Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Vallee Blanche, the cable car ride across it from Aiguille du Midi at 3842m and the icy blue crevasses which you see to and from the Helbronner cable car. Beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kim Jackson was our group leader and looked after us all throughout the two week camping trek and kept a good pace, not too fast and not to slow. Great giggles along the way. Andres Urban our camp manager made us feel at home each day with great logistics support throughout the trek, and top class camping food.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try and go when its not too hot! It was in the high 20's most days and a little too hot some days when it got steep. Be bold....start early and cold (as Kim would tell us, to avoid the mid day sun). Take a good sleeping mattress / inflatable....you will appreciate it after a few days camping.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walk from Merlet to Aiguillettte des Houches via the Refuge de Bel Lachat. Walk in theVal de Ferret via the refuge W.Bonatti.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jeffry Oonk was absolutely excellent with vast outdoor experience and extensive botanical knowledge.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many things. There were the most famous iconic things such as the Great Wall, the Terracotta Soldiers, the Pandas at Chengdhu etc but the scenery in the countryside is breathtaking and outstanding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour guide, Alan Liu, (Hongbin Liu), was inspirational. Without a doubt, all members of our group were in one voice when we say that without Alan the trip would not have had the same impact on us. He was so knowledgeable, nothing phased him, he was well organised and his sense of humour was second to none. Most importantly, he cared for the people he was responsible for on the trip If I were to make another journey to China I simply would not want to go with any other Tour Leader than Alan.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The rating for this trip is "Leisurely". Most in the group thought it a little more strenuous than leisurely. There is so much travelling due to the vast size of China and there were three overnight sleeper train journeys which sometimes required a very early morning start that left you feeling somewhat tired on arrival at your next destination. Be prepared for lots of crowds in towns and market areas, and also be aware of the traffic. It is manic. Don't for one minute think you are safe using a zebra crossing as cars and motor bikes assume that it is a target area for aiming at tourists.

Most Inspirational Moment

Scenery

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very good no issues

Advice for Potential Travellers

As above the walking tracks only

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, by far, was the rafting. A glorious day, peaceful and a little bit different. Working as a team was fun. I enjoyed the walks and the city tours too. We enjoyed eating out in the evening with the group. The town at the top of the hill was very interesting and I enjoyed talking to the people who lived there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was good, but he failed to keep the group together sufficiently during the hikes which was unfortunate. Other Exodus leaders worked harder to be inclusive. Other than that he was very nice, enthusiastic, well organised and informative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Practice walking up hills. I used a much smaller pack than suggested which was just fine. The two star hotels are adequate - however we didn't always have hot water. Coffee is really important and generally delicious.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting the nomad family when hiking in Todra Gorge. You really feel like you get to know Morocco. The night in the desert is magical and the hike in the High Atlas Mountains is absolutely stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Samir was extremely good. He was very informative, constantly adding in extras for our trip and he helped us out when we had a baggage issue and had to take a taxi from Fez to Casablanca to meet our luggage when it finally arrived!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Beware of the heat and the 'hairdryer wind!'

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking down into Portofino.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suzy was great. Was knowledgeable about the region. Everything was well organised and when changes needed to be made at the last minute she was able to figure out alternate arrangements quickly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks varied in difficulty, with the first day definitely the hardest. There were some very steep extended descents - poles definitely came in handy on that first day, as well as when we descended from Montallegro to Chiavari. The walks in the Cinque Terre were great, although there was not a lot of time in the villages themselves. However, you can easily use the free day to spend more time in them, as well as in Portovenere - the boat trip out is recommended. Food is expensive - especially the restaurants we went to in the evenings, so be prepared... Also, just a note that the trip notes mention the Via Dell'Amore. Unfortunately, this has been closed since 2011 as a result of a landslide, and doesn't appear to be reopening anytime soon because of bickering over who will pay to repair it, so we did not get to do it. This was not a major loss since all the other walking was great, but something that Exodus might want to change in the trip notes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day had different highlights, but I enjoyed Pompeii, having waited years to visit, a very windy walk up and down Vesuvius and the walk from Ravello with the lemon groves, national park waterfalls and old papermills.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Severio was fantastic, very knowledgeable and ensured everyone had a good time and the walking was paced accordingly. He had lots of anecdotes, and found flexibility in the itinerary to ensure we had the best experience possible. He was very much part of our group as well as our leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks are challenging in parts, so on a couple of days at least I would recommend walking boots. Other days walking shoes or good trainers are fine. We had quite a bit of cloud and heavy rain so a decent waterproof jacket is a must. I found a camelbak water system useful, as when hot it's very hot! Take a jumper or two as the evenings can be chilly in September! I carried a DSLR camera, heavy, but worth it for the fab photos I took.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to say - seeing lots of baby pandas, standing on great wall of china, beautiful day out in Yangshuo, Chinese cooking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Good humoured and good at keeping group together. Informative and very positive about China. Good choice of restaurants and food suggestions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a very busy trip. Have a few days rest before going back to work. There is a lot of walking - more than 10000 steps daily except for days on cruise. The 3 overnight train journeys are hard going and not particularly comfortable. The sheets do not appear to get changed- I would take a sheet sleeping back if doing this again. The staff came to make up beds on the second train - this involved folding duvets and putting them back on the beds - no change of sheets.

Most Inspirational Moment

No stand out moments for me, it was fantastic from the moment I arrived to the moment I left.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was inspirational, hard working, had lots of funny stories, a font of knowledge. I've done a few Exodus holidays now and I've generally found Exodus leaders to be really good. However, Sara raised the bar to a whole new level. I particularly liked the way she guided the walks from the back where possibly which allowed everyone to go at their own pace.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it.