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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14244 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Lorna Sutherland

Reviewed October 2023

Brilliant Trip

A fab trip with beautiful and varied scenery, some challenging cycling with lots of wildlife along the way and great company. Most of the accommodation was really lovely and some quite special places. Restaurants choices were good and the food was excellent. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side so the itinerary was changed to accommodate the conditions for a couple of days but this in no way detracted from a brilliant holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved the whale watching from the hotel as I never thought we would see them so clearly from the shore. Visiting the penguin colony was also great fun, although it’s possible to see the penguins from the boardwalk it was definitely worth paying to see them closer up on the beach.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Adonia and Ernest were amazing. They worked incredibly hard for us in what turned out to be tricky circumstances due to some heavy rain. They kept us safe on the roads, always had a plan B, kept us informed when things needed to change or provided options for us to choose as a group if there were choices available. Their local knowledge was fantastic and they seemed to enjoy sharing it with us. Nothing was too much trouble and they definitely made this trip special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for changing conditions as sun in the morning could be wind in the afternoon and can make the cycling quite challenging. This also means the itinerary may need to change due to the conditions so best to come with an open mind and be prepared to go with the flow. I bought a 3 pin plug for South Africa at the airport and it turned out to be a great purchase so would recommend bringing one. I also brought quite a bit of cash which wasn’t necessary as card payments were taken everywhere and a very small number of places (penguin colony is the one that sticks in my mind) only took cards. A couple of extra days on to the trip to explore more of Cape Town is worth it.

Tracey Andrew

Reviewed October 2023

Best Yet!

Having read the fairly negative review from an earlier tour, our party of five had concerns, and investigated our options to change from this tour. We are all so very glad we didn’t!! After our agent confirmed she had made enquiries, and Exodus had reassured her they were working hard to deal with the post covid supply issues, we decided to continue on with this tour. Every detail was beyond expectation, the bikes were near new, the guide team incredible and the route spectacular. Nothing, other than personal fitness, could have made this trip better.

Most Inspirational Moment

Its not a place or a moment, Central Europe is too beautiful and complex for that, it was the learnings. It was cycling with little concern right beside the remanets of the Iron Curtain. Waking up in a country that was recently freed, and going to sleep in a country that has been relatively unrestricted for many years. Nothing is more inspirational than stopping for morning tea at the memorial to the hundreds who lost their lives trying to cross a boarder, no matter why, which direction or what your beliefs are that is sobering… To spend 11 days, as a 50 something year old, in Central Europe, on a bike, is a privilege of our time, and that inspired me!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We struck gold! Jan is a compassionate, capable, incredibly knowledgeable, gentleman! Teamed with Lubos, our big gentle bear of a support driver - no need nor necessity was left unaddressed! Jan and Lubos are not only fantastic: bus drivers, gear haulers, tour guides, bike mechanics, historians, foodies, medics…. They are funny, warm and perceptive! Even though Lubos had limited English, he took us on side tours, when we chose to take the bus, conveyed instructions, lead us to points of interest, tried his hand at English and never stopped smiling! Jan assessed our group and altered the tour to meet our ability and quirks. We did off trail routes, had the option to take the bus when the elevation and heat made it less than fun, chose a picnic instead of a restaurant, found place we could swim or forage for fruit, stopped so we could work out what the crop growing actually was, or to try a Sugar Beet – because that was our group… He took us to the touristy places, but he also took us to the local hidden treasures, and when the rain hit… he gave his own raincoat to one of us to wear….

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want to truly enjoy this tour… Get out and do the kms: ride the hills, ride off road! This is 480kms plus of variable terrain, heat, hills (at times), cobbles, gravel and even mud! The bikes are ‘Gravel Bikes’ – not suspended, not wide tyred, mountain bikes. The wheels are skinny, you have disk brakes, and these are opposite (right back / left front) for anyone from the southern hemisphere… But they are perfectly adequate if!... You have done some training off road. It’s not mountainous, but its definitely not flat, and after the uphills there are some glorious down hills – train for this! We rode downhill gravel sections that required a modicum of ability. We carried our, very lightweight, bikes up stairs – so prepare for this, it not hard at all, but carry your bike so the technique is not foreign. We navigated city traffic and tractors in villages. We had a heatwave and a downpour. And we had fun! Lots and lots of fun! Consider a Multicurrency Debit card - you ride through 4 Countries, and the currency can change twice on one day! Most places took a card, but a few notes in the local currency helped – your guide will advise, take note of what they say.

