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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14440 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Mark Stapleton

Reviewed July 2018

Cycling the Baltic States

A really outstanding Exodus cycle trip, aided by the most marvellous European summer. Great group of fellow cyclists, excellent choice of hotels and really beautiful forest cycleways. Tour leader Lina and driver Andre added significantly to the overall experience. We have been on a few Exodus trips and as always we were very well looked after. The cycling was fairly straight forward and relatively easy.

Most Inspirational Moment

So, so many! Hearing Lina’s family history put so much of the trip into perspective. We had the delightful combination of beautiful rides, the sharing of stories and the incredible history of the proud peoples of the Baltic States.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely sensational! Lina was the best tour guide we have ever had, and that is saying something. Caring, considerate, always looking out for opportunities to improve our experience, there was never a time when she was anything other than a delight to be with. Her willingness to share her story put everything into perspective. Faultless! For goodness sake give her more work, she is a wonderful ambassador for Exodus. I do have to add that your choice of tour guides on all of the trips we have done gives significant credit to Exodus as an organisation. We always look at Exodus tours before considering other travel companies.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are even reasonably fit, do this cycle tour. A really wonderful way to see and hear about the incredible Baltic States.

Ruth Morgan

Reviewed July 2018

A different view of Italy

This trip was exactly what I had hoped for – a fascinating and varied tour of a part of Italy which hasn’t yet become too full of tourists. Our three centres were well chosen and close together – Matera was so interesting just to wander and get lost among the tiny winding lanes and steps, the old fortified farmhouse set in olive groves near Ostuni was so peaceful and in Alberobello we did meet tourism but worth it just to see the trulli. The walks were great – not too challenging and only took up part of the day so we had chance to explore by ourselves as well. I didn’t expect to see so many wild flowers in June. We had excellent food in a wide variety of restaurants, wine-tasting and two super picnics. We used a variety of transport, including local buses and trains, and all went very smoothly.

Most Inspirational Moment

The view of the duomo in Matera from my hotel room (in a cave) window - I couldn't stop looking at it and taking photos in varying light conditions.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vanessa was a super guide, bubbling over with energy and enthusiasm, very helpful and keen to share typical Italian things with us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good walking shoes vital for the rocky limestone paths, and potentially slippy steps in Matera.

David Parker

Reviewed July 2018

feedback

Good main guides who knew their stuff. Reasonable accommodation.

Most Inspirational Moment

See all types of monkeys and animals in the wild/boat trips

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leaders both were excellent and went out of their way to help and support and organised everything even when not part of inclusive package - both brilliant.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't expect nice hot showers anywhere until KL

Lesley Silcock

Reviewed July 2018

Fun trip to Malaysia

Our family thoroughly enjoyed this varied trip. The first week in Borneo was great for seeing wildlife. We were lucky to watch a herd of pygmy elephants on and in the river and a wild orangutan make his nest for the night. The cities were fun and the food was good. The food tour of KL was particularly good. Relaxing by the pool and beach at the end was a a good way to finish

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing wild orangutans

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both were excellent. They were fun, organised and knowlegable. Jeremy seemed to have boundless energy and took us to so many different types of restaurants for evening meals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear a jumper and trousers for the train, it's cold. Try not to take too much luggage - with a ferry, a train, a plane and lots of minibuses, you have to move your bag a lot. Most of the time we all wore shorts. You will need long trousers or smarter wear for the roof top cocktail bars. In religious places any extra clothing was provided. Take binoculars for the wildlife. Extra layer at night needed in longhouse, it was colder at night than anywhere else and only a small cotton cover provided. Take an umbrella for downpours in cities. If you like to make drinks in your room all places had a kettle but not all provided tea bags/ coffee. Insect repellent is required but insects are not as bad as other places we have been. Do take up the offer of wellies and leech socks in the rainforest, leeches did try to get us!

