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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14423 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

stephen roberts

Reviewed March 2019

Worth every penny

Its difficult to write this review without repeating what everybody else has all ready said. We had some fantastic tiger sightings that frankly left me breathless, we also saw sloth bears, leopard and fantastic bird life. Some people saw more some saw less, but that’s always going to be the case on these types of holidays.
The quality of the guides and drivers is hit and miss, but Exodus has little control over this as they work for the park.
Hadn’t appreciate that the jeep allocation was so tightly regulated. Who is what jeep, is decided when the jeeps are booked, and passports are checked on each drive to ensure that’s the case.. but you are moved around so your not sat with the same people all the time.
The accommodation on the whole was better than expected, although some people seemed to have problems getting hot water a few times. Being welcomed back of every drive with a warm flannel and cold drink was very welcome.
Everybody gets a bit stressed just before the overnight train, but once we were on and settled it was okay, and I slept okay, and the bedding was clean, and didn’t feel the need for a sleeping bag liner. There was a western and Indian style toilet in every carriage, been in worse on UK trains.
Make sure you stock up on snacks before you get on the train as the packed lunch taken with you was uninspiring.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was being eye ball to eyeball with a wild tiger walking towards me. Still get the shivers now, just thinking about it. For my wife, getting to touch and feed the working elephants as they passed our jeeps.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krishna has great, fed us loads on info on Indian culture, and the wildlife. Kept our spirits up when the tigers wern't playing ball. and took care of the minor problems quickly. My wife is Type 1 diabetic and found the brunches a bit late for her sugar levels. Once we had mentioned this , Krishna sorted out some extras to eat before we left in the mornings.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Its cold on the first few hours of the morning. Take hats, gloves and a warm jackets. The one afternoon we didn't take waterproofs, we had a storm. So pack them every day. Yes its as dusty as they say, so be prepared for that. Getting small bank notes was an issue, buy some small items(sweets or water) in Delhi airport to try an get some smaller notes. Card machines at resorts not always working. Take cash. In two weeks we spent about £750, mainly on lunches, beers, snack and tips (and a couple of souviners). For info a beer was 350 rupees. We also tipped some of drivers and guides a bit more than suggested

Caroline Curnock

Reviewed March 2019

Discover Sri Lanka tour

The holiday was an excellent mix of activities – walking, cycling, exploring wildlife and looking at cultural sights. The hotels, with the exception of the Sevonra Garden, were excellent with good service and helpful staff. The food was great across the hotels, again with the exception of the Savonra Garden, with plenty of Sri Lankan dishes to explore.

The changes I would make would be to have longer in Galle as it was such an interesting town and we only had a couple of hours there which was not long enough. Also to factor in less time in the woodcarving shop.

Most Inspirational Moment

The day spent cycling as it was well organised and lovely to have time exploring along the watercourses with all the sights and sounds.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suneth was an exceptional leader - he was full of information about Sri Lanka and all the wildlife but more importantly he was a very kind caring man who went out of his way to make our trip special - introducing us to different foods, buying fruit for us to try, taking us out on birdwatching trips in his own time. He was very careful for our safety and was always available if we needed him. It was very sad that he had to leave early for family reasons but he handled what must have been a very difficult and emotional time for him in an extremely professional way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

To add in a few days at the end to relax as the trip was very full on in the best way. it would have been great to have a few days at the end to relax and mull over the experience and to explore Columbo as a city.

Nina Whidby

Reviewed March 2019

Snowshoeing in the Catalan Pyrenees

The holiday had everything, the sunny beautiful weather with snow and without snow, walking and snowshoeing,with rich history of the Catalan Pyrenees (and Pallars Sobira) from ancient time to modern days, with its culture, celebrations and suffering, with its nature and, of course, with people. Walking and snowshoeing, as it was already said in previous reviews, were with beautiful and stunning views over the mountains, on different altitudes. Passing through different villages, so different in their style and architecture to British ones, we were introduced to its history by our guide Miguel, and this was a great addition to our holiday. I like these villages and towns which looked so organic with nature, they were like a continuation of the mountains – the same colour and so close to nature! Snowshoeing was very enjoyable, at higher altitude and more strenuous than walking.