Kate Alexander

Reviewed October 2023

Variety, stunning cycling and a great group leader

This was a truly lovely trip with a range of experiences and highlights. Starting in the quieter and underrated region to the south and finishing in the much more touristy area of Amalfi, the scenery is – of course – beautiful throughout, the hotels are good and the food delicious. Paulo is a superb guide. He and his assistant Emilio (and other members of the local team when needed) worked tirelessly to make sure we had the best possible holiday – nothing was too much trouble. Everything was super-organised and well-communicated with a briefing each evening about what to expect the next day. And we learned lots about Italy – from its ancient past to the issues it faces today, with insight about plants, agriculture and tourism – and anything we wanted to know or discuss – along the way. It’s an undulating route and there are some long hills – but the gradient is steady and (mostly) reasonable and there’s no shortage of rewarding views. The final day from Minori to Sorrento and back comes in at around 1,500m elevation (according to Strava), although there’s the option to go in the van for the long steep climb out of Sorrento. However, this trip is not for the faint-hearted – the Amalfi Coast road is stunning, but very busy with traffic (even for someone that cycles in London); cars, buses, lorries, scooters, etc pass constantly and often pretty close. In some ways it’s all part of the vibe, but it’s potentially unnerving for less experienced riders.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick just one…

Thoughts on Group Leader

Echoing everything said in previous reviews and noted above, Paulo is an exceptional group leader - highly-experienced, confidence-inspiring, knowledgeable, calm and affable , he makes the tour the success that it is.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely worth doing some hill practice beforehand!

Helen Cassaday

Reviewed October 2023

From desert camels to mountain yak

This was the longest duration trip I’ve ever taken, covering the most ground by road and with some (by my standards) fairly extreme variations of temperature, altitude and landscape. But it was mostly very unusual, often spectacular and totally worth the bumpy ride – take layers, medications and a better camera than I did. The people were also a particular highlight. Jabbar in Turkmenistan was an impossible act to follow, but the local leaders were all very good. The group was a great mix and we bonded over one or two minor glitches and some medicinal vodka. We met the friendliest local people in markets, at the border crossings, on the road. They were very often willing to share my three words of Russian, and to practice their English. It was also very nice to be asked to join them for their photos – probably some of these invitations were from other tourists, but was still great to feel like the exotic extra for a change.

Most Inspirational Moment

The night sky, particularly at Son Kul lake.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were very fortunate to have Alina as our tour leader for the full duration. She’s an inspiration and second to none in terms of her people and organisational skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a challenging trip – certainly well out of my comfort zone - and most of the group fell ill at some point. So best to be prepared for some visceral reactions and take each day as it comes. Possibly I should have read ahead about the destinations, but travelling without expectations can be a lot more fun, just read the trip notes closely for the practicalities – money, visas etc.

Kristen Whitla

Reviewed October 2023

Following in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims

From start to finish, the trip was organised very well by our friendly expert guide Javier Ramirez. Each day, we’d have a short briefing where he explained what the terrain would be like, what stops we were making and notable highlights you’d encounter on the walk. He also kept us right when it came to collecting our pilgrim stamps en route – as you need a certain amount to receive your pilgrim certificate at the end in Santiago. Every stage in the route was enchanting, we’d make pitstops at rustic farmhouses for traditional Galician homemade fare and fluffy Santiago cake – the perfect treat after a couple of hours walking. We also got the opportunity to taste the famous Galician tapas including fresh octopus and scallops with caramelised onions – they were especially delicious. The scenery was absolutely beautiful, walking through sleepy villages, hushed oak forests and past babbling brooks. Even though this region is famous for its rain – it didn’t rain on us once, so I’d recommend booking to go in May! It was wonderful to see this part of Spain and walk sections of one of the oldest pilgrimages in the world. Although I’m not religious, it was a really moving experience, especially seeing the Botafumeiro swinging at the Pilgrim Mass in Santiago’s famous cathedral. I’d love to go back and do a different route with Exodus in the future. Thank you, Javier, for being such a wonderful guide, and for showing us Modus Vivendi, the oldest bar in Galicia!

Most Inspirational Moment

The pilgrim mass in the Cathedral de Compostela on the evening we arrived was particularly spectacular. We saw the Botafumeiro swinging, which is apparently a very rare and special occurrence. Everyone was completely silent and absorbed in the moment, couples were hugging each other and pilgrims were smiling at one another, it was a very moving moment!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Javier couldn't have done more for the group. He translated menus, gave us day-by-bay breakdowns of what the terrain would be like, recommended places to visit in Santiago, and even took us to one of the oldest bars in Galicia, Modus Vivendi, for a drink after the trek was over! His enthusiasm and upbeat demeanor really helped those who were struggling during the trip, so everyone made it to the finishing line.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take it slow, it's not a race and don't forget to stop in the beautiful churches along the way. Look out for farm life too, like little goats and cows, chat to the locals as these are the moments of the trip you'll remember.

Louisa Green

Reviewed October 2023

Absolutely Fantastic

I have been on several Exodus trips but this adventure took it to a new level. The benefit of camping is that like-minded people tend to be attracted to this kind of trip, and on my trip, the group made it. I really feel like I have made 11 new friends and just two weeks after returning, we have plans for a Christmas meet-up. There wasn’t one person who complained about the early mornings, or the bush toilet, or the 39 degree heat. Our guide Brian was fantastic and the mokoro trips in the Okavango was a definite highlight of mine, as well as camp singing and dancing around the fire. In terms of animals seen, we were extremely lucky to see a leopard with her cub, a leopard with a kill, a pack of wild dogs stalking a wildebeest herd, countless elephants, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, lions, impala, kudu, vultures, baboons and 138 species of bird. We were also extremely lucky to have two avid birders in our group who were only too happy to explain each bird to us! Camp-life was brilliant and our support crew was excellent. Chef James managed to cook some beautiful campsite meals – much better than I’d eat at home! Curries, stir-fries, whole chickens, oxtail all loaded with roasted or braised veg. A must for anyone with a sense of adventure willing to rough-it for two weeks in return for going for a wee in the middle of the night under the Milky Way, hearing the lions roar from inside your tent and making new pals.

