Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The Inca Trail is inspirational and the homestay is a wonderful experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Fabrizzio was top notch and he really made the trip extra special. He was very attentive, knowledgeable and friendly, always willing to answer questions and go the extra mile. In our group we had vegetarians, and I have a nut allergy; Fabrizzio ensured we were all catered for throughout, including on the Inca Trail.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As well as your main luggage item remember to pack a spare duffle bag or other smaller soft bag which you will need twice on the trip. Pre travel, Exodus provided us with a complimentary duffle bag which we used for this purpose. When you go into the Amazon you won’t need to take your entire luggage with you, the bulk of your belongings will be stored safely by Exodus and you will take a duffle bag containing what you need for the jungle with you. Exodus will provide a small bag for you to use for this purpose in Peru. However, before you start the Inca Trail, in Cuzco you will be asked to pack your luggage for the trip (strictly limited to 7kg) into a soft duffle bag. Whilst you can borrow bags from Exodus out in Peru, it was much more convenient to have our complimentary Exodus duffle bag to use for this purpose. Your main luggage item(s) are again safely stored for you by Exodus until you return from the trek. A similar system of storing your main luggage will also be used when you visit Amantani Island. The need for a separate duffle type bag is detailed in the trip notes but not all members of our group had realised they needed a spare bag. The trip notes are fairly accurate in terms of the cost of food and drinks. If you avoid buying water from the hotels you can purchase it cheaper in local stores but on Amantani Island and in the jungle this is not always possible. As a couple, overall for food, drinks and some souvenirs we spent around $600.00. We changed some money at the airport, but you can exchange for a slightly better rate in Lima city (Fabrizzio showed our group the best place to exchange), and you will also have chance to exchange more currency into Sols in Cuzco. We were able to pay for items in US dollars in Lima and Cuzco. The quality of food throughout the trip exceeded our expectations and this was especially so on the Inca Trail where we were supplied with 3 full meals a day plus snacks and fresh drinking water; an amazing achievement considering the location and equipment available, our compliments go out to all of our support staff on the trail. I would recommend taking some snacks with you; we took cereal bars and some sweets just to keep us going on the long walks. This will also save you having to spend money when you are out in Peru buying snacks which tended to be quite highly priced. If you prefer fresh snacks you can pick up fruit at the local shops in Cuzco. The sun in Peru is very strong so hat, sun-glasses and sun cream are a must; you will find that you are out on excursions for full days most if not all of the time so make sure you take these items with you to top up during the day. Also remember insect repellent! In the jungle the accommodation was clean but as you can understand, quite basic. You don’t need to take bed linen but there is no electricity in the rooms so if you have a head torch take it; you will also need a touch for the night jungle walk and for getting around the resort. It gets dark in Peru at around 6.30pm. There is plenty of food, and hot drinks are available at the lodge. We were provided with wholesome packed lunches during the day. You can however purchase soft drinks or a beer at the resort (very welcome after a day in the heat!). The jungle is hot and very humid, but you may want to avoid talking shorts and short sleeved t-shirts in order to avoid being bitten, our group found it virtually impossible to avoid bites even with strong deet so covering up with clothing is the best way to go if you can. I would recommend taking no less than 50% deet repellent. After we left the jungle our guide arranged for our dirty clothes to be laundered in Cuzco before we set out on the Inca Trail, this was particularly useful and you could ask your guide about the service. Be careful about washing delicate or light coloured items though and check your washed items before paying. For the Inca Trail, you will need a warm sleeping bag – I took a four season High Gear one which was perfect, I wasn’t cold, even when we camped at 3850m. You will need layers, it is hot during the day in the sunshine, but the cloud can soon roll in cooling things off and it does get cold at night. The trip notes provide guidance and I would follow that; given the weight restriction lightweight kit such as down jackets are best for keeping warm. If you can, take walking poles because they really help on the steep sections of the trail which are stepped. Day two of the trek is by far the hardest, you climb over 1000m that day at altitude, the remainder of the walks are more manageable but you should be prepared for walking all day (we set off usually around 8am and reached the final camp for the evening at around 3.30pm). The trip notes mention the option of having a hotel on the final night of the trek, we didn’t opt for this but in hindsight I would have done. The camp site in the town on the final night is a little noisy and having to walk back from the lovely town to the prospect of a final night in a tent wasn’t that appealing, so if you can, it would be worth treating yourself to the hotel option. Again back in Cuzco our ever attentive guide organised a laundry service to clean our dirty items before we moved on the following day to Puno. The coach trip is broken up with stops along the way including a lovely buffet lunch and a visit to an Inca site. At the Inca site there is a small local market where you can pick up gifts and souvenirs at more favourable prices than in the towns but choice is not as wide. There is also further opportunity to buy locally made souvenirs on the floating reed islands at Lake Titicaca. The homestay on Amantani Island is an experience you won’t forget, the locals are so friendly and eager to please. Our family was very accommodating and we were well cared for throughout the stay. We had a get together in the evening involving local musicians, traditional dress and lots of dancing, it was brilliant.

