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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14493 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Jill Williams

Reviewed July 2016

TMB

It was our first trip with Exodus but definitely wont be our last, we had an amazing 2 weeks of walking amongst stunning scenery crossing 3 countries with a lovely group of people!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, from snow capped mountains to beautiful alpine flowers and meadows!

Thoughts on Group Leader

John Briggs was a great group leader, professional, full of information (I now know how to identify the larch,spruce and fir trees!!), sharing useful walking tips and always there as a support to some members of the group who were maybe not as confident on certain types of terrain.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you love the outdoors, appreciate beautiful scenery, are reasonably fit and have a sense of adventure then just go for it!! (a bit of advice - the purchase of a small umbrella is an essential bit of kit!!!)

Ginette Johnson

Reviewed July 2016

Mont Blanc Highlights

This was my first experience of an Exodus holiday and I loved it. I will definitely be using Exodus again. We were in a group of 14 with one guide for each of the walks, Rupert on the first day, then Jen for the rest of the week. Both guides were excellent and tailored the walks very well for our group, and for the conditions. ourwalks weren’t as strenuous as indicated in the tour information, but that was appropriate for our group. I and one other member were very uncomfortable with some of the drops around us, but both Jen and Rupert were very supportive and helped me achieve more than I was expecting. The walks were all amazing in beautiful scenery.

Most Inspirational Moment

I can't pick out any particular moment, but walking in the beautiful alpine scenery was just amazing. My favourite walk was on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, walking along the balcony paths around Val Ferret to the Bonati refuge. The alpine flowers on all walks were beautiful, and we were lucky enough to see ibex, chamois and marmots. The trip up to Aguille de Midi on our day off was well worth the money. We also took the cable car across the glacier to the Italian side of Mont Blanc and saw the incredible site of the glacier with all its crevasses at its source.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had 2 group leaders - Rupert on our first day, then Jen for the rest of the week. Both were excellent. They knew the routes very well, and also had close links with the other guides in the area so that you had the reassurance that guides were well aware of any problems, such as snow, on the routes. Both guides tailored the walks very effectively for the group, and we're both very supportive with those of us that were uncomfortable with heights. They helped me achieve more than I thought I would be able to do.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This Highlights holiday was a great introduction to a walking holiday with Exodus. I am not an experienced walker and was hesitant before going, but I knew that by staying in the chalet for the week I could opt out of a walk if the guide thought it inappropriate for me. I now feel confident to have a go at some of the more strenuous holidays.

Jennifer Ollerhead

Reviewed July 2016

Chimps and Gorillas of Uganda

Had a fabulous time on this trip. Chimps and gorillas were the highlight for me, but the boat trip on the lake was amazing as well as we saw many hippos, elephants, water buffalo etc along with a variety of bird life.

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking chimps and gorillas. It was a real life experience getting so close to them in their natural environment. Magical moments that I will never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was knowledgeable. However, communication wasn't his strong point, and we were often just driven and dropped at places with no idea what was happening next or what the plan was. I think there should be a driver and group leader on this trip as it is a lot to expect someone to drive so many miles each day on badly made of unmade roads and lead and guide a group at the same time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a long car drive on arrival at Entebbe. We expected a 5 hour drive, but it turned out to be nearer 9. Also there is a lot of driving throughout the holiday, although scenery is amazing and some of the miles covered where as a safari drive.

Paul Legg

Reviewed July 2016

Chimps and Gorillas of Uganda

This trip was truly an adventure including our encounters with chimps & gorillas. Both the chimps & gorillas were on the ground & plentiful. We purchased permits for a second day for both & would highly recommend doing so. You will get to see different families, each with their own character. The safaris were incredible, as were cultural events where we met children at an orphanage/school, a pigmy family, and many more. Uganda has a diverse landscape including rainforest, savannah, & steep mountains. It was all so beautiful – friendly people with a very different culture than ours, wonderful places, breathtaking scenery, & of course a diverse & delightful variety of wildlife – especially the primates.

