Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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14244 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed April 2011

CYCLING VIETNAM

My first guided holiday was an absolute success. I envisaged a cycle trip to be a great way to see a lot of a country in a short time and was not disappointed. The excellent and enthusiastic tour leader and his team ensured the logistics could be forgotten and the cycling / sightseeing enjoyed to the full. Patches of the cycling were demanding and I consider myself reasonably fit, but anyone who put some pre-training in could enjoy this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

I spend a lot of time in the region so was not too taken aback at the culture, scenery or general hustle and bustle, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience of my first overnight train journey despite the "prison-cell" conditions of First Class and was left in awe of some of the viewpoints over the passes during the cycling stages. For me the triumph was finishing the 30km uphill climb at the end of the tour - and ignoring the group leader's sage advice on careful riding to hurtle down the other side through thick fog and kickbacks to lower altitude and some breathtaking views. Riding at its best!

Thoughts on Group Leader

His enthusiasm and versatility in changing the itinerary to ensure maximum experiences made the trip for me. He was on hand without being pushy and seemed genuinely interested in making the trip a success for everyone - while maintaining an irreverent attitude and humorous approach throughout. Even his restaurant recommendations were sound - ranging from Vietnamese to Italian and Asian BBQs - and seemed to ideally suit the mood / budgets of the goup. I would certainly view him as a major asset to the company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't overpack - the tour leader arranged two laundry stops en route for pennies, but do consider the climate spectrum (in March at least) and pack a sweatshirt / jeans for evenings as you head further North.The Trek bikes provided were more than adequate for the cycling on this trip and unless you are a pro-wannabe doubt you would gain any additional benefit from the hassle of bringing your own machine, though a gel seat at least is a must.

Reviewed April 2011

A WEEK IN JORDAN

An enjoyable week but probably as much time as you would ever need in Jordan to see the highlights – Petra, Gerash. Kerak, the Dead See and Wadi Rum. Aquaba is probably worth missing unless you enjoy the seaside. Amman seemed to have surprisingly little to offer other than the citadel and the Roman theatre.

Most Inspirational Moment

Definitely Petra - truly a wonderful place but be prepared for large numbers of people in your photos and the ever present hawkers of cheap tat. Also the constant invitations to take a donkey or camel ride from a cast of characters from Pirates of the Carribean - most of whom are taking off Captain Jack Sparrow - pretty surreal.Wadi Rum is also spectacular if you can ignore the presence of several hundred other people doing the same as you. Not a wilderness experience by any means but the scenery is magnificent - you would need to take a trip into the deeper desert to trully appreciate it. Not 3 miles from the visitor centre in a bespoke tourist camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable and supportive in putting things right with the hotels on the minor things like no hot water. One is never sure with group leaders whether they are personally benefiting from the ability to bring a largish group into a restaurant or shop - but if ours was doing that he covered it well. He was also very helpful with some of the weaker walkers in the group, encouraging them on when necessary e.g. on the 'secret way' into Petra.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Al Fanar hotel in Amman is about three miles from the city centre on a busy main road. There isn't much to do around the hotel although there is the equivalent of an off licence on the other side of the road. The visa cost into Jordan is now 20 dinar; expect a wait in the queue for immigration if the flight into Jordan is busy.Driving in Jordan is more harum scarum than in the UK - lane discipline is not particularly well observed - maybe because they don't do lane markings!

Reviewed April 2011

WALKING IN TUSCANY

Scenery more magical than I’d ever seen before, returning to the warmth and hearty food from Mamma!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching higher peaks than I'd thought and meeting Sara - one of Exodus' best. Also meeting Mamma and Lucia and the rest of the family at Braccicorti. A lovely, warm, friendly bunch of people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She made for one of the highlights. One of the most dedicated people I have ever met. A truly committed, experienced, and lovely person.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This area of Tuscany is hillier than I'd thought. Take poles!

Reviewed April 2011

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

I was primarily interested in the Inka Trail and Machu Pichu but the rain forest and Lake Titicaca were brilliant. Three holidays in one.

Most Inspirational Moment

First clear glimpses of Machu Pichu.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant,brilliant, brilliant. Well done Carlos. He was everything a guide should be and more. I would class him as a friend.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Trip notes give most of the information but I would stress the deet, sun cream and walking poles for the Inka Trail.

Reviewed April 2011

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Wonderful trip as it combined beautiful, ever-changing scenery, amazing temples, picturesque rural scenes, wildlife and colourful markets. Our guide was lively and funny, and our group was friendly, so we had a lot of laughs along the way.

Most Inspirational Moment

The relaxing houseboat cruise and canoe trip were so enjoyable as we could observe village life, coir spinning, birds, etc. in their beautiful, quiet and exotic surroundings. Walking through tea plantations in Munnar was also lovely - they are dotted with silver oaks and stetch for miles over rolling hills, with some high mountains in the distance, and the tea pluckers, all women, working in groups, were friendly and interesting to watch.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Avtar was likeable, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and fond of jokes and silly expressions, one of which "easily peasily, lemon squeezily" I couldn't get out of my mind for days after my return... He took pride in his job and tried to show us lots of things to break up the coach journeys, which he called adding spices. Although he generally kept an eye on our group when sight-seeing, he let people wander off occasionally and wasn't quite strict enough about setting off on time (himself included); on the other hand, he was patient and resourceful, e.g. he proposed an (easier) alternative walk when he discovered that the steep Munnar trek would be disappointing as the tea plants had been cut down in that area. Also, as no one wanted to do the optional excusion from Kovalam to Kanyakumari, he took us on a walk to see the Fishermen's Beach, and was willing to accompany us if we had free time or offer advice on what to do. He refunded unused kitty money to us on the last day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was very hot and also very humid the further south we went, so perhaps best to go before March. I would not advise visiting the Periyar Tiger Reserve in March because the wild elephants are irritable during this dry season and have calves and could charge at any moment (NB: tigers have not been seen by tourists for years). Our local guides were clearly frightened and often told us to run when spotting an elephant that could be aggressive, but had been told we wanted to take photos of elephants and it was difficult to persuade them that we actually wanted to leave! We could not do the Periyar Lake boat cruise because tickets were sold out when Avtar tried to get some a few days beforehand. A reservation system has just been re-introduced and includes a significant booking fee but even so there's no guarantee that places will be available. No one wanted to queue up for 2 hours and risk not going and it would have been particularly bad on the day we were scheduled to go because it was a Sunday, when local Indians go. Swimming can be dangerous in Kovalam because of currents - the waves are high and surfing is possible, so best to swim in hotel pool.

