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.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

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14246 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Jay Gid

Reviewed March 2023

Discovering Costa Rica Trip

The holiday got off to a bad start with my first night at the Radisson Hotel. My room smelt extremely musty, there were large stains on the carpet, the curtain was hanging off the curtain rail and the dark brown furniture was very chipped. When I booked the trip, it was planned to stay at the Presidente which is in the heart of downtown San Jose. The Radisson is about 3/4 mile outside San Jose and walking outside after dark was not recommended. However, once away from San Jose, the holiday lived up to expectations, with spacious lodges in beautiful, peaceful settings (apart from the wildlife!). The flora and fauna was stunning and we had only one really wet day in Arenal. I was taken aback by the high cost of living and, where lunch and dinner were not provided, having both lunch and dinner at posh restaurants was both very expensive and, for me, unnecessary. A modest snack at lunch time would have sufficed. Setting up a group WhatsApp worked very well. Not only could we share photos, but also any last-minute changes in arrangements or the spot of a rare bird could be communicated to the group instantly. All sites had good Wi-Fi availability.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a sloth at close range. Waking up before first light and listening to the birds beginning to sing. Seeing a quetzal at close range. Using my newly purchased binoculars to spot tiny little birds in the forest. Filming hummingbirds using slo-mo on my phone

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, David Vargas, was absolutely brilliant. He is very charismatic but also a complete fanatic when it comes to birding. His instinct to spot sloths was amazing too. I love that we saw so many 2- and 3-toed sloths. Whenever the group had any down time, David always arranged an optional walk around the lodge gardens to view the wildlife there and also conducted sunrise walks for those interested to hunt out the birds. David also looked after the needs of the group, finding ATMs and post offices, recommending and booking excellent and quirky restaurants for our evening meals when required and organising a successful quetzal viewing trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you stay at the Radisson and get a truly awful room, please do ask Reception to change your room. Ask you group leader to set up a WhatsApp group so you can share photos etc

Allan Crawley

Reviewed March 2023

The High Atlas-stunning scenery

A fast moving adventure, stunning snow capped mountains, un paralleled views and scenery. A camel trek, the Sahara at sunset and sunrise with an overnight in the desert. Tours and histories of the major cities . Be prepared for low overnight temps and hotels with out heating and only Luke warm shower temperatures, and a small bus. Overall an excellent trip. A lovely country with friendly and hospitable people.

Chris Mabon

Reviewed March 2023

Morocco

A good and most enjoyable Trip – educational and enlightening. Superb scenery and sights, both rural and urban, providing good opportunites for photography and bird watching.

Most Inspirational Moment

There wasn't ONE ...... there were many inspirational MOMENTS - experiencing first hand both Arab and Berber cultures - the amazing diversity of habitats through the Country (especially the scenery around Kasbah Oliver) - the diversity of architecture - from the huge Casablanca Mosque to deserted mud-brick Kasbahs - the (general) friendliness of people - a 'picnic' dinner on the terrace of our Fes Riad watching the City and Mosques light-up and the sounds of many Calls to Prayer.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sayeed - personable, helpful, efficient and informative. Note It is regretful that some adverse and totally unfair comments have been made about Sayeed. Such comments are totally unfounded and unreasonable. We would welcome another Tour lead by him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be accepting of a different culture, the different habits and the different standards. Don't consider Morocco to be all sun and heat - it can be cold at night.

Terry Saul

Reviewed March 2023

Fascinating place and history

Having been to both Greece and Turkey before it was fascinating to visit the island that has been a focal point of tensions between the two nations. The trip was an excellent mix of walking & sight seeing with plenty of spare time to do other things if required.

Most Inspirational Moment

The lasting memory will be the miles of unoccupied building which made up the 'Ghost Town' in Famagusta - a truly memorable sight that conjured images of a post apocalyptic world returning to nature

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gezer was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and always willing to answer questions and tell us of the history. He also had a great sense of humour which makes for an enjoyable time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't bring too much cash - everywhere takes cards

Clare Murphy

Reviewed March 2023

Fantastic trip

This trip exceeded all my expectations. We saw so much wildlife in addition to the breath-taking Costa Rican scenery. The birdlife was spectacular – we saw toucans, scarlet macaws, hummingbirds, quetzel, parrots, tanagers, trogons, waterbirds, and a host of other colourful birds. We also saw plenty of mammals including monkeys, sloths, coatis, and even tapir. The itinerary was excellent, taking in both the Caribbean coast, the cloud forest and the Osa peninsula on the pacific coast. We also had a day of snorkelling off the pacific coast where we saw turtles and dolphins. Our guide, Alejandro, was was an excellent wildlife guide and tour leader and looked after us very well for the duration of the trip

Most Inspirational Moment

I really wanted to see a keel billed toucan up close. I had been to Costa Rica the previous year and had not seen one of them. Our guide, Alejandro, went out of his way to find me a keel billed toucan in Tortuguero and I got some excellent photographs. Another highlight was our encounter with two Tapirs in Drakes bay on the Osa peninsula. We had been to Corcovado national park on the previous day and not seen any, although I knew our chances of seeing one was slim. On our second night at Drakes bay, two tapirs wondered out of the forest onto our lodge grounds and sauntered around, munching the vegetation. They disappeared off into the forest again only to reappear 20 minutes later for another walkabout. They weren't even slightly nervous. What a sighting!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Alejandro Rodriguez, was an exceptional guide. He really took good care of us. From the beginning of the trip we felt we were in safe hands. Nothing seemed to phase him. British Airways lost the luggage of one woman on our trip and he was on it straight away; she was reunited with her luggage later on in the trip. He worked tirelessly in the background organising things for us, from booking optional trips on our free days, to booking restaurants for us, and even organised free excursion and trips for us on our free days. He was also an excellent wildlife guide and spotter. Within hours he knew the particular interests of each of the group members and ensured that each group member was catered for. He knew who was interested in birds, who was interested in mammals, who was interested in plants, and who was interested in frogs, and ensured that all our interests were satisfied. He was also very knowledgeable on Costa Rican culture, history, politics and eco tourism and sustainability and kept us amused for hours on the long bus journeys with his witty accounts of all things Costa Rican. Overall I think he was probably one of the best guides I have ever encountered.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a hat and gloves for early morning quetzel spotting in Savegre cloud forest

