Reviews

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

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14308 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed April 2013

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

This was one of the best holidays, it was action packed and lots of travelling but I enjoyed everything. I even tried things I was not sure I could do and was surprised how much I could acheive. I came home feeling quite exhilerated and full of energy.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many things during this trip that inspired me, Cycling by a small river, waving to the locals seeing the wildlife, stopping for fresh coconut and a wonderful curry made by the locals served on a banana leaf. The local people were friendly and smile so much they make you feel so welcome. The safari was amazing we saw so many wonderful birds. My trip to the elephant orphanage was a great highlight, we were so close to these fabulous animals and so loved watching them coming down to the river to play and wash.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, he had so much experience and being local meant he knew exactly the best things to do, he was discreet, but always available. I enjoyed the history he gave when we were on our long coach rides, it was good to hear about his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You do have to be pretty fit, but you do not have to do things if you don't want to. It is worth giving things a try as it adds to the enjoyment and memories of the trip. You must like curry!!

Reviewed April 2013

CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA & PANAMA

Ridiculously amazing! If you want to see Central America off the beaten track, be refreshed by the wonders of the animals, birds, volcanos, amazing cycling and a perfect end every day with a body of water and cocktail waiting, then this is the trip for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day, every moment. I think I woke up with a smile plastered to my face and ended with one as well. Hiking through the tropical forest over rope bridges that extend across the expanses. Riding 48 mph down a volcano. Sipping pina coladas in the hot springs. Rafting along the river to see iguanas, monkeys, birds, bats and the list goes on. Doing the zipline tour in La Fortuna. Fresh papaya, pinneapple, guava and coconut on the roadside stand. Taking a leisurely dip in the ocean, gulf or pool at the end of every day. Watching the sunset at the base of the volcano while floating in the lake. Giving soccer balls to some very appreciative little ones. All the smiling faces along the route both young and old, giving us encouragement and letting us see a bit into the wonderful countries that are theirs.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The best ever! Kevin kept us well infomed, made sure we were safe, well taken care of and basically spoiled us for any other potential guide we may have in the future. Paul was an incredible guide, both on and off the bike, pointing out the sights and animals so that nothing was to be missed by our untrained eyes. Taking great care of our bikes and us along the route during any mishaps with tires, chains etc. Luis, Eugenio and Ronaldo kept us safe on the roads. Amazing team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get some cycling in before you come. If the terrain is too rough or the heat gets to you, you can always get on the bus. However you really don't want to miss a day of riding, cause there is nothing like seeing these countries from the saddle.

Reviewed April 2013

ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

Stunning views ! Hard work but worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to ABC.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Keisher was excellent. Very knowledgeable and very supportive when it got tough (which it did).

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are more steps on this trip than the trip notes say - so bear that in mind. Its VERY cold at MBC and ABC so don't underestimate the quality of sleeping bag you need. Take any medications you need as you will not be able to get them in the mountains. Showers are limited - take lots of wet wipes.

