Reviews

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

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14242 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed October 2012

BHUTAN: LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON

I loved the trip! I had wanted to go to Bhutan for a very long time and it really lived up to my expectations. Amazing scenery, amazing people and amazing guides. It was a great combination of a challenging trek plus culture in an area not greatly visited. It felt like a real treat from start to finish!

Most Inspirational Moment

I think managing to sleep at 4,100m and feel ok. Finally I had acclimatised and was much fitter! The scenery was mind blowing too - you really felt you were at the centre of the world!Bhutan still feels very untouched but it's definitely starting to change so you need to go NOW...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Pasang was fantastic. He looked after all of us amazingly well. Dorji who was the local guide was very kind too and I felt that we all built up a great relationship with them both which meant we got far more out of the trip as we had a much more of an understanding of Bhutan.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes whilst on the trip notes it said it was a moderate trip it is definately equal to doing the Inca Trail which is listed as moderate to challenging i.e. you need to train! This was something that I didn't do a huge amount of before we left as I come from Derbyshire and equate the Yorkshire Dales with walking not trekking. I did survive though and am now far more fit!

Reviewed October 2012

EVEREST BASE CAMP

A truly amazing epic journey of a lifetime. This was made possible by Exodus and the people they employ in Nepal who not only took good care of us but encouraged us day in day out and taught us alot about their culture. It wasn’t just about the mountains.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the most inspirational moment of the trip was to actually achieve reaching Base Camp. People usually have a bucket list to tick off, I have started one with Everest Base Camp, truly amazing experience, loved every minute.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic leader with good assistants even down to the guy who herded the yaks. We mixed with them all the time and couldn't have done the trip without any of them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is my first and biggest walking/climbing experience but it isn't the last. This trip enabled us to get close to the people of Nepal who warmly welcomed us. Showers were plentiful albeit not UK standard but when in Nepal do as they do. Food to suit all tastes and pleasant knowledgeable guides who really take care of your every need. Excellent.

Reviewed October 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

The trip is one of the most amaaaazing and challenging things I have done so far! It’s hard physically (due to altitude) AND mentally, but totally worth it!! Remember that the pain is only temporary, the glory lasts forever.. This route also gives you chance to get used to the altitude so you will get to the top…

Most Inspirational Moment

Summit day sunrise, knowing I was nearly, finally at the top and that all that training had been worth it!My fellow teamies - I went with a small but perfectly formed group of people and the dynamics within the group were great. I was motivated and ready for the challenge, but had a great giggle along the way.....

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders were great - really helpful and want you to succeed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The guides & porters are there to help.... if they want to take your back pack as you're struggling, let them, and if the guides talk to you about how you're feeling and if you should take Diamox, listen to them. They know the score, they have done this trip countless times with different people and are so supportive and knowledgeable and helpful... at the end of the day, they want you to suceed, and they will help you get there....

Reviewed October 2012

WALKING IN TUSCANY

I really enjoyed this trip. The farmhouse and food are great for starters, and that’s before the wonderful Tuscan scenery!

Most Inspirational Moment

The ridge walk, the sun was shining and the views just stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was an excellent leader and looked after us all - from getting train tickets and providing information for our rest day, to ensuring the whole group could walk at their own pace. And the supply of biscuits she carried were always welcome!

Advice for Potential Travellers

No, book it and enjoy!

Reviewed October 2012

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

A truly amazing experience. I enjoyed the trekking so much that I would have liked to have done more. It was challenging at times, but I gained a real sense of achievement every day. The group was fantastic and we all got on well. The scenery was fabulous, with stunning views.

Most Inspirational Moment

I will never forget stepping onto the Great Wall for the very first time. Every day had a different challenge; the second day had a challenging 38-step amazingly steep, almost vertical climb - getting to the top of the climb was an unforgettable experience. It was surprising, when looking back at the end of a walk, to see how much ground we had covered, and seeing the Wall snaking away into the distance.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kevin, our leader, was absolutely brilliant. He was always attentive and made sure we were all OK. Nothing was too much trouble for him. He was very knowledgeable, polite, gave loads of advice, was great fun and had a really good sense of humour. A genuinely lovely person and a great leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As stated in other reviews, take toilet paper and wipes, as public toilets and a couple of the homestays did not have any. Take a towel, as these are not provided at the homestays. A walking pole is a real benefit - I had never used one before this trip and I was glad I had it. It helped with both the ascents and descents and stopped me having a nasty fall a couple of times. If you decide to do the extension to Xian, make sure you don't go when there is a Chinese National Holiday - the crowds are overwhelming! Practice using chopsticks before you go - it will make eating a lot easier (or take a fork!). You need to have a reasonable level of fitness to do this walk.

Reviewed October 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA Sept/Oct 2012

