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!

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14483 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

James Eadsforth

Reviewed February 2016

Everest Base Camp

For me it’s been the trip of a lifetime and I’m already planning to return.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being in the high Himalaya's is inspirational, every moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sukhman, our team leader made all the difference: he is kind to a fault; respectful, happy, and has every facet of a great leader. Sukhman's team were brilliant to; Kagei has summited Everest six times, Lakbar and Cammi did everything with a smile. It's a privilege to be with such great people and I hope Exodus and future trekking parties appreciate as much. It's these guys that make it possible and fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

What you won't find on a packing list that's useful: Wet-wipes (work it out); fresh coffee, playing cards, chocolate, a water bottle that can double up as a hot water bottle at night. Most important of all ..... a sense of humour.

Patricia Little

Reviewed February 2016

Classic Vietnam and Angkor

A wonderful trip. Beautiful scenery, friendly people. A tragic history which made some parts of the trip very thought provoking and sobering

Most Inspirational Moment

The temples in Angkor and the surrounding area.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Phuong was warm and welcoming, always ready to help and go the extra mile. Our guide in Cambodia who we only had for a brief time was also excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Think carefully about whether you need to take Malaria tablets. In January when I went it was possible to manage without them. Just go well prepared with insect repellent. Pack enough layers too as it was cool for the first half of the trip.

Nigel Lindsell

Reviewed February 2016

Central America on two wheels

A challenging and very enjoyable two weeks. Three very different countries in a short space of time. You will feel hot, dirty and tired – but stick with it – there is so much to enjoy!
The cycling is challenging, and it does get easier – but do your training. The pace can be frantic – sometimes the hotels pass in a blur, arriving at dusk and then leaving early in the morning. But it is worth it to get such a great snapshot of Central American life.

Most Inspirational Moment

Quite a few here..... Getting to Ometepe Island on the smaller, very crowded ferry (the larger one having broken down) on a VERY rough lake Nicaragua. Did I mention that there was a coffin on board.....?! Hilly days in Costa Rica. Finally seeing Toucans with minutes to spare! High-fiving the kids in Nicaragua. Riding onto the beach and diving straight into the Pacific. The rest of the group - great fun all the way!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roberto was superb. Always smiling, always encouraging, and always with a plan B, C and D if required! (And they were). The bus organisation was fabulous as well, Lots of water, snacks and fruit - thanks to Neno.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A few of the hotels leave a little (lot) to be desired - do not expect quality - or hot water - all the way. There are some long bus transfers - be prepared. Bug spray is essential. But - if you go with an open mind you will have a fabulous time!

Beverley Langley

Reviewed February 2016

Winter Wonderland

Fantastic Finland! Cross country skiing over frozen lakes and forests, happy huskies!, snowshoeing through magnificent scenery, climbing the ice wall, snowshoeing in the forest at night, making quinzees, absailing…
A dream come true for me to be able to partake in so many activities…I just loved it!
The staff at Oulanka basecamp were wonderful, they definitely made the week with their extremely detailed knowledge of the area, the equipment and the activities we did…so much fun and laughter but always with safety as a priority.
The equipment used was well maintained and in good order. All outdoor clothing was provided together with base and mid layers, gloves, beanie hats and even socks if you wished! For anyone who hasn’t done a winter holiday before, it saves a lot of expense and as previous clients have mentioned, there’s no need to take much clothing with you.

Most Inspirational Moment

This has got to be the husky sledding. As part of the trip, a 2-3 hour husky sledding excursion is included, this was approximately 10km. There is an opportunity to do a 6-7 hour excursion of 30km as an optional extra. Don't hesitate! This was the most amazing day. This is the opportunity to see where the huskies live and chat to the husky guides who live there with the dogs. The dogs get so excited, they bark and howl at the tops of their voices, tails wagging and trying to keep the sled from moving before it was time to go was hard work and took all of my body weight! Mushing through the frozen forest was like going through the wardrobe into Narnia...so beautiful, so remote and so quiet...apart from when you stop and the dogs, who don't really want to stop, start howling and barking..ready to get on the move again!! You get full instruction as to how to operate the sled with safety again being a priority.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Amazing! Henri was so knowledgeable, a great leader, organizer and extremely motivating plus he had a great sense of humour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The advice given by Henri is not to use skin care products with oil. I did some research before I left home and came up with Kiehl's products which are "torture tested" in Greenland. I'm happy to say my skin survived!

Anthony Negus

Reviewed February 2016

walking and wildlife

The whole trip was fantastic. The only downside was the failure to inform the leader of my requirement for a gluten free diet. I don’t think Ende had even heard of the condition, but, when it was explained to him he coped brilliantly even to the extent of preparing my main dish separately.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing elephants in the wild for the first time is always a thrill. I have seen them on several occasions but it is always a thrill.The lodges at Royal Natal park and in Swaziland together with the views were something special

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ende was fantastic he organized everything brilliantly. I would happily go with him again, also I cannot speak to highly of Collie and Marco who were very knowledgeable and interesting to listen to.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for this one

Denise Craven

Reviewed February 2016

Wilderness Week

A very satisfying holiday that went beyond my expectations. The adventure was well planned and well organised throughout the week. Oulanka Base Camp staff are delightful people who are to be commended for their knowledge, skills and attitudes. They made the holiday the success it was. The food was consistently amazing too! The equipment for the various activities was in good order and worked well, the accommodation was simple yet suffice and contributed to the sense of calm and peace. The location is stunning!

