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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14485 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Gordon Rankin

Reviewed April 2016

Cambodia & Vietnam

We selected to do the Cambodia extension before the Cycling Vietnam tour. We also added a few extra days in Cambodia and in Hanoi at the end – well worth it. The time spent around Siem Reap visiting the sights at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom is amazing plus having a knowledgable guide to provide information as well as the best times for each of the many sights to see is essential. The hotel was changed from orginally planned, but it turned out better as the location was closer to the town center – City River Hotel.
The Cycling tour from Saigon to Hanoi was great as we lucked out in having a small group – can’t imagine it with more than 12 people as the schedule is pretty tight and the guide has to keep you on track. The hotels are better than we expected with very helpful staff everywhere. The route is varied from nice smooth roads by the coast to almost cart tracks in the country, but it provides for such a close up view of the Vietnamese countryside. Support from the guide, mechanic, bus and truck drivers was exceptional as they ensured that the group was safe, fed and watered, mechanically sound and ready for each day’s adventure. It is a good combination of biking, sightseeing and water activities. Also the train ride from Hue to Hanoi is fun and a good way to further interact with other travelers.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the many sights around Angkor Wat and listening to some of the stories of our cycle guide. Also the museums associated with the killing fields of Pol Pot around Phnom Penh.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both our guide in Cambodia and on the Vietnam cycle tour were excellent. We learned much more than the basic information of specific temples or sights, but insight to life in general in both countries. In addition the support of all the drivers and mechanic was great - timing was good and always with a smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are planning the Cycle tour up Vietnam you should spend a few extra days at the beginning and the end to see both Saigon and Hanoi and also get over any jet lag. You don't need lots of clothes as its a very informal tour and washing is easy. Also adding the Cambodia tour is worth it if you have never seen the Khmer sights.

James Dobbin

Reviewed April 2016

Mixed weather, but amazing in the end!

A really great trip with an equally great group of people & 2 excellent guides (Hassan and Mohammed). At the start of the week we had bad weather, a lot of snow and low cloud, our first attempt to climb Toubkal was stopped because of it. The following day, the weather was calmer and as we were climbing, the cloud lifted and the most amazing views of the snowy Atlas mountains opened up around us. It was blue sky by the summit, and totally amazing! The following day hike to the pass with views of the Lac d’Infini was equally stunning, another highlight of the trip. Food in the mountain refuge at Toubkal was really good!

Most Inspirational Moment

Summit of Toubkal and the amazing views!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan did a great job, he was very experienced (as was his assistant Mohammed), he kept us safe, organised everything well and connected well with the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring some card games or board games in case of any bad weather! Bring plenty of warm winter gear, it really was arctic on the day when the weather was bad. Although water purification tablets were on the trip list, there was no need for them as there was plenty of bottled water available. In total I used £180 of local currency including £50 tips (based on 13.5 Dirham to 1 GBP). Make sure you exchange any spare currency before going through airport security on the way home, you can't exchange it in the UK. On arrival in Marrakech if anyone trys selling you a cash card in the airport, say no (just get real cash), some of our group got one and it was mainly useless, but they at least got it refunded on the way home. If you've got new boots for use with crampons, make sure you've walked them in before the trip.

Charlotta Wallensten

Reviewed April 2016

A fantastic week

Jordan is beautiful, unique and very friendly. The many different cultural influences at incredible places like Jaresh and Petra creates a sense of understanding the interwoven history of the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra leaves you at a loss of words. Spending two full days here with a knowledgeable guide was incredible. Wadi Rum and the desert was also breath taking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khalid was a great guide, knowledgeable, opinionated and always made everything work.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring clothes for all temperatures.

Mary Currey

Reviewed April 2016

A Fantastic Biking Trip in Viet Nam

The cycling trip in Viet Nam exceeded all my expectations. The leader and his support team were terrific and made sure that everyone (of varying biking abilities) felt supported and was able to make the whole trip. The route, the monuments and the sights we saw will be with me always, but especially the people who made the trip a reality.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to single out one instance - every day we saw and experienced things that were so far outside a North American's normal experience. The unrelenting hard work and good nature of the people leading the tour and with whom we came in contact was truly amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was supremely well qualified and prepared to lead a very disparate group of bikers through some tough situations (long elevation changes, urban riding in traffic) and made sure everyone got through it safely and happily. He knew every inch of the route, took us to amazing places to eat and never rested until everyone was taken care of.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are physically prepared for the active portions of the trip. Bring enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

