Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu.  It's a lot bigger than the photos suggest and you realise the enormity of effort that was required to build the place.The Cloud Forest... the Inca Tunnel... Dead Woman's Pass... Waking up at 3.6km high and (as we were the only campers) having Phuyapatamarca to ourselves!  The list goes on...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizzio was friendly, informative and sooo laid back that he put everyone at their ease.  Ricardo was really helpful and had an infectious enthusiasm for the flora and fauna that seemed to rub off on the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring playing cards or a book, as there's nothing to do after dinner!  We ended up going to bed at 9pm, as there's not a lot to do on the mountain in the dark.Bring plenty of waterproof bags to seal in dirty laundry when you pack them in the duffle bag.Walking poles are optional, but I brought some for the first time and I think they helped me immensely.  I'd certainly be a lot more tired had I not used them.Take spare camera batteries (I took 3),  You'll regret it when it comes to the moment when you want to take pictures... and you can't! You won't get a chance to recharge batteries until the 4th night of the Trek.If you're thinking of buying a sleeping bag for the trip and are not sure when you'd next use it, I'd recommend hiring one from Exodus (currently £25, including liner).  I never felt cold in them and didn't have to worry about packing them for the rest of the trip.Don't go mad and buy souvenirs on the first day.  You'll probably find them cheaper elsewhere, or wait until you come back to Cusco and buy them on the last day.Take a swimming costume if you want to go to the 'hot springs' in Aguas Calientes on the last night.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many but to list a few....the amazing flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and seeing the Himalayas above the clouds at sunrise; my first view of amazing Everest; trekking past the beautiful Gokyo lakes during snowfall; reaching the summit of Gokyo Ri with amazing Himalayan views (so tough but so worth it); meeting successful Everest summitters, a real honour; the wonderful snapshots of Himalayan life along the way.

Thoughts on Group Leader

10/10! Lhakpa was attentive, informative, caring and supportive, a fantastic team leader. Him and our other guides, Kaji, Kami and Nima, were all wonderful and all brought different strengths to the group.They worked together as a fantastic team to allow us all to achieve our dreams and goals, always friendly, kind and optimistic along the way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

First of all, if you are reading these reviews wondering if you should book this trip then...yes! Do it! Now! And, definitely, if you can, book the Gokyo lakes trip as opposed to basic base camp as the lakes are stunning and you get to see more of this wonderful region. If you are comparing Exodus to other companies then all I can say is I could not fault them, would heartily recommend them to friends and definitely book with them again. I was pleased I stayed in teahouses as opposed to camping and it was good that we were able to choose our meals as opposed to getting set meals cooked for us. The sleeping bag I hired through Exodus was fab and I wasn't at all cold at night (and I really feel the cold)...I had the sleeping bag, a silk liner and also a metal water bottle which I could get filled with boiling water every night and put in a sock to act as a brilliant hot water bottle. It is really worth taking a camelbak/platypus for easy hydration on the go.  I would recommend Icebreaker (or other merino wool) thermal baselayers to keep you toasty warm and to take multiple base layers as well as a good fleece and down jacket as the temperatures vary a lot. Take a good thin pair of liner gloves so you don't need to have bare hands and don't have to take your gloves off every time to do something. Take lots of hand gel and over-use it, we all did and none of us got tummy bugs. People who had UK mobiles found they worked better than those who had Nepalese sims and we got reception some of the time when trekking so we could call and text home, even at base camp! Be aware of the weight restrictions for the Lukla flight - 12kg for hold luggage and 3kg for hand luggage so weigh and prioritise before you go (and you can leave some changes of clothes and other bits safely at the hotel in Kathmandu). Read as much about Everest and the region before you go to fully appreciate the wonder of the region.

