Adventures await in
2023...
Travel gives us so much. It allows us to witness spectacular new sights and experience unique cultures that are completely different to our own. It challenges us and it moves us – often in more ways than one. And on our return, we’re left richer, wiser and bursting with fascinating stories to tell. Start planning your 2023 travel experiences now with the help of Exodus Travels. Here’s what to expect…
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN YOUR SURROUNDINGS
We no longer want to just ‘visit’ somewhere; we want to experience it in 360 vivid degrees. We want to live it, breathe it and fully participate in the culture and the landscape. Here are just some of the Exodus itineraries that allow you to do just that...
Indian Tiger Safari
With their fiery stripes and intense glare, you will never forget the first time you see a Bengal tiger in the wild. As the predators are so rare, it’s a real pinch-me moment, and you will rightfully feel very lucky if you get to catch glimpses of these incredibly elusive creatures . Go with Exodus and your chances of seeing the intoxicating animal will be greatly increased as you will visit three of India’s best national parks for spotting tigers. On the India Tiger Safari tour, you will enjoy a total of 15 game drives in Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh national parks. As well as Bengal tigers, the parks are all home to a huge number of fascinating wildlife, so your days will be filled with viewing the likes of monkeys, deer, leopards, wild pigs and a rainbow-spectrum of birdlife.
Discover Namibia – Camping
You could explore the alien-like landscapes of Namibia on the Discover Namibia: Camping trip. You’ll experience lunar-like surfaces at Sesriem, Martian-red sand dunes at Sossusvlei and the mixed forest and grassland of Etosha Park. Along the way you’re likely to spot desert-adapted animals, including elephants, giraffes and cheetahs.
Chimps and Gorillas of Uganda
Uganda is another place that’s simply bursting with wildlife and is home to more than 1,000 types of birds and more than 300 mammal species. Perhaps the most popular of them all is the mountain gorillas, and where better to see them than in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest? On Exodus’ Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda trip, you will have a chance to trek in the forest and see the gorillas for yourself. There will also be time to seek out Uganda’s chimps with a visit Kibale Forest. And as if that wasn’t enough wildlife for one trip, you’ll also explore Queen Elizabeth National Park which is home to hippos, elephants, buffalo, leopards and tree-climbing lions.
"I’m one of very few people that has been lucky enough to spend time with all five of the BBC’s ‘Dynasty’ luminaries. Several chimp safaris, literally years with lions, expeditions to spot emperor penguins and wild painted dogs sightings throughout Africa. Chimps in their natural habitat – in terms of character, they are probably the most similar to humans which, although it’s not always a good thing by any means, it does make them fascinating to view, as some of their habits are identical. Kibale forest would be my choice of destination for them in Uganda and why not pair this experience with a visit to their bigger cousins: gorillas?"
GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
If you want to savour a memory forever, link it to an adrenaline rush; studies show that experiences which make you feel excited, stimulated, or even scared are more easily remembered. You don’t even have to brave a bungee jump, there are plenty of other ways to get your heart beating...
Walking the Picos de Europa
Craggy limestone mountains, cloud-encircled peaks, rushing streams and lush valleys are what define the Picos de Europa, Spain’s third-highest mountain range. But you don’t get to enjoy these lofty views without a little bit of hard work. On Exodus’ Walking the Picos de Europa trip, you will have a chance to put your legs to the test as you embark on an eight-day hiking holiday in this mountain range. You will spend your days walking in and around Spain’s oldest national park and through the traditional mountain villages of the valleys with sightings of wildlife including chamois, golden eagles and griffon vultures along the way. It’s not all hard work though, and you will enjoy some well-deserved rest and panoramic views from the Hotel Torrecerredo each evening.
Atlas Descent
If you prefer to explore on two wheels, then head to North Africa on the Atlas Decent trip with Exodus. The region is home to some of the finest mountain biking trails that the world has to offer, with fast single tracks, ancient hairpin muleteer’s routes and rocky jeep tracks all on the cards. This trip isn’t just about the thrill of the ride though, as you’ll have plenty of time to go off the beaten track to see places untouched by tourism, interact with the locals and meet some of the indigenous Berber people who call this area home.
Everest Base Camp Trek
Perhaps the world’s most iconic thrilling adventure, it doesn’t get much more challenging than an Everest Base Camp Trek. On a trip with Exodus, you will benefit from having real mountaineering experts by your side who can give you the support and advice you will need to complete the trek. Walking through Sherpa county past small villages, there will be time to acclimatise before reaching the dizzying heights of the monastery and views of Thyangboche. The highlight of the trip will be scaling Kala Pattar (5,545m) from where you can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the planet's highest mountain.
