Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Angkor Wat lives up to the hype though it can get over-run with large groups who only seem interested in taking selfies with the temples as a backdrop. However, it is easy to find quieter temples. Siem Reip caters to the western traveller, but has a fine selection of bars and restaurants.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Katie in Vietnam was charm personified. I think we all appreciated her concern for each and every member of the group. She was young, but her youthful enthusiasm carried us all along. I think the tour would have benefitted from wider use of local professional guides ie in Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh to really bring the cultural and political context alive. Jonny in Cambodia was excellent. Amusing, personable and nothing was too much trouble. He was pretty good on the temples too. He had a knack of finding us the quietest corners for viewing and the best places for photos.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was dreading the early starts and the last half post-Hoi An can seem relentless. However, I quickly followed the local pattern of rising with the sun and breakfasting at 6am and this made the whole experience much more enjoyable. The group was varied, but eveyone rubbed along together very well so no fears here. Do read up on both countries before leaving as there is just too much to see and take in en route.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick just one! The walk around the crater of Mount Vesuvius was definitely a memorable experience. Positano and Ravello are really pretty towns too - postcard picture perfect - and the views from the top of Monte Tre Calli (done on day 2) was really impressive. It's the first glance you get of the area and it is so worth it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Enrico, our local guide, was the best! Very knowledgeable and passionate about the land and plants, the traditions and the environment. He was very helpful with organising our free day and making sure nobody felt left behind. Good sense of humour too :)

Advice for Potential Travellers

As mentioned by others, walking poles are a great help with all the ups and downs and at that time of the year a good wind/rain jacket is a must. Definitely go for walking boots instead of shoes as I felt the support form the boots was needed considering the sometimes slippery terrain/rocks.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed the local guides but didn't enjoy the pressure of being taken to places where you felt like you had to buy something.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rabia was knowledgeable but not engaging at all. Did not sit with us or interact very well. I found myself asking stupid questions just to engage him

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the sea turtles and the white tipped reef shark. Also walking on the recently-140 year old lava. Watching the mating rituals of the frigate birds and the boobies.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Please see the summary. He was excellent in every way, Knowledgeable, patient, flexible, excellent English.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Apply sun screen 15 minutes before leaving, use zinc oxide sunscreen as it is less damaging to the wildlife.

Most Inspirational Moment

The purity of the rainforest... So lovely to see there is still so much natural habitat in existence.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Guillermo was a fantastic tour guide. He was very informative and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble for him. Always happy to help.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take comfy walking shoes and plenty of change of clothes due to the high humidity and heat in Tortuguero. Would highly recommend taking luggage with wheels as its down to you to move your luggage about at all times and sometimes theres a small walk involved with this.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few as it was such a great trip. Dawn at the Taj Mahal - spectacular Seeing a tiger in the wild - very emotional Taking part in Holi Festival - alot of fun

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gaj was very knowledgable, funny, accomodating, thoughtful and gave us great tips on how to deal with certain situations which were invaluable when out and about.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take cash, it is easy to change at the hotels, ATM's are not very reliable. Plenty of hand sanatiser and tissues (most toilets out and about don't have toilet paper) Crackers - in case of a bad tummy

Most Inspirational Moment

This is a question which I find impossible to answer since an Exodus tour is comprised of many unforgettable experiences. The varied wildlife of Costa Rica is the reason for the visit and we were very lucky to see the spectacular Resplendant Quetzal. This bird is rare and an early morning expedition proved to be successful. Comments from other guides indicated how lucky we had been when they said that it was the best display of the year and others had spent over two hours at the same location the previous day and seen nothing. From the restaurant in Monteverde we had superb views of the Motmot and visits from the Capuchin monkeys. In Savegre the manager has several bird feeders in his garden and you are actively encouraged to just go there and sit quietly and you will see a range of birds from woodpeckers to humming birds.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hector Castillos was an excellent leader with an encyclopedic knowledge of the natural history of his Country. He was always keen to lead additional walks and his one aim was that the Group should not lose an opportunity to experience all the Natural History that Costa Rica could provide

