Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

That first sighting of one of natures most elusive animals. The terrain is difficult, the camouflage is one of the best in nature, the sighting call from the guide and resultant "fast" hike is heart attack provoking at that altitude but you have to do it and when you see the leopard no city fat cats bonus could buy it !  The homestay was really humbling, why do people live at this level of subsistence ?  Why are they so friendly and accommodating when the temperature range is -5 to -20C, the world is white, the only transport available is pony, everything is frozen solid and you have to wear 5 layers of thick woollens to keep warm ? I would have liked another day at the homestay as we didn't have enough time with our host/hostess to get to know them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Valerie was excellent. Very experienced and a great judge of individuals and group interactions. With her knowledge of Delhi she was a brilliant guide to one who would have stayed in the hotel for dinner ! Her trekking and climbing experiences showed in the pace she set for acclimatising us in Leh and the practical advice she administered on how to stay warm or recover after a long spell looking for that elusive snow leopard.  Many of us suffered during the "holiday" in one way or another and Valerie knew how to cope with each case,  how much advice to offer and when to just let us get on with it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a hard "moderate" and you need to know your own capability and/or listen to advice given by the leader. I hadn't been to altitude before and was lucky in only suffering a little breathlessness and lack of appetite.  I'm 63 and only of average fitness but managed to get to all the sitings and viewings but in my own time.  There are spare porters/helpers for those like me who needed time or assistance so don't be afraid to ask.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the husky sledding, it was a great experience.  The owners of the husky farm, Marika and Lauri without a doubt love their dogs and look after them so well.  The trip out through the wilderness was fantastic, all you could hear was the dogs panting and the "pad pad pad" of the dogs feet on the deep snow.  The scenery was beautiful, so much so that I had to pinch myself a couple of times to make sure I really was there - it felt like being in a David Attenborough programme! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri and Hanna were both superb - great leaders, always happy to help out with questions, extra clothing, advice on activities.  They both have a great sense of humour and did everything they could to make us all feel at home.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your own base layers (I used merino wool and didn't have to change them all week - it's miracle stuff!).  When you go out for the husky sled it might be a good idea to take a slightly warmer jacket as you will not be moving around as much as during the other activities.It is very quiet at Oulanka Basecamp - no TV, no music, no wireless, no internet, which I think is great as it is billed as a get-away holiday and that's exactly what it is - perfect! 

Most Inspirational Moment

I love the Exodus "surprises" which happen along the way. The best one on this holiday was the visit to the cheetah conservation park (there are several, sorry I can't remember the name of this one) where the tour round included the chance to pet an adult cheetah (the biggest cat whose tummy I have ever tickled!) and a pair of adorable 6 week old lion cubs. Ok, perhaps a bit twee for some. Other highlights: the roar of the waves crashing onto the shore only yards away from the tent flaps at Tsitsikamma. The astonishing abundance of stars viewed from the balcony at Sungubulu(?) camp. Seeing Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain on a magnificently sunny day. Haggling with street vendors when buying souvenirs (ok, I'm a shopaholic, I know this now).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rob Stubbs, ably aided and abetted by the wonderful Sifiso, was a wonderful tour guide. He rarely found himself unable to answer questions (and with a tour group like ours, that's saying something), was unfailingly courteous even when under pressure, was well  organised himself and organised us so well that we always ended up where we were meant to be. Quite a feat for a fairly young man herding a bunch of middle-aged, independently-minded seasoned travellers around!And as for Sifiso's braais ... just great. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I thought the most disappointing part was Mozambique. Prices are much higher than you would expect, and quality much poorer.Be aware that there are vast distances to be covered, and heads-down hard driving is the only way to do it.The street market at the Three Rondavels viewing spot is the best you'll get until you hit Capetown. And the prices are v good too. 

Most Inspirational Moment

King Penguins and their chicks, so funny! Gentoo chicks laying on my lapUp close and personal (about 8-10 feet away) from humpback whale swimming towards us - Awesome !Abundant wildlife behaviour to watch and photographFantastic scenery, weather and itineraryAmazing icebergsWatching Adelie penguins stealing stones from other nests, and looking so innocent when caught, just like on 'Frozen Planet' hilarious!Educational presentations by the Quark staff were so informative and very helpful, learnt so much.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shane was brilliant and did everything he could to get us ashore, and succeeded as we managed 21 landings and zodiac cruises.  At the briefings he was inspirational in telling us to "put down our cameras and feel our surroundings, watch the animals, take photos with your mind", he was so right!  Shane even surprised us with a cruise round Cape Horn (which was unexpected).

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you thought you might like to do this trip, dont think anymore, DO IT! You will have a life changing experience. Wildlife in abundance, be on the first zodiac out and the last one back! Don't be tempted to have your eyes permanently stuck to the camera lens - just sit and watch it all happen around you !  Take a tri-stool like we did and just sit and take it all in.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit was obviously a key moment in the trip as the thought of this was what sustained us through the long, dark and arduous final ascent.  Seeing the sunrise an hour or two earlier at Gillman's point was spectacular.  Asked about the most inspirational part of the journey, I immediately think of the local team - the guides and porters, for whom nothing was too much trouble, and for whom the ascent seemd the easiesyt and most natural thing in the world.  Their fitness and good humour was certainly an inspiration to me!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham was outstanding.  He was knowledgable, experienced had advice on every aspect of the trip, helped prepare us for thoroughly for each stage, and when necessary was prepared to take every step necessary to help us succeed.  He offered to carry my backpack when the going got tough, and when I couldn't take another step without a lengthy rest, he was on hand to coax me onwards.  He organised everything thoroughly and the whole trip was as smooth as clockwork as a result.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the extra day, if available, to acclimatise.  Take the Diamox.  Go slowly - remember it's not a race!  Drink as much water as possible.  Trust the guides' local knowledge.  On the final ascent, concentrate on not bumping into the guy in front!  I took my ipod, saved the battery for that last climb, and it was invaluable. Take lots of photos (and videos if you can) because the memory fades fast!  

