Reviews

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

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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167 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviewed July 2012

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a great trek with amazing views and chosing to camp along the route provides a great atmosphere for the group. We were very lucky with the weather (30 degrees most days) but even the one very wet day we had was still a great day of walking.

Most Inspirational Moment

After crossing the Col de Balme on day two and teetering downhill on the snow high on the mountain and then zigzagging through the woodland, there was nothing more magical for our first camp in Switzerland than La Peuty. Located on the edge of the village the rough camp spot was quiet (thankfully not the one near the cement works which other reviews have complained about) and more importantly we could sit next to a field of wild flowers in the evening with a small campfire and a well earned beer.I was very surprised about the amount of snow still around having not walked in the Alps before, but it made the trip all the better; especially on the last day and after a tough ascent of Le Brevent we could slid on bums back down to Plan Praz.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Simon had a relaxed style which was great and meant that we were able to walk at our own pace and meet at specific check points (usually refuges for food and drink stops). This meant that a trip that could have felt like bootcamp still felt like a holiday.Simon also had the unfortunate task of looking after some group members feet when they suffered from blisters which i though was over and above what i would have expected from a group leader.Ben our logistics coordinator was also really great. Being the only vegetarian i expected that i would be eating similar food every day, but i ate very well and was well catered for.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get fit and break in your boots! Most walking days have around 1000m of ascent and also descent which is often quite steep. The upside is that there is always a refuge somewhere enroute to treat yourself to a coffee/hot chocolate/ cake. The Refuge Bonatti has the best hot chocolate and well worth sampling!Also, make the most of the rest days. The cable cars, especially up the Auguille de Midi are well worth the money to get close to Mont Blanc and watch alpinists on the snow. It is also very easy to find somewhere to paraglide in Chamonix on the last day.

Reviewed January 2012

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

This walk was so much more than expected – on every level; the effort required, the landscape, the organisation, the camping grounds, the guide and support staff, the company, and even the weather. It was a real experience for us coming from the tropics. We booked this trip over 12mths earlier so the anticipation was intense and expectations high.

Most Inspirational Moment

The weather was perfect on two days - the day we arrived and the day we departed - so one of the inspirational moments was sitting in front of our little tent - DOM, and having the snow-capped mountains and the Les Bossons glacier right in front of us against an impossibly blue sky. Another was the optional trip on our rest day across the massif via the teleferique from La Palud to Heilbronner and on up to the Aguille de Midi. This was just sensational and a “must-do”, though very cold above the clouds.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mel was the quintessential guide and her enthusiasm for her “shy” mountains and her botanical knowledge were remarkable. I am in my 60s and our youngest walker was probably 19 but Mel was able to juggle that dynamic of a wide age range and fitness level with consummate ease. Carey and Pasquale were well- organised support people and great camp cooks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack as per the trip notes, whatever the season. While it was mid-summer the weather wasn’t good for most of the time. Our first walking day was completed in unrelenting heavy rain so everything in our backpacks was soaked (take a pack liner and a good gortex). Fresh snow fell for a couple of days after that, so layers of light fleeces were required (not cotton!), and a good sleeping bag essential.

Reviewed January 2012

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

This has to be one of our most enjoyable holidays – our worry now is how we can top it this year! The camping bit was great as all were thrown in together from the start – having a cup of coffee or a cold beer with a nice cake or biscuits ready when you arrived at camp after a hard day’s walking was superb.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think the last day was really great as the views were spectacular all day, with classis views of Mont Blanc and its environs. But there were many other days that were fantastic as we were challenging ourselves all the time. In fact we gained fitness throughout the holiday, even though we were pretty fit beforehand through much cycling and walking training.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Mel was fantastic. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of flora and fauna, being in the mountains, geography - her general knowledge was amazing. When we were with her we felt totally secure and were never concerned out our safety.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get plenty of training in beforehand so you will enjoy your trip and not be concerned about how you will manage. You need to be able to do some consecutive long walks so make the training fun and go for a few days in the Lakes or the Derbyshire hills. Another thing - it can be really very cold in the evenings in September so a good 3 or 4 seasons sleeping bag is essential unless you enjoy sleeping in your clothes!

Reviewed January 2012

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

Very enjoyable walking holiday. Challenging but well paced.

Most Inspirational Moment

A great hill-walking trip with several notable features, the first of which to be mentioned must be the scenery. We were lucky with the weather. Rain on the first and last days but sun in between, which made for great views. The optional horizontal cable car journey which traverses the Alps near Mont Blanc is a must and a great way for a walker to get a sense of the technical areas of the mountain range.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Second point is that we had a first class leader, a lady called Mel, who was very experienced in the Alps and highly knowledgable as to flora and fauna. Mel kept a very reasonable pace which kept everyone on board during the steeper climbs. She was also good fun. Mel made the trip memorable in her own right.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Because this is a camping trip and the campsites are in the valleys, there was an uphill and downhill climb each day, which explains the 'challenging' label. The terraine itself is quiet straight forward. However, the campsites varied in quality and some forebearance is required. Most were good and acceptable to a non-camper like me, one was rough but located in a beautiful valley, and one had terrible bathroom facilities. Oddly, that last campsite was in Switzerland, one of the wealthiest countries in the world. My main complaint was the absense of recliner chairs at the end of a long day!

