Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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14210 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed January 2012

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

My photographic safari based at Kicheche Bush camp, surpassed all previous wildlife trips by virtue of the abundance of game, plus the manifest non-stop action, coupled with animal behaviour that I have never witnessed before.

Most Inspirational Moment

Where to begin? I have indelible images in my mind's eye of the hyena pack harassing a male lion in the dawn light; the wildebeest escaping from the pursuing hyena by jumping into the river - again in the dawn light; the cheek of the jackals attempting to steal a kill from other predators; the lion killing and carrying off an infant warthog; the spectacle of the three cheetahs chasing and killing an impala; not to mention the grand finale - a female cheetah with two cubs, estimated at less than two week old.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The inimitable Paul Goldstein delivered in spades! Backed by Darren and Emma, running the camp and our drivers and trackers: Charles, James and Patrick. A winning combination.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If wildlife photography is your thing - don't hesitate - sign up and go!!!

Reviewed January 2012

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

As the holiday title suggests, what you get on this holiday is an insight to the highlights of Morocco – a country with a lot to offer the traveller. This therefore does involve a lot of time spent travelling, which in our case was extremely cramped as the trip was full with 16 adults on a small, old 18 seater mini-bus (plus guide & driver).

Most Inspirational Moment

Morocco really does have a lot of contrasts - from the Imperial Cities, the Desert, Mountains and the Atlantic coast as well - personally I find it difficult to pick a favourite, although I did enjoy the walking and would have liked a bit more.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was all you could want from a local guide - always helpful, polite and knowledgeable - unfortunately on the bus the technology (microphone & speakers) often let him down, meaning we couldn't hear a lot of his commentary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For winter departures of this holiday, pack for a winter holiday - it gets very cold at night in the desert, the mountains and especially in the gorge. Most hotels do not have room heating, so thermals and thick jumpers are required.

Reviewed January 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

A beautiful country with fantastic food and superb cycling, it was just as we’d imagined it would be.

Most Inspirational Moment

From learning to cross the road in Saigon (yep its an art form), to eating spring rolls in the winding back streets of Hoi An to cycling through tiny fishing villages, paddy fields and up beautiful coastal mountain passes - Cycling Vietnam is a delight for all the senses.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam was incredibly relaxed, very knowledgeable and sociable with amazing restaurant and food recommendations. He was a joy to cycle with (especially on some of the tougher hills) and he ran his team like clockwork. Couldn't have asked for better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You won't be disappointed - this trip is everything it promises to be. Bring your waterproofs for the inevitable downpours and leave some space in your bag for souvenirs.

Reviewed January 2012

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Loved it, particularly the 2nd week once we’d entered Kerala, which was as beautiful as I’d imagined. Lots of early starts, and some long cycling days, but always with the support vehicle for anyone in need, and friendly ‘hi’s’ from local children as we cycled passed, and a wonderful day on the house-boat and final day on the beach to round it all off.

Most Inspirational Moment

1. The ascent to Ooty. Not for the faint hearted - a 2 hour slog up hill but a great sense of achievement at the end. 2. The descent from Ooty - an amazing and beautiful downhill ride crossing over into Kerala.3. Sunset on the houseboat; early morning on the houseboat

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group was led by 3 incredibly patient people - Vishnu, the main group leader; Safi - main bike man; and Shibu in the bus. They worked really hard behind the scenes to ensure we could relax as much as possible, and nothing was too much trouble for them. Putting away bikes each night, getting them out and loaded with new water bottles each morning, organising and running the kitty for meals and tips, and looking after us at our frequent coffee/tea stops en route. They deserve particular thanks for the way they coped when, due to an unfortunate and serious accident one of our group had to be taken to hospital. Vishnu stayed with them at the hospital for a few days and Safi took on the role of group leader as well as main bike man.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hotel at Ooty was freezing cold - take some warm clothes, ask for an electric heater for your room. Best options for your free afternoon in Ooty are the Botanical Gardens or the Rose Garden. If you are not sure about the trip to the Orphanage - do go. It is not at all voyeuristic and the children at the orphanage will be excited to see you, and at the end you can make a donation if you wish.

Reviewed January 2012

KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE

A well balanced trip with an exhausting start (driving, tent) but with absolutely fabulous game viewing and topped of with 4 relaxing days in Zanzibar.

Most Inspirational Moment

The game drives definately were the highlight of the trip. Our group was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the elusive Caracal which even our group leader had not seen since some 10 years. There was surely no lack of other predators either, including a pack of lions feeding on a zebra - be honest - that's really why you go on safari, not ?

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sympathetic and very knowledgeable on the area and wildlife.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not a 'total relaxation' vacation. Certainly the long drives, building up, taking dow and the sleeping in the tents in the first part of the trip are quite exhausting. Although I should admit that I had never slept on a travel mattrass in a tent before so I was a real novice explorer and I may have underestimated that part. ;-) The beautiful landscaptes you are passing trough and all the game viewing totally make it worth it though, and the trip is topped by 4 really relaxing days in Zanzibar to get you back on your feet. So this brings back some balance to the trip.

Reviewed January 2012

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

I booked this trip as I would be celebrating a special birthday whilst away. I wanted to go somewhere that I would always remember. I can honestly say that this trip did not disappoint, it far exceeded any expectations. Oulanka National Park was one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and in the snow it was truly magical. I enjoyed every moment I was there. The trip was well organised and the staff were brilliant. I would highly recommend a visit to Oulanka in the winter or summer.

