Reviews

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

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326 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviewed September 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

Cycling Vietnam from Saigon to Hanoi, switching to boat and train at times, was an amazing fortnight! We saw so many different parts of Vietnam and were always received by amazingly friendly locals. And in the breaks we got rewarded with yummy Vietnamese food and drinks (better than Italian coffee!).

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many every day, between amazing scenery, great team spirit, the best group leader (Lam) ever and his so smily team, great food and ever so friendly locals! However, cycling through endless graveyard scenery (might sound a bit dark now but it was unique) and rice harvesting at sunset time near Hue. And how brilliant was wave jumping at Mui Ne after a day of sweaty cycling in the August heat!! And last but not least the great team spirit!

Thoughts on Group Leader

You can wish for no better tour leader than Lam! The enthusiasm for his country and his efforts to look after everyone of the entire cycling team are just unparalleled! His team of drivers and mechanic just loved him, and so did we! He is simply the best!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The summer heat and humidity make cycling more demanding than in Europe. A camelbag will provide water more easily and cooler than a water bottle. Bring very good sunscreen and enough clothes to change (even though washing is possible every 5 days or so).

Reviewed August 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

A brilliant cycling adventure which combines moderately challenging cycling through ever-changing scenery with a real opportunity to experience the culture, history and people of Vietnam.

Most Inspirational Moment

The penultimate day of cycling - 110km into Hue, including a 10km up-stretch through the mountains. Off the bike, it would have to be cruising in Halong Bay, one of the numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites that we visited along the way.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding. Lam is full of knowledge about his country, and a highly organised and competent tour leader. Full of fun and energy, he led us brilliantly and is an excellent ambassador for Vietnam and Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Being comfortable whilst cycling is the key to maximum enjoyment. Own saddle and padded shorts are for winners! One of our group also brought cleats - a nice to have but not essential.

Reviewed August 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

Vietnam is one of the touching Exodus trips I’ve been on, in terms of its history, natural beauty, village life, and potential for change (for better or worse). I highly recommend that people take the opportunity to see it now, as it the pace of change is evident. From sweeping deserted beaches, to luxurious mountain regions, and the ever present farming (land and sea), this country is determined to develop on its own terms. Taking it all in at bike level is simply the best way to travel and Exodus again pulls out all the stops to make it an enjoyable and rewarding trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Many, of course! Cycling through the villages with kids, scooters and buffalo everywhere was a great change from the frenetic and always entertaining city life. The hammocks at every cafe! Vietnamese have the low down on afternoon relaxation. Great hills, both up and down, even in the July/Aug heat. The roads were better than expected, and the lack of car traffic was quietly appreciated (altho the scooters are sure to provide a few anxious moments). Seeing the bus with the home made lemonade ready.... The cooling water spouts half way up the Hai Van pass :-).... The 30km downhill section in the mountains..... The incredible cemetary road.... And the rather energetic Glee performances of our group at every available prompt (you had to be there!!) Halong Bay is an absolute treat at the end of the tour. And the food .... aaah, the food. Fresh and healthy, what more could you want?

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danh (the man) truly loves his job and his country, and it shows. His desire to share knowledge and background so we understand the history and what we're seeing is great. Superb organisational skills in a country which I imagine presents some unusual challenges at times, plus little things which made a difference to every one of us. His patience is amazing. The support staff were brilliant, with the quickest tire changes in the East and a helping push up the hills if flagging!

Advice for Potential Travellers

To truly enjoy this be reasonably fit, although you don't necessarily need to be bike fit, it's good to have basic bike handling skills for those little moments of rough road or unexpected scooters. There are some "undulating" days but this provides interest and to some a nice challenge. Vietnam is quite hot this time of year, so camelbaks would be good to carry more water if you are a heavy drinker, but the bus/truck are never far away if you run out between stops. Be prepared for rain on some days. I generally wore lycra which wasn't a problem locally. You may find your own clipless pedals are good for the hills. Those who suffer from sea sickness be sure to take your pills so you enjoy the whole tour experience as there are several excellent boat trips you don't want to miss.