Paul Gofton

Reviewed July 2018

Bulgaria mountains

Great trip in high Bulgarian mountains.
A fantastic sense of achievement in completing all the walks and summitting the peaks.
Wonderful views throughout.
Walking is tough and should not be considered for someone with little walking experience day 2 walk and penultimate days walk are tough due to the terrain

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of mount Vihren. Not keen on heights when feel exposed and the last 200m is a scramble using hands up limestone slabs. Sense of achievement was great and the views made the effort worthwhile.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vladimir was excellent had a detailed knowledge of the areas we were walking in. He had plenty of stories to tell about beautiful Bulgarian ladies! He was concientious and was always looking out fof members of rhe group. Cajoling people on when they were falling behind

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a challenging trip. If you regularly walk in the mountains or do lots of calorie burning exercise should be fine but due to the terrain 2 days walk are tricky. The longest day walk whilst long is not particularly hard. There is not a lot of time for relaxation on the trip.

Christopher Barton

Reviewed July 2018

Truly wonderful trip

This was our third camping trip with Exodus and this is almost becoming our preferred trip type – being cheaper doesn’t hurt either. We were amazed at the shear number of animals we saw in Kenya and Uganda long before we got to the Gorilla area. We saw the big five, and mostly with babies!, great scenery, wonderful lakes and rivers. Game drives were varied not only in the nature of the country visited but also sometimes in the ‘bus’ sometimes in 4X4s and sometimes by boat. There were some longish drives but with lots to look at, stops for snacks and toilets, and time to charge cameras etc for the next stop. We felt very well looked after the whole time, and guided through formalities of border crossings etc. We were a smallish group of nine which meant we had lots of space, and we got on well.

Most Inspirational Moment

I guess it has to be the gorillas - being so close and watching while they just got on with their lives. The babies were adorable and the silverback huge, but they seemed very peaceful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob was really great, as were the other members of the team - KFC, Stonecold & Dolly. They looked after us really well and bought great calm and humour to the whole trip. In many ways they made it possible for us to have the great time we had.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I considered taking my walking gaiters but decided against it - almost the first thing Jacob said was "I hope you all brought you gaiters for the gorilla trek"! In fact we did well using two pairs of socks with the long pair on the outside and trousers tucked into them. It worked out fine. Do use a porter for the gorilla trek, it makes life a lot easier just having your bag carried, and the occasional hand up, but it also brings much needed employment to the local community.

Alexandra Tindall

Reviewed July 2018

Essential Peru Trip

This was an adventure trip. There was long bus journeys but you see the country as it is. We stayed in Lima in the Miraflores region a day before the trip which I am glad we did. We only managed to do half the trip as my husband got acute mountain sickness. We enjoyed the Ballestas islands especially the rock formations. We seen the Naza lines a couple from the tower , the rest from the aeroplane. The aeroplane did make me feel nauseous with the plane banking from one side to the other so everyone could see. I am really glad I seen them though. We then went to Cusco. Cusco was a lot bigger than I thought. I liked the Historic district of where we stayed in the hotel. We then went to Ollytambo. We only went there because there were strikes than would have stopped us getting out of Cusco and Exodus arranges at short notice to leave a day early and go to Ollytambo. I think they should include Ollytambo in the tour it was a lovely village and there are a lot of ruins you can visit. We then went to Machu Picchu which I enjoyed. I did think the guide would take us round the buildings, but he only did a couple as he spent too long explaining the Solstace etc. I would rather have spent more time going round the buildings with the guide. We did have free time here too to go around on your own which was good. We then went back to Cusco. Which was the end of the tour for us. We missed staying with a local family on Amantani Isalnd, Lake Titicaca, Puno , Cocoa canyon and Arequipa which was a shame. I enjoyed the part of the trip we did.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a Machu Picchu as I have wanted to visit it for some years now.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sabastian was really good . He is a credit to Exodus. He explained things all the time about the trip and what was going to happen. He handled all the changes caused through the strikes and had regular meetings to inform the group. He chose lovely restaurants to have our meals. He would find out answers to anything you asked if he did not know the answer straight away. He had arranged for the doctor to come to the hotel when my husband got ill. He came to the hospital that night and came back with me in the early hours of the morning. Because the tour had a free day in Cusco the next day ,he accompanied me to the hospital in the morning and the afternoon . He then arranged for someone else from Exodus to come to the hospital and help me and my husband for the week he was in ICU.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the tablet for Altitude sickness it may help. Nobody knows who is susceptible to altitude sickness until they actually get it. If you get any signs of it tell your guide and accept help. Read all the joining instructions and make sure you take everything that is recommended it will make your journey more comfortable.

