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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14245 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

John Mitchell

Reviewed May 2023

Fantastic trip - unmissable for anyone who loves wild places and walking

This was a simply perfect trip from start to finish, with a group of experienced walkers and travellers, led by a charismatic guide, Xavier, through wild, remote places which appear frequently as the backdrop or subject of TV nature programmes. The vastness, emptiness and isolation of Patagonia has to be experienced to be understood – the feeling of standing on the side of a mountain range looking across hundreds of miles of wilderness and knowing there is no human there is incredible. We were fortunate to have as our Chilean guides on the W Trek, Polo, Anaïs and Cristian who did a lot more than “guide”, injecting a sense of fun even on some of the more tedious parts of the walks.

Most Inspirational Moment

A 5 minute silence on a bluff overlooking Lago Nordenskjöld to absorb fully our surroundings, ended by the crash of an avalanche on the other side of the valley ("silence" has to be understood in the Patagonian context: silent except for the never-ending wind).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Xavier was excellent, in the best tradition of outstanding Exodus guides. He is a very experienced outdoor guide, has a great sense of fun and is happy to share his encyclopedic knowledge of the social and political history, ecology and geology of Argentina and Patagonia in long trail conversations. As his main relaxation seems to be outdoor adventuring in other parts of Argentina, he is impeccably qualified to lead this trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hope but don't expect good weather. I knew that Patagonian weather could be unpredictable and it was. On one day we had sun, hail, rain and snow and, despite this being late summer, the weather according to the guides was more like late autumn; it was especially cold on the first two days of the W Trek. If you use contact lenses, consider beforehand how you would put them in at 6 am in the half light (or total darkness) of a refuge dormitory with no mirror and nowhere to prop a phone. Don't take a poncho (aka sail) and don't bother with gaiters (the paths are all stony). The explanation in the trip notes of what rucksacks and bags to bring is confusing, but essentially you need a main suitcase (for most of your stuff), a rucksack with about 30 litres capacity or more for the W Trek and, optionally, a smaller day rucksack for the day trips (Perito Moreno and El Chalten). When you are deciding what size of rucksack to bring for the W Trek, bear in mind you will need to leave room for the generous gift of a sleeping bag liner, 1 litre water bottle and travel towel.

Elizabeth Leeming

Reviewed May 2023

Beautiful Sardinia

This was one of the best trips I’ve done. I fell in love with Sardinia. It’s a beautiful, unspoilt island with lovely coastal beaches and soaring mountains.. April is the perfect month to go. The weather was good and the country was lush and green. Some lovely flowers along our walks. The walks are varied and require a reasonable level of fitness. I enjoyed the visit to the archeological sites too. There were 8 people in our group and we all got on really well from day one. We had lots of fun and laughs. The local people, like our bus driver, were amazing. So hospitable and friendly. The trip was really well organised, exactly what I would expect from Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved our walk in Canyon Gorropu. We visited the cave called Grotto Ispinigoli which was amazing, although I only viewed it from above. On the final day we took a boat from Cala Gonone to some caves and then climbed up on to the cliff top. This was a lovely walk with beautiful views down to the sea. One day we went to Orosei where we had lunch on the beach. There was nobody else about and it felt like paradise. Lots of inspiring moments.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We couldn't have had a better group leader. Michele was the best!! He was very knowledgeable about the country and shared this with us. He was fun and joined in with the group. I struggled a couple of times on the walks because I am not good with heights but he was encouraging and supportive, he helped me to overcome my fears, as did other members of the group. He made the trip enjoyable and interesting. BGLE!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely do this trip! Go to see Giovanni at the gelataria in Dorgali. His ice cream is the best! April is a great month to visit Sardinia.

Deborah Tyler

Reviewed May 2023

Outstanding trip!

This was our 4th Exodus trip, and second Cycling Vietnam trip (first one was in 2009). It was a chance to revisit fabulous Vietnam, as well as paying tribute to a recently deceased relative who was born in Saigon. It was an amazing couple of weeks with a great group of people.

