open air museum with its many churches and frescoes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Omer was a calm ,relaxed guy with a sense of humor and plenty of knowledge, a really likeable fellow: he never was put out if my wife was recording whilst he was talking of the churches ,history or else. He always obliged when we stopped to take pics

Advice for Potential Travellers

We would recomend taking trekking poles as they do help with unsteady terrain and climbing on the rocks.