Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Amazing walking with a constant back drop of the Mont Blanc massif.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic leader who was knowledgeable, friendly, sociable (always ready for a beer and chat at the end of each walk and joined us for dinner and a drink in the evening), made the group feel safe on the mountains paying particular attention to people who felt uneasy on uneven and steep ground. Some members of the group were difficult to manage and didn't seem to understand that group safety was the guides priority, and even in this difficult situation the guide was professional and attentive to everyones needs. I always felt safe and well looked after on the mountains.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is some steep climbs at moderate altitude but the guides ensure that you can take your time and you never feel pressured to keep up with the group. So walk at your own pace, stop regularly to enjoy the views and you will get up and down the hills with out difficulty. This is a great taster trip if you haven't done anything like this before put are thinking of doing a trekking holiday in the future.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Sarajevo and understanding the history. its was very moving to see first hand the hardship & how the city is recovering & now living with a mix of cultures. Brilliant! The scenery is just beautiful along with the various old towns built into hill sides. The sea was lovely to swim in & the waterfall great. The lake & river were rather chilly but worth if it you are feeling brave :)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Evelin Balta was the guide on my previous trip the Balkan Discovery too so I was pleased to find him leading this trip. He is very knowledgeable & more than happy to share lots of information about the area. Always offering to help he is the perfect host ensuring we were all ok. He never stopped! Something Ive not seen other guides do was he always kept calling the next stop/hotel/local guide to ensure they were ready for us so that we didn't have any hitches. A great extra touch to ensure our experience in his country was the best it could be. Really appreciated it. Fantastic job Evelin. Thank you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have plenty of water for the walking in the heat. For some of the mosque visits shorts had to be covered up so be prepared gents to put on a skirt! These have been some of the best countries I have visited, very accommodating for visitors. English is widely spoken & the range of food available will cover even the fussiest eaters. There is tons to do in your spare time, lots of places to explore or relax having a swim.

Most Inspirational Moment

Asborg ,our group leader, was outstanding he made many moments inspirational

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, from snow capped mountains to beautiful alpine flowers and meadows!

Thoughts on Group Leader

John Briggs was a great group leader, professional, full of information (I now know how to identify the larch,spruce and fir trees!!), sharing useful walking tips and always there as a support to some members of the group who were maybe not as confident on certain types of terrain.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you love the outdoors, appreciate beautiful scenery, are reasonably fit and have a sense of adventure then just go for it!! (a bit of advice - the purchase of a small umbrella is an essential bit of kit!!!)

Most Inspirational Moment

I can't pick out any particular moment, but walking in the beautiful alpine scenery was just amazing. My favourite walk was on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, walking along the balcony paths around Val Ferret to the Bonati refuge. The alpine flowers on all walks were beautiful, and we were lucky enough to see ibex, chamois and marmots. The trip up to Aguille de Midi on our day off was well worth the money. We also took the cable car across the glacier to the Italian side of Mont Blanc and saw the incredible site of the glacier with all its crevasses at its source.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had 2 group leaders - Rupert on our first day, then Jen for the rest of the week. Both were excellent. They knew the routes very well, and also had close links with the other guides in the area so that you had the reassurance that guides were well aware of any problems, such as snow, on the routes. Both guides tailored the walks very effectively for the group, and we're both very supportive with those of us that were uncomfortable with heights. They helped me achieve more than I thought I would be able to do.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This Highlights holiday was a great introduction to a walking holiday with Exodus. I am not an experienced walker and was hesitant before going, but I knew that by staying in the chalet for the week I could opt out of a walk if the guide thought it inappropriate for me. I now feel confident to have a go at some of the more strenuous holidays.

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking chimps and gorillas. It was a real life experience getting so close to them in their natural environment. Magical moments that I will never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was knowledgeable. However, communication wasn't his strong point, and we were often just driven and dropped at places with no idea what was happening next or what the plan was. I think there should be a driver and group leader on this trip as it is a lot to expect someone to drive so many miles each day on badly made of unmade roads and lead and guide a group at the same time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a long car drive on arrival at Entebbe. We expected a 5 hour drive, but it turned out to be nearer 9. Also there is a lot of driving throughout the holiday, although scenery is amazing and some of the miles covered where as a safari drive.

