Most Inspirational Moment
The Mountains are stunning.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Fantastic holiday
A great trip well planned and one of the most enjoyable treks i habe ever done.
Fantastic holiday
A great trip well planned and one of the most enjoyable treks i habe ever done.
Most Inspirational Moment
The Mountains are stunning.
Best intro to group trekking hols
This was an amazing trip from the breath taking scenery to the wonderful group dynamics to the scrumptious camp food and even the fact that we all had 3 man comfortable tents. The itinery was excellent and we were blessed with glorious sunshine and no storms for our 2 weeks. The leader paced our group very well and gave detailed instructions as to how much water we should pack each day. Our day packs always included our extra clothing and even though we hardly used It, we were fully aware of the likelihood that the weather conditions could change dramatically while in the mountains. The camp sites were in some of the most amazing places on the trips with glacier views or stunning lakes nearby. The showers and facilities were great and the 2 wild camp sites were fun where we enjoyed the basics but still got to go to a local hotel to eat. The food on the trip at camp was extraordinary and we got to make our own sandwiches from a wonderful selection of local produce. Be prepared to eat your own body weight in grub….you will need the energy. Not sure we all lost weight though;) Walking poles are a must and I have continued to use them since my return.
Do take note of the packing lists and bring everything. I used it all. There were challenging days on this trek and training on real hills not just steps/stairs in my opinion is vital. We trekked in snow, over some difficult river crossings and were travelling up steep gradients for many hours at times, but every step was worth it when we experienced the best views or took advantage of a cool drink or coffee at the many refuge stops. Budget for these stops the prices vary from country to country, you only need Euros. We were always given ample time to relax and Paul told us great spots for photos. It was best to keep up with the group as much as possible and although I took loads of photos I would suggest you do not stop and lag behind, you really do get time to take everything and have a wonderful record of your trip on your return.
Overall this was the adventure I hoped for and went way beyond my expectations – thank you one and all.
Most Inspirational Moment
The views as we passed through such a variety of scenery - breathtaking.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent, informed and patient. He took the time even on a rest day which was his free time as well to show us his favourite swimming pool.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do the training. Pack everything on the list. Use mole skin and blister prevention. Include a camel back. Help with the duties in camp as it really made our group gel quickly. Note you will eventually learn to put the tent down (probably by day 3 or 4) and have many laughs as you attempt to get to grips with it. Do not be shy to pack large lunches you will need the energy!!
Wonders of the Mont Blanc Circuit
The trek around Mont Blanc must be on everyone’s bucket list. Whether using hotels or camping, this clock-wise trek is divided into sensible chunks with well planned rest days. The Alps provide such wonderful views on a scale that does not overwhelm like the Himalayas or the Rockies. We were blessed with 9 days of wonderful weather, which undoubtedly enhanced the experience. The camping option provides a much more intimate and ‘real’ experience as long as you can cope with ‘bad weather’ camping! Our leader and ‘chef’ were first class and together with the sound organisation made for a fulfilling trip. A great trek and great memories.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the Col above the Valley Val Ferret
Thoughts on Group Leader
First class. She knew how to deal with the different characters in the group. Highly experienced and clearly enjoyed leading the trek.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be very aware of the dangers of sunburn at the height one treks in the mountains.
Keep ye weight oveeer ye toooes!
Where do I start with this trek? We hiked about 200km over 13 days and saw stunning mountains, chamois and the odd wooden animal. We jumped into lakes because #yolo, sang Disney and Beyonce songs as a group when inappropriate and constantly swapped jokes/stories/pantomimes. Throw in a plank competition and a deep discussion on true love and you would think I signed up for this trek with good friends. Nope. I met 5 lovely strangers and our very own Yorkshire-raised John “Bear Grylls” Briggs on this trip and we had a ball of a time over two weeks, capped by the team paragliding off a ridge and cheering Argentina at a pub in Chamonix just for laughs. Would I do this again? Absolutely.
Most Inspirational Moment
Swimming on my back in the lake in Champex thinking "why not?" to every hesitation I've ever had.
Thoughts on Group Leader
A man-child. Man when required to lead us through snow and hills and lakes, child when it comes to table "manners". John displayed the right amount of inspirational leadership while keeping things light so that we enjoyed our hike even on the tough climbs. Couldn't have asked for a better leader and friend on the trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
You can never go wrong packing light and bring enough cash for all the coffees, meals and activities you might want to have on the side.