Most Inspirational Moment

Of course, the chimps & gorillas were the stars of the holiday - so humanlike & gentle. I got the impression they were looking at us considering our likeness' & differences just as we were with them. However, the people of Uganda left an impression we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. They are incredibly hard working people living a much different lives than our own. It takes so little to be happy!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Five out of five stars. Our group leader was fluent in many of the 31 languages/dialects of different areas of Uganda. This trip would have been very difficult without their expert guidance.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We would suggest bringing a few items to give to the children at the orphanage/school and communities you will get to visit. The children and adults treasure them - pencils & pens, crayons, coloring books, paper, toys such as balloons, beach balls which are compact & light to carry, clothes - just about anything. Remember, however, you want to please them with these gifts without unintended insult, so ask your group leader to help you know when, where, & to whom they should be given. He/she will know the customs of the people. Also, during your travels, please be courteous & ask people before you take their pictures. As a side note, if at all possible, we would recommend avoiding Kenya & Delta Airlines on the trip there & back. Emerates or Ethopian Airlines were recommended by people who have traveled extensively in Africa.

Jim Armstrong

Reviewed July 2016

Pole Pole

A gruelling but worthwhile trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Obviously the summit for those who reach it, otherwise the imposing Barranco Wall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham from the Africa Walking Company is a gifted and strong leader, managing as he does 57 guides and porters not to mention 14 walkers. The sheer logistics of getting all of us up the mountain at the same time with no hitches would make me dizzy! The guides were watching us all the time and checking our condition, giving advice and generally keeping us going. We were also extremely well fed and lacked nothing to eat or drink, the chef and porters were all fantastic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take Exodus` notes seriously and be well prepared. The whole point of this trip is to get you up Kilimanjaro in pretty extreme conditions. It is not for beginners and is a hard climb even for experienced walkers. The camping, though well organised, is fairly basic. Once wet, stuff can`t really be dried, you will be cold and uncomfortable a lot of the time. You will need to be determined and resourceful. The walking itself is ok until summit day but gets harder as the oxygen levels drop. This trip gives you an extra day to acclimatise and no one in our group had serious altitude sickness beyond breathing difficulties. You just have to do everything very slowly indeed, even standing up!

Alan Long

Reviewed July 2016

Walking in Albania

This like many of the exodus trips did not disappoint. What a welcome from our local rep Dorien , despite the heat of the day he was smiling all the time. the trip starts quietly in Tirana then moves into the mountains, fough roads even river beds we got through to the wonderful area around Theth, magnificent in a rugged way. Then the walks start, if you are not fit these next three days will find you out, up hill and more, but the scenery and view is worth it.
The trip brings you to Berat with it`s wonderful cafe culture with long boulevards.
This largely undiscovered country and its people are so welcoming and friendly that it was a sad day when this holiday came to an end.

Most Inspirational Moment

My highlight`s are many but the view you get from standing high on of the Albanian alps taking in the magnificent scenery is breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorien. Well what a man he is not only well learned in the history of Albania, he is also funny, he also was able to relate to all the group, whatever age or gender.He was just lovely.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and just enjoy this wonderful country

Damian Riley

Reviewed July 2016

One Week Tour du Mont Blanc

Exhilarating views, good food, great guide, fabulous flowers, good company, hard exercise!

Most Inspirational Moment

Every time we reached the "Col" from one valley or country to the next, and had the fantastic views in both directions...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

These hills are high and the ascents are steep. You will climb 900-1200m per day and it can be hot. So pack really light. Our packs weighed about 6 kg [not including water]. Suggestions: take 2 walking T shirts and one evening shirt. Take 2 pairs of "zip-offs", 2 or 3 pairs of socks, one/two warm fleece, and waterproofs/windbreak. Each night wash your "smalls"/shorts etc in your room and they're usually dry by morning. Take headwear (something that will keep your head warm at altitude and something to keep your head shaded from the (very strong) sun. Carry two medium sized waterbottles. Take sunglasses, suncream and some travel wash. No need for insect repellent. Accommodation has hair dryers. Some places have wifi, some places dont, and one place has no mobile signal at all. Have shoes with really good grip - you can be on mud, on rocks, and on snow. Take flip-flops or similar for evenings in hotel. Most places give you a little soap or shampoo too. Most people brought walking poles, we didn't. Personal preference. Fine without but helpful on slippy areas. You can leave stuff at the first night's hotel and it will be ready for you on the Thursday on arriving in Chamonix. so then you can refresh clothing etc.

