Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing at the highest point in North Africa (4167m), with clear blue skies and mountains reaching out as far as the eye could see. After setting off at 5am by head-torch light, the summit felt like another world. Also, the food prepared by our local chef was a daily delight - the Moroccan dishes were wonderful and the whole group were far too excited the day that he produced omelette and chips...!

Thoughts on Group Leader

S'aid was brilliant. He did a good job keeping a large group (16) together when we all walked at varying paces. His English was impeccable and he had a great sense of humour. The whole trip was organised really well and the timings were pretty accurate. S'aid did fantastically to ensure that the whole group made it to the summit of Toubkal together (and down again safely) - it was a very long and challenging day but we were in safe hands the whole time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take some snacks (sweets, nuts etc.) to keep you going on the trek. If you want any kind of souvenirs relating to Toubkal (e.g. t-shirts), make sure you get them before you leave the Atlas Mountains (the village where you stay in the gite is best) because you can't find anything of the sort in Marrakech! Keep walking slow and steady and you'll make it. Walking poles are definitely worthwhile for steep uphill sections and to help with dodgy knees going downhill. Make sure you have good worn-in boots - if you get blisters on the first day you'll spend the whole week regretting it.

Most Inspirational Moment

I found it all very memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Valerie Parkinson is a very experienced and pleasant tourleader. She really knows all about Ladakh and buddhism, has good humor, knows how to 'handle' a group, gives you plenty of good tips. After trekking days she encouraged us to go for extra acclimitization walks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take enough batteries and powerbanks with you on the trek when you like to take a lot of photos!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the Grand Col Ferret, from Switzerland into Italy, at the highest point of the trip, reaching that amazing view, feeling the wind in my face, hearing the gush of glacial melt all those miles away across the valley...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ian was 100% dedicated to our group's well-being and success. Full of stories, he kept us engaged and fascinated with our beautiful surroundings.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train for this. I prefer not to wear the heavier ankle-covering boots, just the lighter ones and mine were fine for this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gorillas

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just enjoy

Most Inspirational Moment

I can't pick just one moment. Every moment was special. Every moment you looked up (from focusing on the stones in the path), it was awe-inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The best par of the experience was our guide. Frank went above and beyond to not just take care of us show us a good time, but he really took interest in each of us individually. He genuinely enjoyed taking us on an adventure. It wasn't just a job for him. He took us into his life, his background, his culture of the Sacred Valley. He took us back to what it was like in the time of the Inca's. He didn't just lecture us on history, he relived their beliefs and ways of living, and he used the trail, the ruins, the flora, the fauna, the landscape to take us to another world. And then, he was just plain fun. He sang and danced, he was always full of energy. He simply knew how to have a good time, and his enthusiasm was infectious. He ensured we each had an experience of a lifetime.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be open to new experiences. Eat whatever is put in front of you. Bring lots of layers. Be prepared to take them off and on constantly. Drink lots of water. Sun screen and bug spray. Just keep applying, over and over.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were really lucky and saw the great migration, watching the wildebeest crossing the River Mara. There was such a dramatic build up to it - first a small group went to cross and then rushed back when they reached the river and saw crocodiles. We thought we weren't going to see it. Then further along the riverbank, a larger group just suddenly started rushing. We sat and watched for about fifteen minutes as wildebeest were stampeding across the plains joined by groups of zebra and then waded across the river and up the other side.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Erellah was an excellent group leader and a real credit to Exodus. He split his time equally amongst all trip members and would turn his hand to whatever was required be it organising, putting up tents, cooking etc. He was always bright cheerful and full of energy and worked extremely hard.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a lot of packing and unpacking in the first 10 days, organise your bag for ease of access and bring a padlock for your locker. Pack walking boots and comfortable sandals. Warm clothes for the Ngorongoro Crater are essential (I took a light thermal layers including vest, leggings, fleece top, hat, scarf and gloves) … I was not going to get cold! Having said that pack light but take a washing line and pegs.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking up some of the most beautiful mountains and seeing the surrounding areas from the top. Walking down the mountain on the road that the Romans built. I was awestruck. There were so many moments during the trip that I just couldn't believe I was hiking in such a beautiful country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Isabelle was absolutely incredible. She made the entire trip. She was friendly, personable and told such wonderful stories about the region. I loved that she joined us for dinner a few of the nights and was always pulling goodies and bits of information out of her bag. She made sure that everyone was taken care of and did research for us on transportation, sites, etc in the evening after she went home.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are making your own travel arrangements be sure to coordinate them with the group that is coming from the U.K. Otherwise you will have to take a cab, which is very expensive at about $150 euros or take a bus which can be a little confusing and inconvenient if you don't know the area. People in the local villages may speak a little French but not as much as if you were in Paris or another tourist area. As a single woman traveling alone, I felt very safe.

Most Inspirational Moment

Many! Getting up to the top of the GandaLa Pass after struggling a bit with the altitude, and seeing the incredible view from the crest. Contrasts between summer crops and the utter barrenness of the mountains. Watching the sunset from the Old village at Markha. Visiting Thikse Monastery. All the opportunities to experience the culture and religion. Walking the final few kilometres down the valley to Shang Sudmdo in golden light surrounded by mountains of other-worldly colours.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Valerie is a truly superb group leader. She brings calm authority, care, respect, humour, a vast depth of expertise and local knowledge, and a calm that is both reassuring and authoritative. She has a great knowledge of group psychology too! I feel very fortunate to have been on a trek led by Valerie.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Carry boiled sweets or peppermints to suck on - helps to handle the dry air. If you want to take a lot of photos, take a power bank with plenty of capacity for recharging your camera, as well as a couple of extra batteries. I ran out on the last day of the trek despite having 3 batteries and a 6000 ma power bank!

Most Inspirational Moment

The entire trip was inspirational in view of the stunning scenery of the Garfagnana region however the highlight would probably be summiting one of the highest peaks in the region, Monte Sumbra, on a beautiful warm day with perfect visibility. The views from the top were simply breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Where to begin when describing Sara Bull! I first did this trip 9 years ago and Sara was also the guide then and was outstanding-nothing has changed in that time. Sara is everything you would want in a guide-friendly, sociable, vastly experienced & knowledgeable, organised, attentive and basically great fun to be with. She contributed massively to my enjoyment of the holiday. Sara quite obviously loves her job and goes the extra few miles to make sure every person has the best possible week's holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for all weather conditions. Although we were lucky to experience brilliant weather most of the week the weather can change very quickly in the region-rain jackets and sunscreen required! Also-make sure you're fitness is at a good level. The main advice would be if you are thinking about booking this holiday then definitely do it-you will not regret it!

Most Inspirational Moment

I am sorry but there were so many I couldn't chose a single one.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Not enough words to describe Sara, read the summary.