Reviews

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

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14339 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Sara Whiteside

Reviewed April 2023

Brilliant holiday

We had a fabulous time in Costa Rica. The group got on so well together and we had the best guide, Glenda. We were extremely fortunate with our weather too. Although was the dry season, we were warned that we could expect rain at any time, particularly on the Caribbean side. We only had (biblical) showers at La Fortuna, but after we had had our tours. The wildlife was fantastic – we were lucky enough to see several quetzals and sloths and the bird life was abundant. Most of the hotels used were good but the Holiday Inn in San Jose was a little sub standard. The food was poor and the service in the bar very slow. We thought the Monteverde lodge was too close to the road as we could hear traffic at night. The service was rather surly there too. The lodge at Manuel Antonio was also close to the road and our room (very small) was right next to it so we were woken at 5am by traffic. The restaurant was very expensive too – much better to go into the town.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed all of it but especially Tortuguero with the boat trips searching for bird and animal life. The lodge was special and had a wonderful pool. I also loved the lodges at Esquinas and Savegre as they were isolated and amongst the wildlife. I also loved swimming in the Pacific at Manual Antonio.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Glenda was amazing. She’s the best guide I’ve come across in many years of travelling. She was so well organised; all the hotels were phoned in advance which made check in really smooth. She is a bundle of energy and enthusiasm with a huge passion for her country and its wildlife. She was honest and really easy to talk to. She has a wonderful sense of humour too - very important when you are together for two weeks. Our driver, Francisco, was also brilliant- an exceptional driver, calm, friendly and patient. He was great at spotting wildlife too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind. The few negatives are completely outweighed by the positives. There is so much to appreciate in Costa Rica. It is doing its best to preserve its wildlife and rainforests etc. The scenery is stunning and there is so much variety. Some of the journeys are long and there is some rough terrain but there is much to see (or you can catch up on sleep). Take a stout pair of walking shoes and raincoats. An umbrella is also useful. A towel is needed at the waterfall at La Fortuna. Vegetarians are well catered for. It can be expensive - drinks vary enormously in price and wine is rarely included in happy hours! Drinks and meal prices do add up and the optional excursions are pricy so need to be budgeted for.

Susan Murray

Reviewed April 2023

Amazing thanks to Mikhled!

There were so many aspects of this trip that made it so incredible: a great group of fellow cyclists, a well planned route which ensured we saw the key sights of Jordan but mostly it was our guide Mikhled. Mikhled managed to perfectly blend being a highly professional and effective leader with being friendly and fun to be with. When things didn’t quite work out for us (not his nor Exodus’ fault) he always worked hard to find a solution. For example, on the day we visited all 1500 visitors had to be evacuated from Petra mid-afternoon due to torrential rain and flash-floods. Because of this we didn’t get to climb up the 900 steps to the monastery. The next day, when we had a few hours spare in the afternoon he arranged for those who didn’t want to return to Petra to go back to the hotel while organising a bus for the rest of us to go back to Petra to experience the incredible monastery sight! I would recommend the Petra & Wadi Rum Bike trip to anyone; it is something you will love and an experience to cherish for always. However, if you are lucky enough to have Mikhled as your guide leader you can be assured that everything will be done to optimise every second of the trip. Thank you Mikhled! My only negative comment is that Exodus is possibly growing too fast – the communication with the office team was poor. Emails getting no response until chased several times, welcoming us home while we were mid-way through the trip etc etc.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra and the monastery were, of course, incredible sights. The camping in the Bedouin tents in Wadi Rum wasn't a luxury experience but was a wonderful night not to be missed. We had dinner around a camp-fire with food coming from dishes buried under the sand and cooked by the day's sun. Things like these were additional bonus aspects of the trip. Floating in the dead sea was something I'd always wanted to do but it was also moments such as cycling through a little town as the mosque's call for prayer chimed that made it so special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I can't praise Mikhled enough. He made our trip so special and looked after everyone. He was efficient, highly effective and professional but also a fun member of the group. He did everything within his powers to go out of his way to make every moment the best he could. There was never a "I can't do that" - he always went out of his way to find a solution. If you can have Mikhled as your leader - get the trip booked today!! You won't regret it!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Two suggestions: 1) We arrived a day early so we had time to visit the Citadel and Roman temple. Sadly those who arrived on the scheduled date never got to see these sights. One solution would be to have the 4x4 ride around Wadi Rum on the evening we arrived so that we could have quick camel ride in the morning before returning to Amman early. This would give those who hadn't seen the Citadel and Roman theatre a chance to see these sights. 2) Please change the hotel in Amman. The Days Inn is pretty tired with cracked tiles and mould around the bathroom area. It may be in the centre of the new town but tourists are only interested in the old town. Please find a nice hotel near the Citadel and Roman Theatre. Everyone in our group said they'd prefer to pay another £50++ per night to stay in a nicer and better located hotel.

David Richards

Reviewed March 2023

A cut above other Egypt tours.