Most Inspirational Moment

I like all the walks as they all were different and all had their own charm. I liked the Bordes – Burg walk. In spite of the fact it did not have snow, it was very interesting from the point of view of the history of this area and picturesque views of Burg. Visiting a small 13th century church in Tirvia and seeing the still remaining traces of shrapnel on the walls of buildings, as a reminder of the atrocities committed by General Franco's troops, was an important learning point in this trip. I liked all the snowshoeing walks, and it is difficult to say which day was better, as all of them were excellent!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanks to Miguel all our trips were very well organised. He is very dedicated to his job and knowledgeable of the area and its history. Even on our free day, he took us to the Prison Museum in Sort – another eye-opener revealing the not very well known history of the Pallars Sobira area. In addition, he organised a very interesting excursion to a local cheese maker with cheese tasting. Wine tasting with his knowledge of local wines was also very good. Every evening he managed to introduce something new to us, even some Catalan language. A lot of humour and fun! Great job!

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice as already was mentioned in other reviews. Also, you should be fit as some snowshoeing is quite physically demanding and at times quite brisk.

Virginia Young

Reviewed March 2019

It all feels like a dream now but what a fabulous holiday!

This was my first Exodus trip and was booked to celebrate a big birthday and make wonderful memories and I certainly did that! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect as a single traveller but the holiday was fantastic, I needn’t have worried – I was in safe hands with our wonderful guide Ruwan and surrounded by a lovely group of friendly travellers. We did such a lot! Everyday was packed with new experiences from climbing Lion’s Rock to whitewater rafting to watching a snake try to eat a bat!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many great moments. I enjoyed visiting Kandy and attending the Tooth Ceremony with the smell of the beautiful flower offerings and the colours! . The thrills and spills of whitewater rafting! The lunches prepared by the village ladies, so many different dishes, all tasting wonderful, with some even cooked in front of us! Cycling beside the beautiful waterways was very special with all the children coming out to greet us! And the wildlife was amazing, from elephants to monitor lizards to hornbills to crocodiles!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ruwan was well organised and had a great sense of humour. He took time to explain the history and customs of the island as well as the geography and language. He took care of everyone. Any problems were quickly sorted out calmly and efficiently He gave us great tips on where to visit in our free time. We couldn’t have had a better group leader!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take insect repellant and don’t forget to use it! Take a camera with a large memory card! There is lots to photograph! Enjoy every minute as it goes too fast!

Dave Wynne

Reviewed March 2019

Snow Shoeing in the Dolomites

Another great Exodus holiday.
Nice hotel
Great routes and scenery with a variety of Winter conditions ranging from blue skies and glorious sunshine to romantic fluttery snow falls in magical forests to wild full-on winter conditions of wind and heavy snow.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lutterkopf for the wind and snow on a broad ridge. Monte Piana for the glorious sunshine and views coupled with the fascinating history of the site from world war 1. Bruckele to Rossalm for the magic of climbing through the silence of a remote valley after heavy snow with trees coated in snow and hearing the distant roar of avalanches in the mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding! A great guide in the form of Sara Bull, knowledgeable, good fun, encouraging and safety focussed but allowing the team to move freely and not corralling the group into a bunched single file route marching group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes. You are in for a treat!

Tony Wilson

Reviewed March 2019

Does what it says on the tin - and a great deal more!

A truly inspirational holiday, helped by a very accomplished leader, a super friendly group, awesome scenery, great weather and good food. The Iguazu Falls extension was the perfect end to a truly wonderful holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

I have two : 1 ) Seeing the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre range from above El Chalten with hardly a cloud in the sky on the last day of the main holiday. 2 ) Iguazu Falls (on the extension)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good at his job - friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, a great laugh - just a fun guy to be around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do the "Estancia Cristina" option from El Calafate on the "rest-day". Do the Iguazu Falls extension.

Sonia Athwal

Reviewed March 2019

Well Organized Trip

Well organized trip. The cycling route was very well thought out by our guide Shibu. The entire team of Shibu, Bevan, and Franklin took extra lengths to ensure we were well taken care of, and safe. Really great people leading us. My group was a good size (11), making is easy to interact and have fun. I recommend this trip to see Kerala up close.

Most Inspirational Moment

Less inspiring, but more exciting was seeing an elephant up close on the street, taking a stroll as we rode out bike by!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shibu is a top notch guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware that it gets very hot. Bring some sort of small pannier, or bum-bag (fanny pack) for camera and small needs. You won't need to carry a back pack - everything is on the bus.

Mary Pendower

Reviewed March 2019

Awesome Trip to see the real Sri Lanka!

