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Had a fantastic time. The scenery is amazing but the weather could have been better (not that anyone is to blame for that). The hotel is small but very friendly and homely, Victor our guide was brilliant. I would thouroughly recommend this trip.
Standing at the tip of a peak and walking along the Cain Gorge.
Victor was brilliant, could not fault him at all. Friendly, polite, helpful, new what he was talking about.
Take some decent wet weather gear
This cycle trip was in most parts beautiful. The first three days coming through the Dolomites was beautiful with off road cycle routes made it an absolute joy. The others day were mostly beautiful too, along the canal river route but there were a couple of long stretches on busy roads which were not so good but mostly beautiful cycling.
The stunning scenery of being up near the Austrian border and being in cool fresh clean air. Off road, down hill, cycle paths through stunning sceneryThe evening and day we had in Venice, it has to be the most beautiful city in the world. My top tip is to keep away from the main tourist parts and just explore the back routes. Great Great food and at least two ice creams a day! My morning expresso en route
He was fine, lacked the Joie de Vivre that I think is so important for a Tour Leader, but he could mend bikes and read a map.
It is all in the Trip dossier, what to take etc. I would recommend a Fleece for first 2 nights in mountains, as was a little chillier than I had expected in the evenings. I had also rang Exodus twice re panniers on bikes to be told there were no panniers, so brought some and in fact the bikes did have panniers to carry daytime stuff. agh!!!!annoying. Apart from Venice which is incredibly expensive the rest of the trip the food, drinks etc were good value considering the Euro is so bad at the moment.
What can I say – this trip ticked all my boxes and more – being a returnee to both the Mara and Kicheche Mara camp (albeit in a new stunning location) I knew what to expect from one of Paul’s photographic trips but this one surpassed my expectations!
Seeing 3 leopards from the same family in a tree by the Talek river and more importantly - spending TIME with them - watching them and observing the interaction between them! Amazing - and I remembered to take some photos too!Have to also mention the lioness carrying a 12day old cub too - a special moment indeed - on the first afternoon no less - this set the bar high for the remainder of the trip!
Not sure I can anything that hasn't already been said before here - Paul is in his element when in the Mara! Long days do justice to what it had to throw at us, early starts get you that amazing light and late finishes get you your well earned sundowner and sunsets to die for! The guides have that special instinct to get you in the right place at the right time! Paul and his team make it all happen!
Take plenty of memory cards, enjoy the time spent waiting for what will happen, be prepared to put on a little extra weight from all the amazing meals that are provided - the bush breakfast is a great interlude when you get a moment to enjoy it!
A wonderful experience packed full of varied activities and wildlife. The small schooner type boat seems like a much better way to see the Islands than the larger cruiser style boats. Every Island is so different in terms of the specific wildlife hosted, and indeed the snorkelling at all the different locations also provided varied trips. The 'navigation' between the islands can be a little bumpy, personally I loved every minute of it but if you are wanting a smoother ride then maybe a larger boat would be better for you.
I really could go on and on, but here are a couple:Swimming/snorkelling with the Sea Lions has to be one of the most wonderful experiences of my life - and I have been on quite a few of these types of trip! They are so inquisitive and friendly and one could literally swim for hours with them...but you mustn't get distracted too much or you will miss the thousands of fish and other sea mammals to be seen. The sea-life is just so rich out there - supporting the huge number of sea birds. And the numbers of sea birds really are huge...leading on to another inspirational moment being witness to a Blue Footed Booby feeding frenzy where huge flocks of birds dive into the sea together to feed on shoaling fish...backed up with Sea Lions, Pelicans, Penguins and other predatory fish...we were right in the middle of one of these feeding frezies with the action going on all around us - truly amazing experience.Thirdly, and I think this moment would rank high for everyone that was there, was when we snorkelled into a deep cave by torchlight, and on turning back from the darkness we were greeted with a view of (possibly) hundreds of huge turtles suspended against a dazzling green/blue background...I won't ever be forgetting that image.The boat (Cachalote) for me was one big high point - the crew were fantastic from the two Panga (dinghy) drivers and deckhands to the Skipper and Chef - all were cheerful and amusing and would be anxious to make sure all of our needs were met. It's just so much fun being on a smaller boat - some of the trips between islands can be a tad rough and storage space in the cabins is a little limited, but seriously, just don't pack too much - you can wash shirts and shorts underway - they take seconds to dry. There is nothing better than standing up on deck watching the waves and/or stars go by with a beer in hand. During the day also while navigating there is a strong chance of sightings of Dolphins, Whales, and the odd Manta Ray jumping clear out of the water to rid themselves of parasites.
