Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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The holiday was wonderful. Great cycling, an exceptional leader and a culturally rich experience through three countries.
Most Inspirational Moment
The visit to the Killing Fields and prison in Phnom Penh was the most moving moment. The Mekong Delta was a whirlwind of activity, vibrancy and colour which made an indelible impression on me.
Thoughts on Group Leader
IS was the best guide on any holiday I have been on. She inspired us with enthusiasm for all the areas we passed through, was a great cycle leader and sorted any problems we had, big or small.
What a great way to see a country! I am not really a ‘tour’ person but this was an excellent experience because we got to experience many more things than we would have on our own. I’d love to do another one.
Most Inspirational Moment
My highlights were Angkor temples, Phnom Penh and Mekong Delta.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Khun Is was extremely well organised and a highly capable tour leader. Everything worked. Thank you very much for teaching us many things, for opening our eyes and making us taste things we would never have dared ourselves - actually her guidance made the trip really easy and gave us experiences we would have missed on our own.
Advice for Potential Travellers
There will always be different levels of fitness within a random group which is fine (catch up at next rest point) , but if the itinerary says there are days of 90km in extreme heat, then take it seriously and make sure you are up for it.
I brought my own clip on pedals and saddle which I think was a good move.
This was a well thought out trip and the bike equipment , the bike team support in each country was superb and the route was brilliant which allowed us to see many sights along the way, in addition to that we had a guide with a passion and enthusiam for her job.
Most Inspirational Moment
highlights were the Angor Wat Temples brilliant .......and the home stay over the river, where we had a wonderful Vietnamese cooking experience !
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was amazing..... exceeded expectations , and went more than the extra mile on more than one occasion , she had a passion and enthusiasm for her job and made the whole experience in the three countries most memorable with her knowledge of the areas.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes ......do this trip and you won't be disappointed
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
Came away feeling that I saw and experienced heaps more than I would have done as an independent traveller. Added bonus was having a good group of fellow travellers which is always a bonus as everyone seemed to gel pretty well.
Most Inspirational Moment
The smiling faces of the children as we cycled through many of the villages notwithstanding the high fiving which played havoc with my tennis elbow!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Rit is a true gentleman with a good sense of humour and top class organisational skills.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Potential for saddle soreness should not be underestimated. Padded cycling shorts, gloves, water bottle and sunglasses are essential. Best do this tour during rainy season as landscape will be likely be green and lush. For non-cyclists such as myself, I found the cycling quite demanding particularly the first few days though there's always the support vehicle should it be needed - though thankfully I never succumbed to the temptation!
Cycle Indochina and Angkor - Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam
What a brilliant way to see a country or three! This was a trip to remember for all the right reasons. Three fantastic countries with really welcoming people in each. A great group of fellow cyclists who I hope will remain in touch and a fantastic guide called Chai who kept us informed, amused and motivated throughout the trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
There are so many to choose from it is difficult to pick just one. The temples at Angkor Wat are quite amazing. The trip to Lake Tonle Sap as the sun set and the return boat trip in the chaotic flotilla of boats was incredible. The border crossing from Thailand to Cambodia was like being in a different world.
Perhaps the fact that I was able to cycle 500 kms over the two weeks despite hardly ever having been on a road bike before the trip was the thing that will stick with me for a long time.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Chai was brilliant. He entertained, he encouraged us when we were tired and he provided challenge for those who were seeking additional challenge. His organisational skills were marvellous with every aspect of the trip covered quite seamlessly. He helped to make the trip a marvellous success.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It is worth doing a bit of training in advance. Mainly due to the weather back home, I had practiced mainly on an exercise bike with little practice out on the actual road. When I arrived in Bangkok, I was more than a little concerned that I might not have been fit enough to do this trip. However, the way the team provide support and pit stops with lots of fresh fruit and drinks along the way makes it a most enjoyable experience. The scenery, the company of the group and the friendly welcome we received from the locals made this a trip that I will never forget. One last word of advice though - padded shorts and a gel saddle cover are essential.
This tour delivered beauty and savagery in equal measures. The scenery varied between flat rice fields as far as the eye could see and dense jungle. The local countryside dwellers were happy and busy turning food crops into a living. The cities were traffic nightmares where cars and scooters came at us from all directions. Distant history was displayed in all its magnificence, while the barbarity of more recent history was laid bare for all to see.