Reviewed April 2011

INCA TRAIL, TITICACA & NAZCA

Nervous of going on the trip alone I was immediately made to feel welcome by other trip members and the leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most exciting part for me was the experience of the Inca Trail. Lots of things I would rather not have done ie chemical toilets, camping on hard ground but all this was put in the shade by the experience of climbing above the clouds. The scenery was fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very professional and caring. I was ill in Puno but he very quietly showed his concern and arranged for me to sit at the front of the coach. He was very knowledgable about all aspects of Peru and the archaeaology of the sites.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to the advice of the Tour Leader and I am sure you will learn a lot and enjoy the experience of the trip as fully as possible.

Reviewed April 2011

A WEEK IN JORDAN

Jordan is a lovely country: the people are friendly, the landscape is constanty changing and the historic sites have been beautifully restored.

Most Inspirational Moment

We had an amazing trip and my group of fellow travellers were great. It was a shame it only lasted a week.Jerash was a lovely surprise as I had not appreciated there would be other ancient cities apart from Petra (my lack of prior research!), and a great way to start the trip.Visiting the dead sea and covering ourselves in Dead Sea Mud was a great way for the group to bond very quickly, especially when it reacted with my sun cream and gave me orange stripes!And well, what can I say about Petra-it lives up to every expectation and I am so glad we had 2 whole days to spend there. Although, I still didn't see it all.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was efficient and friendly, but did not necessarily blend into the group as well as other tour leaders I have had previously in other countries with exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is more expensive than I expected, especially with the current exchange rate, but the exodus suggested amount was adequate.

Reviewed April 2011

TRAILS OF VIETNAM

Loved Vietnam, beautiful food, stunning scenery, fascinating history. The trip was hectic, perhaps too hectic at times and does not allow enough time in each place to really soak in the local atmosphere or to explore on your own. Felt like we were on a strict schedule which could not be altered – too ‘organised’ and too much ‘tour guide chat’ for my liking.

Most Inspirational Moment

Despite appalling weather and the cold, Halong Bay was spectacular and the boat we were on was excellent as was the food provided. Trekking in the hills north of Hanoi was tough but brilliant – the flora was amazing and witnessing the incredible hard work needed to grow rice was quite humbling – I'll never complain at the price in the supermarket ever again!The mopeds. Sheer entertainment, you never knew what you were going to see next transported on one the thousands on the road – could be dozens of eggs, chickens or even someone with his leg in plaster and crutches! The food everywhere was terrific and I am definitely converted to this style of cooking – bring on the fish sauce! Cycling was fun but quite intensive in the Mekong Delta, especially if you're not so young or fit!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide was full of information and history which was good but it was a case of information overload at times. Added to this, being a local (which is good) however, his English was not always understandable which did not help. His instructions about the next day's schedule and arrangements was often lost in translation leaving some members of the group confused as to what was needed or happening. This all sounds a bit negative but he was a very nice person who was trying to please and show off his country. I feel the culture difference e.g. his and our expectations, was a bit of a barrier.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you don't like package holidays, don't do this trip, too much herding. In 14 days you only get 2 days in the same hotel so make sure you have an easy access suitcase! On the plus side, things are very cheap - food, clothing (get shoes, suits, shirts made to measure in a day or less in Hoi An). We stayed in some great homestays which I found the best accommodation. Some of the hotels were a bit characterless but to be fair you don't get much time in them as most days have a very early start. Fun night on the train to Hue – was like the scene out of Some Like it Hot!

Reviewed April 2011

GALAPAGOS WILDLIFE CRUISE + Napo

I'm glad I did the two week cruise to see the different terrain, flora and fauna. A great experience to get so close to wild animals. I can't swim, but with the help of a bouyancy aid and hired snorkel, mask and fins it was fantastic.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult resisting the temptation to stroke the animals, but you are not allowed to. That does not stop the sea lions coming up to you both on land and when snorkelling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Juan, was excellent. He spoke very good English and was enthusiastic and had encyclopaedic knowledge of the Galapagos. He even played his guitar and arranged a sing-song for when we crossed the equator.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light and bring plenty of sunscreen.

Reviewed April 2011

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

This was a fantastic holiday. Gave a chance to exercise but also to rest. The hospitality was most courteous, the roads in Jordan excellent, the hotels very comfortable and the food was so typical. Just GREAT!

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra itself was outsanding and more than I could ever have expected. The rock formations and the (natural) colour schemes were out of this world. A stay in the Bedouin camp and the camel ride through the desert were true highlights. It was soul refreshing to be able to have a walk in the desert as the sun rose and take in the stillness of it all.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was most knowledgeable, always ready to help and making sure we lacked nothing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For that time of year, take a few extra jumpers because it WAS cold due to icy winds from the North West (?)

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