Darwin was quite possibly the best tour leader I have had on any holiday. His passion and enthusiasm for his job, country and surroundings was extraordinary. His knowledge was vast, and imparted explicitly. A good sense of humour and ability to sense moments when we might have wanted some peace were his strong points. Nightly briefings kept us well in touch with what was planned for the next day. He was an excellent guide both above and below water and you could see that he was genuinely wanting us to get the very most out of our trip, and enjoying every moment of it as much as us. Well done Darwin - a fantastic job :)
Read the trip notes - heh, we're all guilty of not doing that properly eh?
If you are reading this then the answer is YES! Yes you should go to the Galapagos islands, it is even more special and magical than you could ever imagine. For me it was a dream come true and the best experience of my life so far. I would 100% recommend this trip and Exodus, so much so that I have already started saving to do it all over again!
Sorry, it is impossible to choose just one. The first was landing at the airport on Baltra where a huge Land Iguana was sat on the runway basking in the sun! After that every day seemed to have its own unique and special moment.Walking to the summit of Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabella and looking down into the 5 mile wide caldera. It was such a peaceful, awe inspiring place.Watching a feeding frenzy up close from the panga where the water boiled with the action of Blue footed Boobies and Pelicans diving from above and Penguins and Sea Lions from below. Sailing between the islands with a pod of hundreds of Bottlenose dolphins, riding the bow wave and leaping out of the water.Seeing Waved Albatros nesting on Espanola. Walking along idyllic, deserted, white sandy beaches with azure blue seas.Keeping to the tracks as per park rules but having to step over Iguanas, Lizards and Sea Lions and around nesting birds. You must keep at least 2 metres away from the animals but no one seems to have told them that! One young sea lion even decided to come over and untie one of my Mum's boot laces!The snorkeling was amazing. We swam into the darkness of a cave at Punta Vicente Roca, Isabella and when we turned to swim back out, the "blue hole" in front of us was filled with marine turtles just hanging in the water. So many fantastic underwater encounters and games with the sea lions. Evenings spent sat on the gently rolling deck of the beautiful Cachalote with new found friends, enjoying a beer, looking up at the incredible starfilled sky and being accompanied by a group of Swallow Tailed Gulls - I wish I was still there!
Our leader was the aptly named Darwin Alvarez. His knowledge and passion for the Galapagos Islands, their geology, history and wildlife were incredible and truly inspirational. His english is excellent and his nightly briefings well organised, concise, clear and entertaining. His leadership during the walks on land is very relaxed, informative and friendly and he never made us feel shepherded or rushed. Darwin is an excellent swimmer so is also a wonderful snorkeling guide. He did his absolute best to meet all of the individual needs of a very diverse group of people and succeeded. A true ambassador for the Galapagos Islands and a job well done.
