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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14469 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Eileen Cooper

Reviewed September 2017

The Lost City of Choquequirao

This trip challenges you physically, mentally and emotionally. It provides breathtaking scenery, camping in cloud forests, visiting Inca sites in beautiful and inaccessible places and the chance to observe how humbly people live in the harsh landscape. It fulfilled all of my expectations and more, spectacular scenery, challenging walking and indulging in the Indiana Jones experience. There was great camaraderie and our guides, Michael and Vladimir were just the best. They had infinite cheerfulness and patience and were determined that we would understand as much as possible about Andean culture, past and present. My only regret is that this trek may be ‘it’, the best one!

Most Inspirational Moment

One every day! Camping on Inca terrraces, learning about how the Incas viewed the Mayu, the Milky Way, standing on the usnu, the ceremonial platform at Choquequirao surrounded by mountains, ravines and sparkling rivers whilst clouds swirled around, the cardio workout exploring the Llama terraces, walking down to Yanoma amongst wild lavender with horses passing, sitting on a rock edge at San Abra pass at 4200m, surreal bathing in hot springs at Santa Teresa with bats flitting overhead.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michael ensured we had the best time. He made everything as easy as possible for us. He was so patient taking photos of us at iconic spots and being an archaeologist, we were in the hands of an expert. He has a great approach to life and was always conscientious. A very genuine man who worked extremely hard on many levels to make sure our holiday was perfect, which it was.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For those who are not super fit, do some training, legs, core and walking of course. Take extra clothes, it is hot and sticky and not easy to wash or dry clothes or towels.

Jill Moore

Reviewed September 2017

Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda

An amazing holiday, made special by our excellent guides, David & Lawrence. The lodges we stayed in were very comfortable & unique, with helpful & friendly staff.
I cannot begin to list the variety of wildlife seen on this trip & also the variety of ways to view the wildlife -walking safaris, boat safaris, sunset & sunrise safaris.
The highlight was obviously seeing the chimps & gorillas in their natural surroundings & at close quarters.
A wonderful holiday all round!

Most Inspirational Moment

On the second Gorilla trek, observing them as they came down from the trees for breakfast. Being so close as the silverback went by, with his young followers close behind him. Also on our return to Entebbe, seeing the almost prehistoric Shoebill in the wetlands. As someone who is not particularly "into" birds, I found this one fascinating & to be able to observe it at close quarters was truly astounding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

David was an excellent group leader. A very open & friendly man with an amazing knowledge of the animals we saw & where he could find them! Nothing was too much trouble & he was always in good humour. Both he & Lawrence worked extremely hard, & always with good humour, to find as many species as they could for us to see. They obviously knew the area extremely well & had good links with other park workers regarding where animals (such tree lions & leopards) may be. Therefore ensuring that we were able to see as much variety as possible. They were both absolute stars & went the extra mile to make our experience special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is important to have appropriate clothing & footwear for the Chimp & Gorilla treks. we were lucky as all of our visits were dry, but rain had fallen at night, so good waterproofs are needed. I strongly recommend booking the additional visits offered. We all did 2 Chimp & 2 Gorilla Treks. All 4 visits were very different & our second visits gave us better encounters (which could have been coincidence of course!). On our 1st Gorilla Trek the group took a long time to find & the terrain was very steep, so be prepared for tough terrain. The porters were a fantastic help. As well as carrying your rucksack, they help & support you all the way. Well worth employing them & helping the local economy too!

Irene Neilson

Reviewed September 2017

Stunning scenery, great walking

Very enjoyable walking in varied scenery with occasional need to use extremely well placed metal ropes and a bit of scrambling. Bus and cable pass enables rapid access to many different areas of Val di Fassa.

Most Inspirational Moment

Torri del Vaiolet walk. Wonderful majestically scenery enhanced by watching some climbers ascend the statuesque towers. It was the hardest level 5 walk but well worth the effort.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good as always with Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for any weather conditions. It had snowed just as we arrived (end Aug) so Day1 was quite cold and involved treking in some snow of varying depth. The north route up Piz Boe retained snow till the end of the week so we ascended that by the south route. When the sun was out it could be very warm on other routes. Layering essential.

Lesley Pearson

Reviewed September 2017

Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast - please use direct flights!