Most Inspirational Moment

View of the sea, port,harbour from the bedroom window/balcony.Picking nuts and oranges from trees along the roadside.Discovering Evia.I've never experienced such tasty and varied Greek food before.All home grown and home made to family recipes.Swimming in the (cold) sea in November (it had to be done).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos was attentive to every individual need,learnt our names fast, was enthusiastic and informative.He worked hard on our behalf.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walks mainy downhill,with lots of stones,so take a stick.As advertised, the walking is not strenuous so enjoy the chance to take in the scenery, and relax.Take a snack on walks without picnics.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the sun come up over Everest and Nuptse from Kala Patther (5550m) and knowing i had achieved everything i had set out to do.Also looking at Everest Base Camp and thinking of all the dreams that had been achieved and the heartache it had caused.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Due to adverse weather in Lukla we were delayed 6 days. We had Sherpa Nima who took us sight seeing in Kathmandu and was there to answer any questions / queries we had (as well as showing us some excellent local restaurants). He was also excellent in the mountains and answered all the questions we had. Nothing was too much for him and he was also a very funny guy.He certainly made our trip even more enjoyable with his sense of humour and knowledge. A great wee guy & a credit to the exodus team.We also had lead guide Asay who like Nima was a very funny guy who couldn’t do enough for you. He would wake us every morning with a cup of black tea and a huge smile. Like Nima very knowledgeable guy who spoke good English.Again another credit to exodus.Also have to mention our Yak driver Fhurer (spl). He didn’t speak much English but we had some good laughs with him especially our last night in Lukla in the waves bar. Another great guy who liked a game of pool and a dance -lol 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not buy expensive trekking gear in the UK. Take boots & socks only, all other trekking gear can be bought in the Tammal area at very reasonable prices (Decent gear at a fraction of uk prices and you’ll enjoy the banter with the locals over prices).Same goes for toiletries. Travel with bare essentials from uk and you can stock up at he local supermarket across the road from the Royal Singii hotel at a fraction of uk prices.This way you save money and your kit bag is a lot lighter on the way out.At the end of our trip we donated a lot of gear to the Exodus porter scheme which will allow the porters to get the use of trekking gear that you will not be using regularly back home.

Most Inspirational Moment

Amazing views of Annapurna from Poon Hill in the evening as well as sunrise. Plus sunrise at Annapurna base camp definitely leave you in awe.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dawa was a great group leader. He ensured everyone was having a good time. When travel plans needed to change due to bad weather he organised alternative transport straight away so all went smoothly and we didn't miss a thing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only take what you need. Ideally the porters should carry no more than 12kg for each traveller. I did not know this before I went.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the best day was the big climb up to Nurawa Eliya (day 8 ex London).  A huge variety of scenery and a decent physical challenge with 2000 m of ascent. Fortunately, the steep hills aren't long and the long hill isn't steep.What goes up must come down.  There are also some epic descents - really exciting when round the bend the tarmac road surface disappears into gravel!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Everything worked, it all held together, Pieter made time to talk to all of us and generally took the load (and the lead in some of the wilder exploits).  All that could be expected.Cycling in Sri Lanka is what he does as a day job, so he knows the country thoroughly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it! But note it is more than a 'moderate' ride overall with a couple of long days and it's hot.  Confidence in traffic is necessary too - the faster ones of us got to overtake most other sorts of traffic at some time. Sri Lankan traffic is slower than British traffic, and more used to slow vehicles.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many ! Bustling city of Hanoi, serenity and beauty of Halong Bay, cycle ride through Hoi An to the beach, War Museum at Ho Chi Minh City, exploring the local markets and Chi Chi tunnels.Every day was something different and we did a host of different activities... boat rides, cycle rides, bus rides, kayaking, caving, sightseeing, shopping, eating out, sunbathing on a beach, swimming in the sea and even a water park !! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tommy was the best guide we have EVER had !! He was knowledgable & interesting , warm and approachable.He interacted well with the "young people" by being amusing and even setting small quizes to make it a bit more interesting !Can't praise him highly enough !! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just DO IT !!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Some amazing scenery and always the best when we got to the top of a climb!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had a brilliant group leader. liz was out 1st thing in the morning sorting our bikes out - sooo many punctures and was always there to support punctures/broken chains as we went along.  She knows her stuff!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would say make  sure you have some level of fitness, otherwise you wont really enjoy the trip.  The scenery is spectacular,  which when going up steep climbs you need to remember to look at!  There are a few technical tracks, but you can just get off and walk or just get in one of the vehicles.  Its definitely worth it, as there is full support all the time, great food and good bikes - if you are thinking of taking your bike, I wouldnt!  The bikes provided were great and it meant they had all the wear and tear - my bike had 7 punctures, the group had over 50 and we had a couple of broken chains and gears went - if you have your own bike, you have to sort all of this!

Most Inspirational Moment

Messing about in the snow.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good technical skills combined with enthusiasm for the landscape and an ability to share it. A rare combination.

Most Inspirational Moment

The fact that after about 5 days of rain forest walking in grey weather we reached the tree line just as the clouds cleared and we were suddenly in the middle of exactly the type blue sky and mountain scenery that we had imagined before we set out.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was excellent and continuously re-arranged our routes and stops to account for the changing weather conditions without any fuss or mistakes. He also joined in our group and made sure that we received the best treatment in all the tea houses.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you either go with an experienced travel company or work out your own contingency plans for when the weather doesn't do what it should.