Reviews

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

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14294 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed December 2012

A WEEK IN JORDAN

A fantastic trip – varied and interesting with lots to see and do. The food was terrific and the sights amazing. A week was just the right amount of time and the hotels were great!

Most Inspirational Moment

Obviously Petra, but I actually preferred the Monastery over the Treasury. It is well worth walking up to the Monastery - it is a bit of a hard slog but the Monastery really is spectacular. There is a cafe there so you can sit and have a drink and admire the view. That was a really lovely part of the trip.The desert was also excellent - the stars are so much better than at home, particularly if you look through binoculars. We had a camel ride in the morning which was also a highlight for me.On our second day in Petra some of our group had a longer, guided walk with a Bedouin woman. We did not see anybody else and it really felt like we were the only people in the world! I would recommend this if you have the opportunity - the views were fantastic and it was good to get off the beaten track.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Danny Haddad - I thought he was excellent. He looked after the group well, was clear about all the arrangements and helped out with money changing etc. Some of us had a problem with a taxi on the very last night and, even though Danny was not with us, he helped us to sort out the situation over the phone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I travelled in November and it was definitely helpful having a range of different clothes and layers as the temperature did vary quite a lot. Layering is the key! It was not nearly as cold in the desert as I was expecting at that time of year which was a pleasant surprise. I wore an Icebreaker top, thermal leggings and had my 4 season sleeping bag and was pretty hot!! The Bedouin are able to provide sleeping bags and extra blankets but quite a lot of people in my group seemed to have their own sleeping bag anyway.I am not a vegetarian but the 2 vegetarians in our group did find some of the food choices a bit limited at times. For me, as a meat eater, the food was excellent. Loads of really nice kebabs! The houmous and falafel was absolutely superb. I took sterling cash but did not change any money at Amman airport. The following morning our guide took us to a money exchange that had a better rate than the airport so I was glad I waited. I changed £200 which saw me through the entire holiday.

Reviewed December 2012

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF BOTSWANA

The trip was very well put together. It incorporated all the key highlights in an efficient two week schedule, without too many long days of travel. The wildlife was spectacular – we were very lucky to see wonderful views of leopards, lion, elephants, and more! The wild camping was great, the guides were wonderful, and the camp food was very good too! An excellent trip, and I’d highly recommend it!

Most Inspirational Moment

The light aircraft flight over the Okavango Delta was incredible - the sort of view you can only otherwise get from a David Attenborough film!I also loved the Chobe River Cruise - being able to get so close to so many different types of animals and to see them from the water was unique and very special.Finally, the day to day aspect of wild camping, walking and just being in the wild with the animals was a wonderful experience and a refreshing change from normal life!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam did a very good job. He organised the trip very well and really knew what he was doing. He tried hard to make it as enjoyable as possible, although perhaps struggled to deal with one or two of the more "challenging" members of our group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes were very helpful. I went in late October / early November and it was hot!! No need for fleeces or warm tops, and only a very light sleeping bag was required. Take a paclite for the occasional rare late afternoon downpour though.It was possible to charge batteries at several points along the route, as well as in the Landcruiser.Take plenty of dollars to change into local currency.Highly recommend the flight over the Delta, the longer helicopter flight over Victoria Falls, and the Chobe River Cruise - all amazing experiences!

Reviewed December 2012

A WEEK IN JORDAN

Jordan is a country with a big history and this is a short trip. The itinerary is therefore ‘well packed’. To get the best from the holiday you should expect to use the time to learn as much about this history as possible. Shopping etc will probably have to done before of after the official trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The simple act of giving an orange to one of the young children running a 'nick knack' stall close to the monastery in Petra. This gave me a small appreciation of the warm hearted nature of the Jordanian people and really made want to return and explore the country in a more leisurely manner.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny must rank as one of the best guides I have come across. He was amazingly knowledgeable about his country and was clearly passionate about sharing this knowledge. He was very proud of his country and showed this with enthusiasm. He could not have done more for the group and was always available to help (sorry about phoning with our Amman taxi problems when you should have been resting ready for your next tour!). The time he spent with the group to ensure we had as trouble free time as possible seemed to go above and beyond what I would expect to be reasonable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This can be quite an intense week. To get the best from Petra especially expect a strenuous couple of days with a very good level of physical fitness to fully explore the site. Don't expect much free time to do your own thing but do expect to see and do a lot in a short space of time.

