Reviews

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

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14364 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Edina Engelsman

Reviewed January 2019

A fantastic, inspiring and diverse holiday!

A fantastic holiday with lots of variety, things to do and see with some free time to explore parts of a city yourself. Our guide Khoa was excellent and thanks to him I feel I understand a bit more about the history of Vietnam! Delicious food everywhere!

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the variety and had several special moments on this trip. Waking up on Christmas morning on Halong Bay with the sun shining and amazing views was just one of them. Walking around the lake and the backstreets in Hanoi early morning after just getting of the plane. So much to see! I would also recommend the optional visit to the Woman's museum in Hanoi. We enjoyed the overnight train journey to Hue. Really enjoyed the cycle ride in Hue despite the heavy rain and the optional cycle ride in Hoi Ann, which had a lot of surprises, including a ferry ride, going on the river in a basket, eating local snacks. The local guide was very enthusiastic! We left around 2.15 and did not get back to the hotel until 6 pm! Walking around in beautiful Hoi An with all the lights.The acrobatics show on New Year's Eve in Ho Chi Min was amazing. Then afterwards to experience the whole city buzzing for New Year's Eve, which according to our guide, was nothing compared to the crowds at the Vietnamese New Year celebrations! Following our guide through the throngs of people and mopeds to the river for an amazing fireworks display! I found the visit to The Cu Chi tunnels very interesting. It was worth getting their early with a 7 am start after New Year's Eve. The War museum in HCMC was very well put together, although at some point I had to walk out as there was so much suffering displayed. Also loved visiting the Mekong Delta. And of course not to forget the delicious food we had everywhere!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khoa was an excellent guide. He was very organized, committed, knowledgeable, flexible and had a fun sense of humour. He made sure that everyone was looked after. He did an amazing job at New Year's Eve in Ho Chi Min to guide those ,who wanted to, through the crowds of people and mopeds to get to the river for an amazing fire works display. He also took us to some really nice restaurants and always had some dishes to recommend.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We travelled as a family with 2 teenage sons who loved the holiday despites some early starts!

Andy Longden

Reviewed January 2019

So good we’ve done it twice!

The perfect antidote to overindulging over Christmas (although don’t expect to lose weight)! Spectacularly beautiful scenery with some of the finest mountain walking in the world. Conditions can vary – we had reduced snow levels, but that just meant we donned universal crampons (provided by Exodus) and headed up into the hills on good trails. The walking is well graded, increasing (a little) in difficulty through the week.

The hotel offers superb accommodation and exceptional food. It has a small, well equipped wellness centre and gym, and offers spa services (massages were highly rated by those who had them).

Most Inspirational Moment

It is always enjoyable when the group reaches the highlight of a walk - often a summit. The top of Monte Piano is an interesting place to visit as it has many remnants of the vicious warfare during World War 1. Another great moment was reaching the summit of Durakopf under cloudless blue skies - genuinely spectacular, and I’ve been on a lot of mountains...! Then again, the hot chocolate I devoured in the Taistneralm hut was absolutely historic in every sense...!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara Bull is an exceptionally capable, professional and likeable leader - one of the best we’ve travelled with. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble, and she gets our top marks for attention to detail. I was particularly impressed with the care she gave to one or two people who needed minor medical care - she got them back on track as quickly as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although not a highly graded trip, snowshoeing and winter walking can be quite physical so reasonable fitness will allow you to enjoy it to the full. Expect anything from the weather - warm hats, mitts, down jackets are essential, but it may on occasions also be warm. The trip notes are comprehensive and accurate. You will have a free day during the week and it’s worth giving that some thought as there are many options, including downhill or cross country skiing, walking, interesting museums or just relaxation. We think this is a jewel in the Exodus portfolio - we’ve done it twice now, and I wouldn’t hesitate to book it again in the future.

Louise Parr-Morley

Reviewed January 2019

Excellent but challenging

This is a great trip but not what you might expect ! !.. the scenery is fantastic, with clear skies, mountain views, green valleys and rushing bubbling rivers. The people are friendly and we saw many happy smiling children wanting to say hello as we walked through their villages…. prayer wheels and flags are a regular recurring feature on all the trails…and watch out for the trains of yaks and donkeys carrying everything up and down the ‘very dusty’ trails. Long days and in winter frigid temperatures above 4,000 metres when the sun goes down, but the sun warms nicely during the day. A slow steady pace on the way up with constant descents and ascents but on well formed paths.

