One of our most popular operators, Exodus Travels, has released a line-up of new walking, cycling, cultural and wildlife tours. True to form they are sticking to safe and popular areas but have nevertheless come up with some good new adventure tours. Here is our choice of the best new Exodus Travels tours for 2020.
Romania: Highlights of Romania 10 days from CA$2,579 Physical rating: Leisurely This tour starts in the vibrant city of Cluj Napoca (often referred to as Cluj) in Northen Romania. From here we head north to the Maramures region where century-old traditions are still part of daily life and wooden churches are scattered throughout the landscape. After exploring the north we start our journey down south discovering the fascinating towns and villages in Transylvania, including the UNESCO towns of Sighisoara, Sibiu, Viscri. The tour ends in Romania's capital city, Bucharest. During this trip, you will be immersed in Romanian life, experience traditional food and meet local craftsmen. Contact us about this trip
Eastern Europe: Cycle the Balkans 15 days from CA$3,745 Physical rating: Moderate / Challenging The Balkans offers an intoxicating mix of beautiful countryside, fast-developing cities and historic towns. Our first ride ends at the UNESCO town of Ohrid on the vast lake of the same name, from here the route leads up towards the border with Kosovo. Small towns and villages dot the route as we wind our way across into Montenegro and through the heart of the imposing Durmitor Mountains. As the route suggests, there is a good mix of climbing and flat riding, with a few stops along the way to visit or see places of interest. Sunshine and sea come in the form of the Bay of Kotor on the Adriatic, a dramatic setting to end the ride. Few other regions offer such cultural and natural variety along with a true sense of discovery. Contact us about this trip
Turkey: Walking the Turquoise Coast 8 days from CA$979 Physical rating: Leisurely / Moderate The Turquoise Coast offers an alluring combination of beautiful scenery and ancient sites with some fine coastal and inland walking on the many trails in the area, including sections of the famed Lycian Way. Highlights include the ruined city of Arycanda, the chance to walk over a Roman aqueduct and some fantastic coastal views. Those looking for more adventure can also take part in a number of optional activities including SCUBA diving, paragliding and mountain biking. Alternatively just sit back and enjoy the leisurely pace of life in Turkey from the comfort of a poolside lounger or harbour café. Contact us about this trip
Switzerland & Italy: Cycling the Italian and Swiss Lakes 8 days from CA$3,145 Physical rating: Moderate The Italian lakes of Como and Maggiore are famed for both their spectacular scenery and their well-heeled residents. The rich and famous clearly have good taste as the scenery here is simply wonderful with forested hills and medieval properties overlooking the glistening blue waters. This is a fascinating place to discover on two wheels with excellent roads that closely follow the winding shores. Amongst others, we visit the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, a striking overhanging abbey built by a rich merchant. The Villa del Balbianello with its ornate Italian gardens may look familiar to film buffs, having featured in international movies such as Bond’s Casino Royale and Star Wars: Attack of the clones. There will be opportunities to taste plenty of delicious local produce en route, including cheese, cold meats, honey, wines and ice cream, before riding across the border to Lugano in Switzerland for a chocolate tasting. The excellent cycle rides will hopefully help you build up an appetite! Contact us about this trip
Kenya: Family Wildlife Quest 7 days from CA$3,445 Physical rating: Moderate Kenya is the classic African safari destination and this seven-day family adventure is a great introduction to the continent’s famous residents. The Masai Mara, with its endless grasslands sprinkled with acacia trees and an astonishing variety of wildlife, is the ideal place for children to have their first sightings of lions, elephants, giraffes and cheetahs. Lake Naivasha, located in the Great Rift Valley, is an unforgettable setting where we have the chance to view hippos on a boat safari. Then in Nairobi there is the elephant orphanage and giraffe centre where we learn about the conservation work being done to protect these magnificent animals. Contact us about this trip
Tanzania: Wildlife Adventure 9 days from CA$13,770 Physical rating: Leisurely / Moderate Enjoy a classic, yet intimate, safari experience with stays at luxurious tented camps situated in remote wilderness areas, including an innovative mobile camp that travels with the herd for fantastic viewing of the Great Migration. Especially chosen for this voyage, our team of expert leaders and lecturers serves to bring a comprehensive educational component to your adventure through lectures, guided excursions, and daily recaps. Contact us about this trip
Central America: Cycle Guatemala, Honduras & El Salvador 15 days from CA$5,545 Physical rating: Moderate / Challenging This adventure into Central America showcases the best of the region, from the Pacific to the Caribbean coast. In Guatemala, we cycle around Lago Atitlan - a lake in an ancient crater where mountains and verdant hills circle the water. In San Juan, on the south shore of the lake, we meet and support the indigenous ladies that live here weaving vibrant fabrics. We also visit Antigua, one of Guatemala's oldest cities, home to colonial architecture and history. Delve into Honduras' history, learning of its Mayan past at the Copan ruins. Whilst in El Salvador we take La Ruta de las Flores - named for its flowers - through colourful villages and coffee plantations up to Apaneca. As well as challenging rides through tropical scenery there is time to discover other attractions of the countries we visit! Contact us about this trip
Costa Rica: Family Escape 8 days from CA$2,475 Physical rating: Leisurely / Moderate Awaken your senses on a magical escape to Costa Rica full of activities that the whole family will love. Zip wire across the cloud forest, try whitewater rafting in Costa Rica's exhilarating Balsa River, swim in a waterfall and take a boat trip to see dolphins off the Pacific Coast. Stay in comfortable, well located hotels, most with swimming pools to splash about in. This action packed week will leave you refreshed and full of memories of Costa Rica's most famous saying: "Pura Vida" or "Pure Life". Contact us about this trip
Peru: Family Adventure 11 days from CA$4,575 Physical rating: Moderate Venture into dry forests of northern Peru and spend two days exploring Chaparri - the site of Peru’s first wildlife rescue centre designed specifically for Spectacled Bears. The ancient Inca capital of Cuzco is brimming with Spanish churches and Inca fortresses just waiting to be explored – here we enjoy a chocolate making class and an art workshop before exploring the Sacred Valley and visiting an alpaca farm. Finally, visit Machu Picchu - one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world, made all the more dramatic by its mountain backdrop of staggering immensity. Contact us about this trip
Peru: Cycle Machu Picchu & Titicaca 13 days from CA$5,445 Physical rating: Moderate / Challenging On this tour we cycle between some of the world’s most iconic travel destinations: from the truly spectacular mountain top city of Machu Picchu and the high altitude plains of the Altiplano to Cusco, the buzzing capital of the ancient Inca Empire. Pedalling past impressive Inca ruins like Sacsayhuaman, Pisac and Moray, our route hugs the Urubamba River as we cycle amongst 4000m peaks and learn about the country’s rich and fascinating history whilst staying with local families. Ending our tour on the shores of the vast Lake Titicaca, we visit the floating reed islands of Uros and discover the ‘folklore capital’ of Puno where we can stock up on hand-made souvenirs before flying home. Contact us about this trip