Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day of the trek was inspirational, being able to witness a vast and ever changing landscape. One particular highlight was sitting on the side of a mountain listening to our tour leader singing an Indian love song.The houseboat trip and stay in the backwaters was idyllic and pleasantly relaxing after the strenuous efforts of the trek.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ajith is an exceptional human being. His knowledge of history, religion, geography, politics, art, culture, botany and cricket is encyclopaedic and he put his heart and soul into ensuring that we all got the most possible from our time in South India. He was always prepared to seize extra opportunities as they presented themselves rather than simply sticking rigidly to the pre-arranged programme. He also showed infinite patience in meeting the various needs of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Come prepared for extremes of temperature. You need to be aware that this is a very packed and intensive programme of activities. Have a few cricket nets before setting off!

Most Inspirational Moment

All of Cambodia - and do make sure that you make the trip to Tonle Sap.Having a Thai temple opened up just for us  by our lovely Thai guide and then sitting down with him in the temple listening to him explaining all about village life and the life of the village monks and bringing it all to life ...  and then finding out at the end that he had previously been a monk for 7 years!   It was also good to have some time in the cool calm in the middle of the day too.Phonm Penh for the history - our guide for the Killing Fields/S21 was absolutely superb and very humbling.  The team dinner in PP was amazing too.Homestay in the Mekong delta - for the experience, the hospitality and the food.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joe was great - calm, patient and willing to try everything! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is seriously humid and hot in November/December and the cycling is flat, flat, flat so very little breeze to keep one cool.    The support crew were great in Thailand in keeping everyone cool with ice and power drinks but bring your own power drink/rehydration tabs too ... they will definitely get used!You do need to be confident in high volume and erratic traffic (and complete absence of rules of the road!)  when cycling in and around Siem Reap and into and out of some of the Thai towns.

Most Inspirational Moment

The sceneryThe long gentle descentsThe progress everyone made

Thoughts on Group Leader

Calm, helpful and had lots of cross country experience 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Invest in a good pair of gloves if you go in January Take more money than you think you will spend as with any holidayCareful of loss of control at the end of the day when you are tired- the leader had to help me out of a pile of deep snow near to Villa Bassa Station where we finished one day

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk (climb really) up Sirigyra rock and the views. Making it through Day No 8 total ascent of 2100m. I was not sure I could do this beforehand.The architectural accomplishments of early Sri Lankan civilisation.Seeing the crocodiles moving a floating carcass around in one of the lakes on the game reserve.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh is a competent and conscientious guy. He also has a keen interest in local cuisine which ensured we had plenty of tasty snacks and black tea throughout our cycling days.   

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a sarong or buy one in Sri Lanka. It is the ideal evening garment to give those nether regions of the body a well deserved break from close confinement. I took too much clothing generally, however we were blessed with no rain for the fortnight.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many moments i will never forget.....Snoe shoeing, forest frisbee in snow shoes for the first time, tree hugging!, Husky sledging through wilderness that can only be described as indescribable, and coming off head first into a snow filled ditch, ice climbing, cross country skiing and learning to go uphill on skis, snowmobiling and hitting 95kpm accross a frozen lake, The ice bar in Ruka, sledging, tobogganing, kick sledge races, downhill skiing lessons, walking the little bear trail without getting lost, rolling in the snow in nothing but a swimsuit, building an igloo and nearly staying the whole night! Watching an amazing arctic sunset at 2 in the afternoon, and..... the icing on the cake.....Nearly 2 hours of The Aurora Borealis on the flight home...SPECTACULAR!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri was amazing, so friendly and knowledgable. Henri and Hanna made the trip, and basecamp became a place that i never wanted to leave (except to have more fun of course)!

Advice for Potential Travellers

BOOK IT NOW!There isnt anything about this trip that i would change or complain about...it was PERFECT!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ajit was a very knowledgeable guide and was able to deal with unforeseen events - such as the support jeep breaking its axleThe only qualms were that there seemed to bea bit too much time spent on 'shopping' and also the walks should be adjusted to avoid too much time spent walking in the hot times of the day.  Start earlier, lunch longer

Advice for Potential Travellers

Its very hot for trekking during the day but can be (and was) sub zero at night while trekking.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cruising the backwaters in the converted rice boat - a fabulous change and rest towards the end of the trip.The downhill after the previous day's uphill struggle with Mount Ooty's 36 hairpin bends. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Could not have been better! Safi's capacity to herd cats is now legendary. He made all the preparations etc that he obviously put into the trip seem effortless which made our trip so much more relaxing than other (non Exodus) trips I have been on.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take some layers for colder climate on Mount Ooty.Gifts can be bought at the end of the trip in Varkala 

Most Inspirational Moment

The beauty and diveristy of Havana is amazing - the buildings, architecture and colours are even better than the photos you see.  There is so much to see that there just isn't time on this trip to see and visit it all!  The beach at Cayo Blanco and countryside of Vinales is picturesque and there is no better place than to have a mojito or two than Cuba!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mariella, the leader was excellent - well organised and always listening to the needs of the group.  She also organised extra activities such as being driven around Havana in classic cars and chose excellent restaurants serving nice food.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely go, especially as the pace of change in Cuba is increasing.

Most Inspirational Moment

I learned so much - temples of Angkor Wat area were amazing , the scenery of the Mekong Delta fasinating , the food at the homestay was stunning. The history of Killing Fields & S21 prison + Cu Chi tunnels was very sobering. Safely crossing the road in Saigon is always a challenge. Exodus specifically laying on the 'Tet' celebrations in Saigon for us - fantastic flower arrangements! Some restaurants closed but brilliant occasion.

Thoughts on Group Leader

1st time for these leaders as Exodus have been taken over by 'Peak' I believe (please correct me if wrong) , so new local guides. To ensure quality Exodus had provided their own assessor - Rich , who added a lot to the group (& is nowhere near as serious as he looks on the Exodus You Tube cycle 'M' check!)Mo fro Thailand - worked very hard to make sure all went smoothly , stayed with us through to Saigon , arranged 2 birthday cakes for group members too!Dyka- Cambodian , very knowledgable about Angkor Wat area , enthusiastic cyclist but got the speed rightYan (?sp) - Vietnamese - could have cycled slghtly slower  - I would have stopped for more photos (probably spared the family more boredom!)All spoke excellent english & had ready smiles

Advice for Potential Travellers

there are NO hills on this trip! The cycling is easy , frequent breaks , plenty of water / sprite / bananas / other food

Most Inspirational Moment

A spell of simplicity in an otherwise complex life!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abdellah was a first class guide and tour leader who accurately weighed up changing circumstances and appeared to react with professionalism accordingly.   His knowledge and ability to pass on interesting facts about the country, the peoples and their culture was always apprechiated and greatly helped bring about  a consistently rewarding experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip requires a moderate degree of fitness and stamina due to the terrain and changing temperature conditions during the course of any given day.  Boots and feet need to be in good condition due to distances covered on predominantly rocky paths throughout the entire trip. Drinking water was purchased and available, but generally water for washing etc was not in evidence, requiring a specific request.