Reviews

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

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14432 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed December 2013

CYCLE NAMIBIA

Namibia is an exciting country to visit offering lasting memories. Cycling is a great way to see any country, especially in Africa which has different challenges to other parts of the world. It is an easy cycle if you are competent on dirt roads; early starts are necessary to avoid the extreme heat after 10.30am. A big country necessitating some lengthy bus tranfers which can be a bit monotonous.

Most Inspirational Moment

'Inspirational' would be too strong a word - the sand dunes are capitivating from the air and ground - even better when climbing or sandboarding. The wildlife is surprisingly plentiful - the waterholes at Etosha attracted almost everything worth seeing and at close quarters - so even my minature camera captured some worthwhile shots..............those with paparazzi lenses had a field day. The Namib desert in all its guises dominates...........a variable landscape and amazing that it can support this quantity of wildlife.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Swen was excellent as were his support team of Shane and Happy - they did all the tent erection/dismantling, cooking, transfers, bike maintenance - the meals prepared by Shane and Happy were first class for a camping holiday. The bikes were high quality, but the constant blowing sand made gear maintenace difficult - a number needed changing during the 12 days cycling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You might want to bring your own saddle, or a gel seat cover..............the dirt roads are pretty bumpy.There is no humidity and it is easy to under-estimate the amount you sweat (you effectively don't while cycling as it dries immediately). I don't drink much water normally, so really struggled to maintain intake - if like me then take some tasty additives to help you drink more. I ate a lot of the fruit provided - but this is no where near enough. The Namibian instant coffee is rank - take your own.

Reviewed December 2013

LAND OF THE TIGER

This trip was fantastic, it was organised well, the accomodation exceeded my expectations and it helped me accomplish my lifetime dream of seeing Tigers in the wild. I went with high hopes but a strong realisation that Tigers are wild animals and to prepare myself for not seeing them but enjoying the trip as a whole, luckily for me i saw 9 different Tigers and enjoyed the trip so much I will be doing the same one again with some of my family in a few years. I went as a single traveller and although the majority of travellers on my trip were in couples there were plenty of other single travellers and everybody gelled well together and mixed all the time. No being a gooseberry!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Tigers in the wild was absolutely unforgettable and the main reason for my trip but I really enjoyed the vast array of other wildlife there was to take in.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader on the trip was a Tiger enthusiast who had loads of great stories to share and pictures to show. He was always happy to help and went out of his way to ensure everybody had a great time. He made a really great trip excellent!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go on a winter depature it is really cold on the morning game drives, I took completly the wrong clothes. While it was still gloriously hot inbetween drives, first thing in the morning I was wearing two fleeces and a hat as well as the blanket provided in the jeep!

Reviewed December 2013

ESSENTIAL PERU

Great leader (Johnn) – lot of early starts and tiring (but for good reasons) – huge variety (desert/mountains/boat trips/cities)

Most Inspirational Moment

Finding out that (with a bit of common sense) altitude will not be a problem - so you are free to enjoy all that Peru has to offer. Plus the hotel surronded by a raging river, a railway track & an off-licence!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nothing was too much trouble for Johnn - he made all the travelling so much easier, & had seemingly unlimited info about all the places we visited.

Advice for Potential Travellers

General expenses were fairly cheap, but the banks were funny about any tears etc on US Dollars. Watch the Group flight if you are not based in the south of England, as this goes London to Amsterdam first (not great if you are travelling from the regions)

Reviewed December 2013

A TASTE OF CUBA

A place to go now, not in a few years time. Such a diverse country and population which is changing dramatically quite quickly.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the children of Cuba and walking around Trinidad and seeing how people live.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good. He gave us enough information and knowledge without talking all the time, especially on long coach journeys. He could have looked after the elder members of our group a little better, sometimes they were a long way behind main group and it was up to members of the group to see if they were ok.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not think that what you see at first sight is what it is like. Hotels may look good from the outside but sometimes not much works in them. Do not take notice of what guide books say about poor quality of food, everywhere we ate was superb, especially in the private farms and houses. Do be careful about engaging in conversation with locals in Havanna, they appear very friendly but mostly want you to give them cucs or go and buy things for them. They can be quite persistent.

