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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14217 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

David M

Reviewed December 2023

Best of Peru - Premium Adventure

Just to reaffirm how much we enjoyed it. We have so many wonderful memories!

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Picchu, of course. But meeting a native community and having a native style lunch was a wonderful afternoon. The floating islands and meeting the native people who lived there. The rain Forrest was incredible. The boat ride on Lake titcacca was enjoyable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

William was fantastic, went above and beyond. The trip was in advance of my wifeâ€™s birthday and William made sure local bands serenaded her at a couple of meals and twice hotels had special desserts awaiting us. We felt such a great bond with our fellow traveler, William and our guest guides.

Iain Wright

Reviewed December 2023

Excellent

Did exactly what it said “on the tin”.
Well-organised and good fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

When I realised that Vietnamese scooter drivers are generally patient and competent. Loved Whale Island resort and the 31kms descent from Dalat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Son Nyugen. Great balance of good-organisation, attention to safety and group enjoyment.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Trip Notes. They are comprehensive and accurate.

Liz Jackson

Reviewed December 2023

Absolutely Fabulous Trip

This was an absolutely fabulous trip encompassing so many wonderful sights and experiences. The game drives and boat trips provided plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, and the landscape throughout was so dramatic and diverse – deserts, dunes, rivers, canyons, and bush. Camping was a great experience too as the campsites were quite special in their varying ways – unique locations, on site waterholes for viewing wildlife or just stunning views.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day seemed to have a number of Wow moments, but perhaps the most awesome and memorable for me were, firstly, viewing the mighty Victoria Falls, an absolutely incredible sight. Took a helicopter flight over them which was well worth doing as you could see the enormity of the entire Falls. Secondly, the waterhole at Okaukuejo in the Etosha National Park was amazing. There were so many animals around, but there were at least three herds of elephants at one stage, & watching the little ones playing with each other and the interaction between them all was so, so special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gift and Petrus were brilliant - so friendly, helpful and caring as well as really great company throughout the trip. They were constantly working, whether cooking, driving or helping out the group generally and all the while ensuring that we saw and experienced as much as possible. Gift was an exceptional group leader, happily sharing his knowledge and experience of the places we visited, as well as being great fun, kind and a fabulous cook, conjuring up a variety of very tasty meals. Petrus had many long drives, along straight, dusty, non-tarmac roads, which must have been so exhausting, so kudos to him for that. Thank you so much Gift and Petrus! You were fabulous!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good camera! My camera wasn't brilliant so I've relied on my generous fellow travellers for sharing their wonderful close-up photos of the wildlife.

Ruth Woolstencroft

Reviewed December 2023

Childhood dream

I had always wanted to look up at Everest from base camp and wonder what it must be like to actually stand at the summit. In October I did that and it was absolutely worth the effort. I chose this route to challenge myself and just push a little more. The trek was a steady slog with wonderful views around every corner to inspire and motivate you. The Nepali people were welcoming and the regular yak/mule trains a lively distraction. We were carefully acclimatised with some short days to rest and recover, our guides ever vigilant and encouraging. Namche was a highlight with its bustling community. The two long days were the most challenging but also the most rewarding. Setting off in the dark for the Cho La Pass was exciting. I think we were all apprehensive but it proved to be a spectacular day and the sense of achievement was immense. Similarly, arriving at base camp and seeing the Khumbu icefall and Everest visible above was a great moment and well worth the tiring journey there.

Most Inspirational Moment

From a distance the Cho La Pass looks impenetrable! As you get closer you see the route emerge and then you are climbing up towards the top. We left in the dark and cold and could see our destination way ahead bathed in sunshine on the top. We literally emerged from the dark and cold into the light....... truly inspirational.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I had already had the pleasure of Dorjee leading my Annapurna trip. He is an outstanding leader. He was organised, encouraging, sympathetic and totally dedicated to the group. He was also great fun which is important when energy levels are flagging, bringing humour and laughter to the trek. We all also commented on how well respected he is within the local communities. At Lukla airport he pretty much took control to ensure the right people got on the right planes at the right time!! Thank you Dorjee.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The best practice is not to walk for miles on end but to find a steep hill and go up and down it a lot! The tube escalators are ideal. You need good knees. Mine are cranky so I used poles all the times to take the pressure off them. Take lots of layers. It can be very cold at night and you will probably dive straight into your sleeping bag fully clothed! Eat plenty, you will work it off! You can buy everything at Namche so don't worry if you've forgotten anything or need more of something. Leave enough time to recover from your flight before the trek departs Kathmandu. My turnaround was too tight and the first two days were consequently very tiring. Be prepared for the post trek blues when you get home........

Lesley Attwood

Reviewed December 2023

Good Morning Vietnam !!!

This is an amazing trip fitting in the best ( in my view ) parts of this fantastic country . The food , the sights, the people , everything was better than expected . Saying that, this is a full on fast pace tour to fit in as much cycling as you can plus get to the next destination. As such there is quite a lot of bus time , but some really great cycling too. Expect early starts and quick change overs in the hotels , all of which were of a great standard. This didn’t bother me as I wanted to see as much as possible , and always great to cycle through the quiet untouristy areas and see the ‘ real’ living Vietnam.

Most Inspirational Moment

The cycle up and down both of the passes for me was a total winning show stopper . Views were just out of this world . Also the peace and serenity of Halong Bay and the history of Hue and the colourful Hoi An. Whale Island was a welcome beach oasis and so glad we got to go there . I personally enjoyed everywhere we visited and it was all an equal high !!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suong was everything you could want in a leader. He had a great sense of humour, got us organised , arranged amazing local places to eat , and was a font of knowledge on all things Vietnam. He had a large group (18 of us) and he must have felt like a school teacher sometimes trying to get us all where we needed to be . He was a superstar ⭐️ as were the whole back up team with their amazing ice cold lemon drink at every stop !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a gel seat ! As the only one to do so I certainly cycled in comfort . Also travel light - it’s so cheap and easy to get quick turn around laundry done .

