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.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

Reviews

Nancy Fanning

Reviewed August 2015

Trip of a Lifetime

This camping trek exceeded my expectations. Fantastic, though challenging walks, a great group and leaders and near-ideal weather. I loved the tent camping. It really enhanced the group experience and I enjoyed falling asleep to the sound of cowbells or seeing the shepherds guide the goats into camp in the evening. So great to be out in nature for the full trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Crossing the border into Switzerland through magnificent fields of wildflowers, hearing the cowbells in the distance, then descending through the forest into a beautiful valley and our campsite (and beer!).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lotte was great and helped me a good deal when I had some height-fear challenges. She also kept her eye out for segments that I might find particularly challenging. Charlie did a great job with the campsite and cuisine. I always felt safe with Lotte leading the group. I also appreciate that she let us take our time on the walks and allowed plenty of time for relaxing breaks in the shade. I went on this vacation to enjoy the walks and scenery and to stop and smell the roses - not to race up and down the trail or compete with fellow walkers. If all I want is a workout I can go to the gym - I don't need to travel from the U.S. to Switzerland.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I have a moderate fear of heights, so had some trepidation about signing up for the trip. I'm happy to report that, except for a couple of brief moments (including a suspension bridge over the river) I did just fine and found the experience exhilarating and liberating (and my fear of heights has greatly improved). Again, I did fine, just needed a bit of moral support, which the group and leader provided. So glad I went, so if you have a moderate fear of heights, I wouldn't necessarily be discouraged from booking the trip.

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Kenneth Campbell

Reviewed August 2015

High Inca Trail

A very scenic walk to join the traditional Inca Trail, perfect for those wanting a more remote and less touristy approach.

Most Inspirational Moment

Crossing the near 5,000 metre high Incachiriasca Pass in perfect weather, with superb views of nearby Salkantay piercing the blue sky.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have enjoyed seven other long treks, mostly in the Himalaya in Bhutan, Nepal and India. Tomas was the most professional, knowledgable and enthusiastic guide I have walked with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do this trek asap but take some diamox with you in case you have any problems with the altitude. That applies equally to any trek out of Cusco.

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Charlotte Rachwal

Reviewed August 2015

An Amazing 2 weeks!

We had an absolutely brilliant 2 weeks discovering Sri Lanka. We travelled together in a couple and really enjoyed the group dynamic and all of the activities and excursions. Overall the hotel quality was fab – really good rooms and most had lovely pool areas – for the occasional free afternoons we had! The whole trip was a brilliant experience (this was the first adventure holiday we have done) and we’ll definitley be looking to do another similar trip again. It was a great way to see and experience a country – no stress or hassle!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing large groups of elephants in the wild was amazing and something we've never done before. We also really enjoyed seeing real Sri Lankan country life on the bike ride and rafting and swimming in the river in the middle of the jungle is an experience I won't forget. However it was the great group we were with and tour leader that made everything so special!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujee was brilliant - couldn't have asked for more. Very friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, organised and funny - he even taught us a Sri Lankan song!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you can pack up your case/bag easily as you are moving from 1 hotel to the next fairly quickly throughout the 2 weeks.

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Andrew Oldham

Reviewed August 2015

Orang-atastic!

Visiting Borneo has been on the “list” for some time and it did not disappoint. An excellent trip on which we saw an amazing amount of varied wildlife. The rainforest was incredible to visit and it made me appreciate how we must treasure this natural resource, rather than replace it with consumer-led plantations.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many to pick: - Was it the male orang utan that appeared after lunch on my birthday? - Was it the incredible sight of a flying squirrel gliding over 70m. after a very long wait? - Was it the many different sightings of wild orang utan, and other primates? - Was it thinking someone's mobile was ringing whilst walking through the rainforest, only to realise it was the sounds of the rainforest? - Was it the food and service at the Danum Valley Rainforest lodge?

