UKC

Anyone done any trips with Exodus. I'm looking at their Annapurna Circuit. Land only price is £999; cheaper than others I've looked at.

Before anyone mentions it, I'm happier to go with a trekking company and let them do all the donkey work.

Meant to ask; can anyone recommend Exodus?

In reply to mypyrex: My mother has been using them for quite a long time now 2 holidays a year. She goes on her own and meets people (in case this is a worry of yours). She has never done anything with them in that region, but she does rate them and has loved every trip except maybe 1, but her problems where the group and the level of walks that had to be downgraded I think.

She has always liked the guides the places they have stayed and their service though.

In reply to mypyrex: Look for an itinerary that gives you the opportunity to explore off the main trekking trail a little, you will see a very different Nepal if you visit villages that are not entirely sustained by the tourist trade, often these can be found only an hours walk off the main trail - look to the side valleys.
The circuit is effectively being shortened every year by the incursion of roads up the Kali Gandaki and Marsyangdi valleys, but the section from Manang to Muktinath is still a wonderful mountain walk.
Exodus are OK I think, I've not used them personally. Most times I've trekked with a company abroad I have used KE Adventure and I have always had a good experience with them, though their land only price for the Annapurna is currently £1995.

In reply to The Ivanator:

Their site says the AC is 1195, not 1995. I only checked because I was going to say that charging 1995 for his trek would be scandalous. 1195 is bad enough.

In reply to Damo:

Oops, yes typo there! Not doing KE any favours. I agree £1195 is still pretty steep - when I did the circuit in 2004 I arranged a guide and porters in advance, but through a Nepal based company rather than UK, definitely saved money this way. May have been even cheaper if I had bartered in Kathmandu, but as I was going with my Dad I wanted things sorted in advance.
I just got the impression that MyPyrex was looking for a hassle free UK based company with a good rep., KE certainly fulfill those criteria.
The company I used in '04 was Ravi Tours, who were excellent, there are loads of good outfits in Nepal who you can make arrangements with online, save yourself money and it really is no more hassle than using a UK based company ...guess the only downside is you don't have the same protections in place if the company goes bust/provides a poor service. If you do use a Nepal based provider it is worth negotiating over price, they are used to it, just don't be too uncompromising, it is their livelihood after all.
If you arrange local guides and are not in a big Western group you will have much more freedom to tailor your itinerary, there will be plenty of chance to chat with other trekkers in lodges in the evenings. Side trips worth doing include Kicho Ice Lake (above Manang - brilliant views of Gangapurna and Annapurna II & III) easily done in a short day and good for acclimatisation. Don't miss taking a dip in the hot springs at Tatopani, bliss for a tired body and no sulphur fumes.

I did the Annapurna sanctuary and circuit last year and used a local guide called Shiba Adhikari. He was absolutely brilliant and gave us an all in price of about £700 using tea house accommodation. We could just leave it all to him and enjoy the trekking. We are using him again this year for the Everest Base camp trek and I can't recommend him highly enough.
Shiba Adhikari [email protected]



In reply to mypyrex:

In reply to mypyrex: AC is longer but easier than EBC, which you have done. It goes up one river valley, over Throng La and down another so acclimatisation is progressive and good. From my experience and that of friends, KE have been better than Exodus, more generous, better support etc. But it will be down to which local company Exodus uses since they basically just act as a travel agent and subcontract everything to the local company. Have fun.

In reply to mypyrex: The Annapurna Circuit is a great trek, but unfortunately the roads being built up to Manang and to Jomsom have taken away from it's beauty. I'd recommend the Manaslu circuit as a much better trek of a similar length and standard, but in relatively unspoilt scenery. It'll probably cost a bit more as there isn't the tea house infrastructure (yet), and you need to go as a supported camping group, but it's one of the best treks in Nepal.

In reply to shantaram: There are many alternative trails that have been created on the AC which avoid the road, there's a place to download details at the end of this thread http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11030&page=4. and here: http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27313

You can also teahouse/home stay all of the Manaslu Circuit now, but you still need a guide and a permit. It isn't necessary to have full crew, although I expect that is what the OP may prefer. Details about that found here http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27436 and elsewhere on that site

In reply to mypyrex: 100% agree with other posters, if you want a memorable experience that gives you more flavour of real Nepal and gets into some unspoilt regions there are better options than the Annapurna Circuit these days. Manaslu is an option and probably more akin to doing the AC 25 years ago. Treks in the Langtang Himal have a well established teahouse network, are within easy reach of Kathmandu and are somewhat of a halfway house between the oft trodden Annapurna trails and the slightly wilder Manaslu option.

In reply to shantaram:

Interesting...glad i did it in 1993.

I note that KE Adventures and, I think, Exodus "tailor" their trek to avoid the road works.

In reply to mypyrex:

Hi

I've done 2 trips with Exodus - the Inca Trail & a trip to the Sierra de Gredos in Spain. My experience on both occasions was good I & can recommend them.

Have done the Annapurna Circuit as one of a group but we organised our own porters etc via a friend of a friend. Great trip.

Whatever you decide have a good trip

It could now be a toss-up between Annapurna and Manaslu both with KE. Who'll persuade me?