Most Inspirational Moment

Of course, the chimps & gorillas were the stars of the holiday - so humanlike & gentle. I got the impression they were looking at us considering our likeness' & differences just as we were with them. However, the people of Uganda left an impression we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. They are incredibly hard working people living a much different lives than our own. It takes so little to be happy!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Five out of five stars. Our group leader was fluent in many of the 31 languages/dialects of different areas of Uganda. This trip would have been very difficult without their expert guidance.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We would suggest bringing a few items to give to the children at the orphanage/school and communities you will get to visit. The children and adults treasure them - pencils & pens, crayons, coloring books, paper, toys such as balloons, beach balls which are compact & light to carry, clothes - just about anything. Remember, however, you want to please them with these gifts without unintended insult, so ask your group leader to help you know when, where, & to whom they should be given. He/she will know the customs of the people. Also, during your travels, please be courteous & ask people before you take their pictures. As a side note, if at all possible, we would recommend avoiding Kenya & Delta Airlines on the trip there & back. Emerates or Ethopian Airlines were recommended by people who have traveled extensively in Africa.

Most Inspirational Moment

Obviously the summit for those who reach it, otherwise the imposing Barranco Wall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham from the Africa Walking Company is a gifted and strong leader, managing as he does 57 guides and porters not to mention 14 walkers. The sheer logistics of getting all of us up the mountain at the same time with no hitches would make me dizzy! The guides were watching us all the time and checking our condition, giving advice and generally keeping us going. We were also extremely well fed and lacked nothing to eat or drink, the chef and porters were all fantastic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take Exodus` notes seriously and be well prepared. The whole point of this trip is to get you up Kilimanjaro in pretty extreme conditions. It is not for beginners and is a hard climb even for experienced walkers. The camping, though well organised, is fairly basic. Once wet, stuff can`t really be dried, you will be cold and uncomfortable a lot of the time. You will need to be determined and resourceful. The walking itself is ok until summit day but gets harder as the oxygen levels drop. This trip gives you an extra day to acclimatise and no one in our group had serious altitude sickness beyond breathing difficulties. You just have to do everything very slowly indeed, even standing up!

Most Inspirational Moment

My highlight`s are many but the view you get from standing high on of the Albanian alps taking in the magnificent scenery is breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorien. Well what a man he is not only well learned in the history of Albania, he is also funny, he also was able to relate to all the group, whatever age or gender.He was just lovely.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and just enjoy this wonderful country

Most Inspirational Moment

Every time we reached the "Col" from one valley or country to the next, and had the fantastic views in both directions...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

These hills are high and the ascents are steep. You will climb 900-1200m per day and it can be hot. So pack really light. Our packs weighed about 6 kg [not including water]. Suggestions: take 2 walking T shirts and one evening shirt. Take 2 pairs of "zip-offs", 2 or 3 pairs of socks, one/two warm fleece, and waterproofs/windbreak. Each night wash your "smalls"/shorts etc in your room and they're usually dry by morning. Take headwear (something that will keep your head warm at altitude and something to keep your head shaded from the (very strong) sun. Carry two medium sized waterbottles. Take sunglasses, suncream and some travel wash. No need for insect repellent. Accommodation has hair dryers. Some places have wifi, some places dont, and one place has no mobile signal at all. Have shoes with really good grip - you can be on mud, on rocks, and on snow. Take flip-flops or similar for evenings in hotel. Most places give you a little soap or shampoo too. Most people brought walking poles, we didn't. Personal preference. Fine without but helpful on slippy areas. You can leave stuff at the first night's hotel and it will be ready for you on the Thursday on arriving in Chamonix. so then you can refresh clothing etc.