Reviewed April 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

Vietnam is an inspirational place to visit, the people are welcoming and open, the kids great you like brothers and sisters,the cities are a total culture shock and the landscape and coast is stunning. As cyclists dressed in our get up we must have looked like people from another planet dropped into a society which in some areas looks like it has not changed in hundreds of years. I felt by cycling, you touch, feel, smell and experience all aspects of life, it’s traveling on a human scale enabling you to immerse yourself in another culture.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many; us all collectively lighting a tribute to those who suffered in the war, at the sight of a village whose population was all killed one dreadful morning 45 years ago, was moving. It was like it happened yesterday because the landscape had not changed around the village and there were children cycling back from school looking and sounding like the children who were killed leaving for school that fateful day. Reaching some personal goals in terms of the cycling, getting to the top of hill top passes, cycling to the coast for the first time and jumping in the sea, the overnight train ride and seeing Hanoi for the first time after getting off the train. Halong bay was stunning and I got up at dawn to sea the sun rise over the limestone peaks. But the real inspiration is seeing the strength and energy of the Vietnamise people, after the war you think they would turn their back on people from the west, but they were happy to share their time with us and let us see how they live.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam, was caring, effective, knowledgeable and his fitness was inspirational on the bike rides. Every single arrangement he made for us worked and his recommendations around places to go and see we're always spot on.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only go on this trip if you are a fit cyclist. I was on the margin of not strong enough and it was a tough challenge. It says it's mostly flat, somewhere, it's mostly hilly. We had a wide range of ability levels and e erroneous was supported to finish. But my advise is if you have not cycled over 70km in a day in the uk, you are going to find 100km in the heat very very tough. And oh yes train and train before leaving. You will enjoy it more if it's not painful

Reviewed March 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

All too soon, the two weeks had come to an end. Yet whilst we were busy with the trip, time seemed to expand. Full on, always busy, but what a wonderful way to see such an incredible country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Experiencing the crazy world of Vietnamese travel - the scooters, mopeds and motorcycles, mixed in with the buses and trucks!; Seeing the beautiful scenery, the outlines of the hills of the central highlands on the skyline whilst cycling amongst the rice paddies; swimming in the warm Pacific ocean from a paradise sandy bay; tasting such fantastic and varied food; being made so welcome by all the people we met - especially the children and their calls of hello as we cycled past, "high-fiving" as we went!; 30km of downhill cycling, from hill top to river-side restaurant

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danh was simply the best! This was our sixth Exodus adventure, and all of our leaders have been superb, but Danh is a cut above in a field of excellence. His attentive dedication to his job and those in his care meant that we wanted for nothing, and with his wonderful support team of drivers and cycle mechanics backing him up, the whole trip went as smoothly as a well-oiled bike chain! His passion for, and love of his country shone through, and his encylopeadic knowledge of Vietnamese history and culture combined with his fantastic sense of humour and fun, meant there was never a dull moment!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you only ever cycle to the shops, prepare yourself for a shock! Don't let this put you off, you should still do it, but you might want to put in some practice on some inclines (or undulating terrain, as we educated Danh to refer to it!). What is difficult to prepare for is the heat - which for most of our trip was in the high 20s and more often than not into the 30s. Cycling in the sauna should do it, but your sports centre might object!

Reviewed March 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

A wonderful holiday with a great group of people in a fascinating country. We had the chance to see local life close to and were warmly greeted wherever we went.

Most Inspirational Moment

The long descent (35km) from the top of a very wet and misty mountain beyond Dalat down to the warm and sunny valley below, freewheeling most of the way.The 10k long uphill climb to the top of the Hai Van Pass, a big challenge and a real sense of achievement to make it to the top.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Long Le was superb; he had a wonderful sense of humour, and a great grasp of English idiom. Nothing was too much trouble for him, everything went very smoothly and he was able to change plans if necessary with no problems. He was a great ambassador for both the Company and the Country and was always delighted to share information and to "educate us"

Advice for Potential Travellers

A gel saddle cover or your own saddle is vital to the enjoyment of the holiday, padded shorts are pretty useful too. Some of the rides are quite long, get a bit fit before you go and you will enjoy it more. Having said that, anyone who couldn't manage some of the longer climbing sections was welcome to ride up in the bus: there was no pressure to carry on if you couldn't manage it. Take Immodium instants!!!!

