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’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

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Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

Reviews

Karen Mortimer

Reviewed July 2014

A week in Jordan

An excellent tour of Jordan taking in a variety of diverse but all equally memorable and fascinating experiences.

Most Inspirational Moment

Several but notably standing on Mount Nebo and looking out over 'the promised land' and, of course, Petra particularly the walk to the high place of sacrifice and the view of the treasury from above whilst enjoying a cup of Bedouin tea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable but clearly volatile - got himself into a couple of scraps which meant he was late for our first day in Petra and then in police custody on our day at the seaside resort on the Dead Sea. I wasn't particularly impressed that one of the first things he said to us was how much we would all need to put in for the tip kitty - £15 per person - this meant that my husband, daughter and I handed over £45 which seemed rather a lot for the use of toilets and evening meal tips. It was then the responsibility of each member of the group to look after the, initially, sizeable kitty and dole it out frequently under Danny's supervision - an example being our night in Wadi Rum (which we had already paid for via Exodus) - we were then expected to tip the Bedouin for transporting our bags and us to the camp site, the evening drive through the desert (which was already part of the holiday) and cooking the breakfast and evening meal (each tipped separately!!)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the irritating tip scenario! Accept that in many shops you will be charged more for your goods than Jordanians

Reply from Exodus

We have addressed the points raised by this client with our local manager. We often find that tipping kitties ease uncertainty about how much and whom to tip whilst overseas, but we are disappointed about the way in which this issue was raised and managed throughout the trip. We have asked our local manager to provide our leaders with greater guidance about this matter.

Olly Pemberton – Product Manager for Jordan

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Elaine Burgess

Reviewed July 2014

Week in Jordan

Brilliant holiday. Comprehensive itinerary. Far more to see than anticipated.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra - everyone should visit Petra once in their lifetime.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Efficient, effective & knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware it's a hectic holiday. If you enjoy a drink with your evening meal buy in duty free on way.

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Ian Young

Reviewed July 2014

Fabulous country

Jordan has a lot to offer – great scenery, friendly people and history dating back to Biblical times. This holiday provides an opportunity to experience all of these in comfort on a well organised comfortable tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra is unique and unforgettable. The Dead Sea, Jerash and Mount Nebo also linger long in the memory

Thoughts on Group Leader

Unfortunately we were not impressed by our leader who should probably remain nameless (his name does not appear on any recent reviews). He was knowledgeable and well organised, but on occasions he seemed bored, with a tendency to disappear for lengthy periods. For example in Petra we were left to our own devices for almost 24 hours. He rarely dined with the group, and on one occasion we watched at an autoroute stop as he, our driver, and the accompanying tourist policeman enjoyed what appeared to be a complementary meal whilst the group tried to fathom how the system worked. We have been on several holidays with Exodus and other companies and this leader was in our opinion by far the poorest.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Our night at Wadi Rum in March was very cold and the rain started to find its way through the tents at around 2AM. We were supplied with warm bedding and sleeping bags, but we had not anticipated the bitter cold and rain. Roads in and out of Petra were blocked by snow so be prepared for cold weather. In contrast the weather 2 days later at Aqaba was perfect - warm and sunny. Falafels in pitta bread make a wonderful cheap snack lunch and can often be bought at small stands and outlets in places like Petra and Amman. In contrast the restaurant that we were taken to for lunch at Jerash was very expensive and clearly aimed at 'wealthy' tourists. This was probably the only time we felt we were being treated in this way.

Reply from Exodus

We were very sorry to learn that Ian’s leader did not make the positive contribution to his trip that so many of our leaders do. We monitor leader performance closely via our clients’ feedback and we change leaders when necessary. We would like to confirm that the leader in question is not scheduled to lead any further Exodus trips.

Olly Pemberton – Product Manager for Jordan

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Carol Smith

Reviewed July 2014

A Week in Jordan

A well organised trip, busy and plenty to see. Jordan is a great place to visit, so sad that tourism has been hit by the current troubles in the Middle East. We felt safe everywhere, people were charming & tolerant. Also a welcome lack of being pestered to buy when looking around.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra was amazing, so much more than the view of the Treasury that most people associate with it. It was great to have 3 days there to explore. The night in a Bedouin Cave was very special, even if we were a bit noisy!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khaled was friendly, efficient and very knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget your swimsuit!

