Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

too many to list... I really loved the peaceful atmosphere at the Buduruwagala temple, and the slower cycling on the backroads along small rivers, rice fields and tea plantations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

the team was great and super friendly. I always felt safe and the support during the cycling was excellent. Most remarkable was the group lead Suresh. He has great knowledge, a smile for everyone and exceptional organizational skills. He would always go the extra mile to show us something special on the way, where to find beautiful handmade souvenirs, offering an additional walk in the afternoon or get us to places with great food or drinks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

its hot and humid, therefore cycling on tarmac can get challenging. arriving a few days earlier is a good idea to adjust to time zone and climate.

Suggestions

I highly recommend this trip for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the beauty and culture of Sri Lanka

Most Inspirational Moment

So many... eating dinner with the Jordanian family - first glimpse of the Treasury at Petra - speeding across the Wadi Rum in the back of a truck...!

Thoughts on Group Leader

FABULOUS. The best tour leader we could have hoped for. Muayad's scope of knowledge was huge and his enthusiasm was tangible. A wonderful guide who brought the history and culture of Jordan to life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just book it!

Suggestions

Have no doubt when booking this trip.... you will be so glad that you did. One of our most memorable trips and a country to which we would love to return.

Most Inspirational Moment

so many - Abu Simbel and all the sights; and the activity on the streets

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, well organised, knowledgeable and fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Stomach disorders are a fact of life for travel in countries like Egypt, no matter how careful you are. Take medication with you. Also, look carefully at airline prices to get to Egypt from UK and then subsequent taxi airport to hotel. British Airways are half the price of Egyptair; local taxi agencies compare favorably with Exodus quoted prices: $18 against $142!

Suggestions

On the whole, an excellent trip, very well managed

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many inspiring moments it is difficult to choose one, but if we had to, it would have to be completing the 10km ascent of Hai Van Pass and enjoying the incredible views on the way down. We came home and re-watched the Top Gear Vietnam Special for which this experience was a highlight for the presenters too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Son Nguyen was incredible. He was super-organised and everything ran like clockwork. Having said this, we appreciate how much effort had been put in by Son and his team to make the whole trip run smoothly and to make the holiday such a wonderful experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the trip is rated as Moderate, the heat and humidity at the end of March made it, we would say, slightly more of a challenge. For anyone who lives, like us, in a part of the country with very few hills to practise on, a few spinning classes beforehand might be a good idea.

Suggestions

Someone had recommended to us to take a handlebar bag for the bikes and we found this to be very useful. Also, a bandana to wear under your cycle helmet improved comfort and provided some protection from the sun.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the homesteads and eating some amazing food cooked simply and served with love

Thoughts on Group Leader

THANH was brilliant, nothing was too much for him, a truly great chap.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep your packing simple..lots of one night stays so you are always moving your bag. Most important don't miss out on this trip!

Thoughts on Group Leader

good

Most Inspirational Moment

Cherry blossom at Kamakura

Thoughts on Group Leader

Charles was an adequate tour leader. I do feel that leading a group using public transport in a very busy country is very challenging.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I feel there is a real need to ensure that wifi connection is available to access Google maps. I did not anticipate how much free time there would be; Google maps is really essential. Research and booking of activities before leaving for the trip would ensure best use of free time. There was no option to go to a tea ceremony as advised in the trip notes. There were other activities which perhaps could be shared e.g. team labs.

Suggestions

I felt disappointed to be provided with a "Denny's" voucher for breakfast in Tokyo. Apart from being inappropriate the voucher did not cover what would be viewed as a reasonable breakfast.

Most Inspirational Moment

The windy summit on the final day's walk

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob was efficient and organised.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Boots with a good ankle support , I think, are essential. A pole helps with the descents which, especially on the 2nd day , were quite long and a bit arduous . They demanded a lot of concentration so watching your feet rather than the view was required. Not many wild flowers to see on this 1st Easter departure date but a good temperature for walking. The wooded sections would provide much needed shade later into the early summer.

Suggestions

Accommodation was fine. Food OK, nothing special, just adequate.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to rank such diverse and excellent experiences

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - very enthusiastic and knowledgeable

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a need to be interested in the Ancient Greece (as the title suggests) but there is also a reasonable about of 'free time' for individual exploration. Really good trip.

Suggestions

Our first Exodus Trip - although we have done many with Explore they are not running a comparable trip to this. We will be checking both companies in the future!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention but watching a keel-billed toucan taking berries from a tree in the grounds of Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero National Park was pretty special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our trip was made all the more memorable by our guide, Johnny Villalobos. His knowledge and expertise was exceptional and his love of wildlife and his country shone through. He offered us additional optional activities (including early morning walks) during which we enjoyed some of our most memorable wildlife spotting experiences. He also organised special events (blowing up balloons in the middle of the rainforest for one person's birthday and organising a lovely dinner at a local restaurant for our anniversary). He had a great sense of humour while remaining entirely professional throughout. Overall, Johnny was a great ambassador for Costa Rica and Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack for varied weather conditions - from hot and humid to cool and fresh. We were lucky and didn't see too much rain but be prepared for it at any time. Comfortable walking shoes and sandals are fine but no flip-flops! Definitely no need for heavy walking boots which I took and regretted. Costa Rica is relatively expensive for food and drink (think English/American prices) and while we took local currency (colones), US dollars are accepted everywhere as are debit/credit cards. As regards food, be prepared for large (albeit plain) portions! Where food is not included you tend to have plenty of choice in terms of restaurants. As regards included meals, we were surprised to find that we were offered three-course set meals for lunch and dinner in the middle of the rain forest (Esquinas Lodge) and a la carte dining at Savegre Hotel & Spa.

Suggestions

We came home with wonderful memories of this trip. Some of the accommodation is fantastic, especially Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero National Park and Esquinas Lodge in the Piedras Blancas National Park - truly exceptional locations. Overall, this trip leaves you feeling as though you have discovered much of what Costa Rica has to offer, ranging from the coast to the highlands and including its exceptional wildlife and fascinating rainforests.