Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Experiencing the peace and serenity of three remote valleys in the Catalonian Pyrenees.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Miguel proved to be a good and knowledgeable mountain guide, and was unhesitant in helping and taking trouble with arrangements. He also arranged several additional activities for after the walks: food- and wine-tasting, visits to a small artisan cheesemaker and the local wool craft association. On our free day (his nominal 'rest day'), Miguel suggested and willingly took part in an attractive walk to the next village, where we had a tapas lunch and he acted as translator during a tour of the folk museum.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to choose one. Highlights for me included the beautiful coast paths and beaches of Abel Tasman, helicopter to Siberia hut. The challenge of hiking to lake Crucible. Fantastic cruise on Milford Sound seeing dolphins swimming around the boat. The amazing Mount Cook National Park and everything in between

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kath on North Island is an experienced, professional guide with an easygoing style. She was ably assisted by Anne who was an intern. Chai on South Island is younger with a very different leadership style. To begin with felt he was at a slight disadvantage as we had all bonded well as a group and he had to get to know us. I definitely warmed to Chai as time went by. He is extremely passionate about New Zealand, its history and flora and fauna. Especially enjoyed his stories and his legendary "Hakka"

Advice for Potential Travellers

As previously documented this is a full on trip and you have to be organised with packing. Using several sizes of dry bags within your luggage helps. Get yourself fit as possible, preferably with plenty of hill climbing and descending practice. Breaking the outward journey in Dubai and extra night in Auckland helped with jet lag.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walks were all worthwhile although the views were better on the higher (and hence longer) ones. The visit to the Catalan wool collective was my favourite cultural activity as we learnt about how local people are keeping traditions alive while adapting to changing fashions.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Miguel is passionate about his work and goes out of his way to ensure his clients have an enjoyable and interesting visit. As well as taking us on a variety of walks with great views, he entertained us with stories and music (from his phone). I've never come across a guide before who accompanies clients on what should be his day off.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have an adequate rucksack with a means to attach snowshoes. At the beginning and end of some walks there may not be much snow at lower levels (though we had plenty at higher levels).

Most Inspirational Moment

Aside from the chilling poignancy and reflective moments of the killing fields in Phnom Phenh, cycling around the Battanbang countryside, meeting farmers, strolling around local market and trying bamboo rice on the roadside as well as enjoying a delicious homestay lunch. In the evening watching millions of bats leaving their cave was a natural wonder. Although Angkor Wat was impressive because of its size, Banteay Srey Wat's amazing intricate stone carvings, Ta Prohm and Banyon were astounding. Don't miss the $20 day trip to Koh Kong island's deserted tropical beach with an amazing lunch cooked by the boat crew.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lee was a very knowledgeable, patient, easy going and a fun leader who took our group to excellent restaurants allowing us to sample delicious Cambodian food. During the course of the trip he shared his culture and told us much about the ancient and recent history of his country and some of the experiences of his family. A perfect combination of efficiency and cool!

Advice for Potential Travellers

For an easy life, don't bring cash Pounds or Euro's. Almost everything is priced in US dollars, and most cash machines dispense US dollars. Shops and restaurants all have lots of small denomination dollars, or will give small amounts of change in Riels.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to choose. I think the amazing light and colour in the almost three dimensional sky ,reflected in waterholes with wildlife and flora to offset contrasts. Truly breathtakingly beautiful. The desert and petrified forest were also awesome.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ronney was just perfect. Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable without being intrusive. Jonas was an excellent cook and also friendly/helpful , but a bit more reserved as his language was not as fluent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I took a trip in the small plane over the skeleton coast going north. This was enjoyable, but going south over the sand dunes going into the sea would have been a better choice. Both have shipwrecks and I would choose differently another time.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip I did this time was pretty much the same as the one I did in 2005 (with the exception of a trek in the hilltribes in the North). The first thing I must mention is the food in Vietnam. Vietnamese food is amazing. Whilst this wasn't a specific food trip, our guide had some excellent recommendations for eating. Going back to Halong Bay was something pretty special. We were lucky enough to have some very sunny weather whilst we were there. The boat we stayed on was very comfortable too - and the food was pretty impressive as well. We had some unseasonably cloudy and occasionally rainy weather in the middle portion of the trip around Hue and Hoi An, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of those particular places. I particularly enjoyed the homestay in the Mekong Delta. It was my birthday on the day that we were there and I was particularly humbled by the local band who played happy birthday for me and also the family at the homestay made me a lovely birthday cake as well.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hai was a fantastic tour leader. As per some of the recent reviews on here, his sense of humour was fantastic and fitted in very well with our group. He had excellent food recommendations and nothing was too much trouble for him. He was an excellent guide, leader and organiser. He also arranged laundry for us in each place (if we wanted it) at considerably cheaper prices than the hotels. He is a credit to your organisation.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for not much sleep on the train journey. The cabins are very cramped, especially when you factor in everyone's luggage as well. Take US dollars - it's the easiest currency to change and I got very reasonable rates by changing it at the hotels we stayed in.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Torres Del Paine national park. We were fortunate enough to arrive with good weather and could see the range in all its glory. Easter Island whilst expensive is worth the trip, the island is beautiful and the Moais amazing. In all honesty the places visited as a whole were fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex was great, he was always there when we or any of the group needed him. In every place we visited he smoothed the way and ensured we all enjoyed it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As other travellers have noted there are some long days. I am sure some of this could be changed with different flying times etc. but you do lose a lot of time on buses and in airports. Be prepared for some stunning scenery and don't get caught out with the different climates at each area that is visited.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting our exceptional tour leader and realising what a beautiful and varied country

Thoughts on Group Leader

Words cannot really do justice to how good he is and how lucky Exodus is to have him leading on their behalf. Jonny Villalobos had such a love for his country and it wildlife and culture and was able to pass this on to us in an entertaining, educational way which was pitched at just the right way. The trip ran like clockwork, with every element perfect and Jonny went out of his way to ensure this was the case. I cannot praise him enough and would not hesitate to nominate him for leader of the year - I have been on many trips and he was by far the best.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go - just go

Most Inspirational Moment

The climb to the Burdat(?) rock bridge - fantastic rock scrambling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

knowledgeable, considerate,

Advice for Potential Travellers

prepare for sand walking!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick one moment out of a brilliant week, but the last day in the Aigues Tortes area was a fantastic walk with brilliant views, which Miguel had arranged specially over and above the normal planned trip for that day. I was also very struck by the passion the hosts of the cultural activities displayed, especially as they were talking to us in English.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Miguel was an exemplary guide- he had planned a variety of interesting snowshoeing routes as well as some additional cultural activities which were much more worthwhile than I had expected, for example a local cheesemaker and a project to preserve the traditional shepherd's and artisans' activity for the benefit of all concerned as well as the landscape. He handled the whole trip with supreme efficiency and organisation as well as educating us all about the area, while being excellent and highly amusing company. He went above and beyond by organising an extra special trip on our last day as well as accompanying us on his to the local village on his "day off".

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to be in very remote areas, without the opportunity to buy anything in local shops. Take a swimming costume so that you can take advantage of the spa in the neighbouring hotel in Valencia.