Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

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Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

Reviews

Reviewed July 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

Eight years ago I completed this trip with Exodus at the same time of the year. I considered my first trip to have been one of the best walking trips I had completed anywhere in the world. The trip just completed once again exceeded my expectations. It was the best trip ever! Magnificent scenery, a well thought-out itinerary and outstanding group leadership make this a very special trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is very difficult to single out one highlight for this trip. They occur on a daily basis; however, the group’s summiting of the Brevent on the final walking day of the trip was a particularly poignant occasion.

Thoughts on Group Leader

When one has a good leader the walk is made all the more enjoyable. A very good leader notices the little things that matter and when one has an outstanding leader you know that you are in the care of a highly trained professional person. Rupert, our leader was all of these things ... and more. He is the most gifted, enthusiastic and inspiring leader I have met. It was a privilege to have walked with him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure that you have completed substantial pre-walk preparation. This is a more demanding walk than some might expect and if you are to enjoy the experience you owe it to yourself to do substantial pre-trip training. Don’t expect sunshine every day — there will be occasions when it pours and depending upon conditions there could be long stretches of snow to cross. Good boots and walking poles are a must.

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Reviewed July 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

This was a wonderful trip, and it would make an excellent introduction to trekking in the Alps.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was so much going for this trip, - a lovely group, stunning scenery, amazing flowers, challenging walking and excellent food, - that it is hard to pick any thing out. However I found reaching the summit of the Brevent on the final day very moving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Without a doubt, Rupert is one of the most gifted leaders I have come across. Consistently aware, caring, helpful, humourous and informative, I feel privileged to have been on one of his trips. High praise too for Graham, who fed us all superbly, as well as managing all the shopping, camp transfers etc with great good humour.We owe the success of the trip to both of them. Thank you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it

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Reviewed July 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

A fantastic trip… made all the better by a wonderful guide and the usual Exodus care and attention to detail.

Most Inspirational Moment

The combination of great walking, good weather, a fabulous group and the best Exodus leader I have had in 9 trips made this a really wonderful holiday. Walking in the snowfields up at the tops of the cols was a new experience for me and the level of exertion was enough to be a challenge without being excessively difficult!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rupert, our leader, was an absolute gentleman and could not have done more to look after the group. He was always attentive, thoughtful and considerate about everyone's different needs; good-humoured and kind. The fact that he was also a botanist was the icing on the cake for me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a great trip for getting a good feel for the Mont Blanc area; has lovely variety in 3 countries and varying landscapes en route, and the three rest(!) days provide opportunity to explore Mont Blanc from other angles including taking the dramatic cable car up the Aiguille du Midi (the neighbouring mountain) and paragliding around the Chamonix valley. Pack it all in!!   

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Reviewed July 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

What an excellent trip. I feel privileged to have undertaken it. Overall the group was fortunate enough to have nice appropriate weather to undertake the challenging long hikes which were up to 20km in length and over 1,500 metres ascent.

Most Inspirational Moment

In Chamonix, France; we reached high ascent, and got to see Mont Blanc. The team leader and team members worked well together to ensure everybody in the group: ranging from 24-67 years of age, reached the highest ascent possible crossing ice and difficult wet terrain. Exodus, as they have done on other trips carefully selected people who would and did work well together to achieve the challenging yet realistically possible routes set out by the Exodus team leader. Some helped people upwards when they struggled and others assisted others crossing the ice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader had the challenge of constantly having to check the weather and its impact on our group’s ability to safely complete the hikes in Mont Blanc. One part of the mountains would be perfectly clear and dry and another section just a few hundred metres higher would be covered in melting ice unsafe for crossing. On several days the itinerary did alter significantly; but this did not in any way impact on our experience. Thus we did not miss out on what for most people will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Our leader coped with these changes well. He made good use out of the more experienced hikers. One fellow traveller willingly and happily remained at the back to ensure no one got lost or left behind or came to any harm.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be comfortable and enjoy walking. Try to walk at least 5-10km in one session at least once a week even when it is cold and wet.Invest in top of the range hiking boots (Salomon and Meindl), socks and hiking poles. Your feet will get wet and your clothes will get muddy. Expect heavy rain and to have clothing for all weathers.Be prepared to mix and socialise and where necessary help other members of your team. If you are the sort of person that would feel like a caged "stuffed" animal on an all-inclusive cruise - then this Mont Blnac trip is for you. The trip itself is not expensive. The tour guide will advise of best places to go when you have free time and places which offer the best value for money. However when you stop in huts/cafes on top of the mountains; be prepared to be ripped off (as there is no competition and difficulties of receiving supplies in the middle of Mont Blanc on a Mountain top), one place charged €5 for a 33cl can of coke. Please note on this trip most meals were provided free by Exodus; so these were optional luxuries rather than necessities.  

