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 April 2012

EVEREST BASE CAMP

Beautiful, challenging at times but very boring after 1pm…..

Most Inspirational Moment

When I left the main group and went off with another group member to Namche for something to do....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Generally a nice guy...

Advice for Potential Travellers

Kiss goodbye to all the luxuries that you take for granted... Take a BIG book as you'll spend most of each day sitting around in a lodge staring at the wall... There are no TV's... One or two lodges had a chess board and a deck of cards but I strongly advise you to take your own entertainment as there really isn't anything to do beyond 1pm on the average walking day....     Also the time WILL come where you have to use a squat and drop toilet so just get used to the idea now !! Oh yes and the bridges can be very scary so if you have a HUGE fear of hights then leave this one alone...

Reply from Exodus

Most day walks finish between 3 and 4pm. The speed and pace of the groups varies depending on the capability of the participants and the leader ensures that a speed is set to allow for acclimatisation. The teahouses are comfortable, yet basic but we believe part of being in the Himalayas is to enjoy getting back to basics, switching of the mobile phone and ignoring the tv. The investment in the solar stoves has been a great success, welcomed by the local teahouse owners. They are now able to boil water without the struggle of having to find wood and further pollute the environment with excess smoke created.

The evenings in the teahouses are a great time to play cards, read a good book and get to know your fellow travellers.

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Reviewed April 2012

LAND OF THE TIGER

This holiday, whilst enjoyable, can be quite hard work with many very early starts.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our first sighting of a tiger at Pench. The park was nearly closing and we had seen this tiger lying in the undergrowth a few hundred metres away for a number of hours when it decided to get up and walk towards us. It crossed the road in front of the jeep turned left alongside the jeep and sauntered of into the jungle. Magical. We had several other close encounters at the other parks both in jeeps and on elephants but the first was the most memorable. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Harish Kumar, was absolutely brilliant. His interest in wildlifeand photography along with his knowledge of the workings of the parks and his rapport with the staff enabled him to negotiate the best time slots and routes within the parks to maximise the potential for us to see tigers. His enthusiasm made the early starts worthwhile. When we were at Aggra my wife had a bad back and couldn't walk very fast and Harish made sure that she was ok and pointed out places where she could rest and wait for the other members of the group so that she didn't feel left out. His knowledge, experience, style, compassion, understanding and sense of humour made the trip.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need to be aware of the number of additional game drives that are available at each reserve as these can add considerable cost to the trip. I would have taken twice as much money as I did had I known. ATMs are very thin on the ground and the one we stopped at refused to accept my debit card. My bank being overcautious more than the fault of the ATM but its something to think about. The other thing is if you don't go on the additional game drives there is nothing else to do. Two of the lodges we stayed at had swimming pools. My wife and I missed one of the drives and used the time to relax and read which was ok but not something we could do more than once. There is also time to relax between the morning an afternoon game drives. Also going on the additional drives increases your chances of seeing tigers which is, after all, the object of the trip.

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Reviewed April 2012

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

A well organised, well advised, well informed trip and everyone from the general porters to the exodus guys were just brillant.  Managed to keep the group motivated given some pretty unsettled conditions and a last minute logisitcal detour via Kili airport instead of direct to Nairobi was quick thinking and personally very well received!

Most Inspirational Moment

Making progress and getting higher and higher was pretty up there generally, tuesday's camps views were good as were above some clouds but after that didnt see muchseeing Kili from the plane for the first time.  And seeing it before and after the snow dumpgetting past gilmores point and then rest that followed and obv reaching the peak.All the porters deserve massive respect - esp the guys who assissted me back down, never forget that

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul & Jim were fantastic.  Offered encouragement, advice, kept everyone well informed and were great leaders.  Don't think they could have done anything better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes - go with Exodus!

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Reviewed April 2012

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

A very pleasant introduction to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The group we were with was a very good mix and added to the enjoyment.

Most Inspirational Moment

The temple visit to Madurai is a real highlight, and we were lucky to see part of the Painguri festival (not for the squeamish!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader, Suresh Moni was excellent. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and attentive to the diffferent needs of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hill walk at Munnar is not difficult, but with the heat was not attempted by all the group - some were fitter than others!

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Reviewed April 2012

MT TOUBKAL WINTER CLIMB

A winter climb close the Sahara. Surreal?

Most Inspirational Moment

Summitting Toubkal was obviously *the* main and satisfying goal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We've not had a duff Exodus trip leader yet.  Mohammed was no exception to this - he was all round excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Layers, layers, layers (ambient temperature, wind and wind chill can vary enormously).Include fleece, windstopper / waterproofs for both top and bottom layers.Don't expect "western style" accomodation - staying at/above the stables at the refuge is pretty basic!