“I started working for Exodus in 1986 leading treks in Kashmir, Ladakh and Nepal. I love exploring new areas especially remote, off the beaten track routes. My favourite areas are the Everest region of Nepal and Ladakh – I have led the ascent of Stok Kangri more than 20 times and I have spent at least 14 Christmas days trekking to Everest Base Camp. In 2009 (for my 50th birthday present to myself!) I attempted to summit Everest and despite running out of oxygen and getting frostbite I got to the South Summit at 8,761m."
NEW DISCOVERIES
It’s always good to try and learn as much as you can about the countries you visit; it puts their history and geography into context and perspective, and leaves you smarter, wiser and, dare we say it, more interesting at dinner parties. These three Exodus itineraries give you a chance to really get to know the places that you visit...
Ancient & Modern Japan
On Exodus’ Ancient and Modern Japan tour, you’ll discover a land where peaceful forests, serene shrines and elaborate castles exist side by side with neon shopping malls, high-speed shinkansen trains and pachinko parlours. Learn about Japanese history and culture, experience elegant tea ceremonies and soak in an onsen – Japan’s famous hot springs.
A Taste of Cuba
Try a little Caribbean flavour in Cuba on Exodus’ A Taste of Cuba tour, where you’ll visit the Viñales Valley, Old Havana and the colourful colonial towns of Cienfuegos and Trinidad. You’ll find fresh fish and seafood – try mahi mahi with criolla sauce (made with chopped tomato, onions, vinegar, pepper and herbs). It’s also known for ropa vieja – boiled, shredded beef slow-cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic and red peppers – and the epic Cuban sandwich, a multi-layered affair stuffed with ham, pork, Swiss cheese and pickled cucumber.
Essential Peru
Journeying through the landscapes of Peru is like journeying through time and there is so much history and culture to take in along the way. On Exodus’ Essential Peru trip, you will discover the highlights of southern Peru, from Nazca to Arequipa. With expert guides leading the way, you will gain a deeper understanding of the sights you will see such as the mysterious Nazca Lines, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, and of course the iconic Machu Picchu.
MAKE NEW FRIENDS FOR LIFE
If travel broadens the mind, it can also broaden your social circle. Travelling as part of a small group with like-minded people can often lead to new friendships. Feedback from Exodus travellers has been immeasurably positive on this front: spending time with the same people and sharing new and unique experiences can be incredibly bonding, creating memories and friendships for life...
Highlights of the Amalfi Coast
You’ll certainly want one of your companions to take the best pictures of you along the photogenic Amalfi Coast, with the colourful small towns of Positano, Ravello and Sorrento as your backdrop. Keeping in touch afterwards, and even meeting up again, is an added bonus.
Mt Toubkal Climb
Join Exodus and a group of like-minded individuals on a trek to the summit of North Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Toubkal (4,167m). Located 80km south of Marrakech, ascending the tallest peak in the Atlas mountains involves hiking through small Berber villages, threading picturesque valleys and passing scenery such as the Ighoulidem waterfall. The ascent itself offers scenic views across to Marrakesh, where you’ll end your trip with new memories and new friends.
Walking in North Cyprus
This lesser-visited part of the Mediterranean is home to an abundance of archaeological remains as well as footpaths that thread you past flowers, wildlife and craggy coastal views. Join the Walking in North Cyprus Exodus tour and you will enjoy a week in this beautiful part of the world with other walkers who you can get to know better with every step along the way.
“I went on my first-ever walking holiday to Cyprus with Exodus in October 2022. I was really nervous as I was also sharing a room but it turned out that my roommate and I clicked straight away. She made me laugh every day and we were always looking out for each other during the week. Another person I got very close to was Kim, a lovely lady from Oxford. The three of us were very similar in character and had the same sense of humour. We even met up in London recently and have even talked about going on an Exodus trip together in the future."
EXPERIENCE THE UNDISCOVERED WITH EXPERT LEADERS
One advantage of travelling on an Exodus trip is that you are in the hands of experts. From the person who put the itinerary together to those on the ground guiding you through the various experiences, you can be sure they know their stuff...
Cycling Vietnam
Why not discover Vietnam as the locals do: by bicycle? Join Exodus’ Cycling Vietnam trip and you will be able to do just that. You will embark on a fascinating route from vibrant Ho Chi Minh city in the south to the buzzing capital, Hanoi, in the north. Along the way, you will pass through characterful fishing villages, emerald green rice terraces and jungle-cloaked mountains. And with a local leader by your side, you will be best placed to soak up all the sights – big and small – along the way.
