Thoughts on Group Leader
Ruwan was fabulous - so attentive to everyone's needs and a lovely person too!
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
utterly brilliant trip!
Sri Lanka on a bike – was outstanding. This was our 5th trip and it certainly was one of the best so far- the country is beautiful, the people so friendly and the cuisine was delicious. The trip was made even better by the outstanding tour leader – Ruwan was so organised, considerate and knowledgeable about so many aspects – his country, religion, wildlife, plants, demographics -we can thoroughly recommend this trip.
Costa Rica January 2022. 1st trip post Covid.
There were a couple of memorable highlights over two weeks that involved a lot of travelling by bus. However, the point of the trip was to cover a lot of ground to get a broad experience of what Costa Rica has to offer, and that was achieved. Apparently, it was the first time this trip had run since Covid and lockdown, and the guide told us to ignore the trip notes as they were out of date. That wasn’t always the case, but it gave the impression that the guide didn’t know what to expect at each destination and whether advertised activities would go ahead. In some places, it was evident that things needed some updating. The Caribbean side in Cahuita had clearly suffered due to the dramatic fall in tourism, and accommodation facilities were very poor as a result. But this will be an issue everywhere, no doubt, and it’s a case of managing expectations.
If you need an escape in 2022 then Costa Rica is certainly a safe, sunny and visually beautiful place to visit.
Most Inspirational Moment
Without a doubt it was the Pacific side at Drakes Bay Wilderness resort. It feels quite remote, takes an hour and a half boat journey as there is no road access, and the place itself is wonderfully understated. The food is fabulous, all included in the price, and the staff are really great; helpful, relaxed, and as local folk very knowledgeable about the area and its flora and fauna. I would have spent half the trip there easily. There are many activities available though for 3 nights, 2 full days, we could only do two, snorkeling and a waterfall walk in a newly protected (since the seventies) coastal rainforest.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Knowledgeable, a bit mechanical in his delivery, and on this trip, he said his first as a tour guide in over a year, lacking essential understanding of a duty of care beyond Covid rules. Without unnecessary detail an incident occurred where one client verbally abused another in a very intimidating and threatening manner, in public and in front of the tour leader, driver and group, and although the tour guide agreed that it was unacceptable behaviour, he did nothing to address it or remedy it and as a result of ignoring that behaviour it made for a very bad atmosphere throughout the trip. When you are expected to travel with x number of total strangers for several weeks, often eating together, doing activities together, and in this case, spending long periods of time travelling together then being aware of the importance of setting clear boundaries in terms of acceptable, and unacceptable behaviour is vital in supporting a clear code of conduct. This didn't happen, and no responsibility was taken on the part of the tour leader to address it. These things do need to be nipped in the bud to avoid unpleasant atmospheres; in the case of intimidation, bulling etc of one client by another, it is the tour leader that must lay down the rules. There should be something in traveller documentation in terms of behaviour expectations, but I couldn't find anything.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I did everything, walks etc, wearing a pair of crocs so you could save packing space and leave your walking boots behind. Unless you are a big SLR camera enthusiast, then if you've got a good camera in your phone, just use that. I've never just used my phone before, as I've always used my SLR with several choices of lens, but it broke a few days before I left, so I had no choice. Photos were great. Bring good binoculars as there will be a lot of birds, monkeys and that elusive sloth hidden away high in the trees.
Reply from Exodus
We would like to thank Phyllis for her review, although we are very sorry that she was disappointed with aspects of the leadership of her tour. Alejandro is a very experienced and knowledgeable tour leader, who has recently started leading for Exodus, and the general feedback we have received about him has been overwhelmingly positive. Having discussed the incident with him, we are satisfied that Alejandro followed the steps we would expect from our tour leaders on the rare occasions incidents such as this occur. However, we will continue to closely monitor the feedback we receive from clients who join his trips to ensure that he is meeting our expectations on every departure he leads.
We regret that the accommodation in Cahuita fell below expectations, as this is not the type of feedback we expect to receive. At the beginning of each season, our product managers and local managers use client and staff feedback to review each property used on this tour, and if any concerns are raised by clients throughout the year or identified by our staff who have also stayed at the properties, these will be addressed and dealt with accordingly. We cannot recall receiving similar feedback to Phyllis’ previously but, as this trip has only recently resumed, we are very grateful for her comments and will endeavour to ensure that any issues with this property are addressed ahead of future departures.
Malcolm Parkinson – Product Manager
True Wilderness Experience
You really are in the middle of nowhere. The silence was deafening. The Northern Lights obligingly came out at least a couple of nights during the week – they look better through a lens I discovered. The rooms are basic and surprisingly warm – underfloor heating seems to work for the most part even though the temperature outside remained stubbornly well below zero for the majority of the week.