Most Inspirational Moment

Many inspiring moments (and people) although climbing to the top of the ice wall (with Henri's assistance) is a lasting memory. Most inspiring was that Base camp staff have an impressively respectful attitude towards maintaining and supporting the natural environment. Running a team of Husky dogs for 30k across the Arctic Tundra was also fairly awesome (I'll never complain about walking my dogs in rain showers again!).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri was the group leader for the 'wild' people. He did a most excellent job for the duration of our stay. Activities were well organised and well paced with sufficient choice of activities and options for ’down time'. He was knowledgable about, and skilful in all the activities: cross country skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, trekking and more. He engendered a sense of safety such that we didn't even worry when a wild person accidentally walked into a snow drift almost as tall as her. He and his colleague calmly walked her out of it whilst her wild comrades were rendered incapable by laughter! He was diplomatic and generous with his time. He was eternally patient with the wild people and motivated them to succeed in their chosen activities. His character and personality were perfect accompaniments to his knowledge base and skill sets. Henri was an excellent leader and his 'support' colleagues (in particular Julie, Tessa, and the chefs) were equally impressive in their roles.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it!

Robert Pearson

Reviewed February 2016

Fantastic Frozen Finland

Plentiful tasters of varied winter activities (snowshoing, xc skiing, dh skiing, ice climbing, abseiling etc). Cosy accomodation and hearty meals.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking across frozen lakes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri was excellent. Good communicator. Good organisation of large group into smaller groups doing varied activities.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good layers of kit provided. Light fleece base, medium fleece mid plus shell outer. Thermos flask for warm water etc. But would take own thermal (fully loop lined) socks.

John Stocks

Reviewed February 2016

Saddle Sore Cuba!

There can be no better way of seeing and getting under the skin of Cuba today than mounting an almost new hybrid bike, led by a knowledgeable local, supported by a comfortable coach (in case of a rest). The trip covers most of Cuba to the east of Havana. Check the trip notes and make sure you understand there are a lot of transfers at times to enable you to get from A to B. Given that in some ways Cuba is a 3rd world country (ie not as developed or comfortable as the West) the quality of the hotels generally exceeded my expectations – as long as you like quirky! You won’t go hungry, buffets are the norm, but I longed for meusli for breakfast and something other than rice , black beans and meat for supper.

Most Inspirational Moment

Moments that I will remember for a long time include the wonderful old american automobiles, the fantastic dilapidated towns of Havana, Trinidad and Santiago but there were other towns as well. The music venues in these 3 towns are a must - make the effort, at least once (you will be exhausted) as generally after 10pm is best and the alarm went off at 0640 everyday! Watching my wife trying to dance with some locals was truly the laugh of the tour!! Above all, we felt as though we really got to know the country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Jamie was a lovely guy but he could have been 'tighter' on departure times (leave at 0830 probably meant 0850 ) and making sure everyone understood what was going to happen next (very difficult with these sorts of groups but on my Indian trips those guys managed it!) Always smiling and his knowledge of Cuba's history was all encompassing and engrossing. Our 2 bus drivers and mechanic didn't really speak English but they were fun to have around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You must do some cycling training and get a few miles in the legs. Like all these Exodus cycling trips there is a range of cycling ability. I took my wife for the first time and she enjoyed it immensely but she did get the training in before hand building up to 40 miles in a session. We are 66. There were some hills but all more or less manageable and you can always hop on the bus for a rest!

Mandy Davis

Reviewed February 2016

Finish wilderness week

Wow, what an amazing adventure. I cannot rate this trip high enough. Snow sledding brought back great memories of my childhood.

Most Inspirational Moment

Full day huskie sledding through the snow clad scenery, reminded me of Narnia. Starting the day with excited Huskies to the silence when sledding was serene.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri was a great leader, engaged the whole group with learning new skills from snowshoeing, cross country skiing to quinzee building. Nothing was too much trouble for him or the other staff within the complex.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need much money as you can pay for extras and optional activities at the end of the week on credit/ debit card. You also only need little clothing, base layers and change of clothing for the evening. I found that even 11kg of luggage was too much and most clothes were taken home unworn. Once the taster activities had been done you are free to use the equipment as you like during your stay.

Elizabeth Walsh

Reviewed February 2016

Adventure

What a wonderful adventure. We really enjoyed all of the activities: snow shoe walking, cross country sking, igloo building, husky rides. There are optional things to do also such as reindeer farm, ice wall and abseiling. Although it was – 17 on the coldest day the clothing provided keeps you warm and toasty.
I have never been on a group holiday before and a little apprehensive but don’t be, met some wonderful spirited adventures.
Base camp is great, staff very friendly and helpful, food lovely and filling. Only down side: we had to come home