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’!

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Reviews

Reviewed August 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

The trip of a lifetime, well organised from start to finish, totally professional. Our group of 8 started and successfully completed the trek to the top of the highest free standing mountain in the world – Mount Kilimanjaro…Uhuru Peak – Hakuna Matata

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the Baranco Wall was one of the best days along with the Baranco Camp views above the clouds looking out over to Mount Meru which sat below us at 15,000 feet. Summit day, reaching the top with 100% success in the group, me being the eldest and a 17 year old the youngest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Henry was pleasant and inspirational, he was like my dad, always checking if we had drank enough, eaten enough, if anyone was quiet he was onto them straight away to ensure everything was ok and he directed his other guides with army like precision. One comment about Henry that maybe Exodus could help out with, he can't sing...totally tone deaf, although his song "This is how we do it" cheered us all up every time he sang it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and advice, get all of the injections and kit required, train well, listen to your guides they know more about the mountain than you will ever know. Drink plenty on the mountain, and most of all, take a happy and positive attitude with you, summit day is very testing and is all about your mental attitude, if you are weak and not positive you will not make it up there.

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Reviewed August 2012

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

An excellent holiday for enjoying wildlife viewing and walking in the rainforest.A really good active tour, yet relaxing also. Each day was full, yet at a slow pace.

Most Inspirational Moment

The wildlfe viewing, from nesting turtles to gentle sloths.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Antonio was excellent.He paid attention to details,was  informative and is extremely knowledgeable about plants, birds and animals.A great ambassador for his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a little more walking in the trip than the itinerary would indicate , but all to the better.Remember to pack warmer clothes for the higher areas.Good binoculars are essential, although all the guides carry binoculars and telescopes.A camera with a good zom lens is useful.

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Reviewed August 2012

PRAGUE TO BUDAPEST RIDE

an excellent concept, linking prague with budapest with maximum sight seeing on a bike.more cycling on cycle paths, particularly along the Danube into Budapest would have enhanced this experience; better hotel, more central in Budapest- poor location, unhelpful staff, poor ending to holiday

Most Inspirational Moment

visiting Vienna- never visited before so was overwhelmed by the beauty of the buildings, and their numberthe beauty of the many towns in Czech republic, their history and architecture

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mat was well organised, and provided many opportunities to check we were all ok, and to gain feedback. He adhered to the trip plan which is what we had bought, and checked if unsure with his manager. This may have come across as an inflexible approach, but he could not please all people all the time. We felt some people on the trip had unrealistic expectations in this trip, wanting significant changes that would have meant a very different holiday, which may have suited them but not others! perhaps they should pay extra for a 1-1 trip with a guide! It would help if the itinery plan was emphasised in the trip notes as the holiday, rather than an idea with great flexibility. The only time more help from Mat would have been appreciated was at our final hotel in Budapest, which was the worst of all in terms of its location which was in a run down part of town with evidence of drug using and low lifes, and so difficult to get into the city. The concierge was not helpful so Mats advice would have been good at the time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

you need to be able to manage gears as well as distances on this trip. those who were not experienced slowed the pace of the group significantly at the beginning few days

Reply from Exodus

Exodus takes customer satisfaction very seriously. As such we can confirm the hotel used on Budapest on this tour had not been used before and will not be used again.

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Reviewed August 2012

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Pleasant weather, a comfortable guest house with good food. The holiday gives good opportunity to see wildlife unobtainable in western Europe, together with a very different culture plus some good trekking. The holiday "did what it said on the tin".

Most Inspirational Moment

Without a doubt the visit to Libearty, the bear sanctuary, as this is restricted access and not generally available to tourists. We were given an exclusive guided tour for most of the morning and were able to see many bears. Note, the sanctuary is not a zoo and is no way a "commercial touristy" venue, itis a working wildlife concern.Must mention Bran Castle in passing, as I'm fond of the book and films regarding Transylvanias most famous son...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin was very helpful and spoke excellent English. He was also mindful to accommodate all of the group's capabilities particularly when one or two were feeling the weather during the walks. He used to be a Ranger in the park, and has a good knowledge of wildlike and history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was hot at this time of year, mid 30s degrees C a good capacity water bottle is a must. We were able to re-fill at one or two points in the mountains from natural springs, Casmin will advise.The weather can turn quickly though, always take a raincoat; when it does rain it won't hold back, but lasts about 30 minutes or so. The thunderstorms were great if you enjoy such things.If you do the optional bear hide in the evening (which  I recommend), this will be at dusk so sort out your camera before setting off; the red light emissions can scare off the beasts. The hide is well built and protected, you will be safe. Sit still and don't figit though!If you can, take binoculars (these are good whilst in the hide even though the bears are only 30 metres or so away) and we saw chamois and eagles etc in the mountains.Sun screen essential. Insect repellant needed on the beaver watch evening as it is by the river and again at dusk. The mountains seemed fairly clear of biting insects. I may confirm there is no need to pre-load on garlic for these evening excursions.,

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Reviewed August 2012

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

This was a fantastic trip with an excellent in country representative who was both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the areas visited. I thouroughly enjoyed every minute and would strongly recomend a visit to sample Cost Rica’s rich flora and fauna, a real naturalists paradise.

