Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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15 Reviews

3.9 out of 5

Alan Carter

Reviewed March 2023

Beware the Lorries and Dusty Roads

Be prepared for heavy vehicle traffic and lots of poor roads with Dust prevalent. Cycling Laos is for strong cyclists more interested in getting from A to B than taking in the scenery, local customs and culture. I have done several Exodus cycling holidays and this was the most demanding (correctly graded) but least rewarding trip I have done. The trip would be greatly improved by a change from the key roads to more circular trips that can use the back roads. The very full distance and set sight seeing agenda means early morning starts, combined with late finishes leaving little time to dawdle or do anything other than go out to eat in the evening. Unusually, I was probably the weakest cyclist in this lovely group which meant I never had time to stop to take photographs or take in the views. After the day’s cycling and the transfers, by the time we got to the overnight stays (all of a good standard for this kind of trip) you barely had time to freshen up and prepare for the next day before you were out to dinner and then early to bed for next early start. There was little or no time to take in the delights described in the trip notes. The roads are misleadingly described as being “often to yourself” and does not mention the fairly constant presence of heavy lorries. When these lorries or other fast traffic combines with the deteriorating roads you will have to put up with the dust. Our trip was just after the rice harvest (in some areas there are two) and crop burning meant there was a constant grey haze (even after a full night of rain) obliterating the potentially amazing views of rural Laos. I would recommend you do not go on the late Feb departure and check current forecasts of the harvest time. If you are looking for rural rides and time to take in the scenery I would suggest looking at other trips altogether. All cyclists take note of the grading for this trip and, unless you are a strong cyclist, consider an e-bike.

Most Inspirational Moment

Some good views, interesting monuments eg theWhite palace. Boat and train trips nice variations to travel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good, showed expert local knowledge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If flying direct from UK be prepared to wait for hotel to accept checkin. Planned arrival is 10am, rooms not available until after mid-day. our group’s not ready till nearly 2.00 Be prepared for regular 80km days with some steep climbs. Good for keen club cyclists. Check when the rice harvest is and avoid going shortly after when crop fires leave a grey pall over the landscape obliterating the potentially lovely views.

Les Foote

Reviewed March 2023

Holiday cycling in Thailand and Laos

Having been on several Exodus cycling trips before this one, I found Laos disappointing as the roads are dominated by fast paced lorries supporting the building of the Chinese railroad and consequent trade. The lorries kick up a storm of dust as they pass you in both directions, and they have created bad road conditions and ruined the experience of travelling through rural villages. The trip notes, although revised just before our holiday, are misleading and do not tell the true story. Some of the bus transfers are long and hilly and windy. If you are prone to travel sickness, take your tablets. The days of Laos cycling nearly ruined the adventure for me, but there is so much more to experience. Maybe a change of location in Laos would be a good idea, perhaps staying closer to the first border crossing.

Most Inspirational Moment

The cycling was good when not on busy dusty roads, the guides and support staff very helpful and attentive, some of the overnight stops really enjoyable. The Thai and Laos food is really tasty, particularly the lunches provided in small local cafes. The day of rest was a Slow Boat along the Mekong, very enjoyable (apart from the obligatory cultural stop to visit a rural setting where the villagers were encouraged to sell their wares to us though no warning this would happen). The overnight train was a good experience and much more comfortable than I had expected, though don't expect a party or to be able to look out of the window.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Rit, very knowledgeable and keen to answer questions. He had been a Buddhist monk for 10 years so we learned a lot from him when we visited temples.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the very busy dusty roads that are broken: take good face protection. The cycling is certainly moderate to challenging, hilly and fast paced.

Coralie Cubitt

Reviewed November 2019

Cycling in Laos

This trip delivered everything it promised and more. The scene was set on day 1 with our warm-up ride around Chiang Mai and a visit to to monastery where our guide, Rit, had spent 10 years as a Buddhist monk. We travelled through some breathtaking landscapes – kart mountains, jungle, paddy fields and wonderful villages where delighted children would run out to greet us. Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang were charming.

