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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14364 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Tim Keay

Reviewed January 2019

Cycling Vietnam

Brilliant trip – constantly on the go, cycling through this beautiful and fascinating country. Hotels were of a very high standard, eating out was always a pleasure and our guide and his team were extremely helpful and attentive.

Most Inspirational Moment

Very hard to choose one as there were so many enjoyable moments. All the rides were great, the highlight was possibly the ride over the Hai Van pass. Very nice to relax and unwind on Whale Island for a couple of days, swimming and snorkelling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam was excellent from start to finish. Everything was clearly and fully explained. He arranged great places to eat and sites to see. He and his team looked after us incredibly well while we were cycling. Even though we passed through some very remote parts, we were all able to ride at our own pace and everyone felt safe.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it! A brilliant way to see a wonderful part of the world.

Rachel Perry

Reviewed January 2019

Spectacular and challenging

If you’re considering going to the Everest region, I strongly recommend this trip. The Gokyo Lakes and Cho La pass were stunning, and an absolute highlight and you’d miss these on a standard EBC trek. The region is absolutely breathtaking and the people welcoming and so friendly. It’s certainly not an easy trek though- don’t underestimate the effects of altitude, and also the cold. Be sure of your fitness too, the Cho La pass was very physically demanding, with a certain amount of scrambling.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed our visits to monasteries to witness nuns and monks going about their daily prayers- incredibly special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Sherpa Dorjee, was a complete star and with his colleagues Yuma and Nima, they all kept us safe, cheerful and enlightened about the region and way of life. They knew exactly the right pace to walk at to minimise the effects of altitude, and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the surrounding peaks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My top tips: Take merino- you're going to stink otherwise. Take plenty of hand sanitiser, you can't have too much. Take toilet paper (unless you want to pay £2 a roll up in the mountains). Steripens worked a treat for water sterilisation, but identify your Nalgene bottle somehow- when they get filled, you want to be able to identify it easily! The ATM's are variable in whether or not they work- I couldn't get one to work in Namche, and had to try about 6 in Kathmandu until one worked. I could however change cash (GBP) in Namche. The estimate of cash needs from Exodus is pretty close, but beware if you have too much left over at the end, changing it back is hard- the hotel couldn't give us GBP and airport gave change in USD. So, don't take too much! Don't forget the porters- they are like secret ninjas collecting your bag and delivering it to your door before you arrive, often dressed in trainers and a thin jacket- try to take some old gear for the porter bank. I bought them biscuits a few times in the morning- they still earn a poor wage, and it's a shame for them if their daily wage is spent on food.

Adrian Binney

Reviewed January 2019

Excellent 2nd Trip after Discovery Tour

This was our 2nd Exodus Costa Rica Trip – first was Discovery and only duplication was Tortuguero which is just a fabulous experience (access only by fast river boat) and great wildlife. There are no cars! Cahuita was a complete joy, v good hotel location and v nice Caribbean feel & great bars to eat at with ocean sounds. Savegre is a bird paradise and stunning facility and food. Drake Bay is a “must” for all – great experiences, location, staff and food.

Most Inspirational Moment

Drake Bay snorkelling - very safe, 15 of us with 3 guides - my first time and it was easy and safe. Turtles and thousands of reef fish in cristal clear water.

Thoughts on Group Leader

First class. Truthfully so and we have been on many group tours.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is a must! Take beach shoes or the equivalent.

Robert Ordidge

Reviewed January 2019

Inspired by the inspired.

My latest trip to the Masai Mara was as good as all the others. Each trip and each day of every trip are different. New and different animals and birds to photograph and new situations and interactions.There is so much variety that you never know what is around the next corner.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the big cats and their young ones interacting with each other. Yes good photographs but also memories of just watching them playing with each other in family groups and the affection shown by the mothers. I am describing lions, cheetahs and leopards. My impression was that the population of the big cats has increased since my last visit in 2016.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul Goldstein is different from other leaders of wildlife photographers. Can be rude and charming at the same time, but never spiteful. He gets in the way when photographing but probably because he instinctively seems to know what is going to happen before it does happen. He also seems to get better pictures. You travel with him because of his passion and knowledge for photographing wildlife. However it is not just about Paul. He has a very, very good team supporting him, the drivers in particular. They know the country. I am pleased that Paul frequently asks for their advice.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wildlife photography demands being in the right place at the right time. This means that you need to know the ways and thoughts of your subject. Sometimes you need to sit and wait and watch. Always travel with a dedicated group of people and that applies to the other members of your group. If photography is your aim then go with fellow photographers.

Catherine Larkin

Reviewed January 2019

15 day Discover Sri Lanka trip from Sun 30 Dec 18 to Sun 13 Jan 2019

An absolutely fab holiday. It exceeded all my expectations. Top top top class Sri Lankan tour guide was one of the highlights. Very well paced. Fantastic variety of activities , often x 2 per day, as well as plethora of places to visit .Activities sometimes meant being organized to get up at 6am to climb up a beautiful rock or spent walking three hours to the ‘world’s end’ , to cycling, water river rafting under the bridge built in 1956 for the movie ‘Bridge over the river Kwai, to taking a train journey from a height of nearly 2,000 meters to just under 1,000 M. Whale spotting, beach side hotel to relax in, a long day on Safari seeing everything BUT the elusive Leopard. We had x 3 days in the lovely town of Kandy and saw their splendid Botanic gardens as well as visiting a gem shop to learn about their famous Sapphires from a gemologist – Princess Di’s ring came from here. Interesting diversion to an Aryuvedic herbal clinic where we had an interesting talk from a long qualified herbalist as well as neck, shoulder and face massages,, Got to sample locally made Sri Lanka curries made by a family almost in the middle of the jungle. Also had a meal in one of the houses that Exodus built for people who lost homes in the 2004 Tsunami when 50,000 Sri Lankans perished.
I almost forgot – a trip to a tree plantations/factory is also organised and yes, you will definitely wish to bring some home – prices v reasonable!
Very comfortable bus to ride on and all 9 hotels, bar 1, were top class.

