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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14246 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Keisuke Murata

Reviewed August 2023

Fantastic and unforgettable trip

My first trip to Alaska far more exceeded my expectations with its majestic nature and landscape. The whole trip was extremely well organized by the leader and a relatively small size of group (6 persons) created friendly and cosy ambiance throughout the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

To be exposed to the vast and beautiful landscape which was just about every moment of the trip, particularly when encountered wild animals. Camping and sharing responsibility among all participants were also inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Phil Novak was very professional guide, driver/logistician. His knowledge of Alaska and its nature, history and culture made this trip very interesting. He was very good at creating a friendly atmosphere among the participants which made this trip very enjoyable. He was extremely well organized in setting up our campsites and tents. He was also a very good cook! Good variety of food for breakfast and lunch and we very much enjoyed dishes he prepared for dinner. He was always conscious of condition of each participants and always helpful to make this trip as comfortable as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Luckily we were a group was 6 for the maximum capacity of this particular travel designed for 12 persons. This must have made an huge difference in the quality and comfortableness of this travel, traveling more than 3000 kilometers in a 14-seater van. We also could use two mattresses each for sometimes on hard and bumpy ground. Organization of serving quality meals for only 6 person must have been much easier than serving for 12.

Tristan Cossey

Reviewed August 2023

Tiger Heaven

I’ve seen lots of wildlife all over the world but the buzz you get seeing a Tiger is up there with the best. Traveling in what many see as the peak Tiger viewing period of April, I was lucky enough to come across 20 individuals, some fleeting, some ridiculously close. The supporting cast of other wildlife is also impressive. If you would like to see why, check out my video of the trip – https://youtu.be/1DJV8K421dA

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a tiger suddenly appear out of the Jungle and then melt back into it. Early on in the trip we had one Tiger road crossing where we were the only Jeep there, will remember the Tigress stopping for a few seconds to look at us. Seeing Tigers is something different, you hear the alarm calls of the deer so you know there is a Tiger or Leopard somewhere nearby, but it's only by the skill of the guides second-guessing the Tiger's possible movement and a slice of luck which will result in a sighting. Sometimes you will join a large group of jeeps at a spot, sometimes you will find your own hopefully.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krisha is the best, he has been doing this for several years now but still has the same excitement we had and knew his stuff.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Most has been covered in the other reviews, Jeep Envy (I didn't see a Sloth bear, the other Jeep did!) but I'm sure it all pans out. Yes, it can be pot luck on the guides you get and one left me very frustrated. Just try to accept it is what it is and help them find the wildlife. Be prepared for very early starts so you catch the golden hour. We were getting up at around 0430 and getting back around 11 am in the morning slots but soon learned to have a siesta before the meet-up again at 1530. It's not like Africa where you tend to see lots of animals, you have to seek them out so patience is needed. You may go a while and not see a lot, then a roosting Owl lifts the spirits as an example.

Liz Mulgrew

Reviewed August 2023

Excellent overview across these three countries

This is an excellent trip overall with a few caveats along the way. It is certainly a great way to see the highlights of all three Baltic states, both in terms of the three capitals but also other highlights and interesting places. You will learn a huge amount about the history and culture! You will also do a lot of walking…

