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The UK’s longest-running adventure tour operator, Exodus, is celebrating its 45th birthday!
It all began in Afghanistan, in 1974. Two friends decided to travel in an overland truck to the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan – one of the most inaccessible monuments in the world. They were able to turn their passion for travel, adventure and discovery into a career, and the overlanding years of Exodus were born.
Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan
Pioneering new routes
The 1970s were the heyday of the hippie trail to Kathmandu. This is where the first Exodus trucks ran, but soon we were pioneering new routes across Africa and in 1981, our first South American route through the Amazon basin. This was the era Exodus truly began to spread its wings, and we were soon leading the way in small group treks in Nepal and beyond.
In 1990s, Exodus became the first tour operator to organise tours to pioneering new destinations such as Mt Elbrus in Russia and Lake Baikal in Siberia following the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1990.
Exodus was also the first operator to take an overland truck into China in the 90s, something which no other UK company managed to do until over 10 years later. These are popular destinations now, but at the time, they were ground-breaking places to travel – and Exodus retains its passion for innovative and pioneering new adventures to this day.
Exodus overland adventures poster 1987/88
Exodus overland adventures poster 1991/92
Exodus Explorations poster 1985
The world has changed a lot over the years. When Exodus began nobody had smartphones, DSLR cameras or worried about the Wi-Fi password – even the fax machine was yet to be invented.
It’s fair to say Exodus has evolved over the years as well, and our definition of adventure along with it too. But one thing has never changed: our vision and passion for travel.
The days of two-month overland truck expeditions may be in the rear-view mirror, but it’s the same passion that drives us forward today.
Here’s to another 45 years!
Find your next Exodus adventure with a few of our favourite trips below.
