Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Placing my skis in the parallel tracks and realising that I can glide; Heading out on my own in the afternoon round the hotel and finally 'getting' the rhythm right; Snowshoeing through the woods and coming out onto a viewpoint over the frozen waterfall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Not really a group leader as such (it's managed by the hotel) but Robert and his team of giudes / instructors were really friendly, helpful and patient. Instruction and tours were tailored to the group experience, with alternatives offered and there were extra training sessions in the afternoons focusing on specific skills, if you wanted to practise.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want a drink in the evenings, bring some duty free with you and don't expect alpine style apres ski!

Most Inspirational Moment

The inspiration came from the people,and especially the kids who greeted us so enthusiastically.The people were friendly and welcoming,and placid-despite the overwhelming number of mopeds on the roads I never once encountered road rage !The scenery at times was spectacular,and the hotels were generally better than expected.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi was superb,and hugely popular with the group. He was everything an excellent guide should be-knowledgeable,helpful,courteous,good sense of humour,always in complete control in a very relaxed way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I am not a serious cyclist-I am used to short rides of 2 hours or less-and I had no trouble with the cycling apart from the Mai Van Pass where I struggled,but made it ( I am in my sixties ! ).I did experience though saddle soreness at times,as did many others , so a gel cover is essential. Perhaps also a chamois cream.We were extremely well looked after at rest stops with refreshments-no need to take your own with you.Take care with the downhills,and with potholed roads - we had 2 accidents,neither fortunately too serious,but serious enough to stop any further cycling for the 2 individuals for the rest of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Pedalling up to Periyar, not as big a climb as the one up to Ooty but still a challenge. Realising we had indeed pedalled from coast to coast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter....great and never flustered.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It can be very very hot in the lowlands and I would aim for December/January departure for maximum comfort.look out for random speedbumps, I didn't see one as I was too busy looking at  village life and had a spectacular fall. Luckily no major damage and my gashed/grazed arm healed remarkably quickly....I was paranoid about cleaning it and it didn't get infected, which I think is quite unusual for India!

Most Inspirational Moment

Views from the peaks

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it

Most Inspirational Moment

Husky sledding through the snow-clad treesAn amazing Northern Lights display before spending the night  in a Quinzee snow shelter while the outside temperature was -20C

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had no Exodus leader but the Basecamp staff were very friendly and spoke very good English. Slightly disorganised at times but always helpful with lots of useful and interesting information.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although all clothing was provided, we found particularly the base layers weren't always well-fitting so preferred to use our own.  It was too cold not to wear several layers and if the base layer was baggy or a bit short etc, it had a big impact on overall comfort and keeping warm.

Most Inspirational Moment

In a week where the off track snow was so unpredictable and difficult I would offer the day the group did the Blue 23 trip. The weather was brilliant. It was an area new to me and provided new views and vistas.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders, Ilse and Mary who swapped about the groups. They were excellent. They instructed, lead the groups and maintained our spirits. They laid on films, lectures and quizs in the evening based on a theme of skiing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The bus takes 3+ hours from the airport to Kvitavatn. You may wish to have a snack to hand to tide you over until dinner on arrival. The ski hire is excellent and not expensive. It saves hassle on aeroplanes and at airports.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Although there is no resident Exodus rep the hotel guides (Robert and Wenka pronounced Venka) made us very welcome. They are both skilled skiers and knowledgable about the tracks and mountain terrain.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The brochure understates the ski potential by a long way. The hotel Ski Safari trips are worth the holiday in their own right.The leaders were able to accomodate guest with litterally no x-country ski experiance to those of us with 30 years skiing.This hotel is also the start and finish point for some DNT hut to hut routes so for those who would like longer trips there are DNT huts within easy day skiing 

Most Inspirational Moment

Zip wiring over the jungle.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very professional and well informed - his knowledge of Costa Rica's Wildlife added significantly to the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need a lightweight bag for Tortuega, as they use a separate boat for the luggage. It rains a lot even in the dry season, and ponchos are more useful than jackets, especially if you have a big camera. Confirm that your insurance covers helicopter evacuation - it emerges as a condition of taking part half way through!

Most Inspirational Moment

Rather surprisingly, a bird watching moment! I am no twitcher and so be honest birds have never really done it for me in the wildlife stakes.  That was before I saw a Quetzal - what a beautiful creature. It was worth standing for an hour and cricking my next and thinking "I am sure those two feather sticking out from the hole in the tree have been put there by the Costa Rican tourist board and there is in fact no bird in that hole."  When the bird flew out I could not believe what I was seeing - his mohican hair do and his beautiful green and red plummage.  Even better was the fact that all the "profession" twitchers had given up for the evening and gone home and so it was only a select few of us that enjoyed that wonderful moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was excellent and his knowledge of Costa Rica was amazing.  He enthused about his country and his knowledge of wildlife was incredible.There was no such things as a daft question (although I am sure we asked many) and he made a great effort to book optional trips for us.  The tour finished on the Friday afternoon but we did not fly out until 11pm (ish) on the Saturday.  Despite not being on the itinerary he took us in to San Jose for a walk around on the Friday afternoon and arranged trips for those of us who wanted to go out on the Saturday.  He went above and beyond the call of duty.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Poncho, poncho, poncho.  Invest in one of these as when it does rain you will be glad you did - not only does it cover you, it covers your backpack too.Don't forget your camera.  If you have been thinking about investing in an upgrade with a good lens, do it before this holiday as the photo opportunities are endless.Torch - don't forget to take one with you so you can spot all the frogs, snakes and tarantulas at night!