Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Included in the programme is the trip to Pompeii and on our free day a group of us took up the offer of a trip to Herculaneum. This much smaller coastal town was covered by a mudslide when Vesuvius erupted in 79AD and was  preserved by the mud. We were able to compare the 2 sites. We had the same excellent guide Ettori at both sites and Herculaneum was much less crowded than Pompeii.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine our group leader  was excellent. So enthusiastic and cheery. We were given free time after the walks, in her words "to run and skip and play and have fun".Paddling in the sea to cool the feet after the walks was wonderful!  She has a good rapport with the hotel owners and nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We are based on the plain above Amalfi and Positano so although there is a lot of descent on the walks it's not all downhill and when it is it tends to be on limestone steps which can be quite tough going. The walks however are not long in distance and our pace was set by the slowest member. We had lots of time to take pictures  and there were frequent cake/refreshment stops.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching Base Camp, with everyone on the trek.  A great feeling to have got there, made the struggle worth it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was faultless, always on hand to offer advice, his knowledge of the area and local culture.  The whole team were great, cannot think of anything they could have done better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate the physical challenge of this trip. I think I was a little complacent before it having summited Kilimanjaro the year before. The day to day walking on this is tougher, it's longer and there's a lot more ups and downs.  Exhaustion got to me rather than altitude so try and prepare as well as you can, but sleep is a key thing to try and catch up on during the trek.  Having said that, it was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Take lots of tissues, and cough sweets - most of us ended up with coughs and colds.  You can buy pretty much anything you need out on the trail, but do take some nice snacks with you to keep you going when you have a tired moment.  You can keep clean, you have to pay for showers but so worth it....  Eat as much as you can - the food is basic but good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of Mount Piano - worth the effort.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Karl was very informative of the local area and was always on hand to answer questions and arrange things.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget the Radox (that's if you have a bath in your room)!

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu! How could it not be?! We were taken there early in the morning so we got the best light and less tourists.  Just wandering around it was amazing and walking to the top of the steps from the entrance gate, the trees breaking apart and seeing it properly for the first time - wow!We also had a keen bird-watcher in our group so by the time we got to the Colca Canyon we were all equally excited and nervous.  When five condors rose out of the canyon, it was just incredible. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan Diaz was excellent. He managed to keep smiling for two weeks while trying to get us to keep to specific times when we were coo-ing over alpachas instead of doing what we were meant to! Despite having been to some of the sights over 100 times he was still really enthusiastic and eager for us to have a great time while learning lots. He came across very calm and relaxed even though when the group were off exploring he was glued to his phone organising the next thing for us - I didn't pick my suitcase up for two weeks because he made sure they were taken to the right rooms in hotels. He took good care of us when we got altitude sickness, made us laugh for two weeks and bascially made sure we really loved our time in Peru.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light - the washing facilities in Cusco are cheap and excellent.Don't underestimate altitude sickness!  Although it is easily remedied make sure you get plenty of rest, drink the coca tea and do as your guide says.Take memory for your camera!

Most Inspirational Moment

Has to be Tizi N' Test, or more specifically, getting to the top of it and the awesome descent on the other side, but also just the scenery in general, and goats in trees!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Richie was totally brilliant, organised everything with military precision without being too bossy, had all the cycling knowledge you could possibly imagine and was always encouraging to the whole group, not just the strongest cyclists. In addition went way above and beyond to make the trip as smooth and hassle-free as possible, and very creative(:~O) in helping to procure alcohol for those who like a nice beer after a hard day's cycling.  Not an easy task in Morocco!Special mention also for the backup drivers, Said and Hassan, who were extremely helpful at all times, and Idir, the local guide who did part of the trip with us. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. Bring a torch.2. Get fit and/or get some good cycling practice on hills - it is a supported trip but the descents are so much more enjoyable if you've done the corresponding ascents.3. Be prepared for a lack of alcohol in places.4. Learn French! - Brush up on your GCSE French or at least learn a few words.  Not completely essential but again you get more out of the trip that way. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching Santiago late on the last day, with wonderful final dinner

