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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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.

Reviews

Reviewed March 2013

CYCLE SOUTHERN INDIA - COAST TO COAST

A great new trip from Peter Bluck who created the Kerala and Sri Lankan trips. It was the first time the trip had been run so there will be some tweaking for future trips but its another winner! 

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. There cheers, waving and welcome. We attracted a lot of attention. Tea stops could cause minor traffic jams as crowds came to greet us. It was funny having our picture taken!The ride through the tea plantations and down hill to the home stay was probably my favourite day but every day was great, diverse in scenery and interest. Chettinad is almost like being on a film set. The Sri Meenakshi-Sundareshwara temple is amazing.Coming across a spectacular festival in a temple just by hearing the music as we cycled.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The reason why I booked this trip was because of Peter. Having cycled around Sri Lanka with him I knew the trip would be good. He is a great group leader. The support staff were also great. There local knowledge steered us through some stunning back streets. We were well looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Again, this was the first time the trip had been run so the itinerary might be tweaked slightly.Tickets to get inside Auroville should be booked in advance. When we arrived the next available ticket were two days later.Visit the market at Thanjavur.If you want to visit the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary, book tickets in advance if the day of arrival doesn't change.You will see more wildlife in a few minutes on the house boat than an hour in the bird sanctuary but it was worth getting up early for the sunrise! Completely cover yourself with mosquito repellent on the boat. They were biting through clothing! In Fort Cochin the Synagogue is closed Friday and Saturday. The Palace is also closed on Friday, so if arriving on Thursday visit these first. If you want to see the Katharkali dancing I would also suggest booking the tickets early so you can get a seat nearer the front. For those who like a cold beer after a hot day in the saddle be advised that a lot of the hotels do not have a liquor liscense. It might be an idea for exodus to get a cool box (not just for beer) and pick some up on the way. You might have to ask for "special tea or coffee"!  Odomos is a local mosquito repellent, widely available and very cheap. Money - £250 covered everything including tips at the end. There are ATMs if you plan to do a lot of shopping.Camelbaks or something similar I suggest are better than bottles. I would also suggest getting/bringing a handlebar bag. There are so many photo oppurtunities. It would make life easier. 

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Reviewed March 2013

CYCLING THROUGH KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Brilliant, absolutely love love LOVED it!  First time I’ve ever done an Exodus holiday, a group holiday or a cycling holiday and I can’t wait to do all three again!

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the ascent up Ooty- was amazed just to finish, the cake at the top was a pleasant bonus! :)The fantastic descent back down Ooty!  Occasionally it pays to carry a bit of extra weight- free-wheeling on a bike is one of them!I found cycling is a fantastic way to see a country; you experience so much more of the local culture and in a very natural, laid-back way rather than something that is "put on" just for the tourists.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent.  I think Vishnu's love for his local area really helped inspire an enthusiasm for learning about and experiencing a new culture that I've never truly had as a tourist before.  In terms of the cycling, I always felt well looked-after (despite the sometimes crazy traffic, road surfaces and wildlife you share the road with) and very safe.  Thanks to Vish and his team!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Surprisingly few issues with the food (or the ill-effects thereof if you know what I mean!!) and as a vegetarian (Pescetarian by the coast, admittedly!) I felt extremely well-catered for.My own gel saddle turned out to be an essential rather than a luxury. 100 denier tights are an excellent anti-mosquito method, recommended to men and women alike!

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Reviewed March 2013

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

The whole trip was very well organised throughtout.The guides and porters were amazing- always friendly and helpful.The food was very good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit has to be the highlight of the trip after some very tough trekking.I think everyone in our group was quite emotional because of the achievement. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Makeke Sandy was great-always encouraging and cheerful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a tough eight days but anyone can do it.The sense of achievement makes it worth the effort.I was 70 years old when i did it.

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Reviewed March 2013

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

We thoroughly enjoyed the trip, the scenery was very impressive and the Indian people seemed very happy and cheerful.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trek over the Western Ghats was the most enjoyable part of the trip and the best of that was the evening meal round the campfire. The group got on well together and all had a thoroughly enjoyable time. The camp support staff were extremely capable and very amusing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I thought that Ajith Kumar was a genuinely nice man who did everything he could to help us and make the trip as enjoyable as possible. He was affable, amusing and extremely informative about the flora of the region and its geology. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Money: £200 in cash will probably see you through depending on how much you spend on presents. Best take advice from the tour guide regarding money changing. When we were there you got R82 to the pound for cash in town but only R75 at the airport. ATMs were limited to a max of R10,000 and the effective rate was only about R76 when deductions were taken into account. My credit card paid R81 for hotel checkout bills.Mosquitoes: the only place we were bitten was in the Cochin hotel bedroom on the first night. Take a knockdown spray and use it before going to bed and use deet. Leeches: there should not be any outside of the rainy season. We did not come across any.Food poisoning: we ate whatever was given us and did not have a problem except on the flight home through Dubai.Camping: the sleeping mats are a bit thin, I would take a light selfinflating mat next time.Fluids: bottled water is readily available for about 20p a litre, even on the trek, we didn't need a water bottle  (hotel bottled water is about £1.50). We had beer each night on the camp provided by arrangement with the support staff for about £1.60 a 660ml bottle.Laundry: you'll probably want to wash some things after the trek, be aware that the Madurai hotel charges double the quoted rate per item received after 10.30am for express wash and you may not get your stuff back until after 11.00pm. Don't put anything delicate in. Consider waiting until you get to Thekkady. 

