Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

During our stay in Vietnam, each day brought something new, and we had so many varied and wonderful experiences that it's very hard to chose one thing over another. Crossing the road in Hanoi, The countryside and beach in Hoi An, or the simplicity of life in the Mekong delta, but if pressed, then I would have to say that the highlight for me was kayaking around Halong Bay. Just paddling around this beautiful bay with its limestone peaks was absolutely stunning. The visit to the War Remnants Museum was sobering, but seeing the extent of the atrocities inflicted on this nation really made their positive attitude and friendly nature even more endearing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Upon our arrival at Hanoi airport, our guide Thang was there to greet us and was with us from morning to night, always on-hand when needed, and ensured that all of our trips and transport went like clockwork. It was rare to actually need to ask for advice or assistance, as Thang seemed to sense what we might need at any point of our trip. He was always polite and professional, but gelled very well with our group without being intrusive. His stories about Vietnamese history, culture and life enabled us to gain a good insight into this country and people. Every day he 'went the extra mile' to ensure we had a great time, and he looked after us admirably. Thang is an absolute star!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I'm sure I won't be the last person to mention this, but, with the availability of tee shirts, and contrary to other reports that I've read, underwear etc., along with the ease of arranging laundry, and the provision of towels at all hotels. PACK LIGHTLY. You might need to barter to get the prices down (the Vietnamese love this), but you'll bag yourself a bargain, help the local economy, and save yourself worrying about packing. (My 10.7Kg proved far too much!)

Suggestions

Absolutely wonderful trip - I'll recommend this to all of my friends

Most Inspirational Moment

The entire country and the vast biological diversity is inspirational! Over 30% of the land is devoted to wildlife reserves. Throughout the boat rides in Tortuguero and the many walks through a range of habitats we saw lots of mammals, reptiles, insects and over 100 species of birds. The trees and shrubs are also incredible, especially in the rain- and cloud-forests. Moments like seeing the quetzels in Savegre and scarlet macaws flying free by the Pacific were special; however, I have an especially soft spot for humming birds. Costa Rica has 57 species which you can see at several places. Typical of the country is stopping for coffee on the Pan American highway at 11,000 feet and finding that the cafe has sugar feeders outside the windows buzzing with humming bird activity.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Jeff was outstanding - not only was he very efficient and good with people but he also had an incredible range of knowledge on flora, fauna, and geology. One day, for example, he would be telling us, in excellent English, about the life cycle of the banana plant and next day he would be describing how Costa Rica has been shaped by volcanic activity. He was very passionate about ecology and proud that Costa Rica is aiming to be the first carbon-neutral country in the world. Jeff was very good at arranging some very interesting additional optional outings. He was ably supported by the driver Francisco who drove very well, while at the same time somehow being an excellent animal spotter!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a range of climates. Remember that when it says it is the dry season that is a relative term! We had periods of torrential rainfall in Tortuguero, lighter rainfall in the cloud forests, hot and humid weather on the Pacific coast, and then fairly cold weather in the mountains. Meals are not particularly cheap. To cater for optional outings, extra meals, tips and incidental costs you should budget on about 500 USD per person. ATMs are available at many of the stops.

Suggestions

The trip covers a large area of the country from the Caribbean coast in the north-east, down to Golfito in the south-west near the Panama border. However, Costa Rica is a small country and none of the journeys were particularly arduous. The trip was very well organised with good activities. There are plenty of early mornings but these are well worth it, and tend to be compensated by early nights!

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the highlights were staying on a junk in Halong Bay, cycling to the beach at Cua Dai, the train ride on the Reunification Express and visiting the Mekong Delta, although all of it was fascinating.  The Vietnamese people were very friendly despite their horrific past.  Also the food was wonderful and varied from a seafood lunch on board a junk to a DIY barbecue, not forgetting the elephant fish and pineapple spring rolls in the Mekong Delta and a couple of upmarket restaurants in Hoi An and Saigon.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Thang, was very efficient and helpful. Any problems, such as dietary restrictions, were dealt with smoothly.  If we needed a taxi he would speak to the driver and ensure they had the correct instructions.  He also gave us a lot of insight into the Vietnamese way of life with anecdotes about his own life, family and work.  His knowledge of the history and politics of Vietnam was encyclopaedic and I don’t think there was a single question he was unable to answer.  As well as this he joined in with the group socially although at times he must have been exhausted.  At our request he organised a cooking lesson in Hoi An, which had not been on the original agenda.  One of the group was presented with a surprise cake on his birthday, which Thang had also organised with the restaurant.  I don’t think he could have done more to have made the trip a success. His knowledge and good humour made him the perfect team leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I also agree that it should be mentioned on the trip notes that there were laundry services available at least twice during the trip.  It was also unnecessary to take a towel as these were supplied by the hotels, even towels to take to the pool / beach.  Pack light – you may need a thin waterproof for the north depending on which time of year you are going, and lightweight clothing for the south.  Do make sure you have plenty of space to take back souvenirs. and haggle for them – this is part of the Vietnamese way of life.  You will need plenty of mosquito repellent especially when you travel to the south and the Mekong Delta.

