Reviews

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

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14330 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed February 2013

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

An amazing experience riding and eating my way through Southern India. The cycling at times was challenging but the group and leader were always there to offer support. The warmth and sincerity from the local people was tremendous and I urge anybody who wants a good mix of cycling to take this incredible journey.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was an afternoon spent at a local orphanage with such wonderful children. These kids didnt beg or want our money they were just happy to play football,cricket,skip or even learn the "chicken song !"They were highly articulate and intelligent and despite all the poverty they did not stop smiling. I also have to mention Tommy who battled up Ooty and pedelled every painfull step of the way....what an inspiration he was

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Joseph Checkov.He was a brilliant leader,always there to help when language was an issue,always found me the best toilet or bush! Joseph chose our meals to make things easier and is responsible for my weight gainas he chose such delicious food! He became a friend and spent time getting to know us and our culture and spent time informing us about his culture and about India. Joseph helped in every possible way and always put our needs first.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not underestimate the cycling espescially in the first week which does contain some challenging hills..or as Joseph used to say..undulating!Ooty isa 13 km hill with 36 hairpin bends and is very challenging.That said with stops and determination it is there to be beaten.Take a comfy saddle as the trek saddles are male specific and quite uncomfortableDo not take travellers cheques as there are very few opportunities to cash them

Reviewed February 2013

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Guides were vey experienced, helpful and friendly. A wonderful country with friendly people. A wonderful experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just getting closer to the mountain. Hard to believe I was finally In Africa, doing what I'd dreamed of doing for so long.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jonas was great. Very friendly and shared a lot of knowledge on the mountains, landscape and wildlife. A really happy guy who wanted to talk about his own life and wanted to know more about British life from us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The heat is more intense than I thought. Wear a bush hat and keep on with the sun screen (don't forget the back of your hands!!)Hire a sleeping mat - they're better than the thin one I'd brought.Get your yellow fever jab and bring the certificate. We were asked for it. One of my fellow climbers had his jab but didn't bring his certificate. It cost him $25. Bit of a scam I think.Our water was provided chlorinated and food was good, but even using wet wipes and antiseptic hand wash all the time, I still had a two day bug - keep an eye on hygiene as much as you can.

Reviewed February 2013

CYCLING THROUGH RAJASTHAN

Cycling through Rajasthan is a fantastic holiday. We saw and experienced so much. Magnificent Palaces, forts and Temples in the cities, and the pace and colour of life in the country.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved cycling through the market traffic in Udaipur - everything moving constantly, fairly slowly, but never stopping. The Meherangarh fort in Jodhpur, and the deserted citadel of Fatehpur Sikri were highlights for me. The Taj Mahal is spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leaders were great, Harish led the cycling and Pramod backed up the group. They were with us all day, everyday for the two weeks, and nothing was too much trouble. Harish made it clear from the start if we had any issue, we should raise it with them immediately, and they'd sort it out.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There was a wide variety of cycling experience amongst our group. There are stretches of straight road through the country where people choose their own pace, and have the opportunity to take lots of fantastic photos - always safe in the knowledge the leader would stop and regroup at every junction, and the backstop leader, and bus were following up if you had a puncture. Long finger gloves for the early morning cycle.

Reviewed February 2013

SNOWSHOEING IN THE DOLOMITES

This was a new experience for me – I had some time off in January and decided to give it a go. Snowshoeing is not technically difficult and the snowshoes are not that heavy to wear, but the trip is quite a demanding Grade B. On a sunny day (at least) the views and sense of achievement are worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on top of Durakopf was both the literal and methaphorical high point of the holiday. A stunning view across the alps and Dolomites. However, the sneaking view that it would be nice to come back in spring and see it all in technicolour (rather than 360 degrees of white) did enter my head...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was an exceptional leader, first rate in every way. She look excellent care of the group and knew when to push us and when to let us take a breath. In addition, highly knowledgeable and fun to be with. She also supplied us with sweets as regular intervals. What more could you ask for?

