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

Reviewed July 2013

GALAPAGOS WILDLIFE CRUISE

What a wonderful experience.  Quito city on the mainland and the Galapagos islands are such a contrast to each other but both extremely interesting. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The three most memorable moments for me were when we visited - North Seymour Island where the blue-footed boobies were performing their most entertaining mating dance- Espanola (Hood) Island where we saw nesting Waved Albatross- Early morning explorations of the mangroves where turtles, rays and white headed sharks were seen when the paddle was used to sail the panga.  These were breath taking experiences. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Juan Tapia.  Juan was brilliant guide.  He was extremely personable and looked after every need for each member of the group. His enthusiasm / passion was second to none and he was very knowledgeable about all the flora, fauna, marine life and geology of the islands.  His English is first class and I understand he also speaks four other languages.  He is a multi talented guy and was most entertaining when we were enjoying our "Crossing the Equator Party" and the Captain's Party at the end of our journey.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Trip Notes thoroughly as they contain excellent advice with regard to the packing requirements, money matters and altitude warnings. They also include factual, relevant information about the Cachelote so there should not be any surprises with regard to cabin size and particularly the noise of the engine. Do not be frightened by all the information about Quito.  Heed the information and treat the city with respect as you would with any other city in the world.  By doing this you and your belongings will be safe and you will enjoy this fascinating city and it's people. 

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Reviewed July 2013

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

A one week adventure which ticks all the boxes: a great range of walking trails, spectacular scenery, alpine flowers, cosy chalet in walking distance of Chamonix, terrific chalet hosts, fabulous food and great rapport amongst the group. What more could you ask for? Beautiful weather – that as well.

Most Inspirational Moment

After going through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Courmayeur, a steady hike to a refugio and then higher again surrounded by snow-capped mountains, alpine meadows and an on top of the world feeling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ian was the best leader you could wish for on a walking trip. He was good company, knowledgeable, considerate, able to manage individuals' different walking speeds and safety conscious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Chamonix is full of very tempting outdoor adventure stores. You can purchase anything for all weathers should you need extra gear and John at the Chalet will advise about the cheaper shops. However, you won't have much time after each day's walk, so buy on arrival day or the free day.

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Reviewed July 2013

WALKING IN TUSCANY

Great location, accomodation and food. The pool very welcome at the end of the day.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from the summits were fantastic well worth the climb. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara Bull the group leader was brilliant she made sure all of us made it up & down the mountains and looked after us very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check before the walk if you would be better wearing longs trousers rather than shorts just in case the path is a bit overgrown.

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Reviewed July 2013

A WEEK IN JORDAN

An absolutely wonderful week.I feel completely relaxed and I can’t rave enough about our week in Jordan.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day was inspirational.But the highlight was night time in Wadi Rum desert camp, lying under the stars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Khalid, was awesome.He told us all the regular information but also gave us an insight into what it was like living in Jordan today.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip!We always travelled independently, but now we have busy careers and not such long holidays.We thought a tour group would not be right for us.    But it was so enjoyable, as the guide took us to all the best places that we wouldn't have found on our own.

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Reviewed July 2013

WALKING IN TUSCANY

A perfect week for anyone who loves walking, Italian food and a quiet environment.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on top of a mountain and realising that whichever way you looked, there were spectacular views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The word Excellent doesn't do her justice. Advice, support, negotiating the itinerary and helping out wherever needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes - this holiday requires a good degree of personal fitness and you absolutely must take walking boots that you have already broken in.

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Reviewed July 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

What an excellent trip. I feel privileged to have undertaken it. Overall the group was fortunate enough to have nice appropriate weather to undertake the challenging long hikes which were up to 20km in length and over 1,500 metres ascent.

Most Inspirational Moment

In Chamonix, France; we reached high ascent, and got to see Mont Blanc. The team leader and team members worked well together to ensure everybody in the group: ranging from 24-67 years of age, reached the highest ascent possible crossing ice and difficult wet terrain. Exodus, as they have done on other trips carefully selected people who would and did work well together to achieve the challenging yet realistically possible routes set out by the Exodus team leader. Some helped people upwards when they struggled and others assisted others crossing the ice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader had the challenge of constantly having to check the weather and its impact on our group’s ability to safely complete the hikes in Mont Blanc. One part of the mountains would be perfectly clear and dry and another section just a few hundred metres higher would be covered in melting ice unsafe for crossing. On several days the itinerary did alter significantly; but this did not in any way impact on our experience. Thus we did not miss out on what for most people will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Our leader coped with these changes well. He made good use out of the more experienced hikers. One fellow traveller willingly and happily remained at the back to ensure no one got lost or left behind or came to any harm.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be comfortable and enjoy walking. Try to walk at least 5-10km in one session at least once a week even when it is cold and wet.Invest in top of the range hiking boots (Salomon and Meindl), socks and hiking poles. Your feet will get wet and your clothes will get muddy. Expect heavy rain and to have clothing for all weathers.Be prepared to mix and socialise and where necessary help other members of your team. If you are the sort of person that would feel like a caged "stuffed" animal on an all-inclusive cruise - then this Mont Blnac trip is for you. The trip itself is not expensive. The tour guide will advise of best places to go when you have free time and places which offer the best value for money. However when you stop in huts/cafes on top of the mountains; be prepared to be ripped off (as there is no competition and difficulties of receiving supplies in the middle of Mont Blanc on a Mountain top), one place charged €5 for a 33cl can of coke. Please note on this trip most meals were provided free by Exodus; so these were optional luxuries rather than necessities.  

