Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Certainly the 2 days at Petra. You really get a feel for it as you get into all the nooks temples and caves. Although the bright spring flowers at Jerash within the 2000 year old ruins was also pretty special too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bassam was enthusiastic, tried hard and meant well. His English was very easy to understand. Through no fault of his own his weakness came from inexperience with the details of trip (like how much spare time we need for photos, where exactly we went next, what they wanted from experience) and also with the diverse group of travellers that come with an Exodus group tour. But I have to say the tour ran according to the itinerary and he was pleasant company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went in March. The Spring flowers were in bloom and some sites were set off beautifully. With Spring in mind the weather was variable. Hot and sunny at Petra, hail stones at Wadi Rum and either hot sunny or cool and overcast at Dead Sea. Changed every day, pack for all weathers. For camping at Wadi Rum in Spring we recommend a sleeping bag liner, probably thermal or wear thermal pyjamas? The bus transport was a good size for us as everyone packed reasonably. Be aware if you take oversize luggage it may overflow into passenger compartment to make it cramped for travellers.

Most Inspirational Moment

The ridge walk....beautiful virgin snow and astonishing views....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabulous....went way beyond to ensure everyone felt comfortable and had everything to ensure they enjoyed their trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take crampons!

Most Inspirational Moment

Enjoyed the different walks in the area.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Engaging, knowledgeable and just the person to make one aware of what is around you, be it wild life, plant life or historical .

Most Inspirational Moment

The time spent in the Anti Atlas - the riad was great, the walking was great, the food was copious, there was lashings of mint tea, the hammam experience... difficult to pick a single highlight...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohammed and Habib were both excellent - really helpful and friendly

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just that this is primarily a walking holiday and the paths aren't flat, so there are ascents / descents / some rough terrain. Nothing beyond grade 3 though. Having bimbled along at a very leisurely average pace of 1.5mph for the first two days (partly because the walks were that much shorter but also because the paths were fairly rough in places) we were fairly concerned at the prospect of the 19m hike the final day. Not so much the distance but would it be possible to finish it in daylight? Apart from being "only" about 17miles (according to our GPS watch), the route for the final day was on a much better track so we were averaging 2.5 mph and got back again well before dusk (and that included a very leisurely lunch stop).

Most Inspirational Moment

Angkor Wat, the silk farm , the beach at Naia hotel

Thoughts on Group Leader

A truly excellent guide

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy the trip

Most Inspirational Moment

Zip wiring Hanging bridges Swimming under waterfall Early morning boat in Tortogerou

Thoughts on Group Leader

Glenda Araya was wonderful She told us so much about her country and showed us flora and fauna with such humour and knowledge and enthusiasm

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack for hot and cold. Such variation in temperature

Most Inspirational Moment

The glacier walk was the second 'wow' moment of the day, the first being the glacial lagoon earlier in the day. I hadn't quite anticipated how serious this was, and realised when we were being kitted up. The scenery, and sense of being so 'as one' with the forces of nature once actually on the ice, was awe-inspiring. This wasn't all though, with visits to various other natural wonders including the original geyser, and a number of waterfalls, plus, well, just the scenery. All this, plus tomato beer. What could go wrong?

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jon was an excellent guide, ready to fill us in on Icelandic sagas and the Icelandic way of life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely bring wet-weather gear (waterproof trousers a must). It can be a bit exposed out there and forecasts stating 2 degrees or whatever, do not take into account the wind chill. Layers is the answer.

Most Inspirational Moment

The people. The demure attentive school parties studying their history. The simple delight of the toddlers waving at "funny people" wobbling past on bikes. The sheer scale of the monuments and the civil works built centuries ago. The cleanliness of a poor but proud community. The tolerance of the traffic simply weaving its way all over the roads even if they start from the left! Hardly a horn to be heard

Thoughts on Group Leader

Neelaka twice joint runner up in Exodus's leader poles was the finest guide we have experienced, absolutely on top of his job, and obviously enjoying it! Nothing left to chance based on years of experience and practice and a genuine love of people, fine ambassador for his country. Very touched to be introduced to his wife on the last night, a first for her and us, thank you!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go and embrace this wonderful place, and do the optional extras too!

Most Inspirational Moment

While riding along the street, many kids would come out of their houses and call out "hello"! Kids riding their bikes home from school would great us with a friendly "hello".

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi, our group leader, was amazing, helpful, genuine, caring, organized, engaging, knowledgeable, punctual and many more wonderful characteristics. He was not only a great group leader, but you could see that the support team (mechanic, bus driver and truck driver) respected him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do the ride from Saigon to Hanoi. Not the other way around