Reviews

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.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

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!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

Select a trip specific review:

Select

14253 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed January 2013

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Excellent trip! Chose this route based on the time I had available really and completed over Xmas. Certainly a different way of spending Xmas day! Great group of enthusiastic people and great guides really makes the trip. Definitely challenging – as everyone says it’s the altitude that’s the killer!

Most Inspirational Moment

Summit day in general was the highlight for me, tough but amazing sights and achievement by all. Summiting shouldn't be your only goal, considering you're only up there for a couple photos then head back down again, seeing the sun rise was a lot better in my opinion.Hearing a speech from everyone when you're back down is very heart warming, especially since by then you're pretty close with everyone in the group. It's good to hear the reasons why people wanted to complete such a trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The whole group guides and group leader are all top class. Very genuine and really want to get to know you. Of course, these guys have been doing it for some time so they know their stuff. They swap and change who they are walking with so you really feel part of a big team - which is of course how it should be.The porters are real work horses (as have the guides and leader been in their past), really friendly and very appreciative. These guys obviously don't get a lot out of it so it at least brings a bit of comfort to make sure they know they really are part of the team too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fitness isn't necessarily the most important, having a good set of boots that are properly worn in is! Make sure you get plenty of walking in so your feet and legs can take it. You don't have to be mega fit to walk 10 hours a day, just good stamina.Can really recommend www.trekhireuk.com great little company based in Surrey and have training days and generally good sound knowledge to pass on. Able to hire pretty much anything you could want on the mountain which can save you loads of money!Keep batteries, camera etc in the bottom of your sleeping bag so not exposed to extreme temps.Didn't realise at the end they have a collection for the porters etc so if you have anything that you don't mind getting rid of, take it!

Reviewed January 2013

ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

An absolutely amazing holiday. Spectacular scenery, gorgeous weather, inspirational sights and lots of steps!!

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult to pinpoint. The views were amazing and the sense of achievement in the whole group accomplishing the whole trek without injury or altitude sickness were some of the highlights.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Keshar, and the tour guides were excellent. Keshar had a fantastic knowledge of both Nepal and the flora and fauna we were passing and, also, of Europe so he could make interesting comparisons. I always felt incredibly safe with Keshar and the guides - even on the first few days when my climbing legs felt a bit wobbly!

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are a few days (in particular at MBC and ABC) where there is only a few hours walking and a lot of waiting around in order to acclimatise to the altitude. I'd advise taking a good book and a pack of playing cards etc to entertain yourself! In October, we were incredibly lucky with the weather (blue skies and temperatures of about 80 degrees during the day, although very cold nights) and some of us were caught out with too many cold weather clothes and not enough short sleeve tshirts. So, be prepared for a variety of temperatures!

Reviewed January 2013

MONT BLANC CIRCUIT

This is a stunning trip. The views start off as fabulous, and simply get better almost every day. We took the camping option, which is both cheaper, and in our view more fun. The ages ranged from 27 to 68, so if you are fit enough this trip can be for everyone. It’s rating of moderate to challenging is about right, with some long tough days, especially towards the end of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking over the pass from Switzerland into Italy was simply breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simon (Si) , instilled confidence through out the trip. He judged everyone's fitness really well, and was always several steps ahead. We had supreme confidence in him if anything had gone wrong( which it didn't).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Recommend walking poles, as coming downhill in the wet can be tricky, and sticks do provide extra stability.

Reviewed January 2013

MT TOUBKAL CLIMB

The trip was a wonderful experience. The weather put a bit of a dampener on things, but that’s always the risk with outdoors activities. On the first day of the trek it was misty and drizzly, and then it started hammering down. The next two days were mostly lovely and warm, and we got some lovely views. We were fighting snow, winds and freeeeezing temperatures on our climb up Toubkal, which was apparently very exceptional for the time of year. It was a great group of people and an experience I’ll never forget!

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of Toubkal was pretty great, especially as I was frozen solid and pretty tired. But unfortunately there were no views to give us the top of the world feeling!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was great. Friendly, informative, helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go prepared for all weathers, it's cold at the top - especially if snowing! I was nervous about my fitness, but coped absolutely fine. To put this into context I do aerobics once a week, and run 5km, so am not exactly wonderwoman. I wasn't sure how I would find walking at altitude, I only noticed any effects above the Neltner refuge at Toubkal base camp. I noticed that while walking slowly I was breating rather fast. At one point I tripped over a rock, which interrupted my breathing and found myself gasping for air. Hassan was amazing, he ran back and helped me to breathe steady again and I got my breath back. Concentrate on where you put your feet! If you're new to altitude don't worry, just walk slowly and steadily.

Reviewed January 2013

CLASSIC DOLOMITES

Overall, an excellent trip. Highly recommended.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk around the 'three chimneys' was one of the best one days walks I've done - beautiful weather, rugged walking and great scenery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Karl was great - very knowledgeable and with a dry sense of humour. One of the best Exodus leaders I've encountered.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I did a 'C' grade week. I'd say it was on the easy side of C grading, so not too difficult.Flight timings are just silly - you end up arriving at the hotel around 2.30am (or later if the flight is delayed) and don't return to Gatwick until after midnight. This means the first day is spent bleary eyed and you get an extra rest day on the last day before heading to the airport in the early evening.