A very well planned and operated trip, one of the best I’ve been on with Exodus. We were a capacity group of 20 and were provided with a superb 40 plus seater luxury coach throughout which greatly enhanced the long often slow travel journeys, particularly in Cairo where our elevated viewing position above the traffic mayhem was a delight. The hotels used and the cruise ship were all of a very high standard throughout the tour. I found the staff welcoming and helpful, particularly on our cruise ship MS Style. The cuisine on the cruise ship was exceptional, and breakfast buffets in the hotels were all very good. My one criticism is that where packed breakfasts were provided these were singularly unimaginative, being heavily bread based, with excessive non recyclable plastic packaging. The Hotel Metropole in Alexandria is an Art Nuveaux time capsule and a real experience to stay in. The Luxor Iberotel Hotel is superbly sited with beautiful gardens and a swimming pool overlooking the Nile; great for winding down at the end of your holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

At the end of my Egypt trip I leave with these, among many other lasting memories: - Best modern wonder - The National Library at Alexandria, - Cairo is outstanding for its diversity, and vibrant culture despite huge social deprivation and awful urban infrastructure. - Worse tourist experience - Abu Simbel, although a fabulous archeological site preservered through one of the worlds most successful engineering projects, impossible to view properly. - Best archaeological site - Temple of Horus at Edfu. - Dancing with Nubian musicians at an evening barbecue on the banks of the Nile. - An impromptu performance by young music students at the multi faith House of Arts and Culture in Cairo. - Most poignant memory - the shared tombstone of two unknown comrades from New Zealand, “ Known to their God”, in the Al Alamein war graves cemetery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Sayed Mansour was knowledgeable, caring, helpful and compassionate. He went far beyond the usual tour leader duties to give us a real experience of his country which I could tell he has a passionate love of. This tour visits Mosques, Catholic Monestries and multi faith war graves. As a Muslim Sayed gave me an insight to his own faith and its relationship with other faiths in Egypt current and historical that will remain with me/

Advice for Potential Travellers

As others have repeatedly commented this is not a leisurely trip: it’s full on from start to finish. Even if you don’t take up the optional excursions there are lots of very early starts: if you are aware of this they don’t spoil the holiday. This trip with its' extra time in Cairo and Alexandra is in my opinion far superior to the shorter options as the extra time in both cities is well rewarded. Alexandra would be worth a visit to Egypt in itself just to see the New Library . Three days in Cairo was a real experience to sample its vibrant culture, and have plenty of time to view the National Egyptian Museum and the Pyramid complex. Sadly the New Egyptian museum hadn’t opened, but our hotel was close enough for us to enjoy views of its remarkable architecture. The only disappointment in Cairo was the food tour, which was just a lunch at a cafe and a takeaway for tea, not the informative hands on cooking demonstration I’d hoped for. Our visit in March was in the middle of the peak tourist season. I asked our Leader Sayed if there was any time when sites might be even a little less crowded and apart form August which is too hot for most people, he suggested November at the start of the tourist season.

Sue Clarke

Reviewed March 2023

A Comprehensive Tour of Vietnam

Fast paced and long days in the saddle meant we covered a lot of ground – 480km of this lovely country. Due to snow at home in February, I couldn’t get out on the roads so I got fitter during the rides and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. 6 out of 18 had e-bikes which meant that we kept together pretty well. Lam and his 3 staff took good care of us and we felt safe even in the crazy traffic in the cities. I felt we could have eaten at some better restaurants, especially on the first, second and third nights where the options tasted quite bland and there was little availability on the menus. There were some far better options found via google reviews and the meal in Mui Ne was particularly poor. With greater attention to the evening meals, the trip would be excellent. I loved the variety of sights and Whale Island and Hoi An were highlights for me.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the long days of up to 100km and managing to appreciate the views all around us through hamlets, villages and coastal views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Lam was a great leader and kept us all motivated and refuelled throughout. We were lucky with no wet weather so easier to keep safe on the downhills and see the potholes easier. Lam went above and beyond to make gin and tonics for us on the overnight train - carrying bottles, a tray of tonics and a cool box of ice and limes on top of his own luggage. That was very much appreciated! He also gave us each an annotated map of Vietnam tracking our route by bike and by transfers so we can see our exact route. That’s a 5* effort.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to get some training in beforehand as you will get more out of the trip. It’s certainly not for beginner cyclists.

Chris Birkhead

Reviewed March 2023

Sri Lanka open for tourists

The discover Sri Lanka trip allowed us to see the highlights of the centre and South of the country with a well thought out itinerary. Some days are full on, with early starts and reasonably energetic walks or cycles, the activities are punctuated by two night stops at some hotels, allowing recuperation.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip had everything from Bhudist temples and ancient forts to nature reserves. For us seeing elephants, a leopard and two blue whales would have to be the highlights of the trip. On a more human dimension though the traditional games organised by our group leader Roshan were brilliant, getting everyone involved, even the driver and assistant joined in!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan did an excellent job with a diverse bunch. His good sense of humour and organisational skills meant that things ran smoothly, even though there were a range of optional trips that were not taken up by eveyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sri Lanka is ready for and needs tourists! We did not experience any disruption or see any protests during the trip. The hotels and local restaurants/cafes all provided varied menus (especially if you enjoy a curry).