Reviewed November 2011

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

A fantastic trip travelling through a beautiful part of the Alps, one of the classic mountain routes. The tour was very well organised – the camping, food both in camp and at resturants, the walks and the company were all great. We even had amazing weather for just about the whole trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many great moments during the trip a few of the inspirational/memorable moments: The high point of our trip for the whole group - Tete Nord des Four (2665m). As the weather was good the whole group completed an optional detor to this peak and were rewarded by a fantastic 360 degree panorama of the Alps including Mont Blanc & the Matterhorn. The celebrations in the group photo say it all. The view from our tents at the Campsite in Les Bosson, Chamonix - in particular waking up early on the final day to Mont Blanc & Aiguille de Midi silluetted by the early morning sun rising behind them and lighting up the clouds above the mountains. Getting to see the leaders in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc at the checkpoint at the Refuge Bonatti and seeing many more of the competitors later in the day on our way to Courmayeur. On the second rest day walking the ridge above les Contamines (Mont Joly to Aiguille Croche) after enjoying a fantastic breakfast in a cafe in the village. The views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding area were fantastic and I had the ridge to myself for most of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Graham our leader was fantastic - he worked increadbly hard to ensure that everyone in the group had a fantastic holiday regardless of their fitness level/ability. For myself his optional extensions and challenges ensured I wasn't sitting around and got some good challenges. The extra extensions to peaks near the route gave even better views and gave the group time to regroup. Graham's knowledge of the area was very good and his leadership skills ensured everyone had a great trip. For the rest days he had some great suggestions for everyone - from visiting the Decathlon R&D centre for a gentle day to an easy Via Ferrata for those of us that wanted a challenge. For me personally these extras really made the trip, including letting myself and two others sign-out of the trip to complete the more challenging Arpette route on Day 3 by ourselves. Chris our Cook, Transport & Campsite co-ordinator was also fantastic - his cooking skills were legendary and his/Graham's choice of resturants for the nights out were brilliant.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it this is one of the classics in the Alps and the Exodus trip is very well organised. Fitness - get as fit as you can before the trip - the days are quite challenging and that extra fitness really helps you to enjoy the amazing land you are travelling through. The extra walks/peaks I was able to do due to my fitness level really made the trip for me. Camping vs. Hotel - if you are trying to decide go for the camping - you get a much better sense of travelling around the tour; most of the campsites are fantastic and the food you get is amazing both in camp and at the resturants. We did have good weather on the main - though a lot of the sites had good shelters for eating/sheltering from the rain. Weather - Thunderstorms are common in the evenings/ovenight and it can get very cold overnight so be prepared for that. Don't leave your towel on top of the tent on a cold night to dry as folding it in the morning becomes a challenge. Equipment - Good boots and walking poles are a must, if it is hot a hydration bladder is also useful, though there are plenty of refuges along the way for beer/coffee/hot chocolate and if you go in August lots of Murtle Tarts to be eaten.

Reply from Exodus

We carefully pick the campsites we use on this trek working with a combination of factors, location, facilities and flexibitlity. The campsite at Trient, although perhaps a little more basic, has been chosen as it is the most suitable on this occasion, with a good area for pitching tents and great wooden pagoda for eating dinner under. There is only one other alternative campsite in the area mentioned and this is at the hotel. We have decided against using this as it is small and we cannot always guarantee getting a large enough area for our groups, also it is windy (as it is on a col) and this can cause difficulties with the mess tent. We appreciate the feedback given and have hopefully answered any concerns. As you can see from all the reviews it truly is an iconic trek and one not to be missed!

Reviewed October 2011

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

Walking wasn’t that challenging and so the going felt so because the rest of the group.

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

Reviewed September 2011

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

An amazing trip in a beautiful part of the world. All aspects of the tour were enjoyable – the walking, the camping, the company and the food.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's impossible to choose one highlight of the trip, but there are a few particularly memorable or inspirational moments worth mentioning...The optional walk from the campsite at La Fouly past Glacier de l'A Neuve to the hut Cabane de l'A Neuve (in a stunning location on a cliff edge) was tiring in the heat but well worth it for the views and for the delicious cake and hot chocolate at the hut.The opportunity to see, and encourage, runners the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc race (the leaders coming through at the Refuge Bonatti, and many more runners passing us on our descent to Courmayeur).Reaching the top of the cols on several of the walking days - including Col Sapin above Courmayeur, and the optional 'extension' walks up nearby hills to enjoy even better views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Graham was an excellent leader - he had a good sense of humour and was quietly diplomatic, and catered for the varied demands of the group by suggesting and allowing more demanding 'extensions' to the conventional route. He inspired confidence. Chris, the driver and cook, was also great. All of the meals he cooked were delicious, and he catered very well for me, the only vegetarian on this particular trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget to take a hydration bladder, or buy one in Chamonix on the first day of the trip - it proved invaluable during the hot days of walking, and much more convenient than having to frequently take out a bottle from your bag.It's worth taking sweets to keep energy and enthusiasm levels up and share amongst the group.Bringing a pack of cards and a frisbee helped to entertain us during evenings on the campsite.

