Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was just an amazing way to spend a week hiking in the Spanish mountains. Summit views were brilliant as we had wonderful clear days on most of the walks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

José was a brilliant tour leader and his love of the area made the walking even more special. His knowledge and willingness to talk about all aspects of life in the mountains was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When booking flights check with exodus about flying locally as lots of places seemed to fly to Alicante at the same time of day. For example, stanstead, Birmingham, Manchester all arrived within 20 mins of the group flight from gatwick. The fourth walking day can be done in approach shoes if you prefer. Most people drank between 2-3 litres each day.

Most Inspirational Moment

Esquinas Rainforest Lodge is a special place - the wildlife all around you. The guides here are very good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrès is good - and has lots of knowledge - but maybe he's done this trip too many times to show the enthusiasm I've experienced with other guides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's hot and humid - so many things get damp - pack plenty of t-shirts. It's cold in the cloud forest in Savegre - especially at night - make sure you do have a few warm layers. Shampoo and soap etc is in all they the hotels. I didn't feel the need to use walking poles. Walking boots not required. You can drink the water in all locations. Flying via Houston was ok as you don't need to reclaim luggage. Coming back via Washington Dulles was very easy - would recommend it. You can recharge batteries at every hotel. Wifi free and available everywhere. U.S. dollars accepted everywhere - normally receive Costa Rican colones as change - but never a problem. Not much to do in San Jose but good to go a day early to recover from flight. Good hotel with swimming pool.

Most Inspirational Moment

This was my first trip to Cuba. I had expected to see "poverty" but soon realized this is not an impoverished nation in the traditional sense of this word. Definitely, the living standards are low compared to First World. However, the people are well educated, mostly well-fed and housed, and make do with much less "stuff" than we are accustomed to having. Cuba is a fascinating country that is best experienced first-hand because it truly is unique.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yazel was knowledgeable, patient, extremely well organized and a passionate host to the group. He took great care to make sure everybody was well prepared at each stage of the tour itinerary. Our driver (Eduardo) and bike mechanic ("TT") did not speak much English but were very friendly and always willing to listen to our own sorry attempts at communicating in Spanish. Yazel provided a steady supply of information, with historical and local flavour, prior to and during each day's riding or bus transfer.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Unless you are used to riding in high heat (averaged 32-34C by mid-day) and humidity, I would say the riding is of mild to moderate intensity most of the time, not leisurely. The optional "challenge" hill on the last biking day is fun but it is a true challenge - slow and steady wins the day! Take more cash than you think you will need, and expect to pay for everything in cash. Our Canadian bank cards (debit and credit) did NOT work, even in Havana. Awkward! Fortunately, our new biking amigos bankrolled us.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at Base Camp Everest after the long and tiring walk was amazing. The view of the tents as they neared were inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was a great help. He helped keep the team going.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a pillowcase, drink lots of water and try to eat. Enjoy yourself.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Atlas Mountains. It was a lovely walk although longer than we expected and the gite is lovely. Go for the hammam too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good!

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice would be consider not taking a sleeping bag, I never needed it, there are nice beds even in the desert and blankets are available. I would take a travel pillow as many pillows were very fat and hard! Definitely take a torch and either take or buy snacks as it can be a long time between meals. Take a swimming costume, I didn't and I regretted it, all the hotels have a pool and it's very hot! And book your own flights not with royal air maroc! Every flight was delayed and our flight home was cancelled and I have never received worse customer service than from that airline.

Most Inspirational Moment

The homestay and walking at Mai Chau region would be regarded as a major highlight of our trip. In retrospect, this was a relatively peaceful phase and a major contracts to the hustle and bustle of the bigger towns and cities.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tom/Tho – excellent from start to finish, he watched out for our needs and looked after them. How he managed to get 7 disparate family groups to arrive on time each day is beyond me, he did it with ease and without hassle. We will long remember the statement “OKAY Lets Go” and his infectious laugh.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hotels: All perfectly satisfactory, even the “Simple Hotel” in Can Tho seemed to be of similar quality to all the others. Generally the hotels were well situated near the centre of activity. Good to have the use of a hotel bedroom and bathroom after Ha Long bay and before the train journey to Hue. We did not realise that at the homestay we would NOT have to carry our overnight gear, this was left in the homestay before our walks began. We though that we would be walking with our gear. The cycling through Hue was an experience – how we navigated the roundabouts without getting killed can only be down to the skills of the Vietnamese motorbikes, not to anything we did. Don't expect a lot of "free" time on this trip, there is activity going on all the time and even some of the supposedly "free" times have optional activities arranged that should be undertaken.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment on my trip was learning downhill skiing which I had never done before. It is now one of my favourite sports and I hope to do it again!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Annika was very nice and got involved with the group. She was really easy to get on with and made everyone laugh and have a good time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes don't over pack, its all provided!

Most Inspirational Moment

Ancient history - Petra - just mesmerising Recent history - the River Jordan - just a few metres of water separating the borders of Jordan and Isreal. Quite humbling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. The constant narrative, in excellent English, was very welcome and very well received by all ages. Maybe a few too many religious facts for the younger ones but there were a lot of long drives and a lot of religious sights to visit. Traditional Jordanian stories in contrast with current affairs and the history of the region kept us enthralled throughout the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We travelled in March/April. There was no need for solid footwear, my 13 year old spent the week in flip flops. In Petra, there was a significant difference in the quality of the Turkish bath experienced by the females in the group compared to the men. For the same price, the men were given a far more lengthy and comprehensive time in the baths. I would question the value of the baths for ladies. Don't fill your luggage with towels. They can be hired wherever you are although I don't remember being given towels at the desert camp.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting on the sand dunes in the Sahara watching the sunset. No artists palette will ever be able to paint the colours, or the scenery. Nothing can replace the memories of the complete tranquil peace

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travelled late March-didn't need a sleeping bag at all-the beds in the 'tents' had blankets. I didn't change any currency before arriving, and found it easy to swap into Dirham on the first day Don't forget swim wear-at least 3 hotels had pools

Most Inspirational Moment

1. Walking up to ABC in the sunshine. 2. Walking along the terraces, through villages and talking to local people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gum, our leader was everything that a good expedition leader should be; knowledgeable, dependable, caring and resourceful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take microspikes in case the walk up/down to ABC is snowy, as in our case.