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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14432 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Jo Luckhurst
Reviewed February 2019
Magical week in a snowy wonderland
Thoroughly enjoyed a fantastic week at base camp. Scenery is absolutely stunning and activities are varied and fun. At the end of January/ early Feb there was plenty of daylight to make the most of everything on offer. There are superb snowshoe walks right from the front door, the little bear trail in particular. Accommodation is comfortable with plentiful tasty food and good variety. All staff work hard to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. Although the clothes provided are perfectly acceptable, if you already own your own cold weather gear ( ski jacket / fleeces) you can wear these too. Lucky to share our holiday with a friendly bunch of fellow travellers who helped make it extra memorable.
We would highly recommend this holiday to anyone thinking of going.
Most Inspirational Moment
Difficult to say - so many but the scenery and tranquility was splendid.
Thoughts on Group Leader
All base camp staff were friendly and helpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you live near Birmingham airport do enquire about the Birmingham flight (we found out about it after we arrived)
Take plenty of warm woolen socks, not necessarily all thick ones you will probably need to wear 2 or 3 pairs at a time.
If you like downhill skiing the slopes in Ruka looked very quiet.
Michael Barrett
Reviewed February 2019
cycling vietnam
Cycling In Vietnam-12-26th January-Michael Barrett
It was my first view of Asia,Ian and Sandra taught me how to walk across a street with a few hundred motorcycles hurtling towards us,a leap of faith I guess and I’m still standing as the song goes.An assortment of fellow travellers from Australia,America Puert Rico,Canada and the Uk assembled on the first night to express their hopes for the trip to our genial Vietnamese host LD who explained the ground rules and structure of the trip.My attention had been drawn by 2 friends who had completed the trip and my mind on Vietnam as a place was largely a blank canvas , I had been keen to avoid any programmes such as Top gear to prevent any Clarkson like judgements.
Comfortable accommodation and a support crew of vehicles and guides explained how to operate our sturdy mountain bikes.New to this type of tour I was keen not to be left behind and set off with the same vigour as a young Wayne Rooney ,but the first day was reasonably easy , a chance to stretch and ease off the jet lag which didn’t thankfully afflict me.A trip to the Chui Chui tunnels was an early reminder of the war that had blighted this country in the 1950’s and 60’s with French and American bombardment of this strikingly beautiful country.Gliding through small villages we couldn’t help but notice the open hearted nature of the schoolchildren who hurtled hello’s with great excitement as our pelaton crossed their homes,
The tunnels were a timely reminder of the resourcefulness of a guerrilla army faced with a mighty enemy ,but the difficulty with which I crawled down the tunnel after our Vietnamese guide made me thankful this was a holiday and not warfare as my chance of survival would have been below zero.
The first few days were reasonably warm and the carefully arranged stops with the welcome site of our support buses and healthy sustenance from fruit and drinks enabled us to continue our progress from Saigon(Ho Che Minh) towards the eventual target of Hanoi.Evening meals were a chance to relax after a days cycling and mingle with a vast array of personalities all willing to engage .Any special events such as birthdays were accommodated, Whale island being a decent spot and even the loss of an iphone only served to show what a decent gang of people I was travelling with.
As we travelled further north rain became part of our days and my bandana decided it was time to change my hair from blonde(maybe grey?) to purple much to the joy of my fellow cyclists .Even damp days were transformed by sun and lunch among local people that our guides arranged, eating great local food with local people was a personal highlight along with cycling off road among the rice fields and observing the marvellous flexibility and postures of women shaped by years of hard work(sorry, can’t stop thinking like a physiotherapist)
I had trepidations as a single guy travelling but the nature of the group meant all characters were accommodated even people with my off the wall sense of humour.I guess the masochistic nature of cycling the beautiful Hoi van pass (we believe it is? ) in heavy rain and mist created a team ethos and a determination to finish which strips us all of cool and pretension.I even remember keeping pace with our Vietnamese guide a racing cyclist as my legs became more powerful and my clothes soaked in rain.I remember when he put the back burners on and had to stop when water buffaloes blocked our path, thank god for water buffaloes I said or maybe expletive deleted.