Reviewed September 2011

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

Absolute classic just about sums it up. In exchange for our (sometimes quite physical efforts) we were rewarded with stunning views and that "great to be alive" feeling.

Most Inspirational Moment

The weather was almost always just right for the day (not too hot when walking, perfect sunshine on the rest days.) The only rain enabled us to stay cool on a stiff climb "three col" day. Seeing one of the refuges in front of a glacier appear out of the mist was pretty dramatic.The most inspirational moment was funnily enough nothing to do with views. It involved our guide Mel (Potter) squatting in the dust with a toy bulldozer and a Snickers bar describing the formation of morraines and other aspects of the surrounding scenery. If you can picture the peanuts as erratics and the cracks from bending the chocolate bar as crevasses, you get the picture. The clarity of thought and ease of explanation would have made any geology professor green with envy.

Thoughts on Group Leader

On our only previous Exodus trip we were unimpressed with the group leader and so were not expecting anything special. How wrong could we be? Mel was amazing. She was clearly very knowledgeable and informative (the two do not always go together!) on every aspect of the Tour from camp life through to plants, birds and wildlife. She was friendly and amusing throughout and certainly made the trip into something special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The books on the TMB suggest that a choice of clockwise or anticlockwise is possible. Having seen the walks I would suggest that the Exodus starting in Chamonix and going clockwise is good, leaving the steep challenge of Brevent to the last walking day. The sense of elation having reached the Brevent top (and Mel opening the champagne) was out of this world and a worthy final stretch.Ask to get Mel on your trip!! Pascale the chef/driver/fixer was also fantastic

Reviewed August 2011

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

A great holiday with good company , ahappy group . our leader Graham was excellent and careing [ i was one of the slower walkers] graham helped on several occassions and carried my pack one day! he was ably assisterd by our chef tout les jours chris. accomplished miracles of food preperation sometimes in difficult circumstances. would call the tour an enjoyable experience rather than a holiday

Most Inspirational Moment

reaching the sumitt of le breton 2,527mts the last ascent of 1,500mts having set off at 06-30am so as not to slow the rest of group.Followed by the last 3 hours, walking a scenic route along the valley contouring to the cable car at F ?? with 2 Aussies and an Irish colleen!!.

Thoughts on Group Leader

excellent character cannot reccommend him more highly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

make sure you'r fit and don't underestimate the amount of ascent and descent on the trip. It helps if you have a GSOH

Reviewed August 2011

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

A really enjoyable circular walk with a mountain pass to cross each day. Weather was very variable in mid August, including horizontal hail and ice on the tents, but bright sunshine too. A great bunch of people to be with and an excellent leader, Graham. Chris cooked us amazing camp food. We all felt that this walk should be graded C rather than B/C, because of the lengths of the walks each day, the 1000m up, 1000m down and then the camping aspects.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Grand Col de Ferret with its outstanding views in both directions. The campsite the night before at Le Fouly had tremendous mountain and glacier views.Also - if the weather is good, don't miss the Hellbronner crossing on the rest day in Courmayeur. This was very expensive but AMAZING to see the climbers on Mont Blanc, the tents in the snow and the Mer de Glace from above.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Calm, safe, sensible, inspirational at times! No-one argued when he said to don full waterproofs and cross a col in seriously bad weather - we just got on with it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

(1) Be as fit as you can. These are big walks.(2) Camping is DEFINITELY the best way to do the trek, not hotels. Much more of a sense of travelling round the circuit. Also food, wine, beer, tea and coffee all excellent and cheap, unlike the hotellers. (3) Don't worry about charging up phones, camera batteries, the support van has plenty of electrical sockets for this.

Reply from Exodus

It is great to see positive feedback on what has become one of our most iconic and popular treks. We continually review our trip notes to ensure that they are as accurate and informative as possible and following the above comments we shall ensure that these amendments are made. As described in the Trip Notes to make the route we need to include 2 rough camps, these are basic but we do feel they are suitable. The campsite mentioned above is near a rock grading plant, work stops there at 17:00hr and starts at 07:30 at which time a low grumbling sound can be heard. The group leave the site at 08:15hr. There is a huge wooden pagoda that is great for eating under and this is also the one opportunity to have a camp-fire. There is only one toilet, but many sinks. There is no hot water but we boil up extra for washing and the site is cleaned daily. There are no better alternative sites in the area and for one night we feel that this is the most suitable option. After walking this fantastic route we do feel that you are entitled to wear the TMB t-shirt loud and proud!

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