Most Inspirational Moment

The tour leader Christine made this a great fun holiday.  It would not have been the same without her enthusiasm and knowledge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Please see above

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the real life drama of a two week old pygmy elephant fighting to get out of the river. Initially supported just by Mum but later others of the herd arrived to ensure a positive outcome. The on the boat back seeing a big orang-utan high in the trees in that almost cartoon like pose they keep.Lying in  a mosi net on a platform in the jungle listening to the sounds through the night - I only wish I had taken a tape recorder!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic - she had a big responsibility taking a family group into the East of Sabah just a week or so after it reopened to travellers. Her sense of humour, love of snacks and knowledge of people, food and wildlife combined to make her a perfect family group leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it! But be flexible and aware that some parts eg homestay will be variable within the group.

Most Inspirational Moment

On the more hilly days, the views were great - made the climb worth it (almost)Food - 3 course meal with huge lobster for £8!Music in barsPeople in Cuba are generally very helpful and friendly.  We had no concerns about safety/security at any point in the trip. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was very good.  He had a great sense of humour (we had "joke of the day" on the bus every day) and was informative and knowledgeable.  His English was excellent - as you would expect from someone who had studied to be an English teacher.  Where problems arose with accommodation or health it was sorted with no fuss.  He ensured we had a good holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to Cuba - I had to be convinced but now I am really pleased that I went.  Despite what is says in the trip notes, the food is generally very good and plentiful - I've never eaten so much lobster in my life.  However, if you are a vegetarian, I hope you like omelette............Ensure you take enough sun screen as it is very hot and you will struggle to buy it in Cuba.  Also do take padded cycling pants and a gel seat cover as no one has yet invented a comfortable bike seat!  I would also recommend a bandana to keep the sweat out of your eyes when cycling.At every stop you are provided with water, fruit and snacks so you don't need much in the way of energy bars etc. Do though take rehydrate powders and force yourself to take them - you will sweat big time!Mobile phones appear to work OK but switch off Roaming. Do take cash but if you let the guide know in advance, you can get to an ATM on most days. Consider making your own flight arrangements so that you can have extra time at the start or end.  If you do decide to do this then don't use the tour start/finish hotel for any extra nights in Havana - there are far better options in old Havana in Casa Particulars.  These are cheaper and central. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to pin this one down to a single moment. Cycling through three different Asian countries and seeing the differing countryside and experiencing the different cultures (albeit briefly in many instances) was great. Getting roasted in 40 degree heat and then soaked 10 minutes later I also found great. Seeing the Wats aren't necessarily my sort of thing, but Angkor Wat was good and the other temples were just as interesting in their own way.The most moving part for me was seeing the Floating Village where you can appreciate how lucky we are compared to how other families have to live. Similarly, visiting the Killing Fields and S21 was an emotional day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. I'd seen previous reviews saying how good Nee was and was pleased when it was her that picked us up at the airport. She was experienced at doing the trip and this showed. She was confident and informative at all times. She managed to get 18 of us up and out at the right time and, although it didn't show, she paced the group well to get us where we were going and arrive at reasonable times. She got to know the abilities and requirements of each member of the group very quickly thereby keeping all of us happy. She was always observant noticing if anything wasn't right and primarily, she kept us as safe as possible.Further, the logistics of organising 18 people through 2 border crossings, in different hotels most nights, with different guides, different Support and Mechanical teams in different countries, and all the organisation for the individual buses to the Temples or from Seam Reap to Phnom Penn for example etc., this must be immense but it happened seamlessly. So good organisational skills too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't overpack. You can get laundry done at various points and is good and cheap.Many of our group cycled in Sandals and they were fine so Quick Drying shoes would be good (but with a toe cap for protection and a stiffish sole).A waterproof camera (if you're into taking pictures) as you don't generally have to carry anything on your bike but may want to take a snap or two.Be prepared to get wet in the rainy season. You won't get cold though. It's a personal choice whether you use a waterproof - Many didn't on our trip and were fine.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting the other members of the group and hearing their stories and reasons for doing the climb; there was such a variety of people with different motivations. I was a solo traveller amongst a larger group and they all made me feel completely welcome. The gentle words of the group leader (Henry) as we were completing the ascent were inspirational; I became quite choked up when he said that we had only 15 minutes to go...he kept us all moving! Talking the guides, who have done the walk hundreds of times (it doesn't get easier apparently!), they are incredible and supported us all the way (Luce carried by day pack, and someone else's all the way up and down on summit night and fed me water on the way!).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henry was an excellent leader. He was calm, answered all of our questions and told us what to focus on (only think about the next day ahead). Every day when we were walking, he kept a close eye on all of us to see how we were, and he watched what we were eating to make sure we were all having plenty. He spotted people who were finding it difficult and instinctively knew what to do to support them. He also encouraged the assistant guides to lead some of the walks, so that they could get experience and training and he was happy for our feedback.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Layers, layers, layers! Also a camelbak is brilliant, take a Sigg bottle (or other metal equivalent) so that you can fill it with hot water every night - it is an excellent hot water bottle. I took a space blanket (metal sheet) for the last night at Kibo - it worked well to keep me warm, but it does collect condensation on the top so be careful not to get wet when you take it off. The hired sleeping bags were good quality and clean and included a thermal liner and the walking poles were brilliant. Pack everything in plastic bags; I had trousers in one, tops in another, etc which meant it was easy to find things quickly. You don't have to have the buffet meal in the hotel either; they do a tasty bar menu too!