Most Inspirational Moment

Without doubt was the trip to monteverde and the oportunity to see the cloud forests. The diversity of humming birds at this location was fantastic and the canopy walk was well worth the effort as it gave a completely different perspective of the cloud forest and an opportunity to see a different set of inhabitants.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Antonio was excellent, he had a great knowledge of local customs and traditions as well as excellent knowledge of Costa Rica's natural history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for heavy rain but don't get to hung up about bringing lots of dry cloths there was plenty of opportunity to get cloths washed and dried at the lodges and in most cases this cost about a dollor per item, although it was more exensive at esquinas.

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Reviewed August 2012

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

I had a wonderful time and would thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to see the best of this beautiful area. The views on the walks were simply stunning and the hospitality of the hosts Oliver and Elaine made for a friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the accommodation. I hadn’t travelled on a group trip like this before and was unsure what to expect, but couldn’t have asked to spend the week with a nicer group of people, which helped to make the week perfect. If you are as lucky as we were with the weather, make sure you go up the Aiguille du Midi and Helbronner cable cars on the free day – the views are just unbelievable!

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to choose one moment/day, but I think my favourites were climbing up to Lac Blanc - which was a bit of a slog but well worth it - and day 3 above Val Ferret which was (thankfully) modified from the original itinerary thanks to Oliver's local knowledge and was full of some of the most beautiful alpine flower meadows I have ever seen!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very experienced and this knowledge has enabled him to plan some excellent and rewarding routes, which didn't seem too busy even in mid-July. The pace each day was just right, which was quite an achievement given the diverse range of people/ages in the group. I reckon he needs some new jokes to tell though!

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will enjoy it more if you get your fitness up beforehand and are used to walking - good boots are also a must, I had some Meindl Burma pros and these were a lifesaver for my feet! Plan in advance for the free day too.

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Reviewed August 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Exodus provided a trip of a lifetime and one I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to friends.  They made the process easy and stress free before travelling then ensured we all had a great time whilst on our trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention.  Arriving at our hotel on the first night after experiencing some of the roads.Reaching the summit.On return to the hotel afterwards hearing that a couple became engaged!Staying in the tented villages after seeing all the 'big 5' on safari. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was fantastic! He (Meke) was patient with the slower members of the group but allowed the quicker members to go on with a guide.  On summit day, we all started out together until the gradient became more pronounced before he split the group up.  Meke made time for all the individuals in the group and  whilst on the walk and whilst in camp.  He also delivered a breifing each evening after dinner keeping us all informed and he did this with good humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was a pain getting the tourist visa at Kilimanjaro airport.  If you have an opportunity to do this before it would help.  Also, make sure you do get the vaccination for yellow fever as it was only recommended but it was required on entry at the airport.

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Reviewed August 2012

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

This well thought through trip exceeded the expectations of my whole family, with such a rick mix of experiences – desert camping, Milky Way, beautiful birds, wildlife, landscapes, food and excellent mixed company.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hearing the roar of lion from under canvas in the still of the Etosha night. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ronny was fun, knowledgable, very helpful and diplomatic.   

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for cold nights in July under canvas and travel light.

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Reviewed August 2012

MONT BLANC HOTEL TREK

An excellent holiday, fantastic scenery, a great guide and a great group.  Most of the hotels and meals were excellent, a couple of the veggie meals were well below par.  And it really should be graded Challenging, pretty much every day has ascent of c1000m and descent of c1000m, often very steep. 

Reviewed August 2012

BULGARIAN NATIONAL PARKS

Well organised with professional and friendly staff, all in all a great trip with amazing scenery.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the sumit of Mt Vihren.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very professional, helpful, friendly - all round he was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Depending on the room you get at the hotel in Bansko you might need ear plugs. Most people didn't seem to have this but we were at the back of the hotel and there were dogs barking pretty much all night. Thank goodness I packed mine so it wasn't a problem. One or two of the walks are either long or quite hard so make sure you are fit enough to enjoy them.

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