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

David How

Reviewed August 2014

Mt Blanc Circuit

Rightfully described as one of the world’s iconic trekking trails, the TMB met all my expectations. It was challenging and tough going in many parts. I can sit here back in England and reflect on something I am proud to have achieved and with every intention of encouraging friends to have their own go at. A great team of people to accompany me and led by a first class Mountain Leader in John, fed, watered and spiritually strengthened by our Cook, Graham.

Most Inspirational Moment

A glass of grappa and a toast to Walter Bonatti, in the refuge bearing his name. John our guide had told us the story of the famous Alpinist and his independence of spirit. On the wall a photograph of the man himself and the inscription 'L'aventura e dentro di noi' .

Thoughts on Group Leader

John was first class from start to finish. He had the gift of knowing when to talk and when not to. He allowed us to enjoy the mountains for ourselves but at the same time and at the right time, knew how to enrich that experience with his knowledge and love for the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get yourself fit before you take this one on. If you can't walk in hills or mountains then regularly run or cycle or swim or do some serious gym work, just to get you used to exertion and recovery. It's 100 miles and 10 000 metres of ascent and descent that is not to be underestimated.

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Margaret Bray

Reviewed August 2014

Margaret

Having had are original booking changed due to no one else booking, the company re booked our trip for the Saturday. They were very helpful and apologetic, they could not understand why, having been on the trek I do.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cocktails at the hotel in Les Bossons,we went here by ourselves. As every meal that had been pre booked by Exodus, we were told beforehand that the hotel did not like the group, or people the previous week had complained.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He had very little knowledge about the area, he had done two trips and we were his third group. He did state quite clearly that the did not expect us to move along at the same speed, however with all the references to the previous group, a pack mentally developed and on arrival at the campsite each evening it was "were we faster than the previous" This resulted in one day, three of the team having to abandon their walk due to being completely wrecked.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure that the people running your trek, are enjoying their job, as if they are totally fed up it begins to rub off on you. I did the Yorkshire Three Peaks in just under ten hours, I would suggest that you must be fit enough to complete this within nine hours otherwise do not book. Also be prepared to pack up belongings and your tent, before you are allowed a warm drink or anything to eat. (this is because they do not trust you will be organised in time for the group to leave!

Reply from Exodus

An Exodus staff member who travelled on this departure has given us excellent feedback about the tour leader and the way in which the walks were led, and this leader has had great feedback over the past two seasons so we are disappointed that Margaret’s experience was not as positive as we would have expected. We are aware that on one day, three of the group members decided to take a cable car down when the option was available, but to our knowledge this was not because they felt they had to abandon the walk and we have not received any other feedback to suggest that the pace of the walking was overly fast. We are really sorry that Margaret did not enjoy this holiday as much as other trips she has been on and that she sustained an injury as we realise she must have been disappointed not to join all of the walks. Chloe Knott – Walking & Trekking Programme Manager

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Philippa Halden

Reviewed August 2014

Great Trip!

A great week of spectacular scenery, great hiking trails, good food and good company!

Most Inspirational Moment

My highlights were swimming in the lake above Chamonix (though very very cold!!) and seeing a Wallcreeper.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rupert made the trip very interesting by sharing his knowledge of wild flowers and knowledge of the local cuisine and best coffee stops! His knowledge of the area was excellent and due to this we could do little detours to see glacial lakes and Bernard the cheese farmer that you would miss if you stuck rigidly to the TMB. I also loved having 2 half-lunches, will do this on hikes in the future!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep your pack as light as possible - I wished I'd taken a small pair of binoculars though. Do take your swimmers & sports towel with you as it is great to go in the lake! If you have any knee problems, use hiking poles and bring knee supports with you. There is a lot of downhill on this trip!

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Beverley Cejer

Reviewed August 2014

Mont Blanc Circuit

An excellent 10 day trek in which ever day is different and 3 countries are visited. Wonderful views on the rain free days!