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose and Sandro were a first class team

Most Inspirational Moment

How the people of Peru live in the wilderness of the Andes, they are very isolated, the nearest shop for supplies is usually over a two hour walk, they have to be fairly self sufficient growing their own crops, farming cattle, chickens, horses and brewing corn beer. Children have to walk for hours to get to school, there are no hospitals or doctors nearby, and no cars or buses, no gas or electricity. To boost their incomes alot of these farmers are porters on the Inca trail, working once or twice a month during the season.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was verg good, he had excellent knowledge of the Inca's and their history. He looked after the group very well and catered for everyones different levels of  fitness during the trek. As a group we were lucky to have him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Mosquito repellant should be on the essential kit list, I got eaten alive on the first day.The tipping was incorrect in the trip notes, it advised $60-$70dollars to cover all tipping, I budgeted $70 dollors, when we got there it was $90 dollors required and that didn't include the guide that was another $20 dollars, this meant I was using my credit card to pay for food at the end of the holiday. It is very important you get the information correct on the trip notes for the tipping so we are prepared, this was a big topic of conversation between the group because we had all budgeted $70 dollars. Eat at the local places it saves you a fortune, tourist restaurants cost between £8-£12 per meal, a local place will do the same meal for £3, and it tastes just as nice.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at " The Blue Lake" after a 10 mile trek through some of the most beautiful countryside I have ever seen. The weather was great, clear blue sky and bright sunshine, we could not have asked for better!Also I really enjoyed the picnic(s) thoughout the week, not a hard boiled egg in sight, Its clear that Exodus does NOT DO fast food!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was great, friendly and very knowledgeable.However, I felt he could have made a better effort to motivate us,there were periods of long silences and at times he appeared to isolate himself from the group. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are fit ( I was ) and capable of walking 20 miles over mixed terrain. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to single out just one......Seeing the Great Wall stretching out before us, especially on the Gubeikou to Jingshanling sectionVisiting the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an and cycling the 14km of the Xi'an city walls  The homestays (particularly at Gubeikou) and the lovely fresh food 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jerry (Wei Wei) was absolutely brilliant. He imparted so much knowledge about the places we visited including the Beijing hutongs where he shared memories of his own childhood. To have a guide with so much local knowledge, and such an excellent command of the English language, is exceptional. On the trickier sections of the Great Wall he was very watchful of all members of the group and was quick to lend a helping hand where necessary. We felt safe in his hands, not just with the walking on the wall, but with all the logistical arrangements of the trip, such as airport transfers.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Always read the trip notes! Some sections of the wall are very steep and uneven but always worth the scramble.Some of the homestays may lack home comforts but what an opportunity to experience real rural life.Sign up for the Xi'an extension and visit the Terracotta Warriors and take the opportunity to cycle the 14km of the Xi'an city walls. If you have time in Beijing don't be afraid to use the Metro. It's easier than you might expect.     

Most Inspirational Moment

It was a long shot and if Paul secretly thought he'd made a bad call he didn't show it. Nightjars winged across the bonnet of the Land Cruiser like falling Sycamores, whilst Scrub Hares stared bedazzled into the headlights. To say that we saw a rosetted male feline walking nonchalantly through the grassy plains before we'd had breakfast would just be smug. To say that we saw a leopardess with three small dappled cubs post muesli, well! that's just indescribable.Permit me one more inspirational indulgence. Preceded by the nights rain, the early morning mist; lions emerge, their breaths condensing in a saffron hue.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The lion may well be the King of the African plains but Paul is most certainly Kicheche's King of the "Profanisaurus Rex". 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Mara offers some of the best predator viewing in Africa but don't ignore the "not so sexy" species. Take every opportunity to look at as many different species as possible and not just through a lens.