Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I was looking forward to the Inca Trail in particular, and saw the visit to Machu Picchu as secondary, and potentially over-hyped, especially after visiting lots of Inca sites on the trail. I am pleased to say that the trail certainly didn't disappoint, I loved every minute of it. I am also pleased to say that Machu Picchu itself actually exceeded expectations; words like awesome and inspiring help but it is difficult to find words to adequately describe the experience, it really does have to be experienced at first hand.

Thoughts on Group Leader

It helps to have a great leader, and we had one of the best. "Olly" was the glue that held the group together and made the whole experience special. His knowledge was second to none, and his confidence soon spread through the group. With everything being "20 minutes", along with our often recited phrase of "Where's Olly", these memories will live long.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare for a long flight(s) and if you are not a good road traveller then I would suggest closing your eyes a lot. Don't worry about any 'altitude' issues, acclimatization will come quite quickly. Don't be squeamish about the use of 'facilities' whilst on the trail, and throw yourself wholeheartedly into it. Prepare for a fantastic lifetime experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

I avoid the use of the word inspirational. There was no part of the holiday that stood out. It was all excellent, what else is there to say?

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide was extremely physically fit and capable, we went to some places where considerable care was needed but none of us ever had any concerns about our safety. In the case of one person needing some minor medication the guide was able to deal with that as a matter of course. Having the guide’s dogs along was also good fun including the extra one that joined us and accompanied us to the summit one day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In detail; this is very much a walking holiday and is not for the faint hearted or unfit. Although my wife plays tennis several times a week and I walk every day we both found ourselves at our limit for a 66 and 64 year old. Consequently this will probably be our last at this level i.e. non-challenging grade 3. What Exodus regard as moderate fitness means being able to walk from say 10 am until 5pm with as many breaks as you need.

Most Inspirational Moment

I have traveled to lots of places around the world but have to say the Dolomites were inspirational by themselves. Hiking in snowshoes on freshly falling snow, like we were able to do was very inspirational.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Alex was very knowable of the outdoors and the trial offerings in the area. He quickly adapted where we would go depending on the weather and did a remarkable job. He did a good job instructing people on how to improve their hiking efficiency and thus improve technique, safety as well as conserve energy. If I was ever stranded in the wilderness, Alex is someone I would want with me. That said, I also found him a bit arrogant and not someone I would want to lead my next Exodus trip. A co-leader was Martin. Martin was fantastic. He may not know the Dolomites like Alex but he too was knowable about the outdoors and had great leadership and people skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When drinking at the Hotel Adler bar, rather than pay as you drink, they encourage that you charge the item(s) to your room. Which is fine. But it is a 4 star hotel with 4 star bar prices which you won't discover until you go to check out. May want to close out bar tab nightly to avoid surprises on the last day.

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in lakes surrounded by the Dolomites. The architectural wonders of the region. And the wine in Verona!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele is a really good guide and a really great guy! He organised everything efficiently and is very knowledgeable – from the palaces of Palladio to the best gelati in the Veneto. He even arranged an extra ride to make up for a rained-off day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take decent waterproofs just in case: I stupidly got caught out a couple of times.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our most inspirational moment amongst so many must have been the time spent in Petra. Nothing can prepare you for the dramatic setting of this long lost city. Wadi Rum came a close second.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Sami, a very well educated, highly knowledgable and enthusiastic guide was not only great fun with a wicked sense of humour but also easy to talk to about the current problems facing Jordan's neighbours.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although this trip is graded a "2", to make the most of this week, you need to be fitter than the average person as it is a very full-on experience with very little spare time to relax.

Most Inspirational Moment

I found:* open, generous, welcoming people!* fresh, delicious food & great street snacks!* totally beautiful mountains & lakes providing fabulous cycling!*attractively  backward in some areas, everywhere felt very safe!* stunning & uncrowded World Heritage sites, fascinating history!*glorious coastal downhills to wonderful beaches, views to die for!& much more!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Armand(leader) is a really good man - caring, informative, articulate, efficient & FUN!

Most Inspirational Moment

Lunch above the Col de Pandebano with stunning views across to Naranja with a distant accompaniment of cow bells. Scrambling up and down a limestone cone that I never thought I would manage on the last day. Mugs of tea at Jim's (hotel owners) house after muddy descent through meadows and woods on second day!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent! Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, patient and a great sense of humour. Skilled at keeping the group together enough for reasons of safety but not too restricting. All the benefits of a local guide but with fluent English. Marked our hikes on several of the group's maps and sent us all his photos afterwards.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go! Think of the Lake District, but less manicured and crowded, plus Alpine meadows and jaw dropping limestone peaks. For grade 5 you need to be fit, we trained for 3 or so weeks beforehand (mid 60s).

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved the Tre Cime.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was interesting, friendly and helpful.

Most Inspirational Moment

The best part for all of us was the walk of the gods, we loved the views and the lunch provided in the small rustic building was really great. Our son loved playing with the other children on as he put it getting up to mischief!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Paul was really helpful and all the kids loved talking with him and asking about the different places. He was very flexible in arranging things to do on the free day and made time to talk with all members of the party.

Most Inspirational Moment

The view from the summit was breathtaking - though there was hardly a single place where the view wasn't interesting throughout the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hamid was brilliant... friendly, helpful and enthusiastic and always smiling... even first thing in the morning or when we were tired after a long day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Earplugs - Morocco has a lot of dogs which you can sometimes hear from campsites! Water - the bus which meets you at the end of each day with the tents will carry water in bulk so you don't need to worry about purification tablets, as its easier to buy five litre bottles (the guide arranges this) and decant some into smaller day-bottles each morning for the day's walking.