Team Tricot!
This was my first hiking holiday with Exodus. It won’t be my last. I chose camping as I wanted the total outdoor experience and I chose Mont Blanc because of its iconic beauty and it is just the right side of challenging! I wasn’t disappointed.
The two week trip is well planned and organised. There are several rest days which I didn’t think I would need but were welcome and gave us a chance to explore the beautiful villages we passed through.
There were 10 in my team – all ages from around the world – and I enjoyed getting to know every one of them.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were lots. Two that stand out are - the day the heavens opened and we had to negotiate the trickiest part of the hike through horizontal rain and mud but, working as a team, we got through it. The day we all climbed to the top of Cop Tricot in under an hour (I staggered in at 57 minutes) - a first for any of John's groups. We were so pleased with ourselves, we called our Whatsapp group "Team Tricot"!
Thoughts on Group Leader
My trip wasn't just about the wonderful scenery and hiking. A large part of its success was the team spirit that we enjoyed and the friendships we made. This happened mainly because of our group leader, John Briggs. Through his wit and patience, he was able to bring us together and even when things got tough, he would have us laughing. He obviously loves his job and is full of knowledge and interesting facts which made the whole experience richer. He taught us the "Alpine Plod" which is a way of getting up the steep bits without slipping or tiring. I've since taught all my hiking friends! It wasn't just the days that were fun. He kept us entertained in the evenings with "Camp Karaoke" - we even have a team song! John was aided and abetted by the very capable Emily Scott. She was the camp cook but also quickly became a good friend. It is still a mystery to me how she was able to conjure up a delicious 3-course meal in the middle of nowhere on a gas stove.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I'm used to carrying everything I need on my back when I do overnight hikes, so I packed too lightly. As a result, I didnt have all the weather gear I needed - particular waterproof pants!. Emily drives the support vehicle each day to the next camp site with your tent and luggage and there's ample space. The weather can change in an instant and the tops of those mountains can be windy. So pack for every season.
TMB - Camping Trip
Fantastic trip, amazing views, campsites, group, leader( John B) and camp manager (Egle). The trip runs like a well oiled machine allowing you to just relax and enjoy. The itinarary is well planned with prefectly timed rest days and varied but not too long or demanding walking days. This was my first organised holiday and I would highly recommend it to others.
Most Inspirational Moment
Star gazing at Les Chapieux and the scenery every day.
Thoughts on Group Leader
John B was great, his confidence and steady pace kept the group together and allowed everyone to relax and enjoy the trip. He understood the group and was responsive to individual peoples requirements, providing distractions, gentle encoragement or timely rest breaks when needed. Egle Camp Manager was also fantastic, she was always ready for us at the end of the day with a cup of tea, the tents put up, a smile and a fantastic three course meal cooked on two burners. Together, we couldn't have asked for better.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring walking poles the descents, especially the switch backs are pretty brutal on the knees.
Fantastic Holiday!!
I would highly recommend this trip if you are considering a trekking holiday. The views of the Alps from Switzerland, Italy and France were beautiful. The trek itself was hard but doable if you train ahead and it’s far more enjoyable too. Camping was fun. Really helps to bond with the group. I’m glad I took this option over the Hotel version.
Most Inspirational Moment
Climbing up the Cols and witnessing the magnificent views of the surrounding Alps was jaw dropping. A real motivation to plod along knowing you will be subjected to some beautiful views. The final day up to the Brevent was fabulous. Sat eating my lunch with the Mont Blanc Massif around me will remain in my memory for a long while.
Thoughts on Group Leader
John was a terrific leader and team builder. He was so chilled and unregimented I strongly believe this attitude resonated down the group. It made us all feel relaxed and un-pressed to go marching forth. Instead he would pace us all at a leisurely comfortable way stopping quite often to share his knowledge on the surrounding environment. He would teach us how to trust our boots when walking and encourage us to take 5 smaller steps than to waste energy by lunging up one step with greater exertion. He would share local knowledge of flora and fauna. History of the mountainsides and even an impromptu berry tasting session. John was a brilliant teacher who clearly showed great enthusiasm and huge respect to the environment that he was show casing to the rest of us. John was almost host-like rather than our guide. Wonderful chap who made the tour far more enjoyable. You could truly trust he was looking after you.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Four seasons sleeping bag and comfortable mat for a good nights rest.