Advice for Potential Travellers

Spend as little time as possible in the Capital San Jose as except for the National Theatre there is little to see in this somewhat run down City. If you are not interested in Natural History do not book this tour. I have an interest obviously but at the end of two weeks I felt that I had seen enough birds to satisfy me for some time to come. I linked the tour with Discover Colombia and I can recommend this if the dates are compatible. The tours are very different, Discover Colombia being Cultural and Historical whereas Discover Costa Rica is natural history based resulting in a four week holiday of contrasts.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment... probably arriving on top of the slightly foggy Mont Tre Calli -as someone who had never done any hiking, it was a bit challenging, but worth it. Or, towards the end of the week, looking out over the peaceful hilltops and villages and across the blue-turquoise sea in the sunshine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Severio was fun, but serious and had lots of interesting stories. He was keen to make sure we saw as much of the area as we could despite the weather. He was clear on arrangements (firm with timings etc) but was also friendly and approachable and got to know the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do take walking poles, as the trip notes advise. I was one of the younger people in my group and didn't have a knee injury, but still found the one pole that I borrowed useful for getting up Mont Tre Calli - it would have been vital to use the poles if the weather had been hotter!

Most Inspirational Moment

I just loved cycling in a completely unfamiliar environment but I was blown away by how friendly the Indian people were. So much waving and friendly chatting it was such a welcoming country. As the number one self appointed tea room reviewer in the whole of Norfolk I also loved going to the roadside tea shops in search of a great cup of tea, although I didn't really find one.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As we arrived at Chennai airport we were not sure what to expect but we were warmly welcomed by Shaker, our tour leader, and from that point until we flew home we didn't have to worry about a thing as all our needs were taken care. I don't think we could have been looked after any better by Shaker and his team and I was really impressed with their friendliness and organisation. I couldn't speak highly enough of them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was very hot when we went so we probably overpacked 'warm' clothes. Also the trip notes advised not to wear lycra and keep shoulders covered although in practice there was no such restriction and most of the party were in lycra shorts and cycle tops. As the support bus is never far away you can keep you cycling stuff (suncream, money, snacks etc) on the bus so just need a pocket for your phone or camera when riding. Don't be afraid to try the different foods on offer. Most of the road surfaces were as good or better than in Norfolk with the exception of one day when it was more of a hard track along the river but nothing to worry about.

Most Inspirational Moment

The overnight on the boat in the Kerala backwaters was as delightful as I hoped and definitely a highlight. The crew were lovely and gave us a great experience. All the food on the trip was delicious. I like my curries spicey but not hot and that is what I got. The restaurants always ask how you liked your curry and gave you what you wanted. We had quite a lot of buffet meals which were good value and provided lots of choice. The rickshaw ride through Madurai was great fun. Really everything was inspirational !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Manoj was totally committed to giving us the best possible experience he could. He joined us for all meals and ensured that the service we received in restaurants and hotels was efficient and met our needs. He looked after us very well and was very caring. All our group remained happy and healthy with only minor ailments, but I am sure that if the need had arisen he would have made sure prompt and good treatment were provided.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do as much as you can and take advantage of all the optional trips. Take some clothes with you that you are happy to leave behind. I am sure the chambers maids appreciate this as part of their tip! This will also make room in your case for presents. Kovalam is a shoper's paradise! Lots of small craft shops, many family run, all with their own different traditional designs. I also bought a beautiful Kashmir rug in Madurai which I have shipped home. The 4hr trek through the tea plantation is tougher than the tour notes suggest, lots of steep inclines and descents. Our group's age range was early 50s to early 70s and we all did it, thanks to Manoj support and encouragement. Its well worth doing it, but I was very glad I took a stick to provide extra stability.