Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Accommodation at Tortuguero national park and Las Esquinas were outstanding. Walks in the rainforests with guide Armando Obundo were a joy. So informative, knowledgeable and good humoured. Recognised and met the needs of the group so well. Incredible views of wildlife. Good choice of optional activites at Monteverde- Hanging Bridges, Butterflies, Zip Lines etc- good quality activities. Small group- only 6- but worked so well together. Good balance of palnned activites and free-time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Armando was outstanding. Fluent English, detailed knowledge of flora and fauna, especailly birds. Exceptionally patient, found best views of wildlife and helped the group get some fantastic photos. He was as excited as we were when we spotted a new creature! Good humoured and sociable. Quickly recognised where any support was needed within the group. Really, a very good guide. I'd recommend him to anyone.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling the 17 hairpins to Ooti, learning about Keralan cuisine, our guides' picnic lunch for us, cycling through the small villages of week one, the less fancy restaurants which we went to.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A model leader. He could not have been more helpful, courteous, humorous or knowledgeable. In addition he was a model of punctuality and it is clear that he has the respect of his colleagues and all trip associates. We loved having him as our tour leader. He's a credit to Exodus

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many highlights during this trip. The people, the places, the sights, the smells, everything!! You really did feel like you were in a special place in India. If I had to pick one of the main highlights it would be experiencing the Ganges at Varanassi. An incredible, amazing and humbling experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krishna was absolutely amazing!! Right from the start he made us feel hugely welcome! A very intelligent guy with a huge amount of enthusiasm, knowledge and passion not only for his country but also his job which as a result made our trip to India even more incredible. A really good people person with a great sense of humor. Krishna was the perfect guide and I can't thank him enough for making my first visit to India so special.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day was a highlight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Linh was amazing. Highly organized. He was respectful of each of us in the group. Anticipated our needs and went over and above what would reasonably be expected. I would love to go on a tour with him again.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all new so all was a highlight. The Millford Sound cruise and kayaking were was particularly good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very affable, helpful, well organised, informative, adaptable and nice person to be around.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspiring moments (plural) were the many times in Saudi when we were approached by locals, asking for photos, sometimes with their children, asking where we were from and always offering a handshake and a "welcome!". Where do you find that anymore?

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Abdu exceeded our expectations. Exodus better watch out that the Saudi diplomatic corps doesn't hire him away from tourism. He was so insightful, gracious, funny and always kept his cool. Again, without an informed Saudi guide who had great insight into so many things we'd have missed a lot traveling on our own. Abdu never made us feel rushed, but when we had a lot to see someplace we learned "you snooze you lose". Lots of laughs that day...

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to Saudi Arabia.! A lot to see on this trip and you'll never be bored. For women: never once was I uncomfortable for any reason, I found women in particular approaching me, wanting to know about me. Exodus gave/loaned us colorful abayas and scarf which we needed to wear in only Mosques and touring the city of Medina. I found having a couple bobby pins helped me keep my scarf on in the Mosques. One reads a lot about what women should wear; don't overthink it, just dress a bit baggy and show little skin (no shorts, short sleeves, etc).

Most Inspirational Moment

Day three is the most beautiful - coming over the second high pass (after Dead Woman's Pass), the landscape is just breath-taking. And then of course, laying eyes on Machu Picchu for the first time ever was tear-jerking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it! If you have a reasonable level of fitness, you should be able to complete the trek and it is a truly rewarding end-to-end experience. Expect lots of steps, but this itinerary isn't as rushed as some of the other companies we saw trying to fit the distance into fewer nights, so Exodus's pacing feels spot-on.

Most Inspirational Moment

Obviously, Machu Picchu was incredible but I think that driving through the high Andes and seeing plants that are literally thousands of years old and still growing was mind boggling. Every part of the trip brought something new and something incredible, beautiful, breathtaking and awe inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader, Giscard, was great! He was knowledgeable, efficient, kind, funny, caring, intelligent, and very likeable! He looked after everyone on the tour and made sure we were all happy and comfortable. He explained each step and went out of his way to address any needs or concerns while regaling us with anecdotes and stories and information. He made sure we were all following the recommendations concerning altitude as well as having us test our blood oxygen twice a day as per company recommendations. If someone was ill or under the weather he made sure they were well looked after and that nobody was left to figure things out alone. I can't say enough good things about him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was very changeable and we found we needed warm clothing as well as t shirts and shorts. Hats, sunglasses, sun cream, motion sickness medication if you need it as there is a lot of bus travel and some boat travel, and good walking shoes are all necessary. I took just one pair of walking shoes and that was plenty though some people liked to wear sandals sometimes too. Insect repellant is useful and a good camera. The condors are incredible but my phone was pretty useless for getting good pictures. Don't forget any day to day medications that you take and eat at the places recommended by your tour guide as they know how you can avoid food poisoning. There is always plenty of water provided, so bring your favourite water bottle with you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the coast at the end of our trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abhi was the perfect ambassador for his country. Always wanting to ensure that we got the best out of our trip. Nothing was too much trouble for him and his support team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Have no preconceptions, you won’t be disappointed just enjoy all that India has to offer. The people are warm and inviting and you are never far away from a wave and a smile.