Reviews

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

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14278 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed January 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

I can thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone considering Sri Lanka as a holiday destination. The country is beautiful, the people so friendly, and every day there is something new to see or do on this very varied trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

There wasn't any one moment that I could pick out as we did so many different and interesting things on this holiday. Among my highlights were cycling around the paddy fields and viewing it's great bird life, visiting the ancient capital of Polonaruwwa and the hill station of Nuwara Eliya, then catching the train down from the hill country, playing Sri Lankan games in a banana plantation, then...... well nearly every day had it's own inspirational highlights. And I must mention the great local food we ate at lunchtimes, particularly on the bike ride, at the house of a Tsunami victim, and some fabulous samosas and other snacks just before the train ride.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan Fernando is one of the best leaders I've been with - I think it says it all that he won the Leader of the Year award in 2010!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a decent waterproof - it rains a lot even when if it's not officially the monsoon season. Change plenty of currency at the airport, then you need not bother again until Kandy where there are several options available, but the hotels will all accept credit cards if you prefer. Don't worry if you're not a fan of curry - there are plenty of other options as most evenings you eat in the hotel where you can choose from a huge range of foods from the buffet, or order from the menu. I do love curry myself, and ate plenty of different curry dishes - highly recommended and not too spicy!

Reviewed January 2012

A WEEK IN JORDAN

A busy week’s sightseeing, taking in all the highlights of Jordan. A full itinerary, but still plenty of R&R and "downtime" for people wanting to chill out as well as taking in all the sights.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think everyone books to go to Jordan because they want to visit Petra. It doesn't disappoint. You walk for the best part of three or four kilometres before, as the path (carved out from an old river gulley) winds its way yet again through yet another twist between rose red vertical cliffs, you catch that first glimpse of the Treasury between the walls of the Siq. And stop to take at least one photo before walking on to gaze up - necks crooked - at the heights of the Treasury and the facing cliffs. Being there in the week before Christmas in the year of the Arab Spring, there were just no crowds - and very few other people - there with us; the moment was magical.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ala was informative, interesting, and hilarious in equal measure. A large chap, he created quite a splash with the locals wherever we went, being personally known to almost everyone everywhere we stopped - including the boat crew, who forgave him when he divebombed into the Red Sea and drenched the back of the boat including the BBQ with lunch being prepared! What they don't tell you in the brochure is that every tour involving American, English or Aussie tourists must - by order of the Jordanian government - be accompanied by a tourist policeman. That is usually a spotty 18 or 21 year old, newly recruited to the Jordanian police service, who will sit at the front of the bus and fall asleep on long bus journeys. Ala - bless him - ended up guiding the Exodus tourists in English, and the tourist policemen in Arabic (we had a changeover of policemen mid-trip), with a big smile on his face as he said everything at least three times (some of the tourists were a bit hard of hearing!)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel with a smile, and see where the tour takes you. Be open minded. Compared to other places in the middle east - or indeed around the world - you really do get "no hassle" in Jordan, Petra aside. You can't help but smile at Petra as the boys see if you'd like a donkey or camel ride - "air condition taxi, miss?" In a country where people dress relatively conservatively, follow their customs and you don't get any hassle on the streets and do get a friendly welcome wherever you go.

Reviewed January 2012

CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA AND PANAMA

VERY WELL RUN TRIP BY AN EXCELLENT TEAM. A GOOD RANGE OF ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES O TOP OF THE CYCLING

Most Inspirational Moment

HARD TO SAY: PELTING THROUGH THE FAST CORNERS ON THE WAY TO LAKE ARENAL DAM, THROUGH THE HOT AND HUMID RAINFOREST

Thoughts on Group Leader

ROB WAS VERY ATTENTIVE TO THE GROUP. I THOUGHT HE WAS VERY DILIGENT AND THE TEAM WERE BRILLIANT COMPANY AS A WHOLE

Advice for Potential Travellers

BE PREPARED FOR THE RAINFOREST TO BE WET

Reviewed January 2012

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

This was one of the best holidays I’ve ever had – Namibia should be on everyone’s bucket list. The breathtaking variety of scenery, the excellent roads and facilities, the lovely friendly welcomes and of course the excellent company of my fellow travellers all combined to make this an unforgettable experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

There is no one favourite bit - so much of it was so memorable. Delicious fat creamy oysters, the lionesses and 2 cubs plus the white rhinos on a night drive at Etosha, the Etosha pan itself, a herd of 30 elephants at a water hole, the dunes, the scenic flight over Sossusvlei and the coast (even if the first hour was spent desparately trying not to throw up), the beautiful embroidery, the stars (we had a new moon in the middle of the trip), the birds, the banter, the joy of hot cleansing showers almost every day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was great - very experienced, patient and knowledgeable. Jonas is an excellent cook and we had a good variety of food cooked on open fires - even a birthday cake, not to mention his almost encyclopedic knowledge of birds. And finally, Ya, who made up the triumverate, allowing tents to be erected and lunch ready within an hour. All unfailingly good humoured and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For anyone considering taking this trip - do it - you won't be disappointed.

Reviewed January 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

The tour was a mixture of cycling and touring and we saw everything that I wanted to see in Vietnam. It was a gastronomic tour of note. The Format was excellent. We personally would have liked more cycling…. as South Africans we clearly have a different view of what the ‘moderate’ classification meant… we would happily have cycled 100km each morning and then spent the afternoon enjoying the destination. We spent a huge amount of time waiting for slow members of the party at the regular stops along the way.