Most Inspirational Moment

The undulating landscapes in northern Laos especially on the Udomxai to Pak Beng day. Having breakfast in Pak Beng as we watched elephants bathing on the other side of the Mekong. Walking through the small streets of Luang Prabang.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit is an exceptional and inspirational group leader. His training as a Buddhist monk is evident in his calm and thoughtful approach and his endless patience. He responded to our endless questions with clarity, honesty and humour. He is an excellent cyclist but encouraged us to enjoy the ride and cycle at our own pace which alleviated any stress.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You do need to be reasonably fit to enjoy this trip. The most used word in the group was ‘undulating’ which was how Rit would always describe the next section we were to ride. It is quite hilly and the weather was often hot and humid. However, there was no shame at all about taking time out in the minibus. It is a wonderful trip and covers a lot of ground.

Suggestions

There are one or two sections on very poor roads with a lot of lorries travelling between Thailand and China. We had been warned about this. Whilst those sections were sometimes unpleasant it is the only way to see the remote areas as there are few roads - and this is the reality of modern-day Laos.

Coralie Cubitt

Reviewed November 2019

Cycling in Laos

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Trevor Topp

Reviewed April 2019

Culturally Immersive

This was my fifth Exodus Cycling Adventure (Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Vietnam, and South Africa: Drakensburg & Kruger). As with my previous Exodus experiences, the logistics of transportation and accommodation were expertly arranged. Leader Rit and his Laoatian co-lead Mr. Sack ensured things ran smoothly and unobstrusively. The bikes were in good repair, though we did our best to put them through their paces. The trip is appropriately graded as a “4” – moderate/challenging….indeed there were a few short climbs that were a bit steep, but were not long, and were doable. Yes, the roads in Laos were rough, but that is quintissentially Laos on pavement! At no time did I feel unsafe with regard to the pavement or Chinese transport trucks. It’s a great trip for meeting locals…we got involved in some village celebrations along the way.

Most Inspirational Moment

Drinking beer with the locals in a village on the edge of the Mekong who were celebrating the arrival of a new baby. We just happened to drop in for a look around....we were warmly welcomed by all!

Bob Fitzs

Reviewed March 2019

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Exodus should seriously consider cancelling this venue as a cycling holiday. The road conditions in Laos are so bad that they should be considered as dangerous. In our party of 18 there were 5 cycling accidents, one serious enough to require hospital treatment and cancellation of the remainder of the holiday.
With the arrival in the country of Chinese financial input and the construction of a new rail link, the small poorly tarmaced roads of Laos cannot cope. The road surface is being destroyed by heavy lorries bringing in construction materials and equally big lorries taking fruit out of the country for export to China. Many times during this trip, we were cycling in thick clouds of dust being churned up by these lorries. I understand from our guide that they took the decision to change the cycling route on the last day because the road conditions were impassable.

Most Inspirational Moment

The day when we weren't cycling. The boat trip down the Mekong

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Rit is one of the best guides I have ever met. What he has to cope with in Laos considering the above detail on the road conditions makes him outstanding as a guide. He has to do far more than other guides I have ever met.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't go cycling in Laos until the road conditions improve. This will not be for at least 5 years while they finish the railway. Only by finishing the railway can they take the trucks off the road and start to replace the road surfaces.

Reply from Exodus

I would like to thank to thank Bob for his review, although we are very sorry to read that he was left disappointed with the cycling on this holiday. Further to client feedback, we have now adjusted some of the route on this itinerary to avoid most of the heavy traffic. We trust that these changes will improve the itinerary in terms of overall client enjoyment and safety. We remain sincerely sorry, however, that Bob felt Laos was not a suitable country for a cycling holiday. Kelly Reid – Product Manager

Kate Thompson

Reviewed January 2019

A South-east Asian adventure!

