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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14375 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Philip Atkinson
Reviewed November 2018
Fantastic trip through Moghul India
This was a great trip to be on, saw amazing sights; buildings, landscape, wildlife as well as having a chance to see and interact with local people. We cycled through some varied and interesting landscape as well as some that was dull. The roads were quite a mix, some better than the guides remembered from their last trip, others much worse. The heat was relentless on a few days due to lack of shade and start times being later due to coach transfers, this did cause problems and maybe needs more thought. I have to say that, after a few days cycling, most of us improved but the 34km extenI think the trip will be a five in future but it needs some tweaking of itinerary and trip notes to get there. sion on day eight seemed to be wasted as the countryside was probably the worst we came across, uninspiring. Overall a great trip though with a few adjustments to trip notes and tweaking of itinerary.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were a few, sorry!
1) The forts and palaces generally, especially at Jaipur and Udaipur
2) cycle up to Kumbhalgarh and visit to the fort
3) Morning guided heritage cycle around Jaipur, everyone thought that was fantastic
4) Ride through Sariskar NP buffer zone on day 10
5) Day 13 cycle through backroads to Fatehpur Sikri
6) And finally, the visit to the Taj Mahal, amazing
Thoughts on Group Leader
We had two tour leaders who shared duties, Sanjay who was the most senior and Tapesh. I thought they were a good mix and ensured we had the chance to meet locals, especially in impromptu situations. They looked after everyone on the rides and catered for the varying levels of fitness and determination. Socially they were good fun as were the cycle rides. They made the trip in my opinion.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t underestimate the heat and it’s impact on performance. Drinking plenty is difficult when the water in your bottle is 40C so try and mix with other drinks or take some squash or similar. Travel light, a bar bag is a useful thing to take rather than rucksack. Have camera handy for photos as you pass through small villages and chai shops.
Francis Sandbach
Reviewed November 2018
COSTA RICA
The group size of 14 was ideal with plenty of different personalities. The locations selected were a good combination of places which illustrated the diversity of wildlife habitats. The real bonus to the holiday was the guide (Katia) and driver (Chico). Katia was the real deal. Her English was good, she was very knowledgeable about wildlife, and she went out of her way to help and try to meet everyone’s needs. Katia was a very professional guide indeed. We were also fortunate to have Chico who was always happy and helpful. He would often stop to let us see something he had spotted. The guide and driver always considered our safety not only when stopping to take in the view, but also in pointing out any potential dangers such as pickpockets, rip currents when bathing, etc.
Most Inspirational Moment
The boat trips from Tortuguero were wonderful. So many birds and other animals were pointed out to us with the Green Iguanas in the trees being particularly inspirational.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Brilliant
Advice for Potential Travellers
It can be very hot and humid in the tropical rain forest but also cooler in the mountains. Casualwear is definetly what you need.
Francis Sandbach
Reviewed November 2018
COSTA RICA
The group size of 14 was ideal with plenty of different personalities. The locations selected were a good combination of places which illustrated the diversity of wildlife habitats. The real bonus to the holiday was the guide (Katia) and driver (Chico). Katia was the real deal. Her English was good, she was very knowledgeable about wildlife, and she went out of her way to help and try to meet everyone’s needs. Katia was a very professional guide indeed. We were also fortunate to have Chico who was always happy and helpful. He would often stop to let us see something he had spotted. The guide and driver always considered our safety not only when stopping to take in the view, but also in pointing out any potential dangers such as pickpockets, rip currents when bathing, etc.
Most Inspirational Moment
The boat trips from Tortuguero were wonderful. So many birds and other animals were pointed out to us with the Green Iguanas in the trees being particularly inspirational.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Brilliant
Advice for Potential Travellers
It can be very hot and humid in the tropical rain forest but also cooler in the mountains. Casualwear is definetly what you need.
Jane Sinclair
Reviewed November 2018
Epic trip !
