Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting a school at over 4000 mtrs of altitude The glaciers near base camp The mountains: spectacular

Thoughts on Group Leader

Overall good

Most Inspirational Moment

I have two main moments.  These may well have been different if the weather had been more favourable.   One highlight is the telepherique from Courmayeur to Aiguille du Midi on the first rest day.   The views of the glacier, Mont Blanc and the peaks were stunning and nothing like I have seen before.The second was reaching Brevent, the final ascent of the TMB.  It had rained on this our last day, but stopped for the last couple of hours of the climb, and although we didn't really get the views,  the feeling of having completed the circuit was pretty good, even a bit emotional!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Mel, was excellent.  She is very knowledgeable and a good calm leader.    Our cook/support person had to leave on day two and Carey took over, which was to our benefit.   Excellent food.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather overall was not as good as we had hoped and 2 pairs of shorts returned home unworn.  It is going to be cold on the cols, so be prepared with several thin layers to put on and take off.   Good raingear is essential.    The camping was very good with nice flat pitches with no rocks and good facilities.  Even the 2 so-called rough camps were fine.   Having done a few treks I was very pleased not to see the standard dark and cramped mess tent.  We were able to enjoy the light evenings with spacious areas to eat or sit and chat over a beer.

Most Inspirational Moment

Condors in the morning at Colca.  Travelling on the roof of the launch across Lake Titicaca under a clear blue sky.  Sunrise at Machu Picchu lighting up the surrounding peaks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very well informed, and seemed enthusiastic about the places he described to us.  There was a problem with the microphone on the bus at times.  Although he gave out clear details for times to meet up for dinner, loading the bus next morning, and so on, this was rather a long list on some days.  It might have been better to provide a printed summary in some cases.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to avoid travelling through the USA - not only is the connecting experience exhausting, but the arrival in Lima is very late at night.  Those in our group who came via Amsterdam had a better arrival time.  Be aware of the early starts on several days - but we got used to them.

Most Inspirational Moment

The wildlife safaris where excellent and the game viewing was amazing.  I think seeing a cheetah coming to within 1 metre of our truck was the most thrilling part of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

good

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are travelling on a budget, then stock up on alcoholic drinks in stone town as the bar prices are quite high in the zanzibar resort.

Most Inspirational Moment

Far too many sightings to list them all but suffice to say that they were both frequent and breathtaking. I expected long days of patient waiting with small rewards but was totally unprepared the endless stream of sightings and jaw-dropping action. Coupled with the remarkable guides and attentive hosts it was a holiday where you felt totally indulged and spoilt in equal measure.

Thoughts on Group Leader

!!!! For those unfamiliar with this unique specimin of a man I can only say that his methods may take a little getting used to but persevere and you will be rewarded with photographs you never thought possible. His unrivalled knowledge and enthusiasm for the Mara remain unsurpassed. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

As Paul often likes to remind us - it helps to know your equipment inside out before you go. There certainly isn't time to faff about with camera settings when you have a beautifully back-lit lioness strolling towards you carrying a 3 week old cub from her mouth! A woe-betide anyone found dropping bean-bags and fumbling with memory cards when you are witnessing a sun-rise river-crossing of four majestic male lions!In terms of practicalities, and to only reiterate what has already been said by others, a large lens is imperative. Although with Paul's ability to get up close and personal anything over 500mm is a waste, especially when on many an ocassion the animals decide to brush past the vehicles as closely as possible, leaving everyone scrabbling for their wider lenses. I would say the perfect kit in terms of size and weight would be a 300mm f2.8, 70-200 f2.8, a 1.4x converter and if possible a wide angle to soak up the truely majestic landscape - especially the sunsets.  

Most Inspirational Moment

Trogir was really pleasant for the first part and the day in split. Time in Dubrovnik was excellent and the opportunity to go to Mostar was well worth it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Edo was first rate

Advice for Potential Travellers

July is very hot. Air conditioning is limited, and there is a 2.5h boat crossing where you cannot go on deck. The plane food is not very exciting. But don't let those put you off.

Most Inspirational Moment

The best part of the trip was after 4 days of hiking at the end of the Inca Trail, going through the Sun Gate and the view of Machu Picchu beyond, surrounded by the fantastic scenery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was a wonterful tour rep/guide/medical advisor that you could have wished for, a resident of Cuzco, his insight into the history of the Incas, his knowledge of the wildlife on the trek and where to find the best places to eat in Cuzco were excellent. He helped a number of individuals get over a bit of travel tummy with some guidance of where to obtain the best remedies and ensure they continued to join the trek and enjoy the experience to the full.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Please, please, please .... can't say this enough .... Do take up some stamina and hiking training a few months before the trek commences, we both started our training in Feb and we travelled in July ! 2 of our group did very little training and it showed. Juan our guide spent considerable time with them to ensure they were ok, but it did mean the group (only 5 of us) split into the 3 who were fit and able to hike ok and those 2 that were having regular (too regular) rest breaks which split the group and led to us sometimes missing out on the interesting commentary our guide was able to give. However the excellent itierary planned by Exodus and our guide was set so even these slower individuals were able to make it back to camp every night before it went dark ... just about ! 

