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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136 Reviews
4.9
out of
5
Reviews
Ross Bishop
Reviewed November 2017
Hike, Eat, Sleep, Repeat
A varied and challenging week of mountain waking that was a perfect escape from cold and wet weather in the winter months in a beautiful corner of Spain that couldn’t be more different than nearby Benidorm. The accommodation up in the hills was very comfortable and the food was outstanding and plentiful.
Most Inspirational Moment
The 5 included day walks were all good in their own right. I particularly enjoyed the lofty views on the Serrella and Aitana ridges. The real highlight though was the near perfect weather for walking - temperatures in the mid teens and hardly a cloud in the sky every day, a real treat in the month of November.
Thoughts on Group Leader
José is an experienced mountain leader who knows the area like the back of his hand. He has a great sense of humour and speaks immaculate English.
Advice for Potential Travellers
On the free day, some of the group chose to go to Altea on the coast. This was easily arranged for €15 return and well worth the visit. Personally, I did a self guided walk from Altea to the cliffs of Sierra Heleda - the route was very easy to follow and the coastal views were excellent.
nik koehli
Reviewed June 2017
TSA Sierra D'Aitanna
An easy trip from Alicante to the accommodation at El Trestellador Pension was a good start to the trip. The rooms was comfortable and unpretentious. The food was always excellent drawing on local produce to provide regional specialties. Quantities were vast, no chance of feeling hungry and the picnics were the same.
The walking was as described in the brochure, days of 8 hours, so previous experience is required, but with nothing too demanding in terms of scrambling. All the walks till the last on Saturday were deserted and beautiful in many places.
Most Inspirational Moment
All the walks had beautiful parts but for me the descent into the Barranc de la Canal Gorge was the most visually stunning whilst the vista down to the coastal areas including Benidorm and Altea for Puig Campana was a close second.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Brilliant!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go and enjoy an area of Spain that I certainly didn't think was going to be so stunning whilst a few miles from the millions of beach lovers. In June the weather was very warm for walking but Jose Miguel was assiduous about hydration and giving us potential shade. Having said that if you regularly walk these distances it is probably not an issue.
The barbecue evening was great fun too.
Alison Johnston
Reviewed April 2017
Sierra di Aitana
We did this trip last year and missed 2 of the climbs due to inclement weather and my partner missed the final climb due to illness. So – we felt we had to repeat it as we’d enjoyed so much the walks we were able to do last year. So glad we did – the weather was good except for some summit mist on one day and our wonderful guide Jose even arranged for the sun to disappear behind clouds on one of the very steep ascents just to allow us to summit in cool conditions!
Most Inspirational Moment
Doing the ridge walk on Sierra di Aitana and my second ascent of Puig Campagna! Also hearing nightingales in the vicinity of our lovely guest house.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Extremely knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the area and we even had a history lesson on the Spanish Civil War - fascinating. His English is excellent and he has a very entertaining sense of humour. It's nice to laugh as well as to be informed. He was also very concerned about safety and warned us to take care in places where it was necessary.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I think the warning to people who might suffer from vertigo is understandable and you definitely need experience of some challenging climbing before you embark on this. The going is rocky in places and you need to be prepared to scramble but help is at hand from Jose and the scrambling is not particularly exposed.
Michael Carr
Reviewed March 2017
Sierra de Aitana Trek
Comfortable accommodation in wonderful surroundings, excellent meals, varied and challenging walks led by a knowledgeable and proficient guide with a real passion for the area, its history and culture. The packed lunches praised in previous customer reviews did not disappoint.
Most Inspirational Moment
Finding two chairs that someone had thoughtfully carried up to the Castell de Castells.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very capable and well organised. He contributed greatly to our enjoyment of the trip.
Michael Johns
Reviewed February 2017
Winter walking in a little known area of Spain
This area of Spain is little known and on three walks we saw no-one else and on one we saw just one couple. It is just behind Benidorm but is little touched by tourism and gives an insight into rural Valencia. The walks are demanding but the views are breathtaking and are either to and from the hotel door or after a short drive. The weather in February was mild and sunny and the lower slopes were covered with almond blossom, making it an unusual opportunity to do European mountain walking in the winter months.