Most Inspirational Moment

Learning more about Buddhism was inspirational for me. Finding out how several generations of families live in one house, supporting and caring for eachother is truly heart warming. Family is everything to Vietnamese people. Our leader Linh Vo fascinated us with personal stories of his life as a child and the struggles within his family when the country was at war.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Linh was the best trip leader ever! He was supported by a very efficient crew, and they looked after us so well. Linh is funny, warm, friendly and knowledgeable. When 2 members of our group were ill, he ensured they had the correct medication and food/drink to aid their recovery. Linh was never off duty. He made sure all the group's dietary needs and allergies were catered for at every establishment. Nothing was too much trouble for him - from finding ATM's, phone shops, jewellers, whatever we needed. He is totally committed to the members of his group, and is a fine ambassador for Exodus. Anyone lucky enough to have Linh as their leader has struck gold! The icing on the cake was his fantastic stories, songs and guitar playing. Talking of cakes, Linh even organised a special dinner for my birthday on the trip, complete with personalised cake and candles!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take lots of chamois cream and padded shorts. Pack light, mix and match clothes (laundry can be done in Hoi An) Use a manageable case/bag, as you are on the move most days & big cases are not best for the overnight train Don't be afraid to order an e-bike. I found it a blessing as I'm waiting for a knee replacement and it helped me comfortably complete all rides (totalling almost 500K)

Max Bickrstaffe

Reviewed May 2023

Everest and its luscious landscape

Regarding the Everest base camp trek, It was in one simple word Breath-taking. Over the 2 weeks we got to see the incredible Sagarmatha national park in all its glory, we lucked out as it was sunny throughout and seeing the picturesque landscape is something to behold. From the Alpine forests of the lower valley passing the milky river. To the highlands of the Khumbu Glacier en route to Base camp. Every step is something special.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the entrance of Sagarmatha national park and seeing the incredible valley for the 1st time and randomly having hundreds of dragonfly's pass by as we entered, felt like we entered a mythical world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

DB was a very gracious, outstanding and knowledgeable leader, who great to talk with and know the valley like the back of his hand

Robyn Long

Reviewed May 2023

Trip of a lifetime!

Wow… where to begin. The most amazing trip i have ever been on. Being one of the few to say i have visited Antarctica is something i will never get used to. The trip was breathtaking from start to end. I couldn’t reccomend it enough.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just being in such an untouched part of the world really put things into perspective. Being so close to humpback whales that you can hear them breathing and almost slipping in penguin poo will be memories that will stay with me forever. I cannot wait to tell my future kids and grandchildren about the wonder that is Antarctica and all the amazing wildlife out there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

There were multiple expedition leaders on this trip and they were all extremely knowledgeable and friendly. It made a huge difference to see that the leaders were truly happy to be part of your experience and enrich it in any way they can. The leaders on this trip make it that much more special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Due to the unpredictable weather in Antarctica, some activities on the original itinerary may not go ahead as planned. Therefore, it is best to be flexible with your expectations. The leaders and crew will do their upmost to get you to see and do everything but it may not always go to plan, which is all part of the expedition expereince!

Reviewed May 2023

Simply Fabulous

Cycling is a wonderful way to experience the sights and sounds of a beautiful and vibrant destination like Sri Lanka. We were up-close with the luscious countryside, buzzing towns, friendly people, gorgeous wildlife and rich history. The tour encompassed much of the island but still gave plenty of leisure time and time to explore on foot. Our fantastic guide Suresh and his terrific team were always on-hand to ensure we were well-supplied with drinks and snacks and to make sure we didn’t get lost! I’m already planning my next Exodus cycling holiday.

