Reviews

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

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14373 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

T C

Reviewed November 2018

Wildlife Adventure of a Lifetime

I have been dreaming of seeing lemurs in the wild since I was young and this trip did not disappoint. I had never done a group tour before and was admittedly very hesitant to sign-up for one, but the itinerary allowed me to see most of what I wanted to, so I thought I’d give it a try. In the two weeks, we were able to see thirteen species of lemurs, which was thrilling and more than I had expected. The itinerary is thoughtfully laid out and even the long days travelling were made better by the many stops and stories from our group leader. I can’t describe the feeling of first arriving to our cabins in Andasibe to the sounds of Indri calls in the forest. It was really out of this world. The diversity of landscapes and parks that we visited was excellent and I couldn’t have planned it better myself. Having a local guide and engaging (mostly) with local tour operators and businesses was an important aspect of the trip for me as well. Overall, excellent adventure that I wish I could go back in time and do again.

Most Inspirational Moment

Definitely the first night we arrived in Andasibe to the call of Indris in the distance. That will be a memory that stays with me forever. The dry forests and desert landscapes were so incredible to see as well. The beach in Anakao at the end, spectacular! Getting to know our group leader as well and spending time with her on the trip was also very special, as well as the lovely people in our group. Perhaps not inspirational, more sobering, was getting to see first-hand the devastating effects of slash-and-burn agriculture. It was disheartening to witness this and other environmental destruction. The biodiversity in Madagascar is particularly precious and I fear it will be gone within the next couple decades. I'm more committed than ever in continuing to support local organizations to protect what still remains. Please do not purchase any souvenir animal products, wood products, gemstones or other trinkets that can't be sourced ethically. Foreigners continue to have a role in driving some (if not much) of the ruin you will witness.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was excellent. I can't say enough good things about her. She is intelligent, kind and had a great sense of humour. She took her job very seriously and had so much integrity, I didn't question for a moment that we were in great hands the whole trip. We had quite a large group, 16 people (which I was not aware of before arriving in Madagascar) and initially worried about how one person was going to be able to manage so many people, but she did so with great expertise and care. It was a tough job for her, but I always felt she had all of our best interests at heart and was flexible with the schedule, depending on how people were feeling and what their needs were. I was quite sad at the end to say goodbye!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take it as it comes, be flexible and don't arrive with too many expectations. I've done a lot of traveling and don't take this privilege for granted, but this was one of the top adventures I've ever had. The opportunity to see the most endangered mammals on the planet and the exquisite biodiversity this island has to offer, really can't be matched. Try and stay in the moment and really appreciate every minute of this adventure. If you're not comfortable being in an intensive group situation or going without creature comforts, this may not however be the trip for you. Expect and plan for digestive illness, it comes with the territory. I suffered quite a bad case of food poisoning, but the group leader managed it well and allowed for me to convalesce for a couple days before rejoining the tour. Educate yourselves before coming, about the island, peoples and appropriate conduct when visiting delicate ecosystems. Do not feed the animals, ever, we had some people who did this and it was incredibly upsetting.

Irena Rattray

Reviewed November 2018

Absolutely fantastic and unforgettable experience

Every time we go on a trip with Exodus we don’t think the next can compete but this was unique and wonderful in its own way and another trip we shan’t every forget. Mount Kinabalu summit was tough but well worth it and we were lucky to be rewarded with wonderful views. I never expected that we would get to see as much wildlife as we did and the orang-utans and optional visits to sun bears and probiscus monkeys were just amazing.

Most Inspirational Moment

The orang-utan sanctuary was really quite emotional, and I felt inspired almost immediately to adopt an orang-utan, Bidu-Bidu to support the sanctuary. Submitting Mount Kinabalu was also incredible and showed me what the mind can help the body achieve when you are determined.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both our group leaders in both Peninsula Malaysia and Borneo were brilliant. They clearly knew a lot about the country they live in and the wildlife and worked above and beyond throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would take some thermals for the summit climb as these are thinner and easier to pack than a big coat. Also, definitely avail yourself of massage services in Cameron Highlands and at the Kinabalu resort as they were great value for money and so worth it. We used laundry services of several of the places we stayed in as well and these were really handy and would allow you to pack light.

