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Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

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51 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviews

Incredible first taste of Iceland

After a 4 hour flight delay and miserable weather the first morning, our luck changed and we had glorious sunny weather for the rest of the trip which showed a wintry Iceland off in all its glory. Although the trip is short, a lot is packed in and we did and saw more than I’d anticipated. The scenery really was stunning and I would love to go back in summer to explore further. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this trip to others, although I think the weather can have a really big impact on how enjoyable it will be.

Most Inspirational Moment

The northern lights appearing for us on our last evening in Reykjavik, and Day 3 of the tour when we visited the glacial lagoon and diamond beach then donned crampons for hiking the glacier.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gudni was fantastic and looked after our group very well. He was very calm and personable and provided lots of interesting information about the country as we drove around. It was the first trip where I've seen the guide also do the driving, but with the help of his Madonna-style headset microphone it worked perfectly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Clothing: We were extremely lucky with the weather, but I would definitely recommend lots of layers, and a scarf/buff/balaclava to protect your face is essential. I took both walking boots and snow boots but didn't wear the snow boots at all. They provide you with chains for your boots (which we found to be essential) and you need walking boots really to use them. You also need walking boots to fit the crampons for the glacier hike. I used a Peruvian-style hat with ear flaps for most of the trip, but you also need a beanie-style hat (no bobble) for the two occasions where you need to wear a helmet. Waterproof trousers and coat are essential as you may get wet in the cave and from waterfall spray, even if it’s not raining (a lens cleaning cloth for your camera is also useful as you’ll end up with lots of droplets on it near the waterfalls). I’d also highly recommend two pairs of gloves – the thin inner pair will protect your hands when taking photos. Other equipment: I took a flask but didn't use it. There was a kettle in the room at Hotel Laki, but not in Reykjavik. You can easily fill up a bottle with drinking water throughout the trip. It may sound strange, but sun cream may be useful, especially if you go later in the season; it had clouded over a bit by the time we did the glacier walk, but otherwise there would have been a fair bit of exposure and reflection from the sun. Northern Lights: We were extremely lucky and saw a great display on the last night. However, be prepared to be flexible and keep extra layers on the bus with you just in case. We headed straight from the day's activities for dinner with the intention of then checking in to the hotel and getting extra layers on etc before heading out into the countryside (away from light pollution) as the forecast was looking good. However, the lights had other ideas and appeared for an hour at 8.30 pm, just as we were finishing dinner. We all piled into the bus and headed 10 minutes to a peninsula near the harbour in Reykjavik. So whilst we didn't get to see them against dark skies, we did avoid a long drive and hours of standing outside in the cold, and were back at the hotel by 10 in time to head out to a bar. A friend who went on the trip in January had a 2 hour drive each way to find them on the last night and got back to the hotel at 3 am! When you are at Hotel Laki, if you hear people moving about in the middle of the night and doors going, don’t lie in bed wondering why people were being noisy like I did; it probably means somebody has spotted the lights, so throw your warm clothes on and get up to the viewing area on the roof! I only have a compact camera (Panasonic Lumix TZ30) but managed to get some reasonable photos after doing a bit of research online before I went. I used the manual mode with F3.3, ISO 800, a 15 second exposure, and self timer to avoid camera shake. The key was having a mini tripod with me (that allows you to angle the camera upwards) – even though it’s small enough to fit in my pocket and I looked a bit silly next to everybody with their proper gear, it worked perfectly.

Northern Lights (and much, much more)

A very enjoyable trip and a perfect introduction to Iceland.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many highlights but, as you might expect, finally getting to see the Northern Lights (after two largely unsuccessful previous trips – one to Norway, and one to Sweden - to see them) was a big deal for me. And this was despite an abysmal forecast (“Aurora Activity=0”!) Our tour leader, David, somehow managed to magic them up from somewhere. Other than that, Gullfoss (waterfall) is particularly spectacular and photogenic and the crystal clear lumps of glacier ice on beach are beautiful and fascinating.

Thoughts on Group Leader

David was very good. He worked very hard for us and, thanks to him, we took in a very full itinerary without ever feeling rushed or short-changed. I have no doubt we benefitted a great deal from his knowledge and experience of the country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t underestimate how cold it is/can be. Make sure you’ve got plenty of suitable clothing. If you’re (primarily) going on this trip in the hope of seeing and photographing the Northern Lights then make sure you know what you are doing and are very familiar with your camera’s controls (including how to operate it in the (near) dark). In order to take photographs of the Lights, you do, of course, need a camera that can take long exposures (typically 15-20 seconds) and a sturdy tripod. I would emphasise “sturdy” as it can be very windy and, especially, with long exposures, you need things to remain as still and stable as possible. And don’t forget to remove any and all filters from your camera lens before trying to photograph the Lights.

