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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Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!
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14440 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Catherine Ellwood
Reviewed February 2018
Like going on holiday to Narnia!
An amazing holiday in a beautiful landscape. It was like being in a Christmas card.
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. On our free day, I walked the Little Bear trail with another member of the group and it was a great day.
The huskies are beautiful, and I enjoyed snowmobiling. The evening snowshoe across the silent, dark frozen lake was amazing. Building the quinzee was fun, although hard work!
For me, there was just enough taster of all the activities, and the option to do more of them if you wanted to.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Elina was lovely. She explained everything to us really well, made sure we were OK and knew what we were doing. She is so enthusiastic about her job, nature and country and shared it all with us.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I had been thinking of doing this holiday for a while and it was fab. So do it.
Martin coles
Reviewed February 2018
Strenuous
Beautiful scenery, decent but not outstanding hotel, very professional guide, but be aware that the walking is very strenuous with a lot of extended uphill sections, and not, as advertised, moderate.
Most Inspirational Moment
The day of rest!
Wendy Pillar
Reviewed February 2018
Introduction to cross-country skiing
Dobiacco is a really beautiful place and there is lots to do outside the skiing. The skiing tuition is very good, and flexible, as on the level 1/2 week you can move between groups if necessary. Although the loipes feel remote, they are mostly not far from a bus route, so you can stop early if you have really had enough.
Most Inspirational Moment
Day 2 of skiing it came together and I felt I could actually do it, it was a beautiful sunny day and we were skiing through a gorgeous valley through the mountains, and it was magical.
The free day was also pretty special, with snoeshowing and riding the ski gondola to the top of the mountains for a 360 degree view
Thoughts on Group Leader
Liz was a very enthusiastic and good instructor, who made sure everyone made a lot of progress, even a ski skiver like me! She was very good at balancing the needs of the different abilities, and always full of information.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Cross-country skiing is hard! Don't assume it is easier than alpine, there is quite a lot of technique to learn before it really starts to flow, and quite a lot of falling over on the first day. You need decent fitness, and strength in upper body and core as well as legs helps. Doing some work on your balance before coming would pay dividends. You'll definitely go home fitter!
Alpine ski clothes are too warm. You need a lighter coat and lots of layers, as the variation in temperature between waiting for a bus and skiing up a long hill is considerable.
Elizabeth Guard
Reviewed February 2018
Unforgettable week
A truly memorable week packed with up-close animal encounters in their wild and free environment.
Really helped us understand animal behaviours and the urgent need to preserve their precious habitats.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing 7 male cheetahs together in a group- even our guides were amazed!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both leaders very friendly, knowledgable and respectful of rules of the reserves.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take large SD cards!
It’s a full-on week, game drive from the day you arrive . Some in our group went to Nairobi 2 days early to rest and acclimatise to the heat .
Rob Niblett
Reviewed February 2018
Sierra de Aitana Trek
A great walking holiday which matched the moderate/challenging grade exactly. The walks were well paced with a good mix of ascents and ridge walks offering excellent views. As the week progressed we were able to see where we had been and where we were going.
Jose was an excellent leader and his local knowledge was obvious and he was keen to share it. He led the walks professionally and knew the routes and all the options inside out. He is a passionate advocate for the region. The walks were carefully planned and organised with care attention to detail. His packed lunches were tasty using local produce and eagerly anticipated.
Jose integrated well with the group and had a very dry sense of humour.
The evening meals were very tasty and plentiful using local produce. The hearty local fare was perfect after a days walking. You certainly won’t go hungry or lose weight.
The Pension was ideally located with great views to the coast and allowed some of the walks to start and finish from it.
Overall a really enjoyable trip which I couldn’t fault.
Most Inspirational Moment
The ascent of Sierra of Aitana although all the walks were very rewarding.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. See above.
Katie Shilton
Reviewed February 2018
Fabulous South Africa
This is an absolutely brilliant trip that I would definitely recommend. The only downside of it was not being able to do it all over again!
The itinerary for the trip is exceptionally well planned and balanced. It is classed as leisurely and can easily be just that. However, there are plenty of opportunities for the more active and adventurous as well.
I did game viewing, walks, kayaking/lilo, zip wiring, shark diving, got an ostrich ‘masssage’, visited caves, went around a township, visited Robben Island and went up Table Mountain, saw lots of cute penguins, plus lots of other things – what an amazing way to spend 12 days.
There are not many long drives on this trip but even the drives you have feel part of the holiday as the scenery is just exceptional and there are lots of interesting stops en-route.
The accommodation throughout is of an excellent standard. In particular I think we all loved The House Martin Guest Lodge in De Rust. The food throughout was also brilliant.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were wonderful moments every day. I was delighted to see so many animals on the game viewing day at the start of the trip and Table Mountain was stunning.
I really enjoyed walking along the cliff path in Hermanus to Grotto Beach and back which I did on my own on the free day. I also loved the walk in Tsitsikamma along the boardwalk which is a fairly easy walk unless you have any mobility issues or are exceptionally unfit so most people should be able to do it without a problem. I also went up to the look out point which is on uneven ground and uphill so you need to a reasonable level of fitness to do that as well but is worth the effort.
The scenery throughout the trip was really varied but always stunning and was a definite highlight.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Justin is an exceptional tour leader. I have done many trips with Exodus and other similar companies and he is probably the best tour leader I have ever had. He is very friendly but also very professional and organised. His love for his country is infectious but he is honest about the problems and challenges the country still faces.
