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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14267 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed February 2013

ATLAS DESCENT

A fantastic break with lots of opportunities to see the Morocco countryside. The mountain biking was always fun, sometimes technical and while mostly downhill it was still a good test of fitness.

Most Inspirational Moment

Towards the end of the trip we were riding back to the hotel as the sun was setting. The big red sky, rocky terrain and the sun setting over the moutnains was just awesome.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader worked hard to keep us all together, both during the days out cycling and in the evenings. An accomplished mountain biker, guide, first aider and all round fixer. Top job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you take your own bike, you might need some spares. There aren't many bike shops out in the Morocco countryside. Oh, and tyres. There are lots of sharp rocks so if you're going tubeless, get some puncture resistant tyres. If you're a regular mountain biker you may be waiting around a lot, since the group always rides together. One thing the guide said that helped me was "it's a holiday, not a training camp". That attitude really helped me to enjoy the riding. When you're stopped, it's a time to relax and enjoy the sunshine rather time waiting to get riding again.

Reviewed February 2013

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Prefer a better hotel with thicker walls and doors

Most Inspirational Moment

Scenery

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exelent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take ear plugs to sleep at night

Reviewed February 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

A superb trip. Our leader Suresh was outstanding. There were almost no bus journeys, it was cycling all the way. A big plus for me.

Most Inspirational Moment

The general experience of cycling the backroads, seeing the real Sri Lanka.Excellent hotels and food, both local and western

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was outstanding. He was available 24/7, always cheerful and thinking ahead Kept us informed, made sure he interacted with everybody personally, to ensure we were happy and our needs were being met.He went the extra mile whenever it was needed.His backup team were also excellent, and always friendly and positive

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is very hot, make sure you have the lightest gear possible.

Reviewed February 2013

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

An amazing experience riding and eating my way through Southern India. The cycling at times was challenging but the group and leader were always there to offer support. The warmth and sincerity from the local people was tremendous and I urge anybody who wants a good mix of cycling to take this incredible journey.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was an afternoon spent at a local orphanage with such wonderful children. These kids didnt beg or want our money they were just happy to play football,cricket,skip or even learn the "chicken song !"They were highly articulate and intelligent and despite all the poverty they did not stop smiling. I also have to mention Tommy who battled up Ooty and pedelled every painfull step of the way....what an inspiration he was

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Joseph Checkov.He was a brilliant leader,always there to help when language was an issue,always found me the best toilet or bush! Joseph chose our meals to make things easier and is responsible for my weight gainas he chose such delicious food! He became a friend and spent time getting to know us and our culture and spent time informing us about his culture and about India. Joseph helped in every possible way and always put our needs first.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not underestimate the cycling espescially in the first week which does contain some challenging hills..or as Joseph used to say..undulating!Ooty isa 13 km hill with 36 hairpin bends and is very challenging.That said with stops and determination it is there to be beaten.Take a comfy saddle as the trek saddles are male specific and quite uncomfortableDo not take travellers cheques as there are very few opportunities to cash them

Reviewed February 2013

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Guides were vey experienced, helpful and friendly. A wonderful country with friendly people. A wonderful experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just getting closer to the mountain. Hard to believe I was finally In Africa, doing what I'd dreamed of doing for so long.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jonas was great. Very friendly and shared a lot of knowledge on the mountains, landscape and wildlife. A really happy guy who wanted to talk about his own life and wanted to know more about British life from us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The heat is more intense than I thought. Wear a bush hat and keep on with the sun screen (don't forget the back of your hands!!)Hire a sleeping mat - they're better than the thin one I'd brought.Get your yellow fever jab and bring the certificate. We were asked for it. One of my fellow climbers had his jab but didn't bring his certificate. It cost him $25. Bit of a scam I think.Our water was provided chlorinated and food was good, but even using wet wipes and antiseptic hand wash all the time, I still had a two day bug - keep an eye on hygiene as much as you can.

Reviewed February 2013

CYCLING THROUGH RAJASTHAN

Cycling through Rajasthan is a fantastic holiday. We saw and experienced so much. Magnificent Palaces, forts and Temples in the cities, and the pace and colour of life in the country.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved cycling through the market traffic in Udaipur - everything moving constantly, fairly slowly, but never stopping. The Meherangarh fort in Jodhpur, and the deserted citadel of Fatehpur Sikri were highlights for me. The Taj Mahal is spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leaders were great, Harish led the cycling and Pramod backed up the group. They were with us all day, everyday for the two weeks, and nothing was too much trouble. Harish made it clear from the start if we had any issue, we should raise it with them immediately, and they'd sort it out.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There was a wide variety of cycling experience amongst our group. There are stretches of straight road through the country where people choose their own pace, and have the opportunity to take lots of fantastic photos - always safe in the knowledge the leader would stop and regroup at every junction, and the backstop leader, and bus were following up if you had a puncture. Long finger gloves for the early morning cycle.