Reply from Exodus

It is wonderful for the Exodus team to read such positive feedback and we are delighted that Mr Barron enjoyed the trip so much. We are also pleased to read that the food we provided exceeded expectations and it is true that we make every effort to cater for vegetarians and those will allergies. That said to make sure that we meet future expectations we would like to clarify that the facilities we have to cater with are limited and the camp and restaurant meals are organised on a group menu basis where the whole group eats the same menu. Although we do our best it is not usually possible to make alternatives to the group meal and we hope that our future guests will understand the limitations of what we can achieve and will enjoy the group meals we do offer.

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Reviewed January 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

I had not trekked in this area of Europe before but found the experience really wonderful. I took several hundred photos many of them of wild flowers which were the subject of an illustrated Powerpoint talk locally. Apart from that the scenery was very varied and each day was different. I enjoyed the climb each day.

Most Inspirational Moment

First, seeing extensive meadows of wild flowers with such a wide variety and very unexpected. The scenery was very beautiful and I certainly recommend the trek. Wonderful ice-cream (very many varieties) in the Italian section of the trek. The other trekkers were very friendly and all went well.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent and he allowed us some freedom and at the same time coped well with the differing speed of the trekkers. He gave help where needed and one felt confident with him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trek involves a lot of uphill around 11,000metres so a certain amount of fitness is required so that one can enjoy the challenge. Obviously there was as much downhill which is hard on the knees. But at my age of 75 I did not suffer.

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Reviewed January 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

This is a stunning trip. The views start off as fabulous, and simply get better almost every day. We took the camping option, which is both cheaper, and in our view more fun. The ages ranged from 27 to 68, so if you are fit enough this trip can be for everyone. It’s rating of moderate to challenging is about right, with some long tough days, especially towards the end of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking over the pass from Switzerland into Italy was simply breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simon (Si) , instilled confidence through out the trip. He judged everyone's fitness really well, and was always several steps ahead. We had supreme confidence in him if anything had gone wrong( which it didn't).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Recommend walking poles, as coming downhill in the wet can be tricky, and sticks do provide extra stability.

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Reviewed October 2012

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

This was an excellent trip with superb views of the Mont Blanc massif from all angles. The views were tremendous.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk along the ridge of the Mont de la Saxe provided one of the most superb views of the trip, truly inspirational.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader inspired total confidence. You knew that if any untoward event happened that he was more than competent to get you through it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was kind to us but bad weather in the early and late season might preclude one from reaching some areas. I was glad we took the second trip of the season.

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Reviewed September 2012

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT - Camping

An amazing two week alpine hiking experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard work of uphill climbs was more than rewarded by stunning mountain, glacier and valley vistas, sometimes surrounded by clouds.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very professional leader whose extensive experience in the alps made the trip truly great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Working on your fitness before the trip will make a difference. Take lots of photos!

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Reviewed September 2012

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

This was a thoroughly enjoyable trip that more than lived up to my expectations. Having the time to do the complete circuit, visiting France, Switzerland and Italy en route, gives you a great feeling of satisfaction and allows you to appreciate both the similarities and differences of these three countries that share a common alpine geography and history.

Most Inspirational Moment

As well as crossing over many high passes as part of the circuit, we had the opportunity for some side trips up to local peaks 200-300 metres higher and easily accessible from the pass. Reaching the peak gives you a fantastic 360 degree view, definitely a 'wow' moment, and the weather was benign enough so that we could enjoy a relaxing lunch break at the top - sublime!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The main trek leader, Graham, is a very experienced leader who is thoroughly familiar with the Mont Blanc region. This meant that he could plan good alternative routes when the weather was unfavourable for the planned route. He also kept us informed and entertained with little anecdotes and snippets of local history, which I feel is an important aspect of these treks. So I now know where the word 'alp' comes from - which is not what you might expect!We also had the benefit of a trainee leader, Johnie, who led some the walks. This was beneficial, as it made it easier to organise side trips that did not require the participation of the whole group. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a hard walking trek, definitely more C than B and with lots of steep descents, so make sure you go equipped with good walking boots and socks, and walking poles are very useful.

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Reviewed September 2012

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

First time away on my own (at age of 51), first time on a group holiday, first visit to the alps and first time on a trekking holiday, it exceeded all my expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think each and every day had its moments, some days many of them,  such as reaching the highest point of the day and having time to take in the stunning views and seeing just how far we had come.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Graham was excellent as a leader always approachable, always calm and friendly, had time for everyone and was extremely knowledgable about the mountains, local history and wildlife.  His little 'optional' deviations from the route were always well worth the extra effort.Lewis who was in charge of shopping, cooking, moving gear etc was also excellent and the 3 course meals he served up, all on time, were really really good. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are fairly confident about covering the distances involved taking into account the ups and downs as some days I found were fairly strenous and I think the fitter you are the more enjoyable it would be. Comfy boots and ruck sack!  

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