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If you are a cyclist and have not cycled Portugal’s Atlantic coast or have cycled the interior only this trip is for you. Travelling from Porto to Lisbon you will have a chance to view the fabulous white golden beaches, the charming beach villages, pine scented forests, nature reserves and taste the wines of the region. Portugal has the most amazing cycling paths I have ever experienced- on this trip the road was moderately undulating capped by a major ascent at Serra da Boa Viagem . We had the opportunity to sample a wide variety of seafood and portuguese specialties thanks to the suggestions of our guides Armando and Ruben and their knowledge of the best places to dine. A nice touch was a guided walking tour of Porto and Lisbon pre and post cycling .
The riding along the coast line with it’s spectacular waves, the ride over the bridge and the dunes along the silver coast.
Armando was our tour guide and Ruben our van support and between the two of them we were kept on track, well informed about all things about Portugal , well fed, and well cared for. Thanks for all your kindnesses.
My two star rating doesn’t reflect the Galapagos Islands themselves, which are a potentially five star destination. Rather the rating is of this particular trip to see them. As you’d expect, the Galapagos are a wildlife lover’s dream, particularly if you like marine wildlife. Whilst the variety isn’t massive, the numbers are and the ease of seeing things is unmatched , and many creatures can’t be seen anywhere else. The snorkelling is outstanding with excellent visibility and huge numbers of fish etc. as well as lots of exciting bigger things like turtles and sealions that will happily swim right up to you.
Unfortunately this Exodus trip did not feel like the best way to see this incredible place, particularly not for the very high cost, and I was very glad to return home. The tour leader was poor, which greatly affected the quality of the experience. The first nights in Quito were on my own – there was no group – which is not what I expect from a ‘small group’ tour. I knew there wouldn’t be any trip leader accompanying us (me) but I did expect there to be other travellers.
The boat is very cramped and uncomfortable and if you are a solo traveller and have to share it is really difficult even if you get on well with your roommate (thankfully I did). For two nights the air conditioning wasn’t working meaning I was unable to sleep and ended up trying to sleep on deck in the rain. If you sleep in the top bunk it is a vastly inferior experience as it is very hot and cramped and hard to climb up. There were spare cabins on the boat but we were not given the option to use them, not even for an additional fee. There were also bigger cabins upstairs but those were allocated to others despite us being the only pair sharing with a stranger. There was a sense that Exodus passengers were second-class.
The trip is mis-graded as ‘leisurely’ when it is far tougher than the moderate trips I have taken with Exodus recently. The trip notes at the current time do not accurately describe the level of fitness required or that you need walking boots etc. I could have been much better prepared had I known. There is very little leisure time, which is fine if that’s what you are expecting but is not indicated by the trip notes at the time of writing.
I would definitely not recommend the trip to solo travellers or even friends travelling (unless you are happy sharing a double bed). For solo travellers it might be better to look at land based itineraries. For couples it this trip might be worth it, provided you are fit and don’t mind short walks in difficult situations and if the tour leader was different from the one I had.
Snorkelling with sealions, iguanas, turtles and penguins in crystal clear water was incredible. I also really enjoyed the optional day trip from Quito to Bellavista lodge in the Mindo Cloudforest - ideal for those who like birds.
He was knowledgeable and as someone from Galapagos could provide an interesting insight into life there. However his communication and organisational skills were below those of the Exodus leaders on all the (many) other trips I have taken and this did cause multiple problems that affected my enjoyment of the trip. It probably didn't help that he was trying to lead walks for 12 people with a vast ability range, with no second leader to assist.