On a long trip the guide needs to be able to raise flagging energy levels and the long night train journey from Hue to Hanoi was my first introduction to Kareoke and believe it or not gin and tonic.Thank you LD for your rendition of Delilah which will always remind me of Vietnam, and Katie Bush came from somewhere , and I even gave a fair rendition of the Mountains of Mourne or maybe not, and even some pogues, albeit with teeth Andrew .
Well onto Hailoon bay a lovely tranquil place but the journey to it demonstrated a country in transition from a largely agrarian society to a more industrial society with its attendant effects on the environment.Hanoi appeared to be swathed in smog and I was thankful our trip had taken us through more idyllic unspoilt places.My last memory before the flight back was a taxi ride with a young man who seemed willing to take every available risk ,I decided it was best to shut my eyes and we arrived at departures thank god.
Flashing memories of being hugged by a saleswoman in Hoi ann to try to effect a sale and the sight of disabled victims of agent orange ,could not counteract the positive energy gleaned by this journey of enlightenment through modern day Vietnam on a bicycle.My last day in Hanoi and a walk around the lake was welcomley(is there such a word?) interrupted by parents keen to get their young offspring talking English to me, their politeness and desire to learn truly humbling. I need to read up on this country .
Thanks everyone for making this a memorable trip and I’ve booked my trip to Italy in May, so Ciao for Niao
Mike
Most Inspirational Moment
Many intertwine and built up as we took in the nature of the war and then observing the energy and optimism of the young children that welcomed us as we cycled through their villages.The importance of education was transparent when I was asked to speak English with young children in Hanoi by their parents
Thoughts on Group Leader
excellant,
Advice for Potential Travellers
bring some waterproofs and gloves and aerated cycling shoes are a good buy .
Avni Lakhani
Reviewed February 2019
Brilliant holiday.
The trip was very well organised & the tour leader was efficient & knowledgeable. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country, I would definitely return.
Although this was advertised as a ‘premium’ trip a few of the hotels we went to were nowhere near what I’d describe as premium. (Although the majority of the hotels were very good).
Most Inspirational Moment
I really enjoyed Kandy, the tea plantations, the safari in Yala national park and the beach resort
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sujan was excellent, knowledgeable, well organised & efficient.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring plenty of changes of clothes, as you may get hot & sweaty doing some activities.
Anthony Deacon
Reviewed February 2019
An adventure or two
This was a challenging trip with a mixture of hard and easy cycling covering a number of different areas of this beautiful country. We had a good mixed group who gelled together very quickly and which made the time together very enjoyable. The trip covered many beautiful areas of Costa Rica with many opportunities to see the wild life and dramatic land and sea scapes.
Most Inspirational Moment
The cycling was great and at times the challenges of the hilly sections appeared daunting but ended being conquered. Throughout the cycling there were many vantage points reached which afforded fantastic views of the scenery. Many opportunities also to see some wild life and colourful bird life. The weather was generally very good with only travelling through the rain forest zone being damp as expected. The local people were great too. Always appeared a happy and friendly throughout the travels.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andres Ramirez was our group leader and he proved to be an excellent ambassador for his country and company with exceptional knowledge of it’s history and it’s geography. His organisational skills sone through on a number of occasions when faced with some changes to the itinerary. On a personal note l will always be indebted to Andres when I had a bad accident on day 6 in the San Vito region. I came off the bike travelling downhill at speed. Luckily he was with me at the time and was able provide vital support in getting me to the local hospital and helping me through the difficult period of treatment there. Andres then ensured that any further medical attention I needed for the rest of the trip was arranged. He also managed in a professional and mature manner one or two difficult moments with two members of the group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Please be sure that you read the trip notes before arriving in Costa Rica as it was clear some had not. Be aware that there are a number of different climates in the country wet,dry,hot, cool conditions were all experienced. Understand the staple food for Costa Rica as this will be what you will encounter for the majority of the trip. The hotels and lodges were generally of a good standard and for one night stopovers were ideal in many occasions but don’t expect 5 star accommodation. And be careful going downhill too fast as I experienced!!
