Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

All the mountain scenery and of course, viewing the brown bears from a cache in the woods.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thomas was knowledgeable and efficient but sometimes seemed not very enthused or maybe distracted and quiet. Katharina who owns the guesthouse was absolutely passionate and spent a lot of time telling us about the area, the wildlife, the history and life in Magura. She also went to the bear sanctuary with us and took us bird watching.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The elevation gains on the hikes were generally very gradual. We worried about some of them but really didn't need to. It is an extremely peaceful place but, there are dogs that do bark at night sometimes so you might want earplugs if that is going to bother you. Go soon. This is a magical place that is bound to change eventually.

Most Inspirational Moment

Managing to get to the top of the more challenging hills (super walls) without pushing the bike! Enjoying the long down hill rides, the quiet roads and warm late October sun. Everyone in the group supporting and encouraging each other.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele and Simone were both excellent group leaders, taking it in turns to lead or support. They were very friendly, informative, enthusiastic and encouraging and spoke good English. Everything was well organised, from accommodation to restaurants, coffee stops to route planning. They provided plenty of water bottle refills and snacks to keep us going.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hybrid bike was good with the optional use of a pannier. Keep a camera handy for photo stops. As an occasional cyclist, some of the hills were quite challenging, but manageable especially if you have done some pre-holiday hill cycling!

Most Inspirational Moment

Staying at the traditional Japanese houses, sleeping on a futon, eating traditional Japanese food while wearing a kimono, doing origami with the hostess and best of all bathing in the outdoor hot sprngs in the dark - that was the best moment for me!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ayaka Tsukamoto was a wonderful group leader, she was unrelentingly cheerful and helpful and enthusiastic even in torrential rain and even when there was a typohoon that caused trees to fall on railway lines and landslides stopped the usual route up to the snow monkeys -- she persevered and made alternative arrangments so that our ploans could still be carried out. Ayaka was also most helpful in helping us to plan our itineries for our free days and she came along to some of the sights we wanted to see to help us out. I think she went out of her way to help, way beyond the call of duty, and she made the trip fun and highly enjoyable, in fact she made the holiday!

Most Inspirational Moment

Enjoying the company of a fantastic group...with 2 outstanding leaders.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ricardo, and András.....a fantastic duo....both went out of their way to accommodate the group..nothing was too much trouble for either of them. From carrying huge bottles of water to keep us all topped up throughout the day, to the daily evening slide show of photos they’d both taken of the group throughout that day...they were both fanstastic, and felt more like friends by the end of the week rather than just our leaders.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking is fairly straightforward, as classed as a leisurely trip, however there is still a bit of up and down in places. You’ll definitely know by the end of this trip much more about Port! Plenty of opportunity to discover its history and how it’s made, as well as trying several different types.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights for me were the Hill Club hotel in Nuwara Eliya where they brought us almond tea as we limped in after 11hours out and about. And a hot water bottle for our beds. Climbing Sigiriya rock. And the multi faith temple visit. And the visit to a family home for dinner in Ella. The jeep safari was also very memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabulous

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a round pin adaptor, and a double/triple extension lead to use with it. Most hotels have UK style plug sockets but some of the more rural hotels do not and we weren’t always able to borrow an adaptor.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think it was the 4 hours spent in the hide one night not actually seeing anything and remembering that the bears are wild animals and so when we went on another night and seeing the bear and cubs arrive, that was the most awe inspiring moment! I also loved going to the summit of the mountain and looking at the incredible panoramic view of mountains and forest! simply a view that would take me back there in a heartbeat!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Julian was very accommodating, very friendly and very knowledgeable. He could answer any question that the group had and more!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a moment to sit on the side of the mountain and take in the views. Even if you don't see a bear the walks are worth it!

Most Inspirational Moment

The jungle sounds when we arrived in Mulu; plus those enormous, beautiful butterflies! That's when I knew I was really going to enjoy my holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Manuel is my favourite guide! To say he went above and beyond the call of duty is to put it mildly. Always knowledgeable, approachable, friendly and funny. He was an integral part of my enjoyment of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring long trekking trousers, 3/4 lengths and shorts. Accept that you're going to be hot and sweaty most of the time. Don't bring Deet in an aerosol or you will inhale and choke. And remember: 'go when you can, not when you need to'...

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the old City of Dubrovnik at twilight on our penultimate day. If you havent been it is a truly beautiful place. Do visit the hilltop overlooking Dubrovnik too - either by walking up or the cable car, there is an interesting Bosnian War museum there and a surprisingly good cliff top cafe (not for vertigo sufferers!) with stunning views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mario was fairly new to the job but proved himself to be enthusiastic, hard working, good humoured and nothing was too much trouble for him. Very good leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Avoid the Hotel Sumratin in Dubrovnik if at all possible. At the time of our staying there it was ranked by Trip Advisor as 62 out of 68 hotels in Dubrovnik.

Most Inspirational Moment

The mornings cycle ride was great fun as was the lunch we had with a local family, the Sri Lankan’s are such friendly people. The elephant safari was just amazing, highlighted by seeing a week old baby elephant. Also a personal achievement and highlight for me was getting to the top of the Sigiria Rock, I don’t do heights and the stairs around the side were quite an experience - but I made it! The views were breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dileepa our tour leader was just brilliant. He was funny, very informative and obviously loved his country. Dileepa always made sure everyone had everything they needed and went out of his way to achieve this. We could not of asked for a better tour leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go, having travelled to India last year and Cambodia/Vietnam the year before this would of been a good place to start as not so much of a cultural shock. The Sri Lankan’s are such friendly people and it is a beautiful county.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Great Wall was great, the Three Gorges cruise on the Yangtze, the cycling in the country amongst the limestone karsts, amazing landscape. There were a number of other WOW factors not least of which was the food.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Leon was excellent: very knowledgeable about all the areas that we visited, he was helpful on a personal level as well as to the group particularly when it came to ordering food where the menus were only in Chinese. He was well up to the standard of tour leaders that I had come to expect of Exodus. His English was excellent also.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travelling in China could be a bit of a challenge particularly as there is little English spoken and much of the signs even at airports and railway stations are in Chinese. Having a competent Chinese speaker with you, such as we had, made life much easier. The trip was billed as 1 leisurely. I think a 2 grading would be more exact; the steps up to the great wall and later on up to the Moon Rock were something of a challenge for some.