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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.

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137 Reviews

4.9 out of 5

Reviews

Superb Spanish Walking

A truly excellent week! This trip takes you to a relatively unexplored but beautiful mountainous area of Spain – most days we met no-one. The scenery was spectacular – stunning limestone cliffs, sea views, olive groves and traditional villages. Our guide was exceptional – Jose shared his local passion for the area he’s grown up in; whilst also deepening our own appreciation of the area with his wealth of social, cultural and historical knowledge.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick one - but the combination of glorious views out to the sea, some exciting walking, tasting fresh figs and carob off the trees, and the lovely fragrance of rosemary and pines along the trails: all stand out as memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As mentioned, Jose's enthusiasm, expertise and efficiency made the trip a particularly enjoyable experience. He really did go above and beyond in terms of dedication. For example, even on the free day, he helped me plan my own local walk, source the relevant map and sorted out a drop off and pick up too. The local version of paella he cooked on the final night was a real highlight too!

Wonderful mountain hiking

Great week of hiking in the beautiful Sierra de Aitana. Itinerary was great involving steep ascents and descents across rocky terrain and sometimes over scree means but worth it for the challenge and the views – poles are good to have. Jose was a brilliant guide – super knowledgeable about the area and the mountains (he is a local and a climber) and ensured we ascended and descended safely and reached the summits before the bad weather rolled in on the two days it rained for a couple of hours. He also made fantastic sandwiches for our packed lunch and cooked paella for our dinner on the last night, giving us a lesson on how to do so in the process, The hotel (Rincon de Pepe) was simple but clean and comfortable and Raquel, the owner, made us tasty three course traditional Spanish meals each evening. Thank you Jose and Raquel for making the holiday so enjoyable;

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing o the summit of Aitana

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic - Jose went above and beyond what is required of a tour leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Poles are helpful

Beyond the beach

This is proof that The Costa Blanca has far more to offer than beer, chips and turning pink on the beach!
About an hour or so drive Inland from Alicante, the Sierra de Aitana rises to heights greater than Ben Nevis.

The treks are based around the Hostal Rincon De Pepe, and from there a minibus links up with the start and finish of each hike. The trek is graded as moderate to challenging, but be aware that the climbs and descents are often very steep and over loose scree. it can also be extremely hot and dry throughout the day.

Each trek has been developed to give a different aspect of the Aitana massif so no two days will be the same.
Breakfasts and packed lunches are provided……And the evening meals are all home cooked Spanish specialities!

Most Inspirational Moment

Spotting a family of Wild Boar racing uphill on the opposite side of the valley.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose has extensive knowledge of the Aitana region and has been responsible for developing treks in the area. He works with the mapmaking authorities and is involved with the initiation and upkeep of trekking routes. He is passionate about his role as a guide and he exudes enthusiasm for the flora and fauna of the mountains.

Advice for Potential Travellers

An eye-opening experience for anyone who enjoys the mountains.....But remember to bring your drinking water bottle!

Brilliant trip!

A fantastic week, in excellent company, with a wonderful guide. José’s commitment to our enjoyment and safety ensured that every member of the group benefited from his care and attention to detail. We were fortunate with the weather – cold, but sunny and clear, providing some of our best ever mountain days. José arranged our itinerary to ensure that we had the best possible conditions. The mountains of Sierra D’Aitana are imposing and beautiful, offering stunning views across the entire coastal region. Throughout our stay, we enjoyed excellent traditional Spanish meals at our hotel, as well as the best ever packed lunches! Thank you, Exodus, and thank you José.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Aitana - a long and challenging trek which handsomely repaid the effort. But also the stunning 360 degree views from the summit of Serrella on our final day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simply outstanding! Thoughtful, sensitive to the needs of all members of the group, with fantastic local knowledge and information about the history, flora, fauna and geology of the area. José's enthusiasm was infectious, and his sandwiches life-changing! José used his local knowledge to determine the best itinerary fro us. He went out of his way to ensure that each of us had the best possible all-round experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you enjoy walking in the mountains and enjoy a challenge, this is for you! But make sure that you follow the advice in the trip notes to ensure that you're fit enough to deal with some steep paths. And take plenty of layers, as the temperature varies with the landscape.

A Hidden Gem!

We have just returned from a fantastic week hiking in the Sierra de Aitana with Jose Garcia as our guide. It is amazing that this relatively quiet mountain area is so near to Benidorm yet a millions miles away in terms of scenery, history and culture.

Most Inspirational Moment

We had a fantastic final days walk up to Pico Serella with views for miles up and down the coast. We stopped to eat our lunch in the sun -incredible sandwiches made by our guide Jose, full of fresh local ingredients - before descending through a hidden valley. We finished in a small village square at a bar in the sun - perfect!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was an excellent leader. He knows the area and it's history very well. He constantly changed the itinerary to fit the weather conditions and make the most of the sunnier days. He looked after the whole group whilst we were walking, providing extra kit if needed, but also in the evening taking us out for a group meal or driving us back from a local bar at the end of the walk. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble, we felt very well looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You may not have heard of Sierra de Aitana before but this is a great area with stunning views, an interesting history and quiet way of life. The walking is challenging in places - there are some long descents, the paths are narrow or occasionally just scree slopes - so you need to be a confident walker. But Jose is a good guide and will help if needed -so book it!

