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

John Heathcote

Reviewed January 2018

Good trip

Met my expectations – 5 + a bit days fairly challenging walking in desert mountain scenery. Food on trek (lunch and dinner) was exceptionally good by any standard – almost a let-down to eat in a posh restaurant at the end! Francophone countries never understand breakfast.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to say - all days on trek were good. The penultimate day on trek is probably best - the greatest variety of scenery since it includes villages with enough water to have greenery, and the pools for a dip at the end of the day. There's not much running water to see on this trip, or even vegetation in winter.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohamed managed the group and the team well. Everything went like clock-work. Of necessity he spoke at least 4 languages (his native Berber, Arabic, French and English) and it was occasionally necessary to make sure that he had understood questions. Having understood the question correctly, there was no problem with the answer. Some of the walking is effectively trackless and therefore the group has to stay together. He set a comfortable pace that everyone could keep, without being frustrating to the stronger members of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The paths are generally very rocky and stony, much more so than mountain areas of the UK. No mud though! Walking along a wadi bottom is much like walking on a shingle beach, hard on the ankles and legs. The trip delivered the coup de grace to my well-worn boots. As a group we were surprised by how cold it was at night at the start of the trip - winter at 1700 m! I was glad that I had a thermal liner and long johns, as well as my 4-season sleeping bag. My tent-mate had a hired sleeping bag which was a bit thin. Mattresses are provided and were adequate for me on the stony camp sites. A karrimat would not have been enough. (Big) bottled water was provided and there was no need to sterilise water.

David Nowicki-stephen

Reviewed January 2018

Vietnam adventure

A feast for the senses! Amazing sights and stunning scenery! Wonderful food! Crazy sounds of manic cities! Balmy breezes humid showers tropical heat! A complete sensory experience! The most exotic country I have visited! Plus friendly people and a wonderful local guide Nhi PHam. What’s not to like!

Most Inspirational Moment

Local meal with Vietnamese family in Hue

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely fantastic! She made Vietnam come alive! Knowledgeable caring funny and friendly

Advice for Potential Travellers

Warm clothes for the north

Christine Dempsey

Reviewed January 2018

A Taste Of South India

A very good & varied introduction to South India. Very different to `the triangle` around Rajasthan and West Bengal in the north of India. Kerala & Tamil Nadu are relatively wealthy compared to the north. Relatively relaxed itinerary covering about 750 miles during the 12 days (13 nights) with a couple of 5 to 6 hour (maybe longer or shorter depending on the road conditions & congestion) driving days. Lots of interesting & varied sights & experiences. Generally very well organised with optional extra activities/trips if you want.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not one moment but many (in no particular order). The scenery in and around the tea plantations of Munnar (though I did not go on the trek) and the visit to the TATA plantation. Helping to cook our own evening meal with a local family at their home in Periyar. Visiting the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai (probably the highlight of the whole trip for me). The rubber plantation homestay near Erattupetta. Early morning boat ride on Vembanad Lake at Muhamma to watch the mussel fishermen at work. The houseboat backwater cruise of course. The day trip to Kanyakumarti (southern tip of India). The late afternoon / evening walk to the Muslim quarter and fisherman quays, away from the tourist areas, of Kovalam.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader/facilitator, Sam Benjamin, was excellent. He was very knowledgeable on so many topics of Indian life and history. He was friendly, considerate and helpful (he was very helpful when a fellow passenger had a minor crisis during the trip).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not take the group flight; make your own way there and own way back. Arrive at Kochi at least 1 or 2 days before the tour starts and depart at least 1 or 2 days from Kovalam after tour finishes to `take-in` and have time to explore on your own or just relax. (Try and get start & finishing hotel details from Exodus in advance to save you changing hotels. Book the hotels directly and not through Exodus as they, Exodus, will add a `mark-up`.) Changing money (with a good exchange rate) and hiring a taxi at Kochi airport is cheap & easy. Although English is widely spoken, try and learn a few words of the local language, Malayalam; it may help you to engage more easily with the locals in Kerala. (I managed to pickup a few words from the local taxi & tuk-tuk drivers.) Make sure that tickets for the lake boat ride at Periyar are confirmed in advance of the day of the trip as I, with the tour leader and other members of the group had to queue for 3 hours under the hot sun for a one and a half hour boat ride. I would recommend visiting Kanyakumari (southern tip of India) by taxi. The taxi, from Kovalam, costs around IR3500 (divided by the number of passengers) for a full day (3 hours each way + 4 to 5 hours at Kanyakumari). Note that there is a `priority` queue for the island ferry (for a surcharge) if you want to visit Vivekananda Rock. It will save you a lot of queuing time if you walk directly to the gated entrance of the quay.