Most Inspirational Moment

My husband and I liked the day exploring the Curonian Spit the best, just because it is a beautiful place with quite a lot of different things to see and do - the freshly smoked fish lunch was a brilliant experience (if slightly not for the faint hearted!). Rundale Palace was amazing (largely because of our brilliant local guide there) and we also really enjoyed the Hill of Crosses, which for us was unexpectedly moving in a curious way. All three capitals were good, but we both liked Tallinn the best; however the Art Nouveau architecture in Riga was also a highlight of the trip. The Cold War Museum in Plokstine, which was in fact the main reason for us choosing this particular trip rather than one by another company, was also well worth visiting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lukas was so so good - utterly dedicated at all times and also determined that we should learn as much as possible about every place that we visited. He was very conscientious and precise about timings! He was also very patient and prepared to answer our questions about life in Soviet times and kindly told us about his family's history. When one of our cases, and also one of another couple's in the group, were delayed, he was very helpful about helping us to keep in the loop about their whereabouts and delivery.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is advertised as grade 1 (leisurely) but apart from the 9am starts on most days it isn't! One of our group had a fitbit and we walked typically 17,000-18,000 steps per day, including on the days which were "travelling" ones. This is mostly on often uneven cobbled streets and sometimes up/down lots of stairs in castles etc! Weather - we went in July/August and had several days with torrential rain, luckily often in the evening or when travelling. But you really needed to have both a good waterproof and an umbrella to stand any chance of staying dry, and ideally bring two pairs of waterproof shoes if you can as well. I would say that the weather is very like Scotland... You definitely need to bring insect repellent and bite cream; pretty much all of group were thoroughly bitten at various points in the trip (some through tucked in socks in long trousers!). The two hotels in Estonia catered well for both gluten and lactose free diets; the other hotels had rice cakes as the gluten free option and no lactose free alternatives. Vegetarians will be reasonably fine in restaurants as long as they are happy to eat lots of dairy, especially cheese (although still limited choice), but vegans will really struggle. Bring snacks if in any doubt!

Steven Barnett

Reviewed August 2023

Mount Toubkal Climb

The mount toubkal trek is an amazing week away. We were looked after the whole week, kept well fed, and taken up the climbs at a good pace. There were great views throughout, and plenty of rest time from the treks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Early morning summit of Mt toubkal. Closely followed by the street food in the medina, which was amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mo was excellent throughout. Happy to join us in the evening, kept everyone's spirits up during the treks, was always up early helping with breakfast, and was stood out in a downpour during a thunderstorm digging trenches to help keep the tents dry.

Advice for Potential Travellers

During August, you don't need a huge amount of cold weather gear. Light gloves and a thin warm jacket/fleece for the summit if it's windy. Definitely need a waterproof. Don't book with easyjet.

Garry Ward

Reviewed August 2023

An excellent short trip

This Exodus Mount Toubkal trip is a little longer than some and I feel it is much better for it. The route undertaken allows for good altitude acclimatisation over the common two day itinery direct from Imlil village. I/we found the estimated walking times on the trip notes to be quite conservative, our group must have been pretty speedy. Most days we arrived at camp at least an hour under the estimate. The camps themselves are wild camps with no on site facilities other than a portaloo toilet tent. Local people or team members did bring bottled water and fizzy drinks to the camp for purchase, with an altitude price premium. The tents used were by Salewa and a good size, they seemed quite new. At Toubkal base camp our camp was set up a few hundred metres downhill of the two constructed mountain refuges, across a stream. It was a short, few minutes, walk to the refuge where you could use (for a small charge) the showers or buy snacks, water and fizzy drinks from the kiosk shop. During the trek all food is provided and it was very good, my only slight criticism is that maybe there could have been some more variety but I also fully understand we were on a mountain… where Tesco don’t deliver. For any trip like this we often find ourselves deliberarting over the best kit and clothing to take. My departure was 6th August. It was blazing hot in Marrakech and on our last full day in the Medina it was 47C. On the low slopes of the first day of hiking it was 41C. On summit day we started off before dawn and it was 18C. Heavy thermal gear (and sleeping bag) was not required. I did not need my hybrid fleece jacket at all but we are all different. A long sleeve heavy merino t-shirt and wind jacket was as heavy as I went on summit day. What took me by surprise was the rain. Don’t forget your rain gear. In the afternoon of our summit day there was a torrential rain storm for maybe two hours of non stop very heavy rain. In fact every afternoon in the mountains there was short lived rain and thunder. I don’t know if this pattern was a high summer thing or all year round. I’m not the biggest user of walking poles ever but was glad I brought them for the summit decent. It’s often steep with a lot of loose stones just waiting to put you on your bum.

