Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

To see the renaissance of religion in these two ex-Communist stares and to observe the devotion of the local communities

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had three Leaders, one Raffiq in Armenia and Anna and Salome in Georgia. Raffiq has a brilliant mind having just attained his PHD at 25 and starting University at 15. He must be watched as a possible Armenian future leader. His knowledge of the Sites we visited was excellent and he gave us comprehensive tours without notes. A remarkable tour leader in many respects but he did lack some organisational skills. Anna met us at the Georgian border and proved to be a friendly competent leader who gave us an excellent tour of Tbilisi and into the Mountains but had to return home for family reasons. She did not have the same degree of site knowledge that Raffiq had but her knowledge was satisfactory and she had good organisational skills. Salome took her place and it was difficult for her to fit into an already developed group but after some hesitancy, she developed into another excellent leader and she became a well liked and appreciated leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a cultural tour rather than an adventure tour and as such is different to many tours run by Exodus and on our tour the average age was higher than I have seen on any of the previous twenty-one tours that I have undertaken with Exodus. I am aged seventy-one and in Albania I was the oldest, I would suggest that I was average aged for this Tour. I would recommend any younger clients to consider this when booking.

Most Inspirational Moment

seeing the Cuban culture

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, knowledgable and professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

sun is strong whilst cycling so while vests may seem the cooler option a cycling t-shirt will protect you from sunburnt shoulders/back. During the heat you may prefer to make use of bus to carry back pack whilst cycling so bring water bottle if you have camel back. A small bag that can attach to Bike frame (behind seat or on cross bar) would of been useful to carry camera/phone/sun cream etc when not using back pack although bus is accessible at each stop.

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking into the eyes of the gorillas. A dream for many years

Thoughts on Group Leader

David and Vincent made a great team. Nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ignore the trip notes which say no wheels on your bag! Soft bag with wheels is absolutely fine and what everyone else had apart from me! Take a rain poncho rather than coat. Be warned early mornings, long drives and no way is this "leisurely". You need to be prepared to trek for several hours over uneven terrain in humid conditions.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots, but 12 rhino at Okaukuejo waterhole in Etosha at night was spectacular. Tracking a rhino on foot was an unexpected bonus, a late evening vantage point on top of rocks in the Hoanib river watching elephants passing below was magical. The wild camps in Palmweg were wonderful, food exceptional and camp facilities extremely comfortable. Finally on our last day in Etosha we were lucky enough to see a leopard at Klein Namutoni waterhole in the morning. We returned there for sunset, and right on cue 2 rhino appeared. What more could we ask.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hans and Richard were true professionals. Both extremely hard working, bearing in mind they drive, spot game, prepare lunch and then cook the evening meal. In addition, two great guys, sociable and instructive but also keen to interact with the group. I personally give them top marks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you read the trip notes right you will pack warm clothes, and after the first 2 nights you may well be thinking you've brought too much. When you get to the 2nd camp in the Palmweg you'll be glad you brought warm stuff!! Also, I don't know whether it was the heat or whatever but we all seemed to go through camera batteries at an alarming rate. The vehicles have charging facilities but you will need AT LEAST one spare battery, preferably more, for each camera

Most Inspirational Moment

Well it is hard to pick one out above the others but I think for me the climb up to the Monastery in Petra was probably the most inspirational and then of course there was sleeping out under the stars in Wadi Rum and the camel ride to watch the sunrise also in Wadi Rum. Just being in Petra and absorbing the amazing buildings and sandstone cliffs and the play of sun and shadows on those incredibly beautiful rocks and mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ala was really well informed and happy to answer any questions be they political or otherwise. He could advise us on restaurants, on prices for donkey rides, horse rides, whether to take camel rides or not; he adapted to our requests, we enjoyed having lunch on the run and so he would stop at the best Shwarma shops, recommend the best baclava shops for our souvenirs to take home. He recommended in which order to do the hard hikes in Petra and recommended a particular interesting jewellery shop in Petra. Nothing was too much trouble for him to arrange and because he accommodated everyone we were perhaps a little delayed by one or two members of the group spending more time shopping than others.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be fit.... The hike up to Monastery and High Place is hard going, specially in the heat. You can never have enough water with you and while it is readily available everywhere it is very expensive when purchased from restaurants...2jdr whereas if you buy in bulk at a supermarket it is down to .50jdr. Not many restaurants serve wine and beer so if you like a tipple or two make sure you bring it with you from Duty Free. Or buy beer from a supermarket, it is possible. Any shopping for handicrafts that you want to do should be done in Petra as no time in Amman although there are good shops at the airport but to me it is not quite the same as buying locally. I suggest an agreement be made on day one in Petra that any shopping be done on the second day when you are on your own. That way the group can get the most benefit from having the group leader with you to explain all the sights and options. Take a packed lunch with you to Petra both days, the hotel in Petra did not mind if you took extra from the breakfast buffet. Definitely have a pomegranate juice or two and a daily lemon mint juice!

Most Inspirational Moment

our tour leader Dilshod who was unfailingly cheerful, knowledgeable, efficient, tactful etc etc., one of the finest of many trips (50+) but the country is revelatory, relieved of Soviet domination, apparently thriving (natural gas) and happy (although we went off route, deliberately, in Tashkent and walked through districts which had never seen a tourist, a total difference to the sanitised "open" areas, and the cleanliness of the streets was an object lesson)) the "heritage" is spectacular, the most wondrous monuments, heavily restored to almost too spick and span mode creature comforts adequate, the hotels varied from the Soviet in Tashkent to boutique style in Bokhara to less than modest in Samarkand; acceptable, never less than so but never more, always hot water but lacking in individuality or recommendation food very samey, excellent salads for those who dared (the markets were most impressive in the wealth and depth of produce), ; 75%+ suffered from intestinal hurry; those of we lucky who eat off the streets were happily spared

Thoughts on Group Leader

brilliant

Advice for Potential Travellers

go go go

Most Inspirational Moment

The final day's walk - a circular walk from the hotel which gives you fantastic views across the valley back to Berchules. Although it is the most taxing walk, it is not too much hard work and it is worth it for the views from the other side of the valley.

Thoughts on Group Leader

George has a passion for the local area and his knowledge is second to none given he has lived in the area for over ten years. He was also very good at making sure people of mixed abilities were catered for on all the walks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The afternoon in Granada was very rushed, just too much to try and fit in. Therefore, if you are thinking of extending your holiday I would recommend an extra night or two in Granada for sightseeing.

Most Inspirational Moment

The moment in the bear hide when we saw the first bears appear into the clearing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udo was our group leader. He was friendly, approachable and his local knowledge which he was only too willing to impart was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to your leader! They are the experts. Be prepared for lots of walking over sometimes challenging terrain. It is a mountain area so obviously there is a lot of up and down on rocky ground so make sure you have appropriate footwear.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views when we reached the summits of our climbs

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was great very informative but she always had our safety in minds

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was laid back, which was good. He was interesting and informative. He did not need to eat through the day so he didn't think we needed to!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have lunch about your person. The days are long, either in the coach or on the various sightseeing trips.