Thoughts on Group Leader
Best one we have had.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
The tropical south of India
This was an excellent holiday. The trips to the tea plantation, rubber plantation and spice farm were interesting, but the highlight was the night spent on the houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala. But what really made the difference was the professionalism of our tour guide Biju Kumar. Not only did he provide lots of information about the life and culture of Southern India, but he was ever present in ensuring our trip ran smoothly. Indeed one night he had to accompany two of our party to A&E – fortunately they were OK.
Discover South Korea
This is a varied trip around modern cities and ancient sites, giving an overview of this dynamic country. Twelve days is rather short, a couple of extra days would have allowed more time, for example, in Busan. Group travel arrangements via Frankfurt need more transfer time.
Most Inspirational Moment
The early morning ceremony in the Haeinsa Temple was a special experience.
Thoughts on Group Leader
A good tour leader makes or breaks a great trip. Although Park was kind, conscientious and shared a lot of information about Korea, we were her first Exodus group and in particular, her arrangements regarding eating options were confusing and, in some places, inadequate. Although some group meals were organised, she didn’t eat with us, had very limited knowledge of local restaurants, and there were several nights where we were left to our own devices. When you are tired and hungry, wandering around an unfamiliar city trying to find food when you can’t read or speak Korean is hard work. This was particularly true for the single travellers in the group. She managed to get us lost on several occasions, particularly on the way to the temple stay so that we arrived over an hour late. There was confusion about single rooms at Haeinsa Temple. Our tour leader thought that those who had booked a single room for the rest of the trip would have one at the temple. This was not the case.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If Exodus book you on the group flight via Frankfurt airport, either ask them for an alternative (e.g., via Munich), or make sure you have a minimum of 2 hours' transfer time. The notes we were given on arrival in Seoul said there were cafes in Eulji Square, near the Kukdo Hotel. This turned out to be a building called Eulji Square, not a street, so it took us a while to locate the restaurants hidden in its basement area. There are also a few cafés along the raised walkway next to the hotel (ask hotel reception for a map). There’s a good restaurant opposite reception in the Commodore Hotel in Gyeongju, which is worth knowing about as other eating options around the hotel are limited. There are often convenience stores in the hotels, selling a wide range of food and goods. (However, take your own tea bags!) A nice thing to do on your last free afternoon in Seoul is to walk north from the hotel to Jongmyo Shrine and Changdeokgung Palace through some pleasant parks (NB, free entry on the last Wednesday of the month). South Korea is blessed with an excellent network of public toilets which are plentiful and clean. The temple notes say there is a tea ceremony in the evening. Our group had an enjoyable bead-stringing session instead. The trip notes suggest that the group participates in a meditation session in the morning. There is no requirement to meditate. We sat quietly and witnessed the monks’ early morning ceremony, which was lovely. Food at the temple is plain, but edible. Our trip, departing on 14th October, was billed as an ‘Autumn Colour Departure’. Although there were some lovely colours in the national park, generally, the trees were still green and we were a little disappointed. Although this changes from year to year, we would suggest late October/early November may be the best dates to see the autumn leaves.
Amazing adventure
What an amazing experience. We swam with sea lions, penguins, sharks and turtles. We even saw seahorses. The fish were also spectacular, so don’t take those for granted. The hiking was good although some bad weather for us but the views were sensational. If you were thinking of booking this trip, just do it, you won’t be disappointed.
Most Inspirational Moment
The wildlife and the natural world were amazing.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was Cheche. He was passionate about his island and the wildlife in it. His enthusiasm was infectious. A fantastic leader.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I would buy a wetsuit before travel as they are relatively cheap and light enough to carry. I paid £30.00 for mine whereas to hire would have cost $90. Be prepared for early mornings. There is so much to see, so it is not necessarily a relaxing holiday. Park restrictions also mean that plans can change quickly, so be prepared to adapt.
Costa Rica Coastal Secrets
Costa Rica’s Coastal Secrets is a brilliant trip. The itinerary is well thought through with a variety of excellent locations and the right amount of travel. Our guide Jorge was great – efficient and friendly. We saw so much wildlife – turtles, sloths, coati, agouti, tamandua, racoons, spider monkeys, capuchins, howlers & squirrel monkeys, otters, crocodiles, bats, sharks, tapir, dolphins, peccary, resplendent quetzels, tanagers, trogon etc. All the accommodation was very comfortable. Drake’s Bay, Tortuguero & Cahuita are stunning locations. The National Parks are very well looked after and teeming with wildlife. The Costa Ricans are very friendly. Everything is green. This is a very enjoyable, rewarding & memorable trip. The minibus was comfortable and we enjoyed all the boat trips. The snorkelling trip was fun.
Most Inspirational Moment
Coati in Corcovado, baby turtles in Tortuguero, sloths in Cahuita, quetzals in Savegre..... loved it all.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jorge was great - efficient, friendly, knowledgeable & enthusiastic - a great ambassador for his country.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is a brilliant trip - do it if you can. Everywhere takes US dollars, you don't need to get CR colons. Some places don't take credit cards - you will need cash. You need a waterproof for the cloud forest. A thin beach towel would be useful as some hotels don't let you take their towels to the beach. You need binoculars and a phone or camera, walking shoes, sun hat, sun glasses, sunscreen, mozzie spray. Water shoes to get on & off the boat are useful . We spent about £550 pp cash.
dragonfruit fuelled adventure on two wheels
Whilst booking a cycling holiday with 6 weeks notice and deciding to ‘wing it’ on no preparation may not be the most sensible start to an adventure in Vietnam it did end out to be a ‘good idea’. The group of strangers from different countries bonded over a shared sense of adventure, love of cycling and a journey to complete. Kindness was a feature of the trip and part of the pleasure derived from interesting conversations and learning about fellow travellers. Our guide Loc Phan was the best, full of knowledge, a level of planning and organisation delivered in a calm and humorous manner that kept us on track, ably supported by the ‘crew’. A mechanic who proved nifty with wheel changes and driver who was the snack master. Fueled on lime juice, cashew nuts, mangoes and a variety of exotic fruits we bashed out the ‘stages’. Interspersed amongst the cycling were city tours, stops at local farms, a stay on a deserted island, swimming over coral, a cruise in Halong Bay, overnight train adventure and an array of lunches and dinners at various hand picked local restaurants. Despite the early starts, multiple locations and exercise I found the holiday very relaxing and returned energised to the dreary UK weather and hum drum public transport.