Our first travels with Exodus and our first visit to Sri Lanka. Overall we were impressed with Exodus and our guide Suresh, and we absolutely fell in love with Sri Lanka! A great mix of history, archaeology, religion, nature, culture and sport all in one tour. We found it all fantastic! If you’re interested in Sri Lanka for more than a week’s time, this trip gives you everything you want (except a visit to Anuradhapura) and also provides enough free time that you don’t feel rushed. Ages of tour participants were 30s-50s and we all had a great time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick an inspirational moment of the trip as I wouldn't say anything was particularly "inspiring" in those words except we had a great group moment on top of Sigiriya with one member afraid of heights. So glad she made it! It was nice to stop at Exodus Tsunami House #7 for lunch, but would have liked more interaction with the home owner and her family. The lunch, however, was one of the absolute best meals we had in the country! Very fresh and delicious and her papadams were heavenly!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh is a great tour leader. He went beyond the call of duty several times to ensure comfort and well-being to the tour members from arranging a quick neck massage before departure to tracking down some aloe vera cream (and plant leaves!) at 8pm for a sunburn. He works very hard to make sure the tour members are having a great time with no troubles and provides excellent information. He is very open to answering questions about Sri Lanka (and Sri Lankans) and is inquisitive about our home countries and customs as well. He's always trying to learn new English words and phrases he can use with future groups. He always made sure my husband and I had either a "King's bed" or two twins pushed together. This really meant a lot to us. The only point I would like to see more of is a better idea of the day's itinerary when we meet for breakfast. With the trip notes I knew where we were going, but wasn't sure of the timing. Would we get to the hotel in the early afternoon? Have the activity before or after lunch? How long (approximate time and distance) would we travel that day? I know I am more interested in time than many other people, but I like to have a good idea of the process. A simple "Today we drive for approximately 30 minutes to this temple, then we drive 1 hour to the hotel. Check in and have time for lunch and a swim before we meet again at 3pm for the afternoon activity" would be nice. I loved the day's "topics" and personal details Suresh provided regarding many points. He is a wonderful guide with great enthusiasm for welcoming and sharing his country with visitors. His laugh makes everyone laugh with him because he's so happy! He is also very generous and giving of not just his time. "Dinner?" (Wobble-Wobble) Ha ha!

Advice for Potential Travellers

For women bring a combination of shorts and capri pants. Trousers were only needed really at Nuwara Eliya and when hiking out to World's End at Horton Plains (we didn't have Adam's Peak on this tour). No shorts or tank tops at temples, but the rest of the time shorts and capris (or loose skirt) are fine. For swimming in the river at Kithugala: local women don't wear swimming costumes. They swim in shorts and t-shirts. If you won't want the stares from local men, dress modestly. The local guys think it's OK and flattering to say, "Hey Hottie!" and whistle. On the rafting trip you'll have the chance to jump out of the raft and swim in the river. Dress accordingly. At the Hill Club Dining Room: No clothes to lend for women-we just need to be dressed "suitably enough" to accompany the men. For the men-they have jackets, ties and oxford shoes to lend, but no shirts or trousers. Make sure you have the appropriate collared shirt and trousers. No sandals or trainers. National dress OK. If you're not dressed suitably, you will have to dine in the casual dining room.

Reviewed October 2012

EVEREST BASE CAMP

A fantastic trip with fantastic guides and great comrades all the way to base camp.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the Hilary school was a real eye opener for me! The first glimpse of the mighty Everest was awesome .

Thoughts on Group Leader

A very knowledgable guide,very friendly and helpful and a great inspiration on the lows(when had altitude sickness)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yep,book it do it enjoy it and have fun.

Reviewed October 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

This is an amazing trip. It is one of the best things I have ever done, no………….. IT’S THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE!

Most Inspirational Moment

Obviously the tremendous sense of achievement on reaching the summit is a personal highlight, however the thing that made the whole trip for me was the other people in our group. We all got on really well together and quickly bonded into a tightly knit group. The cameraderie was fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Meke was a great team leader. Everything was really well organised and it all rang like clockwork. Both he and the rest of the team worked really hard to make sure our trip was as good as it could be.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take ear plugs. It can be difficult to get to sleep.Listen to the guides, they know what they're talking about!

Reviewed October 2012

MT TOUBKAL CLIMB

A beautiful and fairly easy walk through some surprisingly diverse scenery, this trip is an excellent introduction to the Atlas mountains. I found the pace set to be generally perfect and there was always something interesting to look at.

Most Inspirational Moment

I'm sure everyone is going to answer the same way here but getting to the top of Toubkal is extremely satisfying and you are rewarded with panormic and breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. You go up and down (to and from basecamp at 3200m) in an afternoon, not unlike Snowdon. Additionally the final days descent is really very beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Friendly, funny and very approachable. Happy to share information on the local areas and people. He was also always able to answer any questions we had along the way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Going in October meant there was some snow, but certainly not enough to warrant crampons. Bring a scarf or something to cover your face on the final ascent. It's extremely windy and this isn't really mentioned at all until the last moment. A proper (not inflatable) travel pillow can be a real lifesaver. Finally when you get to Basecamp consider sleeping in the refuge instead. You may be fed up of the wind at night by this point and it's an excellent way to restore energy for the final climb. At under a tenner it's a bargain and they also have hot showers available (for an extra cost of around £1.50).

Reviewed October 2012

UZBEKISTAN UNCOVERED

Uzbekistan was a total visual feast. Each city we visited was just as amazing as the one before. And the people were really friendly. It was a relatively easy place to be. I would recommend it for a holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the sun going down over Khiva. The buttery light with the warm stone and the turquoises and cobalts was stunning. Also, the hamman in Bokhara was great. A sixteenth century interior and a covering of ginger and honey after the massage - a total sensory overload!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nazim really knew his history and he had a sense of humour. If you have other interests, ask for his input. He didn't help much on traditional textiles, but he pointed me at a few shops.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You can expect a bad tum at some point, but I don't think anyone was severely incapacitated. In the desert in Sept it didn't get as cold as we had been told, about 10 degrees C, so no need for a panic to take thermal underwear, and I feel the cold.You need small denomination dollars as well as the big guys. Apart from for food, dollars were pretty much universal, I was surprised. People also quoted prices in Euros very often. When you get your currency, it will be like a brick. At least it felt like a pretty safe country to be carrying cash around, I thought.

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