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.

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14364 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Geraldine Fawcett

Reviewed June 2023

Expectations exceeded!

This trip fulfilled my long-held ambitions to see Machu Picchu and condors flying over the Colca Canyon while also giving us the chance to visit the Nazca Lines and Lake Titicaca. I loved all these experiences but there was so much else to enjoy, including time spent relaxing in Cusco, pisco tasting in Ica and the Lima tour on our last morning. The local guides we had at Lake Titicaca and in Arequipa and Lima were all superb. My only disappointment was seeing so few birds and no penguins on the Ballestas Islands boat trip. It was upsetting to see the effect of bird flu and El Niño on the wildlife there.

Most Inspirational Moment

I'll never forget looking down on Machu Picchu and up at condors. Not quite in the same league but particular highlights for me were the Koricancha Sun Temple and the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art in Cusco and the Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa.

Thoughts on Group Leader

William was a brilliant leader. He worked hard to ensure that everything ran smoothly and everyone's requirements were met and he was particularly conscientious when it came to checking that no-one was badly affected by the altitude. He was a great guide at Machu Picchu and the other archaeological sites and very helpful in identifying the birds and other wildlife we encountered. Above all he's a really friendly and cheerful person who enjoyed taking and sharing photos and who was happy to chat about anything, even Peru's failure to qualify for the last football World Cup!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If in doubt, please go for it!. Our leader and local guides were very grateful that we'd made the trip and asked us to encourage others to visit. After the double whammy of the pandemic and this year's political unrest the Peruvian tourist industry needs support.

Clive S

Reviewed June 2023

Essential Peru

An unforgettable trip of a lifetime. After so many trips, this was probably one of the most impressive and perfectly organised 2-week round trip I have ever experienced, with a very nice and friendly tour group and our guide Luis, who did an excellent job of informing us about the history, geography as well as current events of Peru, including the continent. Every day was full of sights to discover, every day was interesting and full of news, although we made a long journey and it was sometimes exhausting. But no stretch, no tiredness was in vain, because thanks to the professional drivers and local guides, it was the earth of Peru itself, with its diverse colours, areas, people, climate and dreamlike landscapes, that always surprised, amazed and sometimes moved you between speechlessness and tears of unique beauty. From the legendary Machu Picchu to the fiery red rocks of Cola Canyon, from Lake Titicaca, the warm-hearted people and the lovely host family on the island of Amantani to the magical volcanic area, from the region of Ica and many, many places, this beautiful country of Peru is always worth a trip, no matter if it is a round trip or just regional. No matter which region or city I mention, none of it would have been so perfectly possible without our professional tour guide Luis, whose narrations on the bus I kept wishing would never stop, as he not only shared historical facts and local peculiarities with us, but also answered every conceivable question from fellow travellers clearly, precisely and absolutely understandably. Luis, you remain for us an unforgettable, wise, very intelligent and funny tour guide. I would also like to thank the Exodus team for the excellently planned itinerary, even though the planned time in Aguas Caliente proved too long for such a small place. Whomever Luis is assigned as tour guide, he can be sure that he is in good hands and travelling with a very experienced and friendly soul. The many drivers and local guides may forgive me for not remembering their worthy names, but they all did their best, from day to night, from the mountains to the dry and hot areas all over Peru. Thank you. Muchas Gracias. Sulpayki.

Most Inspirational Moment

Simply Peru as a whole, the landscape, people, food and all the colours.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Luis Gonzales is unbeatable and simply the best in his way, being professional, objective, patient and smart.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't hesitate. Just go for this trip: Essential Peru.

Kay Wellings

Reviewed June 2023

Fantastic experience

So much to see and do. Quite tiring, with early starts and some long drives, but I loved it all. We saw so many wonderful sites, met great local people and tried lots of different foods and drinks. Arrangements and support in Peru were brilliant, particularly the lead guide, William.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around the corner of the top path to see Machu Picchu below me - so emotional after wanting to see it for almost 50 years.

Thoughts on Group Leader

William was excellent. He was extremely knowledgeable and spoke excellent English. He really made the trip, because all of his advice and support was great. He even took us to places in his own time and made great suggestions for places to eat and visit. He was also a really lovely man and interesting to talk to.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take or buy snacks for the long journeys. Always top up with water/drinks. Sort and pack luggage into small bags, so it is quick and easy to find what you need.