Most Inspirational Moment
Each of the walks had its own charm. I remember particularly a long descent from the Serrella massif down a hidden valley.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I have travelled frequently with Exodus and other similar trekking companies and Jose was one of the best tour leaders I have walked with. He was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about mountain walking and about the ways local people have responded to the challenges of the environment over the years. He combined this with a mischievous sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Get fit in advance: the walking is 1000 metres ascent and descent in a day and the paths are often rocky and uneven.
Graham Ritchie
Reviewed January 2017
A great trip
A very enjoyable and energetic walking holiday in a scenic part of Spain. Our guide, Jose, was excellent, passionate and informative and was able to modify the planned itinerary to cope with some inclement weather. His packed lunches were awesome. The hostal was comfortable and the food was delicious (as well as copious – don’t expect to lose weight on this trip!).
The only disappointing feature for me was the lack of consideration given to those who are unable to be on the group flight and thus cannot avail themselves of the group transfer from Alicante. Exodus recognises that the hostal is rather inaccessible. My flight arrived slightly ahead of schedule and I reached the arrivals hall when, according to Jose, he hadn’t yet left the carpark and it would have been no great inconvenience to have waited for me. In the event, I had to take a bus to Benidorm and a taxi to Benimantel (there are no local buses on Sundays), at an additional cost of €45. By the time I reached the hostal, Jose and the rest of the group had left to go to Guadalest for lunch. I don’t actually know what the solution is but bearing in mind I paid the same as the others, the London-centric transfer arrangements should perhaps be reconsidered. No hard feelings, I’m about to book my next trip with Exodus. Cheers.
Most Inspirational Moment
I'm not sure that there was such a moment, other than being inspired to have lots more holidays!
Karol Zemek
Reviewed December 2016
A great week of hiking
Great hiking in wonderful mountain scenery. The accommodation is in a quiet and peaceful location, and serves very good food.
Most Inspirational Moment
I didn't go for inspiration, I went to hike.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The leader went the extra mile to ensure that the holiday was as good as possible for the group. He was very highly organised and exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about the area. Plus he makes great sandwiches.
Janette Johnson
Reviewed November 2016
Sierra Aitana Trek
A brilliant trip. Challenging but worth it.
Most Inspirational Moment
Getting to the summits were brilliant. It was difficult terrain. A lot of loose stones underfoot so I had to walk with poles which I don't usually do but it was challenging and the guide really helped. The scenery was beautiful and the local villages of Guadalest and Benimentall were lovely.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose was fantastic. His English was excellent and he had a great sense of humour. He was incredibly passionate about his country and very knowledgeable. His guiding was faultless, made excellent sandwiches - really! Respected and managed people with different levels of experience.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Definitely need ankle support boots and poles. Bring thin layers.
Derek Jones
Reviewed October 2016
Sierra de Aitana
A memorable trip based in a perfect location for both trekking & leisure time.
The walks are lengthy but well planned to made more manageable with long gradual ascents/descents.
A basic hotel but with friendly staff & excellent food fuelling you for the long days ahead!
It does have a pool for warmer days (larger than a plunge pool as described in the particulars).
Most Inspirational Moment
Summiting Puig Campana on the final day
Thoughts on Group Leader
An excellent guide very experienced & good company. His brother also joined us who enjoys sharing mountain survival skills & detailed local knowledge.
He creates the best sandwiches for lunch I have ever seen! Don't expect to lose weight!
I was disappointed at not summiting Aitana & did feel he was overly cautious given low cloud/mist. It felt as if he thought that if there was to be no view then it wasn't worth it. The cloud & mist was negligible & we could easily have managed the summit without any significant risk.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do some pre-investigation & planning for the day off. The local coastal town is very limited & the alternative beach is very nice but again very quiet. Obviously it depends very much what you are looking for.
Steven Gittens
Reviewed October 2016
A Great Week in the Sierra de Aitana
Five excellent guided walks in the mountains surrounding our accommodation at El Trestellador. Each day was very enjoyable and the walks took approximately 6 hours. It was extremely hot for October and the mountains have little shade, so plenty of water had to be carried. The packed lunch provided was superb and enjoyed on the peaks each day. Returning to El Trestellador for a cold beer was equally enjoyable.
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved the accommodation. It was simple, very clean and our hosts were so friendly. The food provided each night was exceptional and more than enough for the largest appetite.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose is a nice guy with a passion for the Sierra de Aitana. He knows everything about the area and makes the walks interesting. He also is responsible for the excellent sandwiches.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is not an easy week and deserves the Activity level 4
