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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14460 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Penelope Wood

Reviewed September 2015

Imperial China and the Yangtze River

We wanted to get a real insight into China and see the great icons of the country too and this trip certainly delivered on both fronts. It was hard work at times because of the full on travel but the upside was that we saw a lot of the country and how the infrastructure works (or doesn’t, with floods in Xi’ian!). Our guide Alan/Hongbin Liu was excellent – more on him later.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many, but I've selected two. Walking along the Great Wall and seeing it weave ahead over the mountains in to the distance, imagining all the thousands of people involved in it's construction. Second top moment was being among the Karst Mountains - summiting one that was right behind our hotel in Yangshuo and cycling along the Yulong river with the peaks as a glorious backdrop.

Thoughts on Group Leader

In a nutshell, he was brilliant. He was cool, calm and collected throughout the trip and really wanted us to get a sense of China, it's history and how it's developing in the modern day. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for him and he had a great sense of humour - not sure how he maintained that, particularly when rivers of water where running down the streets in Xi'ian and it seemed a certain bet that we'd miss our train to Chengdu - however he was right to be calm as we had loads of time in the end!

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice would be to make sure you are pretty fit as this is quite a full on trip, lugging baggage on and off various forms of transport and there are some great active optional activities to take up too. Be prepared for high volumes of people and when jostled, jostle back or you won't move very far! Also, go soon as from what we experienced China is changing fast.

Elizabeth Bretherick

Reviewed September 2015

Carpathian Walking & Bears

A great series of walks with a knowledgable and fun leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing wild bears in their own habitat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udo was v knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

None of the walks were hard but there were plenty of climbs. Bring waterproofs! Don't get too excited about seeing "Dracula's" castle.

Simon Barber

Reviewed August 2015

Simon Barber's Markha Valley review

A trip of a lifetime! My first time in Asia – a difficult place to get around in. I was attracted by the terrain and the altitude: I’d done over 4000 m last year in Morocco (Mt. Toubkal), this year I fancied a go at 5000 m. I made it, but not with much breath to spare.
An excellently organised trip but not for the faint-hearted or those with any vertigo/balance problems. The Markha valley trail is up a flash-flood prone canyon that several times a year wipes out all vestige of the old trail, and the locals valiantly hack a new one out of the loose, crumbling cliffs above the gorge. In places the track is a foot wide and the drop a hundred feet and more. Not pleasant.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting over the 2 high cols. The first one I managed on zero sleep - although the schedule tries hard to acclimatise the trekkers, it doesn't always work on schedule. The second high camp I was unable to sleep at all - rather like a night of being waterboarded by all accounts, But I still made it over the col the next day, feeling like death. The second, high col (5200 m) I was a bit better acclimatised for, managed 2 hours sleep. Makes all the difference!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima was the one who really kept us going; I can't speak too highly of him. Whether organising the first and last nights meal in Delhi or keeping us on the trail, his leadership skills were superb.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be sure you don't get vertigo or any balance problems, if you want to take this trip. There's a lot of rock-hopping and stream crossing. Equipment; I wore a pair of almost knee-length Meindl boots, and recommend them or similar.

Tony Birch

Reviewed August 2015

Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana

This is an excellent holiday for people who want to get really close to the wildlife of Botswana. Seven of the 13 nights are spent wild camping right in the heart of national parks and wilderness areas. You will not only see, but hear and smell the life around you. It is a very immersive experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's the sights and sounds of this trip that will stay in the memory. Africa has amazing sunsets and, on this trip, a night sky totally unpolluted by man made light. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans have to be experienced for their total absence of sound. The animal life was amazing and you saw them within their environment. The sounds of hippos, hyenas, elephants and lions just the other side of a piece of canvas are rather exciting! The people you meet are wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very, very good. His job was to give us a great holiday, pure and simple. His assistants, and the other guides, were first class. The majority of them were born, and has spent their entire lives, in the very areas we were visiting. They had an absorbed knowledge of the region that could not learned from books.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes carefully. When it says there are "some long and bumpy roads" and "staying in some remote locations" that is exactly what you will get. The mornings can be cold, followed by slamming heat a few hours later, so take clothing that can come off in layers. The roads, particularly in the dry season, are very dusty. Glasses or goggles, and a snood to cover your mouth and nose, are essential.