Kathryn Long

Reviewed March 2023

Loads of Snow Leopards

An amazing time spent in Ladakh amongst stunning scenery and the local people. We were incredibly lucky to see 6 snow leopards in total thanks to the incredible skills of the spotters. The time spent in Delhi and Leh made an interesting contrast to the mountain wilderness.

Most Inspirational Moment

The snow leopard sitings.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Valerie was a fantastic leader and also a great friend to the local people.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely hire the really warm sleeping bags and down jackets from Trekhire (who will deliver to anywhere in the UK). It is cold in the mountains in February!

Ian Broome

Reviewed March 2023

The Tropical South

A wonderfully varied holiday contrasting the hustle and bustle of Kochi and Madurai with the peace and quiet of the Western Ghats and the backwaters of Kerala. There is a lot a travelling on the coach but the views through the windows and always interesting and the destinations when they are reached, well worth the travel time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gliding along the Backwaters in our houseboat, sipping the ice cold beer we had brought with us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely exceptionnel. We have been on many Exodus holidays and always had excellent guides but Bijou was right up there with the best. Always cheerful, kind and considerate, Bijou somehow managed to meet the needs of the party, both as a group and as individuals. No mean feat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Kochi was hot and humid and after a long flight, rather tiring but the optional cruise in the afternoon was well worth it. The moving boat providing a welcome breeze. At the other end of the holiday, a 1.15am departure from the hotel was less than ideal and we felt our final day should be a relaxing time in Kovalem so reluctantly missing out on the final optional trip to Kanyakumari. I would have liked to see the meeting of the three oceans but .. maybe next time.

Shirley Dobra

Reviewed March 2023

Costa Rica Cycling

I chose Costa Rica because of it’s wildlife. I was not disappointed, in fact my expectations were surpassed. I enjoy cycling, hence chose the cycling trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

There is no doubt that the various and varied sightings of birds and animals was what inspired me the most.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was knowledgeable and caring. My only criticism was his lack of punctual departures. It was slightly annoying to get up and breakfast early to then wait 15 or 20 minutes after the designated departure time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes on the web site are not completely accurate. For example, Day 11 we did not visit a banana packing facility. The trip notes need more detail in how long the bus transfers are, e.g. Day 10 the transfer to the Caribbean coast is long which is not noted in the notes. The heat and humidity can be very stressful on your body, particularly on the Pacific side at the coast. Listen to your body and ease back if you feel you are beginning to suffer from heat stress. Think about booking your own flights and extending your time in Costa Rica as it is a wonderful country to visit.

M B

Reviewed March 2023

Search for snow leaopards

Winter trip in Ladakh to search for snow leopards. Amazing scenery , saw snow leoaprds on 3 consecutive days , also other wildlife. Tough going on occasions and lots of concentration required walking on frozen rivers, snowy icy paths or loose shale .

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the snow leopards , albeit through spotting scopes . Completing some tough walks at altitude and cold temperatures.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Delhi airport arrivals - painfully slow immigration procedure , over 2 hours before being cleared and then collecting luggage. In camp - very cold at night so check if extra blankets / duvets can be hired from local homestay to offset cold ( even with a good sleeping bag temps of minus 23 in a tent at night not to be disregarded ). Wear lots of layers as once snow leopards spotted you then wait for hours to see what they get upto. Standing still means you chill down quickly , also when sun sets late afternoon the temp plummtes. Delhi airport departure to UK - make sure you have copy of itinerary . Airport security (Army) outside will deny you entry to terminal unless you have passport AND proof of flight , either on line checkin screen shots / boarding pass ( even with online check in no boarding pass issued until inside terminal, wifi unavailable to show online checkin ) etc. If someone already inside terminal they may be able to get printed itinerary from checkin desk ,showing name of passenger but then that person unable to leave terminal to pass itinerary to army security guard outside plus waiting passenger. Makes for a stressful time.

Catherine Southall

Reviewed March 2023

Cycling in stunning Sri Lanka, mountains, beaches and amazing cultural sites

A brilliant trip in a land full of World heritage sites, stunning scenery and friendly smiling people. A great mix of cycling and sight seeing, with time for relaxation on the coast and some challenging cycling. The food was amazing, especially if you are a vegetarian, as the curries are made from fresh local spices and vegetables. The accommodation was well chosen and of a high standard. Our guide, Ruwan and his team were five star and the snacks they provided every day were delicious.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling down from Ella in the pouring rain and stopping at Buduruwagala to see the amazing gigantic standing Buddhas

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Ruwan was brilliant. He was a very knowledgeable tour guide and was always pleased to answer our questions. His organisational skills during the whole trip were excellent and he was great fun to be with, always willing to go the extra mile for the group by organising a cricket match and a fantastic barbeque on the beach.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need to go and go now, whilst there are fewer tourists visiting Sri Lanka. You will have a great time! The day climbing up to Nuwara Eliya is very challenging due to the heat and the ascent, but you can always get in the mini bus if it becomes too much.

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