Most Inspirational Moment

The carpets of wild flowers set against the dramatic backdrop of the Mont Blanc Massif

Thoughts on Group Leader

John was an excellent leader in every sense admirably supported by Graham (great food) and Charlotte

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go light -you get a chance to wash clothes through BUT take good quality waterproofs or a poncho -it will rain! It can be cold so plenty of layers and a 4 season sleeping bag

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Claire and Angela Aldridge and Jones

Reviewed July 2014

Mont Blanc circuit

A very well organised trip with Exodus. Walking days were challenging but enjoyable with amazing views (weather permitting!). Days were organised well and our guide John always had alternative routes if necessary. Campsites were all good and particularly enjoyed the 2 ‘wild camping’ sites. The food was excellent considering the conditions and the equipment that Graham had. We are both vegetarians and were superbly catered for! The curry was especially good!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The Col de Ferret was a spectacular day and the beauty of Trient with its pink church! The scenery was spectacular and was exactly how we imagined it to be! The cable car to the top of the Aiguille du Midi was brilliant especially the blizzard conditions at the top!! Also had the pleasure of meeting Dawa Sherpa in Chamonix!! Would also recommend the chairlift to the Glacier des Bossons.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John was an excellent leader. Extremely knowledgeable and always happy to tell stories and teach those who were interested, bushcraft/mountain skills. He was extremely patient and reassuring with me on exposed sections and I had the utmost confidence in him. I have learnt alot from him during the trip. Happy to give information about things to do on free days. Graham was superb. Always chatty and friendly and had lots of jokes to tell (we will let you be the judge as to whether they are good or not!!) Nothing ever too much trouble and his food could not be faulted! Charlotte was wonderful and always had the kettle on and the biscuit tin full for the end of our days walking!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take lots of pairs of socks and would highly recommend taking an umbrella (as odd as it may seem). The trek is certainly challenging in some places so definitely recommend being as fit as you can be. Walking poles are very helpful for the steep descents. Four seasons in a day is a definite possibility so be well prepared! On a free day in Chamonix the multi-pass for all of the chairlifts and cables cars is a must! Cake and tea during walking days adds up so budget for this.

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Len Wallace

Reviewed July 2014

Mont Blanc Circuit - 5*

An excellent trip from start to finish. Well organised by Exodus, which allowed us to feel relaxed and let it be a “holiday” as well as a challenge.

Most Inspirational Moment

1) The view from the Grand Col Ferret and the optional Tete Ferret next to it. 2) The campsite at La Fouly - directly beneath a glacier and Mont Dolent - the border between Italy, France and Switzerland at the same place. 3) The option to go up two cable cars on our free days - Hellbronner and Aiguille Du Midi, which gave stunning views of Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks and glaciers 4) Swimming in Champex Lac - cold, but great after a long days walking in temperatures around 30 degrees.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John was a really good guide and a good laugh as well. He knew his stuff about the local area and really tried to pass his knowledge on to the group. He gauged the average pace of the group really quickly, allowing everyone to enjoy the scenery but not making the days too long. On a day when a client was unwell in poor weather conditions he kept the group together and ensured our safe return off the mountain. He also mixed well with the group socially, sharing a few beers in the evening. Graham and Charlotte looked after the campsites really well, providing good food and helping out where they could.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have good waterproof gear - coat, trousers and rucksack/cover/liner - it will rain at some point on the trip and its important to keep yourself as dry as possible to avoid getting cold. If you are fit enough before you go you will really enjoy the trip and there are options to do further peaks for those who want to - and they are definitely worth it if you are fit enough.

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Dave Shephard

Reviewed July 2014

Mont Blanc Circuit 12th - 26th July

A fantastic experience from start to finish. Long days (8.30am to 5pm) with plenty of breaks, magnificent scenery and great company. Plenty of ascents and descents along the way, forest trails and rocky paths. If you are used to walking in the Scottish / English / Welsh hills then this trip shouldn’t bother you. We had a mixture of participants of differing ages but all were able to keep up easily. The weather was pretty kind to us and we only had a couple of days rain. You won’t regret doing this trip and it will inspire you to do more.

Most Inspirational Moment

There wasn't really one - every day was different and in the early stages each day surpassed the previous one. If you haven't done it before, the fact that you don't know what is round the next corner inspires you to keep walking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John the group leader was superb. A very experienced guide, he was patient with our different walking speeds from the outset and when he got to know us a bit better, gradually let some of us venture out ahead when the conditions allowed. He was eager to impart his local knowledge on us and looked after us conscientiously. Totally trustworthy and a good bloke.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. Pay for your own tent instead of sharing with a stranger - I'm glad I did - you'll need the extra room. 2. Bring a biggish rucksack - mine was a 25L but I could have done with a 35L (to load waterproofs, lunch, etc) 3. All the local walkers wore waterproof ponchos that also covered their rucksacks when it rained. They didn't care what they looked like as long as they stayed dry. If you don't fancy one, make sure your backpack has a cover / liner because when it rains it rains hard. 4. There was no wind on the hills so a portable umbrella would have been useful. 5. Bring lots of easy dry wicking tops - they don't smell even after a few days, are easy to wash and dry and don't crease. 6. Bring two towels - biggest problem with camping is keeping stuff dry and when it is damp it starts to smell. 7. Spare plastic bags to keep stuff dry or put damp stuff in eg Tesco sandwich bags, carrier bags for dirty clothes. 8. Compeed for blisters, spare dry socks, woolly hat and gloves for high climbs in low cloud as it gets cold. 9. I walked in shorts most of the time - it was cooler to walk in shorts when wearing waterproof trousers.