Scott Forsyth

Reviewed December 2023

Pura Vida!

This trip is quite simply outstanding. The wildlife, the food, the culture – basically the whole experience – is just amazing and I cannot talk highly enough about it. Travelling from the Caribbean to the Pacific and back inland again, the itinerary finds a very good balance between travel days and hotel stays, allowing regular opportunities to stay 2/3 nights in one place. The ability to spot wildlife is phenomenal – in fact if Exodus were to offer a free refund if you don’t see a sloth, they would have a sure bet!. Other wildlife experiences were also regular (quetzals, monkeys, tamanduas, birdlife, turtles hatching, snorkeling with turtles, sharks, tropical fish, the list is endless. Finally, the quality of the food caught us by surprise. An absolute delight for every meal and the fruit is SOOOOO fresh!

Most Inspirational Moment

the moment we found the quetzal. an incredible (and rare) bird which also brought home to us just how dedicated the tour leader was to giving us the best experience possible. his patience, passion, and knowledge of habitat finally paying dividends. Swimming with a hawksbill turtle is also an experience I will treasure for a long time!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge could not have been better. Passionate about his Country, the Culture, the wildlife, the sustainability, he went out of his way to ensure the group had the best experience possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your own travel towels. not needed in the hotel/lodge pools but useful for sea swimming. Patience is required to see the wildlife. It is all there and you need to trust the guide to find it, but it can sometimes take a while. That said, you WILL see lots of wildlife and the experience will be amazing.

Bethan Evans

Reviewed December 2023

Wonderful

Thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Wonderful country, excellent staff and amazing downhills. The e-bikes were amazing – much more powerful than my own e-bike at home. Good food too and great choice of coffee stops, restaurants etc. The rest of the group were all lovely and I laughed A LOT.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the first day downhills - they made me sing. But also climbing up Llogara pass on the last day trying to use as little battery as possible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Julian was wonderful. Great sense of humour and always did all he could to make us all happy. Good knowledge of Albanian culture, history, songs, language etc, which is something I enjoy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some insect bit me in my hotel room in Gjirokastra. So close your windows! If you want to buy gifts/souvenirs, Gjirokastra was probably the best and most convenient place to do some shopping. Try and learn a couple of greetings in Albanian for when you pass locals on the way. Making an effort goes a long way. You need to be cycling fit - even on an ebike, it helps.

Aarthi G

Reviewed December 2023

Wonderful South Africa!

South Africa is an incredibly beautiful country. This trip takes you along the Southern coast from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, with a couple of inland stays. TIt’s a well-planned itinerary with a lot to see, but not so packed that you feel rushed. The weather in the second half of November was pleasant, sometimes warm, with lots of sunshine. The scenery is stunning, so being in the van is no hardship, especially when broken up by scenic stops. There’s a lot of variety on this trip – nature, landscapes, wildlife, culture, history, wine tasting. There’s also a good choice of activities, so everyone can find something to suit their tastes, from walking/hiking to zip-lining to whale watching and para-gliding. The food is fresh and excellent – and inexpensive. We saw so much wildlife, both at Addo Elephant Park and Scotia safaris – elephants, rhinos, lions, hippos, giraffe, water buffalo, all sorts of ruminants. The bird life is also amazing, not to mention the cetaceans! Tsitsikamma National Park is a special place – remote and beautiful. The drive to the Meiringspoort waterfall is stunning – almost otherworldly in its beauty. The vibrant colours of the Knysna heads stay with you. Cape Town is a vibrant city with a lot to see and do, set against the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain. Overall, this is a trip that is well worth doing. It leaves you wanting more. A huge thanks to our tour guide, Marco Olivier, who went out of his way to accommodate us and make the trip a special one!

Most Inspirational Moment

I’m not sure I could choose only one moment. There were so many that were uplifting! Every day that I stood (or sat) on the shore – whether in Port Elizabeth, Tsitsikamma or Hermanus – I spotted dolphins and whales out on the water, even down to seeing some dolphins wave-surfing when the tide was high. It was like being in a nature documentary! In Hermanus, we were fortunate to see Southern Right Whales – a mother and calf – come in really close to shore. We also got a much closer look during a whale watching trip, despite it being close to the end of the season.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour driver and guide was Marco Olivier from Mask Expeditions, and he was amazing! He made the trip run smoothly down to the very last detail, all with a great sense of humour. He ensured that we were comfortable, and went the extra mile to help with details like optional activities and other arrangements. Travel days were broken up with adequate rest and scenic stops, and even a fun quiz. His knowledge of nature, wildlife, culture and history is impressive, and he happily shared it with us. We absolutely peppered him with questions – and he answered them all. We could not have asked for a better guide. It felt like travelling with a friend!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take high-factor sunscreen and a hat. A pair of binoculars would also very handy. The water is mostly safe to drink, but Marco also had an ample supply to refill water bottles if needed. Internet and phone connectivity was poor for parts of the trip. It’s a great way to switch off! Laundry facilities are available at De Rust. If you're interested in whale watching (and who isn't?), make sure that you visit during the season. We were in Hermanus at the end of November, and were fortunate enough to see Southern Right whale mother and calf, but were informed by the guides that these were the stragglers and that the majority of the whales had already returned to Antarctica.

Lydia C

Reviewed December 2023

India's Golden Triangle

“Booking process was good with right amount of communication before we travelled.
Tour leader was very good and friendly.
Good way to see the golden triangle in a short space of time. “