Most Inspirational Moment

100 metres from the summit of Mount Toubkal, guide Mohammed stepped back and ushered the group forward to complete the last steps by ourselves.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Mohammed. Mohammed is a great leader and guide worthy of respect. I can't fault Mohammed, it was a privilidge for us as Exodus customers to be guided by him and I feel we received something more as a consequence of his leadership. Mohammed could read the group amazingly well. He knew when he could drive us along and pick up the speed and conversely when anyone needed to slow down he accomodated that without pressure or question.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you travel during the summer do not underestimate the heat. The trip notes do mention that it can be hot in the lower valleys during July and August, they are not kiddding. On our first day of hiking during early August I measured 41C. I struggled badly in this heat which in turn lead to cramp due to sweat/fluid loss. Be ready for it or avoid it. Things do cool down the higher you get but even during the second day it was at times over 30C. A couple days later I measured 18C in the early hours of the morning when we began our summit climb and on the summit I measured 9C, I was wearing shorts and t-shirt by this point. Mobile network coverage is often patchy or non existant in the mountains but if you do want to stay connected, I was advised by Mohammed that the best SIM/Network to opt for is "INWI". I bought an "Orange" SIM card at the airport and it was borderline useless in the mountains. There was reception at the base camp, in the vicinity of the refuges but even then I had to get myself in a favourable location for reception. Not so for the people using Inwi. The Moroccan Dirham is a closed currency, so not easy to obtain as holiday money in the UK. You might obtain your Dirhams from one of the large and prominient exchange counters in the baggage reclaim hall at Marrakech airport. I was given all my Dirhams as 200 and 100 notes. These are far too large to spend in the mountains and often in the city too. Ask the cashier to mostly give you 20 and 50 Dirham notes, these are much more convenient values in Morocco for the kind of spending we are likely to do. A 1.5L bottle of water in the mountains was 10 and 15 Dirhams, a can of Pepsi about 15 too. In the city my first evening meal, chicken skewers and a cola was 61 Dirhams.

Paul Rothwell

Reviewed August 2023

Trip of a Lifetime

Sometimes you do a trip confident that it will give you great memories for many years to come, even a feeling of awe. For us TMB comes into this category. Let’s be clear from the onset – this a physically challenging trip – over 10 walking days we covered c 100 miles ascending c 32K feet (higher than Everest) and descending c28K feet. Din’t expect glitz – the trip takes you off the beaten track. Some properties are basic (no en-suite WMC and/or shower). Others. In particular the Hotel Richemonde in Chamonix where we started and ended the trip, had great character. Staff took great effort to make us welcome. Lunch is basic, but has to be sourced in locations where choice is limited. For us such details are relatively inconsequential given the stunning scenery we saw (we were blessed with great weather each day bar one). So all in all a genuine trip of a lifetime giving us memories to treasure.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery we saw each day was inspirational. Best one off experience was seeing a huge male ibex 10 feet away.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Overall Maria was a great leader. His knowledge was extensive. He went to great effort to source food for lunches when this was challenging due to product availability. He managed to get us up and down majestic mountain passes each day in time to have a hot shower and cold beer before a hearty dinner. This was no mean achievement given that on some days we had to catch local buses that operated at irregular intervals. Most importantly, given that climbing mountains anywhere carries a degree of risk, we always felt in very safe hands. A short briefing each night about the day ahead would have been useful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes carefully in advance to understand what the trip entails.