This was an awesome trip from start to finish. Great way to see a lot of the country, people, wildlife, culture, history whilst taking on board some really fun activities such as white water rafting, walking to World’s End at Horton Plains, cycling through villages and paddy fields, looking at amazing views on a train journey seeing elephants, monkeys, boar, deer, crocodiles, many types of birds and even a leopard!

Most Inspirational Moment

cycling through villages and learning all about coconut farming, and being served a local Sri Lankan buffet in one of the settlements we cycled through. going to Yala national park seeing elephants and a leopard playing Sri Lankan games with our tour leader and fellow group. learning all about Sri Lankan history from our amazing tour leader Ruwan Exodus supporting local community projects and taking us to non touristy places. Visiting the tea plantations and learning all about the tea growing process was brilliant walking to World's End was awesome with incredible breathtaking views. Environmental issues remained a top priority with Exodus with water being supplied on the tour bus for us to fill up our own bottles

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ruwan definitely defined the holiday and made it one of the best holidays I have ever had! He was witty, very knowledgeable about the wildlife, history of the country and it's people. He made every effort to ensure that everybody was happy and fully participated in our tours, activities and meals. He also bound the group together, we arrived as strangers and we were friends when we departed! The Sri Lankan games we played towards the end of the holiday were hilarious.. All thanks to Ruwan and also the driver and his helper. I cannot recommend him highly enough. Thank you Ruwan!

Advice for Potential Travellers

go with room in your suitcase for Sri Lankan clothes, tea and spices!

Ben Brown

Reviewed March 2019

A Great Time

I really enjoyed everything about this group hike. This was the challenging version in March 2019…which was a great time to visit with temperatures in the Low 70’s F.

Everything went off without any problems but that was most likely due to the guide, Michael Newcomb. He is probably the best guide I have ever encountered. Not only is he very personable, he has taken the time to learn a LOT about the area and wildlife. He took the time to interact with all of the members of the group and he paid close attention to the pace to make sure those at the back didn’t fall behind too far. He was simply outstanding.

The Cortijo (farmhouse) was a really great place to stay. I had the single room and it was clean and comfortable. Note that there were dogs barking during the night but they are on nearby farms so the owners cannot help this.

The owners, Joke and Cartouche, were very friendly and helpful as were their staff. I was able to pack lighter because they offered a laundry service that I took advantage of halfway through the trip.

The food for the evening meals was fine (not bad) but I had hoped for a bit more Spanish cuisine. Breakfast was fairly light but sufficient.

As a side note, Cartouche is also a talented tattooist and he has a small shop on the premises.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment of the trip for me was the view from the hike on the first day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was outstanding. The best I have had.

Fred nocella

Reviewed March 2019

A Transformative Experience in Jordan

I feel like I’ve had a year’s worth of memorable experiences in the last nine days! I knew I would like it; I just wasn’t expecting to love it as much as do. I still can’t stop talking about it since returning home. I will treasure these experiences for all time.

If you are interested in the Middle East’s rich history as a crossroads of people, ideas, religions, and cultures, I wholeheartedly recommend this tour. You will see Jordan from top to bottom, from mountains to desert to sea.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sorry, I just can't choose one moment: • Realizing that I could exchange pleasantries in Arabic with the people I met. • Seeing a shooting star in the night sky over Wadi Rum. • Seeing the sun rise from camel-back • Petroglyphs in the desert. • Seeing the Treasury at Petra. • Becoming friends with my fellow group members.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I can't say enough positive things about our guide, Ibrahim Isbitani. His expert knowledge of the culture, history, and geography allowed us all to get so much more out of the experience. He was able every time to create the right context for what we were seeing. I can confirm that my other fellow 19 tour group members all feel exactly the same. He clearly loves his job, loves meeting people and introducing them to the full mosaic of Jordanian culture and history, and has an enjoyable time doing it. His great sense of humor and flexibility eased the occasional discomforts of traveling. I wish I loved my own job as much as he loves his!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's worth it to take the time to learn a few words in Arabic. A half dozen words or less is all it takes. This will open all sorts of doors for you. This is not actually a requirement, component, or aspect of the tour, but Ibrahim was very generous with his time in teaching me when I expressed an interest. Steamed/cooked vegetables are always safer then raw vegetables. I took so many photos, I couldn't charge my batteries fast enough. Next time I would bring a portable battery/power pack. If you are coming from North or South America, it's worth it to spend the extra money on a really good voltage convertor. Don't cheap out like I did!

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