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Catherine Johnson

Reviewed July 2014

Excellent trip with well supported camping

This is an excellent trip with well supported camping and some pretty incredible scenery.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were some really amazing days walking up to high passes with some optional peak ascents for those that wanted to do a little more. Looking down from 2700m onto peaks shrouded in cloud was pretty good!

Thoughts on Group Leader

John put in a lot of effort to make sure everyone got what they wanted out of the trip - which was different for everybody. He was always helpful and willing to answer questions, give advice etc. Gave a few laughs along the way as well. Graham and Charlotte did an excellent job in providing the camp support. Graham's meals were a definite highlight (and much better than we ate onthe local restaurants nights) and he was really good at providing anything people particularly wanted and catering to everyones needs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you prepare for all weather conditions. We had quite a lot of rain and it could be cold at night, but equally I think it could be really warm and sunny every day. There are some really tough descents so I would suggest walking poles are a must.

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Steve Clark

Reviewed July 2014

Mont Blanc Circuit

Overall I had a fantastic trip, fantastic views, great food cooked for us by Graham our chef for the trip, good flat camp sites with good showers and some great views as you look out of your tent, even washing machines for your dirty clothes. The weather could have been a little bit kinder to us as the first and last two day were a bit of a washout and inbetween wasn’t exactly pure blue skys all the time. There are some stiff climbs to the tops, but the views are worth all the effort. With stiff climbs the inevitable steep decents follow, giving your knees a good pounding, (have walking poles, they help,(I PUT THAT ONE IN FOR YOU JOHN). The tents are spacious, but if you share with someone you don’t know room is limited and prohibiting, I would strongly advise paying the single tent supplement, you will have more room than you need.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of a hard climb and getting great views of the mountains all around you. A dip in a river at the end of a very hot day at one of the two wild camps

Thoughts on Group Leader

John was a good leader, he was very informative and always approachable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1-Hard steep climbs and knee pounding decents-TAKE WALKING POLES. 2-5 star advice - Pay the single tent supplement, you will be glad you did it at the end of the two weeks.(Especialy if you share with someone you don't know) 3-Be fit when you go, this trip is not a walk in the park

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Barbara Matthewson

Reviewed July 2014

Mont Blanc Circuit

Lovely place but a bit wet!

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from the Tete du Grand Col Ferret

Thoughts on Group Leader

I think this was John's second time of guiding this route. He'd walked this route many times before, and had some good stories to tell. The goal of the tour seemed to be completing the route rather than appreciating the surroundings, but with the distances to be covered perhaps this is inevitable. He was very helpful with providing advice for days off and walks near the campsites

Advice for Potential Travellers

It can rain - we had a particularly wet trip. It is especially difficult to dry socks, and spare pairs - a total of 6 might not be excessive - may be appreciated by your feet. If you acquire any newspaper keep it for drying your boots. if you are travelling alone consider paying the relatively modest single supplement to get a tent on your own. I was really glad that I had done this - sharing a tent with an owl when you are a lark, or with a disorganised person could be difficult. Take some J cloths - the groundsheets of the tents leaked when it was very wet, and I found these useful for drying the bottom of my thermarest., and mopping wet gear generally. On the day off at the end of the trip in Chamonix you can get a pass which covers all the local teleferiques/chairlifts etc, and for very little more you can go up the Aiguille du Midi and several others - including the Bossons Glacier near the campsite. If it's good visibility the first afternoon in Chamonix, it could be worth going up the Aiguille then, as you may have a cloudy day at the end of the trip - though it may not then be worth getting the lift pass. At the airport coming home you can use the electronic luggage drop - the notes regarding not being able to book in on line on the way out had made us think we couldn't use the Airline Locator Number on the way back.

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