Most Inspirational Moment

Snowshoeing to Castle Rocks on my birthday. Just amazing and unforgettable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable, enthusiastic and obviously loved the environment in which he was lucky enough to work and wanted to share that with the people visiting. The perfect host.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the time to go out and explore on your own and experience the quiet forests.

Reviewed January 2012

MT TOUBKAL WINTER CLIMB

A great trip that was made all the better by picture perfect weather and good company. Reasonably challenging walking in some of the best scenary on the planet. Marrakech is an amazing starting and ending place for the trip – initially somewhere I thought would just be a place to pass through but it is a fanastic city full of culture. Well worth exploring – especially if you enjoy shopping.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing Toubkal was inspiring but Jebel Ouanakrim was as rewarding and more of an enjoyable climb if not a few metres lower.Standing on a summit is always a highlight of this type of trip and the trip included two summits which both posed different challenges.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The two Mohameds worked very well together - utlising their different skills. We were made to feel very welcome by all of the team and despite Mo2's limited english, he joined in with card games, evening activities and took us to dinner on the final night - a real character. Mo1 was brilliant, keeping everyone together and recognising that we all had our better and worse times on the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do this trip in the winter! Such magical surroundings whilst the whole area is covered in snow. Don't worry if you have no previous experience of using crampons or ice axe - there is plenty of opportunity to get used to them and by the end of the trip it feels strange walking about without crampons!The refuge is very basic and standards of hygiene are not great in the bathroom areas. This is fine as long as you are expecting it - read the reviews and the trip notes as they do mention this. Hot water is available at times but is very limited. Shower when you can!Take chocolate - thanks to the rest of the group who all came really prepared with lots of great quality chocolate to share. This was really great each day when we stopped - especially at the summits.Alcohol is really hard to come by in Marrakech and generally very expensive. A little research can find places to get a drink but don't expect restaurants to have alcohol readily available - especially near the main square.Take gaiters - although they are only optional on the trip notes - you will be walking in deep snow so invaluable.

Reviewed January 2012

ATLAS PANORAMA

great trip – superb organisation and just the right mix of trekking, sightseeing, relaxing and shopping!

Most Inspirational Moment

can't decide between the breathtaking views over the Atlas mountains, chilling out with the group in the comfort & sunshine on the balcony after a hard mornings trekking, the joy of making it back after the super-long trek to the lake or seeing all the souks and sights of Marrakesh.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yahia was great. helpful, punctual, considerate of the slower walkers, and a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

take some water purifictaion tablets so you can refill your bottles, take really comfy walking shoes as you're in them a long time!, bring some warm clothes if you're there at Easter as the nights get chilly, and don't forget your waterproof!

Reviewed January 2012

INCA TRAIL, TITICACA & NAZCA

An absolutely fabntastic holiday, well planned and our guide just made this so enjoyable. I've never been on a holiday where I got to see so much – I enjoyed every minute of it and would recommend it to anyone who wishes to go and explore Peru.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment for myself was walking through the sun gates at the end of the Inca Trail and the first moment I saw Machu Picchu. Its been a life long dream to see it and after four days of hiking along the trail, it was so worth it to see it for real. It definitely did not disappoint and I've never smiled so much in all my life - a truely fantastic moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was superb - he really made the trip. He was so caring and was constantly asking if we was ok or needed anything. he was really passionate about the history of Peru and gave us so much information and made it a really enjoyable trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The altitude is probably the biggest thing to overcome. Drink lots of water and cocoa tea and remember to take it easy for the first 1-2 days. There's no rush to see everything and you will appreciate aclimatising first down the line.

Reviewed January 2012

TREKKING IN NEW ZEALAND

Fantastic jam packed three weeks in the wonderful New Zealand. The trip was more than I could have hoped for, New Zealand would be a great back drop for any visit.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many great days, so many great moments. Camping on the beach at Able Tasman and watching seals playing in the evening surf. All sitting on a rock in silence watching the sun go down on the volcano tops in the Tongariro Park. But when your birthday falls on the day that you have a dramatic flight by helicopter to the Siberia Valley that has to come tops. How they managed to smuggle cake into the hut to surprise me I can’t guess. The walk up to Lake Crucible later was hard work, perhaps it was the cake. Must mention the bird life, be quiet and still and you will be amazed how tame they are.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both the leaders were fantastic but differant in their own ways. Great but real people who brought their own personalities to the job. Very hard working and if you do go on this trip please chip in with the household jobs. You will enjoy the trip more as the team builds.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sand Fly deterrent is not optional it is a must. Also you will want to stock up on itch relief. Long sleeves and long trousers are also needed to help keep the evil things off you. They bite and it hurts, try to not scratch because it make them flare up again. Get the local snake oil from the first chemist you find, don’t bother with the stuff you can find in Boots in the UK. The walks to the huts are hard work due to the weight of gear that has to be taken along. As well as all your own gear there are the shared items which add up. Everybody has to help and it only works if the team all pull together. It was not clear that there was a short hop from the North to South by a tiny one prop plane. Great trip as it does not get high and the view is stunning. But there is a strict 20Kg limit on all luggage. That includes hand luggage of which there is none because it can’t fit inside. So that’s everything has to add up to 20Kg maximum. Wash and wear is the way to go and many of the motels have laundrettes but getting it done when you arrive late and have an early start is not easy. I will not go into my experiments with microwaves and hairdryers due to health and safety.

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