Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the top of dead woman's pass and having a Condor fly pass at the summit!
Thoughts on Group Leader
First class
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take local currency as exchange rate much better in the UK!
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Inca Trail in confort with Titicca extension
Well organised with a nice group of fellow travellers. Superb porters and good camping experience.
Finnish Wilderness Week
Quite superb. The setting, the activities, the accommodation, the food and especially the staff were all exceptional. The Arctic Circle in Finland is stunningly beautiful with vast expanses of pristine snow and silent forests. You really do feel a million miles from the rat race.
Most Inspirational Moment
Being invited into the home of the Husky owners was delightful. Downhill skiing at Ruka was an unexpected treat because it was so perfect.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jukka is fantastic; friendly, funny and extremely well organised
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes; do it!
Worth the extra few days!
If you want to see Everest Base Camp and climb Kala Pattar but don’t just want to go up the valley and back down again, this is the trip to choose assuming you can spare the extra few days. This longer circuit, taking in both Gokyo Ri and one of the High Passes (Cho La), is well worth it: it’s quieter, has stunning views in its own right and will allow you more acclimatisation time prior to the regular Everest bits. I can safely say it was the most varied, wonderful and fulfilling 15 days’ walking I’ve ever done, and I’d recommend it to anyone with two feet and a head for heights.
Most Inspirational Moment
Having a long-awaited glass of wine at the Everest View Hotel on a perfectly clear morning (trek day 14) - that was pretty special. The views from Gokyo Ri, Cho La, EBC and Kala Pattar were more staggering than I'd ever have believed, and the routes in between these high places were beautiful as well. But the biggest inspiration was seeing how the local Nepalese people have bounced back from disaster and continue to make their way in the world. Tourism is the lifeline of that region and it felt good to contribute to their ongoing recovery.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I'd had a great leader on my previous Exodus trip (Hamid on the Peaks and Valleys of the High Atlas) so I'd booked this specific trip because I'd heard good things about Valerie Parkinson. I wasn't disappointed: she *is* Exodus in Nepal and made a great trip into a glorious one. Everything went like clockwork without any fuss or bother; she lives and breathes her job; and she's happy to share her seemingly limitless knowledge. Full marks, and then some!
Advice for Potential Travellers
In no particular order... There's a lot of climbing but the distances aren't too far. I wasn't able to do much in the way of appropriate preparation walking but I cycle regularly, and this helped build the thighs up for the ascents - definitely worth considering if you can't get some prep walks in before you go. I took a Steripen with me to save having to buy "mineral water" which is effectively only UV-filtered anyway - this helps reduce plastic bottle waste and also pays for itself over the course of this one holiday. A water bladder for the backpack is better for ensuring you take on enough liquid whilst walking, though a bottle is also vital in case the tube freezes in the early mornings (happened to me once). I also invested in a 16,000 mA power pack from RavPower, which, although heavy, was enough to recharge my Steripen 4 times, my camera 4 times, my phone once, plus someone else's phone and camera, and still have 20% or so left over - much better than trying to charge your devices at the lodges, trust me. There's plenty of snacking material for purchase in lodges (bars, Pringles, chocolates and the like) so there's no real need to bring stuff out with you unless you have specific requirements/tastes - this also helps you keep below the 10+5kg weight limit on the plane. I managed the whole trek without taking diamox (though a couple of Ibuprofen were needed one night to suppress the altitude headaches) or using trekking poles (that may just be a personal thing - most people used them). Mobile and Internet access is available in most places but is sketchy above Namche Bazaar so I didn't bother, and it was liberating. Bring a pair of comfortable earplugs if you have difficulty sleeping - there can be a lot of snoring at altitude and the lodge walls are mostly plywood so don't exactly cut out the noise from neighbouring rooms. I managed with a good 3-season sleeping bag since all lodges have blankets/quilts to provide extra layers (travelling in March/April). There are more Western-style toilets than you might have feared but you will need to use squat toilets before the end of the trip, promise... And when you're back in Kathmandu make sure you go to Fire & Ice for a pizza/dessert - what a treat!
discovering Costa Rica
An absolutely tip top trip. Our guide, Pedro Bolanos, was amazing. The trip takes in so many aspects of this very interesting country. The travel can be quite long, but still very interesting as we passed by so many amazing places. Two days in each place is about right – but then again, we could have stayed longer in virtually every one, needing a three week trip! The lodge at Esquinas is a real experience, just lovely.
