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.

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126 Reviews

4.6 out of 5

Joseph Carraway

Reviewed June 2017

Great Wall, great tour

Walking the Great Wall is a great tour with a good mix of activities. I go on theses trips to do some good trekking, but it is also nice to see the important tourist sites in Beijing. What is nice about this itinerary is that you do Beijing, spend time away and then finish in Beijing giving you a nice balance and not spending too much time in the big city. The guesthouses are a unique experience and are run by the nicest people I have ever come across. I highly recommend the Xi’an extension as the Terracotta Warriors are a must see, and Xi’an itself is very different with a lot of charm and character.

Most Inspirational Moment

Overall I enjoyed the day with the spider wall the best but really the highlight for me was any day away from the touristy, restored parts of the wall. That combined with a really great group made the trip exactly what I wanted.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jerry is one of the best leaders you could possibly ask for. He is very knowledgeable and has a good sense of humor to keep things interesting. We had many issues with our itinerary due to the Silk Road Conference, but he handled all the changes well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check the weather before you go to ensure you are prepared. I would recommend some electrolyte supplements for those extremely hot days.

Ferenc Suhai

Reviewed June 2017

Walking the great wall

Before going on the trip the highlight was for me of course the wall and the scenic views but this all changed and the whole experience was the people I was travelling with the teamwork and friendships I made.. has left a positive impact on me and at the moment all I can think about is the next trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The sense of achievement personally and of the group when reaching a high point and then getting photos of the views stretched out below.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great.. an original genuine character made the trip an enjoyable experience for me

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read trip notes I did and used blister plasters at early stage and managed to keep feet from getting any worse than just a bit sore.

Michelle Madrigga

Reviewed April 2017

Great experience!

A very enjoyable itinerary to see sections of the Great Wall that are free from the tourist crowds. As stated in the Trip Notes, there are a number of sections where you need to be careful walking and/or which may be unpleasant for those suffering from vertigo. However, in a few (not all) situations it was possible to detour around certain sections.

The trip also included visits to some of the restored sections of the Wall. The section near Gubeikou (last two days) had spectacular views and few other tourists.

I also did the Xi’an Extension, which was a quick but enjoyable trip to Xi’an, mainly to see the Terracotta Warriors. It would have been nice to have an extra day in Xi’an so something worth considering.

I enjoyed the food throughout the trip but it is worthwhile to note that most of the meals (particularly at the guest houses) is served communal style with a number of different dishes served to the table – meals are not ordered individually and the dishes served are to be shared amongst the group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending the last two days near Gubeikou walking along the wall and seeing the stretch completed and the stretch ahead - definitely very scenic. Also the cycling tour in Beijing was a wonderful experience. I was a bit apprehensive at first about cycling in the busy streets but it, surprisingly, felt safer than cycling the streets at home!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jerry was great - very organized and informative. He had a great sense of humour and was passionate about his country and its history. He was always concerned about the welfare of the group and went out of his way to ensure that everyone had a great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As mentioned above, all of the group meals, including all meals in the homestays, are served communal style and individual meal choices are not available. As stated in the trip notes, vegetarian options are limited. Therefore, people with restricted diets or food preferences may want to consider either bringing their own food or considering another destination if they are not open to trying things they may not eat at home. Also, chopsticks are often the only utensils provided so if you are uncomfortable to use chopsticks you may want to consider packing some cutlery. Walking poles were a definite plus. There were a lot of steep up and down sections and the poles proved very useful, particularly in the descents.

Lucy Potter

Reviewed April 2017

Walking the Great Wall

Great trip with some stunning sights however, various aspects were not up the the usual excellent Exodus standard. Safety in various places on the wall could have been improved by having another guide at the back of the group. A member of the party was asked to do this which was unfair, this was a position for Exodus to fill. Fortunately, we had a fantastic group and no one was left behind on their own. Goodness only knows what would have happened in the event of a mishap, having only one guide who was ahead and seldom waited for people to catch up.

Also, the itinerary was changed, which Exodus reserves the right to do, but we were given no explanation and very vague information on the following days walks.

The city tour was a huge disappointment as our guide gave us very little time to take pictures and did not wait for the whole group before giving information or issuing instructions.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing unrestored parts of the wall and having it all to ourselves.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nice chap but fairly unenthusiastic and very vague. Overall not up to Exodus usual excellent standard.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you're reasonably fit as there are plenty of steep climbs. Vegetarian food it quite hard to come by but what there is, is delicious.

