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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Reviews

Reviewed August 2012

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

An excellent, well balanced holiday, which gave a fantastic insight into both life and wildlife in Costa Rica.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having a toucan land and pose for a photo on the tree directly in front of my accommodation at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge on my birthday!Watching the turtle hide its eggs before preparing to go back to the sea.Stepping into the accommodation at Savegre (cloud forest) - wow!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Antonio was superb. He wasn't afraid to admit that he wasn't sure what a particular bird or plant was, although was very knowledgable and knew most of them. He was also very professional in his work making a point of speaking to everyone in the group and ensuring our safety and well being at all times. Mario our driver was also a great guy who drove some difficult roads with care and attention and was always prepared to have a laugh with us, following some translation by Antonio. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Plastic bags proved to be very useful in keeping clothes dry in the very humid conditions in the rainforests (nothing dries here once wet!)Prices in Costa Rica were similar to here with meals at some of the hotels and restaurants being more than we anticipated. This said, there wasn't much time to fit in many of the optional activities listed on the trip notes so this reduced expected costs.Rainy season had just started when we got there, but it seemed fortune was with us and we enjoyed some excellent weather. I only used my raincoat a couple of times due to feeling a little cold in the mountains. When the heavens really did open up we were setting forth on a boat trip from Tortuguero and were provided with Ponchos. However, these didn't hold off the rain completely and we all ended up soaked through and paddling in the boat! However, in retrospect, this experience gave us a true insight into the real 'rain' forest!US dollars were accepted almost everywhere. Change was often given in local currency which then meant you had some of this for the odd drink or ice cream.Walking sandals were ok for most of the walks, although there were a couple where we were advised to wear proper shoes/boots. I only had trainers with me, but found these to be fine. At some places where mud was likely wellie boots could be borrowed.Make the most of supermarket stops to buy water and drinks (both alcoholic and non), although in most places the tap water is drinkable and the majority of our group did exactly this without any adverse affects.

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Reviewed August 2012

THE AMALFI COAST

Very enjoyable trip in a beautiful part of Italy. Lovely walks, great leader and fun group of fellow travellers.

Most Inspirational Moment

Enjoyed the walking, food, hotel hospitality plus visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum with an excellent guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wonderful!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go and enjoy!

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Reviewed August 2012

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

Costa Rica was a real surprise! It is really a wildlife-destination. It is a must for anybody with an avid interest in wildlife, plantlife and nature in general. It blew us away!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

First of all, the visit to the green turtle hatching ground in Tortuguero was amazing. Nothing prepares you for the sheer magic of it ! The most inspirational moment is hard to pick as there were so many! In general all the boat trips were outstanding. The best one was an optional boat trip organised by our fantastic tour guide Antonio. It was a crocodile safari. It was absolutely outstanding. I would really recommend Exodus to take this excursion on board as part of their holiday. The crocs were within touching distance..... Simply super! The hike to the lava fields of Arenal is not to be missed.The 'hanging bridges' or walking bridges were amazing.The lodge at  the beautiful Esquinas Rainforest Lodge at Golfito Nature Reserve was just simply breathtaking. What an experience. Every day was a highlight!One hightlight is not possible to pick.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Antonio was simply amazing and outstanding.He was a great people's person, and got on with everybody.His knowledge of Costa Rica was second to none, from the population to eco deails, from wildlife to all sorts of species of birds. He was a genius! Well done Exodus!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The tour is marked as 'Leisurely'.I would like to point out a few things. Whereas the accomoodation is great (=leisurely), the driving distances and travelling time is great(= leisurely), some of the walks would challenge a person that was not a little more than 'average'- 'fit'. We had no problem at all, but the walk to the waterfall and some of the jungle walks, due to high altitude and humidity could not be totally classed as 'leisurely'......Somebody that carries some excess weight or has some breating difficulties could be in trouble here.For that reason I think Exodus should mark this trip as 'Leisurely/Moderate'I took musquito nets, and there is NO NEED to do so! On the other hand bring plenty deet!We applied deet morning and night and got 1 bite each! Others that did not apply the deet had a lot of bites.

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Reviewed August 2012

PICOS PEAKS & GORGES

Excellent walking for a comfortable hotel. Our guide Alvaro was very attentive to safety

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational was reaching the Col before Pandescura - there is an amazing view up to the Eastern Massif and still snow on the peaks in July! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good and attentive to weather and safetyHe had to change our walks due to weather but this meant that we got the best views

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is challenging with a total of almost 80Km in the 6 walking days

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Reviewed August 2012

THE AMALFI COAST

An excellent experience. The area is beautiful, the hotel has good accomodation and very good food. The walking was enjoyable with stunning views. The leader was very good and the group bonded superbly. The trips to Pompeii and Herculaneum are fabulous.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views of Positano from the Walk of the Gods are stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very pleasant and thorough. She added a lot to the enjoyment of the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it-assuming you like walking and have an average level of fitness.