The scenery was breathtaking, not exactly mountainous but with so much snow around there were plenty of picture postcard moments. Winter clothing is provided, but the fashion conscious snowshoer (is there such a thing) might be disappointed. It works, that’s all you need to know. There are many prepared trails in the area and walking solely on them could have proven to be a bit boring, but thankfully our leader, let’s call him M, was happy to go ‘off piste’. The walks were a little shorter than I would have liked and the current itinerary is definitely aimed at the beginner. However the last walk of the week – along and around the Little Bear Trail was simply stunning. Sitting around a campfire at lunchtime slurping some piping hot soup from a flask definitely was a plus in my books.
There are optional activities on offer – snowmobiling is a definite must for any boy(or girl) racers out there. The visit to the reindeer farm lacked a certain something . . . speed. The reindeer ride was definitely underwhelming – if they’d gone any slower we’d have been travelling backwards. Just as well then that the course was very short indeed. Ruka is the closest urban centre which offers limited but floodlit downhill skiing and a host of winter activities including cross country skiing (it’s compulsory in Finland), ice karting and fat biking.
Back at basecamp the sauna and hot tub is a good place to unwind at the end of the day, and rub snow all over yourself in between – you’ll only do that once! Food in the evening is excellent and there’s plenty of it. Drinks are pricey, but this is Scandinavia.
Overall a relaxing week away from the hectic life back home. No masks (within basecamp) and if you can leave that phone or tablet alone you really can forget about all that ‘covid stuff’. Anybody can snowshoe – only your stamina dictates how far you’ll want to go. Enjoy.
Wildlife Superstore
This trip surpasses all other wildlife trips I have been on, in that so much wildlife is seen on every excursion that it is almost impossible to go home at the end of each day disappointed. Wildlife seems to be guaranteed. Its like going into a wildlife superstore and witnessing all that nature wants to provide. The trip was well put together but there are a few long travel days so be prepared. The hotels were mostly comfortable with great facilities. The food was excellent and our guide and driver fantastic.
Most Inspirational Moment
the sheer amount of wildlife available for us to see especially at Tortuguero and Cahuita the remoteness of Drake Bay getting to see the quetsal, when it is like finding needle on a haystack
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alejandro was fantastic, kind, so informative about nature and could spot a bird in a tree from a mile off. We had a problem person in our group and he managed her with such professionalism, our driver Carlos spoke great English and was fantastic throughout. They made a great team.
Advice for Potential Travellers
pack some things to do on the long travel days. bring more than one costume, they dont always dry in the humidity, its cold ,4 degrees , waiting for 2 hours for the quetzal, wrap up warm. go on the direct flight from uk to san jose and get to see san jose, some lovely places to see there.
Holiday of a lifetime
Sri Lanka is a Beautiful island and what better way to see it than on a bike. The cycling varies with some days very challenging and others easy. Our guide Suresh was fantastic. I cannot rate him high enough and his team could not do enough for us. Suresh guides the whole group through the ten days keeping us safe and ensuring every one us gets the most we can from the holiday keeping us entertained with his great sense of humour. The hotels are varied depending on where you are at the time but you always feel exodus has booked you into the best available for the area with some being excellent. The meals provided are excellent and the group always ate together in the evening which was always fun. This was my first group tour and I loved every minute of it. I can’t wait to book my next.
Most Inspirational Moment
Climbing 2000 metres in a day
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh was inspirational. Nothing was too much trouble for him. At one point I dropped all my credit cards at night walking back to the hotel. He came back into town with me to search and we found them lying in the road . I was very lucky! Suresh did things like that for everyone taking everything in his stride with good humour and kindness.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do this trip you won't regret it
Simply superb
If there is a better, more interesting trip in the whole of the Exodus portfolio, then I would be very very surprise. A week in Jordan is simply superb and I cannot recommend it high enough.
Most Inspirational Moment
Every single day was inspirational, in fact every day had jaw-dropping moments. This trip is life-changing.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Absolutely outstanding! Clear and informative throughout the whole trip. Muayad went out of his way to ensure we were given the best possible experience whilst in Jordan, be it preparing us lunch (made by his own mother no less!), finding ATMs/raincoats or just taking us to the those most sublime spots to have lunch. Amazing man; it was an absolute pleasure to be in his company.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Jordan operates in a cash-based society and the ATMs that accept European cards are few and far between, so make sure you take plenty of cash with you.