Reviewed December 2013

CYCLE MOROCCO'S GREAT SOUTH

Amazing cycling on good roads with little traffic. November a good time to escape UK to warmer weather

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling up the Tizi n Test pass to 2100m and then to 30km descent. Essouria also a loverly place to spend time, I think in next years trip there is more time there

Thoughts on Group Leader

Well organised

Advice for Potential Travellers

The cycling is amazing, trip notes don't really explain it fully. Food ok, dry chicken tagine several times. Several long transfers.

Reviewed December 2013

A WEEK IN JORDAN

A fantastic week with a great group of people in an amazing country – loved it!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many highlights, but my favourite experiences had to be floating in the Dead Sea, the first glimpse of the Treasury at Petra, dinner in a Bedouin cave and sleeping under the stars in Wadi Rum.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ali was a fantastic leader - the most consistent and patient out of all of the guides on the 6 group tours I have been on to date. We never felt rushed and had plenty of time to take as many photos as we wanted. He was also happy to rearrange plans to suit the group, for example when we asked at short notice to change the Petra by night trip we had already booked in the hope of getting better weather.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't generally need to take anything smart, but a few people in the group dressed up on the evening in Aqaba.I was expecting to be cold in Wadi Rum but I was actually too warm at night (at the end of November). I did take a decent sleeping bag though, and a small hot water bottle (a kettle was kindly put on the fire for me to fill it). You can sleep in tents on camp beds (two per compartment) or on cushions outside around the camp fire.Be prepared for a range in quality of accommodation, even within the same hotel. You may have a nice room one night and a not so great room the next, but it will generally even out over the week. The hotel in Aqaba was the best quality of the ones we stayed in. The Cave Bar by the entrance to Petra is quite smart and does great cocktails. The only hotel to have a bar was the one in Petra, but you could generally buy alcohol nearby the others to take back to drink at the hotel if you wanted to. Food was more expensive than I expected.

Reviewed December 2013

ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

A wonderful experience of the Himalayas, Nepal and the wonderful Nepalese people. Breathtaking scenery, relatively comfortable walking and sleeping, with a chance to enjoy the culture of Nepal after the trek.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunrise at Annapurna sanctuary is a stunning sight. From the basecamp to the summit is over 4000 metres and would take over three weeks to reach from there. The sun catches the top rim of the sanctuary in the clear air and gradually lights up this amazing amphitheatre of mountains over 8000 m high.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Keshar was fantastic in all aspects of leadership. He was always ahead of the game, thinking ahead, organising food, helping the slower members and ensuring a smooth trip throughout. His love for Nepal is an inspiration, helping causes within his country such as clean water and schools. He has a wide knowledge of local flora and fauna and always had a story or description along the way. His sense of humour kept us all happy with his entertaining tricks and yeti impersonation. He looked after the porters and other guides, introducing them all with a story and involved us in their lives and helping us appreciate the work they do. Without the porters there would be no trek. He also had an uncanny knack of writing all his notes on paper napkins. A first class guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get fit before you go, some people find the steps tough going, but most days are no harder than a big Lake District walk. Toilets are basic, but you get used to that, showers are interesting, so be prepared for a quick cold wash some days.Most people had tummy upsets at some stage, so immodium was very welcome. Food was generally good considering that it's all carried up there. Dal Bhat is always reliable. Sleeping was better than most alpine dorms, with rarely more than 3 to a room, but take wax earplugs, walls are very thin! Get up before sunrise and enjoy the mornings, after all the sun rises at 6 am ish, and you have to be ready to walk by 7.30, so don't waste the sunrises, especially if you like photography. You can charge camera batteries usually, but take a spare and keep them charged. It's cold at the top, so sleep with your batteries.Take a small umbrella, if there rain it's easier to use than drying off wet gear in the evenings, it's also a sunshade if its hot.Poon hill sunrise is great, but very busy as many treks converge here. Tadapani has a great sunrise too and there were only a handfull of people enjoying it.