Vivienne and Michael Hodgins
Reviewed February 2019
Wonderful trip to Costa Rica
This was our 8th Exodus trip and one of the best. The tour leader was excellent..Giovanni Madrigal. He was very knowledgeable, professional in his approach and good fun especially as he had a great relationship with the driver, Juanjose who was also part of the team. Gio made it clear from the outset that this was a group holiday and group harmony was important. We were encouraged to rotate the seats on the bus so everyone got a chance to sit at the front. The group really got on well. There were many excellent group meals and we had a good mix between travel, group walks and downtime by the pool. The accommodation was very good….wooden lodges set in wonderful surroundings. We stayed for 2 nights in each place which was great. Much of the food was included so it wasn’t so expensive when we were there….most hotels had happy hours! We saw so many birds, mammals and reptiles. Gio knew where to look and had a scope so we could all see. There are additional trails we could walk on our own which we enjoyed. He knows his country and was keen to pass on his knowledge.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the quetzal, the scarlet macaws, the toucans, the monkeys,sloths, iguanas,snakes, crocodiles,caimans.......etcetcetc. So much to see everywhere we went.
The fantastic Pacific beaches where you can swim...you can’t in the Caribbean where we were.
The hot springs at La Fortuna
The suspension bridges at Monteverde
The waterways at Tortuguera
Manuael Antonio Park
Esquinas lodge and its surroundings
The night walk
Thoughts on Group Leader
Superb. My husband fell on gravel and had to go to the doctor to have stitches. Gio and Juan were great, taking him,staying with him etc after a long day.
Gio was very patient and knew how to see birds and wildlife.
He took us out some evenings in the bus to great restaurants.
He ensured the trip ran according to plan....it was a very professional approach. He shared information on politics, history etc....not just wildlife. We felt very well prepared for the National Museum in San Jose.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take dollars or colones...both accepted everywhere.
Take a hairdryer if you like to use one...a few lodges didn’t have them
Take warm walking clothes and good rainwear...we only had rain one morning but it was wet!
Closed in shoes....walking trainers are necessary .Godd walking sandals are useful.
You don’t need walking boots or poles.
You need a good camera and binoculars although the leaders have scopes.
Swimming stuff...great pools especially the natural stream pool in Esquinas. We also swam in waterfalls and hot springs.
Mosquito spray..
Light towels for Manuel Antonio and the waterfall.
You don’t need to stay longer to see San Jose...you have enough time to see the few sights.
James Clarke
Reviewed February 2019
A Sri Lankan Odyssey
A good mix of cultural and historical experiences with a beach holiday thrown in for good measure.
Most Inspirational Moment
Sri Lanka is a calmer version of India; the cultural and historical sites are as grand but the hassle is much less. The caves at Dambulla with their frescos and statues, the climb to Sigiriya and the remains at Polonnaruwa are spectacular; Kandy is probabaly the most frantic of all the stops but interesting all the same with the visit to the Temple of the Tooth and the Botanical Gardens.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tirikiri was caring and considerate if a little slow on picking up on group members needs e.g. money exchange, appropriate footwear but overall a nice enough chap and quite willing to share his obvious love for Sri Lanka.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Two things:
1. The cycling was more of a challenge than expected; female members of the group found the universal bikes hard to manage - do not be afraid to take advantage of the support vehicle to follow the cyclists.
2. The Horton Plains experience was of mixed value. The paths were not all easy with deep ruts, serious roots and steep inclines - appropriate footwear is essential. The views at World's End were obscurred by cloud mist inspite of an early start to avoid it and the absence of any wildlife rather negated the reason for the trek. Following the trek the train journey to lower levels proved to be a really challenging experience; crushed onto a train, standing in confined spaces with open doors for 90 minutes was not fun and no chance to see the much vaunted views of the cloud forest and tea plantations rather defeated the purpose of this part of the trip.
peter costello
Reviewed February 2019
mount Toubkal winter climb
The organisation off the trip and arrangements in Morocco were very good. The guide kept us to task which was good and provided a good briefing in preparation for each days activities. The hotel in Marrakech was fine and the staff helpful and friendly.
The accommodation on the mountain was poor and shows no sign of improvement in at least 15 years simply not good enough in nearly all respects particularly washing and toilet facilities. Why has this not improved Exodus?
The guide should have been more attentive to health and safety considerations eg making sure that all has tied their crampons correctly to their boot the first time this was done independently.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking in the mountains
Thoughts on Group Leader
Room for improvement form a health and safety perspective. He did address many issues eg being careful taking time conserving energy but seem to pay little attention once on the mountain leading from the front does require keeping an eye on what is happening. The guide was friendly and provided good briefings and keep us to task.
