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

Alan Sorensen

Reviewed March 2015

Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama - Love it!

Awesome journey with a combination of physical challenge; great scenery; unique wildlife; amazing food; and beautiful people. I did not know much about the region prior to the trip and had my eyes opened on a regular basis – such a wonderful part of the world, and a great way to experience it! Get on your bikes people!

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved cycling in the pouring rain. To be riding and tilt my head and capture the rain in my mouth was just awesome - particularly after living in Dubai for the past 18 months. Arenal Lake also was wonderful and the accommodation there was the best hotel I have experienced.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding. Janiell had the perfect combination of energy, sense-of-humour, and leadership. Her interest in looking after each traveler and their own likes/wants was obvious for all to see and Janiell is a credit to the company. The finest tour leader I have experienced.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need to be super-fit to enjoy this trip, but knowing how to get a bike up a hill and how to work the gears definitely is an advantage. Take a light raincoat for the cycling, and keep a dry pair of clothes in your day pack, because when it rains on this trip it rains hard.

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Valerie Box

Reviewed March 2015

Discover Sri Lanka

A comprehensive introduction to this beautiful island. The mix of activities from safaris to walking on Horton Plains, people watching in the river at Kitulgala or going round ancient cities was well planned. Good to wind down a bit at the end after all the more strenuous activities.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the determination to move on from 30 years of war and the tsunami. Everyone was very welcoming and the projects Exodus has initiated and runs are admirable. The ancient sites were pretty amazing too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I think Roshan was having an 'off fortnight', given his previous high ratings. The insight he provided into the life and culture of Sri Lanka was excellent on all fronts, but otherwise his involvement was perfunctory.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't expect everything to work - lights, plumbing, wi-fi etc - but if you aren't satisfied then tell either the hotel or your guide so faults can be rectified. There is a genuine willingness to provide good service but many places lack experience. Wi-fi often only in lobbys and slow/intermittent. Above all, look beyond the obvious short comings and enjoy. Sterling accepted for tip kitty and optional excursions.

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Penny Dimond

Reviewed February 2015

A wonderful winter family adventure

An action packed snowy adventure enjoyed by mum, dad and 2 boys (11 and 8) in the stunning Finish countryside. This holiday gave us the opportunity to try shoe shoeing, cross country skiing, ice climbing, sledging, building snow homes, downhill skiing, exploring the countryside with huskies, learning about reindeer farming and sledging, in a wonderful environment with home cooked tasty food, new friends and a sauna and hot tub to relax in. Seeing the Northern Lights twice was a real bonus too.

Most Inspirational Moment

Driving the husky sleigh into the magical national park. We felt like we were in Narnia

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tessa and the whole team at Basecamp were inspirational. Tessa was an excellent leader, passionate about conserving the environment she lives and works in and her enthusiasm, experience, clarity and humour helped create a really positive experience for the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take snacks or food if you don't want to have lunch or buy extra food at base camp - there isn't an easy local alternative. also - make sure you budget for optional activities - the cost of these can add up quite quickly, but when you are there you will want to do them.

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Reviewed February 2015

The Inca Trail Dec 2014

Wonderful trip, it’s hard going (especially Day 2) but worth the effort! We were with a great group and we all got on so well immediately. Wonderful encouragement along the trek for each other. Tour leader was brilliant.
Accommodation in Cuzco was very good, the camping experience not to be missed, tents were fine, porters amazing guys, the food fantastic, wonderful scenery on the trek. Kept having to pinch myself that I was actually on the Inca Trail!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the Sun Gate and seeing a misty Machu Picchu in the distance! Definitely felt that I had achieved something great when we got to Machu Picchu!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilfredo was a great tour leader. He was organised, efficient, he kept an eye out in case any of us were struggling with the altitude, his knowledge of Peru,Cuzco and the Incas is vast and so helpful. He made sure we all were ok and safe on the trek. He was a brilliant tour leader who helped us all enjoy our trip more than we thought.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It can rain!!! We encountered heavy downpours in Cuzco in the evenings before we began the trek. So either take or buy a couple of cheap plastic ponchos, so handy! It rained one day on the trek and again ponchos at the ready! We travelled in December and didn't take Malaria tablets, but did use Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Body Spray each day on the trek against any creatures. Take a hat with a brim, sun cream, and black bin bags as the duffle bags that you put your clothes on the trek etc in aren't waterproof. Also wet wipes and small plastic bags to put used wet wipes in for disposal. Sweets for energy boosts on the trek, but you can buy Haribo's in the towns, also try the Sublime chocolate bars....mmm!!

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Andrew Tim

Reviewed February 2015

Highly recommended

This is a very varied trip – lots of different scenery (mountains, jungle, colonial towns, pacific and caribbean coasts, lakes, islands, volcanos), wildlife (toucans, sloths, coatimundi, agouti, crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys…), cultures (the three countries are noticeably different from each other), food, … there’s something for everyone here. Unless you don’t like cycling, that is…!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a sloth close enough to touch - even the tour leader and local guides were taking photos, this was such an unusual event!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Janiell was, without any doubt whatsoever, the best tour leader I have ever encountered - not just with Exodus, but across all the companies I've travelled with. Well-organised but relaxed, knowledgeable both on the interesting stuff (wildlife, scenery, etc.) and also the important (the best way of efficiently getting through the crazy border crossings), fun & friendly, got on with everyone in the group. Can't speak highly enough of her.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The cycling really isn't that demanding on this trip - I certainly found it easier than the South Africa "Cape/Winelands" trip, which had longer/tougher climbs and longer days in the saddle. That said, if you suffer in the heat, the central american countries may not be your favourite cycling destination; we had temperatures in the mid-30s on a regular basis. Dollars are OK everywhere, there's no need to worry about changing currency.