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip had many highlights, overall the helicopter trip to Siberia hut followed by the climb to Lake Crucible and the jet-boat out of the Siberia river valley the next day was probably the best single part. However for scale and beauty, Milford Sound is almost impossible to beat. The hike up and over the volcanoes at Tongariro was equally inspiration in a more physical way (especially good if you are a Lord of the Rings fan and like spotting film locations). The final hike around Mt Somers, initially felt like it had been tagged on a something to fill a day, but this turned out to be particularly enjoyable, probably as it was the most deserted and not only was the scenery stunning but it was glimpse of how New Zealanders have brilliantly engaged with their outdoors. Perhaps the most surprisingly inspiration part was waking up after camping on the beach in Abel Tasman, just like Robinson Crusoe.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The two trip leaders, one each for North and South Island were fantastic; knowledgable, enthusiastic. encouraging. Impossible to rate them any higher.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want to experience a bit of most things New Zealand has to offer, this trip is probably ideal for you, although for me it has just stimulated a desire to go on and do the whole Milford trek. I probably did not quite consider who would pay this amount of money and take over 3 weeks off, and it is fair to say that all but one other person on the trip was retired, and as such I was considerably younger than everyone else. This was not particualrly a problem but some fellow travellers seemed to have major concerns about some of the accomodations and I have never been on an Exodus trip like this were people brought hard cases for luggage. Yes, there is camping, some of the huts are basic and there are drop toilets and shared sleeping platforms; however compared to similar in other parts of the world, these are relatively well appointed, clean and comfortable. You do need to be prepared to carry some group equpment, so you do need a 50L day sac, it's a bit unfair if those who do bring larger day sacs have to carry all the eqipment. We were extremely lucky with the weather, especially in the rain-ridden areas of South Island and I am sure at another time you will get considerably wet. You do need to be prepared for all climates, so pack accordingly with layers: it ranged from tropical beach in Abel Tasman to hiking in a hail storm in Mt Cook. The biting insects are worse than advertised, bring repellent and cover up. Gaiters are useful as the grass is wet in the morning and I found baselayer leggings possibly the most useftul piece of clothing, easy to carry, sleep in and wear under shorts to hike in, as the New Zealanders do. For th overnighters you do need enough clothing to change completely.The instructions regarding baggage are clear but different people interpreted differently. You do need a 50 L sac for the overnight hikes, enough to carry sleeping bag, clothes and a share of the group equipment but you can leave your remaining equipment locked in the trailor. I brought a standard and comfortable rucksac with all my things as my main baggage and smaller 30 L day sac as hand luggage and for day walks and decanted out what I didn't need each time into a fold up travel holdall and walked with my riucksac.  This worked well for me, others packed a ~ 50L pack inside their bigger main baggage and also brought a smaller day sac, this seemed like a lot of baggage.As advertised this is a very fast paced trip, there is a lot of arriving late at accomodation and leaving early the next morning. Compared to other trips there is not a lot of time to rinse out and dry clothes, which might be worth considering when packing.I took walking poles but strapped them to my pack on all but one day, the walking is not that difficult at all. However the climb is Lake Crucible is very steep and I found poles essential for both the ascent and descent. So I would recommend taking them.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the highest mountain in Tuscany (and on our first completely sunny day!) Laughing a lot. both with the locals and several members of the group

Thoughts on Group Leader

very knowledgeable and extremely active ladyShe was careful to ensure everyone stayed pretty close on walks and made the right decisions on changing the itinerary when needed

Advice for Potential Travellers

a relatively good level of fitness is required as there is some steep inclines on walks most days. Good waterproof clothing and shoes is a must

Most Inspirational Moment

All the opportunities to see Lemurs - whether in the rain forest or in private parks - one image which makes me smile when I recall it, is the lemur park at Vakuna Lodge (Nr Perinet national park), where the lemurs used us as places to jump on to and off and to sit on.  I have some lovely photos of people in the group with one or two lemurs sitting on their arms and shoulders.  Also the two walks in the Tsingy's were interesting; fascinating structures and great to be able to get out and walk - it was a bonus to see lemurs on both Tsingy walks. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sol who was the leader of our group until we returned to Tana was one of the best I have travelled with.  Very well organised and made even the long road journeys interesting by telling us different things about Madagascar - he was righly proud of his country and delighted in introducing us to as many experiences as possible.  We also had some excellent local guides in different areas and some good drivers. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I posted some general comments on the community arrivals board in answer to some questions from members of the group going out after our return but mainly I would advise that the long road journeys tend to be longer than advised on the itinerary so be prepared.  It was one of the ironies of the trip that the really nice places to stay you arrive late and leave early!  As a vegetarian I found it difficult to get sufficient food (this is obviously my personal observation) and I would probably have taken some museli with me to supplement breakfast - which were generally meagre.  We did have chances to stock up on food and fruit in supermarkets which was good.  The photographic opportunities are numerous - take lots of memory cards/film.  Re-charging cameras, I-pods, Kindles etc is no problem.  Some of the best photographic opportunities are in the early morning - whether walking on the beach in Morondova or around gardens in the various hotels.  Definitely visit the Lemur Park in Tana - it is a rescue centre in a lovely park setting with the lemurs running free (not in cages) and really friendly, informative staff.  You can never have enough opportunities to see lemurs.  Take a head torch for the walks in the Tsingy...you will need your hands.