Reviewed December 2012

ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

A varied, reasonably strenuous, and interesting trek, with an excellent lead guide in Prem and 15 other "solos" to chat with. It took in paddy fields, farms, small settlements, forest, ridges, deep valleys, treeline then snowline and barren desolation. A true adventure.

Most Inspirational Moment

Free walking up from the narrow gorge to Fishtail base camp and the vast bowl of Annapurna.Watching oxen used to trample/flail the rice, and the communal rick building.Wallowing in the hot springs pool, while watching the monkeys across the river watching us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Undertook the leadership role with diplomacy and sensitivity.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Understand the basis of "layering" of clothing before you go. Take : flip flops, wet wipes, a good thermal sleeping bag, head torch, good book, kleenex tissues, spare lightweight footwear, hand gel, spare camera battery.

Reviewed December 2012

CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA AND PANAMA

This is an excellent trip a very good balance between cycling and the necessary evil of transfers on coach. The guides were all excellent (Rob & Britten and Pol), the bikes were very well looked after checked everynight and morning before use again. Our group ranged from 25 to 72 and everyone was allowed to go at their own pace (I was daily beaten by the 72 year old – something to aspire to maybe) everyone in the group got along well which was the icing on the cake for this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

There is so much to see, I wasn't prepared for the amount of animal spotting and guides were always on the lookout for a monkey in a tree or iguana etc. Finally spotting the volcano at Fortuna (it had hidden behind a cloud for 2 days), Mystica hotel an oasis of calm (and excellent pizza), wandering deer in Canas, border crossings (Nic - Cos, take some cards / book and the time will pass quickly), Panama Canal was fascinating, cycling through rainforests, cycling to the Panama border crossing - it was just a brilliant trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was very well organised and made sure everyone was happy with their accommodation, congratulated everyone when they finished their ride for the day whether they were first or last to the end.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You get two days in Fortuna, its not technically a day off but you can choose not to do the ride that day, I'd recommend planning to do something as the town is small and you can cover that off in a couple of hours. I wish I'd had a plan before I got there as there was loads to do. Others in the group went white water rafting, horseriding and both were highly recommended by them. If you like your holiday trinkets buy when you can don't wait - I left Nicaragua with nothing to remind me not even a fridge magnet ! Bocas del Tora was another highlight, recommend sticking with your group if you have a good one and hiring a boat yourselves rather than an organised tour. Oh and gel seat :D and clothes that are dry almost as soon as you've washed themWashing day in Fortuna excellent service and they also do trainers

Reviewed December 2012

PERU EXPLORER

A fantastic route through some brilliant sites. Well looked after by Rene the guide and the various local guides and porters / chefs on the trek. Small group size (7) really helped. Strongly recommend the route and Exodus

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking into Macchu Picchu. After four days of enjoyable, if at times draining, walking along the Inca Trail, you really appreciated the effort that went into building not just Macchu Picchu but all the sites along the route.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rene was absolutely fantastic. He was informative, entertaining and also exceptionally helpful when things went wrong - e.g. people getting ill.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Inca Trail is probably a little harder than the brochures let on. Do some training for it, and factor in that the constant climbing and the altitude are going to multiply the effort. You walk about 10km a day, but due to the altitude and climb it feels more like 20km. Pack good waterproofs as well, and has been said elsewhere, layers of clothing. Pack light. Laundry services are cheap and available in places like Arequipa, Puno and Cusco. Don't get it done at the hotels though, just walk intot he street and find a place for less than half the price. Money, money, money.... aside from taxis in Lima and one or two other places in Lima which like USD, everyone takes the local currency Nuevo Soles. Its easy to change USD into Soles in all major towns, and you get a good rate, but I would suggest ignoring the advice from Exodus and bring just a few USD to cover Lima and guide tipping, and bring everything else in Soles.Lima is not the most exciting place on earth. Don't add an extra day on the end to look round.

Reviewed December 2012

MARRAKECH & THE SAHARA

A great way of seeing as much of Morocco in one week. Very busy holiday and always on the move!