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Reviewed March 2013

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

My first ever organised tour of any kind (at 61yrs old) I thoroghly enjoyed it. A good mix of people who got on well so that was lucky and good for all of us. Always wanted to see Petra and knew little of the other regional visits which were also interesting, Roman city of Jerash, Dead sea resort, the Red sea at Aquaba (never done snorkling on a coral reef, brill)  and a camp site at Wadi rum all very different. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra was clearly the highlight of my tour and I can now see it was very easy to spend two days in and aroud the area walking, and a little cycling.Long periods of cycling down hill, prepare your hands for braking! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny was very good at communicating and organising us. He repeated most of the basic information enough times to ensure we knew what was going on,  where and when we should be at all critical times. During the guided tours he gave us plenty of the regional history but never too much. For me he judged it well.I'd like more options on the last night, in Amman, one of our group said it was beautiful and she was the only one that saw it! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes.

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Reviewed March 2013

ANTARCTIC CIRCLE QUEST

I was introduced to Antarctica in the most amazing way. When we arrived there was a blanket of heavy fog the team got us on the zodiac and navigated on compass bearings. Suddenly like the curtain of a stage being pulled back we sat in sky of blue surrounded by a wild and pristine environment.

Most Inspirational Moment

See above. Watching whales breech. Smelling penguins before you could see them. Filming Leopard seals with my gopro. You truely need to be awake 24hrs a day and have eyes in the back of your head for this trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shelly and the team were amazing. Their passion and commitment and tirless effort to show what they love and care about the most was amazing

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do take European travel plugs for Ushuaia as well as American.

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Anne Craig

Reviewed March 2013

Patagonian highlights

A place that is a must see. My second experience of using exodus as a holiday company. My first in jordan was a vacation I would not hesitate to recommend…for the tour , the organisation, the tour guide leadership etc etc. I loved Patagonia, but the quality of the tour did not meet that what I experienced with exodus previously. The tour guide struggled with meeting the diverse needs of our large group (18) . Also, the options advertised as part of the tour trip notes were not always available. This was a wonderful trip but don’t rely on the options advertised if they are important for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

The mountain walks...so so dramatic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lovely man but struggled coping with a large group with diverse needs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this holiday on a basis of the core activities do not on a basis of Exodus being able to deliver the optios.

Reply from Exodus

We are sorry that Anne found certain aspects of this trip to be disappointing. Her tour leader usually receives good feedback from our clients, so we were sorry to learn that Anne’s experience was not so positive. We understand that unfortunately her optional activity of choice in El Calafate was not possible over the busy Christmas period, so Anne’s tour leader organised an extra walk for members of the group who wished; we are nonetheless sorry for any disappointment caused.

Adam Roberts – Trip Manager for South America

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Reviewed March 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

A tough experience but thoroughly rewarding when you completed your day of cycling.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling downhill through Bidoup Nui National Park, 30kms of winding roads in the glorious sunshine and wind against you, the view was amazing.Riding through the villages and children coming out and high-fiving youSeeing the amazing gravestones in one of the villages, known as Ghost CityWatching how happy and content the Vietnamese people are even with the simplest things in life, teaches us westerners some things as we have so much and are still never happy!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tom was brilliant!  He couldnt help people enough and had so much knowledge. His quote summarised the trip - 'Everyday is another best day'

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you practice riding even if you are reasonably fit.  I thought I was quite fit as I play netball and do bootcamps and am quite active but nothing prepared me for those long days on the bike and especially the hills!  Make sure you take lots of padding for your backside!

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Reviewed March 2013

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: KVITAVATN

A brilliant week, exceptional leaders, fabulous tuition and an all round great place to be.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunshine and diamond dust air with mountains as far as the eye can see - magical

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ilse & Mary are inspirational, know how to get the best out of people whilst having a laugh.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go

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Reviewed March 2013

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

An absolutely brilliant experience, exceptionally hard last couple of days and definately not for the faint hearted.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the high point at Uhuru Peak was probably the most satisfying as opposed to inspirational moment.  There were many inspirational moments ranging from meeting and walking with the other members of the group[ and likewise meeting and walking with the excellent guides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader 'Florence' was of the highest standard and although just my second trip with Exodus I have to say it is what I have come to expect.  Florence and his assistants were exceptional throughout the trip providing encouragement and support to everyone, this leads to an increase in confidence knowing you are in safe hands and help is at hand should it be required

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it if you feel you can but build up your fitness level to a degree higher than you think you might need, this is not a walk in the park.

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