Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day in Dubrovnik was truly memorable, the weather was perfect and the city had so much to offer. My abiding memery was relaxing for an hour alone with coffee and cake watching the world go by, and contemplating what I had experienced over the previous few days. The cycling was hard but the views were amazing, lunch at the family restaurant and dinner at the farmhouse were extremely good but most of all I remember the group of people that helped to make this such wonderful holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krsto was very good company and fun to be with, spoke perfect english and had a wry sense of humour. He was very organised and capable, I had complete confidence in his ability to cope with any situation that may have arisen. Exodus are lucky to have him as their representative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just for anyone who may be apprehensive about a cycling holiday. This was my first ever activity holiday and I only started cycling six months ago, so I was concerned that I may have been too old, unfit and inexperieced to enjoy it. Well I took longer that most to complete the hills but did manage without having to resort to the bus, and I felt under no pressure from the faster riders. So give it a try, no more beach holidays or cruises for me it's cycling from now on.

Most Inspirational Moment

Views on the walk day 3 at the centre of the Dolomites (Strudlekopf / Durrenstein hut)

Thoughts on Group Leader

From an organisation and sociable perspective Carl was good. From a walking perspective I found his pace slow.  Notes describe walking as 5 to 7 hrs but distances were very short  i.e. day 1: walked 10k in 5 hours on a very gentle incline / whole group had to stop 3 times in 5 minutes for plant/history update. Found walking frustrating. Don't believe pace was set for the slowest person in the group. Carl had knee problems so last 2 days of walking were with a local guide. Pace was faster, more fluid and felt less herded.    

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit to Seville was fantastic. We spent it wandering around the town, visiting the impressive Royal Palace and having a relaxing lunch on one of the shady squares. The walk to and over the Pass of the Doves was for me the highlight of the walks.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was excellent. He was friendly and easy going and full of knowledge. He was at all times aware of people's abilities, being attentive and helpful where necessary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat, and don't forget your swimming things!

Most Inspirational Moment

The Tuscan coutryside, views and of course Sienna, I would love to return to see the horse race on the square.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ali was great, any minor concerns were solved without  fuss, he coudn t have been more helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the description it is exactly what it says on the tin!!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several.  It sounds daft given the surroundings but seeing a huge vulture circling as we neared the Everest View Hotel, followed shortly after by a fabulous view of Everest and Ama Dablam left me beaming.The return to the group of a team member who had been hospitalised after fainting was good for the group moral and lastly, the scenery during the 2 days descent from Gorak Shep.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gele was brilliant.  He was always concerned with the health/safety of the group.    On one occasion I was walking next to him when we rounded a corner and saw another trekker sitting on the trail in front of us (tying his shoe lace!) Gele’s worried face as he charged forward sticks in my mind.    He was unflapable.  We were stuck in Lukla for one night due to poor weather and whilst we were all tearing our hair out and discussing hugely expensive helicopter flights, he was relaxed, knew what was best and we flew out free of charge the following day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is cold!  Nights were bitter and as others have stated, you need to have some form of hot water bottle.   I hired a duvet jacket from Exodus and wore it most evenings but the daytime temperatures were not too bad…I only wore it for a couple of hours on basecamp day.  

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Monte Prado.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We could not ask for a better leader.  Sara inspired and encouraged us with our walking and was very knowlegeable about the area.  Nothing was too much trouble for her, she made an enjoyable holiday exceptional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go in spring time (last this year) for the wild flowers.

Most Inspirational Moment

It sounds trite but there were so many! The view of Khiva from our hotel, with the sun glinting off the ceramic tiles covering dozens of minarets and domes. Eating Plov (the national dish) in a locals house - delicious and then washing it down with Uzbek cognac (very nice). Having a group of older Uzbek ladies ask for our photos to be taken with them so they could show their grandchildren in the village they all came from. Standing next to Ulebeg's observatory in Samakand and staring in bewilderment at the sheer beauty of Tamerlane's mausoleum.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Dilshod was fantastic. His enthusiasm for his country was infectious. Nothing was too much trouble. He shared his experiences of being an ex soviet citizen, as well as stories of his own family which all helped to get a better understanding of the Uzbek culture and history.     

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a sleeping bag liner (silk if you can stretch to it) for the Yurt stay, as although bedding was clean it did get very warm in the yurt and so this allows you to regulate the temperature. We all brought warm fleece, hat and gloves for the yurt stay in May as per trip notes, but it was warm at night and we didn't need them.Bring some toilet paper from home for toilet stops, as the local stuff is more akin to tracing paper.The Uzbek currency is the Som, but the largest note is 1000 and with the exchange rate you will find you have to carry around a brick size wad of notes just to cover expenses for a day. As you can't get this amount in your purse or wallet take a sealable sandwich bag to keep it in, in your bag. You cannot get rid of any unwanted Som in the airport at the end of the holiday, as they only take euros and dollars in the airport shop.The sun is fierce in Uzbekistan, so take high SPF suncream because you will burn in minutes, I have come back with a nice light tan and I was diligently using SPF 50! The Uzbeks drink tea so if you are a coffee drinker I advise you to bring either coffee sachets or coffee in a bag for breakfast, as the only thing they had was unpalatable Nescafe coffee powder in tins. Bring swimwear and a quick dry towel, the opportunity to have a bathe at the lake by the Yurt camp after the hot and dusty (but enjoyable) camel trekking was bliss!     

Most Inspirational Moment

The stunning views from my balcony at Villa Hermioni every morning, and the visit to Libearty the bear sanctuary. There was a party of children visiting behind us, who listened with such interest that you hope that in the future there would be no need to rescue bears from captivity.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had 3 guides, the leader Greg was very entertaining with lots of tall tales. Traion the local leader gave a good insight into local life and made the visit to Brasov very interesting. Katharina took us to Libearty and her passion for the place was infectious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is steep walking, walking poles are useful, also ignore the weather forecast, and prepare for anything, we regularly had 4 seasons in one day.Change a small amount of money at the airport, it is a few days before you can get money.Food was excellent, you definitely won't go hungry.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at the Sun Gate at Macchu Picchu on a glorious sunny afternoon and getting my first glimpse of the ruins.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Bobby and his assistant Frank were excellent group leaders. They looked after everyone perfectly from start to finish. They were both a credit to themselves and Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The facilities at the campsites on the Inca Trail were far more limited and basic than I expected. Thank goodness we had our own portable toilet.It can be very wet even in the middle of the dry season. Make sure you come prepared for this. On a couple of nights it was colder than I anticipated. If you are bringing your own sleeping bag make sure it is a 3/4 season one.Change more than the recommended $50 in to Peruvian Sol as you will definitely need it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Definitely Petra.  As you approach the Treasury building after a 1.2 km walk through the Siq it takes your breath away.  The whole of the Petra site has so much to offer with an amphi theatre, tombs, monasteries and the High Place with just a minimum number of market stalls and places you can eat without being swamped. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Group Leader, Ala,  was excellent.  A degree in archaeology certainly helped.  He was very knowledgeable without being overbearing.  He also knew the best restaurants to eat of an evening and also introduced us to bakeries for snacks and lunch.  The driver and him were at our disposal even when it was not part of the official tour e.g. the last night in Amman when the tour had finished, they still came to pick us up in the coach to drive us to the restaurant we asked to go back to from our first night in Amman.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although it sounds like you need a level of fitness there are always options available if you're not up to it e.g. at Petra you could hire a donkey to take you up to the high places.