Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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14242 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Suzy Horne
Reviewed July 2023
Stunning trek amidst amazing scenery
This is a great trip with an excellent balance of activities! The trek was absolutely stunning with amazing scenery and big horizons in wild mountains! It starts in more gentle pastoral sandstone lands, with lots of nomadic herders and yurts, and progresses to gorgeous high mountains, turbulent rivers, and wild mountains, passes and lakes. The warm up walk in Ala Archa National Park south of Bishkek was a good way to start the trip and the stay in the yurt camp on Lake Issyk Kul pre-trek, was a delight (as was the Jety Oguz yurt camp!) The opportunities for swimming/dipping (Lake Issyk Kul, Ala Kul, rivers if you find a sheltered bend!) were great, as well as the 2 hot springs visits, and the cultural visits around Bishkek, Karakol, Burana Tower and Cholpon Ata petroglyphs gave the trip a good variety of activities.
Most Inspirational Moment
Lots of beautiful scenery moments, but the 2 that really made me gasp were (1) when stunning Karakol Peak first came into view and (2) seeing gorgeous turquoise Lake Ala Kul for the first time.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our western leader Valerie is absolutely brilliant! She's great company, deals seamlessly & efficiently with all logistics and any problems, and is a fantastic storyteller! Dan, our local guide, is super-knowledgeable, also good company and has a great sense of humour, as does Ali, our second local guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Logistics worked really well - the standard of tents, comfort (the karrimats and foam mattresses provided mean you don't need to take your own sleep mat) and quality and quantity of cuisine were all excellent. The trip notes are being updated, but there are no showers or wash basins at the fixed camps (though you can request a bucket of hot water or bathe in the rivers). Handwashing facilities though are mostly available. With the rivers, hot springs, and sauna at Karakol camp, I think it was the cleanest I have ever been on trek! We had a couple of really wet, cold days, so I'd recommend a pair of waterproof gloves, and highly recommend walking poles for the steep sections both up and down, and river crossings.
D A
Reviewed July 2023
Not a Good Substitute for the TMB
The people were fantastic. Our guide, Jeni, is the absolute best! She is kind, smart, knowledgeable, and made the week both fun and interesting. Our chalet hosts, Tomas and Sol, we’re equally great. They made us feel at home, cooked excellent meals, and helped us explore the area when we weren’t on our guided hikes. These three people get 5 stars. They made the trip for me. The hikes were not what I expected. My reading of the trip’s description is that we would be hiking select portions of the traditional Trail du Mount Blanc (TMB). That’s really not what we did. We took day hikes that started and ended at the valley floor, with some day’s hikes consisting of a full loop to end up where we started. The hike up was usually beautiful, but some of the descents were on the rough side. Two of the hikes descended on long stretches of 4×4 access roads covered in large rocks. Each of these had an optional ski lift or tram that could be taken, and you have to pay for the ticket yourself. But trust me, it’s worth the extra 17€ to avoid these sections. Don’t let your ego make you walk down on these roads. So, the people were excellent, but the hikes were not what I was expecting. If you’re looking for moderate level day hikes around the Mont Blanc area, this will work. If you want to hike the TMB, this will show you small parts of it, but you may leave disappointed.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jeni is the greatest ambassador Exodus Travels could ever have. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
james flatt
Reviewed July 2023
Disappointing trek
Having done this trip I was sent a survey form which I completed and pressed ‘continue’ thinking there were more sections rather than final submission so it was submitted before I had read through and checked it. I assumed you received it. If not …… There are a few things I want to bring to your attention; the survey form for Ak Sai camps was given at the end of the tour, I was unimpressed with some aspects of some camps but not others as I couldn’t remember which camps were where by the end of the trip some could have received unfounded criticism which is not deserved while others that do may escape, may I suggest in future a form is given as visitors leave each camp so they are able to give a fair assessment of that particular camp, rather than a general one for all? I understand the camps are owned by Ak Sai but tendered for and run independantlyr For my part I found the camps OK, some of the terrain was uneven but this is camping, not glamping so there are no adverse comments there. The food in some camps was unappetising and there often wasn’t enough. Breakfast was left at one end of the able and sometimes never reached the other end, apparently one day French toast was available. I never had and knew nothing about it until it was discussed at lunchtime. On the subject of lunch it was laid out on a table for everybody to make their own picnic, unless I was at or near the front I missed out on the items which were non regular and sometimes regularly offered, I shouldn’t have to elbow my way to the front of the queue to ensure I had a share of what was available. Having paid so much money for a trek I expected better, I regularly woke up in the early hours hungry, this impacted on my sleep and ability to walk and enjoy the trek. I don’t think the camps are accustomed to such large groups, we were fed in a mess tent which was sometimes very cramped, especially in inclement weather, some leaked in the rain. , Valerie asked for more cheese one day and said there were raised eyebrows when they gave her some I had the impression that the main focus was to make money often by penny pinching on the food with consideration for those paying it being a low priority, perhaps that is a reflection on the parent company of Exodus which seems to ahve little or no other connection to the travel industry and its requirements. I was very critical of the guide who in my opinion failed in his task, unless that task was to split the group and stay with the front group. This became apparent early on when I was struggling