Esther Barron

Reviewed June 2023

Lycian Activity Week

We had a great week away on an active, adventure holiday in a beautiful area of Turkey. Lovely group of people, lots to do & see, a really great way to explore, discover and enjoy as much as possible in a week. Kas is a lovely little harbourside town with a maze of streets, cafes and gift shops to meander through, there was a perfect timetable of more strenuous activity interspersed with gentler days, beaches and free time to sit by the pool or explore some more.

Most Inspirational Moment

Kayaking; this was a great day, split up into 4 sections - getting to a small cove & little beach for a swim/explore, paddling over the sunken city, taking time out on Simena, a peaceful little island & a post lunch swim - which made the 10km manageable and fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our local guide, Alper, was absolutely brilliant, helpful, informative, friendly, he engaged well with adults & kids alike - often being drawn into a game of Top trumps, Dobble or Exploding kittens! He was keen to go out of his way to ensure we saw as much as possible and he knew a lot about the area. He helped to sort out a boat trip for our free day, and, when my phone fell into the sea & died, he contacted the local 'phone hospital' to help me get it fixed. He took us to a variety of little restaurants for dinners, explaining speciality dishes and encouraging us to try local food, which all added to the experience. Going out of his way, because we asked specifically for these things, he took us to his favourite Baklava shop, found us the Turkish delight stall at the bazaar and even rented out a football court one afternoon, and played goalie at the request of some of the kids in the group! Top bloke.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider additional costs: In total, for 2x adults & 2x children in May 2023, this trip cost me a total of £7,424. Water taxi's, entrance to Canyons, Ruins & Beaches, as per trip notes, are not included in the price. Hotel Phellos is very basic but has hot, powerful showers and is just a short walking distance into the town centre, the pool is fine but the slide shown in pictures has not evidently been in use for some time.

Julie Taylor

Reviewed June 2023

Delights of Southern Italy

A great short but intense week in Southern Italy! The Amalfi coastline is great, beautiful scenery and hot weather. Nice Tour group! Good local Leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

The visits to Pompeii &Herculaneum.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Veriano was excellent - even though he did not sing any Italian arias!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a lot of people on “ Walk Of the Gods.”

Marianne Heredge

Reviewed June 2023

Couldn't have been better

A week walking in the Prosecco Hills couldn’t have been better. The walking was easy going, with picnic lunches (three of the days). We sampled the local wine and learned a lot about it too (I’d never really thought about where this lovely wine came from in Italy before). Visiting the beautiful town of Treviso, we walked by the river on a ‘rest day’. The week went far too quickly and I think most if not all of us wished it could have been longer. We had an exceptional guide, who looked after everyone so well.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Dolomites,with a little snow, in the distance. Being shown around a small vineyard that produces fine quality Prosecco. Walking through the vineyards.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We couldn't have asked for a better leader. Full of enthusiasm and always smiling, Vania took care of everyone so well. When a few in the group found it hard to get up the hill due to the heat, she was up and down, making sure that everyone was okay, giving the clearest instructions for those of us who were slightly ahead. She was very impressive in how she was able to take care of a diverse group.

Brian Simmonds

Reviewed June 2023

Our tour guide made a great holiday fabulous.

Cosseted from start to finish. Vietnam was amazing but the trip was made even better by our fabulous tour guide, Anh Vuoung. Hanoi was mad and needs to be experienced to be believed. Ha Long bay lives up to expectations, and despite being warned about lots of steps, the cave was not arduous but was spectacular. The Da Nang Reunification museum was a different take on the ‘American war’ and the spirit of reconciliation was obvious. I’m glad that we did it. Hoi An was amazing too, and very different from other Vietnamese places, a mini Hong Kong with LED coloured lights everywhere. One of my favourite places. The Mekong boat trip was an eye opener, the Vietnamese people are so resourceful and friendly. We had feared that the trip might be a bit too cultural for us, but it was fine, and we enjoyed the visits, and very happy to be educated. We did an optional bike & boat ride, it was a great respite from this town based trip, touring open countryside with a guide, meeting locals and tasting the home made products. No complaints about accommodation at all, nice hotels and lovely home stay – even the overnight rail trip was fine -earplugs essential. I’d recommend this trip wholeheartedly, Exodus delivered for us yet again and their star, Anh was incredible. rn with breezes was a welcome respite from the heat.