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have been on many Exodus trips and so am qualified to judge Manuel as an excellent leader. I arrived on the group flight with 2 others, but our bags had missed the KL connection due to a delayed departure from LHR. Manuel assured us the bags would arrive at the hotel at about 430pm, a bold thing to say to stressed clients. The bags arrived on time. This set a high standard that Manuel consistently met throughout the trip, even in Sarawak where we were joined by a less experienced, less effective local guide.Manuel is very knowledgeable about the wildlife, the local history and culture. He frequently ate with us and introduced us to a variety of eating establishments, some cheap, others still affordable. He patiently endured our humour and struck the right balance between leader and travel companion.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bear in mind that a lot of the photography takes place in low light, with often fast moving or obscured wildlife. Every night we had access to UK plug sockets in our rooms (even the longhouse) and Wifi. A poncho and umbrella is more useful than a waterproof. We got leech socks for £3 locally (it was too dry for us to need them when we travelled). I bought duty-free gin, tonic was difficult to buy.

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Mark Stead

Reviewed August 2015

Excellent highs on the Tour du Mont Blanc

This was our first experience of an Exodus trip and we were not disappointed. The organisation throughout was excellent, the locations were beautiful and the walking (while tough) was awe inspiring. Before the trip we questioned our ability to complete this undertaking, however the walking was well organised and the leader worked hard to keep the group together and we never felt under pressure to walk faster, or felt that the walking was turning into a route march.

Most Inspirational Moment

The jubilation and sense of achievement at crossing each one of the Cols to be greeted by new and wonderful vistas stretched out before you and then reaching camp at the end of each day of walking, knowing with satisfaction what you had achieved .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our walking leader Heather was excellent, leading the group and making sure that everybody felt that they were getting the benefit of her knowledge, experience and support. She has massive amount of enthusiasm and this helped make the trip more enjoyable. The camp leader (Neil) should not be forgotten either, not for them the glamour of leading the walking, they are up early each morning to get the kettle on, and laying out the breakfast and lunch supplies, then once we get walking Neil has to get on the road to the next campsite, while getting supplies and provisions on the way, before getting to the campsite and getting the camp set up and possibly dinner on before we the walkers get back, and then turing out some really rather good food from some pretty basic resources.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't figure on having to pack clothes to last the whole two weeks, there's washing machines and dryers at the campsite in Val Ferret and the campsite at Les Contamines. Bring plenty of compeed blister plasters and zinc oxide tape to help protect any raw spots on your feet. We were unsure about bringing trekking poles, but did, and we were glad we did, they really help take the pressure of the knees.

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Sarah Hannam

Reviewed August 2015

Tents, Tarts and Song on the Tour du Mont Blanc

This was a fun, companionable and challenging trip. It was very well led and organised, with excellent food and great company. The walking itself was more challenging than I expected and it took my legs some time to adjust to climbing a mountain every day, but the reward was increased fitness and a sense of achievement. The scenery was beautiful and we were blessed with good weather on all but one of our walking days.

Most Inspirational Moment

Singing songs from The Sound of Music at the top of le Brévent takes some beating. The company and camaraderie throughout was excellent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Heather was the perfect mix of fun and professionalism. When we faced our day walking in the rain, she lifted our spirits expertly. I suffer from vertigo and she was very patient in the gnarly bits, making me feel safe. Meanwhile, Neil's cooking and hard work around the camp were very much valued. They were a great team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Everyone says this, but get fit! I hadn't, and it took a few days for me to start to enjoy the walking. Pack light - you can wash things along the way and you're going to have to take the bag from the van to your tent and back each day. Take plenty of money for snacks - you might think you're not going to need them, but when you've walked 3 hours steep uphill and it's only 11AM, you're going to want the can of cold, sugary pop that costs 5 Euros. Take a few cereal bars or buy them in Chamonix on Day 1 - not many stops in the first couple of days' walking.

