Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the best day out was visiting the Grizzlys on Bute Inlet - being remarkably close to a huge salmon crunching male - superb viewing conditions also of females and cubs on the same stretch of river , then when you think it can't get any better a pod of Orca's on the way home - bliss Our group had a great day in Torfino but were unlucky and didn't see any whales on the first trip - we mustered as a group the next day and independantly booked through the tour operator at Ucluelet ( part of the Gray Whale shop opposite the hotel ) a really superb day with sightings of both gray and humpback - this time in a different part of the Vancouver Island inlets  , well worth the $100 each - will never forget Captain Bob taking us up close ( very close ) to the Sea Lion colony - felt like we were truly in the midst of an HD BBC nature programme , exhilarating and magnificant 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - good leadership , great humoured - obliging and passionate - knowledgable and reliable 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel sickness tablets ! the tour bus got hot in the back seats and despite the distances being relaitavley short ( max 4 hrs ) the windin roads and the bad AC system meant a few green faces - plus the pacific can be a little choppy - no problems after being to the drug store !!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra is definitely up there but I would have to say it was sleeping under the stars in the desert in the Bedouin camp. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our main guide Zuhair was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about his country, always ready with a story and genuinely concerned to make sure everyone had a good trip.  I felt at times he could have had more attention to detail regarding the itinerary and organisation, made things a bit clearer and given more choices about where/what to eat, but was good overall.The cycling team deserve a special mention as they were highly enthusiastic, very organised and had well planned routes taking in some amazing scenery.  Although there was A LOT less cycling than on other cycling trips I've done there were still enough challenges to satisfy the more experienced cyclists and enough backup for those who were less keen on riding bikes!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It can get very hot and we were often cycling/walking in the hottest part of the day so make sure you are fit enough to enjoy this trip fully.  Petra is a huge site and very tiring to walk around but totally worth the effort, make sure you go to the Monastery which in some ways is more impressive than the Treasury, just don't take the donkey ride up.Also don't count on doing Petra by night, this had become quite controversial when we were there and had been cancelled, but there were many more aspects to the trip so you won't feel deprived.Don't forget your torch!  

Most Inspirational Moment

More than a few.  Flying over the Andes from Lima to Cusco and seeing the mountains and the snow. Experiencing the Inca civilization in its different forms along the trial.  Travelling up river by boat through the Amazon and hearing the sounds of the rain forest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rene, our group leader, was very knowledgeable and organised.  Being from the Inca tradition, he knew the history of the culture and what purpose the Inca builings were created for.  He understood the spiritual nature of the journey on the trail (the Inca oneness with the mountains). He also co-ordinated the logistical exercise of organising the camp and the porters along the way very competently.Equally, I really appreciated Erik's understanding of the rainforest, his uncaany ability to spot the wildlife and know how the plants could be used as traditional medicines. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

To get to Cusco and then the rain forest, be prepared for quite a lot of travelling, but it is worth it.Read the trip notes, as there are weight allowances on the Inca Trail and to break items down again in going to the rain forest to a light day pack.Take a spare set of clothes to change into at the rain forest lodge, ever if you are encouraged to travel light.Have the recommended vaccinations and anti malarial tablets. 

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the Lac Blanc walk. We had lunch on a rock overlooking four glaciers. Aiguille du Midi on the rest day was a highlight and so was the walk from there to the Mer de Glace. And every evening meal was a delight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Super chap. Worked really hard to ensure everyone in the group had walking of the right level with great sensitivity. Knowledgeable and good fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A good choice if you are travelling alone, as the format of the chalet holiday provides company. And as almost everything is included, you will not need much spending money. Chamonix is lovely, but full of expensive outdoor clothing shops. A pharmacy and supermarket are 5 mins' walk from the chalet.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views of Mont Blanc and associated mountains on the last day. It was clear, the sky was blue - you couldn't help but keep stopping to admire the view

