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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Reviews

Reviewed January 2014

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

This is are first trip with Exodus and were satisfied over all with the trip, well organization. (so much so we have already book another Exodus trip)

Most Inspirational Moment

When we went whale watching we seen 4 whales, two in different locations, ocean was very calm.   When we went to Yale N.P we did not see any leopard’s but we did see a sloth bear. Cycling was easy going especially if you have not cycled since you were young. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilipe  Is a very good tour leader, with his knowledge off his country and pride he brings with this to his job. He always had a smile on his face, extremely patient with passengers. Who were talking when he was explaining what we were doing for the day and then the same travelers would ask him what we were doing that day. Even though he had already told use what we were doing for the day.  Dilipe would go and check the meals out before we ate to make sure off the quality. (food excellent) A special thanks also has to go the bus driver how kept use safe on the roads off Sri Lanka and his companion the bus conductor who looked after use when we were out and about on group visits and walks, making sure no one was left behind, he took great pride in his job making sure are luggage was all ways there on time when the bus was ready to leave. (kept the bell boys in order),  Kept the communal water fridge full (Payed for by a water-kitty). 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would recommend going on this trip before Sri Lanka become over crowded. As we were on this trip the roads were already getting made wider to take the very large tourist coaches.  As we have seen this happening in Southern Asia ie..Vietnam, Cambodia,  We went to China 1993 went back 2010 unrecognisable especially Shanghai.

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Reviewed January 2014

CYCLING IN SARDINIA

A really good cycle-tour holiday in Sardinia. Suitable for people who are reasonably able on a bike and of a basic level of fitness.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wonderful coastlines.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marco was super-friendly, organised and a great leader. Lieven was laid-back, knowledgeable and an able co-leader. Both went out of their way to keep the group happy and make the holiday successful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are one or two tough hills if you are not a regular cyclist - you can do them if you take your time, or there is the option of a lift in the van! The weather was pretty good, even in October, but we had a couple of rainy days so come prepared with a packable jacket etc.

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Reviewed December 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

An interesting and varied trip with great leader & support crew. Friendly people, lots of Buddha’s, interesting flora and fauna and some spectacular scenery.  Hot and humid initially but cooled a little as we hit the hills. Cycling was challenging for some but everyone cycled every day with a few personal firsts achieved.

Most Inspirational Moment

The "up hilly" day that EVERYONE cycled to Nuwara Eliya. The Hill Club at Nuwara Eliya is something special too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilip was very professional and efficient - lead a good team and the trip went very smoothly. Very knowledgeable especially about the local bird life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was hot - take light weight cycle shorts. There was free wifi in the all the Hotels. Take good (gel) cycling gloves - the tramac road surfaces are good but once on the dirt roads (which have a good but rough surface) you will appriecate some padding. Worth taking binoculars for the safari day if you have space. 

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Reviewed December 2013

CYCLE INDOCHINA & ANGKOR

We spent a magical, wonderful fortnight in great company, if possible we would just go back on the spot and re-run the whole trip !

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to pin this one down to a single moment. Cycling through three different Asian countries and seeing the differing countryside and experiencing the different cultures with different backgrounds, languages and mind-sets was great.  Combining this - in itself - great experience with having the chance getting to know a group of around 20 completely diverse, interesting and pleasant individuals from various countries/nations/continents by way of sweating, eating, laughing, talking, marvelling and pedalling along together was just magnificent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nee is just brilliant, there's no other word for it. Apart from the fact that she is one of the most agreeable persons we have met in a very long time she is absolutely experienced as a tour guide and at doing the trip. She is confident, informative and helpful at all times. She managed to get our group up, out and going at the right time, meaning that she got to know the abilities of each group member very quickly and paced us that well that we arrived everywhere in time without anyone of us feeling being rushed or pushed. She did not only manage getting to know our abilities very quickly, but seemed to have a sixth sense for our personal requirements, preferences and interests in no time at all thereby keeping all of us happy. Not to forget that she was always acutely observant noticing if anything could be improved and primarily, she kept us as safe as possible.Nee's organisational skills - starting from organising our group through 2 border crossings, in different hotels most nights, liaising with different guides, support and mechanical teams and hotel managers to tasks , just to mention food, like seeing to it that there is enough and exactly the required food at lunches/dinners for a mix of vegetarians, allergics, and other specialists - are exceptional. I simply admired her steady and patient cheerfulness while helping us with all sorts of things. Last but not least, and definitely not to forget  - her contagious sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't overpack. You can get laundry done at various points and is good and cheap. But: if you are used cycling at home with your own bike fitted to your size/geometry bring your own saddle, handlebars (will help to avoid your fingers/hands feeling needles and pins/getting numb) and (click)-pedals. The bikes are nice enough, but a bit of your own gear will help you to feel better (especially the long distances in Thailand). And do not forget to pack decent clothes for visits to temples or other places of worship (Ladies: Sarongs will not suffice anymore!) so you can show your respect to the Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese people and their beliefs and religions, just the same you would expect them to show their respect to the places you hold in high esteem. Reading the trip notes properly (sometime before you start to travel) definitely helps ! Listening to the advice of your tour guide and not to draft while biking helps as well to keep you happy and safe !

