Most Inspirational Moment
The whole trip!
Thoughts on Group Leader
excellent, difficult to see how he could have been any better
Advice for Potential Travellers
cash points available in Havana and Trinidad
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Cuban highlights ride
Excellent trip, (I was in Jane’s group, see review below) Freddy was indeed excellent, in addition to being a great cycle guide his knowledge and passion for Cuba knew no bounds, I came away refreshed and more knowledgeable after a most enjoyable holiday
Amazing trip
My husband and I did this holiday in November 2015 so it has taken me a little while to write this review ! Although I cycle regularly since taking early retirement and he is a very fit cyclist I was anxious about the cycling content. However to reassure anyone who is worried, there is brilliant support and at any stage you can hop in the support bus for a rest as each days cycle is broken up into segments of 15 to 20 km etc . I wanted to see Vietnam and Cambodia and he wanted a cycling holiday and so this was the compromise and it was totally brilliant. There was about 17 in our group, and I immediately found out that most were much better cyclists than me. For the first couple of days in Thailand I found it quite taxing as the cycles were long , but the snacks after each stage more than made up for it when you re-energised and rehydrated.The feeling of achievement at the end of each day was amazing. The sights were fantastic. I thought the Thailand section not as inspiring as Cambodia and Vietnam but it was all part of the experience having never been to any of these countries before. The accommodation was pretty good in most of the places we stayed. The night in the traditional Mekon delta guesthouse was absolutely fine although not perhaps my trip highlight although I understand how it would be with others as the holiday info suggested. You even had a shower and ensuite in the guesthouse rooms although the walls were literally paper thin and the setting was beautiful. The various ferry and border crossings we did on our bikes were an adventure in themselves. All in all an awesome holiday
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling through the temple complex of Angkor was quite amazing as was cycling though the streets of Siem Reap with the traffic. We felt perfectly safe with our guides in the traffic. Cambodia was a fascinating country and deeply moving at the various sites we visited in Phnom Penn. Cycling through remote Vietnamese villages with children high fiving us as we went past was just wonderful . Saigon itself was a fascinating places and the visit to the Vietnam war tunnels was very thought provoking . The whole trip was fantastic
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was Moh and she was quite superb. She looked out for any cyclists tiring, She arranged and sorted all the logistics and she was really a credit to Exodus
Advice for Potential Travellers
It wasn't clear to me from the trip notes or photos on the website just what people wore for the cycling. You can definitely wear proper padded cycling shorts, and some of our group wore ordinary shorts over the top but it didn't actually matter whether you did or not in terms of decorum in the various countries which was something I had worried about ! You had to put on trousers for the temple visits etc in some places anyway .I would totally recommend cycling shorts with plenty of vaseline around the leg area and although it can be very very hot they don't seem to rub or chafe or make you overheat. Also I took a gel saddle cover which was essential and many others took their own saddle. You don't really need your own energy drinks and gels etc as this is all provided. Also if you get a bit fed up with regional food, by the time you get to Siam Reap and go off on your own for free time there are plenty of Western food places as well ! Sunscreen is essential. Many of the hotels stayed in had wifi or a computer in the lobby so you can keep in touch from time to time
Inca trail
Wonderful trip, really. I had planned to walk the trail for a few years but was worried about my level of fitness. It was fine however. Others in the group struggled more but even those with no experience of walking at all managed to complete the trail and were well supported by our tour guide.
Most Inspirational Moment
Hard to say, it was just amazing. The last night of camping on the trail was in a high camp over looking ruins and with the most amazing views and changing skies.... Reaching the top of dead widows pass felt like such an achievement and the view was stunning. I might have shed the odd tear but don't tell anyone......
Thoughts on Group Leader
Great guy. I think its a very difficult trip to arrange given the different levels of fitness of people on it however he was supportive and fun to have around.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The trail itself was quite cold so make sure you take layers. You are, of course, limited in what can be taken on the trail itself so make sure you have light weight cold weather clothes. Walking poles are absolutely essential as coming down from Dead Widows pass is murder on the knees! Take a blow up cushion too as they weren't provided with the sleeping bags. If you have your own inflatable sleeping mat, consider taking it along. The ones provided were not very reliable and its very cold if they deflate on you overnight.....
Walking in Madeira
A week of fabulous walks in mountainous terrain, with a well earned free day at the end of the trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Climbing to the highest peak on the island, in beautiful clear weather, and seeing Madeira falling away to the distant sea beneath us.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Great fun and very much a part of the group. He was able to change plans for us when the weather on the first day was so stormy that the scheduled walk had to be abandoned, and you have never seen anyone be on the scene so quickly whenever anyone slipped on the path. He was a big part of the holiday.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do take walking poles - while the uphills are steep and tougher than expected, the downs are far more treacherous and seem to go on forever! It rains a lot in Madeira!