Reply from Exodus

It is wonderful for the Exodus team to read such positive feedback and we are delighted that Mr Barron enjoyed the trip so much. We are also pleased to read that the food we provided exceeded expectations and it is true that we make every effort to cater for vegetarians and those will allergies. That said to make sure that we meet future expectations we would like to clarify that the facilities we have to cater with are limited and the camp and restaurant meals are organised on a group menu basis where the whole group eats the same menu. Although we do our best it is not usually possible to make alternatives to the group meal and we hope that our future guests will understand the limitations of what we can achieve and will enjoy the group meals we do offer.

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Reviewed July 2013

WALKING IN BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

A great and varied holiday with excellent leadership.Quite a lot of travelling but that enabled us to get to some very beautiful places.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meadows full of wild flowers and butterfliesOld forestsImpressive mountains - and getting to the top of someInteresting old cities

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Helpful, knowledgeable

Advice for Potential Travellers

The climb of Maglic has a section that is quite hard and exposed but there are fixed ropes on most of it.Be prepared for drives on very rough roads in Sutjeska National Park

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Reviewed July 2013

WALKING IN BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

One of the best weeks walking in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Great variety and one of the best leaders.

Most Inspirational Moment

The ascent of Maglic - an exhilarating and challenging mountain day. It had everything - forest, flowered meadows, high rocky mountain, lake, stupendous views.But it doesn't seem right to pick out one day from all the mountains, forests, profusion of flowers and butterflies, visit to the traditional highland village of Lukomir - not to mention the beautiful cities of Sarajevo and Mostar, essential to understanding the country. There was Dubrovnik too - a fascinating place but too many people! History - ancient and modern - is in your face all the time!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Samer is a superb leader - this was our second trip with him, having already done the snowshoeing one, and he was a significant factor in our decision to go back to Bosnia. You always feel well guided and well informed on the landscape, wildlife and the history which is so much part of his life.He was ably and very willingly assisted by Srdjan. Two top guys. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go!!Better take some insect repellent, the mosquitoes were bad in the Sutjeska National Park, though Samer said that was unusual and caused by a wet spring and early summer. And make sure you're prepared for hot sunny weather, chilly weather and a bit of rain. Just in case.

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Reviewed July 2013

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

A fantastic trip. So much to do and see in one country. Would thoroughly recommend it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking up dune 45 to watch the sunrise and change the colour of the sand was truly inspirational. It was also amazing to finally see leopard, cheetah and meer cats in the wild in Etosha.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roger was brilliant. His knowledge gave us a brilliant insight into the culture, geology, wildlife and history of Namibia. He had a great sense of humour and was really interesting to talk to.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take South African rand as your currency as it tracks against the Namibian dollar. Also we ant in June and it got very cold at night so pack your thermals!

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Reviewed July 2013

CONTRASTS OF CATALUNYA CYCLING

Very good holiday with excellent cycling routes, good quality bikes and some unique hotels.  We did not realise that the Costa Brava had so many medieval villages relatively close to the coast. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Being able to cycle up all the hills without getting off was for me inspirational.  The views from the outdoor dining area at the hotel Castella d'Emporda  were wonderful, as well as the garden area.Pals was a lovely medieval town and we wish we had spent more time there rather than pedalling off to the next place on the itinerary

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alan was very efficient and keen to make sure the route directions were up to date and everything running smoothly.  His directions of how to get to and from Flaca station were invaluable. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

We flew into and out of Barcelona airport and on paper the onward train journey looked slightly complex.  However, if you follow Alan's instructions in the trip notes they are spot on and the journey is relatively easy.  Oddly enough, BA from Heathrow to Barcelona was cheaper than Ryanair to Girona at the time we booked but Girona is much nearer to Flaca where you can be picked up by Alan.. The price of drinks at hotel Castell d'Emporda and hotel Sa Punta seemed very high and were not itemised on the bill at check out. To avoid surprises at check out time you may want to do what some guests did and check the price at the time of ordering the drink.

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