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider bringing a small kettle to make a flask with a hot drink for the day. The hotel will do it, but they charge (quite reasonably). Also take care about ordering tap water in the hotel, again they charge (not so reasonably).Regulating your temperature on the walks is important - on ascents you will quickly get very hot, and then get very cold when you stop. A number of breathable layers is the best idea. I found my ski jacket quite hot from time to time. Whatever you do, take good gloves (ski gloves or similar) and a hat and scarf.

Reviewed February 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

What an excellent trip. The Vietnamese people were very friendly and the local cuisine really needs to be tasted, such a variety of foods to experience. The journey through the paddy fields, the jungle and the cities showed what a changing landscape one could travel through. Certainly a trip never to be forgotten.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the traffic in the cities was certainly an experience that will stay in our memories for a long time. The sheer volume of scooters criss crossing our paths like an army display team is something everybody should experience. Cycling along the undulations (terminology for hills) created camaraderie among the group and also gave some amazing views. One of the most surprising places we cycled to was the 'Ghost village' between Hoi An and Hue; not only were the graves massive in size and colourful but the scale of the area covered was such an amazing sight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was the best we could have ever expected. We received great advice on shopping and prices, ate at local restuarants that we would never have visited, or found, had he not been there, he had a great deal of local and historical knowledge and a sense of humour that never diminished. Such a dedicated group leader would be difficult to find again. Arranging a ride on a water buffalo has to be a once in a lifetime event and drinking the beer in the old Hanoi quarter while sitting on the tiny seats on the pavement like the locals, made you feel as if you were part of the daily activity in Hanoi. Such a time could only be experienced with the help of a truely wonderful group leader, should I return to Vietnam I would like to have Danh with me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to Vietnam! There is plenty to experience and there are places to see that are only in Vietnam. The main thing I would recommend is that you should go now while there is still a lot of Vietnamese way of life to see before the tourist industry becomes too dominant. Get on your bike and go!

Reviewed February 2013

HIGHLANDS OF SRI LANKA

Highly recommended. A beautiful country and a beautiful way to see it. The tour was well organised, the accommodation was as described, and the Sri Lankan people were friendly and welcoming. Try and see it now before the extra 50 000 new hotel beds come online in the next year or so. The lack of a sophisticated tourist infrastructure is part of the charm of the country.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many inspirational moments -The cave paintings of Dambulla and the fortress of Lion Rock are world class attractions. The midnight walk to Adam's Peak was unforgettable - tough and maybe not entirely enjoyable but an experience. Also the sheer beauty of the highlands was memorable. The Horton Plains national park and the following train trip dropping from the highlands to the coast in two hours was spectacular - surely a contender for the best short train trip in the world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was an excellent tour leader. He worked tirelessly to ensure that we had the best opportunities to experience Sri Lanka. When there were unforseen difficulties due to weather, road closures etc. he always had a backup plan. Plus he had great sense of humour. He deserves credit for making the trip so enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Due to unseasonal heavy rain the terrain was a lot rougher than described in the trip notes. Consequently proper hiking boots (and probably a walking pole) are necessary. This also meant that the trip grading was tougher than described at the time.

Reviewed February 2013

CYCLING CUBA

I would have liked a more relaxed pace with more sight seeing opportunities. Patriotic day in Santiago was not to anyones liking and more of the city would have been good to explore. Another day in Trinidad would have been good as there was no opportunity to see this if you went on the Catamaran trip. Snorkelling opportunities would have been good, and a days rest at the sea would have been a bonus

Most Inspirational Moment

Snorkelling on the Catamaran trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent guide with a lot of encouragement and good humour. He had a difficult situation with a member of the group who had severe mental health issues, and did the best he could to help her and help us having to deal with the problems. He was very inclusive and mindful of a member who had a hearing deficit. Very professional and very proud of his country. His sense of humour and grasp of the english language was commendable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Protein bars would have been advisable. In the information provided it said bring snacks, but energy bars would have helped with the tough days, and the somewhat bland food.

Reviewed February 2013

ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

THE trip of a lifetime, itinery exceeded expectations AND so did the weather!