Iceland Northern Lights

Excellent introduction to Iceland.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the ice crystals at Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon - beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kristjan was an excellent leader - he drove and entertained us throughout the trip and we learnt a lot about Iceland, its people and culture. He went out of his way on the last night looking for suitable locations for the Lights as we had a lot a cloud on previous nights. He was just as excited as us to finally see them!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If travelling by Iceland Air, food is NOT included - take some sandwiches with you to eat on the plane!

Winter is coming - and Iceland is the place to experience it!

Fantastic country – other-worldly landscapes – this trip offers a thrilling mix of the ancient sagas which tell their own tale of the landscape, the stories of modern life under constant threat of volcanic eruption, geography and geomorphology, wildlife and food. And if you get Kristján as your tour leader, you will be among the luckiest Exodus travellers out there – I’ve done 9 or so Exodus trips and am confident he is one of the best, most knowledgeable, resourceful, responsive, hard-working and entertaining leaders out there.

Most Inspirational Moment

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon - utterly breathtaking. Think of Superman's ice palace, add colour and seals! I had no idea such places exist - so beautiful, one or two of us had a little tear. We were lucky enough to see the aurora borealis on the last night, thanks to the persistence and hard work of our leader Kristján. It was an amazing experience - so much is said of it - but it has a great deal to compete with against the dramatic landscape that is Iceland.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kristján is one of the most knowledgeable, resourceful, responsive, hard-working and entertaining tour leaders out there. He was tireless in ensuring that we all had the greatest time. His enthusiasm for his country and his delight in sharing that knowledge and enthusiasm with travellers is quite infectious! We "tested" him with questions on geomorphology, politics, history, the sagas, women's rights, religion, wildlife, you-name-it, and Kristján rose to the challenge every time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

These days we all look at the weather forecast on the internet - but remember Iceland is very breezy, so the windchill factor is considerable. Take loads of layers (including for legs and feet), a hat with ear flaps (e.g. trapper-style), and an outer windproof and waterproof layer. If you're planning any photography, consider two pairs of gloves (a thin pair you can work in plus an outer pair for additional warmth). To photograph the aurora I'd recommend a tripod, long exposure, wide aperture, cable release / self-timer. Batteries perform poorly in the cold so take spares and keep them in an inner pocket.

Whistle stop tour of Southern Iceland

Great first experience of a group holiday. Couldn’t have asked for a more friendly bunch of people to spend 5 days with. Well organised and we couldn’t possibly have fitted anything else in. There wasn’t even time to look in the visitor shop sometimes – but I coped!

Most Inspirational Moment

Jokulsarlon Lagoon at dusk was wonderful. No Northern Lights :( Will just have to go back!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Organised, very good local knowledge, good sense of humour. He had to re-organise some visits because of the horrible weather we had for a day which left us marooned in our hotel for nearly 24 hours - all part of the adventure! Sometimes I wished we had been given a bit more information on what was happening the next day and what we needed to have with us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was really glad that I arrived a day early (not planned, but as I flew from Edinburgh I had to go Tuesday rather than Wednesday). I was able to spend a day in Reykjavik which wasn't part of the tour - but I think it should be! Take warm trousers and waterproofs! The weather can change in an instant from very cold and sunny to up to 120mph gusts and rain! The first hotel website (Klettur) suggests that the rooms don't all free WiFi but they do.

Northern Lights - almost

I have no hesitation in deeming this to be an excellent tour. I wanted to see weird and wonderful landscapes. I also wanted to get a glimpse of what it was like for the population to live in such an unusual place. Both curiosities were satisfied.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is difficult to pick one moment as each setting is almost jolting. Perhaps the spot where the tectonic plates meet (where the settlers had their annual political talk-fest circa 1000 AD...yes they did!) particularly gripped me. Significant land and political movements in the one spot! Our group experienced it close to end of day so there were less crowds and tour leader gave us a taste of its significance.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Well Kristjan is simply remarkable. He makes tour guiding into an art. You get the information and a taste of the life (in this unusual place) via stories, working knowledge, wit and finely-tuned planning. He also had good antenna for group and individual dynamics.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't assume you will see the Northern Lights with the naked eye. I didn't; however, my fellow travellers vowed and declared they did! Best take a camera cause that's where they most show up; hang around, and don't be too disappointed if you don't see them. There is so much else that is intriguing.