I would definitely recommend doing the 2 week cruise in a small group. This allows you to visit most of the islands and you will often find that it is only your group at a visitor site.The Cachalote is a charming, comfortable boat with excellent safety standards. Her crew were professional, hard working and friendly. However due to her size, the cabins are small and she rocks and rolls in rough seas. Some of the journeys between islands take up to 8 hours and are usually done at night. So if you want luxury or get seasick then the Cachalote is not the boat for you. If you want good food, comfortable accommodation, great service and enjoy life at sea then she definitely is. Although she has sails don't expect to see them in use as most of the sailing is done at night and always under engine power. All cabins and the saloon have air conditioning and the towels and sheets are changed every other day. There are good reading lights above the bunks. The food is plentiful and healthy. Breakfast - Cereal/yoghurt/fresh fruit/bread/eggs/cheese/ham. Lunch - soup, main course, desert. Dinner - main course, desert. Lunch and dinner are set meals, meat/fish/seafood (vegetarian/vegan if pre-requested) with dishes of salad/fresh veg and potatoes/rice to help yourself. Purified water is available at all times as is coffee and tea. Fruit juice/squash is provided at meal times and with a snack (biscuits/crisps/fruit) when you return to the boat after a trip to the islands. Any other drinks are not included and are put onto a tab to pay on your last night. The prices are very reasonable, a bottle of beer is $2, and Richard, the barman makes some great cocktails ($4 to $5).The itinerary on board is fairly packed. Typical example: 7am Breakfast, 8am wet/dry landing at a visitor site on one of the islands, 10am back onboard, 10.30am snorkeling, 11.30am back on board, 12pm Lunch, boat may stay anchored, or sail to next site, 2.30pm snorkeling, 3.30pm back on board, 4pm wet/dry landing at a visitor site on one of the islands, 6pm back on board, 7pm dinner and briefing for the next day. Overnight sailing to next island. Of course everything is optional, so you can choose to stay on board and relax but I think you need to be fairly fit and active to get the best out of this trip. Despite the best efforts of the guide and the crew, some of the landings can be tricky and a lot of the walking is over rough terrain. However with the exception of a couple of climbs to the summits of volcanoes, most of the walking is on the flat, at a leisurely pace and over fairly short distances (1 - 2 miles). Snorkeling plays a big part in the itinerary, happening every day and sometimes twice a day. Some of the snorkeling can be done from the beach but most is done from the panga in "deep water" where the currents are at times fairly strong. If you have never snorkeled before or are not overly confident then it is definitely worth getting some practice in before you go because you will have as many amazing encounters under the water as you do on land. As a destination I would certainly recommend the Galapagos Islands. They are so peaceful, tranquil and largely unspoilt or untouched by man. The geology is incredibly varied from white sand to red, vast expanses of sharp black lava rock with small oasis of water and vegetation, and pristine mangroves to the misty, vegetated highlands. The wildlife is both odd and beautiful and has no fear of humans. Sea Lions will play with you underwater, Mockingbirds will search for insects in the sand beneath your feet and Blue footed Boobies will put on the most spectacular diving show right in front of your eyes.
I was extremely disappointed that the leader thought I was not fit enough to take part in the walks, without any justification. I would not have booked the holiday if I thought I was not fit enough, as it would be unfair on other guests and I would not have enjoyed that. I have been taking part in walking and other activity holidays for many years, and am well aware of my capabilities. I was not allowed to take part in the glacier walking trip, the main reason I booked the holiday – even though the guidebooks said there were trips for all levels of ability, and I have done glacier walking before. I have never enountered any problems before.
The stunning scenery.
See above. I was not given any opportunity to question his decisions. Being made to stay behind was very demoralising and embarassing.
Everybody knows Peru for Machu Picchu, but there is so much more to enjoy on this trip. The landscapes are very varied and on a grand scale, and the people very welcoming. All in all a fantastic tour.
Watching the condors soar over Colca Canyon was great, and the Corpus Christi parade we were lucky enough to see in Cusco made the experience of the city even better, but there is nothing to beat the feeling you get when you first enter the Machu Picchu complex and climb up to the viewpoint to get the iconic postcard view.
Carlos our tour leader was very knowledgeable and could answer pretty well any question we threw at him. The tour he gave us around Machu Picchu demonstrated his knowledge and passion for his country's history and culture. There were only nine in our group of which four were vegetarian, and it took him a while to catch on to the fact that he needed to recommend restaurants with a good vegetarian selection, but other than this he was the perfect tour guide.
