Reviews

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

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125 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed July 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

An amazing trip on a pretty epic mountain. Good people, good food, good organisation and good views!

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the sunrise every morning from above the clouds was fantastic. Climbing out of the tent at night in freezing temperatures to go to the toliet was not so great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was experienced (he had been a guide on the mountain for more than 12 years), friendly, calm, funny and helped the trip run smoothly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Most people in our group found the walking most days to be relatively easy and we were lucky with the weather as it didn't rain once. However, don't let the fact this walk is so accessible deceive you as you ascend fairly rapidly and people in our group were starting to feel the effects of altitude by the second and third day - me included. Others were completely fine however. Listen to your guides advice, who will also be on hand to offer medicine, but ultimately it is your decision on whether you continue. If you've never been to altitude before and you have the time and money I would probably recommend opting for a longer 7 day route. On a completely separate note, the food is fantastic and there's plenty of it so don't worry about going hungry on this trip!

Reviewed July 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

The trip was an awesome life experience. Although exhausting, it brings a great sense of achievement and provides amazing memories.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking up the summit on the final ascent, at 3 o'clock in the night, watching the stars above our heads and listening to a quiet yet very powerful song sang by a tour guide and hearing my own heart biting to the rhythm.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham was simply stunning - very friendly yet extremaly professional, he immediately gained deep genuine respect and fondness of the whole group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

While preparing for the trip, I would recommend focusing not only on general fitness and improving your stamina, but also on increasing the lungs capacity and possibly trying some breathing exercises, to minimalize the problems with luck of oxygen.

Reviewed July 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Climbing Kilimanjaro was an adventure for me. i wasn’t sure what to expect, but found that the trip exceeded my expectations! We were all so well looked after and the whole experince was fantastic. Getting to the top of Kilimanjaro is not guarenteed, but as a group we all made it, which is a real testimony to how well we were looked after and supported on the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the top of Kilimanjaro with my friend - we had been planning it for a year and had trained and prepared together for it all. We raised £4600 for charity in taking on the challenge, and the sense of acheivement and fulfilment standing at the top of the mountain together was amazing - I will never forget it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

So well qualified for his role. A man full of wisdom and understanding for the job he had to do - I felt we were in very safe hands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be well prepared for the trip - kit, training, medical advice etc - the better prepared you are the more likely you are to suceed and the more you will enjoy it!

Reviewed July 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

If you are looking for a challenge, then you should definitely do this. It gives you a great sense of achievement to make the summit. It was a fantastic experience that leaves you wanting to do more.

Most Inspirational Moment

Easy - the most inspirational moment was getting to the top of Africa. That's what it was all about.A close second was saying thanks and goodbye to the guides and porters. They sang a beautiful Kilimanjaro song for us, and it was then that you realized just how many people were supporting us on this trip.... carrying bags, putting up tents, peeling spuds and most importantly, looking after the porta-loos. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Emanuel was our group leader and he was fantastic. He had the right balance of humour and professionalism. He quickly gained our trust and we knew that listening to him meant increasing our chances of getting to the top. Top marks, despite the fact that when you asked "how far?" the reply was always "don't worry, we'll make it in time for tea"...

Advice for Potential Travellers

Think positive and you'll get to the top. Keep drinking and snacking on summit day - It was easy to forget to do this and my water bottle froze. I was jealous of the camelback with insulated tubing. Even a neoprene bottle cover would have made a big difference.Hire the Exodus sleeping mats - You don't need to worry about carrying them and they looked so much more comfortable than anything you could buy.Bring a nail brush - The grey volcanic ash gets everywhere. Bring US dollars - Small and big denominations. Credit cards were only accepted at the airport. Bring more than you think as tipping the guides and porters becomes quite an emotional event and you don't want to be short when this happens. Bring walking poles x2 - Turns out that they are not just for "old" people ;) They stayed in my bag for the first 4 days, but they were a life saver when skiing the scree on the way down.

Reviewed June 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

the head guide emmanuel was excellent and i was surprised at the high standard of the catering on the trip

Most Inspirational Moment

getting to gilmans point

Thoughts on Group Leader

emmanuel was a brilliant leader giving us plenty of good advice along the way

Advice for Potential Travellers

get to know the other people in your group early on

Reviewed April 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

A well organised, well advised, well informed trip and everyone from the general porters to the exodus guys were just brillant. Managed to keep the group motivated given some pretty unsettled conditions and a last minute logisitcal detour via Kili airport instead of direct to Nairobi was quick thinking and personally very well received!