At the time of writing, this trip is rated as 'leisurely' which is the last way I'd describe this holiday. It was far more strenuous and busy than other trips I have taken rated 'moderate'. There are multiple activities each day, to a tight timescale, and with little turnaround time to completely change clothes etc. between each in very limited space. The snorkelling is easy for anyone who can swim even a little, but the walks - whilst short in length - are on very poor paths, usually including lengthy steep uphill and downhill sections, in blistering heat and high humidity. They require a decent level of fitness. The notes currently do not advise taking walking boots - you definitely need to do so. The best thing about the trip is undoubtedly the snorkelling, so if you cannot swim or don't want to snorkel it would be a waste of time seeing the Galapagos this way. You need to bring clothes to swim in (or a proper rash suit) as the sun is relentless and you will burn in minutes. Whilst sold as a group trip, you may find yourself alone for the section in Quito as I did. Therefore if you are travelling solo prepare yourself accordingly. Quito is not the safest city in the world and the hotel is some way from the centre. I managed fine but it would have been better if I could have prepared myself ahead of time for that rather than assuming I'd be with a group of other travellers. Exodus seems to book flights with KLM as standard but I travelled with Avianca via Bogota which I think gave a much better set of journeys both there and back. It means leaving late the evening before instead of extremely early the following morning, but avoids a dangerously tight connection at Amsterdam, means waiting in a much nicer airport than Schiphol, and gets you home sooner. There is very little 'downtime' on the trip so if you are considering an extension, do it at the end and not before - and consider giving yourself a day or two to recover particularly if you are working and have a demanding job. The mosquitoes have to be seen to be believed - take repellent but prepare to be bitten a lot - including through your clothes. I wore DEET and it made no difference. Have anti-histamines and bite cream at the ready.
I had heard a lot of great things about Exodus. However, the local company in Portugal did not live up to expectations. This was a fast-moving tour. We were in a different city (sometimes 2) each day and the guides did not give us the best of each city. Instead, we spent an hour (of the precious 3 hours we had each day) in a a cafe! One can assume this is because THEY needed a break. There was so much to see and we wandered aimlessly. It became a joke that when they would tell us how beautiful something was in a particular city, that meant we were not going to see it. I mean, who is going to be back to visit anytime soon. Also, their knowledge was not up to par. When we were visiting the Monastery in Batalha, there were these portraits on the wall and I asked who they were and the response I received were “they are not significant.” REALLY? I’ve been in enough churches in Europe to know that EVERYTHING has significance! The knowledge of these guides was so awful, it was almost comical. I realize new people have to be trained, but they should not be trained at our expense, as this was an expensive trip. They should pay their dues as local guides, giving local tours so they can learn how to be guides. These women were absolutely terrible. I felt like a friend had offered to show me Portugal and given their limited knowledge, that would have been exactly what I got – limited knowledge. But, I paid for this trip. And so did others. And we paid handsomely. Also, the nightly meetings were stupid. Just post an itinerary. No one wants to be in a meeting after a long day. The trip to Sintra was a disaster. They left us without coming up there with us. They should have been with us. We had no idea where to go or what we were looking at – we needed a guide! Plus, the whole issue with having to pay 12..50 more for the bus was really stupid. We all felt very nickled and dimed. That should have been handled much differently. Do not use Exodus for this particular tour in Portugal. You will regret it. It is far too expensive for what you get. You would be better off going on your own. You would see more and learn much more. They also weren’t very good about keeping tabs on the group. They didn’t wear logo’d clothing or have a flag or anything. We mostly kept track of each other to be sure no one was left behind – isn’t that their job?? And most of the restaurant recommendations were horrible. Very unimpressed.
NONE
Terrible, uninformed, ditzy
Do not book this particular tour with Exodus. Perhaps other local companies are better, but this one is not worth your hard earned money
We would like to thank Stacey for taking the time to leave a review, although we are very sorry to read of her disappointment with several aspects of her trip to Portugal. At Exodus we take the roles of our tour leaders very seriously and provide each one with comprehensive training before they are assigned to lead our tours; for this departure, Stacey’s group was led by our experienced leader Carlos, who receives very positive feedback from our clients, as well as Catarina, who has led alongside him on past trips with success. While they were accompanied by a trainee leader who was shadowing this trip to gain experience, we have not found on previous departures that similar arrangements have detracted from our clients’ experience, as our regular leaders guide these trips as normal.
We would note, having reviewed the feedback forms from clients on Stacey’s departure, that the majority of respondents rated both the itinerary of the tour and their overall trip experience as being either ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. Further, the general feedback we received from the group about Carlos praised him as helpful and knowledgeable, and mentioned that Catarina was a personable and enthusiastic leader. We do, of course, continually monitor all our leaders’ performances to ensure they meet our high standards, but from the feedback we have received on this occasion we are confident that Carlos and Catarina led this trip effectively. However, we understand that this does not reflect Stacey’s experience, which we very much regret.
We are further apologetic that Stacey did not appreciate the free day in Sintra; we find from experience that our clients often like to explore this location at their own pace, and from previous feedback we have obtained about this tour we find that this excursion is generally very well received. However, we understand that some other group members from Stacey’s departure mention in feedback they have submitted that they would have preferred some guidance on-site in Sintra in addition to information provided by our leaders beforehand, and we are considering making a change in this regard to improve customer experience.
