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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13477 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Anthony Turner

Reviewed May 2024

Hotter Than The Sun

Good points about my trip:
The local organisation was very good. Our guide ‘G’ and the support staff provided an excellent service.
With the exception of Whale Island and the overnight trail, the trip accommodation was excellent.
Varied landscapes with a good mix of beaches, rice paddies and mountains.
The equipment provided was of a good quality and well maintained, with very few mechanical issues for the group.

Bad points about my trip:
The trip notes did warn that ‘The weather will be hot and humid throughout’, but the heat and humidity was of another level, with 35-40 degrees c each day. Do not go on this trip unless you can tolerate cycling in extreme heat.
90% of the roads used were busy, with significant traffic. Drivers in Vietnam are very considerate, but you need to be confident riding in busy traffic to go on this trip. The lack of quiet back roads was a real disappointment.
I have travelled in Thailand, Malaysia and Laos and in comparison the food in Vietnam was rather disappointing, being generally bland and reparative. As a vegetarian option were limited and I would strongly challenge the guidance from Exodus that ‘Vegetarians are well catered for’. If you are a vegetarian or vegan I do not recommend this trip.
Overall the service from Malaysia Airlines was very poor, with an 11 hour delay to the group flight from Kuala Lumpur to London. Service on both flights from KUL to LHR was also poor. I recommend that you arrange your own flights to avoid Malaysia Airlines.

Overall: An interesting time to visit Vietnam considering the rapid pace of change. However I cannot recommend this cycling holiday due to the extreme heat and busy roads. If you want to visit Vietnam with Exodus I recommend you book onto ‘Vietnam Adventure’ or ‘Trails of Vietnam’.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycle through Bidoup National Park

Thoughts on Group Leader

The local organisation was very good. Our guide ‘G’ and the support staff provided an excellent service.

Advice for Potential Travellers

What to take recommendations: If you use SPD pedals I strongly recommend bringing them with you. Walking whilst in cycling shoes was very limited. The UV throughout was extremely strong, where due to the high levels of perspiration it was very difficult to reapply sun block. I therefore strongly recommend bringing with you a set of light coloured thin arm warmers to keep the sun off your arms whilst cycling and a long sleeved swimming top. There are sea urchins on a number of beaches. You therefore may want to bring a pair of beach shoes.

Fiona Kaplan

Reviewed May 2024

Fabulous first walking holiday!

This trip exceeded my expectations in both the excellent organisation and expert talks by Ioana and the wide range of activities around walking, sightseeing, free time and gastronomy! 💚

Most Inspirational Moment

First view of Matera town across the ravine

Thoughts on Group Leader

Perfect! Ioana has the ideal mix of careful attention to detail, awareness of different individual needs and preferences, ability to bring the history and culture of the region to life, lovely sense of humour and complete unflappability. 10/10.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring layers you can peel off as you walk if it is a hot day; bring a serious sunhat with brim and UV protection; something to cover shoulders; strong boots or trail shoes for support on any uneven ground; large water bottle.

Suggestions

Superb local specialities available, both food and wine, do not miss these! No formal clothes required for restaurants, I managed with just one carry-on case.

Louisa Chowen

Reviewed May 2024

Spectacular

One of the most beautiful places I’ve been from the turquoise blue mosaics and the hand crafted embroidery and silks to the art deco style space metro station and Soviet constructivist sculptures

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tahir was kind, knowledgeable and consistently there for us whether it was endlessly changing money from one currency to another or patiently waiting for one or other of us, his recommendations of where to eat and what to eat, moving is between local eateries to internal flights and local trains and finally using his contacts to reclaim my coat after I left it on the last day in the train station hundreds of miles from Tashkent ~ a remarkable human being

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go!

neil tallant

Reviewed May 2024

24 05 05

Excellent leisurely trip around Iceland to give a real flavour of the country and what it has to offer

Most Inspirational Moment

Glacial ice flows

Thoughts on Group Leader

Orri, was excellent. Probably one of the best guides we have had on many trips. Kept the interest going for the full 9 days.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take wind proof clothing and layers for warmth. Expect to pay something like £40-£50 per day on food / beverages.