Mt Blanc Circuit - camping
Camping and walking trip around Mt Blanc. Beautiful scenery, a great group of people and our guide – John and our camp manager Egle made everything extra special. Effort and speed of walking was very well managed. I don’t think anyone felt that it required a major effort to keep up with the group but at the same time you knew that you had earned your meal at the end of the day! The ascents and descents bought a sense of achievement and of course always the reward of fantastic scenery. Each day provided different scenery and the always present mountains.
It is truly an excellent trip – manageable but challenging walking with well paced days that had us covering appropriate distances, managing the ascents and descents but also time for coffee breaks, scenic lunch stops and afternoon tea breaks. The camping, tents, meals and facilities were all excellent and comfortable.
Most Inspirational Moment
Our guide, John, on the first day, gave us some tips and the opportunity to practice some walking skills particularly on managing the steeper ascents and descents. This was inspirational as the new skills helped make the ascents and descents so much easier to manage and also less tiring, which meant more time to enjoy the scenery and take photos. I've always been slower on the descents but using John's techniques made the effort less stressful on feet, knees and ankles and descents became much more fun. The scenery, is of course, just outstanding. Each day provided many "awesome" moments. Our group, mostly individuals, also got on very well - sharing camp duties, helping each other out, hanging out and having fun as well as walking well together.
Thoughts on Group Leader
John was an excellent group leader. He has a relaxed manner but keeps everything under control without ever coming across as authoritarian or overbearing. He was quietly vigilant in making sure each group member was travelling well and I think his personality and approach was a key factor in our group of individuals bonding and getting on so well. He definitely has a good sense of humour and an apparently endless supply of and desire to sing (fairly quietly) power ballads as he walked! His extensive outdoor skills and knowledge of mountains, walking, hiking and of the area around Mt Blanc gave each us a strong sense of confidence and this meant we could relax and enjoy the walk without having to worry about anything going wrong, or stressing on the details. Egle, our camp manager also did an outstanding job and produced fantastic meals, kept us all well fed and was a delight to have around.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are doing the camping version remember to take a warm sleeping bag and a warm jacket for night time as it gets colder than you think. With these items you will be comfortable. Work on your fitness prior to the trip but you don't have to go super crazy trying to achieve maximum fitness. Also definitely take advantage of your rest day and take the gondola ride across the top if the weather is fairly decent. The views up the top over the glaciers and of Mt Blanc are stunning.
Best of times, worst of times
The TMB is an incredible long-distance trek and if it is on your bucket list, I would recommend it. Emily Scott was our camp manager and did an outstanding job. It definitely was not “roughing it” with Emily in charge. Day after day, I was humbled by the meals that she could prepare on a 2 burner camp stove. My only complaint was the pace that our leader, Kim Jackson, set. We routinely arrived at camp 1-1.5 hours sooner than the trip notes indicated. This wrecked havoc for Emily who on several occasions arrived after we did. That meant Emily was racing like a mad woman to set up camp and create a welcoming atmosphere for us. It also meant that rather than soaking in the amazing scenery, I was powering through the TMB with my eyes on the trail. Had I wanted to race through France, Switzerland and Italy, I would have taken a cycling trip!
I would give 7/5 stars to Emily and her ability to run the camp, 5/5 stars for the scenery and route, and 2/5 to the leader. I averaged to 3/5.
Most Inspirational Moment
It would be hard to pin down the most inspirational moment. However, it goes without saying that my fellow travelers made the trip. They were a wonderful mix of nationalities, ages, genders and backgrounds. Everyone was willing to pitch in making for a terrific camp atmosphere.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I thought that our group leader was sub-par. She set an unrelenting and blistering pace for no apparent reason. It was her last trip of the season and it showed. It often felt as though she was just trying to get through the trip. Each night we would meet as a group to review the following day’s agenda which included the walking distance, terrain and estimated time. We routinely arrived to camp at least 1-1.5 hours early. Kim allowed members of the group to race far ahead putting pressure on those that were keeping a pace consistent with the trip notes. The result was losing a hiker on Day 12. After that incident, she kept the group together but by then there was just 1 day left. I would have far preferred a more reasonable pace that gave us an opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for the elevation gains and losses. Consider getting a single tent. That will give you the opportunity to spread out a bit and will take some of the edge off of two weeks under canvas. I had been on a camp-based group trek before, so I knew what to expect, but for those who don’t, be advised that everyone pitches in to make the camp run effectively.