Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to Gillman's Point despite suffering badly from altitude sickness, and seeing the spectacular sunrise.   And the cameraderie amongst the group, and fantastic support of the guides, porters and helpers who got us there and back safely.  And knowing that we had raised a lot of money for a very worthy cause.  Anything is possible if you try.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, the daily safety briefings were very thorough and left nothing to chance, and he showed concern whenever any of us showed signs of illness or fatigue.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are fit beforehand, check that if you need to put all your clothes on you can get one over the other, and don't take a wind-up headtorch (as one of our group did) as it won't last the night!

Most Inspirational Moment

I had especially wanted to visit the sand dunes and was not disappointed. The colourful hues of the sand as the dawn broke was magical. The randomness of these giant dunes in the middle of nowhere and flat land all around was fantastic. Te most fun was seeing if we could get the jeeps through the sand on the way to Dead Vlei another MUST.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was funny, entertaining and very informative. He was friendly and helped to ge the group to gel at the beginning of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

None. Go on the trip! Oh actually do remember to take thermal wear for the chilly nights under canvas.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a wild leopard walk so close to our vehicle, and having the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to photograph it, was one of the highlights of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Group Leader (Brian Hall) was absolutely fantastic. He took great care to make sure we were as happy as possible on the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take a good suncream and sunhat, because the sun is extremely intense during the middle of the day!  Also, make sure you take warm clothes for the mornings and evenings, because it does get cold at night.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra is the jewej of Jordan and walking down the Siq at night , lit only by candles, is awe inspiring and then to see the Treasury also lit by thousands of candles is simply breath taking

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny was very friendly and approachable, with excellent knowledge of all the sights we visited. If anything he knew so much that he continued his talk on the coach preventing us travellers from having a snooze !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it ! this is a real joy and a week to remember for ever.When at Petra, take the walk past the Royal Palaces to the top of the cliff to see the Treasury from above. It is steep and difficult at times, but well worth the effort.

Most Inspirational Moment

This bit took me ages to write as I kept remembering other highlights! so I'll just have to summarise!Most of the best parts are the experiences with wildlife. the elephants, many many monkeys, turtle hatchery(my daughters favourite ) and the leopard at Yala. The beaches were great. all the staff at hotels and sites were super friendly and welcoming.The festival at Candy was great experience. Stopping along the way to sample the local fruits from the many stalls along the roadsides

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was very knowledgable and did his utmost to please everyone in our quite large group. His main focus was the childlren which meant they were happy, and he changed the itinery to mean our needs well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

At hotels go for the buffet meals (around £10) for adults and hungry teenagers, if you have younger chidlren it is cheaper to go "a La Carte" which just means the normal menu. The cost will be halved, but the time taken to prepare will be double, so order these well before you start. I found there was just enough time to order the my daughters meals, for me to have a relaxing beer then go and eat my buffet, that way we all ate together. Be prepared for some long drives, as you really see a lot of the island. You do get approached by locals trying to sell you things a lot, so you need to not let this bother you. be wary of people giving you "gifts" then asking for moneyThe only other advice is to book it now!

Most Inspirational Moment

There wasn't a bad day on this holiday, but if pushed I think that there are two things that stand out as highlights for me.The first is the morning in Siberia Valley.  The day started with an early breakfast, then a short walk across the road to the airstrip where the cessna took us in two groups for a fantastic flight with wonderful views of Lake Wanaka and the mountains.  We were dropped in Siberia Valley.  Then a paddle through an icey stream (that woke the feet up) followed by a beautiful walk through meadows and forest, with Awful views (Mnt Awful).  We arrived at our destination to be met by a jet boat which whisked us off down the river back to our starting location - what can I say - jet boats are REALLY good fun!.....that was the morning and then for the afternoon.........The second moment was our overnight trip on the Milford Sound.  You have to see this, as photos just do not do it justice.  The boat was a lovely size with just 36 passengers.  After a trip around the sound we moored up in a cove and went kayaking, then had a wonderful dinner watching the sunset.  In the morning the early morning cup of coffee on deck with the peace and the scenery was inspiring.  A final trip around the sound and out into the Tasman sea, and we saw two different sorts of dolphins.  It was just magical. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Stefan was everything that you would want from a tour leader and more.  He had a great sense of humour (and suffered Terrys bad jokes well) and went out of his way to make the trip a trip of a lifetime for all of us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

GO! It is really worth it.  We've been on quite a few Exodus holidays and this one is by far and away the best.  Everything about it is wonderful

Most Inspirational Moment

Ideal trip for someone wanting to experience a first winter peak with crampons and ice axe and see some magnificent views!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I found the group leader to be very Professional. Within our group there was a mix of age groups, fitness levels and abilities. The group leader managed to cater for all and create a very relaxed and enjoyable environment within the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. Don't think you need to spend loads money on kit. You don't the packing list is a good guide for the worst conditions you know your comfort limits. The more comfortable yo are the more you will enjoy the trip. I got by with a pair of 3 season walking boots and some flexible crampons and was fine. 2.Arrive a day early and do some site seeing in Marrakech its beautiful.3. Get the lonely planet city guide to Marrakech and check out some of the recommended local take aways and restaurants the food is fantastic 4. Take it easy on the trek up stay at the guides pace its perfect. I suffer from altitude sickness this is the first time it's not affected me and I stayed with him.5. There is a second walk after Toubkal which is just as exiteing so don't burn yourself out going up Toubkal!6. Take a couple of days out after the trek and stay in a Riad a member of our group did it and all I can say is I wish I had!!!   

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was fantastic Halong bay, Hoi An,Cu Chi Tunnels to name a few.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was very good, looked after you very well. Loads of information and took use to some great restaurants. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Too difficult to pick just one. Walking around historic Havana and soaking up the atmosphere, snorkelling in the Bay of Pigs, Che monument, Trinidad and the catamaran trip and lunch at the Bella Vista Paladar in Vinales were certainly highlights of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Martha was fantastic! Nothing was too much trouble and her knowledge of her country was incredible. She certainly made the trip relaxing, interesting and fun!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go as soon as you can. Cuba is changing and although some of it might be for the better, aspects of what makes it a truly special destination will have disappeared forever. On a practical note if you go on the catamaran trip make sure you take something to cover up with on the boat, it was really hot and not much shelter from the sun!

Most Inspirational Moment

Being within the Annapurna Sanctury. Being completly enclosed by the majesty of the mountains. This was one of the most inspiational experienes of my life. The memory will stay with me forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He is the most complete Leader I have ever had the privilage to meet.He is meticulously well organised, observant, caring. He commands instant respect when discussing serious or formal issues. He had a genuinely friendly attitude toward everyone he cme in contact with- Trekkers, fellow Guides, Porters, Lodge Staff. He has a gift for instilling confidence in others.I would enquire which treks Ngima would be leading prior to booking my next trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Put in the training. Good boots well broken-in. Eat and Drink plenty on the trip. Enjoy the company of your fellow trekkers.You are going to have a great time!