Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Quetzal spotting. Early start and cold but they do have magnificent plumage.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Also a shout out to the driver Robinson

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sit back and let the guide show you what his wonderful country has. We could not have seen a fraction of what we did without Jorge. Anything we were interested in he would take time out to explain or visit - like adding the trip on the Crocodile River on the way to Manuel Antonio or stopping for lunch at the craft brewery outside Monteverde.

Most Inspirational Moment

One truly unique sight on this tour was on the first morning, as we were leaving Reykjavik, the latest volcanic eruption had just started on the Reykjanes peninsula, so our guide took us to a vantage point on the outskirts of Reykjavik so we got a view of it ! Of the scheduled items on the itinerary the glacier walk was the highlight!

Thoughts on Group Leader

David was excellent. As well as doing all the driving he provided lots of insight into the Icelandic culture and commentary on the unique features of this amazing country. He went out of his way to show us the volcanic eruption on the first day of the tour as well as making sure we still fitted in everything on the scheduled itinerary!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would say don’t go on this tour if your only reason is to see the Northern Lights. It is a natural phenomenon and can be quite difficult to see. However do go if you want to see all the other things on the itinerary. For me I would say that the glacier walk was the highlight.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views... eg of the Tre Cime from the Monte Piano plateau equal with, The private evening meal held in the wine cellar of the hotel only for our group.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny

Advice for Potential Travellers

Strongly recommend.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking up Adam's Peak with the many locals partaking in the pilgrimage to the Temple of the Foot and reaching the top in time for a fabulous sunrise.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was an excellent group leader - so knowledgeable, organised and always willing to help organise little extras. His history and cultural lessons on the bus were delivered with enough information to allow us to really understand the country but without being too much of an information overload. He was always patient, in good humous and made sure we were all well looked after, helping also to deal with lost luggage and any special requests people had. Our driver (another Roshan) and helper (Sandun) were also excellent and kept us and our belongings safe throughout the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The leopards in Yala were elusive for us, but you will get out of the safari what you put in. We saw an incredible mixture of animals - land monitor lizards, chameleons, salamander, crocodiles, water buffalo, black-naped hare, deer - to name just a few, along with an incredible array of colourful and impressive birds. At the end of the day, nature is wild and nothing is guaranteed so go with your fingers crossed but take the time to appreciate all the other wildlife on offer as well. The Adam's Peak hike is strenuous but absolutely worth it. The entire hike is up 5,500 steps so your calf muscles and knees will feel it the following day, especially the final half an hour which is up unrelenting steep steps. It is thoroughly worth it though, and watching the sunrise with hundreds of other pilgrims was an unforgettable experience. Take out plenty of cash at the airport as optional excursions all need to be paid in cash - if you do all of the optional activities (elephant safari, rafting, Adam's Peak, whale watching, mangrove boat trip), you will need around £250 equivalent, plus money for tips, tuk-tuks, local shopping, lunches etc. Hotel bills can be paid on card. There are additional ATMs available in Kandy and Ahangama. People's Bank and Bank of Ceylon tended to be reliable and at the time of writing did not charge ATM fees for foreign cards.

Most Inspirational Moment

A personal moment demonstrating the kindness and generosity of the local people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Faultless. Thank you so much Son for being out leader during the Lunar New Year. It would be like me working over Xmas and New Year and not seeing my family. But if you wished you were elsewhere, you didn't show it. You were the best humoured and professional group leader one could hope to have.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You have to want to experience Vietnam as it is. It's not a sanitised experience. It's the real deal. That means some meals are simple and some of the amenities are basic as times. I say this because you will read some negative reviews about this but it's all part of the trip and it's authenticity. The food is amazing and the people really welcoming. Go!

Most Inspirational Moment

Certainly there were the 'stars of the show' - trekking across the stunning Tongariro crossing, marvelling at the craters, volcanoes and emerald lakes; a drenching at the magnificent Milford Sound; the grandeur of Mount Cook. But there were inspirational moments every single day: staring in awe at the ancient Podocarp trees in Whinnaki forest; diving into the sea on arrival at Bark Bay, then waking up to the sun rise the next morning; watching the cheeky Takahe bird in the 'ballroom balcony' launching determined raids on our camp; the charming 'wee bookshop' in the middle of nowhere; delicious lunches by aqua blue lakes; cocktail hour in Queenstown. The list goes on and on. So many moments to cherish.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our two guides, Justin in the North Island and Ali in the South were both great. They were fun, knowledgeable and clearly committed to ensuring we all had a good time. As well as guiding they did all the driving and some cooking and bag carrying too. They really did work very hard. Ali in the South was assisted for some of the time by Vince, who kept us entertained with his regular handstands!

Advice for Potential Travellers

There wasn't much time to explore Auckland or Christchurch at the start and finish of the tour so you may want to consider adding extra days in you have the time. I particularly wished I'd had more time at Auckland, as I would have liked to visit Waiheke Island, and the Hobbiton film set. I followed Exodus' and the trip note advice not to bring a bag with wheels, but most of my fellow travellers did have soft bags with wheels and this wasn't a problem at all at any stage. Wheels would have made my life a lot easier when travelling! If you decide to fly via America without breaking your journey, do leave plenty of time for your connecting flight. LA Airport was mad busy, and even though I had 3 hours between flights I nearly missed my connection. As everybody else has said, don't underestimate those pesky sandflies! Long sleeves and trousers, and the local repellent seems to be the way to go.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the tea plantations in the Western Ghats. Beautiful scenery. Loved sailing down the waters in the various boats, walking in the nature reserve with the unexpected way of getting across the water. Witnessing the various ways taken to travel and how many they get on a motorbike.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Biju was exceptional. One of the best I’ve experienced. An awareness of the group needs, willingness to help out in any way, including cooking lunch when the kitchen staff were short staffed. Very honest and open about his own way of life, and the culture of the country. Gave us lots of information often during the long journeys, so we learnt a lot about Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is hot and can be humid. Take binoculars, there are lots of opportunities for bird watching. Ladies, make sure you put a few sheets of toilet paper in your pocket from the hotels, as outside of them there isn’t any. Stick to the rules,” if you can’t peel it or cook it don’t eat it”, and no ice in drinks and you’ll be fine. We did and no one was ill on our trip. Take some sterling and a preloaded Visa card. Don’t use the money changers at the airport, there’s an ATM just before you go outside and anyway, you won’t need money until the first full day when you’ll be given opportunity to us an ATM. I paid for majority of optional excursions with the sterling. There are plenty of opportunities for ATMs throughout the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic.

Most Inspirational Moment

A nice mix of scenery each day. Good length of hikes. A 9:00AM start time was great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Madeira's scenery was way nicer than I had expected. We fortunately did not have ANY rain. The temperature was also warmer than expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many! An afternoon watching over 30 humpback whales. Gentoo penguins with their young. The different shapes and colours of the icebergs. Watching albatrosses glide around the boat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The expedition leader was excellent. He was very clear in all his briefings. There were a number of expedition guides with excellent knowledge. Their love and enthusiasm for Antarctica was obvious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was warm enough in the layers that we were advised to wear but we had sunshine and blue skies for most of the time in Antarctica itself. Walking helped to keep you warm but it was chilly sitting in the zodiac for a long time. The Drake Passage was ok on the way over but quite rough on the way back. Reception staff on the boat gave out acupuncture pads but I would recommend travel sickness pills if you get sea sick. The weather can be unpredictable, so planned activities my change.