Most Inspirational Moment

So many maybe seeing  the deserts and the jebels bathed in moonlight

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair a credit to Exodus his  family and his country .The marshmallows he produced one evening whilst regaling us with tales of bad camels and their masters was almost straight out 1001 Arabian Nights

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sleep under the stars and dream on

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking down on the Treasury in Petra after a beautiful hike; getting up higher to the monastery in Petra; and a great boat trip on New Year's Day in Aqaba.  But mainly I have lovely memories of spending time with our guide, learning about Jordanian people, practising Arabic! and whizzing down windy roads perfect for cycling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sounds like a cliche but Zuhair was a brilliant guide.  He spent time with us explaining Jordanian history, explaining about the people of Jordan. He was open, kind and warm, and provided a lot of entertainment, teaching us to speak Arabic (habibi), dancing at safe stopping points on the route.  He went the extra mile wherever he could, enabling us to pack in lots of extras like the boat trip on New Year's day; arranging for us to eat Jordanian specialities at dinner and amazing local snacks throughout; or providing a surprise little treat around the bonfire at the camp in the desert.  He definitely made our trip special, as did our bike team, tourist police and bus driver - all of whom were super helpful and supportive if you couldn't make it up a hill, they were there to pick you up!! Speical note of thanks to Zuhair who made sure we had a taxi waiting for us after the desert trip, as we left the group to spend a few days in Aqaba before we went home.  Thanks again for everything.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take more warm clothes than you think you need - in December / Jan anyway was our experience.  I failed miserably to pack anything appropriate!! - would have really appreciated some fleeces, some bike gloves, a few hats; and more trousers. We also would have taken a bit more local currency for tips etc, as kept having to withdraw cash to top up the tip purse.  We were both pleased that we hadn't bothered to bring bike shoes - we didn't feel we were on the bikes long enough to need them.  It is also worth noting that you shouldn't expect amazing hotels throughout the trip - they were definitely clean, comfortable and well located but don't expect luxury!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

there were many - local kids enthusiastically greeting us on an island off Nha Trang; dinner in a busy local restaurant; people on scooters pulling up next to us while cycling to say hello; seeing the excitement of people in small villages at the sight of those crazy Westerners cycling through their country in the heat

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danh: Always smiling and happy, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his country. Really helpful and always willing to go the extra mile - literally! He told us at times we'd be cycling another 15km which turned into almost twice that distance.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the heat in the South. We cycled in the mid-day sun (temperatures around 35 degrees C) with very little shade. Don't expect to be able to take lots of pictures while cycling - most people in our group wanted to cycle from A to B without stopping. Not really what I was expecting. Also, don't expect to have much time to yourself, even the free days are packed with activities. A typical day usually starts at 8am on the bus (or bikes) and you don't get to the hotels until about half 6 or 7pm. You'll just about have enough time for a quick shower before meeting up with the group for dinner.  The trip notes also mention about "predominatly flat" roads, but on most days there were a few long, steep hills to climb, so be prepared for that.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walk along the coastline to Cais do SardinhoLovely groupFinally good food in the last restaurant we went to as a group in Funchal

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very much into walking. However, it would have been nice if he had spent a bit more time to form a group like organising a dinner on the first evening when everyone had just arrived and we were all left alone to meet only the next morning. Or for going for a coffee or a meal somewhere.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Please mind that in the mountains, temperatures may go from really hot to really cold.

Most Inspirational Moment

A Little Doggerel on the Occasion of the return of the Sixteen from Sri Lanka. (With apologies to J. Milton Hayes, Rudyard Kipling etc.) There's at least a hundred Buddhas on the road to Kandy Town, Where the locals all smile broadly as they wish us ayubowan. Yes! Welcome to Sri Lanka! We're here to see the sights! Just sixteen cheery travellers for sixteen days and nights. There's Graham, Neil and Jason, Big Andy, Jo and Steve - Two Lindas, Charlie, Rob and Kevin make a move to leave - Two Alisons and David, Ron and Anna swell the throng And Sujan takes us all in hand to jolly us along. We clamber over boulders, we march through Horton Plain, We trudge up dusty mountains and scramble for the train, We bounce through raging waters and creep through temple prayers And ride upon the elephants and sweat up rocky stairs. We cycle by the river, we wonder in the caves, We gaze at tea plantations and gambol in the waves, We picnic in the jungle and sample Sujan's fare And watch the whales and fruit bats (and the leopards - if they're there). We see the sea, the waterfalls, the forests and the plains, The pools and 'tanks' and rivers, the sun and (sometime) rains, The trees and crops, the flowers, the birds, the turtles and the crocs And thirty dusty elephants who bathe amongst the rocks. There's at least a hundred Buddhas on the way back home through Galle - Some are very short and fat and some extremely tall, But when we all wend homewards we won't forget this isle - 'A Land of Milk and Honey' - an island with a SMILE. (But what will we all really remember - ancient cities - distant views? No - Charlie dancing frantically in his hotel room in his sexy mankini ……)