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nick was a great bloke who was a very relaxed leader but willing (and able) to exercise control when necessary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light and then remove half of what you've packed - honestly you don't really need that much for what is 4 nights away. You'll appreciate it going up those passes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing bears and a wolf at the bear hide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udo was very good, friendly and informative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for the walking not the wildlife.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not one particular moment just the general experience of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anna was well informed and organised the daily cycles well but we had problems with three difficult members in our group with whom she was extremely patient.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely need cycling experince and always wear your helmet.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on top of The Kofel and taking-in the stunning panorama. Don’t let the dire warnings in the walking notes put you off - it’s undoubtedly high and a scramble to get to the top but if you do the ‘overtaking manoeuvre’ described in the notes, and you’re reasonably able-bodied and sure footed, it’s well worth the small detour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider making use of the local Tourist Information office - they’re very helpful and can book tours for you. We used them extensively including booking our tickets for Schloss Neuschwanstein which, considering the massive length of the queue for un-booked tickets at the castle when we arrived, was definitely a good move and highly recommended. Pre-booking the guided tour enabled us to pick-up our tickets as soon as we arrived at the castle and then go off and look at other things prior to our timed entry. All the walks (we did) were on well signed paths and were easy to find and follow. However, some of the walks described in the walking notes descend over fairly uneven ground with some tricky tree roots at times - walking poles might be advisable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Realising we were kayaking in Halong Bay, and following waterways on sampans. Managing to climb over a monkey bridge ( slowly!) being watched by a 5 year old Vietnamese girl who was wondering what we were fussing over! Standing in a bus stop sheltering from the rain in Ho Chi Minh City- 10 minute rain shower, avoiding motorbikes on the pavement - unique !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bao was excellent he did everything he could for the group nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book now! Seriously though it was well worth it. I would go back again tomorrow ( and my daughter wants to live there now...) and recommend it to anybody. The journey can be tiring at times, but you get to see all of Vietnam pretty much. Take a day pack that is big enough for overnight stays ( halong bay and mekong delta) and a waterproof camera of some sort. Western food is available practically everywhere ( bar the mekong delta) if you have fussy eater, but even some Vietnamese options on the menus suit most fussy Western palates ( pork chop with rice for example) Fixed price stalls in the tourist market in Ho Chi Minh city are not fixed price! Delve deep in and bargain for all your worth. Be cheeky! You may get a proper bargain!

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole holiday was full of amazing experiences so it’s difficult to single out one moment  but here are a few of our favourites:  Kayaking in Halong Bay – enjoying the tranquillity of this awesome limestone landscape The Old Quarter of Hanoi –the lively street life and managing to cross the road by ourselves Hoi An – the fun of the tailors, the lanterns at night, the  bike ride– the exhilaration of hearing the wind rising in the banana trees before the monsoon rain descended on us Dinner with local people – the courtesy of our hosts and the wonderful food (but not the betel nut chewing – beware!)The Citadel at Hue – the monks’ music resonating around the courtyard of this splendid buildingGroup team building at Brown Eyes, Hue!!War Remnants museum – because it brings home how recently Vietnam and her people have experienced devastation and makes their optimism and sense of fun all the more amazing The Mekong Delta trip – all of it

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ha was terrific – very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his country. He seemed to intuitively know how much information we needed and when. We were a small group and therefore had the bonus of spending a lot of time with him. This was brilliant as he was great fun to be with – full of laughter and fun – which made for a very happy holiday. He gave us the opportunity to have a wide range of experiences and to better understand and appreciate Vietnam and its people. An excellent representative for Exodus!

Advice for Potential Travellers

As others have mentioned do travel light . You don’t need to take a lot of clothes as the laundry facilities at Hue or Ho Ann are cheap so you only really need to take a week’s clothes for a two week trip. Leave sufficient luggage space to bring home souvenirs. If possible have an idea of a garment you’d like made at Hoi Ann – it’s really worth it and great fun.  Take up all the optional excursions on offer– these provided some of our best experiences.  Just go – go soon – and make the most of the experience!