The bikes and hotels were good and the leadership was both accommodating and supportive. It was a truly brilliant experience for all that.
Most Inspirational Moment
The beauty and tranquility of rural Indochina and the Mekong delta; the obvious happiness of the families eeking out a living along the roadside; the respect shown to each other in mad traffic congestion; the unity which has followed some of the worse atrocities carried out by man. All inspirational but to hear the real life impacts of Khmer Rouge and US assaults on humanity from our guides was intensely moving.
Thoughts on Group Leader
She performed beyond the call. She shouldered responsibility for everything. She shepherded the whole group, moving up and down the cycle file to ensure all was well and to ensure we crossed roads safely. She pre-warned us of what to expect. She carried money to help out those less well prepared. She apologised profusely for shortcomings on behalf of others. And she still managed to maintain her sense of humour and her smile throughout.
MUCH MORE THAN A CYCLING TOUR - AN ASIAN EXPERIENCE
This is a very diverse tour. If you are looking for culture, history though the ages, people interaction, terrain, scenery, colours and smells, new experiences, cuisine, good weather, the great outdoors plus many more and some exercise on a cycle this tour will meet and probably exceed your expectations.
Most Inspirational Moment
The temples of Angkor especially Angkor Wat and getting a real understanding of the 'Pol Pot' Regime in Cambodia.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Chai the 'General Manager' is very professional, well organised and has very good inter personal skills. Fully supportive of the all group members and equally his support teams. It is not easy leading 18 travellers through 3 countries and having different support teams but Chai made it look and feel 'seamless'.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are not a regular cyclist but are reasonably fit and want 'an Asian experience' do not hesitate to consider this tour as 99.5% of the cycling is flat or on only very slight inclines although be prepared for the heat.
An excellent well organised holiday.
Everything is well thought out with experienced staff taking care of every need and eventuality.
Would recommend this holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling long distances most days in temperatures of 36 degrees was made much easier with plenty of stops where we were provided with drinks, energy bars, local snacks, and fruit. I was proud of what I achieved.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was enthusiastic, kind, full of local information and a pleasure to be with.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The first few days are the longest distances to cycle.
I am not in any way a cyclist and only ended up on this tour as I joined a friend who had already booked. I had not even been on a bike for approximately 15 years. Was I nervous, yes very much so, and was worried I had bitten off more than I could chew.
I need not have worried as I had an absolutely fantastic time. The support given was superb and it was very well organised, the guides (we had 2 Chai and Nat) and all the support crew were friendly, helpful, and a good laugh. I cannot praise then enough. Chai managed to sort out an incorrect double room booking into the correct twin room booking for the entire trip in a blink of an eye.
The route passed a variety of scenery and the roads were on the whole very good. The route was mainly flat although there were some hills. You have 100% support in Thailand, as the support vehicles can follow the same route, in Cambodia as most of the cycling was for site seeing and between the temples it’s not really needed although the refreshment bus follows so if needed you can jump on it. In Vietnam as you are cycling through villages the support vehicles cannot fit but you meet them at set intervals throughout the day, around every 10-20km, depending on the area.
My only grip would be the trip notes, as I have never done this kind of tour before I relied heavily on these and purchased a repair kit, bike pump, bottle holder, cycling snacks etc. It turned out I did not need any of it, as it was all provided with the support teams (snacks come out of a tipping kitty which you pay into, and are delicious). Even in Vietnam one of the support team who cycles with you, carries these things, so I feel it was a waste of money. I donated most of it to my tour leader and my friend at the end of the trip. Also the price for the optional tour to cu chi tunnels is well out it was more than double, I did not do the others so not sure how accurate these are.
Would I do a cycling holiday again, yes. Would I book with exodus again, yes. It was amazing.
Most Inspirational Moment
For me, seeing how happy the people are even though some have so little, there are smiles and laughter everywhere, the kids come running shouting hello as you cycle past and a hi five is greatly received. Everyone I met was very friendly and welcoming. At one stop a group for children cam got see us selling there goods and one boy had a live tarantula, I freaked, and his response.....don't worry lady I will not come close if you do not like. How refreshing in the UK the kids would probably throw it at you. It's made me this about life and money really does not buy happiness.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Chai and Nat, were both fantastic. Always there to help, friendly and knowledgeable. I could not have asked for a better leaders, they are both an asset to the company.
