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!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

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 Perry

Reviewed December 2014

Southern India Coast to Coast Ride

I carried out two trips back to back. The coast to coast followed by tropical India
Once you accept that Indians like their cold water hot, their hot food cold, there are no rules of the road and that Indian time is different from the rest of the universe you will have a good trip
Cycling challenging in places but not excessive Accommodation about what I expected
Food exciting and varied especially in Kerela

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting the people of the real India in the fields and plantations we travelled through. Meeting real labourer doing a real job in the actual location Tea Picking Rubber tree cutting and latex collection Squeezing and processing the latex Coconut Coire String making

Thoughts on Group Leader

An experienced guide who successfully herded the "cats" (travellers) through the trip without incident He had an optimistic and friendly approach to the job and offered opportunities explore and try new things

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sun protection and rehydration important Think about using sleeves for the arms don't use cotton clothing Loose modern synthetic clothing the most appropriate

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank David for his review. We are pleased that he had a number of inspirational moments during the trip , but sorry that he was disappointed by his bike. We have followed up with our local operator who are in the process of updating their bike fleet; we hope that this will avoid such disappointments in the future.

Megan Devenish – Trip Manager for cycling in India

Show more

THEA TAYLOR

Reviewed December 2014

Cycling The Cape and Winelands

As an Exodus cycling ‘virgin’, I could not envisage a better initiation both in terms of this trip’s varied, action-packed itinerary and the camaraderie speedily-established (and splendidly alcohol-fuelled!). The Western Cape is a land of beauty and fascination and I relished exploring it so ably facilitated and in such merry and stimulating company.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip incorporated many contrasting scenic delights and cycling through the immaculate verdancy of the winelands, the rugged grandeur of the mountain passes and along the wild and sunbaked coast was a joy. The variety of accommodation, some in spectacular locations, some enchantingly quirky, added to the african experience. The essence of the pleasure, though, was sharing all the different experiences within such a friendly group.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Wynand, struck the perfect balance between responsible guide and sociable group member. His detailed knowledge of our route and the cultural/social/historical/environmental facets of the region greatly enhanced our understanding and appreciation. Organisation and safety consciousness were impeccable, engendering trust in his ability to handle all eventualities. He delivered guidance with sensitivity and instructions without officiousness, working tirelessly throughout the tour yet still finding the energy to add to the conviviality of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it!

Show more

Roland Ellison

Reviewed December 2014

Vietnam Adventure

Fantastic fascinating country. Excellent cuisine. Lovely scenery. Nice mixed age group. A wonderful mixture of travel, culture, food, entertainment, and a bit of beach time thrown in to boot.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting on a jetty over a Mekong tributary, in the early hours. Listening to nothing but crickets, and the occasional barge drifting by in the darkness.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Trung as truly inspirational. A man born to the job. His knowledge and passion shone through every time he spoke. Great sense of humour, but also genuinely caring at the same time. Did a great job of keeping a large (17 of us) and occasionally demanding group on course for the whole two weeks. Flawless.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too many clothes. You get an opportunity to do your laundry half way through the trip.

Show more

JOHN MELLOR

Reviewed December 2014

Trip of a lifetime !

Words, almost fail me to describe how wonderful my trip to Everest Base Camp was. This was a lifelong ambition of mine to visit/see Mt Everest. The group that I was part of were so friendly, from the moment I met them on the plane from London to Delhi, a very interesting mixture of talents and experiences, who provided extraordinary encouragement, and joviality throughout the tour.
The scenery was second to none, the accommodation, better than I had expected, and the food was good, yet basic but plentiful.
Everyday produced more and more highlights, I often thought that I would run out of superlatives to describe my thoughts and inner feelings.
My perspective and outlook on life has been changed forever and I cannot wait to return to the area again.

Most Inspirational Moment

The humility and friendliness of the Nepalese people, they are truly inspirational and I feel very privileged to have been part of their world, if only for 16 days.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was highly professional, great tales and stories, compassionate towards every situation throughout the Trek, a real pleasure to be with,

Advice for Potential Travellers

The only way to appreciate the enormity and beauty of the Country and the Trek to Everest Base Camp is to go on the trip. Truly wonderful.

Show more

Nigel Martin

Reviewed December 2014

4WD Desert Explorer

Yes, a good trip, but be prepared for some very long days on the bus with few opportunities for exercise: you cannot go far if there are lion / elephant nearby! The problem is that safari drives merge into trips to take you from A to B, so 8/9 hours on the bus is not exceptional.

Most Inspirational Moment

A herd of giraffes investigating the body of a giraffe that had been killed by a lion.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Frank was very good and ably supported by the second guide / driver and camp staff. They all worked very hard to ensure that the holiday went well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Exodus could do with providing better information regarding what to take dependent on season. November is spring in Africa and we experienced hot weather during the day and warm weather at night. Everyone on the trip took far too many clothes because the trip notes mention cold nights (which would be appropraite at other times of the year). Towels are provided. Due to flight times, we had no time in Windhoek and the hotel is some distance out of town. Could do with a better location for the hotel. Beware the term 'group flights' because it does not necessarily mean that we all travel together - some of us had 7 hours to wait for a connecting flight in J'burg and others had 1 hour to catch a connecting flight to London: check your flight times very carefully.