Excellent trip to Vietnam
My first experience of Exodus was amazing! I was hesitant as a single traveler in a group but it was great. The group were really good fun. We had a brilliant itinerary with cycling, kayaking, boat trip, train & plane trips and an overnight in a local house where our guide showed us how to make Vietnamese food. I loved the variety. Every day was different.
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved the cycling through the busy city then into the rural roads and paddy fields to a local market. Also staying overnight in a local house on the Mekong delta was really lovely.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was Danh the happy Buddha. He was great! Very funny and informative and took us to some interesting restaurants.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The overnight train trip was hard. We shared 4 to a compartment. Many of us didn't sleep that night.
Sand and rocks
It was only after my first few steps into the desert that I remembered how much I dislike walking on soft, moveable sand, but I guess that is to be expected in the desert! The chef worked miracles to produce huge portions of tasty food, seemingly out of nothing. The downside at the camp sites (for three nights) was the lack of a mess tent and somewhere to sit comfortably (we sat on cushions in a square around the fire, with no back support), and the toilet facilities: ladies to the left, gents to the right, dig your own hole and cover it up with sand. Ironically the longest day of the whole trek was the tour of Petra (20km). This is a hugely impressive place, tombs and houses hewn out of the solid rock and approached through a narrow canyon. We were taken past/into all the main sites, then returned by way of the High Place of Sacrifice, from which you get a stunning view of the whole site, but the downside was being constantly hassled by people trying to sell you things, and having to leap out of the way of passing pony and trap combinations, and passing camels. The hotels in Amman and Petra were fine, although it would have been good to know that the one in Amman was ‘dry’
Most Inspirational Moment
The highlight of the trek for me was the two hour scramble to the rock bridge near the top of Jebel Burdah (which the trip notes had implied was a brief scramble at the end to get to the bridge), returning the same way. Seeing and hearing about various aspects of Lawrence of Arabia's life was very interesting too. And the Turkish bath in Petra/Wadi Moussa is highly recommended!
Thoughts on Group Leader
We trekked for 50km in a strange, lunar landscape, with a very knowledgeable and entertaining guide, Zuhair Alzou'bi, who was a fantastic story teller, a great skill to have when you are sitting found the camp fire at night with nothing else to do. I have nominated him as tour leader of the year.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't go if you don't like sand! Personally I much prefer mountains, but the trip was a last minute replacement for a trek through the Simien mountains in Ethiopia and I'm glad I did it for the experience of the desert it gave me
A Week in Jordan
Very interesting week. Gave me a feeling of what the country is all about and a better perspective on the Middle East countries in general.
Most Inspirational Moment
Snorkelling in the Red Sea. The coral reef and the fish were an unexpected delight. Very good boat trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sami was very informative when he wanted to be. Obviosly very knowledeable but I think sufffreing from tourist fatigue. Some days I felt that he was just giving the blurb as he had done a million times before with no desire to promote a discussion or answer questions
Advice for Potential Travellers
Dont go to the 'Dinner at a Bedoin House' - just a nice earner for Sami and his mate.Huge price for a plate of rice and gristly lamb. Also make your own plans instead of the group Turkish bath as you will get individualised service. The facilities are not designed for 15 people at a time . Several of the group dinners were also backhanders to mates I think.
Walking, history, food and wine.
Having never visited the heel of Italy, we had little idea of what to expect. What a delight! The combination of pleasant walking in interesting countryside, historic sites, good food and wine, and a superb guide
made a perfect holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
Al fresco picnics on walks, magically produced from a rucksack, and delightfully presented right down to the oil and vinegar for the salads!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Marinella is a group leader par excellence. She believes in going the extra mile, and it shows. She loves to share knowledge of her local area, and to make sure all her group has the best possible experience. Nothing phases her. Her hard work, personality, sense of humour and professionalism make her the perfect guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Remember to pack insect repellent amd antihistamine cream for the walks.
Sarah
Wonderful trip – still not perfect (since it was only the fourth one) .. but getting there
Most Inspirational Moment
Ranomafana - the rain forest
Thoughts on Group Leader
Armel is a great tour leader and had everything under control at all times - he did a brilliant job. Excellent knowledge about the flora and fauna - knew every path and supplied us with lots of snacks (from the kitty).
Advice for Potential Travellers
1) Pack lots of disinfection spray 2) Sun factor 50 3) Pack antivomiting pills - 3/4 of the group got sick during the course of the trip 4) take something to give flavor to your drinking water
CYCLING HIGHLIGHTS IN MADAGASCAR
To summarize, my cycling trip to Madagascar proved to be an extremely enjoyable experience. Great wildlife,exhilarating cycling,competent and enthusiastic tour leader and excellent Hotels.Even the weather in November was brilliant.
Most Inspirational Moment
Downhill cycling through mountain terrain
Thoughts on Group Leader
Extremely competent and enthusiastic.