Most Inspirational Moment
I have to say my fellow travellers, all with their own reasons for coming on the trip, with different experiences and interests they made the trip the rollicking adventure that it was. Vietnam was a country of stunning scenery, roads better than the UK and an amazing selection of good quality food.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our trip leader Loc Phan was excellent. This goes down as the most organised and logistically challenging of the many trips I have done with Exodus and definitely the best group leader by far. Knowledgeable about his country, great on logistics and able to cycle at the same time. Loc kept us together as a group, organised us, fed us, gave us endless recommendations and worked incredibly hard to make this a memorable holiday. Our trip leader Loc Phan was excellent. This goes down as the most organised and logistically challenging of the many trips I have done with Exodus and definitely the best group leader by far. Knowledgeable about his country, great on logistics and able to cycle at the same time. Loc kept us together as a group, organised us, fed us, gave us endless recommendations and worked incredibly hard to make this a memorable holiday.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The holiday has a lot of early starts and moving between locations so either pack light with a rucksack or something with wheels. The laundry facilities are very cheap so you can go light on packing. Adding a day on the end allows you time to enjoy Hanoi and worth the time before heading back.
Excellent guide, disappointing cycling
We have been on a number of Exodus cycling holidays and have had some superb guides. Issy matched them all. She had tremendous energy, worked extremely hard with good nature and an infectious smile. Nothing was too much to ask and she always went over and above to make sure everyone was happy. She had a serious incident with one of the guests during the holiday which she handled professionally and with great competence. Exodus would be well advised to use Issy in future trips. The cycling was disappointing – many days of flat uninteresting roads with lots of traffic in Thailand and Cambodia.it was only the last two cycling days in the Mekong Delta that made us remember how good these cycling trips usually are. There was no feeling of a journey and the route had been poorly conceived. The ebikes were problematic and the transport by minibus in Thailand too cramped and the bus in Vietnam on its last legs. Not good enough for Exodus standards.
Most Inspirational Moment
Angkor Wat and the Mekong Delta
Thoughts on Group Leader
As above - Issy was brilliant
Thai Indochina Explorer
The whole trip was fantastic. The group mix was good although I appreciate this is one thing Exodus have no control over. The pace of the trip was good. The only negative point was in my view was the hotel in Siem Reap which was nowhere near the standard of the others. It was in part dirty and rather dated.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were so many high points very difficult but probably Aktor Watt.
Thoughts on Group Leader
This is where you really won. Trang in Vietnam and Channa were both fantastic and both went out of their way to ensure we were happy etc. I understand this was Trang's first trip for Exodus. Her knowledge and humour was so good. Please use her again!! Channa was likewise so good with knowledge and humour which kept us all happy. It was obvious that the visit to S 21 was very emotional for her and I felt for her. I felt that we left friends. Nhe our Group leader in Thailand was also good but we were not with him as long.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just do it!!
Cycling Vietnam - Premium Adventure
A very good tour leader and support team. Accommodation was good.
Most Inspirational Moment
A couple of days in Hoi an.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Great tour leader so full marks.
Life changing!
This was a trip of a lifetime, from start to finish I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was very get up and go, so if this isn’t your sort of trip then I don’t think it would be for you.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing Machu Picchu for the first time was really incredible, no one can explain to you how it feels when you're standing there, you have to see it with your own eyes. I also really loved the sand dunes which our leader took us to!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Leo was incredible, he was thoroughly organised, kind, patient, sensible, careful - everything you want in a tour leader. I noticed how he waited in reception all times of the day in case anyone needed him, so he could be found easily. He really made the trip for a lot of us.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If it is approaching summer/spring in Peru - ensure to pack shorts, t-shirts etc as the weather is very unpredictable and it was VERY hot for us! Also very strong sun cream, as well as a travel pillow for long journeys, ear plugs and face mask which helped me.
Brilliant trip with Jorge Suarez, fantastic guide, and Freddy, excellent driver driver
I have done a lot of Exodus trips and this was one of the best. We saw everything significant that there was to see, thanks to the extraordinary ability of Jorge Suarez to see even the tiniest creatures in thick foliage, then set up his scope to enable us all to see it. Too many species to list them all but for starters: Sloths, tapir, several species of monkey, alligators, a breathtaking assortment of birds, including lots of hummingbirds and even the wonderful resplendent quetzal.
Most Inspirational Moment
Undoubtedly, seeing the resplendent quetzal in all its glory
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jorge Suarez must be a candidate for guide of the year! He consistently went above and beyond expected levels of support to the group. He was available 24/7 for the entire 15 days and was always suggesting interesting additions to the core itinerary. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the flora and fauna of this wonderful country, and was enthusiastic about sharing it with us. He's very sensitive about group dynamics and ensured that we all got on well.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't take too many clothes. It's very hot everywhere except the one night at Savegre, and the day visit to the Irazu volcano. There's an included laundry service at Drake's Bay.