Most Inspirational Moment

Being on top of the highest peak of the week, betwixt all the WWI fortifications between the Italians/Brtits and Austro-Hungarian Empire, with the astonishing views and trying to envisage how such warfare was conducted in such winter conditions 7000 feet up in the mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Karl paced the five walks well, as, though quite fit, I just had the fitness to fully enjoy the last and major gradient walk of the week. His knowledge of the routes was esxllent and, as important for this trip, his research on the hills and in hsitorical research on how this part of the Dolomites was a significant battleground in WW1 was superb. He and his wife's company socially was a great bonus too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Exodus information does not play up enough the extra interest value of the military history and how much can still be seen in the mountains. Nor does it explain that the South Tyrol is a bi-culotural, autonomous region of Italy and about two-thirds Germanic. So, it helps to shift between danker and graze and to expect as much if not more central European food as Mediterranean.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu was a unique experience. The four days spent in Yangshuo on the River Li was also unforgettable.  Shanghai was the perfect place to end in, with a touch of glitz and time to do last minute shopping (China is a shopper´s paradise).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Willliam, our group leader, was exceptional.  He took care of us at all times, gave us endless fascinating knowledge about his own country, brought us to excellent restaurants (that were very reasonably priced), answered every wierd and wonderful question we had about China, and managed to do all of this with a great sense of humour.  Simply fantastic!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

From my own personal experience (!), do not bring too much luggage......and as other travellers have mentioned, leave space for souvenirs and gifts, etc.  Also tissues, wet wipes and anti-bacterial gel come in handy....

Most Inspirational Moment

Each day had special moments. The first glimpse of Machu Picchu and the elation of reaching the Sungate from someone who is not as fit as they should be! The thrill of watching the condors gliding only a few feet above our heads at Colca Canyon, visiting the Inca sites, the market at Cusco, experiencing a much simpler way of life during the homestay on Lake Titicaca,  hearing the silence and watching the stars. All the people we met were so kind and welcoming.     

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial was fantastic. He gently but firmly ensured that we all were ready for our early starts (I mean early-5,5.30 am) in the morning. He was incredibly knowledgeable on so many different aspects of life and the history of Peru and answered our questions with unending patience and good humour. He also arranged many different dining experiences and sight seeing opportunities which went above and beyond what was expected of him.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of layers of clothing. There are extreme fluctuations in temperature especially at Lake Titicaca ,Cusco and the Colca Canyon. It helps if you have a reasonable level of fitness. There are an awful lot of steps, many extremely steep at the main Inca sites and the walk to the homestay on Amantani island is strenuous! If you have time .read up on Inca history and civilisation. I am doing that now but it would have been helpful to have had some of that knowledge before seeing the sites.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the Auigille de Midi on our last free day, with the cloud swirling around us. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Jenny, could not have been better. She is experienced, caring, thoughtful and knowledgeable. I would also like to mention the camp manager, Graham, who is a fantastic cook, and gave us 110% effort. He adapted his repertoire to the weather, and was always ready to give a hand with things not strictly his responsibility, like sorting out mobile phones, helping to pack tents etc. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pay attention to the kit list!! Including the optionals like poles and umbrella. Take as many clothes as you can fit in your bag as stuff gets dirty and wet and there are not many opportunities to wash clothes ... Take lots of COMPEED :-), neurofen and bite cream. You need a warm sleeping bag, it can be cold at night.