While we feel confident that this trip provides an enjoyable and insightful tour of Portugal for our customers based on the feedback we continue to receive from our groups, we would once again like to express our regret that Stacey was left disappointed, and will of course closely bear her comments in mind going forward.
– Emma Cambers, Exodus Product Manager
The key words in the tour description, “highlights” and “leisurely”, are to be taken seriously: the introduction to various highlights is pretty succinct and the leisure time extensive. It is obvious, reading previous reviews (some going back a few years) that criticisms or disappointments have not been acted upon. There is still too much time spent travelling to “highlights”; the walk is not circular, too short, and the “rewarding” barbecue in a place of outstanding beauty still turns out to be a sad picnic eaten inside an uninspiring dining room. Only the trips to Capri and Herculaneum/Pompeii warrant a full day (in the event neither was actually that long). The actual activities do not follow the full description in the programme and fall rather short of it.
No "inspirational moment" in the true sense of the words. The visits to Herculaneum and Pompeii were the most interesting, although both were more limited than needed to be Sorrento trip on "free day" was most pleasant. Capri is splendid and the trip was well organised, though restricted to two venues, other places of interest being deemed likely to be too crowded.
Focused on safety. Friendly. Organised. Limiting and limited - whether anxious to protect his charges, or for some other reason??
Do your own homework about the "highlights": not much to expect from guide. Be prepared for a lot of leisure in a place offering very few amenities and little escape (places of interest are far and expensive to get to) The family-run hotel is nice and comfortable enough, but doesn't offer much.
We have just returned from this excellent trip and can highly recommend it. It is good value for money and provides an excellent insight into the region. There are opportunities to explore the region away from the touristy areas as well as a chance to see Seville, Setenil and Ronda. We were part of a lovely group that bonded well and made the whole experience even more worthwhile.
It was lovely to walk in such an unspoilt region serenaded by nightingales and hoopoes calling in the woodlands. Watching griffon vultures effortlessly circling in cloudless, blue skies was magnificent.
Michael is an excellent leader with encyclopaedic knowledge of the history, geography, flora and fauna of the region. His enthusiasm is infectious. He has a great sense of humour and he is thoroughly entertaining. Michael is also attentive and caring of the group and keen to provide information and advice. He is clearly proud of his Spanish heritage but has the added advantage of having an English background as well. Michael is a real asset to Exodus and I will most definitely be voting for him in the annual leader awards.
Take the opportunity to visit Ronda if at all possible. If you usually use walking poles, these are a good idea, though not essential.
Best experience to date out of many Exodus cycling trips that i have been on. This due to the excellent trip leader and support crew, great group of compatriots, culture in Vietnam and variety of experiences in the itinerary. The trip is excellent value for money and should be on any bucket list
The daily routine of early start, healthy food and cycling, walking tours etc has inspired me to be more active at home. The kind, humble and friendly nature of the nation - from small children desperate to say hello to elders at the home meal, everyone was a inspiration to meet - our population at large could learn a lot from them and be better people for it.
Linh Vo was the best tour leader i have experienced to date on many Exodus cycling holidays. He was completely dedicated to the whole group 24/7 and went out of his way to resolve any problems that anyone had. He has excellent knowledge and gives a great insight into the history and culture of the country. Any future travellers lucky enough to have him on their trip will enjoy the sometimes long coach journeys with his story telling and passion to make you laugh!
The better your cycling fitness is before you travel the more you will get from the trip. Be prepared for heat and humidity - take on the regular fluids and snacks provided. Travel light as great value clothes wash available at Hoi An. Also, leave space in your travel bag if you want tailor made clothes, shoes made for you in Hoi An.
Sardinia – what a beautiful Island! Golden sandy beaches, wooded valleys and gorges and warm blue sea. Hotel was simple but spotlessly clean and there was always plenty of good food to be had. Dorgali Town was sleepy while we were there but we were early in the season. Very easy to catch a local bus to the coast on your day off and some great local restaurants when you eat away from the hotel.
Clambering into the gorge over rocks and boulders. Great fun and makes you realise how small you truly are. There was also a fantastic cameraderie within the group and so much fun and laughter along the way. This makes a holiday great as much as the fantastic scenery.