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Denise Martins

Reviewed May 2014

A great insight into what Jordan has to offer

Jordan is an amazing country with lots of beautiful sights and great experiences to be had. It exceeded my expectations, each day was a new adventure and I enjoyed every minute.

Most Inspirational Moment

2 days in Petra were fantastic, I thoroughly enjoyed the hill walks as the views are incredible. There is much more to it than the Treasury. Snorkelling in the Red Sea was brilliant, this was the first time I have done it and it was beautiful. This is part of the boat trip in Aqaba. Wadi Rum is great, watching the moon, stars, sunset and sunrise is fabulous. A falafel sandwich lunch looking out over the canyon was simply gorgeous. Floating in the Dead Sea and covering myself in Dead Sea mud.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sami was a friendly guy who is passionate about his country and had a lot of knowledge that he wanted to share with the group. I wouldn't do this trip without being part of a tour as it is so rich in history, reading a book isn't enough. There were a couple of birthdays in the group during our trip and Sami made sure that it was a special day, a very nice touch. He was always happy to answer any questions and provided humour each day, Sami made the week a great one.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wet wipes come in very handy for keeping hands & face fresh plus good for cleaning my sandy sandals at the end of the day. Take lots of tissues, as the toilets aren't great. Flip flops for the visit to the Dead Sea, also wore them at the turkish bath and on the boat trip in Aqaba. I felt comfortable wearing trousers that covered my knees and wearing t-shirts with capped sleeves. I only wore a vest top once but this was with a scarf wrapped around my shoulders. I wore sandals the whole trip apart from day 2 in Petra and the day in Wadi Rum when I wore my Converse and they were absolutely fine but everyone else was in walking shoes/boots. Water can be bought everywhere you go but you are given a free small bottle each day by your tour leader. When I went to the Dead Sea I took the bath towel from the Amman hotel with me as we were going back there for a second night. I also took a bikini and swimsuit with me as I didn't know what I would be comfortable wearing, I wore the bikini as others in the group were doing so. This also applied when I went on the boat in Aqaba. Lunches cost about 10 JD, this covers food and a fruit juice. Dinners cost about 12 JD, this covers the food. Juices are 3 JD, a large bottle of water is 2 JD and wine was about 25 JD per bottle. I always tried to have a few 1 JD notes with me for tips for restaurants staff as well as toilet attendants that always expect it. I don't like wearing a sun hat so a scarf did the trick for me when I needed it, also came in handy when in the open top cars taking you to your Wadi Rum camp. I didn't take a sleeping bag or liner for the desert, I slept in my clothes and used my scarf to cover the pillow provided and this worked fine.

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Ruth KEIR

Reviewed May 2014

Hummus fest 2014

Hummus, camels, Indiana Jones and Dead Sea mud with a fabulous leader and fun group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on top of a ledge looking down on the Treasury in Petra. Petra by night was also a great experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were lucky to have Ali who was excellent. He spoke great English and was very knowledgeable and rightly proud when it came to teaching us about his country. He was an expert at cat herding and got us where we needed to be efficiently. He was well organised and gave us just the right amount of information. We had a mishap owing to torrential rain flooding our desert camp so he was able to sort an alternative camp at short notice which was much appreciated. We were lucky to have Ramzi the tourist policeman with us too. It was a little disconcerting at first realising we had an armed guard but he was a lovely guy who quickly became part of the group despite speaking little English.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are mosquitoes especially in Wadi Rum and they ate me alive. If you are equally as tasty bring nuclear strength repellant and consider a citronella coil for beside your bed. Returning to work with a face like a plague victim has been interesting! The boat trip at Aqaba was great - snorkelling and lounging in the sun and a nice lunch. Bring proper walking boots for the Petra hiking. If you want to buy Dead Sea products do it at the airport as they are much cheaper. The Living Room bar in Amman was good with nice cocktails. Watch out for bar prices which often don't include tax. 12 quid beer can be a bit of a shock! Check your travel insurance small print re camel riding- not everyone was covered. Buy water in the mini-marts it is much cheaper. 0.35dinar vs 1-2 dinars! If you have a tourist policeman with you make sure to be nice to him and his hard exterior will crack into a singing, photo-taking, small person lifting, smiling fun guy. Also be sure to coo and wave at him in front of his tough cop pals. This will go down well! The shop next to Karak castle sells Petra cornettos.