Most Inspirational Moment

Ha Long bay overnight boat trip. Comfortable and very clean small wooden boat with reasonable size rooms - with double beds and en-suite/shower! It was the most chilled out time of the trip, and being seabo

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful Any minor hotel room glitches (broken hairdrier) were reported for us and dealt with swiftly. Nothing was too much trouble, Anh fitted local, cheap data SIM cards to our phones so the group could exchange pictures and receive last minute updates. She even reset our phones at the completion! Her manner was calm and knowledgeable, historical information was impartially delivered and presented in context. Food intolerances were easily catered for, Anh dealt slickly with these, and was often helping out the different restaurant staff so that we all ate at the same time. When we had non-inclusive meals she organised splitting the bill, no flaff, sorted.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t take too many jumpers.. Earplugs for the train and boat advised Almost no rain during our trip, (middle of March) Take a light umbrella for shade Just do it. It was great.

Nancy Liu

Reviewed June 2023

Dolomites

I loved the trip for the hiking routes and sceneries.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Just ok. This was the 6 th exodus trip for me. I would rank my leaders in the bottom of the list.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not sure if the meals are worth the premium price.

Denise Mills

Reviewed June 2023

Fantastic time walking in Tuscany

The walking in Tuscany trip far exceeded my expectations. The whole trip was meticulously planned and it was so easy to relax right from the start and simply enjoy myself. The accommodation at Agriturismo Braccicorti was clean and comfortable and the family who run it are just the loveliest people and made everyone feel so welcome. The food was simple, locally sourced and we were very well fed. The walking (Level 3) was absolutely fantastic – made all the better by our simply wonderful guide Sara, and the lovely group of people on the trip. I was a bit apprehensive about the weather as there had been storms the week before we went. However our guide Sara is an absolute expert on the region and was able to plan each days walk to take full advantage of where the weather was the most glorious on each day’s hike.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many it's challenging to choose just one. However, the last day undoubtedly stands out as the most spectacular and my personal favourite. The walk was challenging in a good way and the landscapes and vistas were nothing short of breath taking. It was a day that encapsulated the essence of the trip, leaving me with a sense of fulfilment, gratitude, and a longing to relive those remarkable experiences once again.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara is an extraordinary individual, she has such a genuine and sincere nature, which makes her one of the loveliest people I've had the privilege of encountering. Her deep-rooted passion for the local Garfagnana area and its people is truly inspiring. Sara's love for the region is infectious, and it's evident that she holds a profound appreciation for the culture, history, and natural beauty that envelops the area. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and it effortlessly ignites a sense of wonder and curiosity in anyone fortunate enough to embark on a journey with her. Her expertise ensures that each day of the trip is not only enjoyable but also enlightening, as she shares captivating stories, fascinating facts, and unique insights that enhance the overall experience, all topped up with a great sense of humour. Sara's attentiveness to the needs and well-being of each walker is unwavering, and she goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone feels supported and taken care of throughout the journey. Sara played a large part in making the trip a truly memorable experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack your wet weather gear even if you think the day will be fine, it can be changeable in the mountains. Don't underestimate the challenge of a level 3, make sure you've upped your fitness levels so you can relax and really enjoy the fantastic ascents and descents.

Kate Thompson

Reviewed June 2023

Fabulous holiday, lovely country and people!

A great holiday. I’m not a sit-on-the-beach type and this trip was anything but that (though the beaches are beautiful!) It was all so interesting. Huge variety – cycling through villages and coffee plantations, snorkeling, camping, temples, rice paddies, mountains, volcanoes, craters, old colonial homes… Exodus packs a lot into this trip! And such friendly people. Yes, there are a couple of really big hills, but if you’re reasonably fit, they’re doable. We had plenty of breaks and went at the pace of the group. (Please see my note below on trip rating.) One thing I really liked was that the distances weren’t as long as on some Exodus trips I’ve done. That meant a more relaxing start (7am breakfast not 7am start!) And we generally got to the hotel at the end of the day in time to read a book or go for a swim. Made for the perfect holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Can I have three? Cycling through the villages on both Bali and Java - marigold offerings at the gates in Bali, the call to prayer on Java. The snorkeling (Nemos, turtles, fish of every colour...) Camping at the beach and the great dinner the team put on.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wira is a fantastic guide. Organised (things ran like clockwork), helpful, friendly. Great sense of humour. Patiently answered all my questions about his lovely country. Wayan, our #2 guide, was great fun and super-helpful too. And the rest of the crew couldn't have been more helpful and friendly. Lovely people.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light but not too light! The humidity makes it hard to get washing dry. Having done several Exodus trips ranked moderate/challenging, I'd say this was harder than those more challenging trips. The distances were shorter, but the hills were bigger! If, like me, you don't eat red meat or chicken, Indonesia is your place. Excellent vege food and great fish. If you like gold and silver jewellery, you won't find better than at the first hotel in Ubud (where they make their own).

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