Peter Jones

Reviewed May 2023

Spectacular wildflowers, coastal views and seafood

This was our fourth walking trip with Exodus (all graded Leisurely/Moderate) and the first occasion on which Exodus had run this particular holiday. Exodus and their local partner had arranged five days of walking based in the small coastal village of Scopello and the busy town of Trapani, plus a free day in Trapani. We had a full week of glorious weather and the walks (sometimes involving steep and quite sustained ascents and descents on quite rough tracks) showcased spectacular displays of wild flowers and rugged Sicilian coastal scenery to great effect. Our knowledgeable guide Benoit and Giorgia from Exodus’ local partner made some minor adjustments to the itinerary and timetable to take account of the (not unusual) range of walking speeds in the group and spared no effort to make the trip a real success. Benoit arranged two great picnics and Giorgia and Benoit selected excellent restaurants for the party every evening (super Sicilian seafood), making for a very convivial holiday. The hotel in Scopello was well located and very welcoming; the location of the hotel in Trapani was less satisfactory and had no refreshment facilities other than at breakfast. This was the only blemish on an otherwise excellent and memorable trip. Thoroughly recommended!

Most Inspirational Moment

The high level track in the Zingaro National Nature Reserve was well worth the 400m ascent, with a profusion of wild flowers and stunning sea views, punctuated by a memorable picnic under carob and olive trees, organised by Benoit. The cave on the island of Levanzo, with its palaeolithic rock engravings and neolithic paintings was an unforgettable experience, followed by another Benoit picnic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Benoit was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and flexible. Once he realised that the overall pace on a Leisurely/Moderate trip needs to recognise that some members, while well able to cope with distance, may be considerably slower up and down steep paths than more experienced hillwalkers, he adjusted pace appropriately and spared no effort to make the trip enjoyable for all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Three of the walks on the published itinerary involve more sustained relatively steep climbs, on quite rough tracks, than we have encountered on our three previous Leisurely/Moderate Exodus trips. We would strongly recommend walking poles and boots with a good tread and ankle support. Also bear in mind that there is very little shade other than on the picnic breaks. This could be an issue later in the season. However, overall, if you are properly equipped and prepared, you should have a memorable holiday.

Stephen Dossett

Reviewed May 2023

Impressive Egypt

This trip gives you the opportunity to see many of the key sights of Egypt with the exception of Abu Simble and is well organised with responsible guides to help you navigate a new culture when travelling with children. Egypt itself is a fascinating country full of history and culture and we had a brilliant experience of Egypt. There are some things that you should consider to ensure that this is the right tour for you. The trip does promise a first class sleeper train and 4 or 5 star hotels throughout but that is a local distinction and most were more a European 2 or 3 star hotel at best. This isn’t a luxury tour. Many of the tours are optional rather than included and as such you need to allow plenty of extra dollars if you want to have the full experience. This makes you feel somewhat like you’re being exploited because the extra trips are significantly overpriced compared to the face value of the entry tickets to the sites visited, but you can’t easily then organise on your own. This trip gives you the opportunity to see many of the key sights of Egypt with the exception of Abu Simble and is well organised with responsible guides to help you navigate a new culture when travelling with children. Egypt itself is a fascinating country full of history and culture and we had a brilliant experience of Egypt. There are some things that you should consider to ensure that this is the right tour for you. The trip does promise a first class sleeper train and 4 or 5 star hotels throughout but that is a local distinction and most were more a European 2 or 3 star hotel at best. This isn’t a luxury tour. Many of the tours are optional rather than included and as such you need to allow plenty of extra dollars if you want to have the full experience. This makes you feel somewhat like you’re being chased for more money all the time and the extra trips are somewhat overpriced compared to the face value of the entry tickets to the sites visited, but you can’t easily then organise on your own. We noticed our 13 year old went in as a child ticket but we were charged a full adult price for the tour by exodus because he was over 12. The brochure said group tips paid in advance are optional but recommended but we were chased for the exact amount ‘recommended’ which I suspect is a profit source for the local tour provider. The coach journey was advised as 4 hours but actually took 7 hours due to using back roads rather than toll roads. There can be delays and you need to be prepared to sit for long periods.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Saqqara (optional trip) was very special and we loved swimming with Dolphins ( optional trip). The temple at Philae was impressive and the whole holiday was a positive adventure and great fun, with lots of new memories made.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Responsible and accessible throughout the trip. He was well connected and although you suspect he only took you to restaurants and shops etc that were owned by friends, we went to some interesting places and felt safe.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring dollars as they don’t really want you spending Egyptian pounds for many trips etc. Be prepared to sit for long periods Don’t expect 1st class sleeper train or 4/5 star hotels. This is not a luxury trip. Buy a sim at the airport when you arrive. It’s inexpensive and wifi at hotels was unreliable or chargeable as an expensive extra. Be prepared to tip for everything, even things that you didn’t want someone to do for you. It’s customary and expected.