Sheena Campbel

Reviewed May 2024

Still on a high

Can’t -it was magic!! So very glad l went.

Most Inspirational Moment

Catching sight of Jan Mayen's sunlit volcano -only briefly visible

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Capable, effective leadership, he and the captain got us to the best places, given the weather of the day. Have to say, all the expedition staff were great -helpful, knowledgeable. Glad there was a geologist on board!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to be flexible -even Exodus can't control nature. I found wristwarmers useful

Suggestions

I gather Norway is planning to impose restrictions on cruise ships -for the wildlife's sake, l'm glad, but if it's top of someone's list (as it was mine) it might be better not to delay this trip

Melissa Hammond

Reviewed May 2024

Architecture Trip and Success with the Tigers

Firstly we had one of the best tiger viewings our guide had seen in awhile. It carried a fresh kill right infront of our truck in the morning and in the afternoon we found a small family of tigers and we watched them Eat and play just a stones throw away from us. This trip takes in so much Beautiful Architecture. Of course there is the Taj Mahal but other less known forts are very impressive, very detailed and much more preserved than I was expecting. I do wish it had more time inside the cities to see more ‘real life’ india. We were bused from hotel door to fort entrance a lot which is the easiest way and probably the best in the heat but you do feel like you miss whats going on around. I would have liked more time to weave the small streets of Jodhpur with the Blue houses and to experience ‘markets’ rather than rest-stop giftshops. This trip was very busy but we covered a lot of areas and you cant help the distance required to get to each one. Bus journeys were long but roads are improving and times are getting quicker. There are plenty of stops, if you are someone who doesnt need to stop these can feel frustrating or like the journeys are longer than necessary but its a group tour and there are always others that appreciate the rest stop – and you have to think of the driver. Meals in hotels were reasonable but restaurants and especially some lunch stops were more expensive than you would expect for India as they were touristy but its probably better than getting unwell, this trip is too busy to be risking that.

Most Inspirational Moment

The tiger viewing in Ranthambore has to be the best thing, it was so special and knowing that sightings are not guaranteed made it even more a highlight. The Taj Mahal, i had always been keen to see it but I struggled to peel myself away from it - it was stunning - not just the building but just how its presented and there is something about it that does feel so special when you are there - we had fab weather too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Guide Manoj was so knowledgeable, extremally passionate about working for Exodus and being a guide. Had a good sense of humour. There is a lot of information to take in and it can be difficult to understand some things but he was very patient and happy to re-explain. Very organised and professional but he did walk quick, if you want to keep taking photos you will be doing a lot of catching up!

Advice for Potential Travellers

You have to go on this expecting the unexpected otherwise you wont enjoy. You have to go with the flow and just accept the country you are in is probably like nowhere you have been before. Be flexible. Expect things in the hotels to not always work - wifi, hairdryer etc. You are not in hotels long enough to worry about its facilities just take them for what they are otherwise its not the right tour for you and you will let little details ruin your holiday. Binoculars for Ranthambore or a camera with a good zoom! Also there are so many different birds in India! Atm withdrawals are the best for cash, most places take card but not everywhere and sometimes the guide will arrange things and you pay him so some cash is needed. Places of worship are only the official places you need to have shoulders and knees covered but it was more comfortable as a women to just have trousers/long skirts on everywhere. Easy shoes to get on and off at temples and socks if you dont want to be bare foot. Take cards/books/download movies - there is a lot of bus time

Suggestions

If internet access regularly is important to you , get an indian sim card at the airport arrivals hall. Expect queues and a long process though and if the transfer bus cant wait for you it might resolve in you getting a taxi to the hotel. I think outside airport its hard if you are not a resident. Wifi is available but cannot be relied on/can be weak/not everyone could connect.