Most Inspirational Moment

Making progress and getting higher and higher was pretty up there generally, tuesday's camps views were good as were above some clouds but after that didnt see muchseeing Kili from the plane for the first time. And seeing it before and after the snow dumpgetting past gilmores point and then rest that followed and obv reaching the peak.All the porters deserve massive respect - esp the guys who assissted me back down, never forget that

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul & Jim were fantastic. Offered encouragement, advice, kept everyone well informed and were great leaders. Don't think they could have done anything better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes - go with Exodus!

Reviewed March 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

I had a slightly different experience to most on the holiday- including about 3ft of fresh snow on summit night and having two companions be stretchered off the mountain! So my view is probably slightly jaded… but still valid!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a rainbow after our aclimatising walk at Mawenzi; Seeing the sun rise on summit night (sadly not on the summit due to the snow slowing the pace!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Not a great deal, unfortunately. The assistant guides were all fantastic but our lead guide- and our hotel contact- were both very poor. The lead guide only led us on summit night and was far from encouraging. We'd not even reached Gillman's Point (which we did) when he said that our pace meant it would take to long to go on to Uhuru. Whilst some members of the group were struggling, younger ones werent and we felt there were enough guides to have split us up. Plus, he was setting the pace! Additionally, he wanted money for the very sick people to be stretchered off the mountain. I gave this to him for one of the travellers only to find he then asked her for more money later- disgusting considering how ill she was, that he'd already been paid and that the park fees include evacuation costs (confirmed by exodus on my return). Similarly, the hotel contact essentially abandoned us with two very sick people, having told us they were 'fine'. Our experience appears in the minority. On the plane back, a companion sat with a man who had done the same climb with AWC the night before and his experience sounds a world apart. For example, when we arrived at the gates we were handed our certificates in a brown envelop without our names on on anything; his group had them all laminated and a bit of a presentation ceremony was held for them. Our lead guide seemed more keen to go and have a drink than do that and certainly couldn't be deemed 'encouraging' at all. Both of these matters will be followed up separately with Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Invest in equipment you can trust! Even though the weather on summit night was horrendous, I knew that I had gear that I totally trusted. I bought a Rab down jacket, as recommended on one of these reviews, and it was fantastic. Similarly, I'd been out walking in torrential rain before I went to test out my waterproofs and knew they'd do a good job.I really feel the cold so found having two sets of merino wool thermals excellent- I was toasty! However, none of this is cheap. If this is your first time, start spreading the cost and buying something each month. The month before I went, I felt I was haemorraghing money as I had so much to buy! But it is an investment and worth every penny when you're on the mountain!Also, have energy tablets. Altitude sickness is not like a mild hangover but more like 'i'm never drinking again' hangover. I couldn't face any food when I got hit so having something you can just swallow to keep the energy levels up would have helped!Finally, be confident. I wish, in hindsight, that we'd challenged our lead guide and made him split the group. As it was, you have to have so much trust in them that you assume they know best. This is bound to be true for most of the time but if they are unwilling to support and encourage you to the top, press for it- you've paid a lot of money to not get to the top due to a negative attitude from your guide!

Reviewed March 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

A TRUELY GREAT EXPERIENCED, SHARED WITH A GREAT BUNCH OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE, WE COULDT HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER CROWDFLIGHTS WERE GREAT AND ACCOMADATION WAS FANTASTIC, JUST WISHED WE HAD AND EXTRA DAY THERE AT THE BEGGINING TO REST AFTER THE LONG FLIGHTS, AND AN EXTRA DAY AT THE END OF THE TREK TO RELAX MORE PRIOR TO THE JOURNEY HOME, FOOD WAS GOOD TOO ALONG

Most Inspirational Moment

UNDOUTABLY THE PORTERS, THEY WERE ALWAYS SMILING EVEN WHEN THE GOING WAS TOUGH, AND A CUP OF COOFEE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND A WELCOME WAKE MADE YOUR MORNINGS,AFTERNOONS AND EVENINGS

Thoughts on Group Leader

GREAT GROUP LEADER WHO WAS BACKED BY A GREAT TEAM OF GUIDES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY GREAT PORTERS, THE LEAD GUIDE WAS ALWAYS CLEAR WITH HIS BREIFINGS AND KNOWLEDGE AND VERY HELPFULL AT ALL TIMES, NO JOB WAS TO DIFICULT FOR HIM TO ARRANGE AND HE WAS IN FULL CONTACT WITH THE US CLIENTS AT ALL TIMES, ESPECIALLY ON SUMMIT DAYS WHEN HE WOULD CHECK US ALL OVER TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL WAS WELL, TOP BLOKE IN OUR OPINIONS WOULD ASK FOR HIM AGAIN FOR SURE

