Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Visit to Lion Rock, Sigiriya. Elephant Safari Walking on Horton Plains

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader (Roshantha Fernando) was very good. He met our expectations and was very informative, professional and with excellent temperament.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Adam's Peak optional activity - We would have preferred to climb another mountain, rather than this site, which although important to holy believers was inundated with the volume of people climbing, waiting at the summit and then returning back to the base. Also, we couldn't believe the amount of litter scattered on the route, which has such a religious meaning to the population!

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up early in time to see the sunrise high up above the clouds, then climbing to the top of Pico Ruivo..and reaching the bar for a large beer after the long descent!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andre was very good. He was well organised and very sociable with a good sense of humour. He kept an eye on the whole group whilst letting us go at our own pace. He gave a lot of information about the mountains, levadas, birds and flowers. He also gave us an interesting tour of Funchal on the last morning .

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are lots of narrow paths on the sides of hills, lots of climbs and descents, but the effort is well worth it for the great views. Do go up in the cable car to the Monte Tropical Gardens in Funchal.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to select. Almost all the sunrises and sunsets, the town of (and hotel in) Gibara. The "Lodge" in the Sierra Maestre. The overwhelming friendliness of almost all the Cubans I spent time with (and I didn't speak any Spanish when I arrived!). Oh yes, and the Cuba Libres !!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Inspirational. Highly-intelligent, very well-versed in all aspects of Cuban history and culture. Fluent English, sometimes obscured by Spanish accent and poor PA system on coach. An archetypal "gentleman" of the best kind. Must also give mention to coach drivers, Eduardo and Manuel ("Johnny Hips") - great guys, even if they did beat me on the pool table!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't believe much of what you read about Cuba in the guidebooks - perhaps they are a few years out-of-date. Everything is of a higher standard than I was expecting. Don't go mad on the sun-screen - I am fair-skinned but didn't finish one bottle (and temperature most days was around 34 degrees!). Don't go mad on the mosquito repellent either - it was only necessary on one evening out of fifteen. Make sure you have above-average cardio-vascular fitness - 70-80km most days is pretty demanding. Most of all, engage with the Cubans as much as you can - they are a lovely people. It's a real waste if you go just for the cycling and the nice weather (though I suspect quite a few of the others in my Group would disagree with that assertion!) Get some basic conversational Spanish before you go - I had to "speed-learn" from the day I arrived!

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at San Blas bay having walked down a very steep hill, the beauty of the small, sandy, rocky cove in the sunshine was breathtaking. It was well worth the effort of the descent and subsequent ascent (by a different route) (Bays and Towers walk- we did it on our last day too and had seen almost all the island)

Thoughts on Group Leader

N/A self guided

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to say as there were many, probably standing on the top of Vesuvius

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader was first rate, even adding a short walk on the last day

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the walks were not to long there were some steep up and downhill sections and some of the paths were rough in places. You do need decent walking boots if you go on this trip even if you don't need them on every day. This would not suit complete beginners but even though not many on my trip were avid hill walkers they still managed to complete all the walks and enjoy them. Expect stiff limbs next day after the long downhill sections

Most Inspirational Moment

I would say the walk to summit of el Penon and recognising that the more challenging holiday grade was a good decision. The picnic lunch in the peace and quiet at the convent was an excellent interlude in another walk.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chris was an excellent leader, with good local knowledge, who had planned interesting walks at the right level of difficulty for the grade of holiday. He walked at a good pace, timed the day well and considered the ability of all in the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A reasonable level of fitness is required and the holiday is graded appropriately. Trust in the Trip Notes.

Most Inspirational Moment

The summit of El Penon, the jagged mountain overlooking the Cortija.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good: easy going, sociable, walked at a good pace and had worked out the routes very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The grading is accurate!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the cloud forest of Monteverde and on the hanging bridges in between the tree tops were definitely something inspirational. It was a rainy day which only made it more magical. An afternoon bird watching trip by a riverbed near Esquinas lodge was particularly enjoyable and the walk along the river at Savegre was both inspirational and tranquil. The sounds and closeness of the animals particularly in Tortuguero, Manuel Antonio and Esquinas lodge. And as a more general comment. On our trip we had a special birdwatching guide and therefore some fellow travellers were particularly interested in bird spotting. I found it particularly inspirational to see their enthusiasm and couldn't help becoming interested as well. Both the guide and the fellow travellers have definitely opened my eyes to a new world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo is extremely knowledgeable on everything from birds, animals, plants as well as the history, politics and daily life of Costa Rica. He was helpful answering every silly question we could think of and constantly added extra walks in the mornings or afternoons, giving us every opportunity to get the most out of the trip. In Tortuguero he got us a very good guide for the boat trips on the canals. Don't know if other guides there were just as good, but we were very happy with our Hector. Also, Gustavos sense of humour definitely added to it being a joy having him as a guide. Our driver (Geraldo) was also very good and extremely helpful along the entire trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring proper trekking boots. Called Exodus to ask about foot wear and was told to just bring walking shoes and sandals. Walking in the rain on muddy paths in the cloud forest of Monteverde would have been a lot easier wearing a pair of trekking boots. Apart from that ..just enjoy

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling in the Atlas and Anti Atlas Mountains - scenery superb.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Radu was very good - enthusiastic, helpful, knowledgeable etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware there are few flat roads on this trip. On several days you climb 700 / 900 / 1100m. Longest descent is 1400m, all in one section, which is superb - if you like that sort of thing. Some sections of road have been washed out so there are issues of poor surfaces and loose gravel but generally you are warned in advance and with careful riding we had no problems. Roads are generally very quiet.

Most Inspirational Moment

Setting off from Barafu camp at midnight to see a zig-zag line of torches heading up the mountain, with guides singing as we climbed. Magical!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Florence Chrispin was a fantastic leader. He was so support & very clear about the expectations regarding the climb. He was a kind & nurturing leader who clearly had climbers best interests at heart. He led by example & his team were a happy unit who obviously enjoyed working with him & all got on well together. He was stringent in checking our fitness as the climb progressed. He gave his assistant leaders opportunities to shine. All 3 (Hans, Fred & Jonas) were a great support & encouragement to us. He was very clear on the expectations for each day. A genuine & lovely person.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train hard before you come! I had - but still found the climb a tremendous challenge, reaching Stella Point but not Uhuru. I have to be happy with that achievement because I know that there was no way I could have walked for another hour uphill to Uhuru. I also found the descent very hard work & was so grateful for the amount of encouragement given by Jonas. Read as much information about Kilimanjaro before you embark on your trip. There are some wonderful & honest accounts of climbs that present an honest picture of what to expect. I recommend "Kilikmanjaro Summit of Africa" by Jacquetta Megarry (She's climbed all routes). "Kilimanjaro" by Moushabeck & Schultz (beautiful photos & detailed account of the Lemosho route.