The 8 hour layover at Zagreb was not a good start to this trip. I raised the short transfer time as a concern when I booked the trip and my worst fears were confirmed when we were greeted in Zagreb by a handling agent to be told this is where we would spend the next few hours with one food voucher, and eventually the offer of a free bus ride into the city for myself and 8 other stranded members of the group flight! Zagreb airport maybe brand new, but it offers just one snack type cafe landslide, and absolutely nothing airside! This is unacceptable, Exodus! Please use direct flights!

On arrival in Trogir our tour leader did provide us with a very welcome snack. The first night hotel was woeful, no air conditioning, and very noisy. We transferred to Korcula the next day (the ferry was very uncomfortable, again no air conditioning, and no open deck space). The pension on Korcula was very noisy too, the breakfast was inadequate and sparse. The island and tiny city was beautiful.

On to Dubrovnik, the minibus driver was to young and dangerous, we had to ask more than once that he DIDN’T use his mobile phone (and he was tailgating the car in front). The hotel was very good in Dubrovnik though I would like to challenge why I had to pay my bus fare for an included tour of the city?

Our tour leader was excellent as well as the trainee tour leader who accompanied us.

Most Inspirational Moment

Dubrovnik, such a beautiful city, and so well restored following the war.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader was first class, as was the trainee tour leader. The both worked tirelessly to satisfy some quite demanding guests.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bokk direct flights to Split and from Dubrovnik!

Kavita Chandra

Reviewed September 2017

Walking the Greek Isles

Really enjoyable vacation. Cecile was a wonderful tour guide and all the three islands that we visited on the trip were lovely. I liked Paros the most but only by a hair. Naxos and Santorini were beautiful and was happy that we got to visit Akrotiri in Santorini. All very scenic and relaxed.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the metal charms that one could buy in Paros and make wish at the church from the 4th century. The wooden windmill bar by our hotel in Paros was beautiful and we had a lovely dinner at Levantis in Paros. All spectacular.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would stay an extra day in Paros.

Robin B.

Reviewed September 2017

Another great trip with Exodus!

To start, I would have given an excellent review but for the fact (1) that it’s not very well vehicle supported because of where we were riding. No one had any issues, but for those who would like or are used to significant vehicle support, this is not. It is less than posted in the website; and ((2) the bikes were not very good. (We did the Vietnam bike ride and that was fully supported and had much better bikes). But, the bikes were serviceable.

That being said, the trip was wonderful as the route was beautiful, the places were interesting, the guides were nice, and Peter had a wealth of knowledge about the places. And, to boot, our fellow riders were a great group.

The weather varied, so be prepare for heat and rain. And, the small towns frequently did not take credit cards so be sure to bring lots of cash (or get it from ATM).

The hotels were fine but I think some US travelers would find it significantly different from what they’re used to if, for example, they went with Backroads. For example, a couple of the places had no hair dryers, and one only provided soap. But, we wouldn’t trade this trip for one with the US companies. You ride more with exodus and you get more days. And, who needs a hair dryer when you’re going to have helmet hair anyway? But, I know some people care.

I wished the trip was longer so you could have spent, for example, another night in Vienna. We arrived early and spent time in Prague before the trip started and stayed an extra day in Budapest at the end. We highly recommend that, if you can swing the time. (I guess we’ll have to come back on our own and do Vienna again!)

Overall, great trip. Our second with exodus. Our first was through Vietnam-that was an awesome trip!!! We’ll be back!

Most Inspirational Moment

Vienna-magical! Loved the symphony and the palace!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter was great. Hard working, sweet, and knowledgeable. I think we may have overwhelmed him at times with our antics!

Advice for Potential Travellers

See above.

PETER WATKINS

Reviewed September 2017

Peru adventure

A challenging trek in Peru that managed to combine quiet trekking, magnificent scenery, the remote city of Choquequirao and the spectacle of Machu Picchu. Walking in remote areas of Peru, at times surrounded by snow-capped mountaings, or maybe cloud forest, or then again coffee plantations. Very varied and interesting at all times.

The guides and support staff added to the atmosphere, providing a friendly and informative company. Helpful at all times, providing surprisingly good food in very basic conditions and unexpected “extras” – like the very welcome visit to the hot springs!