Advice for Potential Travellers

THE EVENING BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR KILI HAVE A FULL KIT CHECK BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE MOUNTAIN, TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH AND ADAQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR THE TREK, IF YOU DONT YOU SHOULD HIRE, THINGS GET TOUGHER AND COLDER AS YOU GO HIGHER SO GO PREPARED WITH PLENTY OF WATER PROOF GEAR AND WARM GEAR, TOP OF THE LIST A PONCHO, GOOD LIP BALM AND FLIP LOCK POLES WITH SNOW BASKETS FOR SUMMIT DAY, A PEICE OF PARA CORD ABOUT 4 METRS LONG MAKES A GOOD DRYING LINE INSIDE YOUR TENT AND CAN BE USED FOR REPLACMENT BOOT LACES SHOULD YOURS BRAKE.IF YOUR THINKING OF RUNNING UP THIS MOUNTAIN AND WANTING TO BE AT THE FRONT OF THE PACK AT ALL TIMES DONT, REMEMBER YOU ONLY GO AS FAST AS YOUR FORWARD GUIDE, WHICH IS SLOWLY SLOWLY,POLEY POLEY,REMEMBER SOME ONE GOT TO THE TOP MANY MANY YEARS AGO SO YOU AINT GONNA IMPRESS ANYBODY.

Reviewed March 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

This is a fantastic and unforgettable trip, made a pure delight by the kindness of the guides/porters and the humour of my fellow travellers. It is tough but that is what makes it feel like such an achievement.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult to pick one moment. Personally, I loved the summit climb. I was lucky that I didn't really feel any ill effects from altitude on that day and I knew from around 5,000m that I was going to make it. The guides are the most inspirational aspect of the trip. You have to walk at your own speed and they will support each individual. I had to go ahead of my sister but you KNOW your loved ones will be looked after so you can concentrate on your own journey. It may sound selfish but you will only have enough grit to get yourself up and being able to utterly trust your guides makes that decision easy.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Passian was our guide and I trusted him completely. That said, ALL the guides were lovely. Diglan, Christopher, Richard, Ronald and Nelson were our team, and they were all great to chat to. They will solve literally any problem you have, with bags, poles, sunglasses... They were always there to hold things, help with things - and let them! They are much better at this than us so be gracious and appreciative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is lots to think about but mostly, as everyone says, listen to your guides and take things slowly. I was surprised that the walk/altitude is hard RIGHT from the start. Definitely take some snacks. We had isotonic sachets for the summit night which were great as you don't really feel like eating. Remember sunscreen - particularly on your hands! I would also say don't panic if you start feeling the ill-effects of altitude. Most of us felt terrible at some point but most of us made it up. Just discuss everything with the guides. I felt very nauseous at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330m) but after drinking ANOTHER 1 litre of water and a rest I felt better. I was offered Diamox and I took it because I didn't want that nausea to come back and I never looked back!

Reviewed February 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

This was a wonderful experience – tough as it comes, but so well supported by the experienced guides that we could hardly fail to succeed. Cannot believe how well organised and planned the whole trip was, from the excellent food through to the expert advice of the guides.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit was obviously a key moment in the trip as the thought of this was what sustained us through the long, dark and arduous final ascent. Seeing the sunrise an hour or two earlier at Gillman's point was spectacular. Asked about the most inspirational part of the journey, I immediately think of the local team - the guides and porters, for whom nothing was too much trouble, and for whom the ascent seemd the easiesyt and most natural thing in the world. Their fitness and good humour was certainly an inspiration to me!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham was outstanding. He was knowledgable, experienced had advice on every aspect of the trip, helped prepare us for thoroughly for each stage, and when necessary was prepared to take every step necessary to help us succeed. He offered to carry my backpack when the going got tough, and when I couldn't take another step without a lengthy rest, he was on hand to coax me onwards. He organised everything thoroughly and the whole trip was as smooth as clockwork as a result.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the extra day, if available, to acclimatise. Take the Diamox. Go slowly - remember it's not a race! Drink as much water as possible. Trust the guides' local knowledge. On the final ascent, concentrate on not bumping into the guy in front! I took my ipod, saved the battery for that last climb, and it was invaluable. Take lots of photos (and videos if you can) because the memory fades fast!

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