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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14244 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Reviewed November 2012
DISCOVER COSTA RICA
Our first wildlife experiance and it was wonderful, this trip has given us the enthusiasm to do more. The accommodation was good and the lodges in particular gave the sense of being part of the wonderful enviroment around you.
Most Inspirational Moment
The highlights were Tortuguero, with the abundance of wildlife and having an opportunity to look for green turtles and hatchlings on the beach; Monteverde with its wonderful postion in the cloud forest; Spotting sloths in Manuel Antonio National Park; and finally seeing the famous quetzal in Savegre.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose was the perfect guide and if we go back someday we will be hoping to have Jose again.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We went in October and although we were lucky with the weather (less rain than expected), we still used our walking boots on a couple of occasions, though some people did manage with trainers. Certainly the holiday for photographers and those wanting to get some great wildlife pictures. Take the binoculars as well.
Reviewed November 2012
DISCOVER COSTA RICA
Costa Rica is such a diverse country with all different scenery and climates. This was my second time on this trip, I loved it the first time and it was even better the second time.
Most Inspirational Moment
It is hard to narrow down one moment as there are so many. 1 - Seeing a female green Turtle laying her eggs and then going back to the sea. 2 - Seeing a baby turtle. 3 - Seeing the Resplendent Quetzal. 4 - Having a Howler Monkey try and make friends on a suspension bridge. That is just to name a few. I have bought so many memories back from this holiday.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose was brilliant. His knowledge of Birds and animals was amazing, I saw so much more on this trip than the first time I came.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just book the holiday, it was amazing and I would not want anyone missing this trip. It is one of the best holidays I have been on. One issue is the travel times, I would advise anyone to go a daily early. We missed the connecting flight in Madrid and had to fly to Panama and then onto San Jose. We then had to sit around to wait for our luggage for two hours as it did not make the same flight as us. So instead of getting to the hotel by 4pm we got there at 11pm, so was pretty tired for the next day's early start.
Reviewed November 2012
ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY
An outstanding trip that highlighted the magnificent range of beauty of the Himalayas. Challenging but throroughly enjoyable.
Most Inspirational Moment
The Annapurna Sanctuary surrounded by snow capped mountains provides for me the highlight of the trip. The sunrise provides the icing on the cake. In addition the farmland and the tropical rainforests provide a real insight into some of the wide variety of ecosystems in this wonderful country.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group was brilliantly led by Prasant who provided excellent leadership. He is very knowledgable about the area and showed a very caring attitude to all members of the party. In addition his sense of fun and humour ensured we had a great time.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Get fit! With one stretch of 3,700 stone steps and many thousand more you need to be certain that you can cope with these demands and also the altitude so slowly slowly is the answer.
Reviewed November 2012
CYCLING VIETNAM
Be prepared for a truly amazing full-on, non-stop tour of Vietnam. The food, the sights and of course the cycling!
Most Inspirational Moment
Whilst the cycling was fantastic, my favourite day of the trip was actually our last day of cycling in Hue when we only had to do ~20 km. Of course we did the touristy sights and the old city is fasincating but then our leader, Long took us off road to see his home town. Long and his family showed us a huge amount of hospitality and it was a real eye opener to Vietnamese culture and food!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader Long, was amazing. He always went out of his way to show us the real Vietnam and because of this, I experienced a lot more than I ever would have if I had been travelling on my own. The support crew were also brilliant and very encouraging on the tough parts of the cycle.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The bikes are brand new and have front suspension, but I am extremely thankful that I took my own saddle with me.
Reviewed November 2012
KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE
Having recently returned from an amazing holiday in Tanzania I can’t recommend the Kilimanjaro experience enough. Despite chronic altitude sickness thanks to the amazing dedication and support of wonderful guides I managed to peak. The Rongai Route was amazing however, if holiday time permits, a longer duration (Lemosho or similar) route would be recommended to help with acclimatisation. A great experience with a great group of people!
Most Inspirational Moment
Watching sunrise from Gilman's Point and managing to smile for photos despite illness and exhaustion! Worth every little 'pole pole' step to reach the top.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was Florence - he was mum, doctor, nurse and Mr Motivation for the group. His care for the group and his own team of porters and fellow guides is amazing. Looked forward to his wake up call to our tents every morning and after dinner pep talks to prepare us for the next day. Amazing genuinely caring man who kept morale going at all times.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring plenty of paracetemol/asprin to help ease the headaches & if guides recommend Diamox then take it as they know what they are talking about - trust them completely as no one knows the mountain as well as they do. Hand warmers / thermal gloves for summit night as it doesn't take long for chill to set in when holding the walking poles. Hire the sleeping mat locally - you will need it as those mountain campsites are very rocky!
