Andes To Amazon

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Sue Denyer

  ANDES TO AMAZON

  

  Written February 2013

  Ecuador is an amazing country, wonderful scenery, wonderful people, a new adventure round every corner not yet swamped by tourism. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were so many wonderful experiences, climbing to 5,000m and reaching the snowline at Chimborazo, sleeping in jungle huts with just a candle for lighting and listening to the sounds of the jungle at night, being cleansed by the local Shaman by firelight, the blow pipe competition, being drenched beside a huge waterfall and taking a cable car ride accross a gorge which was more like an open top cage on a zip wire, all the hikes around the mountains and the wonderful achitecture of Quito and Cuenca, the modern promanade along the river at Guayaquil, the Inca ruins at Ingapirca and the Devils Nose train. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We were lucky enough to have Fabian as our guide and Maurisimo as our driver. Fabian was the best guide we have ever had. He was fun, helpful and nothing was too much trouble for him. His organisational skills were exceptional. We all had lots of laughs, lots of adventures and the whole group bonded, not one person was ever left out which was due to Fabian, definitely the best group experience we have had.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The walks are more challenging than described in the trip notes. If you use a walking pole take it with you and also take proper hiking boots as the terrain could be rocky, steep or muddy at times but all achievable by anyone with average fitness.  We had not done any walking for a few months before the holiday but managed all the walks. Take the advice of the guide with regard to altitude and it will not be a problem. Every one of our group made it to 5,000m at Chimborazo. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The holiday was very busy but we would not have missed any of it. Although there was quite a bit of travelling by bus, it was always interesting as we passed through different landscapes all the time. The trip incorporated so many different experiences, my only complaint was that it was over too quickly!!!

   
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  Jane Bloomfield

  ANDES TO AMAZON

  

  Written January 2013

  A great holiday with such variety - should appeal to both those who enjoy the natural world and culture vultures. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  It's the most beautiful country we have ever visited and it is not without variety, even within the highland areas. We loved the climb to 5000m up Chimborazo. As  a contrast the Amazonian jungle was informative, thrilling and fun. The colonial cities of Quito and Cuenca are beautiful.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Fantastic guide. Really well informed. Never reluctant to answer any questions. Patient, relaxed, fun and with a great sense of humour.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  You need a case that you can easily carry over your shoulder for the jungle - you can't use a suitcase with wheels. Alternatively take an additional bag sufficient for stuff for 2 nights not forgetting that you will get very sweaty in the high humidity. You will wear wellingtons (provided) in the jungle so make sure you have the right socks. A head torch is essential and a lighter would be useful as you need to light candles (no electricity in the rooms) and the matches were always damp.

  Be aware that you will spend as much time travelling as you will on actitivities but this is necessary to see as much and to do as much as there is on this wonderful holiday.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The lodge is described as rustic which might make some people think that it is rather basic. Actually in the circumstances it is fantastic - very clean, great beds, lots of space in the rooms and no end of hot water.

  All the other hotels are great and Exodus has really tried to use characterful places wherever possible. A few of the rooms are small but that is because they are in lovely converted mansions rather than purpose built hotels.

   
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  Christopher Doran

  ANDES TO AMAZON

  

  Written October 2012

  A WELL THOUGHT OUT ITINERARY TAKING IN MANY OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF ECUADOR, INCUDING SOME OF THE MOST DRAMATIC SCENERY I HAVE EVER SEEN IN SUCH A SMALL COUNTRY. WEL.L LED BY OUR GUIDE 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  THE HIGH ALTITUDE WALKS IN THE 3500 TO 4000M RANGE

  HACIENDA ACCOMMODATION OF THE HIGHEST STANDARD

  What did you think of your group leader?

  PABLO WAS EXCELLENT. SOCIABLE, WELL INFORMED, ENTHUSIASTIC, PATIENT AND WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOUR.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  TAKE LAYERS OF CLOTHING FOR VARIATIONS IN CLIMATE AND CONDITIONS, CAMERA AND BINOCULARS.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  JUST A GREAT TRIP.

   
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  Ian Wood

  ANDES TO AMAZON

  

  Written October 2012

  This trip exceeded all my expectations. Ecuador is a fascinating unspoilt country still relativaly free of mass tourism.The tour manager was an expert in his field and full of enthusiasm for his own country.Absolutely brilliant! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Walking around Volcanoe tops and trekking up the sides.

  Travelling high up and then down into the Amazon rain forest.