Margaret Swinyard

Reviewed November 2018

As beautiful as the pictures

I was a little concerned when I booked this trip that it was a really popular destination that might prove disappointing when seen for real. I need not have worried one bit – the Amalfi coast is every bit as beautiful as its reputation suggests. The itinerary on this trip allowed us to enjoy amazing walks, visit atmospheric towns, learn about the geography and history of the area, and all in great company with a friendly, enthusiastic group of fellow travellers!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the path of the Gods on a beautiful Autumn day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was great! He appeared laid-back and relaxed, but made arrangements smoothly and inconspicuously so everything ran smoothly. Albert was very good at ensuring all members of the group were catered for, making sure that anyone who'd walked far enough could get transport and meet up with the group again later, while also offering extra detours for those with energy left.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As has been said before, there are a LOT of steps! Poles can be a good idea...

George Reynolds

Reviewed November 2018

Awesome trek to Everest Base Camp

Just back from our trek to Everest Base Camp. Absolutely awesome trek with a terrific group of people you couldn’t ask for better. Our guide leader Ngima deserves praise for his great organising and leadership throughout the trek supported by his two other guides Sagar and Lal who kept us safe and together.
Thank you Exodus for making a virtual dream a reality for me. It wasn’t an easy trek but to reach my final goal was absolutely out of this world. I’ll certainly be using you again for future adventure treks. Keep up the good work.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching our goal - Everest Base Camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima was outstanding - helpful and kept us informed of all developments. Top class guide leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Seriously take a look at your health. Any small ailments will be compounded during trek. Good knees are a must as I knew all to quickly. I found it ok ascending to EBC but descending was a problem for me. The path to EBC is awful in the lower reaches.

Ryan Clark

Reviewed November 2018

Indescribable!

I say indescribable because I struggle to find words to capture just how amazing and stunning Chile is. The beauty of this trip is that you are given the opportunity to visit a diversity of landscapes, flora and fauna. The range of climate between regions varies spectacularly from being hot in the north to wrapping up in the south. I can’t recommend this trip highly enough.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick just one, so from each region I would pick Valparaiso, to the geysers in the Atcama Desert, the waterfalls of Lake District, the 'towers' and seeing icebergs in Torres del Paine to visiting the statues on Easter Island.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ignacio (nacho) was a very good tour leader. Always thinking of the group's best interests and how to get the best out of each day by adapting the itinerary to the weather conditions etc. He was very engaging, witty and definitely felt like he was part of our group. It was interesting to hear his stories from personal experience of living and working in Chile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For this trip, pack for all seasons and all weather. I didn't need to pack all the footwear I did as I mainly wore my walking shoes and occasionally on Easter island my sliders. For those that suffer from altitude sickness, be prepared when visiting Atacama Dessert and Osorne Volcano. I personally didn't suffer but a fellow traveller did and was quite poorly.

Deborah Terry

Reviewed November 2018

An Extraordinary Trip

Madagascar is an extraordinary country facing numerous challenges. Its national parks are excellent and much of the scenery is spectacular. It is, however, very poor and facing many environmental challenges. This makes it all the more creditable that the hotels and food on this trip were both so good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many, but obviously the lemurs - we saw at least 15 different varieties, plus all the other wildlife, and the baobabs, plus the Highlands scenery. And the wonderful jacarandas in flower in Tana.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vula was one of the best leaders I've ever had on an Exodus trip. She has huge warmth and charm and was never off duty. One couple had to be airlifted to Jo'burg and many of the rest of us were ill, and she was brilliant at checking we were OK. She's passionate about showing her country to visitors and was determined that we'd get the best from the trip. She went the extra mile all day every day and can't be praised too much.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip takes stamina but amply rewards it. It packs a huge amount in in a short time and the contrasts of experiences etc is excellent. Pack light (the Isola hotel does washing), be prepared for a 24-hour bug, and take plenty of Jungle Formula. Wifi was generally available, but mostly in reception rather than in the rooms. Contrary to some of the advice given we had no difficulty in finding ATMs in most of the towns we went through, so taking all cash seems a bit unnecessary. And anyway you won't spend much. I had 36 hours on my own in Tana at the start of the trip and while I was careful, I enjoyed going out, exploring and finding good lunch spots. As a 60-something female I felt perfectly safe.