Most Inspirational Moment

A true expedition cruise aboard the excellent Vavilov (better than sister ship Ioffe because of its panoramic lounge)Highlights wereThe weather... and the changing lightStanding amongst 150.000 King penguins on South Georgia plus the Macaronis, Adeles Chinstraps and MagellenicsThe squadrons of Albatross and other birds surrounding the shipThe awesome vastness and remoteness of AntarticaSeeing Orca Humpbacks Dolphins and standing amongst fur seals and Elephant seals and their pupsThe glaciers icebergs growlers and pack ice The desolate remains of old whaling stations ... a poignant reminder of our past and a photographers delight

Thoughts on Group Leader

No exodus leader as such, Aaron the ships leader(A ONE Ocean director) was enthusiastic charming and authorative and his team of photographers, lecturers and wildlife experts were very informative, food was plentiful if a little too American eg sweetcorn with salmon and sweet cherry soup! The pastry chef was AWESOME!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a travel mug to wander about the decks with your coffee/hot chocolate, towels and shampoo and conditioner are provided, as is a bathrobe. Rooms have decent fridge and tea making facilities . There are duty free shops in Ushaia to buy booze and one person bought 2 cases of wine on board!Take loads of camera memory! A laptop too to edit photos on the sea days.Take layers ..weather very changeable. "2 pairs of gloves a good idea and high factor sunscreen due to Ozone hole and good quality sunglasses.I took a monopod and would take a tripod again and even invest in a GOPro for some awsome time lapse photos of penguin colonies . The binoculars for hire were good quality Bushells as was the dripak for rib tranfers to shore which can be very wet.. so some sort of camera protection is essential. The wetskins clothing and thermal boots were good quality.Keep your fingers crossed as the internal flights have low baggage allowances ... my camera gear alone weighed 15kg but fortunately my carry on was not weighed although another traveller was caught.My Hotties hand warmers were excellent and would take again.Capture pictures of you fellow travellers in their bright red outfits... they provide interest and scale to photos and look great

Reviewed February 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

My first cycling holiday and my first trip with Exodus. A brilliant experience; I can undertsand why so many on my trip had been with Exodus many times before. I shall definetly be doing more and have recommended to friends. Vietnam exceeded my expectations… I shall return!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were too many to list, but I will try- the people were very friendly, all the kids wanted to high-five as you cycled past.- making it up the 10km climb and surprisingly quite enjoying it!- Hoi An is a lovely place to vist- kayaking in Halong Bay was pretty special as was the standard of the cruise boat we stayed on.- oh yes and the food, the food, the food!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The team and especially our group leader Danh Nguyen were no less than brilliant. I cannot speak highly enough about the perfect organisation and attention to detail, i would say this really made a difference and is a key factor in me booking with Exodus again.- Danh's knowledge of the history and culture which he imparted with enthusiasm amd general banter was great. We also managed to eat in many interesting places due to his local knowledge and contactsThe overnight train from Hue was an "interesting" experience. From nowhere Danh managed to conjure up iced Mojjitos cocktails.

Advice for Potential Travellers

- it's a busy schedule with mostly early starts- leave some room in your suitcase for retail therapy purchases- seek out the penguins in Qui Nohn bridge (ask Danh) - definitely do it!

Reviewed February 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

Fantastic holiday, a brilliant way to really experience this amazing country. We can honestly say we enjoyed every moment. The group were great fun and by the end felt like one big family.Our guide Danh was superb.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many... Cycling through the villages where all the local children just wanted to smile and wave and get a high five! The amazing scenery in the mountains of Dalat. The glorious sunset swim in the ocean at Mui Ne Sunrise breakfast on the terrace the next day. Eating with the locals in the pavement cafe at Hoi An.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Danh was excellent in every way. He entertained us with his comprehensive knowledge of the country, the culture, history, politics and present day life. Nothing was too much trouble for him. His sole aim was for us to really enjoy our experience in his country. He was incredible at leading us through the hundreds of scooters in rush hour whistle in mouth stopping traffic in all directions! The trip would certainly not have been the same without him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were worried as the awful weather at home over winter had meant we had not done much cycling in preparation for this trip but we were pleasantly surprised. The cycling is spaced out with times in the bus to cover the ground and you soon cover the mileage with the others to chat to and so much to see. The support bus is always there if ever anyone feels they have done enough for one day or is not feeling up to it for a while.

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