Vivien Newrick

Reviewed May 2024

Scenery, madrassas and monuments

This was a fast paced tour covering many miles. Wonderful scenery, snow capped mountains and desert plains. Lovely walks to mountain waterfalls some still frozen. Glad to see Exodus are including Khiva in the tour now as this was a highlight with its impressive city walls. We enjoyed every part of the trip including the sleeper trains (perhaps not the 3am start.) The Eagle hunter was a highlight. We were in Bukhara for the silk and spice festival and enjoyed the colourful bustle and music. Lots of souvenirs to buy there. Everywhere wonderful decoration and architecture. The cities themselves were surprisingly modern and showed evidence of their Soviet past.

Most Inspirational Moment

At Almaluu yurt camp in the middle of nowhere I had the unbelievable experience of meeting the Kyrgyz lady who actually made the 2 felt rugs I have at home. How amazing is that?! She recognised her designs from my photos. She gave the group an evening workshop on rug making and that was my very special moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vitaly and Dilshod both excellent and informative leaders. Dilshod dealt with a lost passport, lost phone and forgotten rucksack with calm efficiency. And quickly found taxis for the group in torrential rain after the light show in Samarkand.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Have good strong wheels on your suitcase because much walking with your luggage crossing borders and train tracks. Watch the Kyrgyz film 'The Queen of The Mountains' on you tube before you go for some epic history (and you visit her statue.) Felt very safe in all the Stans visited. Raincoat essential. Eating out inexpensive.

Suggestions

Loved the felt and embroidery.

Rinaldo Besate

Reviewed May 2024

Beautiful Country, lovely people and an adventure

So well organised from booking to every aspect of our time in Jordan. Bike ride was sometimes a little hard (some steep hills; for me anyway), but followed by more downhills. We had a crew following us, so no worries about bike equipment. In a small way (as much as you can in a week) we saw and heard about the Jordan culture from our excellent local guide. We saw wonderful sites and heard about their history; experienced the Dead and Red Seas. Highly recommend this trip. Even if you think the cycling is too hard there is help and transport for bits you would rather sit out.

Most Inspirational Moment

I could mention the wonderful sites, walking through the Petra Canyon opening out to a spectacular view of the Petra Treasury; to name one. This was a cycling trip and the cycling on the longest cycling day was tough in the morning (some very steep hills), but the reward was amazing; felt I was flying; the road was that good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sami was amazing, his dry wit and knowledge really enhanced our time there. He guided us to some great restaurants and experiences and as a proud Jordanian was able to to give us insight into the culture and life in Jordan. Also a mention to Louis (aka Lloyd) our cycle lead, such an approachable young man.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When I first booked , I thought this was quite a bit of money, but after my experience I thought this was money well spent. Don't be worried if you think the cycling is too much for you there is always transport on hand.

Regina Thomsen

Reviewed May 2024

Cycling in Sicily

Would travel again

Most Inspirational Moment

Ragusa and Noto antica circuit cycle

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to see copious amounts of rubbish on the busy Sicilian Road sides.

Suggestions

I wonder, if it would be possible to reroute part of the cycle routes further inland where there should be less rubbish and traffic.

Sarah Hibbert

Reviewed May 2024

Fantastic cycling trip from Coast to Coast

I had the most amazing time cycling from coast to coast in Italy with Exodus. The scenery was stunning, the rides were very enjoyable, we had the chance to try lots of tasty local food and the group were lovely.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling the Amalfi Coast felt pretty surreal! It was absolutely surreal and a pinch-me moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paolo was fabulous - he was very attentive, friendly and gave us a great insight into the local culture.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The e-bikes are great - there’s no need to worry about the range of the battery! If needed, the bikes were charged on lunch breaks too so you need not to fear of running out of charge.

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