Reviewed April 2013

A TASTE OF CUBA

A wonderful trip – truly a Taste of Cuba, well paced and informative, fun and inspiring. Friendly people and great weather! A great group of travelling companions made it so much more – we all connected well. Can’t wait to go back again and see more of this fast changing country, especially the glorious capitol, Havana.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to pick one thing as we saw and experienced so much. Trinidad is amazing - explored independently on our 2nd day there rather than take the catamaran trip - even took a classic car taxi from the hotel to the city.Visiting Casa de la Trova in the evening to hear the salsa bands in the open air and watch the dancing was great. A classic open car tour of Havana followed by lunch at the National Hotel in Havana was memorable.Staying in the nature reserve in Guajimico and visiting the organic farm followed by a superlative lunch which included whole suckling pig!Eating in the privately owned paladares either when on tour or in the tiny backstreets of Havana was a very different experience.Going to the Tropicana (much better than expected - a really slick & classy show) and also to the Buena Vista Social Club where the old timers really know how to party will be part of my lasting memories.Music everywhere - being serenaded in every restaurant and on many street corners too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tony was the ideal tour leader. His knowledge of the history of his country was excellent. He was well organised, putual and went the extra mile to help us all in what we wanted to do. He had a great sense of humour and although at first he thought some of our group were a bit 'eccentric' he took our behaviour in good part and I will always remember singing 'Highway To Hell' on the drive back from Trinidad' after our visit to Casa del Trovas :-)One of our party had her 40th birthday on Easter Sunday and the meal that Tony organised was amazing right down to the band of musicians that played throughout the meal & the HUGE birthday cake which we all shared at the end. If you go on this tour and have Tony as your group leader you are sure to have a great trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take hand gel, wet wipes and your own toilet paper - be warned many toilets outside of hotels have NO seat! There are usually attendants who will hand out a few sheets of toilet paper but will expect you to pay for this or tip them. Change money at the airport and remember to keep 25CUC for departure tax. Be careful when changing CUC back in the airport before departure home as I was short changed by £50 and didn't realise it until I got home and worked out what the rate for buying back was! I also bought a CD of Cuban music from the group who were playing in La Bodiguita del Medio where the group had lunch. It cost 10CUC and was shrink wrapped. When I listened to it at home, the first track was ok, then it deteriorated into hissing & crackles and finally silence. So I was ripped off - beware!Sorry about the negative comments but I'm just forewarning you and these are only minor annoyances.

Reviewed April 2013

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

Excellent holiday. Busy with early starts and alot of travelling- but no alternative if you want to see as much as we did.

Most Inspirational Moment

Whale trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, with great sense of humour and very good at managing any difficulties. Could not have been better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is an info/ sight seeing trip and gives vgd overall view of country. But our guide prefers the walking trip, so suggest you look at that if the outdoor type.

Reviewed April 2013

CYCLE INDOCHINA & ANGKOR

This was quite probably the best holiday of my life so far. The countries were so beautiful and interesting, even more so than I’d hoped, and the people were wonderful too and really made the trip. The whole trip was incredibly well-organised and while expensive, worth every penny.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many amazing and inspirational moments, but for me the standout moment was visiting a school that Exodus supported in a rural village in Cambodia. The community had so little materially but it was amazing to meet the children and the man trying to help them learn against all of the odds.It was also very special and a real privilege to be shown around the temples of Angkor Wat by our wonderful guide, who had lost his father and other family members under the Khmer Rouge regime. He gave us a true sense of the bloody history of Cambodia but also demonstrated a huge pride in the wonderful country that it is, and the capacity of the Cambodians to forgive and move on into the future.Other standout moments including racing on wonderful roads in Thailand in 38 degree heat and enoying competing with other people in the trip. I loved it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Nee was really great. She was a real discplinarian but with 16 or 17 people all wanting to do things their own way, that was definitely needed. She whipped us all into shape in terms of timekeeping and was really good at working out what worked for different people in the group. She was funny and interesting and I would definitely recommend her. The other team leaders were also fantastic, in particular Fila, who was team leader in Cambodia. Again he was really knowledgeable, passionate about his country and ensuring that we all learnt more about it, but in a really accessible, fun and entertaining way. I think Exodus has chosen some really brilliant team leaders on this particular trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just be open to the new experiences you are going to have and don't presume anything. It is good to try everything - though maybe not the fried tarantulas in Cambodia! - and just to enjoy every moment. In retrospect, I would have taken more snacks and pencils etc to give to the children in Cambodia. Also stick to dollars rather than worrying about other currencies, each of the countries accepts dollars and it saves you wandering around with pockets stuffed with huge amounts of foreign currency worth about 30pence.Other than that, use lots of sunscreen, take lots of pictures and just have an amazing time.

Reviewed April 2013

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

A great way to see different aspects of the island and appreciate just how beautiful it is and how the people live.

Most Inspirational Moment

No one moment - it was a whole experience of Sri Lankan life where we did feel we saw some of the real Sri Lanka and not only the touristy parts.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujee made our trip. He described Sri Lanka as our new home from the first few minutes and shared his love of his country. His great sense of fun made him a friend.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with the flow. Join in, take advantage of the experiences.