in the heat, he would stop for a rest to wait for the remainder to catch up, after a while he would just say ‘lets go’ and go, no 2 minute warning and obviously no visual check on others because I was often getting something out of my pack as they were going. I will admit that this really annoyed me so after a few occasions I made no attempt to pack up or keep up with him, this resulted in the first group leaving long before others were ready and continuing with the group spread over a half mile . often without there being any visible contact with those in front or behind (I was told there was once a gap of about 2km) Often the worst place to be was in the middle, out of sight of the front and back therefore being unsure which track to take if there was a choice, that meant waiting for the assistant guide at the rear to catch up and tell us. Towards the end we had gone over a high pass of loose scree, rocks and wet mud and through snow to reach a path at the bottom, I had injured my knee on the descent and stopped with the rest of the group at the bottom. I took off my pack and found a knee support; my boot had to be removed to fit the support. At that point the ‘let’s go’ could be heard and he was off, I was only a few metres from him and he must have seen me or as I suspected (and told Valerie) I was invisible to him. There was no consideration for me to get ready to stick with the group so as usual; I went at my own pace with Ali behind me. I had little faith in his abilities to guide after the last day on trek. Each evening he would brief us on what to expect the following day, this was the only information I received from him as I was always behind and out of earshot during the walks. He would tell us if water shoes were needed for river crossings, one occasion he told us they were but in fact were not needed but towards the end he made no mention of them. When we reached the river there was no bridge and the previous days’ rain had probably increased the volume of it. So my questions would be, did he know there was a river there? If so did he know there was no bridge and had he taken the rainfall into account when deciding if water shoes would be needed? For my part it did not pose a problem but some needed physical support to cross it, I am sure it would have been easier if shoes were worn. I took such shoes but with no apparent need to wear them they were left in my main pack. The guide waded across the river in his walking boots, not the best plan in my opinion. He isn’t the worst guide I have had on a trek, the really bad one is in a league of his own so that statement is not cause for relief. Having been to Kyrgyzstan before I had an idea what to expect but this trip failed to live up to my expectations which I now think may have been too high but taking into account the cost of the trip I found it disappointing and poor value for money. The last couple of days of the trek should have been the best, the scenery had the potential to be spectacular but wet dull weather spoilt that as did catching a cold, these are unavoidable but the poor guide, food and value are avoidable, or should be.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very good, more than can be said about the local 'guide'
Advice for Potential Travellers
Avoid disappointment, choose something else
James Perry
Reviewed July 2023
Amazing trip and guide
A truly amazing week in Italy. Our guide, Jeff, was extremely knowlegable and made sure that any issues or concenrs we had, were resolved. The planned walks each day were perfectly suited to the group and jeff was able to switch the areas we walked, depending on the weather. I’d recommend this tour to anyone who would like to enjoy walking in the Dolomites, see the best parts and stay at a very nice hotel with excellent food.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking early on a day to see the sunrise over the Three Chimneys
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jeff was an excellent leader. He was able to answer all our questions, either about the area or ecology or historical references and nothing was too much bother.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take waterproofs as the weather can change quickly. It's worth hiring bikes on a day off and use the excellent cycle paths to visit nearby towns.
Doug Storey
Reviewed July 2023
Spectacular trip
This is a spectacular trip The hikes are wonderful very well planned and guided. Our guide Evgenia was outstanding. She planned which hike to do based on the conditions but was flexible taking into account all the abilities of the group. She communicated well with everyone and had a great sense of humour. The chalet chapula hosts were also wonderful. They were very accommodating and the meals were indeed something to look forward to. I was aware that the rooms in chalet chapula were not identical but our room was very good for us. The one comment about the hiking was that I think these hikes were more like a 4/7 rather than a 3/7. As such I would suggest a higher level of preparation for this hike.
Most Inspirational Moment
We found that the hike to Courmayeur was the inspirational day. Hiking up to above the tree line and then seeing Mont Blanc and the other peaks around was incredible
Thoughts on Group Leader
Evgenia was a fantastic guide. She worked really well with our group, She c was always smiling and positive. She has a wonderful sense of humour. I felt that even though I was the slowest she was encouraging and so I had an exceptional experience. Evgenia communicated very well with the group in her briefings the night before the hike, during the hike and after the hike through a chat she had set up. She always wanted me to finish the hike but did modify things for me when needed. When I do another trekking tour with exodus I would want Evgenia as my guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I feel that these are harder hikes than the 3/7 stated in the exodus material. As such I would suggest a higher level of training maybe level 2. For people coming from outside Europe it might be a good idea to arrive two days before the hiking to acclimatize.
Graham Dobbie
Reviewed July 2023
Madagascan Discoverer
A fantastic adventure holiday. Yes the days are long with a lot of travelling, but the rewards along the way more than make up for it. The spotters ability to find lemurs, chameleons, frogs, geckos, etc (even in the dark!) was unbelievable. Our guide, Claudia, was one of the best guides we’ve ever had. The landscapes are varied and the people are lovely.