All-in-all and excellent trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having a wild condor effortlessly flying past us at a distance of only 20m!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent! Knowledgable about the Inca history, although sometimes a little to mystical. Always in control and adaptable to changing situations. Always felt safe with him, and the other support team around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles essential. The bugs bite a lot so bug spray essential, recommend always wearing long sleeves and long trousers.

Ali Farrall

Reviewed September 2017

Cycling in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama

This was an amazing trip. The leader team were extremely professional but also really friendly and helpful – a perfect balance. The cycling was superb; routes were varied in terrain, views and challenge and so much thought had gone in to the itinerary. We saw so much in a short time that it was one of our best ever trips.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think there were too many, but body surfing on the Caribbean coast was a highlight, as was seeing a whale from a beach in Panama, cycling like a demon down fast roads through a short downpour, managing to get up a really big hill in 35 degree heat or singing the Hokey Cokey with a class of Nicaraguan primary school kids- take your pick!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roberto was brilliant. I will be looking out to see if some future trips can be arranged as I would love to go on more adventures with him and his team. We learnt lots about the history, geography and culture of the places we went to, and always felt very safe in his hands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Your kit will get soaked in sweat and won't always dry in the humidity, so use the laundry when available and take old stuff that isn't too precious. We are fairly fit and did some extra cycling beforehand and I'm really pleased we did as it made it all the more enjoyable, so do try and be ready for the distances.

Roger Willis

Reviewed September 2017

Fantastic tour of Costa Rica's top sites

A fantastic tour of all the best sites in Costa Rica from coast, to volcanoes, to cloud forests. The tour exactly mirrored what was described in the itinerary and the itinerary delivered lots of opportunity to view not only the tremendous wildlife on offer, but also the different landscapes and eco systems.

Most Inspirational Moment

We joined one of the optional tours on offer to see turtles coming ashore at night to lay their eggs. We were not disappointed and got the chance to see a green turtle scraping out its nest and laying its eggs. The included boat trips along the rivers provided the opportunity to experience the tranquility of the verdant forest bordering the rivers but also the skill of the boat skippers got us in the best positions, up close to view the wildlife.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Guillermo was an excellent group leader who had an extensive knowledge of all things Costa Rica and was energetic and enthusiastic in sharing that knowledge with the group which made the trip enjoyable and informative, this was particularly important whilst travelling between locations. He provided information on the wildlife, the culture, the crops, and the eco systems. He was passionate about the environment and proud of the efforts Costa Rica has made in conservation. Guillermo and his company also provided an excellent driver, Juan, who made an excellent wingman to the group leader and was an integral and welcome part of the group. Juan was as passionate as Guillermo about his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In Costa Rica, and Tortuguero in particular, they take the conservation of the turtle population very seriously and the tours at night are rigidly controlled by the wardens with no cameras or torches allowed, to prevent disturbing the turtles. There can be quite a bit of time spent waiting in the darkness to be called forward by the wardens and tour leader to view the turtles. Light waterproof jacket, dark clothing and closed toed footwear is recommended. Secondly, although it is best to just watch the local wildlife on offer, to preserve the memories it is best to take a camera with some form of telephoto lens. Lastly, and most importantly ! They always say it is best to learn some of the language to make the most of any trip. I discovered a little known, local, Costa Rican response, to the greeting: "Como estas ?" The local Costa Rican response is: "Con toda la pata". I guarantee that if this response is used it will make any local smile, not that that is too difficult ! Apparently it is difficult to translate this into English but apparently it means: "Fantastic ! including the whole paw" (?)

wendy clarke

Reviewed September 2017

excellent first experience

My first exodus holiday was fantastic.The picos were simply beautiful, the hotel was great, the company (my fellow travellers) were great fun and my experience was much, much better than I had anticipated. If you are nervous of travelling alone ,like I was, then dont be. It is well worth pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Go enjoy!

Most Inspirational Moment

Coming down from Mancondui peak, walking through a beautiful alpine meadow, the trail blazers were well ahead and the chatty ones well behind and I had ten minutes of peaceful blissful solitude just to.......be.

Thoughts on Group Leader

What can I say? Alvaro is one in a million. A really nice guy whose passion and knowledge shines through. The holiday would not have been the same without him.

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