Warming winter moments

When asked what my favourite part of the trip was this was my response soon after I returned ….”Mine…the spontaneous stop off to chill by the glacial pool in falling light – to capture the sunset en route to the hostel …we saw the Northern lights – so chuffed – Vik, Whow! – homemade tomato soup on the spot where they were grown – all the food. Oh and I missed the pictures of Gulfoss in the books, so imagine my face when I walked to the edge of the path!! Snow, muted crashing rollers on a lava beach, ice, sun -such feast for the senses…then lastly the feel of the lava between the toes in the blue lagoon. Still pinching myself.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gulfoss, because of the above, closely followed by the beach at Vik, with crashing rollers

Thoughts on Group Leader

Clear, concise, there with answers to questions and prepared to go the extra yard to make this short trip to Iceland most memorable. His performance on the line was truely memorable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Layers, lots. It doesn't matter what you look like but you'll only enjoy it if you are warm.

Iceland Northern Lights

For a short exposure to the spectacular volcanic and glacial scenery of Iceland, and the opportunity dependent on conditions to see the Northern Lights, this Exodus trip takes some beating. As always, weather conditions will influence the experience, but sharing with a small but similarly interested group and a quality guide serve to enhance the enjoyment factor.

Most Inspirational Moment

Enjoying a crisp but clear evening away from all light pollution, therefore a spectacular night sky enhanced by the developing Northern Lights.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Flexible and attentive to the needs and comfort of group members, knowledgable and informative, and full of local folklore and amusing anecdotes to fill the quieter moments.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Follow Exodus advice on clothing because it is cold! Be ready for conditions not to be right for the Northern Lights, and if you do see them, expect them to be less colourful than most photographs suggest but be amazed by what the camera sees.

Beautiful Iceland

Well-thought itinerary that allows you to see the highlights of Iceland in just 5 days with stunning scenery and great activities.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were lucky to see them for one night only, but seeing the Northern Lights is truly magical, especially with Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon as the backdrop. Jokulsarlon black beach is stunning too and glacier walking was amazing. Great photos opportunities, the striking contrast of the black sand and the blue ice at the beach, and the layers of black ashes and blue ice on the glacier.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kristjan is an excellent guide. Landscapes are beautiful, but he also made me interested in the culture and the people. He's very knowledgeable, full of interesting stories, he made sure everything run smoothly and managed to avoid the crowd. He did his best for us to see the Northern Lights depending on the conditions and made various stops en route to take photos.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take lots of layers, I think we were lucky with the weather as it wasn't that cold, but it's better to have more, as it's safe to leave things in the bus. There was still a lot of snow on the ground. Seeing the Northern Lights is hit and miss, sometimes the forecast is promising but you don't see them, sometimes the forecast is not great but you see an amazing show. So when you do, be prepared to stay out late at night in the cold. Also, they can appear a bit dull to the naked eye, they look more greyish than vivid green, but you can still see the strands and the flares and don't get me wrong it's absolutely fantastic. But I would advise to have a DSRL camera with a fast lens (at least F2.8) and a tripod, then with the correct settings, Kristjan will help you, but usually ISO 800, F2.8 at 15 seconds, and the colours will pop on your photos. I truly recommend renting a camera and/or a lens if you don't.

ICELAND NORTHERN LIGHTS

A packed itinerary that gives you the opportunity to experience a lot that this fantastic country has to offer. Stunning scenery and a fantastic guide.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing glaciers and ice on the beach - very difficult to describe if you haven't seen it. Breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kristjan was absolutely brilliant from the moment we met him at the airport. He's so passionate and knowledgeable about his country that I've learnt loads about Icelandic culture, geology and history. Nothing is too much trouble for him. Thank you so much!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take LOTS of thermal layers you'll never have enough! You can get soaked at the waterfalls so waterproofs are a must. I could've done with something to cover my face as the windchill is painful without it (especially when it's raining/snowing at the same time). There are a few long drives as other reviews mention but there are many stops to break it up and Kristjan made sure we had lots of opportunities to take photos of the stunning landscape.