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.

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14357 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Sue Duncombe

Reviewed January 2023

Pura Vida! Thinking about it? Book it!

Costa Rica has stunning scenery. The itinerary covers a wide variety of beautiful and diverse landscapes : coastal – Pacific and Caribbean, mountainous (the bus takes you up the big hills so don’t worry), plantations – pineapple, banana, coffee), rain forest. As well as visiting some of the main tourist highlights eg Manuel Antonia NP, the route also includes some less touristy places. I loved cycling through the small, rural communities. Costa Rica is well known for its flora and fauna. This trip doesn’t disappoint in seeing exotic, colourful plants and a range of animals I’ve never seen in the wild, including sloths. At times it feels as if Costa Rica is one giant botanical garden. Eating lunch in local Sodas (family cafes) ,recommended by our guide, Roberto, gave a very authentic Costa Rican experience. The national dish of rice and beans is ubiquitous, but there’s much more on the culinary agenda. We love seafood and there was ample opportunity to eat delicious ceviche, locally caught giant shrimps and fresh fish. Luis, our driver, provided organic fruit at regular intervals during the cycling day. I have never tasted pineapple quite like this – so juicy and sweet! Costa Ricans are generally very friendly and welcoming. Tourism is very important to their economy and you get the feeling they really want you to have an enjoyable experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many great moments. Cycling through rural communities in the middle of the country, enjoying the scenery and exchanging "hola" with the locals felt really good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roberto is an excellent leader. He is warm, friendly, fun and very efficient. His briefings are very clear - he uses WhatsApp to communicate details of the day on the evening before the cycling and then verbally explains things each morning before you set off . Each day he put an elevation plot for the route on the side of the bus. This has planned stops marked. I loved this as I knew where I'd have to put a bit of hard work into the pedalling. Everything went very smoothly but this is because he has everything so well organised and anticipates your needs in advance of you realising. Nothing was too much trouble. He has excellent knowledge of the country and imparts this is an interesting way. He's a real ambassador for Costa Rica. Gracias, Roberto!

Advice for Potential Travellers

You'll get hot at times cycling so will need to do some laundry: After 1 week there are laundry facilities at the hotel. Use this - they charge by the kg , not per item. It's good value. Take a plug for the sink as there aren't any in most hotels Don't attempt to wash clothes in a hotel which hasn't got air conditioning, it won't dry overnight (NB most hotels do have air conditioning)

Roger FURZE

Reviewed January 2023

A great county to visit

The itinerary was good and varied. The sites visited are interesting and fun, my favourites was Saigon as there was so much to see and do followed very closely by Hoi An which was a really great riverside town full of many restaurants shops and market stalls. plus you could get clothes made to measure within 24 hours,,, Flights to Vietnam there and back are long haul flights involving stop overs on the flights so be prepared for sometimes long waits inbetween planes This is a great trip so much so that i have now been there with Exodus twice

Most Inspirational Moment

Marble Mountain was mentioned by many on the trip as an unforgettable place to visit with great views and caves. For the less willing there is a lift plus stairs and for the more able you can walk all the way to the top.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Tuyen was a really likeable guy who was always willing and helpful. He took care of all requests however trivial and tried very hard to ensure all guest were comfortable and had what they needed. If people wanted to explore sites on their own he ensured they knew when and where to meet up afterwards. He looked after the group very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, you do need a modicum of fitness to do this tour but not so much as you might fear. There were all ages in the group and everyone always found a way, even me! Clothing ? travel light and if you do find yourself needing an item of clothing, don't overpack your suitcase! prices in Vietnam are very very affordable

Betsey L

Reviewed January 2023

An unforgettable experience

My husband and I joined this tour as novice photographers and first timers to Africa. The experience blew us away. The level of service from our drivers and camp staff was exceptional. Paul Goldstein is an amazing photographer and worked tirelessly to get us great photo opps. I can’t think of a single negative thing to say about the accommodations, either. It was a memorable experience through and through, and we made new like-minded friends that we’re excited to travel with in the future. We are already considering future trips with Paul.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We immediately clicked with Paul. His number one priority was delivering on the premium experience advertised. He worked tirelessly with our local guides to find wildlife and predict their behaviors, getting us into so many great photo opps. As as added bonus, Paul is also health conscious and led daily pilates classes and hill climbs that anyone could join. We won't hesitate to join Paul on more adventures in the future.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Leave time for Exodus to confirm your reservation. We booked last minute and didn't realize there would be a delay between booking the trip (which we paid in full online) and actually confirming our spaces. That caused a lot of stress since we had other last minute details to organize. Avoid the stress by booking farther in advance. If you have the means to do it, consider adding a few extra days onto the trip, either in the camps or back in Nairobi. The trip was action packed and the days were long. Next time we'll add in a little more time for R&R at the beginning or end.

