Exodus Walking & Trekking 2019.Pdf
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ICONIC TREKS World-renowned trails WALKING VIVA ESPAÑA A different side to Spain TROPICAL TRAILS & TREKKING Volcanoes, jungles & beaches 2019/2020 STEP INTO adventure I’ve loved trekking since doing my Gold Duke if you’d prefer to travel with a group of family of Edinburgh expedition as a teenager. Since or friends (p.7). then I’ve seen the sun rise from the top of This year I’m really excited about the Kilimanjaro, wondered at the magic of the Kumono Kodo Trail (p.10) in Japan. Starting Inca Trail and soaked in the atmosphere at in Kyoto and ending in Tokyo it shows off the Everest Base Camp. The Himalaya unfolding best of the countryside. before me was breathtaking, as was trekking All of our adventures are carefully crafted so to the 5643m summit of Kala Patthar with you’ll get the best out of each destination. And bluebird skies and the bright colours of the we give our best too, travelling responsibly, fluttering prayer flags. Travel with Exodus, working hard to eradicate the use of single-use and these magic moments can be yours too. bottles on our adventures and enriching the One of the things I love most about walking lives of our porters via the Porter Project (p20). is the opportunity to really get away from it Whether you’re a solo traveller looking to all. Being able to turn off your phone and get meet like-minded people on a once-in-a- to know the people around you. You’ll always lifetime group trip, a couple looking to do your be travelling with like-minded people, making own thing on a self-guided walk, or a group of our trips great for groups and solo travellers enthusiasts who want to tailormake your own alike. We also offer self-guided adventures trekking holiday, we have experts to help make and we can tailormake a journey just for you it happen. Join us, adventure awaits… CHLOE KNOTT Walking & Trekking Programme Manager 97% CONTENTS of our travellers would recommend 4 INSPIRING ADVENTURE SINCE 1974 us to their friends Reasons to choose Exodus for your next trip 6 WAYS TO TRAVEL 98% How to make your adventure personal 8 WHAT’S NEW of our travellers think we design and From Portugal’s sparkling coast to a pilgrim trek in Japan operate trips to benefit the local community and environment 12 THE TRAVEL GUIDE Tips for travel, from extensions to grading guidance 14 ICONIC TREKS Traversing world-renowned trails 4.8 out of 5 average trip rating 18 TAILORMADE: WALKING & WINE based on the past 100 online How ten friends planned a bespoke break to remember customer reviews 20 LEADING THE WAY An update on our Porter Project in Peru 21 LEADER IN THE SPOTLIGHT Meet your expert guide, Sara Bull 22 TROPICAL TRAILS Trek some of the most diverse trails on Earth 26 TRENDING NOW A guide to the up-and-coming and unmissable 28 VIVA ESPAÑA! Experience lesser-explored Spain 32 GO YOUR OWN WAY Customer Lindsay Van Jager on a self-guided tour 34 HOLIDAY LISTINGS Details of our walking and trekking trips in one place Front cover art: An interpretation of Nepal created by Serbian illustrator Martina Crepulja This year’s front cover art was created exclusively for Exodus by Serbian artist Martina Crepulja. She uses her work to encourage and support children through art, and has chosen to donate one third of her fee for each of her six cover illustrations to Exodus’ Inspiration Project, our initiative that takes disadvantaged children from around the globe on exciting trips in their homelands. “I believe that children have the potential to build a better future, but only if they are encouraged to do so,” she explains. “The Inspiration Project Main image: The Great Wall of China inspires respect, tolerance and positive ideas by educating children about their own cultural and natural heritage, something they might otherwise be deprived of.” Call 0203 733 6913 or visit exodus.co.uk 4 Inspiring Adventure Since 1974 Inspiring ADVENTURE SINCE 1974 More than 40 years ago, we took a group of adventurers to Kathmandu in the back of our Bedford truck on a mission to see the world for ourselves. It was the first Exodus trip, a chance to venture into the unknown with fellow explorers, to meet people along the way who could share with us a perspective different to our own and to see the diverse destinations that they called home. While the truck is long gone, our passion for travel, culture and discovery has only grown as time has passed. So too have the friendships forged with those that so warmly welcome us. As we support their communities, we benefit from the sights, sounds, tastes and experiences of their homelands. And you will too, on your next Exodus adventure... For full holiday listings see from p34 5 Why see the world WITH EXODUS? ENRICHED BY EXPERTISE Every