Most Inspirational Moment

Coming down the pass from the Mountain Park after overnighting in Dalat. 1500m descent in 30km with countless waterfalls on either side of the road was unforgettable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Chi was fabulous. He was always calm and had a sparkling sense of humor. In his own right he is a very good cyclist but patiently rode with the weakest members of the tour. I believe that the tour would not have been the success it was without him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some proper training, be able to ride at at least 23km per hour for 3 hours, do at least a non-stop 80km ride self-supported, know how to use a water bottle in a cage on a bike..... all cycling basics. Unfortunately the cycling can only be as fast as the slowest rider and these basics will make it much more enjoyable for those who are stronger cyclists than you.

Anonymous

Reviewed January 2012

MADAGASCAN DISCOVERER

an all-round fantastic trip, with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, stunning countryside, explore local markets, go hiking & swimming – be prepared for some bumpy rides and dusty roads, that’s part of the fun!

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the Tsingy, seeing lots of different kinds of lemurs, watching the sun set over the alley of the baobabs - there were lots of inspirational moments, plus a great group spirit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader made every effort to ensure this was a memorable trip for everyone. He was very well informed, very polite and helpful and made the group feel comfortable and safe.He collected money from everyone at the start of the trip which was then distributed as tip amongst the various guides/drivers. There seemed to be a few disappointments, so in future it would be good if the group actually knew how much money went to whom.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be afraid to try the food in the local markets - it's delicious and a lot cheaper than eating in tourist restaurants.

Reviewed January 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

A beautiful country and an excellent introduction.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending Christmas in the desert isn't many people's idea of a good time but meeting a group of fun people and marvelling at the stars in the eerie darkness after a 2 hour camel ride is pretty hard to beat!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - really good local knowledge and good language skills. Our driver was also a star - the roads can be a little crazy in Marrakech and the mountain roads sometimes look perilous, but I felt totally safe.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Always bring your own loo roll! Take advantage of the walking in the mountains - you won't regret it.

Reviewed January 2012

UNDISCOVERED ATLAS

A great trip through remote areas of the Anti Atlas, with a winning combination of solitude and the chance to meet local people. A difficult trip to organise for yourself, it’s one that relies on Exodus and their contacts to make it happen. Great fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

A Berber feast on Christmas day, in a tent under a beautiful starry sky. Wonderful singing from our Berber cooks, guide and assistants. Appalling effort from the British contingent! A memorable day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide / leader Abdullah was patient, well-informed, passionate about his country, and great fun to be around. A remarkably slick operation from the in-country team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were lucky to experience clear blue skies all day every day, but the nights were very cold as a result. Do pack a 3 / 4 season sleeping bag, and a down coat or similar for the evenings. Those with dodgy knees and / or ankles will find the walking tough, due to the surface of broken rock to all paths. Walking poles are a must for those with existing problems.

Reviewed January 2012

A WEEK IN JORDAN

Jordan is a charming country and I would definitely recommend a visit. The people are so welcoming (always saying ‘welcome to Jordan’!), friendly and speak a good level of English, even children as young as 6. I travelled with a very good tour firm, Exodus, and we were a group of 19, ranging from 24-65. There were solos, siblings, friends and couples. We felt like we had known each other for years by day 4! I definitely enjoyed travelling alone and highly recommend it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra is obviously the highlight of Jordan yet it is difficult to explain in words and I doubt my pictures could justify the range of colours and stonework that was on display. The striated rocks of red, pink, chocolate looked even more radiant once the sun had calmed down in the late afternoon. The Treasury is Petra's most famous feature, depicted in the Indian Jones & the Last Crusade film, and is situated at the end of the narrow entrance, which itself has carvings and 'statues' lining its path.There was a lot of climbing and hiking to reach some of Petra's many tombs, dodging camels, donkeys and horses en route and you need to be prepared for thatm, but it's worth doing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I was very fortunate to have an amazing guide for the whole tour, who brought Jordan alive with his humour and vast knowledge and love of his country. I was also lucky with my lovely tour group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need about 200 GBP to take with you as spending money. Go to Little Petra. This is unfortunately a place that is often forgotten by the tourists so it was quite deserted when we arrived. Again, fantastic views and I purchased many of my goods from the poorer Bedouins who ply their trade at the entrance.Food was very good though there wasn't so much variety. The mezze were addictive and the national dish is mansaaf (lamb with rice and yogurt). They love lamb and chicken. And rice. Lots of rice. If you have meze you dont need a main. Massive portions. In Aqaba there is more choice of fish and seafood. Don't pay more than 4JOD for a scarf!

Reviewed January 2012

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

This trip was a fantastic mix of road and off road – just a little bumpier… not technically difficult – riding. The experience was made all the better by the local staff knowledge and love of Sri Lanka.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the challenging bike day. Yep - it was a climb but at a steady pace and aided with chocolate cake (best of the trip!) half way up the hill it was a fantastic day and sense of achievement. That mixed with the daily shouts of "good morning" and waves and excitement when passing through... the backroads ...as the trip notes made for a brilliant trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter was an old hand at our trip and this came through in his knowledge and love of Sri Lanka and of routes and experience in bringing the group together. While taking more of a back seat the local guides were also encouraging, hard working and great working with the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take techical t-shirts... SL is very humid.... I'm never sure how folks do these trips in T-shirts that don't dry out!

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