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Mary Ryan

Reviewed August 2015

Walking the Amalfi coast

Fantastic trip with breathtaking scenery and the chance to walk through history at Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking across the bridge & seeing Herculaneum below. The aptly named Walk of the Gods.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - fluent Italian speaker, knowledgeable and passionate about the people & region. Also kept the group in order! Great that she provided "tastes" of local produce on walks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Find room in your suitcase to tuck in some Amalfi lemons!

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Helen Stephenson

Reviewed August 2015

TMB - Camping

The trip was fantastic, with only one day of rain on walking days. Fabulous views and great company. There was a real sense of achievement in completing the walks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the whole TMB with the 1500m climb up Mount Brevant on the last day. In the public swimming pool in Chamonix, there is a nice indoor pool and sauna, but there is also a large outdoor pool - it was weird but wonderful to swim outside, surrounded by mountains partially covered in cloud.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Heather was so much fun and knew how to encourage us up the hills - luring us with promises of good coffee and cake - and knowing where the best ice cream was found. But I also had confidence in her as a guide and felt safe and comfortable on the mountains. Neil - the camp organiser was also a star - hot water for tea always available and the food was amazing, especially considering the limited facilities he had at his disposal. Altogether they were a great team, who greatly contributed to the spirit of the trip

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just to say that there are opportunities for washing clothes at some of the campsites (sometimes limited, but most managed a mid trip wash of kit). Be prepared to spend more on cake and ice creams than you might expect!

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Kirstin Carmouche

Reviewed August 2015

Two Week Cycling Tour Cuba

The trip was fantastic in every aspect. It combined cycling, culture, history and relaxation. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and travelling through small towns on your bike you really felt as though you got to see the real Cuba.

Most Inspirational Moment

The children's faces as they came out to wave at us as we cycled passed. That and how Cuban managed to negotiate the difficulties they faces following the collapse of the eastern block.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, very knowledgeable on the country in terms of culture and history. Very personable and extremely well organised and he managed to keep a watchful eye on everyone without being overbearing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would suggest that in the summer months this cycle is harder than a moderate so make sure you are fit before you go.

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Jason Heffernan

Reviewed August 2015

Vietnam Cycling Holiday July 26 - August 8

A wonderful experience with 18 like minded and positive people.

Most Inspirational Moment

Everyday was inspirational but one of the most memorable moments was time trialling for 15kilometres out of Dalat with our leader. We averaged on Mountain Bikes 28-30klm Per hour, had a good laugh at the end and drank as much water as we could pour down our throats, it was 34 deg celsius! Every pit stop we had an amazing amount of fruit and munchies to consume, I looked forward to this everyday. Another memorable moment was riding our bikes through the streets of Dalat with all the mopeds, taxi's, buses and trucks, it is not dangerous at all and every road user is courteous.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi was brilliant, lots of fun, a great Bike rider, very organised and knowledgeable on anything and everything we asked of him. The bus driver and mechanics were also exceptional, they kept everyone safe and looked after us and the bikes extremely well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We brought our own bikes and the downside to this was the train Journey from Hue to Hanoi. The bikes travelled with us in the cabin as they do not have a freight car attached. My wife and I needed to share a bunk and the bikes were placed on the one above. Unfortunately it did not end there, we then had to speak to the train official and he reminded us that the bikes should not be on the train and we will potentially be fined for oversized luggage in Hanoi. When arriving in Hanoi our bikes were grabbed and placed on a trolley for transportation by platform officials, they charged us 150.000 dong to do this, naturally I thought this was the fine so said nothing and paid the money. When clearing the train station another official stopped us and demanded another 150,000 dong for oversized luggage. Fortunately our guide Chi stepped in and negotiated this down to 75000 dong. Exodus you need to sort this out for future travellers with bikes, it was a very unpleasant experience.

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Jason for his review, although we were sorry to learn of his experience on the train; unfortunately it appears that there may have been a miscommunication as his tour leader, Chi, has explained that there should have been space under some of the beds for the bikes to be stored. We regret, however, that this led to an understandably uncomfortable night and for the disappointment caused.

Megan Devenish – Trip Manager for Vietnam

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