Most Inspirational Moment

As you struggle with your 5 kilo pack give time and thought to the locals carrying - fridges down to Luckla for fixing, the construction materials being carried up the mountain for tea houses and the lady carrying 80 kilos of water bottles to stock her shop for the trekkers. The self sufficiency of the small holdings and the constant reuse and recycling of scarce resources to ensure sustainability. This is a lovely country and the people inspire and remind us of a simpler life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As a large group of eleven the leader and supporting guide had a big job to get us all to base camp - but they were friendly, helpful, really supportive on days when we felt under the weather, carried our packs, tried really hard to teach us the mountains, explained the culture, ensured we were fed and overall did a great job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You have to pack light for the transit flight so in winter bring different layers, a fleece is a must for the cold evenings, our RAB Alpines were a godsend. layer gloves and hats as well. +19 down to -30. Layer your down jackets for EBC and Garek Shep lodge, there is no heating.... Check out DIamox before you travel so you are informed - most of our group used it. A merino buff or 2 to filter the dust. hydration packs froze so wide mouth water bottles and socks to keep them warm. Food is plentiful -rice, noodles and eggs ( bring electrolytes or equivalent - mix of water, food and altitude!!) hand sanitiser and toilet rolls are a must, there are small shops all the way up for coke, water, snacks etc....Steps, steps and more steps - constantly up and down, the days are long but it is all perfectly doable..... enjoy :-)

Wing Chan

Reviewed January 2019

Amazing experience but challenging conditions

This was a busy and varied trip through northern Ethiopia. I had a great time and met lots of friendly, interesting and kind people. We bonded as a group and with our guide, which made it really special.

The Simien Mountains are stunning and we got to see them from the national park, during the long drives and on the mule trek and climb up to a church in Lalibela. Our guide let us stop frequently on the long drives to take pictures, which broke up the journey and made it interesting.

The unique paintings in the monastery churches in Lake Tana were breathtaking when we first saw them and the rock hewn churches in Lalibela were a true wonder.

When we were there, the Ethiopians celebrated their Christmas and we experienced the pilgrimage that thousands of people make to Lalibela for the Christmas Day service. On Christmas Eve, we went up to the church in the Simiens by mule and on foot, which was dangerous and crowded coming down, but which was an amazing and unforgettable experience. We managed because of paid helpers who were mostly young lads trying to earn money for their education and I did not begrudge this at all. Also, the Ethiopians were kind, understanding and allowed us to pass safely, amazed that foreigners were there at all.

In the evening, at 10 pm, some of us went to the rock hewn church of St Mary and joined thousands of pilgrims who were spending the night there, some holding candle wicks and watching the night time service. It was really atmospheric. Thankfully, we went back to the hotel to sleep. Others got up at 7 am
to make it to the Christmas Day service itself and were seen in the crowd on Ethiopian tv!

The accommodation was varied, some ok and some below standard. The wifi is unreliable and weak, even if the hotels say that it is available. The functionality of the plumbing, general cleanliness and availability of hot water is varied amongst all the hotels where we stayed and were the main problems. The availability of clean and functional toilets outside the hotels during the day was sparse. Be prepared to tolerate all of this when you go on this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The mule trek and hike to the church in the Simien Mountains and the hike down was one of the highlights. The other was Christmas Eve and being amongst the pilgrims at night time as they slept/waited for Christmas Day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gebre was fantastic. He is very knowledgeable, friendly and was pleased to answer any questions that we had. He made sure that we got to see everything, negotiating with locals and sorting out any problems with accommodation. He went out of his way to ensure that we got the most out of our trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to put up with poor toilets (generally everywhere), plumbing that does not work (no hot water in some hotels and toilets that do not flush well), lack of cleanliness, loose electrical wires and lack of functionality of mundane items (tv, hair dryer - if there is one) in some of the accommodation (in Lalibela, the seals on the shower cubicle had gaps in them and so the room was flooded each time we had a shower, but there was hot water). There is unreliable wifi, which is frustrating when the hotels say that it is available. In Lake Tana and Gondar, the hotel staff opened our windows during the day time, which let the insects and mosquitoes in and the mosquito nets in the windows had holes in them. Good walking boots are essential for most days. The steps to/ground around the churches are all uneven and sometimes steep, even in Lalibela. Some of the trip is exceptionally dusty, which is why the showering issue becomes important. There are early starts and long days in order to travel to see everything described. This is is a rewarding holiday but definitely not 'relaxing'. Read the trip notes. They are fairly accurate.

Elizabeth Gladin

Reviewed January 2019

A happy time with new friends, lots to do in a glorious place. Very special week.

Whats not to like? Dog sledding on a snowy christmas morning, the fabulous walk we took just the two of us on the Bear Trail, the group snow shoe hike up in the Riisitunturi National Park or the laughing tumbles practicing our cross country skiiing, or the group dinners with lots of joyful tales of our days, and a sip or two of Cloudberry Liquer? Elina always ready with a grin, a story or some good advice. The Oulanka Basecamp staff with their smiles at all times of the day, and hearty offerings of food and drink. We will return!

