Reviews

Western Explorer

A taste of many things! A time to walk alone and travel together. What a great way to discover Western USA.
From walking the Golden Gate Bridge with clear blue skies to the ‘awesome’ view from Angel’s Landing in Zion Valley. From the unforgettable moment you reach the rim of Bryce Canyon to the madness of Las Vegas. As a sworn-in Ranger (a very rigorous assessment) I feel qualified to recommend this trip to those who love variety and do not want to sit on a beach and roast. Fantastic.

Cycling Vietnam

I booked this on a bit of a whim and then realised i smoked like a trooper and was extremely unfit and hadnt been on a bike for nearly 20 years! . Soon as I realised what i was about to do i quit smoking and got on a bike … what a favor i had done myself!

Walking in Tuscany

A great week of walking with a good multi-national group and a great guide. There was variety in seeing something of the region and enjoying different walks. Braccicorti, our home for the week, was just that and helped us to absorb a little of Tuscan living.

Cycling the Vineyards and Wineries

No matter how much reading you do, you can never be totally prepared for any cycle tour. There are always surprises in store and of course the people you meet, the guides and fellow cyclists are a key factor in the ultimate overall experience.
The scenery on this tour was dramatic and at times absolutely fabulous, especially in the 2nd half when we returned to Cape Town along the coast.
There were times when the weather was a little difficult and on one stretch of coastline with mountainous cliffs on one side and a sheer drop to the sea on the other, we were frequently ‘blown about’ or stopped in our tracks by the wind in our faces. It all added to the excitement and sheer enjoyment of the cycling, it certainly wasn’t boring!
The guides were excellent, they didn’t allow us to cycle when it was too dangerous but at the same time we were able to tackle some demanding climbs and descents and the cycling was generally just within the capabilities of the group.

A wonderful experience

We were a group of 3 married couples of 50 + years. Our guide was called Hassan , he very quickly discovered the capabilities of us ladies in our group and always made sure we were challenged but still capable of enjoying ourselves. I personally chose not to make the ascent from base camp but the others did. All of the Berber men who looked after us were very good and courteous. Our trusty muleteer Ashdou and his mule Tashdou were never far behind . The food were excellent

Inca Trail

I booked on this with a coupl eof friends to celebrate my 50th birthday. It really was a trip of a lifetime and exceeded all my expectations. The Group leader was so knowledgable and funny and his side kick entertained us with his singing in the morning.
we had a really friendly lovely group of people that all survived the trip together, despite some of us suffering altitude porblems, we pulled together and helped each other through with lots of spirit and laughter.

The porters were fantastic – went out of their way to make the experience a good one and the cooks were amazing – the meals were superb and healthy – even cooked a birthday cake for one of the group during the trek!

Would definatley recommend this to anyone wanting an adventure

Land of the Tiger

We loved the entire trip. It took us to three very different National Parks, all of which were fascinating and the scenery was surprisingly different. India is so full of colour and noise that even the long drives between parks were interesting, allowing us a glimpse of rural life in India. The hotels (lodges) were quite varied. Our favourite was the last, at Bandhavsgar. The gardens were beautiful and I managed to photograph what is, apparently, a rare bird, from our balcony. The birds were superb, colourful and noisy. And then, there’s the Tigers!!

Fabulous country

Jordan has a lot to offer – great scenery, friendly people and history dating back to Biblical times. This holiday provides an opportunity to experience all of these in comfort on a well organised comfortable tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra is unique and unforgettable. The Dead Sea, Jerash and Mount Nebo also linger long in the memory

Thoughts on Group Leader

Unfortunately we were not impressed by our leader who should probably remain nameless (his name does not appear on any recent reviews). He was knowledgeable and well organised, but on occasions he seemed bored, with a tendency to disappear for lengthy periods. For example in Petra we were left to our own devices for almost 24 hours. He rarely dined with the group, and on one occasion we watched at an autoroute stop as he, our driver, and the accompanying tourist policeman enjoyed what appeared to be a complementary meal whilst the group tried to fathom how the system worked. We have been on several holidays with Exodus and other companies and this leader was in our opinion by far the poorest.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Our night at Wadi Rum in March was very cold and the rain started to find its way through the tents at around 2AM. We were supplied with warm bedding and sleeping bags, but we had not anticipated the bitter cold and rain. Roads in and out of Petra were blocked by snow so be prepared for cold weather. In contrast the weather 2 days later at Aqaba was perfect - warm and sunny. Falafels in pitta bread make a wonderful cheap snack lunch and can often be bought at small stands and outlets in places like Petra and Amman. In contrast the restaurant that we were taken to for lunch at Jerash was very expensive and clearly aimed at 'wealthy' tourists. This was probably the only time we felt we were being treated in this way.

Reply from Exodus

We were very sorry to learn that Ian’s leader did not make the positive contribution to his trip that so many of our leaders do. We monitor leader performance closely via our clients’ feedback and we change leaders when necessary. We would like to confirm that the leader in question is not scheduled to lead any further Exodus trips.

Olly Pemberton – Product Manager for Jordan

Trekking in Madagascar

A breathtaking trip, with the perfect balance of stunning scenery, fascinating wildlife, cultural experiences and wonderful people! Madagascar is a truly unique country with incredibly warm and welcoming people; this two-week itinerary gave a really good glimpse into what makes it so special. I literally loved every second of it.

Inca trail Titicaca and Nazca

Although I found the trail tough, I thoroughly enjoyed my trip. Lake Titicaca and the Reed Islands are so interesting, and different, and the people are lovely. We saw many Inca ruins on the trail and in the Sacred Valley, and they were amazing! The cherry on top though was Machu Pichu itself. It was totally AWSOME!! However we had more to come. The Nazca Lines are just awsome too!! We also had great fun on the sand dune buggy ride!! Not to be forgotten are the Ballestas Islands. The wildlife there is just fantastic! All in all, a brilliant holiday!!