Show more

Diane Tams

Reviewed December 2014

AOA - Cambodia Adventure

What a great holiday, wonderful tour guide (Pheap). Visited different parts of Cambodia, much of which seemed to still be unspoilt by tourism. From the deserted beaches of the south west to the traumatic tales of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge and then the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat and surroundings. The overwhelming memory will however be the Cambodian people, so friendly, smiling and welcoming.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to identify a single moment although sunrise at Angkor Wat must be up there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour guide, Pheap, was excellent. Always smiling and attentive to our needs with a song for every occasion (and a great voice). Even during free time and optional activities he was attentive - ensuring that we all had a great holiday. His tales of life as a child during the Khmer Rouge period and after were a real insight into life in Cambodia and very moving.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Currency - Take USD cash - this is the main currency for tourists with prices always in USD - change may be given in Cambodian Riel but no need to actively convert currency. There are ATM's in the main cities but credit cards are really not accepted at most locations. I also found I spent more than expected .... but maybe that was the "happy hour" cocktails! Don't worry about the 2 days cycling - it is fairly straightforward but there are alternatives for those who cannot cycle (but cycling was a great way to experience Cambodia)

Show more

Stephen Sinnhuber

Reviewed December 2014

A whiz round Jordan

Busy schedule but very good. Highlight is of course Petra and it lives up to expectations. This trip involved quite a lot of bus riding. The camping was not as remote as I expected as we were near a road but it was much more comfortable than I expected too. If you are a bible follower I expect this would be a must do trip.
Our group were a great bunch and more than anything this made the trip fun. We have all kept in touch since.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hike in the back country around Petra.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sammy is an excellent group leader who looked after us well. His knowledge of Jordan is very good and he obviously loves his home. If I had to make one observation it would be that he had been working non stop for months (7 days a week) and I think had got a bit jaded and in need of a holiday himself! Ramadan was coming up so I hope he got his rest.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get ready for impressive sights, heat, interesting food, no alcohol (well, limited) some long bus rides, dust. But if you haven't been to Jordan do it!

Show more

didier cuny

Reviewed December 2014

omg

What a vacation. Non stop adventure from the hills north west of Hanoi down to the Mekong Delta. You will feel like a true adventurer even if all the checking in and checking out and transfers happen seamlessly thanks to your guide and you often have the option of a massage in your hotel or a dip in the pool.

Most Inspirational Moment

it is hard to choose for me it could be taking in the amazing beauty of Halong Bay or cycling through villages in the Mekong Delta.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hoc was amazing, making sure everything was ready for us wherever we were heading to, sharing his knowledge about Vietnam, making sure people with special diet were catered for and ensuring we took paths on our treks and cycle rides where we would come across locals rather than other tourists. making us walk through the rice paddies was great fun and a memory that will remain with me forever.

Advice for Potential Travellers

don't pack too much, we didn't need the mosquito net that exodus recommend you pack, and when you check in at the Lantern Hotel in Hoi An you can leave your laundry to the lady across the street (miss Yang I think ) and pick it up the following day at 4pm clean and nicely folded.

Show more

Jackie Underwood

Reviewed November 2014

Cycling Sri Lanka

Well organised cycle tour around the none tourist areas of Sri Lanka. Unfortunately we had poor weather for 14 days and this could easily have been a wash out. However, the trip was rescued by our guide Suresh and his team, who still made the holiday enjoyable despite the conditions.

Most Inspirational Moment

Most of the evening activities organised by Suresh were inspirational.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh and his team were excellent from start to finish. Everything was well planned and organised.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take your best cycling clothes as I ended up binning several tops due to them being ruined by mud.

Show more

Gordon Stainer

Reviewed November 2014

Cycling the Cape and Winelands

This was an excellent tour taking in breathtaking views, lovely scenery, hills and valleys, wine and beer-tasting, varied accommodation, ocean-swimming, penguin and whale-watching, history, geography, nature studies and excellent food at exceptionally low cost.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was so much that was inspiring. I loved some of the routes that we cycled, especially along the beautiful coastline, the winelands, and around the Cape peninsula. The wines were universally delicious and such good value, probably the best value anywhere in the world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader met us at the airport and it was immediately apparent that he was jolly and enthusiastic. What more can you ask of a group leader? Well, he did give more. He was hard-working, efficient, caring, knowledgeable about geography, history, nature and all matters to do with South Africa. He was also an excellent cook. His primary aim was always to allow us to have an excellent holiday. The whole group very much liked him and also the African driver who did so much more than just drive. He sorted out food and bikes and was very helpful about letting us know about African customs, culture, languages and history. He was universally appreciated by the group for his warm and affectionate nature.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The rides are excellent and sometimes breath-taking, but they can sometimes be very windy. Nervous or weaker riders may not appreciate the strong winds, but an average rider should have no problems. We rarely had to get off our bikes and push and it was not for more than a minute or two around a headland.

Show more