Judith Atkinson

Reviewed August 2015

Backroads of Sri Lanka

The cycling was challenging due to heat, roads under construction, hills, dogs, traffic but rewarding. Beautiful diverse scenery and friendly people.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the hotel after 102 Km and finding swimming pool overlooking paddy fields. Body boarding in the sea at Koggola, The Hill Club experience,

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant so well organised and going that extra mile to make sure everything was planned ahead. Very keen to make sure any problems were sorted straight away.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely take your own saddle, padded shorts and wet wipes + hand gel.

Ruth Flynn

Reviewed August 2015

The Classic Inca Trail

A fantastically organised trip where every detail had been though of, planned for and executed well. The walking route was well structured to make it as simple and pleasant as possible.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment was probably seeing Machu Picchu Mountain for the first time at the end of Day 3 of walking. Although there were so many highlights it's hard to choose one. Other great moments; Exploring Machu Picchu, Walking through the cloud forest, Sliding down the Inca slide at Sacsayhwaman, seeing the chef in full whites (and eating his marvelous creations), The Andes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Cesar was obviously passionate about his country and was keen for us to understand the culture, both past and present. He and the second guide Jose were both knowledgeable on flora and fauna along the trail. Cesar also arranged and accompanied us on additional trips during our free day in Cusco.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My only advice for other travelers is to do everything the guide recommends for acclimatisation, including taking things easy and not drinking alcohol before the trek. We did and it really helped. The porters on the trail work so hard to deliver a fantastic experience, if possible leave something behind with them, a t-shirt, fleece or whatever that you might not need. They really appreciate it.

Richard Thornton

Reviewed August 2015

Walking the Picos de Europa

Great walking, good company, top notch leader, stunning scenery and a lovely hotel.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to choose, if pushed I'd have to say the walk taking in the summit of Macondiu peak and San Carlos peak. The Cares Gorge walk was also a highlight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

In short, Alvaro is an excellent leader with a passion for the Picos.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This was the challenging week and is highly recommended.

Carolyn Thomas

Reviewed August 2015

Discover Costa Rica

This was a wonderful holiday for getting in touch with nature. I became glued to my binoculars trying to spot birds, animals and insects. All of the lodge/hotel stops showed a different element of the country and it was nice to sit and listen to the life around us. It is a lot of travelling and moving around the country but it allowed some people to catch up with their sleep and others to watch the scenery move past.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing at a feed station for hummingbirds trying to get photos and feeling them brush past my head was such an unusual experience that it will stay with me. Also going to a local school on the last day was a wonderful way to finish the holiday. The children were very welcoming and it made me feel we understood a little more of their country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour guide Guillermo Arrieta was extremely knowledgeable about his country and was keen to tell us about the rainforests, cloud forests and all the wildlife we should be able to see. His enthusiasm was infectious. He was sensitive to the needs of the group and readily joined in with the gelling of the group. Our driver Orlando was equally friendly and kept his vehicle spotless, washing the windows and the floor everyday and always putting the seat belt back to its original size and position. He also became quite keen to spot birds as we travelled around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Essentials for the trip are a good pair of binoculars and a good camera otherwise you will become frustrated trying to record what you are seeing. A light pair of waterproof walking shoes are also highly recommended. If I was going again I would put in some dressier clothes for the evening and a hairdryer as these are not available in the rooms although can be asked for at reception providing no one else was using it. I wrapped up every item of clothing in plastic bags to stop my clothes feeling damp and this seemed to work. I was unsuccessful in getting washed clothes dry so be prepared to use the hotel laundry services or take lots of clothes. Advice particular to spectacle wearers - take a spare pair. My husband lost his when swimming near a waterfall and spent the rest of the holiday using his binoculars to help him see. This ended up being a very expensive loss.