Most Inspirational Moment

What to choose? All of it, really.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Everyone of our guides were brilliant - helpful, friendly, informative and professional. Elina especially was great and contributed to making our activities such fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it. A brilliant way to spend a snowy unchristmasy but very special Christmas

Tony L

Reviewed January 2019

Cycling in Laos, and Thailand

I was lucky enough to be part of an adventurous crowd who socialized well. The steep bits came early on and then it got easier, although there was one day competing with Chinese lorries over pock marked dusty roads which Exodus might care to re-consider, and on another day we chose a quieter alternative offered. Some of the scenery was not the most inspiring I’ve seen but it was enjoyable to explore an undiscovered country and the people in both Laos and Thailand are charming.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved swimming at the Kuang Si waterfalls, and the opium museum was an unexpected delight, Chinese tourists notwithstanding. It was fun cycling through the inebriated villages on new year's day, we were even invited to a village wedding on one day. The food is simple and tasty, anyone with a rigid diet might have problems as on a few occasions there was limited choice at lunch time. We never got to eat the elusive Laotian belly pork!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit was great, so much to think of yet always calm and on top of things. Great to have Sach along too, very helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you go to the end of the waterfall at Kuang Si or you might miss the best bit, take your togs, you can change there and it's not that cold. Toilets have douches but no wc paper so always have it with you. For the dusty riding you might even consider a mask. Some confusion over single room at Pak Beng.

STEPHEN Randell

Reviewed January 2019

Best trip so far

This was our second Exodus trip as a family of four, all adults of course. The trip had a bumpy start as we were delayed and missed connections so ended joining the trip 24 hrs later, have to say Exodus were incredibly helpful and easy to contact outside of hours.
We loved the scenery, saw loads of condors and some truly amazing views. The weather was perfect and the transfers mostly short. We also enjoyed some spectacular scenic lake crossings.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling along roads with lush pastureland one side and snow capped volcanoes on the other, sitting on a volcanic ash beach in Pucon and swimming in the lake on Christmas day

Thoughts on Group Leader

Taiel and his family were super guides, very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful in every way

Advice for Potential Travellers

We are vegetarian which was okay mostly especially in the towns, lunch stops a bit more challenging especially for our daughter who is vegan, we got by as we took lots of snack foods too. Be prepared for some rocky roads, lots of gravel at times but well worth it, especially near the lava fields.

Teresa Markle

Reviewed January 2019

Amazing Amalfi

There is a reason while Amalfi is one of the best selling tours offered by Exodus Tours. It is a gorgeous place to visit (even in January when it is freezing cold!) I love the variety of expeditions. My favorites were hiking 3,000 steps down to Amalfi, walking the Path of the Gods and celebrating January 1 on the Circuito Tre Calli. I also enjoyed the private tours of Pompei and Herculaneum.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was around 9 in the morning and the sky was turning pale pink and lavender and yellow. We stopped to take photos of the scene below on the Path of the Gods—mountains, sea and rugged cliffs. I was awestruck by the poetry of the moment. I blogged about it—https://femalesolotrek.com/2019/01/02/path-of-the-gods/

Thoughts on Group Leader

Severio manages to juggle everything--site closings, road closings, snow and more—with calm. He made our group feel so welcome. I also want to thank the Italian family who runs the hotel where we stayed. They are fantastic. Their hospitality made us feel like family.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Late December/early January is a tricky time for this tour. We were lucky with regard to the weather although it did snow at the end. It was really cold hiking because if the strong winds. You need to dress warmly. Bring snow boots!

Isobel Garside

Reviewed January 2019

Don’t understand what you want here

Some days could have had longer scheduled activities especially cross country skiing and snowshoeing – could make more of this aspect and explore further/more

Most Inspirational Moment

Husky trip Dinner outside by camp fire

Thoughts on Group Leader

Local Basecamp team absolutely superb!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Rosemary MacGregor

Reviewed January 2019

Pretty accurate title, though we had 3 days in the interior

We had a terrific fortnight. I would have given 5 stars but for the hotel in Cahuita and for the choice of that location. We saw a great many birds and animals, did some wonderful walks and boat trips and experienced some of the lesser known parts of Costa Rica which were well worth experiencing. A small group – only 6 of us – but we got on excellently and it was a lovely atmosphere.

I think I would have reduced the amount of road travel slightly. The drive to and from Cahuita was long and I don’t think any of us felt it was really worth it, although we did good sloth spotting there and the walk in the National Park was lovely. We couldn’t go in the sea as it was too rough (both there and in Tortuguero) which was a big disappointment, as it meant we only swam and snorkelled on the Pacific side at Drake’s Bay, and for me, the snorkelling was one of the main draws.

Most Inspirational Moment

The snorkelling trip at Drake's Bay, though I loved all the boat travel, and the trips to and around Tortuguero were brilliant The birdlife at Savegre was astounding, and finally getting to see the quetzal after 2 days of searching, was hugely exciting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Allan was a delight. He was thorough, caring, attentive and good fun. He was very knowledgeable about both the flora and fauna, and also very happy to explain to us about Costa Rican life, social affairs and customs. His English is excellent. Alejandro, the driver, was also lovely.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I found some of the hotels to be a bit basic- so for example, some had very low levels of light, making it hard to read at night. One (Cahuita) didn't have shampoo and several didn't have a hairdryer. Most didn't have air-con, but just fans. I think the others on the trip were less bothered by this than I was, but they had all done holidays with you before and were more used to the level of comfort being offered. Wifi was usually only really viable in the main reception, or bar areas. However, I think Costa Rica is a wonderful destination, with great scenic variety (and temperature). I'm not sure that the trip notes (which I've now lost) underline the need for warm clothing in the Savegre area. We all found it very chilly. Raingear also essential- despite it being the dry season.

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