Kelly Watts

Reviewed January 2023

WOW!

What a fabulous trip! I’d never been on a group holiday before, or on a winter holiday, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I was very lucky that the group were great and that we all got on well. It was an amazing experience, with many memorable and fantastic moments. At one point I felt like I was on top of the world, the scenery was truly breathtaking. The hotel was great, very quirky and characterful with a nice spa. I booked a massage mid week which helped weary muscles!

Most Inspirational Moment

Feeling like an arctic explorer walking through the elements! The reward was beautiful views. We also went to we an outstanding hut on the second day which had homemade beef goulash soup (the tastiest soup I’ve ever had!) and apple strudel with vanilla cream. Don’t miss out!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide, Jenny, had a lovely approach. She was always there if you needed her and she was always very aware of how we all were, without being intrusive. She was a true professional with a fun side. We felt safe the whole time and trusted her completely.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy being part of a group. We pretty much stuck together and it made it more enjoyable. Take a couple of pairs of gloves, I only took one warm waterproof pair but wish I’d taken a glove liner or thinner pair too. Also take your own poles if you have them. Always listen to the guide’s advice! Going at your own pace is key, snowshoeing is hard work and your body has to adapt to it!

Kate Ferguson

Reviewed January 2023

South-East Asian adventure

Just returned from an amazing trip covering 3 countries. We had a great group which made everything much more enjoyable, and there was a good mixture of culture and well known destinations (Angkor Wat, Killing Fields), Cities such as Bangkok, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh, rural cycling through villages and countryside with friendly locals shouting hello wherever we went. Lots of variety in activities such as swimming in reservoir, eating the great local cuisine especially in Thailand, taking boat through winding Mekong delta, enjoying local massages, We stayed in a variety of accommodation from quite luxurious hotels to simple home stay with lovely hospitable family. Generally the weather was warm and sunny and we had fantastic support from the 3 different cycling teams in each country with frequent stops for delicious snacks of fresh mango and papaya, nuts etc.

Most Inspirational Moment

The friendliness of the local people was so heartwarming - everyone was preparing for Chinese new year and there was an air of celebration with coloured flags, bunting and flowers everywhere - such lovely colours. Cycling through the little villages in the Mekong Delta was wonderful and watching the locals going about their daily lives. Some honest and insightful discussions with the local guides helped us all learn more about these cultures / countries. Really enjoyed browsing through local markets and having opportunity to sample local delicacies such as deep fried Tarantula, silk worm, locusts, frogs.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit was absolutely wonderful - he is a warm, calm, friendly, organised person who worked extremely hard to make sure we had the best time. He helped us to negotiate our way across the two borders, took care of communication with hotels on arrival, took us to great restaurants serving local food, and liaised with local cycling teams and guides to make sure things ran smoothly. He is polite, kind and respectful and just a very nice person.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cycling more of a way of reaching places than particularly hard work- the terrain is completely flat so don't expect anything too challenging. A couple of longish days but much easier cycling than other trips we have done rated the same difficulty. Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date, I was bitten by a dog (the pet of a local child) so needed antibiotics and 2 follow up rabies jabs but Rit and local guides were on hand to help get this sorted. There are quite a few days of visiting temples so bring suitable respectful lightweight clothing. Take care to avoid salads washed in potentially contaminated water and some re-heated buffet food at hotel breakfasts, check ice in drinks is safe. Compared with some other Exodus cycling trips there was a lot of skilled support from Cycling teams with excellent brand new bikes. Safety was paramount with them stopping the traffic whenever we reached a junction!

Stephen Fawcett

Reviewed January 2023

An accurate description

Sri Lanka is a wonderful country with fantastic scenery, history and people. Despite their recent problems everyone we met was so welcoming and helpful. Our guide Suresh was exceptional in all respects including organisation, local knowledge and attention to detail. He made our experience so enjoyable and informed

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, given that it was a cycling trip the highlight was cycling up and over the hill to Nuwara Eliya- a height of around 1,850 metres.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was an amazing guide and exceptionally good at his job. His attention to detail, organisational and social skills and his ability to deal with and anticipate the needs of every group member were over and above anything I have experienced on other trips. He gave the impression that he knew every individual we came across and he enabled us to have a feel for the local lifestyles, food and culture everywhere we went.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do visit Sri Lanka and don’t be put off by the recent problems. The country is keen to welcome tourists once again and it’s people will go out of their way to make visitors’ experience enjoyable.