I came away from this trip feeling I understood more about South Africa than I ever have about any country I have previously travelled to and that was thanks to Justin. He strikes the perfect balance of giving you a lot of information without ever making you feel overloaded with it.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Unless your have done a lot of safari's before and are a bit bored of animals I would definitely recommend doing the optional Tooth and Claw Safari at Schotia which was excellent as there is a very high probability of seeing lions, hippos and giraffes which you are less likely to see at Addo in the morning, although Addo itself is also excellent.
I would also recommend staying a few extra days in Cape Town at the end. I didn't and really regretted it as there is so much to do.
Donna Sanders
Reviewed February 2018
Nile Cruise
I do not have a very long ‘bucket list’, in fact Egypt is the only destination on it and this holiday did not disappoint. From the flight to Cairo to the flight home everything went without a hitch. The hotels and Nile Cruiser were very good and Sayed our Tour Leader was excellent. Thank you Exodus.
Most Inspirational Moment
The Nile Cruise was so relaxing. Being able to take time to look at the scenery and enjoy the life on the river banks as we gently moved up the Nile was magical.
Abu Simbel cannot be described in words as there are none that will do it justice, truly awe inspiring.
The Valley of The Kings was a surprise as it was much more compact than I had thought it would be and therefore much more impressive as there were so many tombs so close together.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sayed Mansour our group leader was excellent. He calmly and quietly organised the week so that we had no worries and were able to concentrate on the trips. His knowledge, stamina, humour and versatility were outstanding. He was friendly but not overly so and always made sure that individual needs were catered for.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Our trip was in the Egyptian winter and we did need a warm jacket and waterproof - yes it did rain in Aswan.
You do not need a great deal of sending money as buying things is very reasonable.
Once outside Cairo finding an ATM became a bit more difficult, mainly because of the itinerary. Change some of your money at the airport.
Getting the visa at the airport was trouble free but there were queues.
Lots of bottled water is provided by Exodus.
Anonymous user
Reviewed February 2018
Ethiopia in Depth
Overall it was an excellent trip for those who enjoy exploring history, current culture, scenery and wild life and who are happy to spend at times many hours riding in mini buses sometimes over dirt roads.
Welcome from local people was genuine, some begging, some bartering but never felt under pressure to buy or give money.
Mountain scenery was amazing, historic churches and pre christian sites were fabulous and with relative few visitors competing for space, views and photos.
Local food was interesting and European particularly Italian options were available for those less adventurous.
Tour description of climbs to some of the Rock churches and mountain walks under-estimated the toughness but were worth the challenge for those who were fit enough.
Hotels generally pretty good except in Harar and there were more cash machines available than tour description suggested.
We saw no sign of political unrest although aware of difficulties due to government cutting off wi-fi as several points in the holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
No one highlight.
Walking in the Simien mountains, seeing the monasteries at Lake Tana, seeing the Stellae at Axum, seeing the castles at Gondar. Attending the camel market on route to Lalibela. Seeing the Lalibela rock churches.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both leaders were good, in particular the overall leader who was very experienced and supported the group throughout the trip.
Young leader in Harar was patient and new local area intimately. Given more opportunities he could eventually become an overall tour leader.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are happy to take each day at a time you will have a wonderful trip.
Debatable if best to travel between Axum and Lalibela by flight or by 12 hour mini bus ride?
Martin Kingdom
Reviewed February 2018
A Memorable Holiday
A great holiday, and I was lucky to be part of a very friendly group – a big positive on any holiday. Our guide Justin made the real difference though, with his careful planning of all our activities. Our programme was very wide ranging, with options to be more or less active, suiting all of the group. Justin was helpful and courteous at all times, extremely knowledgeable and had thought of pretty much everything.
For me, the really special days were the game drive (we saw everything except for leopards), and the cable car up to Table Mountain (we were fortunate to have perfect weather). Highly recommended.
Most Inspirational Moment
A lot to choose from, but Table Mountain akes some beating.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Justin was simply excellent. The trip was very well planned and organised, and I gained an insight into the real South Africa from the knowledge and experience that he was happy to share. Outstanding.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be comfortable to go on this trip. The only problem I has was the mosquitoes in Cape Town, with whom I was far too popular. Some of the group were completely immune!
Chris Parker
Reviewed February 2018
Great experience
Our trip was the first visit I’d made to India and so having a guided tour was brilliant. Our tour leader was really good at his job and in addition was willing & able to discuss India and Indian life & society. This made our experience so much more than just a series of visits to tourist spots.
I felt that the very best part of the trip was the trekking in the hills, which was hard work but well within my capability. We did experience unusual weather during this, with rain when it was totally unexpected. This meant a change to our schedule as one camp site became inaccessible. Our tour leader had this under control very quickly, and we had a night in a local hotel and a revised trek next day. This got us back on track by the end of that day.
Most Inspirational Moment
Probably the achievement of reaching the summit of Meesapulimala, though seeing Indian Gaur and elephants in Periyar Park was very impressive too.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sanhtosh was great, managing things brilliantly and telling us an amazing amount about India, it's people and society.
I can't praise him highly enough.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes and other instructional material and follow the advice.
We nearly missed our connecting flight in Mumbai due to the slow process for e-visas at immigration there. If travelling on an e-visa, get the immigration form at Heathrow or on the flight & complete it before arrival in Mumbai. Go straight to the e-visa queue and be prepared for delays.