Exodus adventure is enhanced by our experience. We’ve travelled to more than 130 countries, to uncover their best-kept secrets and unmissable highlights. As you explore the world, you will do so with leaders who love to introduce you to their home countries, sharing stories and sights that allow you to experience it like a local. It’s these leaders — some who excel in fields such as mountaineering or archaeology — who show you the real heart of a destination. INFINITE POSSIBILITIES With nearly 500 expertly arranged trips to 100 countries, you have an exciting choice to make. Our departures encompass winter specific adventures, cultural trips, cycling and trekking holidays, wildlife encounters and unforgettable family experiences, each with an activity rating so you can choose how active your trip will be. While our itineraries are carefully crafted, we’re flexible in how you enjoy them. Travel as part of a guided group or on a personalised, tailormade trip. You can also add extensions, flight upgrades and more. TREADING CAREFULLY We are determined that future generations continue to enjoy exploring the world as we do, so we leave as small an impact as possible when we travel. With your help, we support the communities that so graciously share their homes with us through various projects, championing local businesses and creating jobs. We've initiated projects to eradicate single-use plastic bottles, take children and porters on adventures in their homeland for the first time, as well as community projects in the Himalaya. PAINLESS PLANNING Activities, transport, accommodation and your tour guide are all arranged for you, so you can forget the logistics and simply focus on enjoying your holiday. Extensive trip notes for each adventure tell you all you need to know before you go, from any vaccination information to the expected weather. On guided group trips, our expert leaders are always on hand with advice should you need it, and they always have recommendations too. We’re also proud to say that 97% of our travellers would recommend us to their friends. And we’re ATOL and ABTA protected too, so you can be assured you are in safe hands. Call 0203 733 6913 or visit exodus.co.uk 6 Ways to Travel WAYS TO TRAVEL Whether you choose to travel with like-minded people on a guided group journey, on a self-guided adventure or a private tailormade trip, we’ve got dedicated teams here to make it happen. As the UK’s leading activity and adventure experts, being flexible is part of the reason customers turn (and return) to Exodus year after year. For full holiday listings see from p34 7 YOUR ADVENTURE YOUR WAY GUIDED GROUP SELF-GUIDED TAILORMADE ADVENTURES TOURS HOLIDAYS There are many benefits to joining a Whilst having a guide to point you Every aspect of a tailormade guided group trip, and they make it in the right direction works for many, adventure can be created especially our most popular way to travel. you might prefer the independence for you. Seen something special in of a self-guided trip, be it a walking our brochure, but you’d like more The insider knowledge of our or cycling one. With self-guided, time in one destination? Or want world-renowned leaders not only to tone down the activity level to introduces your group to the best of a the decisions are yours to make. suit you? Our experts are on hand destination, but they share the stories Our detailed route notes offer you to make it happen. behind them, taking you down paths all the information you’ll need — less travelled to see the true heart each of which have been tested Similarly, if you want to go away but of a country. They’re on hand for by our experts. none of our current dates or locations everything you need, from meeting We include detailed kilometre-by- are right for you, just ask your travel you at the airport to restaurant kilometre descriptions that advise agent. With 44 years’ experience recommendations and more. excursion routes, places of interest travelling the world, we’re able to get you to your dream destination, and Groups range between 8-16 and restaurant recommendations. provide everything you need when travellers, made up of a mix of Prefer to spend a lazy afternoon you get there including one of our people who share a love of picnicking by a riverbank? knowledgeable local leaders. discovery — perfect if you’re With self-guided travel you set your travelling solo. We find this size own pace, which means there’s And only two people need to creates the best group dynamic, always time for that detour to visit travel for us to tailor something but also means we’re not disruptive the nearby château or an extra piece unique, so if you’re looking for an to the destinations and communities of cake at lunchtime! We take care unusual honeymoon, an exclusive we visit.