Michele was brilliant. Always smiling, thoughtful and one of the best leaders I have encountered, always going the extra mile. Shared his time with everyone and became an integral part of the group with his good humour and laughter. By his hard work we could just relax, laugh and enjoy ourselves. Anyone who can talk a bunch of hikers into a spontaneous Sardinian folk dancing lesson whilst waiting for the bus to arrive must be good! Thank you for making it such a special week.
Bring walking poles as they are very helpful over the rough terrain and don't make the mistake of ordering 2 sandwiches for lunch because they are huge!!!
Fabulous trip from start to finish. A super friendly group who gelled from the outset. The most incredible food, especially the picnic lunches carried by ‘Picnic’ the Mule. A very organized and efficient, fully serviced camping experience. We were accompanied by two street dogs (Porridge and Pancake) which was a particular treat for the dog lovers on the trek. I think the main draw of this trek is the remoteness, there is no proper path, no maps to follow, just full trust in Lahcen to get us to the next campsite safely. As others have mentioned, we did not see another trekker or tourist on the whole trek; this was a rare treat compared to many of the other treks I have completed.
I loved the remoteness of the trek, and despite us being a very chatty and friendly group, it was still possible to catch some quiet time to just enjoy the vastness of the mountains and the stillness of our surroundings. Hearing early morning 'Call to Prayer' echoing down the valley was also special.
Lahcen was fabulous. Obviously a very experienced Tour Leader with fantastic leadership, organizational and people skills. Lahcen and his team looked after us superbly.
We were a group of 13 and the toilet tent struggled with that number of people. I would consider taking a trowel and some biodegradable toilet paper. Most of the campsites were wild, so if properly equipped, wild toileting would be acceptable - just watch out for scorpions!!
This trip is a great combination of activity and relaxation. After an excellent guided tour of Marrakesh we were free to shop, visit local gardens (I recommend the Majorelle Gardens not far from the hotel) or relax by the pool. We were all keen to get into the mountains and they didn’t disappoint. From our lovely village location our fantastic guide Abdelkabir Ait Lasri led us off on our daily walks with a characteristic “Yalla yalla, let’s go”. On the walks he kept the pace just right so somehow none of us ever felt either held back or left behind. His knowledge of geology added an extra level of interest to our mountain experience. Most impressive was that the week I went on this trip it was Ramadan so despite not eating or drinking all day, Abdel never failed to give 100% in making sure “everyone ok?” Always adding: “If you have any questions, I am here.” The walks vary in length and as a group we did opt for the short version of the long walk on day 6, which nonetheless was still a pleasant six hour round trip along the river with a picnic (Moroccan style) lunch produced by our fantastic “chefcook”. I met a lovely group of people on this trip and with Abdel at the helm there is nothing I could fault. I had a great time. Highly recommended.
The views from the top of the mountains.
Abdelkabir Ait Lasri was a fantastic group leader, always calm, always helpful and always courteous. He made sure everything worked as it should resulting in a seamless experience for the group. He did all of this during Ramadan on no food or drink and yet never faltered - a true professional. He created a lovely atmosphere for the group. Definitely a top guide.
Make sure you have a reasonable level of fitness as some of the walks are quite long and (obviously) hilly, though not overly difficult on the whole
We are traveling as a family of four with our two girls, 13 and 11 years old for four months. This tour was a highlight of our trip so far. We absolutely loved the animals and the jungle as well as being exposed to the culture and people of Sabah. Our tour guide Nostalia was a fountain of knowledge and took such amazing care of us. The people of Sabah are friendly and welcoming and with our guide as a translator we learned so much more than we otherwise would have.
Staying on the Kinabatang river at the jungle lodge was such a fantastic part of the trip. We absolutely loved seeing all kinds of monkeys, proboscis, silver leaf, long and pig tailed macaques as well as crocodiles and the absolute highlight was seeing the Pygmy elephants. The jungles of Borneo are spectacular and our guide was fantastic at spotting things in the jungle and the river while our guide was able to name and tell us details about the animals, insects, birds and plants.
Nostalia really made the trip for us. Her knowledge and caring nature as well as always letting us know what the plan was and what to expect really helped to make us feel comfortable. The organization was incredible and we were very impressed how smoothly things ran through the entire trip. We felt so much more connected to the people and the culture with her as our guide. We hope that she will come to visit us in Canada so we can show her around.
Definitely come to Borneo! It was so much more than I expected and I have a lifetime worth of memories that I will treasure.