Suggestions

Go as soon as possible in order to see a way of life that will disappear fast once tourism takes hold.

Most Inspirational Moment

It would have been difficult to identify a single highlight - it was all brilliant from the Taj through to driving through the villages. However, we saw a tiger (twice) and not just a fleeting glimpse but a full 45 minutes showing many aspects of his behaviour.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arvin was etremely organised and efficient - a credit to his Country

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to hit the ground running and keep running till you get on the plane home.

Most Inspirational Moment

All the walks.  Especially the start of the Walk of the Gods with the mist on the terraces.  Even the rain on the two days we walked down to Amalfi were so atmospheric.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suzi was great.  She was considerate, encouraging and safey conscious on the walks and went out of her way to ensure we got the most out of our week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Beware of the hotel's charges. They tried to charge us E4 for taking a teapot of hot water to the room every evening and for drinks which we did not have.On the night when dinner is not included go to the only other decent restaurant in the village. Turn left, going away from the village centre, at the supermarket and it is just round the corner on the left. Food is better than hotel and cheaper.  Service was good and lots on local people use it.Supermarket next door is good.  Fabulous local green olives and white wine at E5.  If you ask hotel will serve you same wine for E12 which is better option than their 'all you can drink' wine for E10!

Suggestions

This trip needs to be 10/11 days so that you can have, at the very least,  a full day in Pompei and a full day in Naples as well as all the other excursions available in the summer months.  Ravello is also worth at least 3 - 4 hrs.  When there go to Villa Cipriani and follow the map they give you to make the most of your visit.  Allow at least an hour.  The view from the end of the path is breath taking.  Mid February was a good time to go. Apart from 2 days of rain we had calm, bright cool days and the roads and sites were still quite busy.  It must be awful in the summer because of the crowds.

Most Inspirational Moment

The husky ride was a great experieance but seeing the Northern lights was quite breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Hanna, was both very well organised and personable.  She made everyone feel most welcome and capable even with the more difficult activities.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a sense of fun and you won't be disappointed.

Suggestions

Despite the low temperatures and the fact that it snowed none stop for two days, we never felt cold - even though we were outside for most of the day.

Most Inspirational Moment

Many inspirational moments, but the Northern Lights topped them all.  We had two hours (2!!!) of Northern Lights on the second night at the camp.  Staff at Basecamp don't remember the last time that it lasted that long and were that bright, so I guess we have been incredibly lucky.  I will never forget 7 circles of Aurora Borealis shining and dancing in the sky with reflections of green, blue and white watched from the middle of the frozen lake.  Absolutely memorable and I am so thankful for Exodus and Basecamp Oulanka to facilitate this experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guides were fantastic and so the entire staff at Basecamp Oulanka.  Our guide Hanna was a natural Winter Elf, expert in anything from teaching you how to walk for the first time on snow shoes or cross country (and how to get up) to play snow frisbey in deep snow, funfilled with a very good sense of humour.  She knew everything of the area and going along her weekly plan was as easy as a breathe of fresh air.  However I have good words for the all staff at Basecamp: they are truly an amazing group of young men and women and I will always remember them for as long as I live.  Leaving Basecamp has been really hard and missing all of that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go!  What are you waiting for?!  This week is absolutely a must do, you will never forget it.  Just follow the instructions that come from Exodus, go with the flow, embrace the experiences and you will have the time of your life.