ANNE ROGERS

Reviewed January 2023

WONDERFUL CYCLING ADVENTURE

This was a trip which far exceeded our expectations. The cycling was very good with a. mix of climbs and undulations and scenery which towards the end of the trip was outstanding in terms of beauty and variety and getting to know this part of South Africa. The two leaders were inspiring ,informative and well organised and most of all provided us with local information and knowledge and beyond helpful at all times. The accommodation and recommended eating places were superb.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cape of good hope nature reserve and walk so beautiful and we saw whales unexpectedly great ride back downhill as well.

Thoughts on Group Leader

They were beyond helpful, funny attentive aware of our safety excellent mechanics and driving and mediated with local accommodation and places to eat . Excellent cycling leadership Bradley and Ado were outstanding ... they also put up with and showed the patience of saints with one person who was extremely challenging and difficult throughout. They listened to us all the time and responded with care and thoughtfulness and provided lots of context to our trip in terms of questions and knowledge of the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

yes you must be able to ride a bike...... a fabulous trip was marred by one person who could not ride a bike but insisted on trying to the point where we were often really late and hot as a result of waiting and made it difficult for our leaders.

Christopher Witt

Reviewed January 2023

Botswana and Zimbabwe Lodge Safari

This trip trys to pack in too much to the time available and therefore fails to deliver the normally high quality experiences that other Exodus trips have done. The only wild dog sitings to be expected (according to the guide upon arrival) are at the rescue centre, much appreciated but not actually on the official itinerary. Chobe is great for wildlife and getting up close to rhinos in Mtobo on foot was a great experience. The wildlife walks in the Okavango Delta likewise were a great way to experience seeing animals rather than from a jeep. Otherwise the Delta element was a bit dissapointing, too much wasted time. The long, hot journeys in a mini bus (AC seemed poor) that was really too small for the group spoilt some of the trip. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans was not handled well, a waste of time that could have been utilised for a longer time at say Hwange. Depite being told of the large lion population the apparent lack of radio communication between jeeps meant we saw none. Another day would have been of benefit. Overall some great wildlife views and Victoria Falls, but the structure of the trip fails.

Most Inspirational Moment

Chobe, seeing lions eating a kill in the early morning game drive. Elephants crossing the river again in Chobe. Getting up close to severla rhinos in Mtobo on foot and Victoria Falls.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide seemed a bit distant at times and was not too concerned about the well being of the group. The safari trip in Mtobo is quite long and hot. Despite taking our own water it soon ran out and the local guide had only a small supply. The Exodus guide had been on this trip before an knew the situation but failed to brief us to take more or ensure enough water was available.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suitable convertor for South Africa plug sockets required. The general populace are nice and friendly, but very poor, so tip heavy! Take the flight over Victoria Falls. Take more water at Mtobo! Consider just a safari in Botswana as that seemed to have the best wildlife as this trip falls short.

Joanna Marks

Reviewed January 2023

Great winter adventure.

Stunning, challenging hikes in the glorious Dolomites; staying in a lovely, quirky, family-run hotel with good food and wine.

Most Inspirational Moment

Ploughing through snowy weather to reach a mountain hut serving the best goulash I've ever tasted.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was excellent. She was an attentive, caring guide who was very much a part of the group throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have your own walking poles, bring them. There are plenty to borrow, but they are not height adjustable.

Jennie Mc

Reviewed January 2023

Wonderful, well organised trip

This was such a memorable trip, there was such a variety of experiences. From cities and temples, to rainforest and jungle safari to the tea plantations and stations in the hills. Cycling allowed us to get close to it all and be properly off the beaten track. The group all got on well and the organisation from Safi and Franklin was amazing, nothing was too much trouble or hadn’t been planned for. The food was amazing too.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many, but i just loved cycling through the countryside and seeing the amazing wildlife.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was fantastic, everything that you would want in a leader. Incredibly organised, friendly, insightful, with a wealth of knowledge. Franklin, our driver, was also lovely and couldn't be more helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too much, you can get washing done relatively cheaply. There is no issue with wearing normal lycra cycling kit. Take uk sterling-it is easy to change, we had real problems finding working ATMs that accepted our cards and had cash still left, having said that you will need relatively little money, it is cheap by our standards. The climb to Ooty was much steeper than I had imagined but there was no shame in putting your bike on the bus and walking up-still a massive sense of achievement. Be prepared for lots of selfies, we were a relative novelty and saw no other European tourist for the first week-lots of people wanted photos!

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