Reviewed February 2013

SNOWSHOEING IN THE DOLOMITES

This was a new experience for me – I had some time off in January and decided to give it a go. Snowshoeing is not technically difficult and the snowshoes are not that heavy to wear, but the trip is quite a demanding Grade B. On a sunny day (at least) the views and sense of achievement are worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on top of Durakopf was both the literal and methaphorical high point of the holiday. A stunning view across the alps and Dolomites. However, the sneaking view that it would be nice to come back in spring and see it all in technicolour (rather than 360 degrees of white) did enter my head...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was an exceptional leader, first rate in every way. She look excellent care of the group and knew when to push us and when to let us take a breath. In addition, highly knowledgeable and fun to be with. She also supplied us with sweets as regular intervals. What more could you ask for?

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider bringing a small kettle to make a flask with a hot drink for the day. The hotel will do it, but they charge (quite reasonably). Also take care about ordering tap water in the hotel, again they charge (not so reasonably).Regulating your temperature on the walks is important - on ascents you will quickly get very hot, and then get very cold when you stop. A number of breathable layers is the best idea. I found my ski jacket quite hot from time to time. Whatever you do, take good gloves (ski gloves or similar) and a hat and scarf.

Reviewed February 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

What an excellent trip. The Vietnamese people were very friendly and the local cuisine really needs to be tasted, such a variety of foods to experience. The journey through the paddy fields, the jungle and the cities showed what a changing landscape one could travel through. Certainly a trip never to be forgotten.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the traffic in the cities was certainly an experience that will stay in our memories for a long time. The sheer volume of scooters criss crossing our paths like an army display team is something everybody should experience. Cycling along the undulations (terminology for hills) created camaraderie among the group and also gave some amazing views. One of the most surprising places we cycled to was the 'Ghost village' between Hoi An and Hue; not only were the graves massive in size and colourful but the scale of the area covered was such an amazing sight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was the best we could have ever expected. We received great advice on shopping and prices, ate at local restuarants that we would never have visited, or found, had he not been there, he had a great deal of local and historical knowledge and a sense of humour that never diminished. Such a dedicated group leader would be difficult to find again. Arranging a ride on a water buffalo has to be a once in a lifetime event and drinking the beer in the old Hanoi quarter while sitting on the tiny seats on the pavement like the locals, made you feel as if you were part of the daily activity in Hanoi. Such a time could only be experienced with the help of a truely wonderful group leader, should I return to Vietnam I would like to have Danh with me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to Vietnam! There is plenty to experience and there are places to see that are only in Vietnam. The main thing I would recommend is that you should go now while there is still a lot of Vietnamese way of life to see before the tourist industry becomes too dominant. Get on your bike and go!

Reviewed February 2013

HIGHLANDS OF SRI LANKA

Highly recommended. A beautiful country and a beautiful way to see it. The tour was well organised, the accommodation was as described, and the Sri Lankan people were friendly and welcoming. Try and see it now before the extra 50 000 new hotel beds come online in the next year or so. The lack of a sophisticated tourist infrastructure is part of the charm of the country.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many inspirational moments -The cave paintings of Dambulla and the fortress of Lion Rock are world class attractions. The midnight walk to Adam's Peak was unforgettable - tough and maybe not entirely enjoyable but an experience. Also the sheer beauty of the highlands was memorable. The Horton Plains national park and the following train trip dropping from the highlands to the coast in two hours was spectacular - surely a contender for the best short train trip in the world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was an excellent tour leader. He worked tirelessly to ensure that we had the best opportunities to experience Sri Lanka. When there were unforseen difficulties due to weather, road closures etc. he always had a backup plan. Plus he had great sense of humour. He deserves credit for making the trip so enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Due to unseasonal heavy rain the terrain was a lot rougher than described in the trip notes. Consequently proper hiking boots (and probably a walking pole) are necessary. This also meant that the trip grading was tougher than described at the time.

Reviewed February 2013

CYCLING CUBA

I would have liked a more relaxed pace with more sight seeing opportunities. Patriotic day in Santiago was not to anyones liking and more of the city would have been good to explore. Another day in Trinidad would have been good as there was no opportunity to see this if you went on the Catamaran trip. Snorkelling opportunities would have been good, and a days rest at the sea would have been a bonus

Most Inspirational Moment

Snorkelling on the Catamaran trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent guide with a lot of encouragement and good humour. He had a difficult situation with a member of the group who had severe mental health issues, and did the best he could to help her and help us having to deal with the problems. He was very inclusive and mindful of a member who had a hearing deficit. Very professional and very proud of his country. His sense of humour and grasp of the english language was commendable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Protein bars would have been advisable. In the information provided it said bring snacks, but energy bars would have helped with the tough days, and the somewhat bland food.

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