Steph Grundy

Reviewed November 2018

Best honeymoon we could have wished for

Where to begin…. we enjoyed every second from start to finish- the people, the scenery, the trekking, the guides (even the extra accidental flight to lukla where we had to return halfway due to bad weather) We booked this as our honeymoon so it was a special trip but made even more special by our amazing team of guides- exodus is lucky to have such inspirational and genuine people working for them, and by the great bunch of people that we trekked with, we had so much fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching base camp and summiting Kala Patthar and watching everyone else on the trek do it too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Professional, fun, genuine, hardworking, inspirational and full of energy and enthusiasm. We would love to trek again with Ngima and the both assistant guides Sagar and Lal they were all outstanding. We left Nepal as friends.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare yourselves with long walks before going, ensure you are a good level of fitness. Take lots of cold & flu medicine, paracetmol and a good buff / scarf Go with an open mind and you’ll enjoy every minute, even the freezing cold temperatures at night!

Nicci Bennett

Reviewed November 2018

Probably the best holiday ever

If you are still deciding whether you want to do this trip then stop thinking and start booking. What an excellent two weeks. Our guide Jay was a complete star from beginning to end, a thoughtful but funny guy who just wanted us to have a great time in his brilliant country. Hotels were far better than expected, really good and a couple with pools. The food was just out of this world and the beer cheap. We had meals out with just the two of us but could eat as a group if we wanted. The train journey was an experience not to forget, the Halong Bay boat trip was very restful (more brilliant food) and we loved the home stay in the Mekong Delta (excellent hammocks). My husband loved the cycling and kayaking that was offered. Hanoi traffic was something to experience but we survived getting across the road!

Most Inspirational Moment

Our guide took us to a Buddhist pagoda run by nuns, we were the only visitors present apart from a couple of other lady travellers. We had the most wonderful vegetarian lunch there and the peace of the place remained with us after we had left.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jay was the perfect group leader. He was enthusiastic, caring, polite and worked very hard to make our group a mutually supportive and inclusive team. He had a good sense of humour, answered questions and sorted everything out. Everything ran like clockwork

Advice for Potential Travellers

Remember it is a 20k allowance on the internal flight. Pack light as there is lots to buy in Hue

Nick Bebb

Reviewed November 2018

First Exodus trip

Being solo this was my first time taking a group holiday and it was great.
Nice people who all made me welcome and a fantastic trip.
Jordan was a real eye opener with lots of WOW factors.
The tour guide was a great guy and couldnt do enough for the group.
If i could change anything about the trip it would be to have an additional day at Aqaba which looked like a great city.
No words i can write can describe seeing Petra for the first time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra. Aqaba.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Top man - Eddie

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy

M. O'Day

Reviewed November 2018

Atlas Descent--fun off-road riding with moments of terror

Ditto other reviews–lots of fun double track and old roads, beautiful views, lots of camaraderie, many challenges. But I’d like to make others aware that I found some of the technical sections beyond my abilities. I realize that “technical” is a subjective term but I found the riding far more technical than I had expected. Luckily I was able to walk the shorter ultra-technical sections, which were either very steep with large, loose rocks and tight turns or short sections with rocks sticking up 6-8 inches. The others in my group (of ages ranging from 29 to 65) were able to ride these sections so I was definitely the weakest rider–the reviewer who said this is serious mountain biking nailed it. But I just suggest that if anyone is concerned about the difficulty of this tour they contact Exodus and ask detailed questions about the trails. I’m still very glad I went and but did have some days of pure terror mixed with incredible fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding down into the gorges near Ait Mansour full of palm trees. The scenery was incredible and it was amazing to be in a remote part of this beautiful country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was a strong rider and always concerned about our safety. Every day she reviewed our route and any dangers to be aware of. Our guide Alexis was also a strong rider and stayed at the back of the group to make sure no one got into trouble. But riding was just a part of the trip. With Liz' familiarity with the country and Alexis' language skills (he speaks French natively), they helped straighten out any problems at meals or at the hotels. Their communication with our 3 drivers was also excellent and things went very smoothly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The crew always carried extensive first aid kits but I recommend bringing your own Neosporin and some bandaids to do follow-on care at night. It is easy for any wounds to get infected in Morocco. Also, bring Immodium and Cipro to deal with digestive problems. I was the only one in the group to develop problems but these kind of things can impact your enjoyment of your holiday. For vegetarians: I was lucky enough to have Liz as my tour leader, who was also vegetarian. She helped make sure that I got vegetarian meals. Otherwise, be aware that the definition of "vegetarian" is loose in Morocco. It really helps to have someone who speaks the languages well (Arabic or French) to ask the servers what exactly is in the food.

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