Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of Adam's Peak for sunrise, hiking in the remote Knuckles mountain range, and seeing about 8 blue whales on the optional coastal excursion - definitely a 'must-do' option for anyone travelling in the right season.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ruwan was an excellent leader, full of local knowledge of all aspects of local culture, food, flora and fauna. He kept everything running smoothly at all times, was always available, and always patient even when asked the same questions many times. Also a friendly guy with a sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Really varied bird life, so worth taking a small pair of binoculars and a bird book. Take the optional whale watching trip if there in migration season. The first 3 months of the year seem a great time to visit for whales, weather and pilgrimage season up Adam's Peal

Most Inspirational Moment

Coming close to a group of wild Elephants during morning walk in the wildlife reservation.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Santos's is a Very knowledgable guide with good feeling for the group dynamics and lots of stories to tell. All extra wishes were taken care of and always everything arranged a very proficient manner.

Most Inspirational Moment

I particularly enjoyed cycling down the mountains, having expended an enormous amount of energy pedalling up! All of the group were encouraged and motivated along the way. The bikes were strong and sturdy, giving confidence to the riders. I also loved cycling through the villages and 'high fiving' all the lovely, smiling children as we cycled past them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was extremely professional, knowledgeable, motivational, charming and all in all, exceptional. He managed to transport a group of 18 from South to North Vietnam, using cycles, minibuses, trains and boats, effortlessly and safely. There were no occasions where anyone felt unsafe and at every hotel none of us had to wait longer than a couple of minutes to be handed our room key. I had no hesitation in voting for him in the Exodus Leader Awards.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would advise taking your own saddle!

Most Inspirational Moment

It has to be the Path of the Gods, a long, well-defined traverse high on the mountainside, with views down to the little towns on the coast and way out to sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lively, motivating, approachable. Very quickly aware of the varying capabilities of the various group members. We very much benefited from his local knowledge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware that many in our group would not have described this holiday as 'leisurely/moderate'. The descent to Amalfi, for example, involves nearly 3000 large, uneven steps, and some short stretches of the Path of the Gods require scrambling over rocks. Older people, even if fit and used to walking, are likely to be slowed down. Also, public transport from the hotel is very limited, reducing options for the free day.

Most Inspirational Moment

A major highlight was exploring the streets and alleyways of Trinidad and enjoying the music and dancing at one of our cocktail stops. I also loved the tour of Havana in the open-topped old American cars. Quite exhilarating.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was fantastic. Excellent knowledge, friendly and helpful personality and a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it soon.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many moments from seeing how the Northern tribes live in traditional houses, their dependence on their animals and many on their rice crop; to the busy frantic street scenes crowded with scooters and mopeds in the cities of Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh city. The steet sellers with their wares straddled across their shoulders with everything from baskets and hats, to sweetmeats and the street food scenes are unforgetable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Binh Bui was amazingly organised. He never let us down once. His timings were amazing, his care and his attention to detail were unsurpassed. If things outside his control happened he just adjusted and surmounted them without fuss. His genuine care and emotional investment in his job is unquestionable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to walk and ride bicycles in high temperatures and don't be afraid to say I need a break!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of the ice climbing wall. Plus the husky and snowmobile safaris

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri and Miriam were absolutely great! Very knowledgable, good company and they spent hours on the phone to arrange everything!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're at the Logging Lodge, bear in mind that it's a 45 min drive from Basecamp. And if you're at Basecamp, there might be a family group staying there at the same time (I preferred the peace and quiet of the Logging Lodge!)

Most Inspirational Moment

The walking trip around both Trinidad and Havana was excellent and well guided.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Raysalis was absolutely brilliant. She had a lovely disposition, was very knowledgeable about the island and its history. She also went out of her way to make sure everyone was happy and any issues were resolved quickly (i.e. one lady had a problem with her camera and she helped sort it out). Her English was fantastic and she was very clear about the plan for each day ensuring that the whole group knew what was going on and that everyone's timekeeping was as good as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a lot of construction going in Havana at the moment (i.e. the Capitoli building currently has scaffolding on it), but don't let it put you off, it's amazing to see the development and changes happening. The food is bland but very good - just don't expect anything spicy! Snacks are hard to come by, so take chocolate / crisps / sweets if you can't survive without them. There are various towers to climb in Trinidad, Cienfuegos and Havana - climb them all, the views are worth it!

Most Inspirational Moment

2 things : The trip around Halong Bay including the time spent kayaking. Also the meal that we had with a local Vietnamese family.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was excellent. He was very knowledgeable about all aspects of Vietnam - its history, culture, way of life, countryside etc. Through relating personal stories, he helped us to get to know and understand the country in a way that ordinary guidebooks cannot. When 2 of our group had a serious cycling accident, his management of the situation could not be faulted.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is an excellent trip from the point of view of seeing Vietnam. But if you want to really test your cycling ability, this trip will not do that.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was more than one inspirational moment and I couldn't choose between standing amongst thousands and thousands of penguins and/or seals, or the sheer beauty of the Antarctica's ice bergs floating by.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The expedition leader of this cruise - as well as his crew - was absolutely fantastic, knowledgeable, helpful, and I couldn't imagine having a better leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just relax and enjoy and see a part of the world you have never seen before.