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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Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!
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14375 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Emma Shubrook
Reviewed October 2018
Fabulous trip!
Great trip! There is a lot of time spent travelling on this trip but it’s a necessary evil to fit so much in!
San Jose is nothing very exciting but is fine for an overnight stay before you start the proper adventure. I wouldn’t spend any extra time here. Tortuguero is amazing, you head out on a boat to the hotel where you can see all kinds of wildlife. The hotel is a lodge in amongst the waterways and forest, you can see birds and reptiles in the hotel grounds. The boat safaris are good, particularly the first one, the earlier you go out in the day the more you see so the early starts are worth it.
La Fortuna is another lovely place to visit. The town is small and has some good restaurants, all against the backdrop of the volcano makes it rather special. The hotel here is another wooden lodge style place, really liked it, very peaceful. The optional trip to the hot springs is the perfect antedote to a long day of travelling, we got lucky and had 30 mins alone before the Americans descended on us! The food in the restaurant at the springs was good.
Monteverde wasn’t quite what I expected. The walks in the cloud forest were lovely, I wish we had started earlier in the day so we might have seen more. Really didn’t like the hotel here, great view but felt like a business hotel and not amongst the forest which was a shame as you missed the wildlife. Pizza place our guide took us too was fabulous!
We saw lots of birds and were very lucky with the weather given that I was there in the middle of the rainy season. Even when it rains it’s too hot to zip up a jacket unless you’re in Monteverde where it is much cooler and rather chilly at night. Don’t forget the insect repellent.
You cannot avoid the rice and beans, or beans and rice and why would you want to! It’s the staple dish so stock up. If you’re avoiding carbs this is not the trip for you, it’s carb tastic! I now have a new found addiction to fried plantain!
Most Inspirational Moment
The early morning boat trip around Tortuguero, such a beautiful place.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Eduardo was absolutely fantastic. His English put native English speakers to shame. He made sure we all knew what we were doing, what to wear and what time to meet and were well fed at all times, and was very patient with us all asking him the same thing a million times over! He was very knowledgeable and a brilliant guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't leave home without insect repellent, layers of clothes, comfy walking shoes, closed toe sandals, weather proof coat, binoculars, camera.
You can pay for everything in US Dollars, try to take small notes where possible. You will struggle with anything bigger than $50.
Be prepared for 2-4 hours on the road at a time and 2 hours on boat safaris each time.
Rahim Sadrudin
Reviewed October 2018
Simply incredible!
I honestly cannot fault anything of this trip. It was an experience I will never forget, and although apprehensive while on the flight to Ho Chi Min city, I was at ease as soon as I met our Tour Guide, Long Le, and the rest of the cycling group. All extremely interesting, kind and fun people. The cycling was perfectly manageable with bus option available throughout the day. The scenery, the food, the landscapes and villages we cycled through, the additional activities (snorkelling, kayaking, cooking, water puppet show) were all 10/10.
Moreover, Long and his support crew were enthusiastic , hard working, patient, friendly, thoughtful and above all made everyone feel happy and comfortable.
If you are in two minds about this trip, just book it. Don’t think twice as you will not regret it.
Most Inspirational Moment
1) Cycling through the villages where local people would great us as we went by.
2) Cycling up the Hai Van Pass
3) Snorkelling of the coast of Whale island
4) Exploring Halong Bay by kayak
5) Spending time with incredible group of people
Alan and Sheila Rugman
Reviewed October 2018
A great cycling holiday
This was our first cycling holiday with Headwater and hopefully not the last. Everything about it was excellent: the route, the hotels, the bikes, the other riders and the Headwater reps, Tony and Ludmilla. We particularly appreciated the ‘rest day’ in Lagos after the first day’s ride, to allow for exploration, and the shorter ride to the Atlantic coast from the second hotel at Pedralva.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the fantastic cliffs and beaches on the Atlantic coast, with huge waves and dozens of surfers. Another great ride.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tony and Ludmilla are cut out for the job. They were friendly and helpful, with lots of good advice and always hitting the right note. Top marks.
Advice for Potential Travellers
You need to be reasonably fit for this tour, with preferably some experience of cycling off-road, but no need to be a Lycra merchant.
Paula Slater
Reviewed October 2018
Highlights of Bolivia
This holiday provided a great introduction to a fascinating country. Wonderful landscapes , busy but picturesque towns and cities. Very friendly people wherever we went and colourful too.
Most Inspirational Moment
The main reason for going on the trip was for the few days in the Salar de Uyuni. That didn't disappoint, I would have loved another couple of days in that area of Bolivia at a slower pace to take in all the wonderful sites and take loads more photographs. The cable car trip in La Paz was a surprise highlight, flying low over the city and looking into peoples gardens.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Marco was a great leader. Helpful and informative and always cheerful. If any problems occurred (eg.vehicle breakdown) he had a solution to hand and on we went. He was ably assisted by all the drivers we had during the two weeks as well the local guides.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This trip has something for everyone. Masses of history, good hotels, great food, wonderful scenery, friendly locals and of course the superb salt plains plus a few hundred dinosaur footprints. Go and enjoy.
Rachael Dodgson
Reviewed October 2018
A totally amazing trip!
This was my first cycling tour with Exodus and it was absolutely excellent. Sri Lanka is a fascinating country with lots to see. The cycling was great – some of it was pretty tough – especially the day to Nuwara Eliya but doable for anyone with a good level of fitness. The scenery across the country was beautiful and the food was fabulous.