Brendan O'Neill

Reviewed April 2016

Inca Trail - Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca

Overall a fantastic, well-organised trip with pre-colombian Peruvian culture at its heart. Lots of lovely food, culture, people. The people are very laid back, which makes it very easy to leave behind the ‘developed world’ urgency and enjoy a great trekking/sight-seeing holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the four-day trek to Machu Picchu. Seeing lots of Inca sights along the trek and elsewhere. Learning more about Peruvian history and culture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was great - kept our spirits up and motivated us to finish the trek. Also, very thoughtful about making sure we had plenty of options of things to see and do. Really appreciated his humour and happy demeanour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate the effects of altitude sickness - not one of our group escaped without some symptoms. Be prepared to camp - read the trip notes carefully. The team around us tried very hard, to make it comfortable, but you still either love it or hate it. Bringing the right equipment makes all the difference. Even if you have the best waterproof gear in the world, buy a poncho. You will be very glad you did! Don't haggle over 5 or 10 Sols when buying things - you can afford it the £1 or £2, it will make a huge difference to a Peruvian trader. Lots of water and snacks provided on the trek - don't worry about taking lots of your own snacks unless you have a particularly large appetite! Lots of food at mealtimes too, definitely no danger of going hungry. Extension to Puno is a long trip by road. Lovely to see the lake, but be prepared for the journey, which is made longer by all the sightseeing stops along the way.

Laura Jones

Reviewed April 2016

Brilliant Borneo

Wall to wall wildlife! Each place had its own wildlife and ecosystem – all of them were amazing. The people were friendly and the wildlife was prolific – a great tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a number of highlights to this trip: -the bat exodus from the caves at Mulu - getting close to proboscis monkeys at Lahad Bay - Danum Valley (all of it!) - boat rides on the Kinatabangan River -wild orangutans (particularly at the Gomantong Caves)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Manuel was a fantastic group leader. He was calm and organised. He was very tuned in to our needs and made sure that we all knew what we were supposed to be doing, when and what we would need (i.e. head torch or long trousers etc). He was enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable. He was obviously respected by the local guides he worked with at each place. He was brilliant at spotting animals. Nothing was too much trouble. Manuel made our trip relaxed, comfortable and truly special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When it rains it really rains so take a poncho as this covers both you and your rucksack. Take a water bottle which you can refill. Leech socks are available in Kota Kinabalu at a reasonable price so there is no need to buy them at great cost before you go.

Tania Banotti

Reviewed April 2016

Cross county skiing in Norway

Kvitavaatn is a great location. Frozen lakes, forest the mountains and the Hardanger plateau right in front of the lodge where I stayed were beautiful..

Most Inspirational Moment

Probabaly day 3 when I thought I had finally cracked the whole cross country skiing lark. I hadn't but it was fun trying.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mary our English guide was endlessly patient. Learning cross country skiing is bloody hard and frustrating at times!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring slippers as the Norwegians ALWAYS take off their shoes when they enter the lodge from outside so it's preferable to wandering about in your socks. Bring wax earplus because you share a room with 3 other people and there can be snorers amongst the group....

Martin Gould

Reviewed April 2016

Great Trip

This gave us a really good overview of Vietnam and exceeded our expectations, as we have previously only been on Exodus trekking holidays and were surprised by the high standard of accommodation. There is a lot to see and do, plus plenty of free time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, but meeting and photographing an old couple during the free afternoon in Hoi An. I would also say, that having grown up during the era of 'The American War' , I was overwhelmed by the photographs in the War Remnants Museum in HCMC and so pleased to see how the country has recovered.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mao Long is a very good guide , who looked after us very well. He is a great ambassador for both his country and Exodus

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not forget that it can be cold and wet in the North, so pack a fleece, waterproof top, hat and an umbrella is useful for the rain and sun. Travel plug adaptor is 2-pin round European. I enjoyed all of the optional trips and would recommend them to you.

Teresa Barnard

Reviewed April 2016

Discover Costa Rica

A great itinerary with a wide variety of locations. A must for bird and wildlife enthusiasts. The colours are amazing.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many. Spotting the quetzal and the suspension bridges at the Arenal Volcano are just two.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Guillermo was superb. He was so knowlegdable about everything. He was available 24 hours a day for us to contact if there was any problem. At 3.30am when the taxi organised by Camino Travel did not turn up to take us to the airport, Guillermo took us to the airport in his own car.