Most Inspirational Moment
Difficult to answer. Seeing a quetzal in full breeding plumage must rank very high, but we also saw a boa constrictor up a tree and a sloth with a baby. Not to mention the huge variety of birds. And the flowers and trees with orchids and bromeliads growing on them, in the rain and cloud forest. Truly amazing.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Wonderful! Simply brilliant. Very concerned for the environment and with the fund of knowledge which we have come to expect from Exodus guides. What he didn't know is probably not worth knowing. A lovely man as well.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go! You will not regret it at all.
Reply from Exodus
Hi Carolyn,
It’s great to hear that you had such an incredible time in Costa Rica! Thank you for your time writing such a lovely review. I just wanted to follow up your comment regarding the hummingbird feeders – unfortunately this practice is seen more frequently in the Cloud Forest than elsewhere. I have discussed your comments with our local operator and they are following up with the hotel concerned, as Pedro has done already. As one of the first few companies to achieve the Certification for Sustainable Tourism for Tour Operators (CTO-TO) our local partner will be recommending to the hotel that instead of sugar water they plant more flowers to attract hummingbirds. Kind regards, Vicky Boughton, Senior Product Manager
Vietnam Adventure Holiday
Excellent holiday, thanks especially to our tour leader
Most Inspirational Moment
Museum of war horrors, Saigon
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
Need to advise on any extra travel needs for the boat visit and overnight train - i'e none
The Tropical South
This trip was a brilliant introduction to southern India with a hectic but extremely well organised itinerary. There was a lot of travelling but so much to see along the way that sitting on the bus was never boring.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were inspirational moments everyday. The friendly people, the colour and bustle of the towns, the fabulous architecture at Madurai, tranquil sailing on the backwaters, delicious food - all this and more added up to a very memorable holiday.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We were very lucky to have Charles as our group leader. His knowledge and understanding of the area was excellent. He worked tirelessly to ensure that our holiday was a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Nothing was too much trouble and he went out of his way to make sure we were all well looked after.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make full use of all the optional activities on offer.
Cycling in Laos
Far more than a holiday, this was a real experience. We travelled through villages in Laos where the children and adults were genuinely pleased to see you with the shouts of ‘saibaedee’ echoing from their homes. Children loved to ‘high five’ as we pedalled through their village. Although the temperatures were far higher than we had expected the team helped us through with plenty of breaks for snacks and fluids. Each section brought another satisfied smile.
Most Inspirational Moment
Every day brought a new challenge. Rit, our group leader was an inspiration himself, watching his cycling style gave me something to try to aim for, although at a much slower pace!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Rit was a softly spoken but interesting and cheerful guide who kept us busy from morning till night, He made sure we were looked after well and everything went to plan. His organisation and planning was very good and made the holiday run smoothly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you are fit for the challenges ahead. March was hot and 'smoggy' so possibly a time to avoid.
Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama Easter 2016
This is our 6th Exodus cycling holiday and yet again it turned out to be absolutely superb and good value.
Most Inspirational Moment
So many.... hearing and then seeing the howler monkeys all above us and then finding them in the trees above our room; seeing sloths by the score and actually handling an orphaned 4 weeks old one at a cafe stop whilst cycling; seeing the toucans; the unbelievable zip wire at La Fortuna (don't miss out on this!); the variety between the 3 countries; and of course the cycling which was fantastic.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Roberto was a true professional looking after our every need like we were his family. He also enjoyed a good laugh with us and quickly knew all of our names and became a friend to each of us. An absolutely first rate guide, passionate and knowledgeable about all three countries and showing no bias for Costa Rica, his home country. He also ensured with his crew that we had water and snacks available throughout our cycling with Gatorade to put into our water for energy. We needed it. It was 35 degrees and he kept us well 'watered'.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do the zip wire, take small note US dollars for all 3 countries ($50 is a big note to change), malaria tablets not needed at all, lightweight travel towel came in handy (microfibre Decathlon style), take pencils, pens, etc for school visit. Bring some 'Dioralyte Relief' satchets or equivalent to replace body salts and help if you have stomach upset.
discover Costa Rica
Excellent trip – the lodges were superb and the wildlife was fascinating
Most Inspirational Moment
The spectacular birds
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gustavo was friendly, efficient and extremely knowledgeable across all aspects of the country, but especially the brds
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for a range of weather conditions, as much of the country is aptly named rain forest, The wildlife experience more than compensates though
Must do trip!!!!
Don’t hesitate, book book book!!! This was such a perfect trip. The food at base camp is amazing, the staff are fantastic and the activities are brilliant.
Most Inspirational Moment
Husky dog sledding was good. Northern lights on the first night were brilliant!!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was brilliant and really friendly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book it and go asap! Everyone should go on the trip.