The accommodation was generally of a very high standard. Two places were fairly basic but we only stayed in them for 1 night each so it was fine.
This is a great trip and if you’re considering booking it you should – you won’t regret it!
Most Inspirational Moment
Probably as for most other people completing the days cycle to Nuwara Eliya felt a great achievement.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh was a fantastic trip leader, well organised, patient, funny and always willing to go the extra mile for people. The rest of the team working with him also deserve a mention - they were always professional, hard working and happy to help with anything. I was really impressed with them all.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It is with making the effort to get fit for this trip. I did spinning classes 3 or 4 times a week for 6 or 7 weeks before I went and that made a huge difference to my overall enjoyment of the trip as I was able to keep up with ththe cycling.
And don’t think you will lose weight on this trip. Despite the cycling the food is fabulous and never ending...
BRIAN MCGHEE
Reviewed October 2018
RAMBLING IN PUGLIA
Booking efficient; follow up was not – I had to chase; maybe the late switch from Headwater to Exodus was to blame. An interesting and varied trip, with the leader Luigina Geusa contributing a lot to that plus a good group of fellow walkers. Matera hotel (Hotel Sassi) was not good, but the hotels in Ostuni (La Terra) and Alberobello (Ramapendula) were much better.
Most Inspirational Moment
Inspirational is too strong a word, but there were memories to retain from all of Matera, Ostuni, Lecce and Alberobello.
Thoughts on Group Leader
She, Luigina Geusa, was pivotal to the success of the trip. Her network of contacts was excellent, and she made a really successful job of understanding the different participants on the trip and building rapport with each of them. Her commitment and passion for the environment showed through clearly
Advice for Potential Travellers
For this trip in mid October, the weather can fluctuate so think carefully about what you bring. In the event, the weather worked out well.
Theresa Summers
Reviewed October 2018
Beautiful Vietnam
Having had Vietnam on my travel list for a while, this year I decided to give it a go. And I’m so glad that I did, it is one of the most beautiful countries that I have been to. The scenery is stunning, the countryside is so green and lush; the food is to die for, all full of flavour and so fresh it feels oozes health and goodness; and the people are friendly and helpful. If you’ve not been I would definitely put it on your list. This tour has it all, big cities, a peaceful overnight in Ha Long Bay, an overnight sleeper train, cultural delights in Hoi An and an overnight stay in the Mekong Delta at a guest house.
Most Inspirational Moment
Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels - fascinating to see how they lived and to be able to walk/crouch through the tunnels
Visiting the cave in Ha Long bay
Taking a cooking lesson in Hoi An
Visiting the War museum in Saigon (HCMC)
Having dinner with a local family and lunch made by nuns in Hue
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ngoc was a very good leader, who kept us all on track and was ready to flexible enough to make changes to the itinerary if there were adverse weather conditions.
He did seem to be overly cautious about making sure we didn't leave anything behind or get robbed, which whilst endearing was a bit over the top on occasions.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack light and make use of laundries
make sure you have something to cover your shoulders
have an umbrella handy at all times
Yvonne M
Reviewed October 2018
Unlike anywhere else
A truly stunning country – vast open spaces, wide skies, sunsets, stars, sand dunes, and a national park crammed with animals and birds. We stayed in some wonderful lodges with huge views, saw the desert from above and came back with many memories, and even more photos.
Most Inspirational Moment
The flight over the desert - and the night drive in Etosha - and seeing a hyena in daylight - and the sand dunes (such fine orange sand) - and the colours of the landscape (like a painting) - and the herds of elephants playing in the watering holes ... I could go on....
Thoughts on Group Leader
Shane was great - knew his stuff, worked hard, good sense of humour. Maybe a little misleading when it came to the walks (Waterberg is not a stroll)
Advice for Potential Travellers
This trip does have some long days driving but the stunning scenery and some lovely accommodation (Sesriem and Ugab in particular) make it all worth while. Be prepared for heat and dust and some bumpy roads. Don't worry too much about the malaria tablets, half our group did not have them and Etosha turned out not to be a malaria-risk area. Some of the accomm. is more basic, but it is the location that counts. Take a good telephoto lens - and if you can afford the desert flight then go for it. Although the notes say water is provided on the truck, it wasn't; we bought water from supermarkets.
Carole Quinn
Reviewed October 2018
A fantastic week
This was a great holiday & I’d thoroughly recommend it. The walks were far more strenuous than I expected but the views were spectacular which made it all worthwhile.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking down into Portofino - so picturesque.
Also the stunning Cinque Terre with the coloured houses - amazing!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michaela was lovely. Friendly, helpful & knowledgeable - everything you could want from a group leader.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the brief properly & do some walks or gym work to prepare for this trip.
Wear appropriate footwear - this is serious walking - it's very steep in places with uneven surfaces. Walking poles are definitely useful.
Phil Goyen
Reviewed October 2018
Prague to Budapest ride
Great ride through the rolling hills of Czech of republic and on through to Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Many interesting stops along the way. Glad I did some training before the ride as we had some windy days.
Most Inspirational Moment
Riding along the old Iron curtain.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Peter and Dana were great. I required my brakes to be switched to accommodate my hands and even though I had some bike problems and switched three different bikes, Peter gladly switched for me.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do some training, will make the trip much more enjoyable.