Suggestions

This is my third holiday with Exodus: it was Morocco first, then Peru and now Winter Finland.  All three of them have been experiences that I will carry in my heart forever, some of those stories you can tell your nieces and nephews in the long winter days.  I know Exodus is a business and in the end they are here to stay in business, but I can't thank this company enough for bringing me to life experience with such natural approach and practicing responsible tourism.  On my last day of the Finnish holiday I have decided that next year it will be Kilimanjaro: if there is anybody that can make me get to the top of it, I am sure, Exodus is the right one.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was an incredible experience from start to finish, but for me the highlight was the afternoon spent kayaking in Paradise Bay.  Imaging 360 degrees of snow capped mountains, blue skies, sea ice and perfect mountain reflections in the sea and you still won't be close to experiencing how beautiful the place was.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kirsten was professional throughout and made sure we experienced the best that the Antarctic Peninsula has to offer. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the fact that you have 3 days at sea from Ushuaia before you reach the Peninsula and 2 days on the way back. There are plenty of presentations on the ship to help pass the time and prepare you for the trip but it can seem like a long time since you have left home before you are able to leave the ship and do some landings.  Having said that, the sea days are forgotten in an instant as soon as you reach the peninsula and the trip starts properly.We were incredibly lucky with the weather; there was only 1 landing which we were unable to make as the conditions would not allow it.  You need to be aware though that if weather conditions aren't favourable you won't be able to do all of the landings or zodiac cruises which could potentially detract from the overall enjoyment of the trip. Aerolinas Argentinas can be quite strict with their luggage allowances; there is a 5kg limit for hand luggage on the internal flight. If you are carrying a lot of photographic equipment then your hand luggage will be way over this.  However, if you have your backpack on your back when you check in then they do not seem to weigh it; if it is on a luggage trolley then they will weigh it and potentially ask you to pack some of your hand luggage into your checked luggage. Do not wear expensive jewellery in Buenos Aires and leave your valuables locked in the safe in the hotel. 

Suggestions

Go ahead and book the trip - it is truly an experience of a lifetime.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Husky trip was our agreed favourite, sledding through the snow covered forest .The afternoon when the leader took the children to play games in the snow was the next favourite with my daughter , and for me as I got the chance for a beautiful walk in the forestThe food (freshly prepared each day) was the best I have ever had on an exodus holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Hanna was, in the words of my daughter "amazing" She ( and the rest of the team) were so friendly and accommodating. We travelled independantly and arrived late due to a flight delay and the team could not have been more helpful rearranging activities so that we would not miss out.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The temperatures can be difficult for children to deal with ( we experienced -32c) take lots of disposable hand and feet warmers to help keep feet and hands cosy. All the gear they gave us was excellent, and I hardly used my own clothes at all.

Suggestions

If you want to experience the snowy wilderness, but appreciate a warm fire and a cold beer at the end of the day this is the place to go. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The views of the glaciers as we got up to the northern part of the circuit were dramatic, along with the occassional crack as we heard chunks of ice breaking off. The views of the mountains along this part of the circuit were also fantastic, and made up for the few days we spent trekking through the valleys on the way up. Crossing the pass was also a key point to the trip - and it was good that the descent was fairly rapid - taking a lot less time than the climb up. I enjoyed the fact that most of the time we had the trail to ourselves - which isn't the case on the Annapurna circuit these days. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was great fun - with a good sense of humour, and did a good job of communicating, getting us moving, trekking, and fed (almost over fed). 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry about the food - on this trip you get to travel with your own kitchen staff (including an egg man - there were plenty of eggs) - and they work hard to prepare wholesome food. We had some Dhal Bhat - but most of the food was more varied (and certainly more interesting). There was always more than enough - so don't worry about going hungry!A good hiking pole is recommended and can be purchased from Kathmandu before the trip if you don't have one in your luggage (although the big-brands can be hard to find). I'd also suggest taking something like the Kahtoola MICROspikes just in case the route down from the pass is icy (although I didn't need mine). Being walking-fit before the trip will make your trip more enjoyable, however we did start-off pretty slowly - so don't expect a challenging walk from day one. The most challenging section was the cold as we left early to get to the pass, and the LONG descent after the pass itself. The descent was somewhat slippy due to gravel/scree on the path - so hiking poles were useful.

Suggestions

The worst bit was the coach travel into the start point with a long &  bumpy coach ride; however this unavoidable (unless the trip were extended with another week's walking). If you're tall - don't sit at the back of the bus.Take a look at my travel photos and a longer description of the trip on my website:-http://andy.bryant.name/blog/2011/1/23/manaslu-circuit-nepal.html