Our tour guide was immensely informative on all aspects of Sri Lankan life, culture, history as well as past and current politics. He was also extremely kind and attentive and looked after each person,s needs, no matter how diverse or demanding!!

Yes, a trip I shall have fond memories of for many a year. I highly recommennd it if you relish adventure, activity and good fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many, may....every day was special so cannot say....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Dilepps Fernanda, deserves a gold medal for his guidance of our trip. His in-depth knowledge of his country and its customs was superbly matched by his ever willingness to deliver it. Added to that his kindness and consideration foreac and every single member of our group made our trip one of top class. I have been on many other Exodus, Explore, Travel Department (Irish co) and also,other travel companies organised holidays in Europe and worldwide and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I have never before experienced the charm, expert care, guidance and consideration of a guide that marches this person’s. You are very lucky to have him as an employee, in my view. His sense of humour was a delight and further added to our enchantment with this superbly organised and delightful adventure. Congratulations all round but specifically to Dilepps who deserves the Best Exodus Leader of the year and by a very long shot!!! He is a wonderful asset for the Exodus company!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a wonderful, activity-fueled and adventurous holiday. Leave all of your worries at home and be present for every day of this spectacular holiday. Bring lots of skin Factor, Mosquito repelllanr, a sun hat and extra cash. The small print mentions rewarding your guide and coach driver and his aide. (Well deserved) Not everyone on our trip was prepared for this eventuality.

Ross Bishop

Reviewed January 2019

A myriad of wildlife in the heart of Africa

This trip packs in a huge variety of wildlife experiences over a great distance in three scenic and friendly East African countries.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many highlights. For this trip, the Masai Mara provided the greatest inspiration. Our group was so fortunate to see multiple close up lion sightings, a leopard up a tree and a successful cheetah hunt amongst many other animals. The Mara is totally worthy of its global fame as a premier game reserve. On this occasion, our good fortune in Kenya just pipped the excellent gorilla and chimp tracking days in Uganda.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Kenyan team, consisting of the tour leader driver, chef and camp assistant worked so hard evrry day and did so in cheerful spirit that made them a pleasure to be around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long drives on bumpy roads, particularly in Uganda. The gorrila tracking involves difficult underfoot conditions and the length of the hike to see the gorillas can't really be predicted in advance. No one in our group opted for the Kazinga Channel boat trip, this didn't matter as the included boat trip at Murchison Falls was outstanding, particularly for birds. Temperatures are generally moderate in this part of the world due to altitude, but Murchison Falls is lower and was therefore hot.

Conor Carr

Reviewed January 2019

A great intro to snow-shoeing in a really beautiful place

A great intro to snow-shoeing in a really beautiful place, with ‘warm up days’ to learn how to do it.

Most Inspirational Moment

The beautiful scenery and lots of snow was definitely a highlight of the trip for me, helped by a nice, friendly group of people, great leader and hospitable, generous hosts at the Vila.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good! Thomas is a great leader, he looked after everyone well, and knows a lot about the area and history and has good humour too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget your yaktrax, gaiters and lots of layers of clothing! You will be cold at the beginning of the treks but warm up quickly so it's good to have the option of taking layers off. Although the breakfast and evening meal are substantial (plenty for everyone), I advise taking extra snacks for lunch and a thermos flask for hot tea.

Kate Thompson

Reviewed January 2019

A South-east Asian adventure!

An adventure off the beaten track, and a great opportunity to experience Laos while it’s still relatively undeveloped. A very well organised trip – packs in a lot and runs like clockwork.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots! The children in the villages. Luang Prabang - beautiful setting and buildings. The trip down the river. Dropping in for lunch unannounced one day and the local café owner turning on a fantastic meal for 16. Elephants on the Mekong. The two border crossings. The freedom that comes from being on a bike!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit is fantastic - very well organised, friendly, funny. Mr Sack, our Laos guide, was terrific too, and both support crews (Thailand and Laos) did a great job looking after us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is an adventure rather than a holiday, but a lot of fun for all that. The distances are on the longer side and there's not a lot of free time. You need to be fairly fit as the terrain is hilly in places. The food was great and the accommodation was very good, including in the smaller guesthouses in Laos. The one at Pak Beng is a treat. Don't miss the elephants coming down to wash in the river in the morning! The roads are pretty bad in places, and sharing them with Chinese lorries in a couple of spots wasn't much fun - but the tour leader was flexible and found ways to avoid some of this. The UXO museum in Luang Prabang is worth a visit.

Keith Dipper

Reviewed January 2019

A really amazing trip

The route of this tour encompassed all types of terrain which provided stunning views. The accommodation mainly in guesthouses was so much more interesting than staying in posh hotels. The tour guides took us to some really good restaurants and were informative and helpful adding substance to the cyclin.g