Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I was looking forward to China as a country, but for me it was the giant pandas, the food (no water chestnuts, bean sprouts or prawn toasts in sight), the western influences in a communist country, the scenery and the shopping, Emei Shan, Three Gorges locks, the transport, the buildings.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anson had us very organised, kept us well fed and on time. He was receptive to altering times if group wanted half hour less somewhere to give us more time elsewhere, and was very keen for us to enjoy our holiday in China.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Trip notes are largely accurate. There are opportunities for laundry in several places, plenty of ATMs, meals generally didn't cost more than six pounds for food and a beer, weather was hot and humid, hotels about Exodus average - some better and some less so but evens itself out over the trip. Overnight trains are an experience and fun, sleeping bag liner needed for the longer third trip. Plenty of camera memory needed. The travelling wasnt particularly tiring overall, but it was nice to have a few days in one place e.g. on the boat or Yangshuo. It did feel a bit touristy at times, but that's what we were.  Food was great, and the shopping. There is lots of luggiing luggage about, often at stations with no escalators, so travel as light as possible, and leaves room for the shopping bargains, especially in Yangshuo. Like Cuba and Peru, if you see something and know the price you want to pay for it then buy it, as you may not see it again.  The Dong Fan hotel in Beijing is within walking distance of Tianamen Square, about 25 mins, and there the buses are cheap and plentiful. Olympic Park is simple to get to from the hotel on the metro from Tianmanen Square as its not included. The optional trips are dear in comparison to the rest of the holiday, acrobats ok, music and dumplings - food great, music ok, Sechuan opera - very good, Yangshuo - light show ok, lazy boat raft - great, cycle ride - exilerating! (walk to Moon Hill - not worth it), free trips from the Yangzte cruise - walk to ghost village (?) not worth it, chill on the boat, Three Gorges yes. A busy fascinating country....

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the end of the Inca Trail and seeing Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate is great, but camping next to Salkantay glacier and walking alongside the mountain up to the Inca Chiriasqa pass was even better.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arturo was great fun and very knowledgable; apart from running the trek he was well able to talk us round the various Inca sites without a guide. Staff were excellent, and the standard of meals on trek was amazingly high.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were pretty lucky with the weather and most days were sunny and mild, but camping at 4000 metres is cold. Really cold. Who'd have thought it?

Most Inspirational Moment

Great memories:-Completing the climbs on day 1 and 2.-Cycling as close as it gets along the coast line on several occassions.-An amazing Croatian lunch at a family run restaurant in what to me seemed the middle of nowhere. -Dubrovnik early in the morning! I will certainly come back here. -Last but not least: making new friends to go on more Exocus holidays with. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader Vlad was great, he doesn't usually does this particular trip, but much more advanced ones. By the end of the week we were all convinced he was super-human. With the patience of angels he made sure the whole group managed most of the rides. He is passionate about his country and encouraged us all to make the most of all opportunties to explore. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you understand the skill level you need to do this ride, several in the group hadn't and it made the rides a lot harder for them and slower for the overall group. Because we all got on so well, it wasn't an issue in the group I was in, but could have been in a group who were after speed. Know your gears and be aware that you will be cycling 55K, with 2 x 1000m climbs on 2 days and around 35K the other days. 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several highlights. The visit to Mount Etna was very interesting and the cheese and wine tasting later that day was most enjoyable! The Zingaro NP was lovely to walk in with some interesting museums in the park. The scenery was lovely and it was good to get some exercise and enjoy the countryside. The food and wine in Sicily is great and the people were very warm and friendly. Noto is beautiful and so is Erice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Salvo was an excellent leader , full of knowledge and enthusiasm for his Island and especially the Etna area. He was patient and organised. An added bonus was that he is very sociable in the evenings .I learnt a lot about Sicily and Sicilains from him and also learnt a bit more of the Italian language. The driver , Luca was also very good , very friendly and sociable. The local guides were also very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is very much a sightseeing trip. It covers a lot of the Island and therefore there isn't a lot of time spent soaking up the scenery and culture in any one place. It is listed as leisurely /moderate but compared with other trips I've been on this one was just leisurely . The walks on Etna and in the Zingaro Np are only very short. There are some steep bits , but mainly in the towns and villages due to them being built in hillsides or the tops of hills. Don't settle for a sandwich at lunchtime,instead find some local delicacies in the local pasticcerias. Great local food and quite cheap.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many highlights. All the walks were great but I really loved Valley of the Ten Peaks/Sentinel Pass, Yoho National Park and Crypt Lake. Loved the Waterton Lakes region, it was so different to the other 3 areas we camped in.Great wildlife sightings, grizzly and black bear, elk, moose, deer, sheep and pika!  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Renee and Catherine were great - fun, friendly and helpful, nothing was too much trouble. They cooked fantastic meals, and Catherines lunches were mouth watering.Renne has so much great knowledge about Canada and was willing to answer the many questions. They were the best guides I have had on any trip I have been on. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Weather is very changeable so make sure you pack clothes for layering. 

Most Inspirational Moment

We had many excellent experiences but I think from a walking point of view it must be the Amphitheatre at Drakensberg. After a cold and not too promising start the weather gradually cleared to reveal some awe inspiring views. I think the best picnic stop ever !!!The Game drives were great and varied: The first private game reserve we stayed at was very memorable seeing many animals but we came across two young Lionesses who were not at all bothered by our presence, great for the photographers. When we entered Kruger The water hole was very busy with Elephants, Hippo, Giraffe .... quite a sight.        

Thoughts on Group Leader

Admire and Mathew worked very hard to make things go smoothly, between them they had a lot of knowledge and if they didn't know usually found out.  They made the trip a very pleasant and memorable one.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a very varied holiday but does involve some long coach transfers. If you really don't like coach travel it may not be for you. But for me ... I thoroughly  enjoyed it.We are not campers but this was no problem. The guides had the tents up in no time and the beds very comfortable. The tents large enough to store your gear and tall enough in the centre to stand. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole Dalmation coast itself and especially Dubrovnik.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take note when the guide says there's hills involved!

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk down the Demosaris Gorge & swimming inthe lovely blue green Agean sea at the bottom

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos was brilliant.His enthusiasm,knowledge of cultural,political& historic issues was incredible.Nothing was too much trouble for him.One of the best leaders I have walked with.

Most Inspirational Moment

Exploring Mount Etna and having it brought to life (not literally!) by our naturalist guide.Tasting the delicious food and wine that Sicily has to offer and trying some new things.Wandering the streets of the delightful villages of Noto and Ragusa and discovering at my own pace.Finding out about Siracusa, Ortygia, Palermo and Agrigento through our enthusiastic and friendly local guides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Salvo was very friendly, helpful and informative about his home of Sicily.  Everything ran really smoothly and when there was an unexpected change of plan he coped admirably.  He was always willing to answer our endless questions with patience and attentiveness.I am most grateful to Salvo for taking the trouble to introduce us to some fabulous restaurants, which we surely would not have discovered otherwise (although I did put on about half a stone!). 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your Italian phrasebook with you - they love you try the language.

Most Inspirational Moment

The clouds in the early morning pouring over the rim of Ngorongoro

Thoughts on Group Leader

Clara was knowledgable, clear, helpful, fun and friendly. Boniface the driver and Esther the cook were also excellent. They all got it just right.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need to take a rollmat! (I hadn't read the blurb well enough and took mine). Your website's list of what to take was v helpful and got it right. We bought pillows in the supermarket we stopped at in Nairobi. Which was a good move as they were really comfortable, tho it seemed rather decadent and in ecological (tho we gave them away at the end).