Most Inspirational Moment

Driving on the roads threw the Atlas Mountains. AMAZING! What ever you do, do not fall asleep on the bus or you will miss the fantastic scenery! Sit by a window and have out your camera!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Leader was very good with the group! He stayed with us for the whole trip and spoke very good English. He had meals with us and was more like a friend to everyone!

Advice for Potential Travellers

When you arrive in Casablanca Airport to get your connection flight. (follow the yellow lines on the floor) that will take you to the waiting area for your connecting flight. I did not do this!!! and got abit lost. I found somebody who spoke English in Casablanca Airport who told me to follow the yellow lines! (The yellow brick road!!!)Not many shops are open late at night in Casablanca Airport so buy food from Heathrow Airport and take it in your hand luggage. Also a good book and Ipod/MP3 as I had almost a three hour wait!!YES you can get Moroccan Dirham at London Heathrow Airport before you fly out. You do not have to wait untill your in Morocco to get any Dirham. Also I exchanged back my money at London Heathrow Airport when I arrived back in the UK. In my trip notes Exodus had said we would only be able to get our Moroccan Dirham once in Morocco!!!Don't stay up to late in the evenings! Go to bed no later then 11.00pm!! You see alot of Morocco in the bus and you don't want to sleep threw it!! arfter paying all of that money to see Morocco!! Watch the food! Myself and the whole group had tummy upsets half way threw the trip. Avoid salads, Fruit juice from the hotels for Breakfast in the mornings! (Don't drink there tap water) Buy spring water from the local shops!

Reviewed December 2012

SOUTH AFRICA: CYCLING THE CAPE & WINELANDS

Overall a fantastic trip well lead and supported,

Most Inspirational Moment

For me arriving in Hermanus and seeing the whales from the shoreline was the highlight

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Expertly organised a large group and provided just the right balance of information as we toured around

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of suncream and your own saddle

Reviewed December 2012

DISCOVER NAMIBIA Lodge trip

A journey that takes one through mountain landscapes to gigantic sand dunes and then on to one of Africa’s best game parks. A photographer’s delight!

Most Inspirational Moment

The incredible changing colour and shadowed expanses of Namib sand sculptured in the early morning sunlight was unforgetteble.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was a cheerful hard working leader who drove carefully and had super vision in spotting distant game.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Buy a solid rubber ring pillow for both the eleven hour flight and the long bumpy journeys in the truck. An excellent guide is by Chris McIntyre [Bradt, 4th edition, 2011]; this provides a lucid summary of Namibia's history, culture, environment and animals; as well as local detail. Prices are low compared to the UK; 1/2 litre of good local beer was around £1.25 and wine £7 a bottle in a restaurant [November 2012: Nam$ 13.5 = £1]. There are numerous exchanges at Windhoek airport, the city, and large towns (though not so many); and a better exchange rate than in the UK. Treat yourself to an excellent four course dinner in the magical old 'Beau Geste' fort at Namutoni in the Etosha National Park [about £15]. Don't buy bottles on the return flight - one faces brutal confiscation at Frankfort when changing planes.

Reviewed December 2012

CYCLE INDOCHINA & ANGKOR

For me this trip was a revelation. I had never before been in Asia (Japan only, what related to this seems reasonable Western). Cycling through all these beautiful countries (especially Cambodia stole my heart) offered much more then I could have expected.The people (!), the surroundings, the smells, the colors, the food(!), I loved it all. Furthermore the trip was very well organized, the local guides and support teams were great and I was lucky to travel with a very nice group.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many blissful moments. Of course Angkor Wat course was very very special, did not want to miss that! But for me, getting on the bike in the morning and go for a lovely sometimes exciting and strenuous ride to a new place was the best part.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Thai guide was absolutely fabulous. She did everything to make it enjoyable for us and took very good care. She diversified where possible to meet everyone's needs. I really think she did a very good job.I also have many fond memories of our Cambodian guide who joined us till Vietnam. Because of the situation in Cambodia when we were there (former King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia deceased in Beijing, the country was mourning), we experienced even more how much he loves his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are at least a bit fit, you will enjoy the trip even more.

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