Dawn Sariko

Reviewed July 2016

Carpathian Walking & Bears holiday

A wonderful week spent with a group of other like-minded people who came together with the same intention to enjoy the trekking and the cultural side of what Romania had to offer.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being with a group of people from all different walks (pardon the pun!) who ended up genuinely caring for each other by the end of the week.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udo was amazing, knowledgeable, personable, caring, kind and considerate. He is also a very funny and likeable person.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When going off trekking, stick with your group.

Kelly Topliss

Reviewed July 2016

Finding King Julian!

It was with some trepidation that I booked to go on the inaugural Madagascar cycle tour, but with only a couple of hiccups, I can quite honestly say this has been the best Exodus cycle tour I have been on. (My 4th). Madagascar is a country of such stunning natural beauty it will surely take your breath away. The trip had plenty of variety with 8 days of cycling & 2 superb days of trekking in 2 totally different National parks – the first Ranomafana – a lush jungle rainforest where everything smells damp & earthy & then Isalo Nat park which was in complete contrast with it’s stunning rock formations & canyons & beautiful rich red hues of colour. Both were home to wild lemurs & having them join us for lunch at Isalo was the icing on the cake. They are cheeky & naughty & won’t miss an opportunity to steal food. No two days of cycling were ever the same – the landscape constantly changes from beautiful valleys with terraced rice paddies & fields of assorted crops, colourful, noisy villages where the children fall about laughing hysterically at these white people riding bikes! Some real “off road” riding on dirt roads/tracks. Long stretches of road disappearing for miles in front of you, magestic rock formations & the hills! Madagascar is not flat & some days I’m sure we spent as much time going up as we did coming down! The gradients are not too bad though and on our lovely new bikes were easily manageable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our moment of reflection at Isalo National Park. Getting up close with lemurs in their natural surroundings. Breathtaking scenery & landscapes. The opportunity to see something of village life & how hard working the people are.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mel was an inspiration himself! He certainly had his work cut out for him from the start with 5 people off the group flight arriving minus their luggage & Exodus's brand new bikes sitting at the airport tied up in red tape. Luckily everyone was reunited with their gear by about day 2/3 & we finally got our lovely new bikes on day 4 after riding loan bikes hired virtually the day before we arrived. Mel went out of his way to ensure everyone was enjoying themselves. He always had a smile, a sense of humour & an aura of calmness even when everything could easily have gone pear shaped. He kept us well informed of any changes - like our flight from Tulear which changed from a late afternoon flight to a very early morning flight virtually within an hour! If there was something we wanted to do that wasn't necessarily in the itinerary (like an impromptu village visit) like a genie, Mel delivered! Over the course of our journey, he also became an expert at finding "lady bushes" - an essential skill when there are no "real" toilets virtually anywhere en route! Mel is so very passionate about his country & it is easy to see why. He also takes the most stunning photos!

Advice for Potential Travellers

In June, be prepared for some cold, possibly wet days. There are few opportunities to dry wet clothes in these conditions ( no matter how quick drying your fabrics might be) so extra changes & plenty of warm layers are essential. Our snacks were plentiful & varied. Lunches were generally "picnics" so we would either stop at a supermarket or the hotel would make baguettes. Overall the food in Madagascar was good & reasonably cheap. Breakfasts were generally always eggs - fried, scrambled or omelette so if you have an aversion to them you can buy cereal at the supermarket.

Myra Daly

Reviewed July 2016

Fantastic Trip - Do It!

The TMB trip was a great adventure – camping, wonderful scenery, great guide (Kim), fun group, laughter and fantastic memories. What a fortnight! If you’re thinking of this then just do it, it’s worth it!

Most Inspirational Moment

The two "challenging" days; up to the Col de la Seigne and the Col du Bonhomme. Both involved longer days, lots of climbing and lots of snow. However we were rewarded with great views and got our best view of Mont Blanc at the Col de la Seigne.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Kim, was great! She took an interest and had time for everybody, was great fun and honest about what lay ahead. She was great during our first day baptism of fire in bad weather and lots of snow! We're all fully trained to "dig our toes in", "use our poles" etc when we see snow now!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you're fit before you go. While the days vary in difficulty, added fitness will help you enjoy your trip. My knees suffered from the steep descents so I was glad to have lots of ibuprofen and some knee supports.

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