Christopher Bruce

Reviewed July 2018

Kicheche Bush Camp

Absolutely brilliant safari.

Paul Goldstein and the local guides went out of their way to ensure we had the best experience.
The camp itself was superb and the food was the best we’ve had on any trip.
The camp managers, Darren & Emma, were very friendly and welcoming and added to the overall experience.
We would happily go back tomorrow.

Most Inspirational Moment

The number of big cat sightings, which was due to the spotting skills and patience of the guides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul Goldstein is a legend. Inspirational and great fun, you learn so much just from being with him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get on the next plane out. You won't regret it.

jane atkinson

Reviewed July 2018

walking in albania

This is a really great trip combining some really challenging walking in wonderful, completely unspoilt mountainous terrain for the first half of the trip and a short exploration of Albanian culture for the second half.
The accommodation in the mountains in very friendly, family run guest houses was beyond my expectations and always very clean – a great experience. The food, particularly at Valbone, was excellent and plentiful.
It was a great pleasure to visit a country/region where tourism has not yet arrived!

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to pin down any particular moment - walking in the completely unspoilt, non touristy (difficult to find these days!) Albanian mountains was certainly inspirational.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arvil was an extremely pleasant and well informed leader who spoke English fluently. However there are 2 points I would like to raise regarding his decisions 1. For reasons which were never made clear the already scheduled long drive from Valbona (Day 6) to Berat was extended to go via Dourros on the coast (his home town I believe). There appeared no good reason for this. This made it an extremely tiring day of almost 12 hours arriving at Berat at 1900 where we were, after checking into our hotel, taken off for a guided tour of 2 of the oldest mosques in the country (on the itinerary for the following day). Most of the group including myself were too tired to either challenge this or declined this tour. 2. On Day 5 the option to do the full length of the White Circle was not given. Although I was perfectly happy to walk only as far as the ridge and back down the valley, I know that at least 2 of the group was very disappointed not be able to be given this choice. Again no reason for this was presented by Arvil.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are not fit and a seasoned walker this trip will find you out!!! The Exodus rating of 3 Moderate is a little understated I would say. The mountain walking in this programme is really wonderful but if you are not already a regular walker and unfit think twice about this. Having said all of the above I would highly recommend this programme if you like unspoilt untouristy places - go now before its too late!

Richard Hazlehurst

Reviewed July 2018

Not for the faint-hearted

A fabulous trip to a very interesting country. Thoroughly recommended, but please note the reservations about travelling discomforts, below.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably climbing the singing sand dunes. The views were astonishing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Odka was wonderful. She never stopped smiling and she was always looking after us and ensuring we were comfortable, well-informed, well-fed and well-watered.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The website explains that there is a lot of travelling involved with this trip. That is inevitable, given the size of the country and the distances between the various places to be visited. What is perhaps not made clear enough is the fact that the journeys in the desert are almost entirely off-road and the distances make in necessary to travel at quite high speeds. You can be hurtling along at 50, even nearly 60, m.p.h. for many hours on packed sand, gravel or stone with bumps, jumps, swerves and sudden braking. After 10 or 11 hours of this, we felt shaken, not stirred, and had aches and pains to remind us of it. If you go on this trip, you will see some remarkable places and have some wonderful experiences. But do be warned about the discomforts of the travelling. Everything else was good, great, often excellent.

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