Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

After three days of solid trekking, and a LOT of uphill, we finally breached over the mountaintop and through the 'Sun Gate' looking down over Machu Piccu. The sun was shining brightly on the ruin; lighting them up as if it was still a bustling Inca town. The scene was wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader/guide was phenomenal. An intelligent guy with a wonderful sense of humour and fluent in English. He joined in with all our activities (including a rather messy trip to a bar in Cuzco on our last night), taught us about the Incas, answered all our questions, and took care of us when we needed him. Top guy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate the fitness required to do this trip. While the trek is short, it can be very strenuous at times, as the Inca Trail has a LOT of steep and high steps that you must traverse. Furthermore, at one point you will ascend to 4,200 metres, so be careful of Acute Mountain Sickness.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking along the cliffs in the beautiful nature reserve with the sparkling sea below.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A delightful person but perhaps a little opaque at times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Recommended but check to see if Exodus have improved the programme and found the money to hire a coach.

Most Inspirational Moment

Finishing the walks in one piece. Views from the top of tuila.Great beaches, esp cala luna at the end of a tough walk.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rudi was exceptional, planned everything down to the last detail. He made the experience very enjoyable

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are aware of the terrain and potential difficulty of the walks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Mount Robson without clouds on its peak!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - we had to spend 31 hours on the boat fromBella Coola to Port Hardy instead of the expected 11. Michel sorted out our hotels etc very quickly cancelling our hotel in Port Hardy and booking us into another hotel in Parkville. He made a point of consulting us as to what the group wished to do - either spend two nights in Tofino or one night in Tofino and one night in Victoris.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the sun rise at Gilman's point was breath-taking - a welcome relief from the trek up to the summit in the dark and cold. The final hike to Uhuru peak was surpisingly straightforward and the photos at the true summit were amazing - and have no formed the basis of out wedding thank-you cards!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was very experienced. Some of the rules and advice for high altitude trekking may seem counter-intuitive but the leaders explained the kit, clothing and techniques simply and effectively. They all had a great sense of humour and motivated us throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice for potential travellers -  1) make sure you are fit! There were marathon runners and tri-athletes in our group - we all found the final summit hard to reach but it was a real team effort to get there.2) Try to keep your water bottles warm during the summit ascent - trying to drink semi-frozen water is a horrible experience when you have to stay hydrated3)  If reaching the summit is your goal do everything you can to maximise the acclimatisation. Arrive a few days early and walk around the local area which will be at more altitude than you are used to.4) Don't forget the suntan lotion on the summit ascent (like I did). Sun at 6000M will burn your face to a crisp - I had chapped lips for days after5) Get a comfortable 35 litre day sack (eg Osprey)

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery is stunning and seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time  took my breath away and put a huge smile on my face.  All of the  scenery up until Grand Canyon had been amazing and I was concerned that the big one would be a damp squib after Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, etc etc but it wasn't : )Sunset, Moonlit and Sunrise walks were FAB FAB FAB

Thoughts on Group Leader

Charles Knowlton and Ryan McCarty were not only competent and well organised they were great fun and such great guys (dudes).  Across San Francisco to the wilds of the desert then to Vegas they were enthusiastic, knowledgable and incredibly patient throughout. They added humour in our visit to the ET Highway and Rachel - hats at the Grand Canyon, enchantment in the moonlit walk in Canyonlands and entertainment at the campfires ....... As a company you should be proud to have such great people working for you - look after them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get your head around the participative camping and think whether it is for you...  I felt it enabled us to eat some great food and gelled the group (who were all such great folk too). Tte coffee needs to go on, food needs to be cooked and this is before/after busy and long days.  The group I travelled with embraced it and everyone worked together and it resulted in great meals - ably supervised by Charles (making sure we weren't all cooking pasta), shared chores and real communual spirit.The desert is HOT HOT HOT ..... was great to get up early to walk before the midday sun (and I'm not an early bird)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring trekking poles: while the trip notes listed them as "optional," I was very glad I'd brought mine, and used them every day.  Both strict vegetarians and die-hard carnivores would do well to bring along some extra nibbles-- for, while we were served relatively little meat, the village cooks tended to be skilled at making a little go a long way (and so the same bits and bobs tended to show up in a variety of dishes).   

Most Inspirational Moment

To me meeting the Bears in the WSPA sanctuary was incredibly emotional as a supporter of the charity this part of the trip was very special to me and having the oppotunity to see 7 Bears in the wild including 3 cubs was outstanding and a moment i will never forget!!! Nature is always a source of inspriation to me where ever i go and Romania was no different.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin the guide is very knowledgeable, polite and truly passionate about Romania and its incredible wildlife, with good reason. He must be so proud to show people his country and all it has to offer. I learnt a lot from him during my time there and he was able to answer all my questions. Thank You Cosmin :) I would like to mention Katarina & Herman who run the guest house also, what remarkable people thank goodness there are people out there who care so much about the natural world, and who do all they can to protect it. Well Done and what a beautiful, well run guest house.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As a huge animal lover i find it hard to understand anyone who doesnt like Dogs but if you have a fear of dogs be warned there are dogs everywhere!!  although all the dogs are all very very friendly, well looked after and love to be in your company, i enjoyed this. I went at the begining of September and the weather was hot and sunny - Take sun cream.

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

Yes, there were a few....  standing in awe at the size and oppulence of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, whizzing around the souks in Fez, Meknes and Marrakesh, sleeping outside at the Sahara Auberge in Merzouga, the sunset camel ride into the Sahara and the sunrise ride back again.  Watching the families enjoying the cool waters of Todra Gordge with those vertical golden cliffs rising high on either side. The peaceful, humble life of the Berbers living so simply and happy up in The Atlas Mountains -  enjoying "afternoon tea" with a family there.  Dodging the seagulls enjoing their free meal whilst fishermen gutted and prepared their catch at the harbour in Essaouria. Tasty Moroccon food... served in family homes and restaurants you'd never find again! ...but guess the most inspirational moment for us was tracking down a beer on arrival in Casablanca on a Sunday evening... yes it did happen and we eventually find one!! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha - a credit to Exodus.  Caring, considerate, informative, knowledgable.  Passionate about his work and his country.  Always willing to assist where necessary.  Always jolly with a good sense of humour....and he found some rather good restaurants.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I guess by reading other reviews it's all been said before....Hygiene is the main criteria, so plenty of handgel, tissues, loo roll - although, the loos weren't that bad!.....the bus, yes be prepared for long and short uncomfortable travel.  We had a full complement on board, 16 or us, plus driver/guide.  No leg room on a majority of the seats and not much overhead storage available.  We were with a good crowd and always rotated the seating arrangements.Travel light.. but if you should have the odd fleece no longer required, please take it and donate it to the folk up at Tijhza Village, they have so little and temperatures drop like a stone in the winter months.