Neil Thomas

Reviewed August 2015

So Many Natural Wonders to Enjoy

What a thoroughly enjoyable experience! This trip covers a lot of ground with 2-day stops at six different venues and in so doing offers the chance to learn much about the natural wonders of this remarkable country. We went from rainforest to cloud forest and back again, via the Pacific coast, and clocked up an impressive number of sightings of mammals, birds, butterflies and reptiles.

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking up to a dawn chorus of howler monkeys at Tortuguero and La Fortuna; hearing the frogs' chorus at Esquinas; finally spotting the elusive resplendent quetzal in all its finery near Savegre.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Guillermo Arietta (known to us all as Memo) is a naturalist's guru! He was so knowledgeable about every species we saw. However, his real talent was in knowing intuitively where we might see a creature of interest. He would regularly stop the bus to let us get out to photograph monkeys, sloths, snakes or macaws.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good pair of binoculars and a camera with a high-powered zoom. So many opportunities to take great wildlife pictures come your way it's frustrating if, like me, you can't make the most of them. Fortunately, all the members of our group got on famously, so there's a bit of image-sharing going on post-holiday.

Carol Webster

Reviewed August 2015

Amazon Rainforest, Inca Trail and Lake Titicaca

This was my first trip with Exodus and my expectations of having a memorable holiday experience were well and truly exceeded. The holiday has 3 distinct phases, starting with the rainforest trip. My friend and I flew a day earlier than the main group flight so we stayed an extra night in Lima which helped to orientate us to the time difference. The standard of hotel accommodation was generally excellent once you got the hang of not putting loo paper down the toilet. The jungle experience was amazing, but don’t expect to see wildlife as close up or as abundant as in TV wildlife documentaries. The weather can be ‘unpredictable’ throughout Peru, and our days in the Jungle were cooler than usual at this time of year. The second part of the holiday was the 4 day Inca trail finishing at Machu Picchu, and the part I most loved, despite the necessary evil of the ‘toilet tent’ and thousands to steps to climb up or down. The scenery and plant life throughout the trek were truly awesome, especially on days 3 and 4 as the terrain became more tropical. The food on the trek was fantastic; delicious 3 course lunches and dinners were prepared for us each day by our chef and his assistants; indeed the food throughout the holiday was really healthy and varied – if a tad rice heavy.
The final part of the holiday was the boat trip to an island homestay on Lake Titicaca. The journey there was wonderful as the weather was amazing and we could sit at the back of the boat and enjoy the fabulous scenery. The only part of the lake trip I wasn’t as enthusiastic about was the visit to the artificial reed islands inhabited by the Uros people. I found it difficult to comprehend that people could live in such primitive conditions and had the sneaky feeling they probably sailed back to Puno at night.
The generosity and kindness of all the people we encountered in Peru was incredible. Life is very hard for many Peruvians but everyone we met seemed joyful and content. Even the babies were happy and incredibly cute. Overall a truly memorable holiday experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

At the end of the Inca trail, climbing the steps to the sun gate and then looking down on Machu Picchu. Even the best photographs don’t do justice to the majestic sight that awaited us! Truly inspirational!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tour Leader: Wilbert Ramos Code: TPJ150808. Our lovely tour leader Wilbert looked after our every request and whim from the start of the holiday to the very end, herding us onto and off bus, boat, plane and ‘limousine’ (ie bicycle transport from Puno hotel to the port!). He ensured we had water, a constant supply of snacks and bananas at all times and provided us with constant humour, an amazing love and knowledge of the Inca people and positive thinking throughout. His constant thoughtfulness and care for our well-being was astounding.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tipping is a part of the culture. We gave our tour leader tips as and when required which removed the decision over when and how much to give. I was glad of this but at the same time you didn’t feel in control over how much extra you were spending. Bring about 1,000 dollars and prepare to spend a good amount of this on tips. Read up in advance about what meals and optional trips are not included in the holiday price. Don’t worry about altitude sickness or fitness on the Inca Trail – just have a very positive attitude! If this is difficult to attain, try walking up and down some steep hills before you travel !

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