Most Inspirational Moment

My absolute favourite moment in Botswana was when we finally saw our first leopard. We had been driving most of the day in 39 degrees, still a few hours away from our next wild camp where there would be no shower, a bush toilet and the calls of lions and hippos in the distance to fall asleep to. Suddenly a leopard ran across our track. We followed her, keeping our distance so as not to frighten her, for around 300m when she found a large bush and slumped in a heap, finally in the shade and panting as though she had run a marathon. We were all so fixated on watching her in that moment, and after about 5 seconds she was joined by her two-month old cub, who she had left safely in the middle of the bush whilst she went hunting. The two of them nuzzled together before she started washing him, only too happy to pose for our cameras. Time stood still whilst we silently watched her and in that moment there was nowhere else on the planet I'd rather be. I've seen this on the telly hundreds of times - mother's returning to cubs after hunting. But it's something else entirely to see it 10m away in real life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Big Friendly Brian, as he called himself, was a brilliant guide. Extremely patient when we wanted to stop and see the 100th elephant that day and answered all of our questions. His driving was extraordinary - occasionally we went off-piste to follow a particular animal across rugged terrain, and some days we spent a lot of it driving on thick sand, but we never once felt unsafe or not in capable hands!

Advice for Potential Travellers

A sense of adventure and willingness to be uncomfortable is essential. Some days in the truck are long and on bumpy tracks which can take a toll on your bum if sitting at the back..! Towards the end of the trip there are four days in a row in wild camps with one shower every 48 hours and 25 litres of heated water between three people. Scratch your skin and black gunk will come off under your nails so if you enjoy home comforts with constant internet access to the rest of the world then this is most definitely not the trip for you.

Emma Biggs

Reviewed October 2023

TIA: This is Africa

We were only a small group, the tour leader, the drivers and just three guests. This worked well for us as we were then able to take a cruiser rather than the large truck but it was very hard work for the trip leader as he was leading us and going out of the game drives and then once we got to camp he was then cooking too. We got to see the highlights of the area with the Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, these are very broadly similar but they each have their own distinct feel to them. We mainly went for the animals and basically saw everything that we hoped to see.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots of special moments on the trip but the one thing that made it for me was seeing loads of Wildebeest and Zebra going down the steel river banks and crossing the Mara river in huge numbers, this was a very 'Planet Earth' moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Asaph was a good leader, always wanting to keep us guests happy and wanting us to experience different cultural experiences.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's fairly hard work so just be prepared and don't go if you are a princess, there are other trips for you. Camping in inevitably a bit harder than lodges although it's still fairly comfortable. Being bumped around in the cruiser is a little uncomfortable too but just go with the flow and see this as part of the adventure. Showers are not guaranteed to be hot and toilets are not always guaranteed to flush (ours all did) so be prepared to wing it a bit. Remember, TIA, This is Africa!

Robert S

Reviewed October 2023

Nile Cruise & Aswan - Premium Adventure

Top class attention, guide knowledge excellent, admin top standard.

Most Inspirational Moment

Pretty much everything!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Top class and a warm individual. He took care of a number in the party who fell.

Elaine W

Reviewed October 2023

Mexico: Mayans, Aztecs & Conquistadores

Very well organised, superb guide and driver and fantastic guides for each site as well. I feel confident about arrangements made by exodus, the hotels they book on our behalf are always in great locations and utilise the best local offer.

Most Inspirational Moment

"Friday kahlo museum, boat trip and anthropological museum were so memorable Oaxaca is a magical place and we really loved the cooking lesson with Gonzalo and his team who were great! Merida was a lovely surprise Campeche was a beautiful place Palenque and Chichen Itza were the most memorable of the mayan sites."

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was wonderful for reasons noted earlier. Extraordinary knowledge, always warm, friendly, helpful, flexible, - we could not have had better.

Ruth S

Reviewed October 2023

Mexico: Mayans, Aztecs & Conquistadores

Our guide, Adriana, was fantastic. She knew the areas really well, where to recommend in any location and was so knowledgeable about the history. She also made the tour so much fun. Our driver , Isaac was brilliant too.

Most Inspirational Moment

"Visiting Palenque and Monte Alban. The cooking class was excellent, the chef who did it was fantastic and made it so fun as well as giving us recipes to take away. Going around the markets"

Thoughts on Group Leader

We couldn't have asked for a better leader. She dealt with any issues (the blockades around agua azul) really well and made sure we still enjoyed the trip.

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