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Reviewed August 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

The trip of a lifetime, well organised from start to finish, totally professional. Our group of 8 started and successfully completed the trek to the top of the highest free standing mountain in the world – Mount Kilimanjaro…Uhuru Peak – Hakuna Matata

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the Baranco Wall was one of the best days along with the Baranco Camp views above the clouds looking out over to Mount Meru which sat below us at 15,000 feet. Summit day, reaching the top with 100% success in the group, me being the eldest and a 17 year old the youngest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Henry was pleasant and inspirational, he was like my dad, always checking if we had drank enough, eaten enough, if anyone was quiet he was onto them straight away to ensure everything was ok and he directed his other guides with army like precision. One comment about Henry that maybe Exodus could help out with, he can't sing...totally tone deaf, although his song "This is how we do it" cheered us all up every time he sang it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and advice, get all of the injections and kit required, train well, listen to your guides they know more about the mountain than you will ever know. Drink plenty on the mountain, and most of all, take a happy and positive attitude with you, summit day is very testing and is all about your mental attitude, if you are weak and not positive you will not make it up there.

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Reviewed August 2012

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

An excellent holiday for enjoying wildlife viewing and walking in the rainforest.A really good active tour, yet relaxing also. Each day was full, yet at a slow pace.

Most Inspirational Moment

The wildlfe viewing, from nesting turtles to gentle sloths.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Antonio was excellent.He paid attention to details,was  informative and is extremely knowledgeable about plants, birds and animals.A great ambassador for his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a little more walking in the trip than the itinerary would indicate , but all to the better.Remember to pack warmer clothes for the higher areas.Good binoculars are essential, although all the guides carry binoculars and telescopes.A camera with a good zom lens is useful.

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Reviewed August 2012

PRAGUE TO BUDAPEST RIDE

an excellent concept, linking prague with budapest with maximum sight seeing on a bike.more cycling on cycle paths, particularly along the Danube into Budapest would have enhanced this experience; better hotel, more central in Budapest- poor location, unhelpful staff, poor ending to holiday

Most Inspirational Moment

visiting Vienna- never visited before so was overwhelmed by the beauty of the buildings, and their numberthe beauty of the many towns in Czech republic, their history and architecture

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mat was well organised, and provided many opportunities to check we were all ok, and to gain feedback. He adhered to the trip plan which is what we had bought, and checked if unsure with his manager. This may have come across as an inflexible approach, but he could not please all people all the time. We felt some people on the trip had unrealistic expectations in this trip, wanting significant changes that would have meant a very different holiday, which may have suited them but not others! perhaps they should pay extra for a 1-1 trip with a guide! It would help if the itinery plan was emphasised in the trip notes as the holiday, rather than an idea with great flexibility. The only time more help from Mat would have been appreciated was at our final hotel in Budapest, which was the worst of all in terms of its location which was in a run down part of town with evidence of drug using and low lifes, and so difficult to get into the city. The concierge was not helpful so Mats advice would have been good at the time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

you need to be able to manage gears as well as distances on this trip. those who were not experienced slowed the pace of the group significantly at the beginning few days

Reply from Exodus

Exodus takes customer satisfaction very seriously. As such we can confirm the hotel used on Budapest on this tour had not been used before and will not be used again.

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Reviewed August 2012

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Pleasant weather, a comfortable guest house with good food. The holiday gives good opportunity to see wildlife unobtainable in western Europe, together with a very different culture plus some good trekking. The holiday "did what it said on the tin".

Most Inspirational Moment

Without a doubt the visit to Libearty, the bear sanctuary, as this is restricted access and not generally available to tourists. We were given an exclusive guided tour for most of the morning and were able to see many bears. Note, the sanctuary is not a zoo and is no way a "commercial touristy" venue, itis a working wildlife concern.Must mention Bran Castle in passing, as I'm fond of the book and films regarding Transylvanias most famous son...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin was very helpful and spoke excellent English. He was also mindful to accommodate all of the group's capabilities particularly when one or two were feeling the weather during the walks. He used to be a Ranger in the park, and has a good knowledge of wildlike and history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was hot at this time of year, mid 30s degrees C a good capacity water bottle is a must. We were able to re-fill at one or two points in the mountains from natural springs, Casmin will advise.The weather can turn quickly though, always take a raincoat; when it does rain it won't hold back, but lasts about 30 minutes or so. The thunderstorms were great if you enjoy such things.If you do the optional bear hide in the evening (which  I recommend), this will be at dusk so sort out your camera before setting off; the red light emissions can scare off the beasts. The hide is well built and protected, you will be safe. Sit still and don't figit though!If you can, take binoculars (these are good whilst in the hide even though the bears are only 30 metres or so away) and we saw chamois and eagles etc in the mountains.Sun screen essential. Insect repellant needed on the beaver watch evening as it is by the river and again at dusk. The mountains seemed fairly clear of biting insects. I may confirm there is no need to pre-load on garlic for these evening excursions.,

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Reviewed August 2012

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

This was a fantastic trip with an excellent in country representative who was both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the areas visited. I thouroughly enjoyed every minute and would strongly recomend a visit to sample Cost Rica’s rich flora and fauna, a real naturalists paradise.

Most Inspirational Moment

Without doubt was the trip to monteverde and the oportunity to see the cloud forests. The diversity of humming birds at this location was fantastic and the canopy walk was well worth the effort as it gave a completely different perspective of the cloud forest and an opportunity to see a different set of inhabitants.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Antonio was excellent, he had a great knowledge of local customs and traditions as well as excellent knowledge of Costa Rica's natural history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for heavy rain but don't get to hung up about bringing lots of dry cloths there was plenty of opportunity to get cloths washed and dried at the lodges and in most cases this cost about a dollor per item, although it was more exensive at esquinas.

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