Reviewed January 2013

EVEREST BASE CAMP

This was a fantastic trip and I would recommend it to anyone who is reasonably fit and enjoys adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment was reaching base camp, and seeing the grandeur of the mountains together with the ice formation, glaciers and frozen rivers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Persang Bomjang, was superb. He was everything you would want in a leader. He said at the beginning that he and the leadership team were there to look after us, and that is what they did throughout. He had 14 years of experience leading trips in Nepal, India and Bhutan. He knew everything there was to know about the trekking, effects of altitude and surrounding geography. We were given a briefing each evening relating to the next day, so that everyone could prepare themselves well. He made sure that everyone drank sufficient water which was crucial for the altitude, and was well informed with regard to potential health issues.Anyone who has him as their group leader in the future need have no concerns.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1) Follow the advice regarding fluid intake2) Take a fleece sleeping bag liner, it makes a real difference3) Have a rucksack which can hold water bottles on the outside, so that you can access them easily4) Take Diamox to offset altitude sickness, the side effects are very minor5) Makes sure you always have a supply of loo paper6) Warm gloves, preferably with liner gloves are essential at the top7) Be prepared for fairly basic living/toilet conditions as you get to the higher altitudes 8) Take a balaclava

Reviewed January 2013

IMPERIAL CHINA & YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

A packed holiday with many highlights.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scale of the warriors was immense. The details shared with us as to the lives of those building them and their fate was thought provoking.The scenery and opportunity to explore the scenery around Yangshou was the best part of the trip for me. It was so beautiful and was the most peaceful part of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was fantastic; he was very cheerful, very helpful and made the trip for me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

An umbrella- I've travelled a bit and thought that I wouldn't walk around with an umbrella but the weather was so humid there was no way we could wear waterproof jackets ( August). Also consider dark shorts - one day it looked like I had wet myself through sweat!Be ready for crowds, travelling and humidity (in August) and if you have always wanted to see these highlights of China then you will love this trip.

Reviewed January 2013

MONTENEGRO, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

Overall a great holiday, with lots of variety. Beautiful scenery in Montegro and Bosnia, and visits to the fascinating cities of Sarajevo, Mostar and Dubrovnik.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the visit to Lukomir and the walk there. Incredible scenery!The visits to the tunnel museum in Sarajevo and the exhibition about the bridge in Mostar were very moving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anaid was brilliant. His knowledge about everywhere we went was incredible. He fitted in well with the group and made every effort to accommodate what people in the group wanted to do.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are wary about visiting Bosnia, don't be. It is is a beautiful country, and Sarajevo is a lovely city to spend some time in.All of the walks on the trip are fairly easy, you don't really need walking boots, trainers are fine.You really don't have much time in Dubrovnik. Our group didn't plan to go in to town until the evening, however a few of us booked a taxi and went in earlier in the afternoon, which gave us time to walk around the city walls.

Reviewed January 2013

CYCLING CUBA

This trip is a mix of cycling and culture where you will see quite a variety of places, sights and cycling.

Most Inspirational Moment

Day 9 where you cycle for the whole day from Bayamo into the Sierra Maestra. This was the best cycling of the whole trip.The final stretch on a dirt track into the jungle was rewarded with a super location for a hotel by a plunge pool and waterfall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was very good - well informed and very proud of his country. We got plenty of "education time" from him!He oversaw the cycling well and ensured the group had plenty of rest breaks and were safe on some of the busier stretches of road. He was a bit over cautious on day 5 when it rained a lot - being British cyclists some of us were used to getting wet and would have prefered to be back on the bike instead of in the bus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not just a cycling holiday - it is also a cultural tour of Cuba. If you are going just for the cycling, some of the first week is rather tedious and boring roads, with long straight stretches. But the second week picks up with more variety in the routes. There are plenty of rest breaks and refreshments and snacks - and rum drinks as welcome drinks at the hotels! Do not expect to loose any weight on this trip - even though you cover about 600k on the bike during the two weeks.

Reviewed January 2013

MT TOUBKAL LONG WEEKEND

A short trip providing the combined opportunities to stand on North Africa’s highest peak and experience Marrakech and its souks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Obviously the high point of this trip was reaching the summit of Toubkal and looking out over the Atlas mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Hassan was clearly very experienced however none of the group felt he was terribly communicative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack for every type of weather condition in the mountains. Although our group did the trip in themiddle of August, we had rain, hail, thunderstorms, wind and sunshine all in one day! Take waterproofs, gloves, hats, thermals, layers...The terrain on the mountain is generally fine on the first day, but on the summit day there is a lot of climbing over rocks/boulders followed by a lot of scree. Walking poles were certainly useful on the scree.The quality of the gite and the mountain refuge was good - better than expected in fact - though ear plugs are advisable as you sleep around 4 to a room in the gite and as many as 16 to a room in the refuge. Take some form of entertainment too as there is nothing to do otherwise! One of our group had a pack of cards which kept us amused for hours!As a Muslim country, alcohol is not readily available and indeed the hotel we stayed in in Marrakech did not serve any and frankly, after the exertions on the mountain, a beer would have been most welcome!Do explore the souks of Marrakech, though preferably not alone, as it is very easy to get lost!

Prev 1 … 1,177 1,178 1,179 1,180 1,181 … 1,426 Next