Canadian Rockies Wilderness Walks
If there is one thing the Canadian Rockies has in abundance it is space. Its vast network of waking trails vein their way through some of the world’s best national parks, through virgin forests, past lakes, over rushing rivers and above deep canyons. Although undeniably spectacular, it can be hard to know where to start when faced with such an expanse of wilderness. That’s why it pays to go with the experts, and on Exodus’ Canadian Rockies Wilderness Walks, you will have the knowledge and help of an expert guide who will lead you on hikes past the most epic scenery and will know the best places to spot the likes of bears, eagles, deer and moose.
Kilimanjaro Climb – Lemosho Route
Making it to the top of Kilimanjaro takes preparation, perseverance, strength, and perhaps most of all, the encouragement of a local guide. On Exodus’s Kilimanjaro Climb – Lemosho Route tour, an expert leader will be by your side the whole time as you take the much less-trodden route to the well-known peak. Trekking over eight days, you will be given plenty of time to not just acclimatise but to also take in the spectacular scenery all around. When the going gets tough, the support increases and by summit day, there will be one guide for every two people. And that support pays off, as around 96% of people who take on the Lemosho route with Exodus succeed in standing on the roof of Africa.
“With altitude, temperatures of -16 degrees, fatigue, and a seemingly relentless zig-zag of headtorches for 1,000m of ascent, it takes all the grit you can muster to stand atop Uhuru Peak. You put both your safety and sanity in the hands of the experts leading you to the top and that's exactly why you want to be walking beside the very best in the business. We were lucky enough to be guided by two Mountain Lionesses and graduates of the Mountain Lioness Scholarship, an initiative that supports local women to increase their earning potential by sponsoring their training to become fully qualified Mountain Guides on Mt Kilimanjaro. It was an honour to walk beside such strong women and if it wasn’t for their constant encouragement, support and attentiveness, we simply wouldn't have made it to the top. Watching the sunrise over the Savannah nearly 6,000m below you is a sight you won't forget in a hurry, the sense of achievement matched only by the gratitude you have for those who got you there.”
ACTIVATE THE SENSES
No journey would be complete without tasting all that a destination has to offer; there is plenty of fun to be had by sampling food you’ve never tried before...
Mountains & Villages of Evia
A visit to the island of Evia with Exodus gives you the chance to discover Greece at its most authentic. You’ll walk along dramatic coastlines and visit remote villages. You will relax on secluded sands and swim in warm Aegean waters. But what is bound to excite you most each day is the meal times. Traditional tavernas and waterfront ouzo-meze shops will entice you in with their sea views and mouth-watering smells as you sit down to tuck into Greek specialities such as Greek salad smothered in olive oil, warm bread dunked in fava bean dip and houmous, and platters of grilled seafood, plucked from the water that same day.
Cape Town & The Garden Route
Over in South Africa, on Exodus’ Cape Town and the Garden Route trip, you’ll find local dishes with African, Dutch, French and Malay roots. Sample boerewors (a rich, delicious sausage), bobotie (an aromatic dish of curried ground beef with fruit and a creamy, egg-based topping), bunny chow (a hollowed-out loaf filled with curry) or koeksisters (a moreish, sweet, sticky doughnut).
Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy
With its Mediterranean coastline, rolling farmland and traditional methods, it should come as no surprise that Puglia offers such fine food. On Exodus's Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy trip, spend your days discovering the region’s art, architecture and intriguing towns such as Matera, Otranto and Lecce, before tucking into the region’s local cuisine. Regional wines, olive oil, fresh pasta and seafood will all be on the menu, and you’ll even have a chance to get hands-on with a cookery course in a traditional Masseria in Ostuni.
“There are few better ways to get to know a culture than by trying its food and drink. Meals are such a key part of many cultures, what you eat and when you eat it are fundamental aspects of societies all over the world. Italy is rightly famous for its food, however each region will tell you it is only they that serve true Italian cuisine – from orecchiette pasta in Puglia in the south to more hearty dumplings in the north near the Austrian border."
Exodus Travels: Your guide to the world
Exodus are the experts in adventure travel. The company has picked up numerous awards, including Best Tour Operator at the British Travel Awards, and has been named as a Which? recommended provider for seven years running. Its experts know that life-enriching, horizon-expanding adventure travels don’t just happen by themselves: they take exceptional planning, first-class organisation and insider knowledge of unique places, peoples and cultures. Exodus are extremely proud of the incredible experiences it has created across the world and the lengths it goes to in order to protect the planet and support the local people it meets. So this year, why not join Exodus on their award-winning adventures?
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