Martin Jackson

Reviewed January 2018

Vietnam and Cambodia

Organisation very good e.g. timing of boats, buses & cycles
Variety of trips and optional events very good. All good quality, interesting and very varied. Saw lots of beautiful places.
Guides background knowledge good. Vietnam guide especially helpful with almost everything including stropey people. Hotels clean and tidy. Food varied, though bit cheaper if went to a local restaurant, rather than one suggested by the guide. Clearly told what was optional and how much it cost. Overal a wonderful holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Ha Long bay. Seeing the beauty of what God's made. Hanoi theatre trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vietnam- excellent. Cambodia- good

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try anything, it brought such a smile to my face

Pam Bell

Reviewed January 2018

Totally amazing!

The stunning scenery and the awesome wildlife were just two factors making this one of the best trips I have ever experienced. The four man crew were what made it extra special.
The Masai Mara went well beyond expectations, with clear access to all of “the big five.” Plus many many more species of birds and animals were on display throughout all of the national parks visited. The accommodation was clean and pleasant, the truck spacious and comfortable even over rough roads and on long journeys, while the meals were always made from fresh ingredients, very tasty and excellent quality.

Most Inspirational Moment

The mountain gorillas were awe-inspiring, well worth the climb up to see them. The optional chimp safari was also an amazing experience. The close proximity to lions, cheetahs, giraffes, rhinos, elephants - the list goes on and on; was extraordinary within such beautiful surroundings. I felt very privileged to share the pristine environment with them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob was an excellent leader; professional, extremely patient and efficient, always friendly and caring. His knowledge and enthusiasm was enhanced very ably by the other crew members; Albert, Stone Cold and Raymond (Dolly). All four created a wonderful team whose one wish was to make our holiday go smoothly and be unforgettably enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The padlock for the personal locker on the truck needs to have a thin, but long shank.

Mavis Williams

Reviewed January 2018

Brilliant trip in a fabulous country

The 8 day tour of Jordan was really enjoyable. The trip encompassed all the incredible sights of Jordan and its rich culture and history. Petra was amazing and a real highlight. The guide was knowledgeable, caring and very enthusiastic. Would really recommend this interesting, varied and enjoyable trip. The group were all like minded people and we all got on very well which was a real bonus.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Petra and having time to really explore the whole site. It is really amazing. Also the trip was very varied and covered all the highlights of Jordan

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was amazing, very experienced knowledgeable and worked really hard to ensure the whole group enjoyed the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The night in the desert was really good but if you want a sleeping bag book it before the trip. This was not made clear in the trip notes, it makes it easier if you want to sleep outside. Walking boots recommended. Layers for winter as can be cold at night in the desert. Alcohol available but hard to find and can be expensive

Sarah Humphreys

Reviewed January 2018

Discover Costa Rica

Holiday exceeded expectations – due in no small part to our excellent guide, Antonio, who went out of his way to ensure that everyone had a great time and their individual interests were catered for.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the first close up sight of wildlife, iguanas in the trees beside the restaurant in Laguna Lodge

Thoughts on Group Leader

Can not speak too highly of Antonio; professional, knowledgeable, excellent communicator and a wicked sense of humour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

No need for any smart clothes for evening wear - casual and sportish fine

Ken Humphris

Reviewed January 2018

Cycle Cuba

Good trip, superb guide, interesting journey.
Of 8 on the trip, 6 came back with (subsequently medically-diagnosed) Giardia.
Not Exodus’ fault, but people should be made aware of this problem so that they seek medical attention earlier. This is more than holiday tummy.
I have been on many guided holidays, not only with Exodus, and our guide on this trip was probably the best we’ve encountered.

