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!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

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.

Select a trip specific review:

Select

14374 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed February 2013

Do it!

The best 9 days of my life! I had always wanted to go the Middle East and Jordan in particular – I was not disappointed. It is amazing how everything is packed in to this timeframe; you get to see the magnificent Petra, the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, the extensive and superb Roman ruins at Jarash – but you also get a real feel for the country and the people.

Most Inspirational Moment

More than one... Petra by night gave such a wonderful first impression; the two days in Petra, especially walking high over the Siq; standing atop Mt Nebo looking out to the promised land; sunset by the Dead Sea; eating fresh dates in a market in Amman; and perhaps my true favourite, a day and night in the beautiful desert of Wadi Rum, with the many coloured sands, camels in the distance and the sun setting to reveal stars brighter than I ever thought they could be!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Often the group you are with can define the trip, and the same is true of the group leader. Zuhair was a fantastic guide around his country, for which he has such a deep love and passion for. Feel free to put his knowledge to the test (as someone in our group did!). I think are group really bonded and in part this was due to his gregarious and infectious personality. We always felt safe and well looked after, and he has more than a 1001 stories to entertain you if you wish!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I undertook this trip as a single Caucasian woman, and, having never travelled to the Middle East before, was at first a little apprehensive. No need to be - not at all in Jordan - so don't worry. Guys may say hello, often their just shopkeepers wanting to make a sale. If you're blonde you may get stared at like you're an alien - but never treated badly. Obvious point for all (except men, well, yes actually men too!) - don't go around wearing mini skirts or you will receive a lot of comments.If you travel in Spring be prepared for all weather conditions and pack layers, as well as sun cream.Hip flask good idea if you fancy a nip in the desert. Bring lots of money if you want to drink alcohol - e.g. one glass of red wine cost me £8.50.

Reviewed February 2013

MT TOUBKAL WINTER CLIMB

It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. Exodus have done it again, great trip, great guide great food, great group. Could have done with more snow, but I guess that is beyond even the powers of Exodus to organise.

Most Inspirational Moment

Oddly enough it was summiting Ouanakrim, and not Toubkal. It's fair to say that the group were by and large of the same opinion. More snow, better walk, better views, and a good scramble all added to the experiance.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan, local guide who knew and was known and respected by just about everyone. He first climbed Toubkal when he was just 9, which is a few years ago, but I'll not let on how many. Couldn't have asked for better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it, but try and pick a winter with a bit more snow, something that was sadly lacking this year.

Reviewed February 2013

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

As our first visit to India, this gave us a real taste to see more of this lively, colourful and friendly country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the orphanage the night before the "Ooty ascent", and talking to the older children about their plans for careers in professions such as doctors and barristers-a long way from their current circumstances.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vish was calm, knowledgeable and ever helpful, ensuring a perfect trip from start to finish.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear a cycle helmet!! Indian driving is a totally new experience, although in my experience you seem to have more chance of falling foul of the occasional pot hole than you do of falling foul of their driving style!

Reviewed February 2013

A WEEK IN JORDAN

Jordan has so much to offer and this certainly packed a lot in a week. Petra exceed all my expectations and Wadi Rum is simply stunning.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lying on my back in the desert at night looking up at the stars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very knowledgeable and did his best accommodate the various needs of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You won't regret making this trip.

Reviewed February 2013

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

An amazingly well organised and fantastic trip with a lovely group of people. Something I will never forget!

Most Inspirational Moment

By far it was seeing the sunrise at Gilmans Point. Our guide had timed our walk to perfection so that we could enjoy a cup of tea while viewing the curvature of the world, amazing stuff!Other highlights were mixing with such a fabulous array of people who I got to know. The benefit of having a night in the lodge before and after really broke down the barriers. (the Kilimanjaro beer probably helped also)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Florence knew everything there was to know about climbing to the summit. You felt completely safe with his leadership and guidance and for those unfortunate members of our team who fell ill he took the greatest of care.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice is simple - if you have the time and money to do it, just do it as you will not regret it. Exodus were very organised and supportive in the run up to the trip and the African Walking Company who led us up the mountain were nothing short of brilliant.Don't shy away from any problems you might have such as altitude sickness. Inform your guide immediately and he will work with you and make it better. These folk climb this mountain every week and have no doubt experienced everything.Take an iPod for summit night. Walking for 6.5/8 hours can be very tiring in the freezing cold so stimulate the brain as best you can.Snacks are important for when there is a break in walking. Don't however worry about the food as you will get 3 course meals and believe me we were never hungry. The water they supply is also perfectly fine and not a single member of our 15 strong team had a problem with it.Drink and eat even if you don't feel like it - it's the best combat against altitude sickness and fatigue.

