Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Many days were just perfect days! One day I was having an early moring swim in Lake Nicaragua, went for a walk to watch monkeys, cycling, boat ride back to the mainland, more cycling and then popping out at the Pacific to have a swim in the lovely warm waters there. Brilliant day all round! The boat ride - although I was a bit unsure whether I liked being so close to large crocodiles! Hot springs with pina coladas Panama

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was a lot of fun, super organised and able to sort out any wishes we had

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was happy to have my handle bar bag with me as I don't like having anything on my back, especially when it's really warm.

Most Inspirational Moment

Some nice-but not stunning walks-give a relaxing week. Do not expect to work hard-the walks are low level and manageable for anybody with a basic level of fitness. The day we walked by the Roman marble quarries and saw the columns that were carved in one piece from the rock was especially interesting. The gorge walk was also nice, but cloudy weather and high winds spoiled what could have been a great day out.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cecile was a good leader-organised and on the ball throughout. She made sure everybody was well looked after with dietary requeirements, and gave a lot of information on flora and fauna.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hotel in Karystos is basic but friendly. Unfortunately the seafront setting is very noisy at night. The trip notes describe Karystos as a thriving market town, but we saw no evidence of this The causeway is full of litter, the streets are defaced by grafitti-even the local museum has grafitto over a roman marble column laying outside, and a magnificent old steam engine there is rusty and grafittied. I think we have seen the effects of the Greek financial problems. Some of the tavernas visited in the evening provided really good food-some were so-so.

Most Inspirational Moment

Day walks with amazing views from all angles, mostly in the Chamonix valley but the day walk in Italy was beautiful, classic alpine scenery watching for wildlife and seeing an Ibex and marmot. the trip up to Aiguille Midi on our day off - expensive but worth it for the views and fascinating displays at the top The food in the chalet

Thoughts on Group Leader

outstanding. Mark was extremely experiences, knowledgeable and tailored the walks to the weather and group. Good advice and information, very supportive to those group members on the trickier bits of the walk. He also gave good information for options for the day off, particularly walks possible from the middle cable car station (although check that the cable car to the ice cave are open - they were closed at the end of sept)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware of the amount of climb and descent. The pattern of most walks was to climb from the valley in the first few hours of the morning, traverse and then descend at the end of the day. Often this involved 900m of climb first thing, but it was a steady pace with time to admire the views. Being fit and doing some uphill preparation will make this more pleasurable. Take poles if they help with the downhill (knees). Be aware of the season as the trip notes explain, all cable cars are not open in sept.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trek from Paro to Thimpu. Through forests and across mountains. The camping was great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was very knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go!

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk along the valley which ended at a taverna where James Oliver filmed a cooking programme! A local dog followed us all the way and agreed ( did not want to jog back home- rather waited for a taxi)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos was lovely. He knew everyone on Evia and told great stories about Greek history, food and local trade vents

Most Inspirational Moment

I informed Suzi that I was unable to keep up with the group and would make my own plans. She made a new plan for my vacation and had me meet with the group at every opportunity in a manner that allowed me to truly enjoy my vacation. She was encouraging, enthusiastic and took each traveller under her wing. This vacation was on my partner's bucket list and he got to fulfill his plan and we got to enjoy that together.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suzi was upbeat, knowledgeable on so many levels, truly able to meet changes of plans with enthusiasm and bubbling over with love for the area, its people and history. .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Truly understand the rating of the trip. Bring your camera and enjoy the beauty, the people and their history from the beginning of time to the present moment.

Most Inspirational Moment

Alvaro's enthusiasm and support.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was brilliant. He knows the area and the hikes like the back of his hand, he is confidant and sure footed - like a mountain goat! He is a great guy, and super knowledgeable. Ask him what a flower or a plant was called and he would be able to tell us! He was inspiring!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The only shortcoming of the trip for me was that you don't end up with alot of time to yourself each day. It's long days of hiking. Then the hotel lays on a 5 course meal every evening, which was delicious but... but would take 2 - 2.5 hours. So by the time you get back to the hotel, get cleaned up and go to dinner - it can be a little tiring. Doing it every day anyway. I mean it was lovely, but ...

Most Inspirational Moment

Traversing the summit and rim of Vesuvius, an optional extra, was thought provoking when you realise that at some future date it may look very different, particularly combined with visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum which show what could happen again.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Emily, was everything one might ask for in that role, but also became an important member of the group.

Most Inspirational Moment

One has to say the animals we were lucky enough to see in their own environment. The various game drives and walks we undertook were well organised, the Rangers very knowledgeable, twice we encountered feeding lions who had just killed, herding elephants, too many others to name. Also the magnificent scenery around the Drakensberg Region. Lesotho, Swaziland, the coast alongside Tsitsikamma National Park where we camped beside the ocean, Kruger, the Private Game Reserve; the whales off Hermanus. - There were many highlights, many were unexpected.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Wynand Bezuidenhout was an inspiration, heavy praise, but well deserved. An unfailing source of knowledge and a genuine interest in African wildlife, customs and the local scene. Clear directions, a constant interest in our well-being, a great sense of humour and a pretty good cook too. In fact all 3 of the Exodus/Mask Expeditions staff who accompanied us were unfailing in their duty and great fun to be with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I took too much stuff. There are regular chances to wash clothes but try and take quick-dry technical cloth clothing as drying time can be an issue with the constant moving on. Rip-off trousers double as shorts. Take a warm sweater or two for evenings as gets quite cold. Take a good quality head-torch as this will get plenty of use.

Most Inspirational Moment

Several - Machu Picchu is awesome - just like the in the pictures. Definitely worth staying until the crowds have gone, or doing the early rise if you can get up in time. The home stay was my personal favourite. Our host was so lovely, we helped out with what we could and it was a humbling experience. Travelling should broaden the mind and things like the home-stay certainly do that. Scooping water from the well rather than turning on the tap make you appreciate the reality of life for so many. I loved the variety of the landscape. Cusco - fascinating place to wander around. I would recommend the Amazon extension. Far less daunting than I had expected. Yes the rooms had only 3 walls and were open to the sounds of the rainforest but we had experienced more biting insects in Southern Europe! The sounds and and scale of the tress are fabulous. The Convent in Arequipa. We should have half an hour after the to just to BE in this place.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I really liked him for interesting conversation at dinner and for learning about his life and views on growing up in Lima. His command of the language was exemplary and he had a lovely dry sense of humour. However as a tour guide he really needed to address the group more often during the long drives with information about the landscape, history and political background to the country. We did ask him too and he was happy to answer specific questions but seemed unwilling to take on the more traditional tour guide role. Having said that I am not sure that the coaches had microphones. He seemed more comfortable talking to smaller groups on specifics than addressing the whole group with general background info. Last year in India we had the Legend that is Mahindra, and that is a very tough act to follow. He should be cloned! Raoul did cope very calmly with the booking error when we got back to Lima at the end of the maind trip and found our hotel rooms had not been booked! It was sorted smoothly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for very long days in the coach. Make sure you stock up with food and water for these. Buy travel bands ( pressure point ones for wrists) if you might get queasy. Altitude is very challenging. Many took Diamox but not all Doctors are happy to prescribe it. Take the advise regarding drinking water and eating lots of high carb foods. Take it steady. Many of our party felt poorly at some point. Be prepared.