Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, the most awe-inspiring moment was when the captain of the ship announced land ahoy, my first sight of Antarctica made my heart race. I've been fortunate to visit many parts of the world in my flying career but the seventh continent feels like a trip to another planet.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Doctor Lynn Woodworth, she is an authority on polar marine life and conservation, possesses a warm and welcoming nature, has a positive outlook on life and has the rare skill of making people feel special. Her team adore her and I strongly recommend her as your group leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My only suggestion would be to pack lightly, our ship, the Vavilov, was extremely comfortable and warm with an excellent crew and delicious, copious food. My expectation was of living in a harsh environment so i took far too many layers of clothing. We were issued a technical jacket with zipped-in fleece which was ideal protection against the elements for our shore landings, the boots that were loaned to us were so comfortable and warm that i have now bought my own.

Most Inspirational Moment

Zip lining across the rainforest canopy ............ just as a thunderstorm was starting.  I have a rubbish head for heights but its just so exhilarating and fortunately kind Fiona distracted me by relaying her favourite recipes whilst my teeth were chattering waiting on the platform to take off.  My daughter of course found it a doddle.  I have to say that I also found the kids on the trip inspirational - they bonded and had a great time and when we visited a local school everyone joined in and had fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fab - knowledgeable, funny, helpful and so enthusiatic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect to be dinner, lunch and breakfast for the mosquitoes!  Long sleeves, long trousers, deadly sprays, natural remedies - nothing stands in the way of the mosquitoes in Tortugera but then the sight of the butterflies makes it all worthwhile..................

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling around Angkor Wat and surrounding temple complexes was a way to see the sights that made you feel a part of it in a way that being on a bus would not have come close to.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Exploring Petra, particularly getting up into the hills to get the full sense of the scale of the site.  Sleeping under the stars in the Wadi Rum and riding a camel as the sun came up.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Full of stories and interesting bits of information to keep us entertained.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just being in the forest and seeing all those exotic plants, mammals, birds and reptiles in their natural environments would have been utterly wonderful. But the tapestry of night and morning sounds (frogs, monkeys, birds) was a revelation, each place having its own soundscape. I have recordings which evoke the humidity, temperature and atmosphere of each place we stayed even more than the photos.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We could not have asked for a better leader. He (Jeff Munoz) was knowlegable, enthusiastic, and determined both to show us as much as he could of the country and its natural history and to impart his knowledge. Both the leader and the driver (Mario Jiminez Ortiz) were conscientious and accommodating. They arranged optional group visits to restaurants, which would not otherwise have happened, and always offered interesting trips during the free time when they should, presumably, have been off duty.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do read up about each place you are visiting and where there is time for optional excursions ask your group leader about alternatives. In Monteverde we enjoyed the activities we did (bridges walk, zipline experience, hummingbird viewing, forest walk) but personally wish I'd spent more time exploring the primary forest rather than ziplining or visiting secondary forest (Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve - short walk). Definitely do the boat trip on the Tarcoles River if you get the chance. Don't obsess about seeing a quetzal - there are so many other exciting creatures to see!

Most Inspirational Moment

So many! Walking on Etna (especially as rain had been forecast and it turned out to be a beautiful day); visiting the lovely town of Cefalu; the beautiful towns of Ragusa with its stunning baroque architecture, and Erice with its great views; the walk in Zingaro Nature Reserve; seeing the Valley of Temples at Agrigento in the late afternoon sun; picnicing by the sea at Selinute after visting the temples there; and of course delicious Sicilian cakes!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabio was our leader and he was assisted by Salvo. They also drove the minibuses and did so very well indeed. They also looked after us well and were friendly and helpful throughout the trip. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was a fantastic trip but very exhausting as well. Great days but very long after early starts so though not requiring a high level of fitness you need to have a good deal of stamina. Some people may feel there is too much packed into each day but I wouldn't have wanted to miss anything I saw and certainly did allow me to see a great deal of this beautiful island. Take a good guide book. At a number of places our guides gave us a town map and we were free to explore on our own which was nice but with often limited time you need to be organized if you want to do a place justice!

Most Inspirational Moment

Kili is defnitiely not for the faint hearted and whilst not too demanding physically (the more prep you do, the easier on the body it is) However, the slow plod up the mountain in the dark is tough mentally. But worth it when the sun comes up and you can see the crater and all that is around you. Awesome.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John the trip leader was excellent, always cheerful and daily checks on the physical and mental health of the group. Florence was also excellent, a little calmer, but alwys on the look out to see how members of the group were doing, and I believe he has just had a well earnt promotion. All of the porters and assistant guides were adorable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train hard, listen to the guides and enjoy the journey. Laugh you way through any moments of discomfort.

Most Inspirational Moment

The final day walk had spectacular views. The day in Seville was also a nice break in the middle of a week of walking

Thoughts on Group Leader

Friendly and helpful

Advice for Potential Travellers

I had not done an exodus holiday before. The organisation of the trip was excellent and I did not have to worry about doing anything once on holiday. I was unsure as to the standard of physical activity so opted for an A/B walking holiday to get an idea of the level of difficulty - the A grade walks were probably too leisurely for what I was after so would opt for more challenging holidays in future. Having done this holiday I would not do the same holiday again but would certainly book another holiday with Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

Scaling one of the central peaks of the range and having panoramic views of the sea, the famous Monolith and the beautiful valleys. Catching our first proper sight of one of the local vultures made the day even more special. I've not munched a sandwich in a more stunning spot.

Thoughts on Group Leader

All the hotel staff were excellent and our guide whilst young had bags of knowledge about the area and its heritage. I really enjoyed chatting with him and he made individual time for the whole group of the course of the week. The changeable weather forecast and a varied group made it a challenge at times but he remained cheerful throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go later in the year I'd recommend taking a thermos flask! It came in very handy on a couple of the days were we gained a lot of altitude. Also gaiters are worth packing as some of the routes were quite muddy. Finally if you get the chance I'd definitely recommend taking the trip to the coast; the walk along the cliff tops was a nice break and the sea food in the town excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

The general cameraderie on the trip was great and things were particularly special on Christmas night when the group (foolishly) challenged the staff to a singing competition. We could only come up with rather solemn carols or schoolkids (primary at that!) songs whilst the staff came up with soulful melodic songs one after the other accompanied with great beats from Jerry cans and trays etc for percussion. A local man invited himself in to join in the celebrations adding dance to the locals' repertoire.Other evenings with people sitting trying to read via the light on the head torches while others chatted or played cards is also a memorable image and from the day times the cook and guide chopping tomatoes/onions etc on the top of a mountain for our lunch is another

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abdellah was great; warm, friendly and with excellent English he knows his country and enjoys sharing it with the group. He kept a lovely pace in the walking and asked us to stick behind him which we did and it gave a sense of cohesion to the group.We had three other staff with us all very friendly, hospitable, cheerful and good at their jobs. We got delicious food beautifully presented which was amazing consideringwhat basic facilities they had.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The days were warm and we were very lucky not to have a single cloud over the walking days. The temperature did drop a lot at night and you need to take a lot of layers for evenings in the tent where sometimes the only heat was from ourselves and some candles! and the tents could be freezing cold.The terrain is very rocky throughout so good boots and poles are helpful. the tents were pitched on very rocky ground; I didn't take a thermarest but it may have helped.I also didn't take the group flight and was pleased I didn't; I took a direct flight with Thomsons which gave me an extra day of holiday whilst the group flight arrived in the middle of the night; I would recommend looking into alternatives