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Reviewed April 2012

EVEREST BASE CAMP

Spectacular mountains, beautiful kind hearted people – a truly inspirational trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

Although reaching Everest Basecamp was amazing in itself, climbing Kala Patthar (5545m) felt like the big acheivement. We were really lucky with the weather and the breathtaking views will stay in my memories forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lakpa Lama was absolutely fantastic. He looked after the group with such care and did everything in his power to make it the trip of a lifetime for all involved. Our other guide Pemba (who has worked for Exodus for over 27 years), was a brilliant character who kept spirits up and ensured everyone was safe and happy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

-Take a metal water bottle to be used as a hot water bottle in the evening.-Take a small bottle of febreeze to freshen your clothes!-Listen to your guide, if he says walk slowly do and drink lots of water.

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Reviewed April 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

A 2 week intensive introduction to the culture, sights, people and wildlife of the beautiful Sri Lanka.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling around Giritale tank in the scorching heat being greeted and high-fived by locals coming out of their houses to see 15 madly grinning tourists.  Finishing the cycle with an incredible curry and rice lunch in a local house whilst enjoying an ice cold sprite.  One of those rare moments when you no longer feel like a tourist looking in and begin to feel part of the fabric of a place.  An incredible day that will stay in my mind forever.The Sri Lankan people in general - they often don't have a huge amount when compared to their Western counterparts but they are so happy, welcoming and proud of their country - you can't help but feel uplifted.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was a legend.  I don't think I have met a more organised, accomodating person - every transfer was seamless, every question answered.  A vertitable treasure trove of knowledge whether it be the local wildlife, local traditions, religion, where to shop.  Genuine, passionate and friendly - a great person - ISTUTI!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is an intensive holiday - you go to a lot of places so there is a lot of travelling on buses and you have to stick to a pretty rigid timetable.  This can be quite tiring and occassionally frustrating - especially when you visit somewhere that you fall in love with but only get a couple of hours there :(Accommodation is highly variable - there are some relatively decent hotels and some ... less decent hotels - dirty sheets, poor facilities, unpleasant bathrooms.  Regardless of the standard hotel also prepare yourself for occassionl bugs in the room - cockroaches, termites, ants, spiders, beetles, mozzies.  And you'll always have geckos in your room sitting on the ceiling :) 

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Reviewed April 2012

CYCLE MOROCCO'S GREAT SOUTH

Very good experience, great landscape and good organization. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Descending the Atlas Montains, Berber tea and hospitaly, seeing the compassion in our driver's eyes.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

He is great, very organized and precise. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be physically prepared for very high ascendings! 

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Reviewed April 2012

WALKING IN TUSCANY

Had a lovely break walking in Tuscancy. The holiday was not what I expected. I had visions of rolling green hills and instead got big mountain climbs. The holiday should be renamed climbing on Tuscan hills. However, overall it was very enjoyable. But take note, this is not for people expecting a gentle stroll, this is quite challenging.

Most Inspirational Moment

Definetly the views. Some spectacular views of the region.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was a fantastic leader, very easy going but very well organised. A lovely lady with a wealth of climbing experience. She made the holiday very enjoyable despite the awful weather.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is challenging climbing holiday. Be prepared with good walking shoes and lots of warm clothes. We had awful weather in April, very cold, snow, hail, rain therefore come well prepared for all weathers.

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Reviewed April 2012

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

The Vietnam Adventure certainly lived up to its name in every way! It was a mix of an adventure in every sense from the many different (and often novel!) modes of transport we took and encountered during the two weeks, a culinary adventure experiencing different regional specialities and a sightseeing adventure from centuries old pagodas to the Cu Chi Tunnels from the Vietnam War. If you want to sample what Vietnam is all about this is the trip for you!

Most Inspirational Moment

Each place we visited had a highlight, from learning how to cook delicious Vietnamese food from an entertaining chef in Hoi An, kayaking around the many and mysterious islands in Halong Bay, visiting the My Son temple complex, exploring Tu Duc's mausoleum, the sights and smells of Hue market, crawling along the tunnels at Cu Chi to taking a cyclotaxi ride around Ho Chi Minh City, every day had numerous inspirational moments. The Vietnamese people are amongst the friendliest I've met which added to the experience. I would highly recommend visiting Vietnam for the sheer variety on offer.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zung made the history and culture of Vietnam come to life and helped us to understand their customs and way of life. This was an invaluable way of getting a better understanding of the country and the people around us, which I definitely won't have got the most out of if I had visited Vietnam on my own.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip now before Vietnam changes!!! You won't regret it. Don't forget to bring tropical strength DEET for the Mekong Delta as the mosquitoes in that part of Vietnam were particularly vicious!

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