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Reviewed December 2013

AMALFI COAST: POMPEII & PIZZA - FAMILY HOLIDAY

A fantastic trip with something for all ages and a great mix of activities, culture,  and history with time to relax on the beach and by the hotel pool and some excellent freshly cooked food too. We thoroughly recommend this trip for all ages!

Most Inspirational Moment

There was so much variety on this trip so it is difficult to highlight just one moment.  However, it was fabulous to see the guides bringing the historic sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum to life for the children and at the end of one day to watch the children put together their own song for the guides and hotel staff in which they summarised their trip  highlights and interspersed this with historical facts they had learnt on the trip - it was priceless watching the children perform their song at our lunch stop on the Walk of the Gods!  Then there were the cookery lessons for the childen at the hotel - the children just got "stuck in" and loved helping to prepare the evening meal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had more than one group leader during the week and each was superb - SO heplful, friendly and knowledgeable - hats off to Frank for stepping in at short notice and really getting stuck in!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just book the trip and enjoy - you will not be disappointed!  However, do factor in the additional cost of some activities such as the visit to Herculaneum (which we all agreed was a "must do" activity but not cheap), the boat trip around Capri and the visit to the Blue Grotto - these can add up but were worth the money.  Pack for all weathers!  We travelled in October  half term and ended up in shorts every day - the jumpers and umbrella never saw the light of day, though a fleece in the evenings when it got cooler was useful.

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Reviewed December 2013

FINNISH WINTER ADVENTURE - FAMILY HOLIDAY

We enjoyed ourselves hugely. This is an opportunity to be in a very quiet, beautiful and calm place.

Most Inspirational Moment

In number one place comes the husky dog sledding. We loved the dogs and we loved the snowy landscape. To drive the sled you have to have a certain weight so my 11 year old sat snugly in the sled whilst I spent most of the time breaking or leaning. In number two slot comes the food in general and in particular the sauteed elk stew that we ate under the stars (well cloud actually) with mashed potato and lingonberry jam accompanied by hot berry juice. Then we divide. My son's number three is roasting reindeer sausages over the fire in the reindeer herders' hut. And mine is the walk along the river to the rapids on snowshoes. We both loved the sauna and the hot tub. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tessa could not have been more enthusiastic and helpful. And that extends to all the other staff - Annike put on an amazing spread for our Christmas meal on Christmas day. Tessa was very good with the children had us making Christmas decorations and ginger bread. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

You really don't need to bring very much - I think the other reviews said this and it is true. There is an amazing amount of kit that you can borrow right down to thermos flasks, beanies and headtorches. If it gets wet, they just lend you more. So you can avoid the problem of wet kit and holiday laundry very easily. You can avoid cooking too - lunches are 11 euros for adults and 6 euros for children and very delicious. If you want to do your own lunches then you need to bring your food with you. Bringing snacks also makes sense, especially for smaller children.If you are adventurous and confident, then be aware that there are only two trails that lead from the basecamp (one - the Little Bear Trail -  a round trip of 12 km and the other - the Big Bear Trail -  an 82 km route). As it was only light for 4 or so hours a day, we didn't stray far but if you can walk at sufficient speed you can just about snowshoe the Little Bear Trail whilst it is light.