The days are quite long and the starts early; for us breakfast was at 7am five times and earlier than that another five times. The earliest start was on the first full day when our wake-up calls were set for 4.30am, especially tough for those on the group flight via the US who didn't get to the hotel until after midnight. But the bus was very comfortable (with a very acceptable on-board toilet) and in the main we reached our overnight stops by 5pm, which gave time to relax and unwind before a leisurely evening meal.
A fanatstic experience and very good mix of activity, sightseeing and history/culture. Highly recommended.
Making it to the Dead Woman's pass. When I looked at the terrain profile after the first day on the Inca trail, I thought I'm never going to make it. But, it turns out that it looked way more difficult than it was.Another highlight was going swimming in Paracas and watching the sunset while being in the water. Simply stunning.
Holger was great. He was not only very helpful, he also has very good historical knowledge that adds value to the overall Inca experience on this trip.
Walking poles, walking poles, walking poles. I normally don't use them, on the Inca trail I wish I had.Knee protectors also come in handy. When you go to the Ballestas Islands, make sure you're 'water-proof'. We got completely soaked - but it was worth it.
This was a great trip; it had everything – beaches, wildlife, history. You get to see five UNESCO World Heritage sites, and if you’re lucky, you might get to see a leopard.Highly recommended!!!
The elephant orphanage and the old capital of Sri Lanka, Polunnaruwa.
Roshan was fantastic. There's really nothing to add.
Our game drive in the National Park got extremely dusty. A dust-prove cover for your camera and lenses is highly recommended. I wish I had brought mine.
Hiking the Inca Trail at the end of June was a very special experience. We had glorious sunny weather, no rain at all and the nights were not too cold. Our group was a great bunch of people. As one of a group of slow walkers I got great support from the group leader and assistant guide. It was a great privilige to hike this trail with an experienced company and an extremely competent group leader. Everything was well-planned and organised without spoiling anybody’s fun. (Finally, I hope the porters are paid really well because they work very hard.)
Of course Machu Picchu was the star of the show, but there were many wonderful surprises around every bend in the road. I got up a couple of times in the early morning hours and saw the moon and a skyful of stars - all enveloped in a peaceful silence. I enjoyed the diversity of beautiful flowering plants and saw a perennial lupine for the first time. I was also impressed by all the other sites we saw on the way and intrigued by the speculation that they are connected. As an agricultural journalist, the farming and experimental sites were another source of interest.
Disnarda Aragon is a real gem. She's knowledgeable, calm and a good manager with a great sense of humour. She's also very proud of her country, its people and produce. As someone who comes from a developing country, I appreciated the fact that she encouraged us to support the local economy by buying hand-made local items.
Don't forget to bring: a headlight, a sunhat (they sell nice broad-rimmed ones in Cusco), sunscreen, insect repellant, coffee or black tea and powdered milk, if you absolutely need your caffeine fix. If you are not a very strong walker, bring a walking stick. I've never walked with a stick, and I bought one for 10 Sol at the beginning of the walk and came to rely on it right through the hike. Bring a couple of hundred Sol to buy water during the early parts of the hike and for tips for the cook, his assistant and the porters. You don't need to bring any food: the cook and his assistant feed hikers really well. Also, prepare for a lot of nice surprises at mealtime. (If you have any food preferences or intolerances let them know when you Do ask your group leader to arrange a specialist tour after the hike. Believe me, they can. I requested Disnarda to arrange a visit to the peasant farmers between Cusco and Urubamba and she, a driver, a friend and I ended up spending a wonderful morning with people who still live off the land and enjoy the satisfaction of growing their own food. I even tried my hand at cutting Lima beans with a sickle. It's hard work, though. (I can also think of other tours I would have loved to do, e.g. a visit to craftspeople or small local markets. We did visit the municipal market in Urubamba, but it would've been interesting to visit on a Sunday when all the farmers take their produce to their small local markets.)