Reviewed March 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

Thoroughly enjoyable. Still thinking about it now after a week back. I am a committed cyclist and others on the trip probably were not enthusiasts but it didn’t matter. We all mixed well and the mixture of swimming, site-seeing and kayaking was great.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the people and just a different way of life. How hard they seemed to work in the cities and for not very much

Thoughts on Group Leader

Long Le is a real gem and such an enthusiast

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just soak it all up and you will manage the cycling so long as you are reasonably fit

Reviewed March 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

It was a wonderful experience. Great cycling and a varied itinerary gave us a good feel for the place and its people. Vietnam is a luscious country, moving forward from the horrors of war to the magic of peace.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Hai Van Pass was exhilarating, as was cycling downhill from Dalat. Views were stunning, and every effort worthwhile. Swimming in the warm China Sea, kayaking in Halong Bay, watching peanut farmers harvesting their crop, crawling through the Chu Chi tunnels, were but a few of the interesting times we enjoyed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Long, our leader, was first class. He was well informed, cheerful, easy going and had a great sense of humour. He seamlessly took us from Saigon to Hanoi, ensuring we were well fed and watered, and responding to our individual requests.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and enjoy the experience!

Reviewed March 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

This is a great way to experience Vietnam, cycling added an extra dimension to the trip allowing us to get closer to the people, the beautiful scenery and off the beaten track. The planning was faultless, the guides could not do enough for us and I came away with some fantastic memories (and friendships).

Most Inspirational Moment

Despite the breathtaking scenery for me everything about the was encapsulated in a brief moment whilst we were riding through a village. I was 100 metres behind one of our group and could see clearly children running and skipping out of their homes to shout 'hello' and give him and then myself high fives as we went past. This was par for the course everywhere we went - as I was riding up the Hai Van Pass motor cyclists pulled up alongside to say hello and chatting to me as I was fighting for air! Vietnam is a beautiful country with wonderful genuinely friendly people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lynn was excellent. Planning and execution of the trip was faultless but the extra dimension was brought to the trip by his personal stories of his experiences growing up in a war torn Vietnam. It was not only interesting but allowed us to understand on a personal level the challenges the Vietnamese have faced in relatively recent times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My only concern about the trip was me travelling on my own - there was the unknown element what the other of the other people on the trip were like. Do not let this put you off! Of a group of 10, 5 of us were solo travellers but we soon realised we all had the similar ideas, values and reasons for going on the trip and this made the basis of making some really good friends - in fact they made a good trip great.

Reviewed February 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

a busy trip that allows you to see many of the highlights the country has to offer. The people of Vietnam are truly inspirational.

Most Inspirational Moment

there were many - local kids enthusiastically greeting us on an island off Nha Trang; dinner in a busy local restaurant; people on scooters pulling up next to us while cycling to say hello; seeing the excitement of people in small villages at the sight of those crazy Westerners cycling through their country in the heat

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danh: Always smiling and happy, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his country. Really helpful and always willing to go the extra mile - literally! He told us at times we'd be cycling another 15km which turned into almost twice that distance.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the heat in the South. We cycled in the mid-day sun (temperatures around 35 degrees C) with very little shade. Don't expect to be able to take lots of pictures while cycling - most people in our group wanted to cycle from A to B without stopping. Not really what I was expecting. Also, don't expect to have much time to yourself, even the free days are packed with activities. A typical day usually starts at 8am on the bus (or bikes) and you don't get to the hotels until about half 6 or 7pm. You'll just about have enough time for a quick shower before meeting up with the group for dinner. The trip notes also mention about "predominatly flat" roads, but on most days there were a few long, steep hills to climb, so be prepared for that.

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