  Fantastic hotels

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent...his knowledge of his country gave us all an insight I doubt other tours could have offered...Very

  humorous and helpful.

  I think he enjoyed the trip as much as us!

  Bursting with enthusiasm

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Treat yourself to this beatifully unspoilt country before its too late.

  The diversity of this country is amazing...an absolute joy!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I was apprehensive when I booked this tour. Not

  knowing if I,d be dissapointed.

  However I was amazingly relieved...it was wonderful!..

  Everybody was really happy..and this feeling flowed through the coach.

  A Beautiful country that re-afftrms your belief in the Joy of Life.

   
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  Irene Neilson

  ANDES TO AMAZON

  

  Written October 2012

  If you are into mountain scenery and the natural environment then this is a truly wonderful trip made even more precious by the rich diversity of local dress and customs and the high standard of local accomodation available. Drives can be long but the scenery is so breathtaking that even long drives can be a pleasure. This is the best trip of its type that I have ever made. Thoroughly recommend. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  So many: that initial sight of the mountains surrounding Quito after a long flight in, the drive up to and the walk in the paramo of the El Angel Nature Reserve, staying at Pantavi hostel surrounded by the art work of Camilo Andrade, watching the clouds cleat to reveal Tungurahua volcano and , later in the trip,  Chimborazo, driving through the moonlike landscape created by past eruptions of Tungurahua, watching the rapid dance like flight of the hummingbirds in the reserve as they feed, the first sight of a frigate bird inflating its chest to be like a bright red ballooon.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Pablo Montalvo was our group leader. He was simply fantastic, the best. He was extremely knowledgeable but fun with a really amiable personality. He managed us as a group with a light touch, gave us plenty of free time to explore on our own, introduced us to fun options like  cable rides over lakes and river tubing.  He was also sensitive to variation in fitness levels on walks etc and to awkward dietary requirements. He was just a great guy with a good sense of humour who undoubtedly made a major contribution to the trip being so enjoyable.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for torrential rain if it comes, particularly in relation to protecting camera gear. We had capes which were great. Head torches are really useful for walks in Amazon at night. Otavalo really does have the greatest choice of crafts though the hotel in Riobamba had a craft area near the restaurant with some lovely weaving. Basically if you see something you like, buy it as its a bit unpredictable if you will get another chance later. If you are into local weaving (as I am) there is a great book you can get from the Book Depository  called "Costume and Identity in Highland Ecuador. Edited by Ann Pollard Rowe. (works at Textile Design Museum in Washington and expert in this area).

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I found the Museum at Banos (inside the Church) really interesting though apparently other travellers did not like because of its collection of old stuffed animals and birds. These are rather the worse for wear but despite that I found the different species that were displayed (several from the Galapagos) interesting and there is also a collection of old historical artefacts from various ethnic groups.

  In Cuenca at the Banco Central Museum, there is a really interesting ethnographic exhibition about the Shuar culture and their tradition of 'tzangas' or shrunken heads. A few are exhibited. Fascinating. Apparently there are also some heads in Guayaqui. The museum in Cuenca is itself situated on an archaelogical site and has other exhibits -coinage, paintings- though the ethonographic section is the only bit with English translations.. You need a passport as proof of identity for entry.

   
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  Caroline Clarke

  ANDES TO AMAZON

  

  Written August 2012

  Awesome. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The jungle.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Knowledgeable, imformative and helpful.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Do this trip.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I loved every bit of it but it's too short.

   
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  suzanne watt

  ANDES TO AMAZON

  

  Written June 2012

  Great holiday, more hiking than the trip notes so it was even better than I antcipated.  the variation in landscape is incredible. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Getting to 4800m on chimbarzo and having a picnic! 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  He was fantastic and enthusiastic, no matter how many times he has made the trip previsously, he was still taking photos and enjoying himself (or he looked like he did!) .  I learned lots about the history, flora and fauna of the place.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  There is more walking/hiking than the trip notes suggest.  Take a torch for the amazon.  Taking plenty of long sleeve tops, easy to burn at the top of a mountain!  Also, DEET up, the bitey things were a problem particular in the first stage of the trip.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Additional things note in the trip notes were a trip up Chimborazo which was great.  We also had a visit to a garden full of humming birds which was beautiful.  Also at the end of the trip you will see more frigate birds than you can count on a visit to a bird watching island in the mangrove swamps, likely to see dolphins too.

   

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