Outstanding guide
This was my first ever ‘group’ walking holiday. The whole trip was well planned and organized, and the group leader and guide (Gizer) was simply excellent. I found the group travel refreshingly sociable after the lockdowns and social distancing we have all been through.
Most Inspirational Moment
The view out to the peninsula from the top of Kantara Castle.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Apart from knowing the ancient and modern history of the places we visited very well, Gizer catered for all tastes; whatever your diet or allergies; whenever you fancied a meal without the group. Not only was he most courteous, but he also has an excellent sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The service in The Pia Bella was good. The rooms were spacious and clean. Breakfast, the bar, and the local food in particular were good. The pre-arranged Christmas dinner was the least interesting. But most evenings we ate out as a group anyway. It’s worth knowing that the only coffee worth drinking should be ordered at the bar, and you should ask the breakfast cook to make you your choice of eggs because the prepared scrambled eggs are not worth it. A decent cappuccino is very cheap at 20 Lire. This is the least expensive county where I have eaten out for longer than I care to look back. Angora Kavaklidere red wine is very cheap and reasonably drinkable. Cankaya (pronounced ‘Chankaya’) Kavaklidere at 13.5% is a strong white wine and tastes even better quality for the same low price. Make sure you leave the food you can’t eat, or you will make yourself sick. Its good, but there is far too much of it.
Christmas Cracker
This trip exceeded my expectations and is one of the best Christmases I have ever had. On Christmas Day, we walked the Path of the Gods under a cloudless blue sky and enjoyed spectacular views of the Amalfi coastline. During five full days walking, we ascended and descended the hillsides, winding our way along pretty pathways and villages, passing through woodland and jumping narrow streams. All the while, we were aware of the impossibly dramatic and beautiful view spread out below us and the coastline fringed with the turquoise sea. We were able to visit Ravello with its picturesque Villa Cimbrone gardens; Amalfi with its stunning cathedral and chic shops and Positano with its wide shoreline (although it was Christmas Day and nothing was open). On one day, we walked around the rim of Vesuvius and even ventured into the crater (quite hot) and followed that with a guided tour of Pompeii. On the last day, some of us took a taxi to Naples to visit the Archeological Museum and sample a perfect pizza from the town of its invention.
Most Inspirational Moment
Driving back to the hotel along the winding coast road and witnessing the most spectacular sunset I have ever seen.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our tour leader, Veriano Verde, was excellent and went out of his way to make everything enjoyable for us. He has a good knowledge of the area so was able to tell us lots of interesting things about Agerola. Throughout the trip, he was unfailingly pleasant and helpful. He even gave up his day off to take a group of people up the mountain for a walk that we had had to forego because of the heavy fog.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take your walking poles and plenty of thin layers as the weather can be cool in the mountains and then hot on the coast.
Walking the Slate Trail — landscape & industry
Thoroughly enjoyable guided walking trip in an unexpected landscape.
Fascinating to learn some of the history of the slate industry, and to see how nature is already reclaiming some of the quarry sites.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Greg was excellent — knowledgeable, clearly genuinely enthusiastic about the local community.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Good walking footwear; layers; waterproof jacket! Some of the days were quite long, with no “escape points”. Some of the paths were very boggy, but there was always a way around. Don’t rely on the published Slate Trail guide book — neither the maps nor the instructions have enoug detail. Don’t go in the underground quarries!
Stunning views and a great hotel
This trip had great progression from an easy first couple of days which was good for total beginners to get a feel for snowshoeing, building up to some longer but very rewarding days climbing some 2000+m peaks. Much to my delight, these last few days were much more like winter mountaineering but in snowshoes, rather than a tramp in the snow (as the first couple of days was). The hotel was also a great place to relax with wonderful sauna, pool and gym, and the most amazing food ever.
Most Inspirational Moment
Stunning views from the summits!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jenny was an exceptional leader - calm and methodical, with a great ability to "herd cats" and manage the quite disparate range of fitness and abilities in our group, as well as to come up with alternative plans as required. She imparted useful tips constantly, and broke the days up well with frequent short breaks. She was also super friendly and sociable, and worked extremely hard making sure everyone was OK and everything went to plan. Nothing was too much trouble for her to organise.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pocket Rocket will get you up any hill and will become your drug of choice! (Stock up in any local supermarket.). You will really benefit from good hill fitness on this trip. Take a ziplock bag to dinner (the amount of food is massive, but it's so good - I often took my leftovers for my packed lunch the next day.) You may prefer to take your own walking poles if you have them, especially if they fold down, so you can pack them away when not needed. Also, take good winter mountain boots if you have them rather than lightweight ones (I wished I'd taken my B2 boots).