Fantastic trip

Really enjoyed this week away in Sierra de Aitana. Fantastic scenery, excellent group leader and delicious food with challenging walks only 2 hours flight from UK. It was so relaxing being centre based and each day you either walk from the hotel or have a maximum 20 minute transfer. The airport is only an hour transfer too, so maximum time out and about and not in a van.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views every day were just wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose Miguel was a brilliant group leader. He is really informative - bringing the region, culture, history and flora fauna to life. He was really considered and professional and we all felt very safe in his hands but also great fun too with a fantastic sense of humour.

Fabulous Week

Great trip in a beautiful but accessible part of Spain. Weather at the end of February was sunny and a real treat. Only an hour transfer from Alicante aerport and the walks are really local to the hotel so no wasted time in the van. Jose is a fabulous leader, who brings the area to life with his detailed local knowledge. He moved the walk days around to suit the weather conditions which meant every day was fantastic.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from the top of some of the summits were amazing and being in the sun in February was excellent! Also met lovely people and the food was hearty.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose made this trip. His love and knowledge of the area was clearly evidient, the walks he planned showcased the area. I really liked that Jose guided us to support some local businesses - olive oil, chocolate factory, brewery, hostal and restaurants - this helped to understand the area better. Also he makes fabulous sandwiches!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book onto this trip ASAP! Bring layers as you can be in a vest top one minute and a down jacket at the summit!

Wonderful Week of Walking

This Trip is fabulous. The Hotel was charming, the rooms had wonderful views and the food was really nice. The walking was very varied and the scenery was breathtaking – we were lucky to have a week of sunshine. The walking is challenging but if you are fit and love a full day of trekking its not hard. Poles are useful and a little head for heights on certain days. I loved the Tour Leader Jose as he was a great trek leader and also gave us lots of info on the area and really loved his job. Its a great week away with really lovely scenery and I don’t know how I have never heard of this area before – I chose the trip as it was potentially good weather in early Jan and has great reviews but It really outdid my expectations as I loved it. Spain is easy to get to in these uncertain times and it all went very smoothly from Exodus office helping me to get flights sorted to the Canaries after and the wonderful Jose looking after as so well – I suggest going to see this area – Its rather wonderful

Most Inspirational Moment

All of it ! I loved the trekking and they were all wonderful hikes - We had a wonderful first day where we were above the clouds and so the view was incredible - The day off was wonderful as we visited two very pretty villages Altea was so charming and I also had 2 swims in the Sea in January and I loved every minute of this trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was truly one of the best, He had lots of stories and ensured all the clients were looked after and he also provided the best sandwiches I have ever eaten He was always upbeat and full of energy and I really felt he enjoys his job and the area and that really showed Excellent Leader and he showed us several beautiful villages as well as the amazing hikes

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will need Poles and for winter departures warmer clothes as the wind was chilly I would take bed socks or slippers for cold floors in the bedroom but the heating in the rooms was great just cold underfoot as stone floors No need for fancy clothes for dinner - its all very laid back If you are a snacker then take snacks as not many shops around as you are up in the mountains

Brilliant, hidden Gem of a trip!

Absolutely fantastic week in what is a hidden gem of a hiking trip! Stunning scenery, great way to start 2022 with some winter sun.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day the scenery didn't fail to amaze. So close to modern life, yet also so far away. Beekepers, farmers on ancient tractors, stone houses and terraces built by the Moors. Fantastic place!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have had the pleasure of meeting many brilliant guides and Jose is right up there with the best. Very passionate about his surroundings, very likeable and extremely experienced. Made the trip! Also deserves a special mention for the best home made sandwiches on any hiking trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this - it's very good. Take layers (as well as sunscreen) as higher up it can get cold.

A fantastic trip full of beauty and enjoyment

Sierra de Aitana is a beautiful part of Spain that is full of majestic hills and mountains; delicious local food and drink; charming towns and villages; and welcoming locals who will go the extra mile to make sure you have a great time. I have been hiking in many different countries and this trip stands out for me. The guide, Jose, is very friendly and approachable, and looked after the group with care and attention. He is from the area so knows it like the back of his hand. The accommodation was comfortable and set in a charming and peaceful location. I got to enjoy the sunrise over the valley from my bedroom window each morning. The food is delicious! Jose made amazing sandwiches and there was plenty of food to eat at dinner in order to fuel up for the next day’s activities. The elderly lady who does all the cooking is incredible and a sweetheart. During the rest day I got to visit a chocolate factory (my bag was a bit heavier coming back!) and the picturesque coastal towns of Villajoyosa and Altea.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting high up on the mountain ridges and looking at the sea glistening in the sun. I particularly savoured such moments given what we have all been through during the pandemic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was a brilliant guide and above all a great person. I particularly liked how Jose told us about the area's history, culture and agriculture. He provided detailed briefings about the hikes and weather conditions, and ensured the group was aware of any risks while on the hikes. He has a great sense of humour and made sure everyone felt included regardless of their hiking experience. He is calm and his experience in the mountains clearly shows. I would hike with him again without question.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You won't regret booking this trip! Do have the right clothing for hiking and take note of the kit list. You will need a good level of fitness and experience of hiking from morning to late afternoon. Jose will tailor the hikes to the group's overall fitness level but the fitter you are the more you can focus on enjoying yourself and taking in the stunning views.