Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I found the group leader quite inspirational (see below!). My favourite day was the 2nd day of the trek - 6 hours uphill then 2 hours downhill! It was hard work but we took it at a steady pace and the views at the top were incredible. The 3rd day afternoon was also fantastic - the scenery and vegetation were beautiful. The camp site that evening was amazing, it really felt like we were on top of the world!

Thoughts on Group Leader

"Dis" was the best group leader that I've met (I've been on a few Exodus trips, plus some with similar companies). She had great English and a good sense of humour. She had amazing knowledge of the local areas and the Inca civilisation. She set an excellent pace for the trek. She also coped brilliantly with sick and drunk clients! She was an amazing ambassador for the company, for the Andes and the Incas, for Peru and for women (working in a very male dominated field).

Advice for Potential Travellers

I'd not used walking poles before and bought some as a last minute thought just 24 hours before travelling! They were very useful and I would recommend them, although they're not essential (several people were fine without them, but I do feel they made my trek easier). A trip to the hot springs in Aguascalientes is well worthwhile - it was a great way to relax after the trek and the place had a really fun atmosphere (you can be served with cocktails from the bar at the poolside!). The Sacred Valley trip is a long day but it is a good way to get out walking in the mountains and acclimatise to the altitude.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking on my own on the last day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was OK

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go yourself - it would be easy to organise

Most Inspirational Moment

I thoroughly enjoyed all the walks: there are some stupendous views (though of course  this rather depends on the weather).  I guess walking around the rim of the Vesuvius crater, on a fine day, with stunning views all around, was something of a highlight.  I also loved the gardens of Ravello, though the best time of year for them is probably spring time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was competent, well-organised and knowledgeable.  Everything ran very smoothly under his direction.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If the flight is still with British Airways, try to fit your walking poles into your suitcase.  You can only take them as hand luggage if you take off the tips or cover them.  Otherwise they will go into the hold either strapped to your case or as a separate item, depending on who is doing the checking in.  In addition to your day pack, you can take a laptop or briefcase as a second piece of hand luggage.  You can check in online. The breakfast on board is foul - very disappointing for an expensive airline! 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few:Petra; Stunning and the climb up the mountain with a cup tea with Bedouin was classic and the rewar of the ice cream at the end of the day was a real moment of joy!! The frightening desecnt down the mountian with my brakes red hot!!The weird feeling of the deadsea.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair was brilliant, his stories made the trip and the history come alive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you do a lot of cycling beforehand and get some mountain biking in!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Not looking for inspiration (it was good all round), but I guess walking 20 miles including some climbing up (the down is nearly as bad) to nearly 10000ft was great. I Loved the starkness of the mountains, making any bits of growth (e.g. sheep and goat pastures) all the more interesting. THe village was very well irrigated.Night sky was pretty interesting (u can download an app for Android phones that gives u a night sky location facility as u move ur phone).

Thoughts on Group Leader

First rate. Grew up in a similar area so knows the flora and fauna, customs, just about everything. Had a very good manner as well with everyone

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack lighter than u think. One almost always overpacksTake some snacks for walking. My recommendation is to buy some dried fruit and nuts in Marrakesh. You will only find sweet snacks at the village gite. You can find an alcohol selling outlet in the Guilez part where our hotel was (Hotel Hasna), but u may not be there. You just need to ask where there is one.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Michaele and his partner Enrico were fantastic.  Really supportive and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I think we were really lucky with the weather.  I would choose my destination and potential weather more carefully in the future as if it had been rainy and windy I think the trip would have been a bit grim with a lot of hanging around.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around the crater rim of Mount Versuvius was pretty special, as were the views from the Walk of the Gods. The optional trip to Herculaneum and Ravello was excellent with unparalled ruins at the first and the incredible gardens of Villa Cimbrone at the second.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was fantastic. He made sure that everyone in the group was happy and answered our many questions! He ensured that we all got seats on the public bus back from Amalfi (not an easy task!) and was always ready to advise on the best places for a meal or a drink.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a lovely week - fairly relaxed, with some lovely walks. However a few of the walks are in the moderate category (not leisurely) so be prepared for some uphill as well as stiff ankles and calf muscles after all the downhill!Having said that, I did not feel that walking poles were necessary although with wet, slippery paths they would definitely be a help.

Most Inspirational Moment

Summit day, by head torch to the sunrise to the summit.Hard now to believe I actually made it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Florence, was the best, smiling, happy, signing and motivational. The guys certainly make the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train, train and be prepared for the challenge, much harder than I thought.Also prepare your self for the camping!!!!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching families of elephants bathing and drinking yards from the canoes. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB was erudite, charming and knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would recommend that anyone on this trip have some experience with canoeing and camping - and enjoy both of them.  The village and orphanage visits are a pleasure because they are done sensitively.  Small clothes are needed in both places - if you have room in your bag.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many inspirational moments to list them all but I guess Reaching Annapurna Base Camp at 4100m and not feeling out of breath would be up there at the top of the list. Seeing the snow covered mountains at sunrise at ABC with no cloud to obscure the view, simply magnificent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dawa our group leader was excellent. He was patient, calm, approachable, cheery, positive, organised things efficiently and his English was well nigh perfect.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You'll be able to get mineral water ie bottled water on the first few days and the last day of the trek. In between you'll need to drink local water that has been filtered and/or boiled. It tastes ok but I'd recommend you use water filtration tablets with it to be safe. As you progress up the trail towards ABC be aware that food, showers and drink (soft drink and beer) prices increase. Budget for the trek should be about 2500 to 3000 Nepalese Rupees per day.If you're looking for somewhere to chill after the trek then the Busy Bee Bar in Pokhara is recommended and in Kathmandhu check out The Tom and Jerry Bar in Thamel.