Sally Birch

Reviewed January 2018

Not cheap but worth it in many other ways

Overall a great trip made better by the people in my group and trip leaders (even though we had a change over after Nicaragua). A wonderful experience slightly blighted by lost lounge for the first 5 days and then me having a non cycling accident on the first day in Panama. However the group and the trip leaders were awesome, a real opportunity to see people at their best. So helpful, so caring and so accommodating, every one of them really made sure I was able to enjoy as much of the holiday as possible. Stunning sights, food, adventures and guidance and support from the leaders and so much to laugh about and enjoy.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many....seeing my first volcano and active too. Massages in the tree tops, the panama locks, the hot spas, the boat trips, the stunning beach in Panama, animal spotting and rafting. The views were stunning and the people were so friendly and welcoming.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had Roberto initially, who is very experienced and knowledgable and worked tirelessly to get my suitcase back to me and ensure I could participate as much as possible. Then we switched to Rafa, who despite being younger and newer, was so much fun and the best male nurse in the business ;) His support during and after my accident, in the hospital and helping to redress my wound twice daily, was without doubt a lifesaver. And his good humour and patience during my "colourful language" with each cleaning session (hehe) meant that tears always ended in laughter.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bug spray was only needed for a couple of nights but useful. Pack your first days cycling gear in your hand luggage, esp shoes (cycling in the equivalent of flip-flops wasn't fun initially). You'll need cash, for the most expensive of trips i've done with Exodus, this had the least about of meals included but cashpoints are available. I literally only took US Dollars as everywhere accepted them and gave change in local currency to each country that i just then used before we crossed the next border. Sunscreen!! I took 4 sets of kit and that was more than enough, could have survived on less (and i did initially). DOn't be precious about sticking to the trip notes, relax and have fun, this is the time to let someone else make decisions and you just ride and see what comes next around the corner!

Karen Wallace

Reviewed January 2018

Fabulous sightseeing adventure

What an amazing experience! 3 weeks, a lot of time spent on the bus traveling, but never boring, always stunning landscapes, often wonderful wildlife, and with the help of our excellent guides, who spotted and identified animals and birds and pointed them out to us, followed up by showing us them in their wildlife books. The nights were spent in a large selection of hotels and cabins. Some were rustic, no electricity, but always comfy and clean. I was so impressed with the delicious food our guides cooked for us for dinners, accompodaring those who did not eat meat. With limited facilities they produced plentiful and tasty meals. I enjoyed the places we visited especially the organised hikes. The only slight glitch, the safari that is included was in the van which would have been unacceptable so we had to pay for an additional trip in an appropriate vehicle. I would have liked a few moe healthy options for lunch, but the r st of the trip was truly a great experience. I would recommend starting in Capetown and ending in JoBerg, otherwise you will have the best animal sightings in the first week, making the limited sightings in the end less dramatic. I would also suggest going to Capetown a few days before the tour, as there is so much to see and a limited time. I will have to return!!!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the animals in the wild so close was fabulous. I also hiked up Table mountain alone and that was so worth while.

Thoughts on Group Leader

They were both truly wonderful. I felt like they truly cared and wanted us to enjoy everything. They were genuininly friendly and fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to Capetown a day or ao earlier and def start there, no JoBerg. You will be so excited to see a few animals in the first week as it is your first sighting. If you do it tbe other way round, it will be an anti climax. Def bring a rain jacket and torch. Temps range dramatically...so layers.

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