Siraj Hwang

Reviewed March 2023

Exceeded expectations

The trek itself was superb. The trail had varied landscapes and spectacular views of the Himalayas. Breaks for tea and lunch were generous, and the quality and diversity of the food exceeded my expectations. Accommodation was never uncomfortable. Our porters and guides were excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

The hike to Poon Hill

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorjee was outstanding. A charismatic, knowledgable, and attentive leader who gave the group a huge amount of confidence throughout the journey. A special note of thanks to the guide team as a whole. Diraj, Saghar, and Hari all provided an exceptional experience, and any of them could have led the journey if required to.

Lesley Last

Reviewed March 2023

Totally immersive

The trip did not disappoint. Being able to share our time in Costa Rica with like minded people only served to enhance the experience. The biodiversity was exceptional and our guide, as well as the local guides, certainly knew where to look to give us the most memorable experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Bathing in the warm river at Rio Perdido was really special and a fantastic way to round off a day of zip lining and white water rafting. The Howler Monkeys' serenade at dawn was certainly worth getting up for.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were blessed to have Johnny as our leader. His knowledge of all things Costa Rica was outstanding. Whether it was wildlife, biodiversity, history, economics, agriculture and he even surprised us on our way back to the city when he briefed us all on art history

Advice for Potential Travellers

We travelled in the 'dry' season but even so a pair of sensible shoes for walking was a must. Trainers sufficed but I suggest something more substantial in the wetter times.

Reginald O’Donoghue

Reviewed March 2023

Beautiful Land of Sarandib

Perhaps the greatest holiday I’ve ever been on. From safaris in beautiful national parks in search of elephants, to visiting fascinating ancient cities, to eating amazing food, all of it was top notch. I really cannot fault the guide (Roshan) at all. He was informative, and taught us all a thing or two about the country, it’s culture, wildlife, etc.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing elephants for the first time at the Hurulu Eco Park, and continuing to see them even after leaving the reserve. Also being lucky enough to see Golden Jackals by pure chance on the root back to the hotel from the reserve.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant. Very friendly and knowledgeable, taught us all a lot and had a sense of humour as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I highly recommend this tour. Eat out at restaurants recommended by the guide, you won’t regret it.

Charlotte Anthony

Reviewed March 2023

Trip of a lifetime

We travelled mid February 2023 to Costa Rica. It was the trip of a lifetime and delivered everything I hoped for and more. Arriving at the airport we felt immediately that we were in great hands on meeting our guide David Vargas and driver Wilbur. The knowledge and expertise of our guide David Vargas made our trip a very interesting one. We learned so much about birds of which David is literally an expert as well as learning about Costa Rica. David also had fantastic people skills and helped our lovely group to quickly become friends and gave a 150% to ensuring we were all having a fabulous trip. Costa Rica was beautiful and inspiring. Nature is all around you and within the first two days I had seen more wildlife than I ever had in my life before. The trip gives does give you a packed schedule but this allows you to see and experience and all the diversity that this amazing country offers. It was our first ever group holiday and we absolutely loved the experience. Travelling with like minded nature lovers allowed for laughter but also learning. We are a middle aged couple who enjoyed the social side of this trip very much. The conversations and laughter at meal times and during exploring made our trip a memorable one.

Most Inspirational Moment

Travelling by boat through the natural beauty in Tortuguero was one of the moments that I will remember forever. It felt like we were in a David Attenborough documentary in a remote unspoiled place with amazing wildlife ever where we looked. The driver of our boat along with David our guide made sure we saw everything the water ways had to offer. I will go back for sure! The other inspirational moment was swimming in the pool as it went dark in Esquinas Lodge watching the bats fly around. The rainforest was beautiful and the whole experience staying there was magical. I went to Costa Rica to see a sloth and we saw more than I count. I also had so many encounters with monkeys my favourite animals all of which I found inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

David Vargas was the best guide we could have had and anyone that gets to go on a trip with him is very lucky indeed. We all felt very privileged to have such a lovely and knowledgeable group leader and our trip was very special because of the care he took of our group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect a busy schedule but do as many activities as you can or you will regret it. Clothes drying can be a challenge so take light clothing but also bring something warm for the higher ground. Take a waterproof jacket and waterproof walking boots are essential.

Justine Stevenson

Reviewed March 2023

If you are considering this trip then definitely go

We absolutely loved this trip – it’s definitely for the wildlife lover and you need to be prepared for some very early mornings and some long travelling days – but if you can cope with that then you will be massively rewarded. We saw more than it’s possible to list here – Tortuguero and Corcovado are both highlights but everywhere had something new and good to offer. The trip was definitely helped by having the best group of fellow travellers – experiencing it with them made it all the better.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide for most of the trip was Jorge Diaz and I can’t praise him enough. He is passionate about the country, entertaining, engaging and supremely knowledgeable. Our driver was Carlos Salazar - hats off to him for some brilliant driving and his care and attention.

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