Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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14502 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Charlotte Bosseaux
Reviewed January 2018
Mixed feelings
Perhaps summarizing the trip as overall fair is a little on the harsh side. After all, I did see beautiful landscapes and enjoyed good times with my partner, as part of a group 14. However, I wasn’t ‘wowed’ by India. There are too many issues of inequality, discrimination, misogyny and last but not least pollution. I enjoyed parts that were quiet in the tree plantations in Munnar, the temple at Madurai, some aspects of the walk in the jungle, and the cruise on the backwaters but these were very short moments in the midst of extreme noise and pollution, and issues of inequality, discrimination, misogyny always in the background, and on occasions, very much in the foreground. I would have preferred spending longer in the hills, on the backwaters, in the temple, etc, but as the tour is packed with things to do, there’s very little time to breathe and take in properly what you are being shown. It is a shame as one of the big selling point for Keralan trips is the backwaters, for instance. But you’re on the water for less than 24h, and you’re not moving overnight like you would on a Nile cruise, you start at midday, moor at 5pm and leave again at 9am so cruising time is just about 7 hours. The hotels were also not very good: most were run down and in need of TLC. It’s always so much nicer after an intense day out to come back to a room and feel that you can relax properly not having to worry about hygiene. I have traveled in many places in South East Asia, China, Sri Lanka, Africa and Latin America, and hotels in Kerala (and Madurai) were by far the worst I’ve stayed in. On the plus side, food was good, with other options than curries in most places we went to. If you love coconuts, you’ll be happy as lots of curries are made with them, and you can drink coconut water from the shells almost everywhere, yummy! Overall then, this trip was a mixed bag, and I would only recommend it if you are fully aware that it won’t be relaxing, and that don’t have too many other destinations to compare it with.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cruising the backwaters, followed by visiting the temple at Madurai, and the tree plantations.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam was very professional and knowledgeable. He also had a great sense of humor.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for an assault to all your senses and to face the fact that misogyny and discrimination are everyday issues. You also know nothing know about sound pollution, air pollution and garbage/plastic pollution until you have been to India! Quite frankly I came back from the holiday more tired than I was before I left. That's mostly due to the fact that we were traveling from one place to the next every other day (with three nights in a row in a different hotel). But India generally speaking is not a relaxing place, unless you go to a beach and don't move for a few days, I guess. I have learned a lot but I wouldn't say India is a place I'll be eager to go back to.
tony whelan
Reviewed January 2018
Fantastic Vietnam
Brilliant trip from start to finish, loved every minute and would recommend to anyone.
Chi our guide was a fountain of local knowledge (not bad on Karaoke either btw) and the rest of the team, Li, Chun and Tang were great support, always on hand to help with the bikes or share out fresh fruit and drinks on our stops.
Vietnam was incredible, everyday a real adventure from the Cu Chi Tunnels, to the amazing scenery at Halong Bay. Along the way we enjoyed the tranquillity of Whale Island versus the madness of Saigon and Hanoi, the picturesque towns of Dalat, Hoi An and Hue and an overnight train that gave a taste of daily life for regular folk in Vietnam.
The itinerary was generally very busy, most days starting at 6.30am for breakfast but was so well organised that there was no time wasted and the odd couple of hours were nicely taken up with a massage or a cool beer.
We were blessed with a lovely group of people and my friend Wack who entertained us non stop.
I have great memories of the people, the places, the scenery, the food, the fun and cycling 10km up the Hai Van Pass, this was one trip that will live long in the memory and be very hard to surpass!!
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many great moments on our trip but the most inspirational and humbling for me was the spirit of the Vietnamese people, from happy smiling school kids shouting hello as we cycled through their villages to the hard working people in the fields planting rice or ploughing fields with Water Buffalo always managing a smile or a wave.
It made me appreciate what I take for granted in my comfortable life.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Chi was fantastic, great knowledge, answered every question that was put to him, managed all aspects of the trip perfectly, great restaurant recommendations and good fun to be with.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a shoulder bag for the overnight stops or change of clothes for the longer bus trips after cycling when main luggage isn't accessible.
Try the local tailors in Hoi An, amazing quality and very reasonable.
Take your own food on the overnight train, the canteen gets very busy.
Use taxis in Saigon and Hanoi even for short distances, they're cheap and it's safer than walking (crossing roads).
Take a book for the coach rides.
M Ward
Reviewed January 2018
Sand dunes, wildlife, endless sky
A great two week trip in Namibia. Provided a great overview of the country and able to experience the vastness and emptiness of Namibia. A stunning country with lots of wildlife. The camping was fun with great meals and a refreshing pool and bar at every campsite (except one). The cycling isn’t hard, just hot and on rough gravel roads. Lots of stunning photo opportunities.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many! Seeing black rhinos on two separate occasions in Etosha, cycling past baboons, zebras, warthogs and giraffes on the side of the road, the incredible sand dunes, the incredibly feeling of space and emptiness with endless horizons and far-reaching roads. The stunning night sky with so many stars.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Hard-working, laid-back and happy.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't expect to cycle vast distances each day...the heat and road conditions allow for only a few hours riding each morning. Think of it more as a tour of Namibia with time for exercise each morning. A lot of the roads are heavily corrugated which makes for slow and uncomfortable riding, although in the second week we had beautiful tarmac so managed a lot more miles.
Always have your swimsuit in your daybag so you can take a swim to cool down and refresh as soon as you arrive at that night's rest spot.
Kevin nicholson
Reviewed January 2018
Winter Wonderland
Expectations were high for this trip and I have to say they were met and exceeded. Never been away at Christmas before or done the skiing this – so we were nervous beforehand. The week was great – just the right level of activity – something new every day, with enough time to go off independently and practice snow showing or cross country skiing. Christmas Day was very different from being at home but no less special – standing on a frozen lake watching for signs of the northern lights is no something we would do at home.
Kids 10, 15 and 17 all enjoyed it- Husky Dog ride being a highlight.
Most Inspirational Moment
Out in -27 stood on the back of sledge being pulled by 6 dogs through such an amazing landscape, as the sun just managed to break the horizon.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent - the whole team at Basecamp were excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
No need to bring much at all - provided equipment was excellent and we only had to return it a few hours before we left. There was plenty of food at meal times - so no real need to take extra. On the free day we did the little bear walk - trail lunch was enough to get us round - no real need for extras.
Kit dries out quickly on the heated floors.
The walk from the airport gate to the plane was cold so don't forget to wrap up for that bit.
Stop and listen often - and see how quiet things can be.
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
