Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I found the visit to Varosha on our 'free day' really interesting, especially hearing of why it is deserted. The views on the walks are also inspiring, well worth the climbs.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gizer was a knowledgeable guide providing the group with lots of information on the history of the island, also information on great places to eat and things to see in the locations we visited. Gizer looked after us all, making sure we had what we needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the walks are through scrub which can cause scratches etc, so take long trousers with you for those walking days and walking poles if needed, as lots of 'undulations' to navigate. Some of the walks are also quite challenging, but Gizer ensured there were plenty of rest stops along the way.

Suggestions

Euros seemed to be accepted everywhere as well as Turkish Lira. There are also lots of ATMs in places visited, so don't worry about taking lots of cash with you on this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Machu Pichu from the Sun Gate at the end of a hard trek has to be everyone's highlight - but seeing the night sky from the camp site is also magical.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Although Peru was wonderful, our group leader Wilmer made the trip for me. Knowledgeable, proud of his country and still able to put across the wonders of the trip with great enthusiasm after doing the trek himself over 300 times. He organised everything and made you feel very confident of a successful outcome, nothing was too much trouble for him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not expect luxury accommodation - it is clean but basic and Peru is a very poor country. Just embrace it.

Suggestions

On the trip someone said that the group was self selected - everyone was there to enjoy the experience and we had some great times.Thanks for the memories.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to choose. The views from the hills as we walked through them, the ruins at Salamis, and the chameleon were all highlights.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Gizer, was very engaging, knowledgable, patient and helpful. Our driver, Omar, was also helpful and professional and coped admirably when there was a problem with the minibus engine. They are both a credit to Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Much of the time we could use euros or our cards to pay for meals, etc. We did need some Turkish lira and Gizer very helpfully explained how to get money from ATMs or to exchange currency on our first walk into the old town of Kyrenia. Walking poles are essential for some as in places the paths are steep (up and down) and a little unstable with loose stones and large boulders.

Suggestions

The hotel rooms were modern and well equipped. The packed lunches were of uneven quality but the breakfast omelette chef was superb! We also enjoyed the bar in the evening before going out for our meals either as a group or to restaurants recommended by Gizer.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the wall in Dubrovnik.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic. Engaged, responsible, informative and charming.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the local bus from the airport in Split to the hotel in Trogir. Inexpensive and easy to do. Pack for variable weather.

Most Inspirational Moment

More than one! Tara Gorge and Dumitor mountains both awe inspiring!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dymitri was fantastic - always calm, kind and informative- his knowledge of the history of this region is extensive, he seems to enjoy sharing his knowledge. Great menu choices too!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get fit! Highly recommend this fabulous trip - made by stunning scenery, great guide in Dymtri and Visi the driver, delicious food, and on the whole good accommodation.

Suggestions

It would be helpful to have a pictorial representation of the days elevations in the itinerary.

Most Inspirational Moment

Nazare

Thoughts on Group Leader

João Colaco is the best, really caring , knows the trip inside out. An inspiration

Advice for Potential Travellers

Well worth the decision

Most Inspirational Moment

Wouldn’t describe as inspiring, but enjoyed the fantastic scenery as we cycled along the Atlantic coast - often with the wind behind us. Being there in May we were blessed to see carpets of different wild flowers - beautiful! Good to reach the end in Sagres and visit the lighthouse at Sao Vicente - the start or end of route 1 - we’ve previously ridden other parts of it in the UK

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ricardo was a great guide. Organised and knowledgable. He wanted us to have a good experience in his country and on a part of the coast that he is passionate about. He regularly sought feedback during our end of ride debriefs each day which was good. He planned good restaurants for us to eat together and we didn’t have a bad meal all week. Vitor, his partner in crime was a lovely man. Considerate and hard working. They worked very well together for our benefit. Both showed great patience!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Understand that off-road biking can offer up a variety of surfaces and can be technically challenging at first. It may be easy to those of us who enjoy mountain biking, but for those less experienced, take the advice offered by the guide on day 1 and give it a go. It’s great fun and off road means no traffic. Two of our group acknowledged this was a first for them, but had great fun because they were willing to get stuck in.

Suggestions

It was a great trip. We enjoyed the company of great people and were well looked after. Had we known the final hotel in Sagres was going to be as lovely, we’d have stayed on rather than moving along the Algarve for an extra couple of days relaxing. It really was of a very good standard in a pleasant area.

Most Inspirational Moment

The fact that I actually managed to complete the trip in what were the worst conditions that any of us (including the group leader!) had ever encountered! The whole trip was a sense of achievement!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joao Colaco was absolutely brilliant and deserves a huge bonus!! He was always around when needed, and full of local knowledge. He fully understood the cycling conditions, was careful with the health and safety aspect, catered for all our needs and always went the extra mile. He managed to quickly repair punctures and changed itineraries (restaurants and arranged fado etc) without fuss and always with a smile. He has become a friend and someone who we all deeply admired! Excellent and without fault or compare!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring wet weather gear!!

Suggestions

We loved this trip despite the weather and our group leader made it very tolerable and fun indeed!

Most Inspirational Moment

Yes the big animals we saw, but also some of the smaller ones. Seeing a Pied Kingfisher hovering before it dived to catch its breakfast! Being in the ocean off Mozambique when a pod of bottle nosed dolphins swam up to the group, swam around us, some of them swimming belly up past us. Seeing dwarf mongoose sunning themselves on a tree stump, warming up in the early morning sun. Hearing lions calling in the night, hyenas “yipping” to each other, the rumble of elephants, in a herd, talking to each other. So many different experiences, for all the senses. Magical.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrew and Trimore were excellent. Friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and good fun. Willing to listen to the group, in an effort to see specific animals on the safaris. Nothing was too much trouble. Thank you both for making our trip such a great one.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it. You will not regret it. Early morning starts felt chilly, so do add extra layers, windproof top, hat, to feel more comfortable.