Reviewed December 2013

COLOURS OF RAJASTHAN

A lot of amazing things to see, unfortunately offset by a huge amount of time in the coach.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Taj Mahel is incredible, but do not bother going inside. Seriously. Tigers were a major highlight, and the temples, palaces, forts are also very impressive.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very well organised, and helpful throughout

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are set on seeing all the cities and major attractions on this trip then go for it, but be aware that you will spend 50 hours of your trip on a coach. That is 3 days of being awake or 25% of the trip. Also be ready for the coach which may be from the 1970s and unfit for modern travel on India's very bumpy roads, making for many unconfortable hours. The landscapes outside the window are generally not that impressive i.e. not much to look out at. After a while a cow on the road isn't that interesting any more....I have travelled a lot but first time in India. I'm quite streetwise, and I guarantee you people will try to pick-pocket you, so be very careful with valuables.Also, I would suggest do Golden Triangle only as the coach travel is crazy for the rest of the trip, compare to amount of time "doing" stuff and exploring. And if you want to see tigers, then book privately as you might get a 4x4 instead of a truck, which enables you to get closer to the tigers. In the truck you will be looking at tigers with the 4x4s in the way as the 4x4s are allowed to, and are able to, get closer. Our tour leader advised against having street food, and NONE of our tour got a dodgy stomach...so it was very good advice it seems. Unless you really know what you are doing, listen to the tour leader's advice on what to spend your money on, in terms of expensive shopping for Jewellery, textiles etc.Bring a plug for the sinks...Learn how to say "no", "not interested" etc for the touts who hang around the tourist trail like vultures on a fresh carcasse. Unless of course you are a fan of utter tat, in which case you will love them.Persuade your fellow travellers to skip the "midway" lunch stops, just get a snack. You will wait one hour for the worst food at UK prices. Bring a good book, neck rest, tablet, music, cushion, or high strength sleeping tablets...the coach journeys are long...

Reviewed December 2013

THE INCA TRAIL

It was the first time my wife and I had done this kind of holiday and it proved to be an amazing experience

Most Inspirational Moment

The great local people who seem to have fewer material things but are happy, it made me think about what's important

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was great, very patient and helpful as well as totally professional

Advice for Potential Travellers

Altitude sickness can be a problem, take the advice of your guide, slow down and believe that you will feel better soon!

Reviewed December 2013

ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

A fine trek with almost constant mountain views, culminating in the Sanctuary itself . Quite demanding in a few places, but generally straightforward walking within the reach of any reasonably fit person. The teahouses provide more flexible accommodation than would be the case with a camping trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The afternoon spent in the Sanctuary was the highlight, but only just. The whole trek was filled with 'wow' moments and views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Prasant was a competent, friendly and sociable. His local knowledge and experience were excellent. He looked after the group, and made sure that the fittest members of the group could walk at a pace that suited them, while simultaneously making sure that the slower ones were encouraged and had a guide with them at all times. His organisational skills appeared to be generally good, although these did seem to fall down on a couple of occasions when there was some confusion and delay over allocation of rooms at the higher teahouses. He also failed to organise the mountain flight from Kathmandu for the 4 group members who wanted it; although it appeared that this was at least in part the airline's fault (our names did not make it on to their flight list), we were left without the flight we wanted despite requesting it several day beforehand. I would suggest that in future people insist on getting actual tickets for these flights, rather than an email booking, as everyone we saw with tickets at the airport got on to their flights with no problems.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Obviously make sure you have enough warm clothing (mostly for the evenings and early mornings - the temperature drops dramatically when the sun goes down), a hat to keep the sun off during the day, and a good sleeping bag. Although most of the teahouses did have blankets or quilts available, I wouldn't have wanted to risk them running out. If you need new gear and have any chance of flying out early and spending some extra time in Kathmandu before the trek, don't take any trekking clothing or a sleeping bag with you at all; you can spend a day shopping in Thamel and buy everything you need at massively reduced prices compared to the UK. Take your camera to bed with you at night to prevent the battery losing charge due to the cold. Take plenty of wet wipes - you may not feel like getting in to a luke warm shower when the air temperature is near zero! - and loo roll. None of us spent as much on food and drink on trek as the trip notes suggest, although the prices do rise the further the supplies have had to be carried. The sizeable dormitories I was expecting at the higher teahouses were mostly just twin bedded rooms with an extra bed added to sleep 3. Finally, have some sympathy for the porters, and don't take more than you need!

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