Reply from Exodus

We are very pleased to hear that Stephen had a brilliant experience of Egypt and want to thank him for travelling with Exodus. It is great to read that he found the trip to be well organised, and that the guides helped his family to make the most of their time in the country. We are sorry to hear, though, that Stephen was a little disappointed by the standard of accommodation. We use a first class sleeper train and the properties our groups stay at throughout the tour are 4 and 5 star, though we recognise that these ratings are based on Egyptian classifications and may not quite match up with the standards of similarly rated European hotels. However, we are very confident that they are of a good quality for a family trip.

We have purposely included optional tours so that families can choose how much they do, and how much relaxation time they want to build into their itinerary. The cost of these is based not just on entry ticket prices, but also the transport needed to get to the sites. Based on Stephen’s feedback, however, we will be doing a full review of the optional excursions offered on this tour and especially will investigate his comment regarding the prices of tickets for children.

The tipping kitty is a set amount which is managed by the leader to ensure all those assisting the tour, for example hotel porters, are recognised for their assistance. The leader is accountable to the group for this expenditure, and our customers should in no way feel ‘chased’ for the amount. We would apologise for Stephen’s experience of being asked to contribute to the kitty, as it should make things easier for families, rather than raise concerns.

Once again, we would like to thank Stephen for his review of the Egyptian Family Adventure and for sharing his experiences. We are very pleased that, for the most part, Egypt lived up to his expectations.

– Kashka Lantis, Exodus Product Manager

Sacha Gardiner

Reviewed May 2023

Stunning walk in Sicily

This trip was filled with beautiful coastal walks with stops on some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen. You visit several different spots around Sicily during the week and taste some great food along the way. One of the highlights was our Guide Benoît’s fabulous picnics that we had during our walks. We had a great group and were lucky to see lots of flora and fauna along the walks.

Bee A

Reviewed May 2023

Rich in Nature - Pura Vida

Our guide Armando really brought the group together. He was excellent! Our safety was his number one concern. He was truly an expert when it came to wildlife, birds and Costa Rican culture. This was an adventure packed week and educational as well! We even learned some history about the indigenous culture. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants a ‘well-rounded’ Costa Rica experience. You will experience the cloud forests, rainforests, dry forests, city and Pacific ocean. Make sure to pack your rain gear and swim suits.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention but here's a few: - Waking up at the Rio Celeste Hideaway where our stunning rooms were surrounded by the lush green forest. There was also a private outdoor shower! - Floating down the cool, blue, Rio Celeste River - it was just our group and our guides! - Seeing a troop of white faced Capuchin Monkeys climbing up and down the trees in Rincon de la Vieja NP. - Learning how to surf in Tamarindo - also perfect for morning walks and afternoon lounging

Thoughts on Group Leader

Armando was a fantastic guide. He has a great sense of humour and was super knowledgeable. He entertained our group and our million questions! He always joined us for activities, meals and made sure the group was well looked after. My favourite moments were definitely our 'educational' hikes where we learned about plant life and observed some amazing wildlife!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you pack your binoculars and a good pair of waterproof hiking shoes (it can get muddy when it rains). I did not stay any extra days in Tamarindo, but would HIGHLY recommend it. Stay at least 2 extra nights at the Tamarindo Diria resort and book the OCEAN VIEW rooms.

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