The practice in using an ice axe was at a very low level. More time should have been devoted to this key area of safety on the mountain.
Veronica Smeaton
Reviewed February 2019
Snow-shoeing in Catalan Pyrenees
As the snow did not arrive until the 3rd day we had 2 days’ hiking and 4 days’ snowshoeing in a beautiful, remote area. Our guide, Miguel, was able to alter his planned routes to suit the vicissitudes of the weather and always provided us with scenic and culturally interesting hikes. Early evening talks were an exploration by Miguel of Catalan history, economy and culture with two opportunities to taste cheeses, sausages and wines of the area. The hotel was welcoming and provided an excellent selection of food. Rooms were warm and comfortable though corridors and the restaurant were often chilly.
Most Inspirational Moment
It is difficult to choose one but the climb up to the Pla de la Font mountain hut through the woods and the descent in which we each took a turn at leading the way was very memorable.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Miguel was remarkable in his versatility at selecting routes to suit the weather. He inspired us with his love of and pride in Catalonia and managed to convey a vivid picture of life in remote areas, both past and present. He has a good sense of humour and was always very sociable with the group. Nothing was too much trouble and he was very aware of his responsibility for our safety and keen for us to enjoy experiences.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take plenty of warm layers which you can remove easily and stow in a rucksack. A good level of fitness is required as some routes are both long and challenging.
Richard Greenwood
Reviewed February 2019
Awesome Landscapes
This was our fourth Exodus Cycling Trip over the last few years and my favourite so far. The landscapes that we cycled through were simply stunning with snow capped volcanos, lush green valleys, blue and emerald lakes, monkey puzzle woodland and black volcanic ash and lava. The cycling routes were occasionally challenging but never too long. The accommodation was generally good (with two exceptions) and we were expertly led by Tia, his brother Yell and Matteus. It helped that the weather was pretty much perfect throughout our trip with cool mornings making way for clear hot afternoons. We also benefitted from a great group of cyclists, most of whom were of a similar (oldish) age and fitness level!
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many, but I particularly enjoyed the Punto Panoramico ride with views of the Argentinian Lake District and the hike up (and rapid descent) of Villarrica Volcano. We also had a very special send-off from our hosts with drinks at sundown overlooking the Llama Volcano .
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tia was amazingly competent and patient as our group leader. The trip involves some incredibly tricky logistics with crossings from Chile into Argentina (and back again), numerous ferry rides, transfers by minibus, luggage checks at customs points and the constant shepherding of 16 cyclists. Despite these challenges the whole trip ran smoothly. His skills as a paramedic were also tested on a few occasions. Together with his brother and Matteus they formed a formidable team
Advice for Potential Travellers
1. About 25% of the cycling is off-road, mostly on gravel tracks with ruts and stoney sections. It can therefore be tricky at times. Some experience of biking off road is necessary (though there was the opportunity to opt out of these sections and travel in the support vehicle).
2. Even with the fine weather that we experienced the mornings were cool and the afternoons very hot so we needed extra layers and lashings of suncream.
3. There were several opportunities for swimming on the trip so have swimming gear close to hand.
4. The lunches provided on the trip were often two and three courses- with large quantities- and it was sometimes difficult to do them justice without struggling to cycle in the afternoons!
5. Although American dollars could be used in several locations you do need some Chilean and Argentinian pesos for small purchases. Credit Card machines were fairly widespread in shops and restaurants.
Alison Barltrop
Reviewed February 2019
Amazing Vietnam
Very interesting experience for my first time in Asia. Excellent variety of sights and experiences.
Met a lovely group of travellers who made the trip memorable.
Most Inspirational Moment
Sunrise at Angkor Wat . Worth the early alarm call.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ms Nga was so enthusiastic and charming. For a 25 year old to organise 16 middle aged people with such patience and a smile was truly superb. She was so proud of her country and wanted to show us as much as possible. Viet Nam should be proud of her. An ambitious young lady who I am sure will go far.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you can , go soon. We noticed along the coast from Da Nang to Hoi An that large hotel chains are buying up plots and it will get more commercialised.