Brenda Hernandez

Reviewed November 2016

Walking The Great Wall

My first Exodus trip into a country I didn’t know and with people I didn’t know. – I am already looking to book my next one. The Great Wall was amazing, with spectacular and breathtaking views. The walking was great, well planned and everyone done it at there own pace, no harassment to hurry, although there was some steep and challenging sections, I am not a seasoned walker and I managed them without too much effort. Our group of 15 got along great, fun-loving, witty, sociable with interesting lives, this group of people helped make this trip unforgettable. The hotels were all good and the food second to none, except maybe the sandwich for the one packed breakfast we had (don’t believe the stories of being offered dog and scorpions).The Xian extension was really worthwhile, not only to see the terracotta warriors, but also to experience the sights and sounds of this lovely city and the food market also overnight train from Beijing to Xian.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many - The first steps on the Wall, and the realisation of its vast scale, the third or fourth day of trekking when you looked around and saw nothing but green mountains, with the Great Wall stretching away as far as the eye could see, with no one else but our small group in sight. the Great Wall stretching away as far as the eye could see. Not forgetting the first sight of the warriors.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kevin was absolutely superb, we could not have wished for a better group leader, He shared his considerable knowledge of Chinese history,culture with us with passion and good humour. Even before and after the actual trip Kevin took care of us, taking us out on our first and last night in Beijing for Food and a trip to a theatre. Exodus should be honoured to have Kevin as a Group Leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are some physically challenging sections, scrambling up or down steep and uneven slopes. I took trekking poles and was very glad of the extra support. If you are afraid of heights some sections will be uncomfortable. Our group was of mixed ages and abilities - from students to retirees, from occasional day hikers to multiple marathon runners - all managed the walk. What i wasn't prepared for was the actual walks to reach the wall some days - I stupidly thought, after reading the itinerary that we got dropped off on one end and picked up the other - not quite like that but still all great.

Jonathan Howard

Reviewed November 2016

Walking the Great Wall

Was my first ever solo trip and I can’t wait to book my next one. If you’re in two minds about doing it STOP! Book now. You won’t regret it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Day 5. Sun rising over the horizon and the Great Wall stretching away as far as the eye could see.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jerry was amazing. Knowledgeable, approachable and very funny. Would love him to be my guide on every trip!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take some warm clothes for on a night and if the food doesn't agree, take some protein bars and some rehydration tablets just in case.

Caroline Arnold

Reviewed October 2016

Walking the Great Wall

A brilliant trip. The Great Wall was amazing, with spectacular and breathtaking views. The trekking was great, being well paced, as well as having some steep and challenging sections. The Xian extension was really worthwhile, not only to see the teracotta warriors, but also to experience the sights and sounds of this lovely city.

Most Inspirational Moment

The first steps on the Wall, and the realisation of its vast scale. The sunset at Jinshanling. Tai Chi at the temple. First sight of the warriors. The food market in Xian.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Jay was superb. He was informative, helpful, patient, funny, professional, indispensable, and we miss him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Leave space for souvenirs, and do the Xian extension if you can.

David Shelton

Reviewed October 2016

Well guided trip

This is a well organised trip – as is always the case with Exodus everything worked, all the arrangements were good and the guide excellent. Also, the trip notes manage expectations around the trekking, hotels and food really well – the experience will be as promised – including the chicken’s feet!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking parts of the wall which are remote, quiet and unpreserved. They give some idea of the work and "engineering" that created the wall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jay was excellent. He set exactly the right pace, gave clear directions and exactly the right amount of information each day. He obviously cared that we enjoyed the trip and he could not be faulted. His standard was as good as all the other Exodus guides I have had the pleasure of travelling with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is obvious, but be prepared for slopes and steps up and down. These are hard to practice for in the UK but this is why the trip can be quite demanding in places, balancing out the short distances on some days. However, a few of us could have walked further on the shorter days so if you are reasonably fit you will be able to cope with this. Take note of the trip notes description of basic hotels and manage your expectations, not everything works sometimes which makes the hotel in Beijing on the final night seem like a palace! You will be served authentic Chinese food with chopsticks for every meal so the diet is very different. However, everyone on our trip was fine, no illness and no sore feet!

Aloisia Oldland

Reviewed October 2016

Walking the Great Wall

What a truly unique experience to walk various sections of the wall and see rural China, as well as Beijing city and Xi’an.

Most Inspirational Moment

Apart from seeing the Great Wall in all its splendour I would say meeting the Chinese people and experiencing their culture first hand. Doing Tai Chi just before sunset was a highlight too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Jerry Wu and I feel very privileged to have met this most interesting and engaging young gentleman, and a real gentleman he is too. He's a very colourful character (in a good way!) and his command of the English language is first rate. He looked after us so well and nothing was too much trouble. He gave tips on what we could do in our free time and always put our best interests first. He also has a wonderful sense of humour which makes his commentary all the more interesting. He was so much fun to be with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I travelled in October. It was fresh in the mornings and evenings so, if you're nesh like me, take plenty of layers and warm pyjamas too, especially for the basic guest houses.

Nicholas Sutton

Reviewed October 2016

Great Wall of China

An amazing 10 day trip that was full of inspirational moments – breathtaking scenery and a varied itinerary meant that the time flew by too quickly! The group size at 9 was ideal, meaning we all fitted around one table and were able to discuss the days proceedings! Really great set of people too.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the first "Spider Wall" with no hesitation and being overwhelmed with the views!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Group Leader Jerry was very organised and "full to the brim" with local knowledge and history! He was very passionate about China which came across in his group chats. He looked after the whole group ensuring we were all fed and "watered" to our satisfaction at all times, and constantly checking that we were drinking enough water etc

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you work on your leg fitness before you go to get the full enjoyment out of the holiday, also worth the investment in decent walking boots! Take a camera with plenty of memory - you'll be taking loads of pictures.

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