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Owen Davies

Reviewed February 2015

Terrific Toblach

Ski-ing in the Dolomites is an absolute pleasure – plenty of excellent tracks in stunning scenery – and lots of opportunities for jagertee and strudel

Most Inspirational Moment

getting up to the end of the valley above Taisten and enjoying the stunning scenery .... and meeting the legendary Eric Wooley for the first time after 30 years of Waymark/Exodus holidays

Thoughts on Group Leader

brilliant - not just a good ski leader/teacher - a good group facilitator - with an inspiring sideline in extreme adventure holidays ...... and when our flight home was moved from Innsbruck to Munich he provided donuts and water - so thoughtful of him

Advice for Potential Travellers

make the most of the group - talk to everybody and make friends - so many good interesting companions

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Norman Chan

Reviewed February 2015

Excellent trip to see the best of Chile

Can’t imagine that you can beat this trip in diversity, both in sceneries, the best that Chile has to offer and the many optional side trips that are actually part of the trip and no added costs required. Great value for the money. Tour leader Miguel Angel Lara was the best. This is my 6th Exodus trip and he was the best so far. My luck indeed.

Most Inspirational Moment

To survive the Zodiac trip inside T del Paine as I carried a lot of cameras and I was afraid of water damage etc. I was well prepared and the operator was expert and the wind and temperature cooperated. No guarantee inside the Park as it can change on a dime! The elements are critical as high wind would make this much more challenging.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb, full marks

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring your own acetozolamide( Diamox ) for altitude sickness as you should take them in Atacama; anything over 10,000 feet or 3500 m would cause the problem. You don't want to feel sick or disabled while on holidays. To enjoy the place one needs to be feeling well and fit. Take no chances as nobody can escape altitudes sickness unless you are born in high altitudes. I have been to many places over 3500 m and this one is no different. I used the drug every time and it saved me from feeling unwell; I still feel short of breath on walking but it is manageable. I have seen others that were not prepared and how ill they felt. Take precautions so that you will not get sick!! I forgot to bring it but I was able to buy it in Santiago.

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Morag Reaper

Reviewed February 2015

Discover Sri Lanka

Some hotel rooms were poor …for those of us paying a single supplement being placed in inferior rooms. Food generally in the hotels …poor

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing Lions rock at Sigiriya

Thoughts on Group Leader

I feel he is stale and has done this trip far too many times. Very little energy or enthusiasm.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not pay extra for a single supplement room, take a chance on sharing and being given a better room.

Reply from Exodus

We are sorry that Morag was left disappointed by some of the single rooms she was allocated. The trip manager has recently visited our local operator and single rooms have been a subject of discussion; we are confident that the result of this will be a more positive experience for our clients going forward. We were surprised to learn that Morag was underwhelmed by her tour leader as her leader has previously won our Exodus Leader Award and has not received feedback of this nature in the past. We understand that her tour leader was rather unwell after Morag’s trip and we sincerely regret that this impacted upon her group’s experience.

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Linda Gray

Reviewed February 2015

Tropical South

A great way to discover the contrasts of Southern India, large cities, countryside, beach, historical sights and the wonderful backwaters .This is a busy and quite active holiday with some optional trips if you want a few hours just to chill out .I was interested to see the contrast between the Northern and Southern areas of India and they are indeed very different.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the beautiful tea plantations in Munnar and the day walk we had there with Chandra our Tour Leader and 2 other guides. It was a very peaceful place with misty mornings and lovely vistas. Also the stay on our houseboat travelling along the backwaters from Allepey. We saw interesting sights along the waterside and many birds , It was a very peaceful journey , good food from our chef on board.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Chandra was enthusiastic and looked after us very well, nothing was too much trouble, he was knowledgeable and organised and every day he answered our questions with humour. He was patient with us and sorted every little problem .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long waits in restaurants , nothing is done quickly and the.sorting out of paying bills at the end of a meal can be a nightmare, The drinking of alcohol is haphazard as some places sell it and others don't but there are ways and means and your tour leader will have a plan up his sleeve!! Don't expect to see any elephants!! .

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Sonia Richardson

Reviewed February 2015

Ethiopia in Depth

A fascinating and beautiful country which I first visited 2 years ago and was keen to revisit. I was not disappointed although we were mostly travelling the same route as on my previous visit. Our Tour Leader, Gebre, was excellent; knowledgeable with good people skills and a sense of humour.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think revisiting the first painted church on Lake Tana.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gebre was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be tolerant about waiting for service in cafes and restaurants and of the dust; be prepared to have your preconceptions challenged; Ethiopia is such a rewarding country and with luck, you will leave with some different perspectives and some wonderful memories.

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