Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving a Everest Base Camp. Having read so many Hillary and Tensing Norgay stories as a boy I dreamed for so many years of walking in just a few of their footsteps. It was a long walk to get there but worth every step and every breath.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was OK I suppose.... Pasang was actually brilliant. He has many years experience and seemed to know everyone along the trail. Nothing was too much trouble and he achieved the impossible on a regular basis. He added so so much to our trip. A BIG thumbs up from me !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be fit. Take Diamox to prevent altitude problems and drink... and drink ( water not alcohol... sorry) And take your time on the trek to take in the amazing views.There is plenty of time so don't turn it into a race as you will miss so much. The 10kg weight limit for the flight to Lukla is flexible to a certain extent so don't get too concerned over this. There are some good YouTube videos showing the kit you need . Layering is the secret - cold mornings can soon give way to t-shirt weather.

Most Inspirational Moment

- Completing the Sabie to Gaskop cycle - the heat and ascent made this feel quite an achievement - Watching the sun set over the Northern Drakensberg at Sungubala eco camp (such a beautiful, peaceful place) - Seeing wild dog in Kruger

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Bevan and JP were wonderful guides. They did everything to ensure that every guest was considered and that we all had the best possible adventure. Their knowledge of the political, social and natural history of South Africa added so much to this trip for me. They ensured that we were extremely well fed (both fantastic cooks) and managed to make even parts of the trip that might have been a bit uncomfortable, thoroughly enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would thoroughly recommend this trip to those who really love cycling, scenery, wildlife and adventure. I was very glad to have worked on my fitness and done many long bike rides in the summer running up to this trip. There is lots of climbing and it is probably slightly underplayed in the trip notes. It was very hot in November. Pack (and consume) plenty of electrolytes and rehydration sachets. Factor 50 sunscreen is also a must. A travel towel for swimming proved extremely useful. Pack light and ideally bring a soft bag rather than a hard case - there is limited luggage room in the minibus. Clothes dry quickly overnight. There was rarely wifi at lodges and no electric sockets for 2 nights at the eco camp - look forward to a refreshing break from the internet and technology.

Most Inspirational Moment

Early morning, away from the crowds, visiting the Inca sites scattered in the hills above Cuzco and then, in the afternoon, wandering the town’s hilly backstreets, soaking up the heady mix of old and new cultures just waiting to be found there. Lake Titicata was enchanting and the homestead stay a unique experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastian Echegarary was brilliant. He ensured the hectic itinerary ran without hitch, keeping us well-informed of where we were and of what to expect at each stage of the journey, including the possibility of high altitude sickness. He was caring and even-handed in attending to the needs of each member of the group at whatever time of day or night they arose. His great sense of humour was also much appreciated.

Advice for Potential Travellers

They might want to consider not only whether they are prepared for the long journeys, early starts and continuous travel (most hotel stays are one night only) but also whether they are happy to run the risk that their group size will be the maximum of 18 now set by Exodus and that they may conclude that the coach used to transport them may not be suitable for the purpose.

Most Inspirational Moment

So may - but here's three 1. Trekking along the same paths as Everest legends such as Tenzing and Hillary 2. watching a lammergeier (bearded vulture) circling the valley at the same height as us 3. Seeing the milky way stretched out over the night sky at Tengbotsche Monastery

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Pasang - he was great. He fixed all our problems and gave us sound advice on trekking, how to combat altitude and an insight into the local customs

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. make sure you go to the left of all buddhist monuments (believe me there are a lot of them) 2. Walk high sleep low 3. Never get between a yak and the path edge

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the sun go down from the campsites, clutching a hot drink, with the cloud settled in the valley.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walk as slowly as you can, and if your knees are even slightly dodgy use sticks. They still be sore by the end though!

Most Inspirational Moment

The ascending of Kala Pattar and the views of Everest it provided.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pasang was an inspired leader, who went the extra yard to make sure every person was comfortable. Extremely knowledgable of not only the geography but also the cultural relationship with the people.

Advice for Potential Travellers

No

Most Inspirational Moment

Going to the wry top of the monastery path in Petra. Amazing views.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take pocket tissues and alcohol gel.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few inspirational moments: seeing volcanos (outstanding landscape) - visiting a small school and connecting with the children - one stage (Chocolata Road to San Juan del Sur) where we felt so close to the local people - the birds and animals - the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Apart from the natural beauty and memorable opportunities to connect with people on this trip, what made it so tremendous were our team: Roberto (Tour Leader) - Paul (Assistant) and Luis (Driver) - they looked after each of us and were 100% dedicated to making this trip a terrific experience. Our safety and our enjoyment was their goal!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for all kinds of weather - hot and sunny and at times rainy. This means you need enough "kit" or you'll be doing lots of washing at night and hoping things are dry by morning. Well padded gloves are really necessary - along with sun glasses (obviously) and clear glasses (for overcast / rainy days). We had small bike bags that fit on our handle bars and were GREAT for a camera, sun screen, extra water bottle, etc.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights of the trip for me were Etosha National Park, Carnivore Cheetah reserve and climbing Dune 45. The first camp in Etosha had a fabulous watering hole which attracted a variety of animals. It was very addictive watching the coming and goings of the animals!! At the Cheetah reserve we managed to get within a distance of 20ft from the Cheetahs what a fabulous experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Ronney, he was a very experienced guide and full of enthusiasm. The cook Jonah prepared a variety of great food for every meal and of course not to forget Ruben who erected/dismantled our tents every time we moved to another site. All great guys. Jonah even managed to cook a lovely meal one evening during a thunder storm on the Waterburg Plateau.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take high factor sun cream and even higher factor for face and neck. I only took South African Rand as it is widely accepted in Namibia. If you are a vegetarian then there is not much choice on the menu when eating out. Bring some mixed nuts/seeds as I did. The electricity is unique to Sth Africa/Namibia but our truck had a variety of extension leads including once with an English plug. I'd no problems charging batteries/phone.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not sure whether it was 'inspirational' but there were two stand-out moments. Firstly, standing on the balcony at the gite, staring up at the night sky and being able to see the Milky Way with the naked eye, while two of my fellow travellers explained the constellations. There were so many stars; being a city girl, I'd only ever seen a fraction of that number. The other one was reaching the highest point of the second (shorter) walk and seeing the glorious panorama of the High Atlas and Anti Atlas ranges. There was a lovely clear sky and you could, to quote The Who, see for miles and miles and miles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was a lovely, gentle and humourous man. He seemed quite introverted and didn't join conversations easily, but if you take the time to ask questions or show an interest, he opens up and can be very funny, in a dry way. His timings for the walks was impeccable (one fellow walker said he could run the Swiss Railway) and he really pushed us on the last day to be able to get us back by nightfall. I think, at the time, we felt a little abandoned and that we had to look out for one another, but in hindsight I can see why he pushed us. He was also very helpful in the city, giving tips and advising as to where to go. He has been with Exodus for nearly 25 years and knows his stuff.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too much spending money - at the gite the food is provided and Marrakech is generally very cheap. Also, you can only change your money inside the country so it's worth keeping that in mind. Learning a couple of basic words of Arabic is useful - the waiters/taxi drivers etc seemed to be very happy when I said hello and thank you in Arabic rather than French.