Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on top of a ledge looking down on the Treasury in Petra. Petra by night was also a great experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were lucky to have Ali who was excellent. He spoke great English and was very knowledgeable and rightly proud when it came to teaching us about his country. He was an expert at cat herding and got us where we needed to be efficiently. He was well organised and gave us just the right amount of information. We had a mishap owing to torrential rain flooding our desert camp so he was able to sort an alternative camp at short notice which was much appreciated. We were lucky to have Ramzi the tourist policeman with us too. It was a little disconcerting at first realising we had an armed guard but he was a lovely guy who quickly became part of the group despite speaking little English.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are mosquitoes especially in Wadi Rum and they ate me alive. If you are equally as tasty bring nuclear strength repellant and consider a citronella coil for beside your bed. Returning to work with a face like a plague victim has been interesting! The boat trip at Aqaba was great - snorkelling and lounging in the sun and a nice lunch. Bring proper walking boots for the Petra hiking. If you want to buy Dead Sea products do it at the airport as they are much cheaper. The Living Room bar in Amman was good with nice cocktails. Watch out for bar prices which often don't include tax. 12 quid beer can be a bit of a shock! Check your travel insurance small print re camel riding- not everyone was covered. Buy water in the mini-marts it is much cheaper. 0.35dinar vs 1-2 dinars! If you have a tourist policeman with you make sure to be nice to him and his hard exterior will crack into a singing, photo-taking, small person lifting, smiling fun guy. Also be sure to coo and wave at him in front of his tough cop pals. This will go down well! The shop next to Karak castle sells Petra cornettos.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wadi Rum and Petra were both magnificent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sammi our group leader was excellent. He really took care of the group and had a lot of knowledge about Jordan in general. The chefs and the other supporting guides were also really nice.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sun cream is a must. Drink plenty.

Most Inspirational Moment

After having the misfortune of being possibly the only group ever to have our camp in the desert flooded by torrential rain on the day we were travelling there (apparently rain in area is very rare!). Our guide moved heaven and earth to find us another camp so that we didn't miss the unique experience of spending the night in a Bedouin camp. I am so grateful he did, as it proved to be one of the highlights of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ali is the best. I cannot say more than that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Buy water in shops, much cheaper

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the summits and doing a little bit of scrambling which I had never experienced before. The amazing views The beautiful forest walks Having your lunch "on top of the world" from your summit stops looking out and down for miles

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara is most definitely the best Exodus guide I have had - and I have done 17 trips with them! She is caring, encouraging, patient, knowledgeable and really inspires confidence. Nothing was too much trouble for her and she constantly suggested and provided extra things for us way above the call of duty. In addition she has a great sense of humour and fun to be around but maybe more importantly you feel 100% safe in her hands

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are considering this trip do it, it's great. Do take walking poles- they really are useful. If you are wondering what to do on the free day the popular option of Lucca is a great easy day off -it's a lovely little city and easy to get to and from

Most Inspirational Moment

Tortuguera national park on the carribean coast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of birds animals and plants, which made all the differnce if your knowledge was very limited, like mine. Great organisational skills, and superb interpersonal skills made the trip very enjoyable for everyone.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing hummingbirds on our trek at Vinales; The first Mojito with a gorgeous view; The Red Road and loadsa crabs (shame about the squashed ones); The chameleon in the coffee shop; The salsa class; Casa de la Trova in Trinidad; The Buena Vista Social Club in Havana.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Felix was great. He made sure we all had a great time, adapted the itinerary to suit us and kept us on track when we had to be. He was very patient too. He has great knowledge and passion for his country and it shone through.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book a few extra days in Havana. You do not get long enough there to enjoy this fabulous city. Don't bother with soap and pens etc for the locals. Just be ready to tip everyone!

Most Inspirational Moment

The Theatre of Epidaurus was the most interesting destination and you appreciate the calm and the shade much more having cycled to it from the coast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christiana put her heart and soul into the trip and ensured the group enjoyed the cycling, the history and the evening meals. The best moment was Christiana handing out large chunks of Halva at the top of the climb to Mycenae - truly food of the gods! Kristos and Giannis tirelessly provided all the unseen support that go to making the trip go without a hitch.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need to bear in mind that Greece is a hilly country and be ready to cycle up hills. Bring a camera - there are so many picture opportunities from the profusion of wild flowers, the archaeology and the fantastic scenery.

Most Inspirational Moment

All the cycling was fantastic with wild flowers everywhere and very little traffic. Great restaurants chosen by Christiana.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christiana was very competent and enthusiastic. She kept good control of the group, and with the help of her two assistants, catered for all our needs. Every hill climbed was rewarded with fruit or a local snack.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The cycling was not too difficult but do some training before you go. A gel saddle or your own might be more comfortable than those provided.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is hard to choose one experience from such a brilliant trip. There were a lot of amazing moments. The Ganges at both dawn and dusk, the elephants and the swim with the elephants, the sheer colour and smells and noise of the cities - all absolutely fantastic. But - The 'Diana bench' at the Taj Mahal at dawn was beyond anything that we ever anticipated - it was simply awe-inspiring! We were fortunate to be there during the festival of Holi. This was terrific fun, and it took about a week to get all the dye and paint off after being plastered from head to toe in coloured paints.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant! He was just great. Nothing was too much trouble and he made the whole trip appear effortless. Of course, he was working very hard behind the scenes but he just made everything happen. He didn't even loose anyone in the crowds of Delhi at night!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip - it is not a physically energetic trip, but it is great. We added a week of trekking in Nepal to get the legs moving after eating and drinking far too much in India.

Most Inspirational Moment

As with all good trips, there are so many. Dawn on Dune 45, visiting Dead Vlei - a personal ambition - the optional Cheetah safari at sunset (much better than the included Cheetah Conservation centre), the animals, seeing rhino at night, hearing lions roaring during the night, seeing "millions of zebras" and how they manage their time at the waterhole and not forgetting the mating lions..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ronney is right up there as one of the best guides I have ever travelled with. He works incredibly hard, takes great care of the clients, anticipates needs, is a great spotter, has a sense of humour and is a delight. Also, he makes sure that the locals are benefitting from the trip, by ensuring that absolutely nothing is wasted. He is a credit both to Exodus and Namibia.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. There are two laundry opportunities - in Swakop and in Etosha, plus some of the campsites offer handwashing facilities 2. The trip notes don´t mention that nearly every campsite has access to a swimming pool! 3. The local team don´t have DEET. Share yours with them and leave the leftovers behind. They are very grateful! 4. If, like me, you want to be sure of contact with home through the trip, you can buy a local mobile phone, SIM card and voucher at the airport - I paid 239 Namibian dollars for mine and donated it at the end of the trip 5. We had the opportunity to donate anything we didn´t want to take back at the end of the trip - do it. 6. You will get dirty. Dont take anything smart or find a way to pack it separately as everything will be covered in sand. 7. Consider the single supplement for the tent as it is a small space to share with someone you don´t know!!