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Reviewed December 2013

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Good way to have a whirlwind tour of Morocco if you are unsure about the country, But if after your trip you plan to go back you will probably arrange everything yourself as its will be a lot better value and feel less like a package tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

The best parts of the trip was the local guide at Volubilis who was very entertaining and informative. Also Essaouira is a lovely place, a total tourist trap but it just doesn’t matter. No hassle from anyone, loads of history and a Medina that is easy and interesting to walk around.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader is a nice enough guy, But he will make excuses to suit his needs. One minute it was OK for half the group to eat at a local market, then when he got the whole group together it suddenly was dangerous for us to eat here and the other half of the group was going to be eating far away. Then when he was pushed on the issue it suddenly became OK to eat at the market and the other half of the group was only going to be 10 minutes way. The tour leader gets a free lunch if he gets his group to eat at certain places, so even when we asked that we stop eating at expensive hotel/restaurants all the time he still kept taking up to expensive places.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The premium trip in November is not worth the money. They advertise pools etc. but none of them are heated so they are too cold to use. Also a number of hotels at the start of the trip have loud music playing till late so take ear plugs. The premium hotel in Fez is in the middle of nowhere so you are stuck listing to the load music from the basement club at night, the pool is also a public pool and across the road from the hotel. Take a good sleeping bag as you will need it for the desert camp and the stay in the mountains. If you don't want to eat where the tour leader keeps taking you stand your ground and tell them you want to eat somewhere else more authentic and local,

Reply from Exodus

Thanks for your valued feedback. We take all comments on board and have communicated your concerns to our local operator. We are particularly concerned re the mention of shopping stops as this is against our policy and something that we stipulate is avoided at all costs. This is being investigated and the leader will be questioned related to this claim. We also thank you for raising your concerns re the hotel in Fez not being up to the Exodus standard. Again, we are discussing alternative options with our local operator.

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Reviewed December 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

Costa Rica is a fantastic country. The places we visited, the people we met and the wildlfe we saw was all just perfect. We stayed in each hotel for 2 nights and this was quite relaxing. All the places we stayed in were amazing. The weather was fantastic – not too much rain!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

We saw baby Green Turtles just hatched and coming out of the sand starting their new lifes running down the beach and getting swept by the waves into the Sea. A very emotional experience. And one of my favourite moments was watching 2 Toucans sitting in the tree right outside my lodge in Monteverde Cloud Forest eating berries and chatting to each other. We also saw the rare Quetzel too which was fabulous.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gio was a fabulous leader. He was so knowledgable about everything and looked after us all so well. Gerardo the driver was brilliant too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip!!!!

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Reviewed December 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

Cycling Vietnam was brilliant!  Such a great way to see a country and experience the culture.  Loved it all and had the best time!

Most Inspirational Moment

Where do I start......I really enjoyed all of the cycling especially up Hai Van Pass and then down again.  The 30km descent from 1600m was pretty cool too.  Ha Long Bay was spectacular and kayaking was fun.  Even the overnight train was a enjoyable experience!   Loved the food too!  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danh was the best leader ever of the best group ever!  Having never done a tour like this before I was so impressed with how well it was organised.  Whilst Danh ensured our safety at all times he was also great fun!  Danh made the tour worry free, and the whole support team was amazing.  I can't rate Danh and the team highly enough.  The group was fantastic too!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it today!  This trip exceeded all of my expectations.  It helped to have done some "training" before hand which made the trip more enjoyable. 

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Reviewed December 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

This has to be one of the most enjoyable Exodus cycle tours I have taken and I have taken a few! I love the Indian sub continent for its people, food, culture and colour and Sri Lanka did not disapoint. What made it stand out was the group of very special people that I enjoyed it with and the most caring and attentive staff you can imagine.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the second to last evening that we were all together as a group. The guitars of the resident band were hi-jacked and tributes,with lyrics writen by group members, were sung to the tunes of "O-bla-dee, O-blah-da", "Your Song" and "I'll tak the high road..." which express the feelings of comaraderie that had grown within the group, including the staff, and especially the leader.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Just think of all the appropriate flattering superlatives you can think of and you will have it about right

Advice for Potential Travellers

IT IS NOT ABOUT THE BIKE. OK I know it is a cycle tour but remember you are in a richly exotic part of the world with an interesting culture and a lively people. Take the time along the way to interact with and enjoy them. The following story is an example. Taking my time as usual I found that I had seen no one for a while and wondered if I had taken a wrong turn, so I stopped at a wayside fruit stall to ask. Two lovely ladies who spoke no English and I, who did not speak their language, managed to communicate that the villages I was asking about were "just round the corner" and " 5 klms away" respectively, that I should take their photo in front of their stall and that here was the address to which I should mail a copy!

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