Reviewed April 2013

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

A brilliant country to visit – beautiful and very welcoming.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were lucky that the sun shined on us at Halong Bay and Hoi An was a lovely destination i would go back to,Mekong Delta was beautiful We took the options to cycle and those were some of the best moments of the holiday with the chance to see the countryside and villages and interact with local people. Laughter yoga at 6am in Hanoi an experience not to miss !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hai was a great leader -he was endlessly jollyn and he worked very hard to keep a diverse group of people all happy. His choice of restaurants every day were great and gave us a great diversity of different food. His recomendations through out the holiday were always spot on which meant he never got a night off from us !!

Advice for Potential Travellers

In the cities - just go for it when crossing the roads ( and repeat ' oi choi oi ! ' continuously ) as you stare down the bikes ! Travel light - there are laundry options as you travel. Last night in Ho Chi Minh City - cocktails at the Rex Hotel are a must!

Reviewed April 2013

LAND OF THE TIGER

An excellent trip, with superb accommodation and food. Itinerary was perfect, with not too much travelling involved. Tigers seen by everybody in the group, though personally, only twice out of fourteen game drives. Each sighting was of a female with three grown cubs in Kanha and Bandhavgarh, the latter being very close. Perfect finale to the trip with a visit to the Taj Mahal – unforgettable!

Most Inspirational Moment

Undoubtedly, seeing tigers close-up in their natural environment, but so sad to think that their future remains endangered. The visit to the Taj Mahal - absolutely stunning! So hard to believe that this magnificent building was completed almost 350 years ago. The familiar postcard images fail to show the amount of fine detail of the semi-precious stones within the marble that seemingly fills every square inch.

Thoughts on Group Leader

'Bali' (Balvinder Singh): From pick-up to departure, 'Bali' just never stopped working to ensure that everything was as it should be. We had no major problems, thanks to his exceptional organisational skills. Inevitably, a few very minor problems arose, but none was too small for him to rectify. At mealtimes he guided us through the wide range of Indian food on offer, before settling down to his own meal. Single-handed, he virtually nursed us through the expected chaos of the overnight train, keeping personal charge of the porters and our luggage as it was loaded. The train journey was a breeze! As well as being a superb tour guide, he was a lovely person and an excellent travelling companion, keeping us entertained with his experiences as an Exodus leader, his enthusiasm and love for his country, his personal life as a Sikh, and not forgetting his skill as an amateur magician!! I have never experienced such an emotional farewell. You just might be lucky to get a leader as good as Bali, but you simply couldn't wish for one that's better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for 5am starts and cool mornings in the Parks. Opt for as many optional extra drives as you can, though the afternoon game drives are less productive - the parks close at 6.15 pm when the tigers are only just becoming active. Above all - be patient!

Reviewed March 2013

GALAPAGOS WILDLIFE CRUISE

This trip whole heartedly exceeded my expectations. For those of you who love animals this is certainly the right trip for you. Being able to go around all the islands and be there for two weeks was breath taking and definately worth going for the two weeks, there is so much to see and the west islands were personally better for me. Getting so close to all the animals without feeling as though you were invading their space was so special, nothing was bothered you were around them it really was magical and my idea of heaven.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being on the islands was such as awe inspiring feeling, knowing how much they are doing to keep the islands and animals protected and knowing that tourists and local communtities are only allowed to be on 1% of the islands and the rest is restricted is wonderful to know.Swimming with 11 turtles with one falling asleep right beside me and floating into me was magical! The trip has certainly changed me and I feel very lucky and priveledged to have been able to go!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader (Juan Tapia) was fantastic. So enthusiastic and knowledgable, he really added to the trip and we felt lkucky to have him as our guide. You felt safe with him and as he had grown up on the islands and was so passionate about sharing them with others you felt even more enthused. He knew everything about all the different species and could never not answer a question about the islands/species!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light, as we were walking and swimming/snorkelling a lot we really didnt need much as things could be washed and hung up on the boat to dry. Take clothes that you dont mind getting dirty or ruined. Take strong suncream factor 50 if possible as i was caught out with factor 30. Certainly wear a top whilst snorkelling, the water was lovely and warm but your back is protected from sun burn.

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