This trip surpassed all my expectations. There were 15 of us in total ranging from age 26 to 65 and all strangers. Within a couple of days we were like a team of old friends laughing and teasing each other and being supportive and kind to each other. The scenery was spectacular and we enjoyed sunrises , sunsets, swimming in a rock pool, picnicking at the highest peak, strenuous walking , we saw nomads and a few villagers but not a single other tourist the whole trip. The children came out to meet us and to chat and play if we walked through villages and it often felt like we were witnessing life from a bygone age. The tents were sound and kept the wind out on the first 2 nights . Once we camped in the valleys the wind dropped.
Most Inspirational Moment
The most inspirational moment was walking down a mountain glimpsing the camp and the rock pools beckoning to us in the distance. As we walked a herd of over 300 sheep rams and newborn lambs moved towards us led by a nomad in vividly coloured clothing which contrasted starkly with the grey rocks and stones. The sound of the the animals hooves on the rocks sounded like the pitter patter of raindrops echoing through the mountain air. In the distance a young Berber who looked about 12 years old was skipping effortlessly across the rocks dressed in bright magenta and red tunic. It was truly an ethereal sight.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader Lasan was professional organised calm extremely kind and great fun. Nothing was ever to much trouble for him. He encouraged me up the mountains, made sure we had enough to eat and constantly filled up our water bottles. The team of cooks and porters looked after us so well that really all we needed to do was walk , have fun , eat and sleep. They put up the tents , prepared all the delicious food and served lunches fit for a king on top of mountains. I always felt safe and was able to fully appreciate the isolation of the mountains as a result.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take woolly hat and gloves as it was cold on a couple of evenings. The group leader provided bottled water in huge containers so we didn't need our water filter bottles or chlorine tablets so save your money and don't bother buying them.
I would advise anyone considering doing this trip to go for it.
The hotel on the first night was clean and comfortable ( unfortunately i cant remember the name) but ask for a room at the back of the hotel as the saturday night disco/club was at the front of the hotel and our room overlooked it and was very noisy until 3pm in the morning.
Marg Bjerky
Reviewed November 2018
Essential Peru
What an amazing trip! Our tour leader, Fernando, went above and beyond all through the trip! I am in awe of how much we were able to see and experience in only 2 weeks. I would recommend Exodus and Fernando to anyone looking to come to Peru! Thank for the trip of a lifetime! The Bjerky’s
Most Inspirational Moment
I would say the giving to the needy children, dogs and schools was the most inspirational part of the trip! It was nice to give back while we were enjoying our trip and it is something we will endeavour to do more in the future.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Fernando was amazing. He was very good at reading the group and knowing when/how to suggest things and get everyone excited to participate! His passion for the country and history was evident throughout the trip but he did a fantastic job of not overwhelming us. He is wonderful at his job and is an asset to Exodus!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Sleep before you come :) and carefully read the itinerary and be prepared before you arrive. Review the current weather for each location before you leave. Take lots of hand sanitizer and kleenex for bathroom breaks.
Marie Josee van Rijn
Reviewed November 2018
Himalaya experience
Wonderful, inspiring and active trip full of challenges. Beautiful scenery, great people, lovely staff. Truly one of the best experiences in my life.
Most Inspirational Moment
Climbing over the highest passes, overcoming my fear of descending (I really prefer walkin uphill), letting go of everything that was going on in my life back home, meeting wonderful new people, dealing with altitude and learning the effects it has on your body, meeting monks in Ladakh and visiting the Taj Mahal (I booked the extension Golden triangle).
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ngima was the best! He was so experienced with climbing and the altitude. Also, he was extremely fit. He made sure everyone was doing alright all the time and motivated us to keep on going even if we were having a hard time. He showed genuine interest in all of us and opened up to us during the trip. Tashi was great as well, as was the rest of the staff.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I was very happy with my walking poles for the descents. Also, bring lots of sunscreen and a hat with a long flap that covers your neck. Exercise enough at home before you start this trip. I was very happy that a came prepared and fit enough. The altitude and the heat during the day already make it hard so having a certain level of fitness really helps you to be able to enjoy this trip instead of having to struggle through it. Bring a set of playing cards and invite the rest of the staff to join you for a game after diner; they love that! Earplugs will come in handy at night as most nights you will here the continuous sounds of the bells on the horses that stay around the tents. Warm clothes are a must, especially a warm hat, fleece and gloves. A washcloth helps you clean up a little bit during the 7 days camping when you get a bowl of warm water and you try to ‘shower’ in your tent ;-).
kathy tuggey
Reviewed November 2018
Super trip exceeding expectations
Saw so much of Mexico including Day of the Dead Festival. Lots of fantastic scenery, culture and history not to mention food and art.