Most Inspirational Moment
Our day at the Tsingy. We saw lemurs and other animals as we walked through the forest, we enjoyed the via ferrata climb and were rewarded by the view from the top of the Tsingy.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Claudia, our guide, was absolutely excellent, one of the best we've ever had. She was super organised, knowledgeable and great fun.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a spirit of adventure. As per the trip notes, there are some long drives, but the wildlife and other activities more than make up for it.
Julie M
Reviewed July 2023
Hiking A+….Accommodation C
Hands down, the hiking is amazing. Spectacular views and a more-than-competent guide. That said, the trip was not without issue. Lots of relatively minor issues and inconveniences that compounded. Some were within Exodus’s control and some were not (I have already provided feedback to Exodus directly so I’m not speaking out of turn here). The accommodation was just OK – breakfasts were a little basic/repetitive and dinners, while delicious, offered no choice. I personally enjoyed each evening meal but I noticed others left some meals largely untouched with no alternative available to them. Chalet Chocolat, overall, could probably use a bit of a refresh and 2 of the 7 rooms are not even close to being equal to the others. It would be nice if these substandard rooms could be offered on discount to customers who are well-informed of the room differences in advance. This would help to prevent any negative surprises once you arrive on holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
All of the hikes were spectacular but the L’Aiguilette des Posettes was probably my favorite hike.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Mike was great- knowledgeable about the area, kept us well informed and worked hard to include everyone in conversation.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The hikes on this trip have some pretty good elevation gain. Pre-trip hill walking will help prepare you. Trekking poles for the descent will help save your knees.
Lucy Romyn
Reviewed July 2023
Fantastic, off the beaten path trekking
Brilliant trip exploring a spectacular mountain range. Wide variety of scenery and weather! Great campsites with few other westerners.
Most Inspirational Moment
Camping just below the high pass at Lake Ala-kul
Thoughts on Group Leader
Valerie was amazing. Full of stories of past treks and expeditions. Friendly and professional, she kept everything running smoothly with her great organisation skills and sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take waterproof gloves and warm ones for at camp! There are washing opportunities at most campsites (in rivers) so you can go light on clothes.
Alex M
Reviewed July 2023
Trip of a lifetime!
This is such a well designed itinerary to see the real Japan, from their rich history and Culture to the modern side it was amazing how you travel through their history along the trip. You get to see a LOT of places along the way in a manner that feels like you have accomplished a lot but not too quickly. I think anyone going to Japan has to be prepared for a lot of travelling and moving around, especially as almost everything is on public transport. Don’t let this put you off as it is the best public transport in the world! So clean, always on time, friendly and respectful people – coming back to the UK after the trip was a real shock after we got experienced to the Japanese way.
Most Inspirational Moment
Staying in the Ryokans up in the Japanese Alps was a surreal experience. We had an 11 course dinner at a traditional homestay and it was a real pinch me moment. Everyone was keen to learn about Japanese Culture, try the food (myself included), and it was just such a wholesome experience. Managing to go 2 weeks only using Chopsticks and no cutlery was a very proud moment too :)
Thoughts on Group Leader
Keigo was incredible. His attention to detail and knowledge about everywhere made all the difference. Without him we would have been totally lost and only had a fraction of the experience.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for a lot of walking, often in tourist sites and on the transport system. The country is an attack on the senses to really try to just immerse yourself in the surroundings instead of always hunting for the perfect photo. Be prepared for all types of weather - an umbrella can come in handy.
Clair Baynton
Reviewed July 2023
Wonderful Salkantay and Inca Trail
The Salkantay Trek gives you both remoteness, superb mountain and glacier views along with the Inca Trail and the reward of the inspirational Machu Picchu at the end. It’s definitely worth the extra days of walking and camping. We didn’t see any other groups for the first three days! There was high level of support provided by the leader, chef and porters. The food on the trek was exceptional – nutritionally balanced, plentiful and varied. The days in Cusco before the trek provided good acclimatisation as well as familiarising ourselves with Inca history. The Machu Picchu Museum was well worth a visit in advance of the trek.
Most Inspirational Moment
Camping close to the Salkantay mountain and glacier (there was no one else there except the Exodus group) and the first glimpse of Machu Picchu as we came through the Sun Gate.
Thoughts on Group Leader
William was a fantastic leader. He was extremely knowledgeable on the history and geography of the areas we walked as well as taking us to all the key sites in Cusco. He was always on hand to provide advice, whether we had questions about the trek or were looking for cafe and restaurant ideas in Cusco. He was always looking out for our health and well-being, including monitoring our oxygen levels and checking for effects of altitude. He always had our best interests at heart.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This trip starts at altitude in Cusco and reaches higher levels during the trek. Do read the trip notes so you are as well prepared as you can be in basic fitness for the ascents and descents and length of walking days. It’s cold at night (especially near the glacier) so make sure you take the clothes that Exodus recommend. Exodus provide a good sleeping bag if you don’t have one.I always take snack bars in case I need extra food on the trek, although we were provided with plenty of snacks and fruit (more so than other treks I have done).