Lucy Hockenhull

Reviewed August 2023

Fabulous scenery

Loved this walking trip. We are active walkers but this was our first guided trip and it was fantastic. Fred our leader was great – the right combination of knowledgable, friendly and enthusiastic. The walks are all enjoyable but sufficiently different in terms of scenery and style. There was an issue with the MB tunnel which caused us to do an alternate walk – but the group was flexible and we enjoyed the alternative. The weather in August was quite variable from fairly cool and damp to hot and humid – so you potentially will need all your high mountain gear options. The group, as usual, was a great mix of people and we enjoyed everyone’s company along the trails. Chalet Chocolat is comfortable and the food provided by Sole and Thomas was delicious and varied.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Aiguilettes des Houches and the 360 degree mountain views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fred our leader was great - the right combination of knowledgable, friendly and enthusiastic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather in August was quite variable from fairly cool and damp to hot and humid - so you potentially will need all your high mountain gear options.

Jenny Wright

Reviewed August 2023

Colourful and beautiful country

We loved this trip. We saw so many colourful birds, plants and animals in such a short space of time. My teenager was happy the whole time, whitewater rafting, zip lining, dipping in the hot springs, sea or pool, spotting sloths, seeing a whale and loving being with other young people of a similar age. The accommodation was all very comfortable, especially the last few place at the beach – what luxury! Our guide was fantastic – a lovely person and so knowledgeable and passionate about his country. I would highly recommend this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being in the rainforest and seeing a sloth and a toucan in the wild.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was wonderful. He was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Costa Rica. He was a genuinely lovely person, wanting to make everything perfect for us - and he succeeded.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You should go!

Rob Wilkinson

Reviewed August 2023

July 23rd 2023 Sri Lanka

Cycling Back Roads of Sri Lanka, outstanding experience. The scenery is stunning, as you move from the irrigated rice fields of the lower elevations to the tea plantations in higher elevations and pristine beaches at the coast. Plenty of wildlife, including many different bird species, water buffalo, crocodiles, wild elephants and a leopard. The cycling was a good pace, with some hills to keep us challenged, especially the 18km climb to Nuwara Eliya. Plenty of opportunities to experience Sri Lankan style cuisine and culture of the country. The Exodus Trip Notes describe the tour accurately.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenic countryside, majestic wildlife and resilience of the Sri Lankan people really stood out.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our team leader, Suresh, did a phenomenal job with the help of his support team, all crew members went above and beyond to make our tour memorable. Suresh's attention detail is exceptional, he made sure the needs of all members were taken care at all times. The hotels were well organized, bikes were in good working order, meals were coordinated and none biking excursions were well thought out. Suresh is friendly with the customers, creating a good atmosphere between customers and support staff.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cycling in late July / early August it is hot and very humid.

Alan K

Reviewed August 2023

Vietnam & Angkor- Premium Adventure

Customer service all the way through from booking to the end of the holiday was excellent – all questions were answered promptly and helpfully, and whenever I spoke to any of your team they were always very friendly, polite and informative. The tour guides for both parts of the holiday were brilliant, and the organisation of transport, restaurants etc during the holiday was flawless. All in all the holiday was fantastic, in no small part due to Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved Siem Riep and Hanoi in particular but it is really difficult to pick highlights when there were so many - Ha Long Bay, Hoa Lo Prison, the Temple of Literature, the cooking class and walking tour in Hoi An, Cu Chi Tunnels and Angkor were all excellent

Thoughts on Group Leader

Faultless and a pleasure to travel with. Nothing was too much trouble for Nhi. She made herself available at all times whether to sort out any minor issues (lost passports and hotel keys!) or to suggest and accompany us to restaurants (without in any way imposing herself). Nhi put her heart and soul into ensuring that we enjoyed our time in Vietnam and that our group socialised and bonded (again without imposing it), and she was sociable and fun without being overbearing or imposing, and her knowledge and ability to communicate that knowledge was superb and presented with a sprinkling of her personality and personal experience of living in Vietnam and always came across as authentic and creative rather than just reciting lines that she had learned. She was always willing and able to understand and answer questions clearly and interestingly, and her understanding and use of English (both the literal language and the nuances of the language and our humour) were excellent. Lastly her organisational skills and willingness to support us meant that when she left us at the airport to move on to Cambodia we all felt slightly exposed without her!

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