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James Reardon

Reviewed May 2014

A Week in Jordan

It is impossible to describe how beautiful Jordan is. The rugged landscape, barren plains of Wadi Rum and the magnificent Petra are a sight to behold. The people are friendly and welcoming and the food is delicious (although you might not want to see hummus for a while afterwards!).
What made the country so special for me, however, is down to Exodus. The group of people I travelled with were such a diverse mixture of people, but all of them were funny, interesting, genuine and shared a real passion for travel and Jordan. It was easy to be those things thanks to the packed itinerary that meant every day felt like a new adventure. And we remained wonderfully relaxed throughout thanks to the fantastic team, led by the inspirational Ali our guide. Whose enthusiasm, patience and generosity honestly made this holiday the experience it became.
I’d recommend Jordan and Exodus to anyone seeking a special holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

After having the misfortune of being possibly the only group ever to have our camp in the desert flooded by torrential rain on the day we were travelling there (apparently rain in area is very rare!). Our guide moved heaven and earth to find us another camp so that we didn't miss the unique experience of spending the night in a Bedouin camp. I am so grateful he did, as it proved to be one of the highlights of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ali is the best. I cannot say more than that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Buy water in shops, much cheaper

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Anna Cheer

Reviewed April 2014

A Week in Jordan

It is the sheer variety of experiences and landscapes that amazes me when I think about Jordan. Huge Greek – Roman complexes and modern cities; hot, sunny and cold, windy weather; eating in a 5-star restaurant and in a desert cave; epic-scale arid wadis and green fields; camel riding and 4×4 adventures; Biblical landscapes and the holiday resort of Aquaba; a fabulous balconied suite overlooking the Red Sea and a desert campsite; snorkelling over fish-covered reefs and floating in the, literally, Dead Sea. How did we pack it all into five days? Because the other two days were in Petra, wonderful, glorious Petra, two of our best days of walking ever. The extraordinarily coloured, beautiful Petra rocks made the trip worth it on their own: as an abstract photographer, I was in my element!

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking out from Mt.Nebo over the River Jordan, Jericho (I may be particularly ignorant, but it had not occurred to me that Jericho might still exist), the Dead Sea and the Occupied Territories - Biblical and modern history in one astonishing, totally unexpected view. Camel riding in Wadi Rum: we feared this might be a bit of a tourist racket, but it was a magical way of seeing the desert, the wonderful motion of the camels, the peace and warmth, it contrasted beautifully with the exciting 4x4 trip the previous evening. Petra: the first view of the Treasury from the Siq. It's a classic, of course, but genuinely awe-inspiring. Petra, full stop! Oh, and the best char-grilled lamb I have ever tasted!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny was superb. His knowledge and passion for his country and history shone throughout the trip. He is one of life's fixers and worked hard to make life easy for us, sorting the tricky issue of tipping in a country where it is ubiquitous, lunch meal packs and evening meals, including a really special Bedouin cave dinner and a traditional Jordanian feast. He saved us all a lot of money, giving us very firm instructions about how much to pay for things! The final afternoon trip when he took us round the 'old' Amman was unexpected, enlightening and a real departure from the standard tourist trail. We loved it, and the local street-food delicacies to which he introduced us. He went the extra mile all week, organising extras such as Little Petra, not on the itinerary but well worth a visit and arranged the organised outings and free time perfectly so that we never felt nannied or abandoned! He was fun to be with but completely professional, a rather difficult balance to achieve. Danny really showed how invaluable an experienced local guide is. Exodus should hang on to him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We needed everything from fleeces, waterproof jackets and walking boots to shorts and sun hats and not necessarily when we expected. Sitting in the open-topped 4x4 trip in Wadi Rum was bitterly cold - take a hooded, windproof top and wear trousers. The Red Sea, too, was, literally, breathtakingly cold after jumping off the boat where we had been basking in the sun. I teased my husband, who feels the cold, mercilessly for taking a shortie wetsuit, but he really could not have gone in the Dead or Red Seas without it at this time of year (March-April) and only wished he'd taken a full wetsuit and I’d have loved the shortie! Do go on the boat trip at Aquaba. Only a handful of our group went on this lovely outing, with all our transport and lunch arranged, a posh boat, sunbathing and visiting two snorkelling sites. Not everyone swam, but everyone had a great afternoon. Comparing notes afterwards, those that chose the beach option had a lot more hassle and, overall, it cost the same as the boat trip. It really is worth taking walking boots for Petra. You could just walk up and down the valley, but you would miss so much. We covered over 26 miles. Don't worry if you can't manage the rough terrain and steep climbs, you don't have to leave the valley but, if at all possible, explore the hills around. You won't regret it.

