Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing Adams peak in the dark and seeing the sun rise was memorable as was the trip to the elephant sanctuary. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujee was a fantastic group leader. He was very personable and organised and could not have been more helpful. He dealt with everything very efficiently and with a sense of humour. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip does involve a number of hours travelling between the various sights and activities but the coach was comfortable and the travelling to me was all a part of the experience. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The cycling! Whether cycling through nature reserves, around an old palace ruins site, on the levee of a reservoir, above the lush palm tree laden rainforests, by paddy fields, by tea plantations and spice trees, whether on small roads or pathways or through towns, whether zooming down winding mountainous roads GO!GO!GO! or pushing hard up hills the other side, and all the time with the wonderful Sri Lankan people waving and children smiling shouting their greetings. Every single day contained many moments of inspiration as well as moments of perspiration.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh is a great credit to Exodus. We did not have to worry about a thing, just enjoy the rich variety of wonderful experiences. He organised and managed every aspect of our tour in an efficent and unfussy way and always with a big heart, a huge smile and a hilarious giggle! As well as our tour leader I feel honoured to call Suresh my friend. The support team of Uppali, Kussun and Shameron were superb and always there to support us, nourish us,water us and pick us up if the going got too hot.

Advice for Potential Travellers

YOU MUST DO THIS TRIP WITH EXODUS AND SURESH! Ensure that you are fit and prepared to cycle 4-7 hours a day. Make sure you have some pocketable energy foods, a gel saddle, padded shorts, gloves and a cycle helmet. I had a ski helmet which was fine for the UK but far too hot for comfort in the warmth of Sri Lanka. Drink lots of water. Enjoy the scenery and people and make sure you look around you. Most of all, just go with the flow, make sure you get to know everybody, and have lots of fun. Its probably better to do this trip before March / April as it  warms up  by 5-6 degrees more by then.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views on the walks were stunning, and being able to visit both Pompeii and Herculaneum was a bonus.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Barbara was an excellent leader as there was quite a mixture of walking ability and she managed to get everyone to the end of each walk, or at least to a suitable place to catch a bus!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do try to visit Herculaneum on your spare day - all the group combined it with an afternoon in Naples as the weather was not good enough to go to Capri or Ravello, and enjoyed both. We had the same guide at both archaelogical sites and he was well worth the extra cost.  Poles are very useful and good rain gear essential as we had a couple of days of heavy rain when we were there in late March.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many, but watching the sun rise above the clouds at Acada de Teixeira just pipped several other highlights!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andre was the ideal guide, was very personable, knowledgeable and looked after us in every way.  Thanks Andre!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't set your expectations of Madeiran food too high!

Most Inspirational Moment

I particularly enjoyed the road and technical trail climbs, though I may have been the only one...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz provided excellent support for all aspects of the trip and was a dab hand at sorting out mechanical problems and punctures. Paul's mountain biking tuition over the week helped me improve my technical skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The roughness of some of the trails means that it's worth taking a full sus bike if you have one. The rental Treks were adequate but the length of some of the descents on rocky trails means that numb hands are likely after a while. Our group was of similar ability and thus stuck together pretty well, but it's possible that you could end up waiting around if you are a much fitter rider than your fellow travellers. Also Morocco is not the best destination if you feel the need to go out drinking each evening after your day on the bike.

Most Inspirational Moment

-The camel trek into the Sahara desert. There was a mini sandstorm going on but this added to the authenticity! Waking up early to see the sunrise over the dunes was spectacular.- The stay at the mountain retreat "Kasbah Oliver." It really was a world away from normal western lifestyle. So tranquil and we felt we got to see the real, authentic Moroccan people and countryside.  - The walk through the Todra gorge was beautiful. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was an excellent tour leader. He attended to our every need. He was always willing to go out of his way to sort out any extras the group requested. He seemed to know every place we visited inside out so we felt we were in very safe hands. He also endlessly encouraged us to wash our hands before dinner...and it worked...I don't think any person on our trip had any major stomach trouble!  

Advice for Potential Travellers

- Do not bring the green bag supplied by exodus (my fellow trip goers will smile at this comment). They are not practical whatsoever and NOT required. I recommend bringing a standard wheeled suitcase. - A sleeping bag is useful in April but not essential. Some found they coped fine without one as blankets were supplied in the desert.  - Bring warm clothing. It may reach 50 degrees centigrade in Marrakech in the summer but in Spring travelling through mountain passes it can be closer to 0! Do not underestimate the potential to get cold. In all locations at night the temperature can dip quite drastically so carrying a light jacket at all times is a good idea.- Prepare to dress modestly.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all brilliant, although that first Tiger sighting was just out of this world, seeing a tiger just yards away cross in in front of our jeep sent a shiver down my spine. I wanted to watch, I wanted to capture the moment and take photos, my hands were shaking it was incredible!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bali (Balvinder Singh) was just the best guide a group could have. His wicked sense of humour, his charm, his friendliness, his love and passion for his Country inspired us as a group. He was always around to smooth the way, nothing was too much trouble. Bali made me want to return to India one day to experience much more....

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for cold early starts. Tigers are elusive, enjoy the beautiful birds and other wildlife. Take a scarf the drives can be very dusty.

Most Inspirational Moment

The various snorkelling activities - each swim was a completely different experience with regard to the variety of marine life seen. The varied wildlife on each Galapagos Island - close encounters cannot be avoided as wildlife at times is almost underfoot.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Within the tour are two separate parts - each part we were allocated a guide, in particular we found Juan, our Galapagos guide really enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you take/consider- anti bug spray for rainforest- ear plugs to reduce engine noise whilst sleeping on boat- we found hiring a wet suit on board the boat was necessary in order to snorkel for extended periods- take a spare bag so that you can leave luggage in Quito and travel lighter to Amazon and Galapagos- be vigilant with personal security when out and about in Quito

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many wonderful experiences, climbing to 5,000m and reaching the snowline at Chimborazo, sleeping in jungle huts with just a candle for lighting and listening to the sounds of the jungle at night, being cleansed by the local Shaman by firelight, the blow pipe competition, being drenched beside a huge waterfall and taking a cable car ride accross a gorge which was more like an open top cage on a zip wire, all the hikes around the mountains and the wonderful achitecture of Quito and Cuenca, the modern promanade along the river at Guayaquil, the Inca ruins at Ingapirca and the Devils Nose train. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were lucky enough to have Fabian as our guide and Maurisimo as our driver. Fabian was the best guide we have ever had. He was fun, helpful and nothing was too much trouble for him. His organisational skills were exceptional. We all had lots of laughs, lots of adventures and the whole group bonded, not one person was ever left out which was due to Fabian, definitely the best group experience we have had.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks are more challenging than described in the trip notes. If you use a walking pole take it with you and also take proper hiking boots as the terrain could be rocky, steep or muddy at times but all achievable by anyone with average fitness.  We had not done any walking for a few months before the holiday but managed all the walks. Take the advice of the guide with regard to altitude and it will not be a problem. Every one of our group made it to 5,000m at Chimborazo. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Krsto, had a great sense of humour and made everyone feel comfortable. Krsto had a natural ability of keeping the tour organized and on schedule, but without stepping on peoples' toes. He was patient and flexible when dealing with a variety of personalities. It was great fun traveling with Krsto and the trip wouldn't have been as much fun without him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would definitely use this company. It was wonderful to have all of the logistics organized, yet not feel like you are part of a cattle herd being led around. I felt like I had simply joined some other people traveling around and we had luckily found a nice guy to show us all the cool places to go.