Be prepared for some long days and windy, mountain roads.
Most Inspirational Moment
Loved swimming in cenotes which was added to the tour as well as Frida Kahlo house and the Mayan sites.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our guide Arthuro couldn’t do enough for the group and had extensive and humour!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Booked group flight via Washington and on reflection should have booked my own flight either direct or via non US hub. Transfer queues were worse part of holiday!
Phill Dixon
Reviewed November 2018
Paddling adventure into nature
This is a great active safari that will get you close to nature and sleeping out under the stars.
We saw lions, birdlife galore, paddled past hippos and were able to stop the canoes and get close to herds of elephant.
The canoes are the perfect vehicle for the journey, yes you need to be relatively fit and have a bit of knowledge about a canoe ( they can provide advice or in uk go on a simple paddle start of 1 star canoe intro), but you get so close to animals and they were often relaxed. Also you have great fields of view across the water front.
Yes the campsites are basic – pitch a tent on a sandy island but the food is great and plentiful, you don’t need a shower you can dip in the safer shallows of the Zambezi, and you get to wake up to beautiful African sunrises.
You do have early starts and early nights but what you get back is worth it.
Advice is to have plenty of drybags and try and get a paddle suitable for your height. But anyone with a sense of adventure, a desire to see wildlife and reasonable fitness will enjoy this.
Most Inspirational Moment
Paddling to one of the islands to watch the gorgeous sunset with elephants eating 50m away. Then listening to them as drift off to sleep.
Seeing a pride of 5 lions on a game drive was also pretty special.
Thoughts on Group Leader
CB was well liked by everyone, right combination of humour, knowledge and always there with advice or a calming reassurance.
He clearly loves the job and all the guests agreed he was as much like a friend on the tour as well as never stopping in looking after us. If you needed it then CB would have it or find a way to get it for you.
First class guide and especially nice to see him teaching Best the assistant guide in any downtime.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Packlight but bring an extra t-shirt or top. Antibacterial soap can wash hardwearing clothes if want to do that too.
Plenty of bug spray and sunscreen as you will use it.
Bring a good point and shoot as well as dslr as in the canoe wielding a big lens isn't always practical.
Change about $50 at the airport and get a few bonus items at the shop on the way - you will need about 1 - 2l for the drive in the heat.
Try and find a right sized paddle
Lastly have most of your stuff for the first 3 nights ready to go in a separate daysack in your softbag. When you reach the 1st camp it is often dark and you don't have much time.
Paul Richardson
Reviewed November 2018
Excellent Trip
A very busy schedule, with lots of early starts, lots of dust and sand and quite a bit of travel over rough roads. But, it was all worth it. I would do it again. You see a wide variety of landscape and wildlife that could not be encountered any other way in two weeks.
Most Inspirational Moment
Dune 45 and Deadvlei, I am a landscape rather than an animal person, so you may disagree.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ronnie, and his assistants, were excellent. Nothing was a trouble to them. They were always friendly and helpful. their knowledge was excellent and their animal spotting capabilities astonishing.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't get stressed about the dust, it washes out. Don't worry about it getting on your camera sensor, several photo enthusiasts (I was one) on the trip both confirmed that despite a bit of lens swapping the sensors remained clean. Ear plugs, tent canvas is not a good foil for snoring :)
Sue Jamieson
Reviewed November 2018
Hard but great trip
This was an amazing adventure. Don’t underestimate this, it is tough, but totally worth the effort.
Most Inspirational Moment
Climbing over the Chola Pass. I honestly didn't think I would make it! And walking up to Gokyo was just so beautiful. The colour of the water is out of this world.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Dorjee was amazing. So knowledgeable. He really looked after us all, making sure we weren't suffering the affects of altitude sickness. He was a really nice guy and I have to thank him personally for getting me over the Chola Pass.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This trip is hard so don't underestimate it and you will have a great time