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Morgan Wallace

Reviewed April 2014

Fantastic trip

Having never booked a group trip before, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this holiday or whether it would be as enjoyable as more independent travel. I needn’t have worried. Not only was it a fantastic trip, the whole group were a great bunch and we would not have experienced or learned half of what we did without the support of our excellent guide (Danny) throughout the trip. I cannot fault Exodus on their organisational efficiency or the quality of their customer support throughout the whole booking process and in the lead up to the holiday itself. They really make you feel that they are looking after you as an individual and are genuinely concerned that you have a great experience. Regular email contacts from real people, rather than computer generated messages and responses was extremely reassuring and confirmed that we were in extremely safe hands. Jordan is an amazing country and with this trip you really felt that you had seen and experienced the real country, not just the “tourist trail”. We felt safe and secure throughout, largely due to Danny’s amazing local knowledge and obvious care for and pride in his role. I could not recommend this trip highly enough, nor Exodus as a company to go with.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every new experience on the trip was a highlight, but I guess the obvious one is that first sight of the Treasury as you emerge from the Siq at Petra. It is, literally in my case, jaw dropping! Floating in the Dead Sea was pretty amazing too! It is probably easier to say that there is no one aspect of the itinerary which isn't inspirational in its own way. However, if I had to pick one thing, it would be the warmth and friendliness of the Jordanian people themselves. Whilst waiting at the side of a remote(ish) road due to a bus breakdown (sorted very quickly) my daughter and I chatted to a local man who proceeded to invite us to his home nearby to meet his entire extended family, where we were offered tea and coffee and the warmest of welcomes. I've no doubt they would have been happy to welcome and entertain us for the rest of the day if we had the time! It was almost a disappointment when we realised the bus was ready to go! This typifies the welcome we received from ordinary Jordanian people throughout the visit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant. Friendly, efficient and amazing local knowledge. Danny's support and guidance throughout the trip was a highlight and in my view could not be faulted. Top man!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go (and book it with Exodus)! Having travelled in Europe, Africa and Asia, this was my first trip to the Middle East and I was not sure what to expect. It turned out to be one of the best trips I've ever had and I would have absolutely no hesitation in repeating it. I could not offer much in the way of additional advice beyond the excellent guidance given by Exodus.

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Sue S

Reviewed April 2014

Fabulous Holidat

This trip was a fantastic overview of Jordan, focusing the best sites in the country and giving travelers the opportunity to get to know the kind hospitality of the Jordanian people.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is hard to pick just one. Jordan at night. Standing on a sandstone mountain looking down into Petra. Dinner at a cave in Petra (this was an optional thing we did as a group). Shooting stars in Wadi Rum. Talking with Jordanian people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny was really superb. You could tell that he was telling us the essentials of what we needed to know about each site and that we could easily ask for more details, if we wanted to know. He was very sociable with the group and really helped us to learn a bit about Jordanian culture. He made wonderful recommendations every day of the trip (i.e., where to get lunch, places for dinner, ideas for optional activities); Danny was one of the key reasons this trip was so wonderful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is a must! You'll have 2 full days in Petra (which most other tours do not offer), so take your time to savor and enjoy this wonderful site. And take time to talk to the people of Jordan; they are so eager to tell you about their country and their culture. On a more practical note: do read the trip notes to know what to expect and what to bring. Some people did not read this before the trip and did not bring the proper shoes for walking in Petra or did not bring a flashlight as outlined.

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