An adventure off the beaten track, and a great opportunity to experience Laos while it’s still relatively undeveloped. A very well organised trip – packs in a lot and runs like clockwork.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots! The children in the villages. Luang Prabang - beautiful setting and buildings. The trip down the river. Dropping in for lunch unannounced one day and the local café owner turning on a fantastic meal for 16. Elephants on the Mekong. The two border crossings. The freedom that comes from being on a bike!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit is fantastic - very well organised, friendly, funny. Mr Sack, our Laos guide, was terrific too, and both support crews (Thailand and Laos) did a great job looking after us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is an adventure rather than a holiday, but a lot of fun for all that. The distances are on the longer side and there's not a lot of free time. You need to be fairly fit as the terrain is hilly in places. The food was great and the accommodation was very good, including in the smaller guesthouses in Laos. The one at Pak Beng is a treat. Don't miss the elephants coming down to wash in the river in the morning! The roads are pretty bad in places, and sharing them with Chinese lorries in a couple of spots wasn't much fun - but the tour leader was flexible and found ways to avoid some of this. The UXO museum in Luang Prabang is worth a visit.

Suggestions

Thanks for a great trip!

Tony L

Reviewed January 2019

Cycling in Laos, and Thailand

I was lucky enough to be part of an adventurous crowd who socialized well. The steep bits came early on and then it got easier, although there was one day competing with Chinese lorries over pock marked dusty roads which Exodus might care to re-consider, and on another day we chose a quieter alternative offered. Some of the scenery was not the most inspiring I’ve seen but it was enjoyable to explore an undiscovered country and the people in both Laos and Thailand are charming.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved swimming at the Kuang Si waterfalls, and the opium museum was an unexpected delight, Chinese tourists notwithstanding. It was fun cycling through the inebriated villages on new year's day, we were even invited to a village wedding on one day. The food is simple and tasty, anyone with a rigid diet might have problems as on a few occasions there was limited choice at lunch time. We never got to eat the elusive Laotian belly pork!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit was great, so much to think of yet always calm and on top of things. Great to have Sach along too, very helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you go to the end of the waterfall at Kuang Si or you might miss the best bit, take your togs, you can change there and it's not that cold. Toilets have douches but no wc paper so always have it with you. For the dusty riding you might even consider a mask. Some confusion over single room at Pak Beng.

Suggestions

A bit of pedalling in the weeks before the holiday would not be wasted.

Steve Mallon

Reviewed November 2018

Cycling laos

The trip was not the best one I have experienced with exodus,I got the feeling the group was split most of the group did to mix and the group I felt did not gel which I found quite hard this for me was very disappointing,maybe I think this will put me off cycling with exodus again,

Most Inspirational Moment

The cycling was ok but very hot

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit was ok quietly spoken and had lots of knowledge of his country

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hopefully if you go you will get a better group of people than I did please don't let this review put you off its just I had a very bad experience

John O'Donnell

Reviewed December 2016

Cycling In Laos

PtkkrBoth countries were great value.Laos is a country at the crossroads of the direction it follows.The influence of China is self evident and sad.Im grateful to see Laos as it is and not what it may become.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think the Mekong River it was an incredible day finished by going to a huge local wedding that night Also one of the group who overcame difficulties that many people would not or could not.Always happy always supportive Made me accept the need to succeed and work at finishing each day

Thoughts on Group Leader

They were what one would expect and did the job to a good level in both countries Both guides were attentive and caring Thank you

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ride at your own pace and leave a little in reserve.If u like to descend at a frantic pace allow a little caution potholes are a curse as are some of the chinese trucks and cars not to mention odd domestic animals or small children.Otherwise great fun

Suggestions

Be understanding that in some places facilities are basic and food as well.This can vary greatly from day to day Laos is a great place accept it is only opening up to our world slowly and it will be a great experience if one enjoys the moment

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