Reviewed February 2013

A WEEK IN JORDAN

The trip was a great way to see a mixture of what Jordan has to offer from the iconic sites such as Petra to the natural wonders such as the desert and the dead sea.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing The Treasury at Petra from a less touristy view from above was amazing - walking a back route wherewe only saw 2 other walkers wasgreat. similarly some of the trekking avoiding the main paths gave us birdseye view of the sites such as the ampitheatre which just dont look the same from ground level. Petra is truely a place that lives up to expectations, a huge site that you have plenty time to explore both with a guide and on your own giving you a chance to really appreciate it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide was very well informed and full of interesting insights into all aspects of Jordanian life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pick up dinars before travelling the rates in UK are alot better. read the trip notes as far as clothes etcconcerned, a head torch is handy for the desert and your own sleeping bag. Otherwise layers of clothes good if not in high season as weather can be changeable!

Reviewed February 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

Birds, animals, plants, landscapes, beaches and of course birds. You will see more than you can ever expect on the boat trips and walks from 0-10,000ft. Don’t forget the binoculars and camera but most of all don’t forget to just watch and absorb the diversity.

Most Inspirational Moment

After watching and photographing all the different hummingbirds at such close range; seeing toucans, scarlet macaws, 4 species of monkeys, 3 and 2 toed sloths, iguanas, bats, crab eating raccoons and a coati run toward us at Monteverde; plus the red eyed frogs and large caimans at night: it must be a small group of us coming together to see a pair of quetzals feeding in the trees at close range on a free afternoon.

Thoughts on Group Leader

There wasn't a wasted moment in the 2 weeks with Antonio giving clear guidance and assistance. We thought that his knowledge of birds was good until we found out his specialism is plants. He was flexible and did all he could to meet everyone's interests, rescheduling as necessary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only a few showers going in the dry season, but miss the turtles. Brilliant time to go for birds as rain is not a problem. Quite a variation in temperature from a few degrees first thing in the morning at altitude to hot and humid near Golfito. Travelling on the dirt tracks is not too uncomfortable. Local food is good simple fare and not expensive, with restaurant owners very pleased to see you. The Costa Rican's are very friendly, there's no hassle and you don't need to speak Spanish.

Reviewed February 2013

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Fantastic, fun and exhilarating. A great week xcountry skiing in stunning surroundings.

Most Inspirational Moment

Satisfaction of achieving 31k in glorious conditions and hot chocolate to follow!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The Garath Malone of xcountry skiing! Appreciated Andy's encouragement to keep going which made the trip for me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try it or do it again!

Reviewed February 2013

A WEEK IN JORDAN

A great trip,full and varied itinerary,would highly recomend.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra & Wadi Rum

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair was very friendly and easy going, excellent knowledge, and helped to make the trip all the more enjoyable.there was acouple of communication issues ,but of no great problem.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Always good to read the tip notes,and hopefully the reviews,hard to get a good idea of of local prices as generaly very full days and little free time .Eating in" very local places " good food and cheap(although this is generaly the case the world over) Shoud you want a drink few hotels and resturants serve alcahol,if you buy a beer in Petra expect to pay at least £5.

Reviewed February 2013

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

This was my first photographic trip with Paul and my first trip to Kenya in over 20 years. On the whole it was an excellent holiday and I hope that I’ll be back one day soon.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many. Being met off the plane and taken straight to see four male lions feeding on a hippo which they'd taken down the previous night. Seeing Pink Nose, the very chilled leopard who was happy to let us take photos of him. Following a cheetah and her cubs whilst they played and stalked. We were lucky enough to see three cheetah kills. Watching the pygmy kingfishers and trying to get photos of them in flight returning to the branch. Witnessing two giraffes mating, a process which can apparently go on for days. The most memorable occasions for me though were the storms, the light just before the downpour and the amazing drives back to camp in torrential rain through mud and washed-away river crossings. Huge respect to James, Patrick and Charles for their driving skills (as well as their knowledge and animal spotting skills).

Thoughts on Group Leader

This was my first trip with Paul. I read all the reviews beforehand and was a little afraid! I'd had my DSLR camera for about 6 months, didn't know how to use it and struggled to remember the relationship between F stop, shutter speed and ISO. By the end of the week, thanks to Paul, I was confidently changing the settings and getting the exposures mainly correct. I have a huge respect for someone who works as tirelessly as Paul did to ensure we got the best opportunities. His own photographs are breath-taking. Previous courses I'd done presented Photoshop as the answer to getting good photos and were run by an instructor who spent the day in a coffee shop leaving you to fend for yourself. Paul is the complete opposite and a breath of fresh air in comparison. He may shout at you for messing up an opportunity but it is in no way personal or bullying. Get over it!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The facilities at camp are excellent. Eco-friendly soap, shampoo and shower gel are provided, as is washing powder (the laundry service doesn't cover smalls). There are water flasks in the tent for you to take out on game drives. The game drives are bumpier than any high impact sport though - ladies, come prepared!One of the other people on the trip kindly leant me an L series zoom occasionally and the improvement in photo quality is marked. Next time I would definitely hire an L series lens. I would also bring the fastest memory cards I could buy. Missing the cheetah catch her prey because your card is buffering is frustrating. I wish I'd turned my camera off and on more frequently to initiate the sensor cleaning process (despite Paul being exasperated at me for turning it off) as there are dust spots on some of my photos.

Prev 1 … 1,169 1,170 1,171 1,172 1,173 … 1,438 Next