Reviewed November 2012
DISCOVER SRI LANKA
A fantastic trip which includes everything from ruins to safari to spending time sunbathing. Sri Lanka has so much history and it was fanscinating to learn all about it and see such a diverse country.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing a leopard in Yala National Park, the elephants in Pinnewalla playing in the river, watching the sunset at the beach and reaching the top of Lion Rock.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh was fantastic, he couldn't do enough for us. He was always willing to help with whatever we wanted from finding aloe vera at 9.30 at night for sunburn or arranging a massage for a stiff neck, he helped make the trip special. His topics each day were very insightful and a great way to help us learn about Sri Lanka from polictics to religion.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Females - make sure you bring tops which over your shoulders for when visiting temples. Otherwise enjoy the trip and do all the optionals especially visiting the elephant orphanage.
Reviewed November 2012
THE INCA TRAIL
A memorable holiday. Spectacular scenery. Unforgetable experience in jungle (extension). Challenging trek- but readily achievable by anybody who is reasonably fit – and has a good pair of knees!
Most Inspirational Moment
Two highlights:-First 'high' (sorry about the pun!) was reaching Dead Woman's Pass. This was the highest altitude we reached during the trek. A great sense of achievement, rewarded by spectacular scenery.Second highlight was the first glimpse of Machu Picchu- we arrived on a sunny, clear afternoon to a fantastic view of Machu Picchu- very emotional moment after 4 days of walking ( and several weeks of planning pre-trip)
Thoughts on Group Leader
Disnarda was an excellent guide. Her wide knowledge of Peruvian history, plants , birds greatly contributed to our trek experience. Her patience and expert pacing ('just a little bit more, my friends....') filled us all with confidence.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Several of the group had 'stomach upsets'- especially during the first day or two of the trek. Overcoming the effects of this was certainly more of a challenge than walking at altitude or climbing hills. Anti sickness and anti diarrhoea medication highly recommended! Take great care during the first 2-3 days to avoid any foods that are at all doubtful. I suspect that a buffet lunch the day before setting off on the trek may have been the problem...The standard of food on the trek was outstanding. Toilet facilities ('the special tent') basic but entirely adequate (and did not in any way contribute to the stomach bug!)
Reviewed November 2012
KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE
Although a challenging climb – we really did enjoy it. We were so impressed with the guides / porters / cooks etc that looked after us so well. The quality of euqipment and knowledge was second to none and we felt very safe and secure. The lead guide, Florence, really took a personal interest in each of us that were sick and kept us feeling well. Very well organised and comfortable given where we were.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching Gilmans point but then going on to Uhuru Peak. Although altitude sickness did kick in we were pleased we found that extra bit of energy to make it to the peak. 11 out of 15 made it to Gilmans and only 8 of us managed to get to Uhuru - so this was a highlight
Thoughts on Group Leader
Absolutely incredible, amazing, friendly and just great - he really did look after all of us and keep us safe.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes - if you can take Diamox for altitude sickness then take it - I couldn't as i am allergic to sulfa drugs which is quite rare. Bring a scarf for your face when crossing the saddle as its windy and dusty and my nose and face was very cold on the final ascent so a scarf would have been great. Don't bring a wind up head torch bring one with battereis and bring extra batteries. Keep your camera in a warm place on the final ascent so the battery does not die when you get to the top. Bring bio degradable toilet paper - it was a shame to see toilet paper used by ladies wasting away on the mountain - you don't need in camp but is needed on route. Lastly investin 'John bags' - these are great for peeing in at night so you don' thave to go out into the dark and cold - they turn to gel and can be disposed of.Do not underestimate the mountain - doesn't matter how fit and healthy you are the altitude sickness is rough so be preapred for this and don't give up - it really is worth it to reach the peak
Reviewed November 2012
GALAPAGOS & AMAZON
This is a truly memorable trip. The Amazon and Galapagos so very different but both providing opportunities to see a variety of wildlife and at a proximity you never believed possible.
Most Inspirational Moment
Snorkelling with sealions and hammerhead sharks!
Thoughts on Group Leader
It's worth noting for exodus veterans, that there is no group leader. Whilst someone meets you at Quito and you have guides in the Amazon and the Galapagos, these guides are simply responsible for that component of the trip. In that respect it doesn't feel like an Exodus trip. Our guide Lena in the Amazon was outstanding but Sylvia on the Catchalote was rude and unhelpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
People said time and time again to take it easy in Quito but really do! My friends and I (all fit and healthy) all struggled with the altitude.It's not included in the trip, but when in Quito take the opportunity to visit the cloud forest. Another opportunity to see a different part of the place and more and different wildlife.When asking Exodus staff before leaving whether there was room for full luggage on the Catchalote, I was assured that there was. There is...but only just. The rooms are tiny (which isn't a problem when there as you spend so little time in your cabin) but if possible enable yourself to take only what you need.Be careful in Quito - a member of our group had her bag slashed on a bus.
Reviewed November 2012
CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA
an excellent trip – well organised and thought through – it would take three times as long to see the same things and have the same experience if you were an individual traveller
Most Inspirational Moment
Citadel Sigariya
Thoughts on Group Leader
very good
Advice for Potential Travellers
the cycle ride described as very challenging lives up to its name - it is a long day of climbing
