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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14318 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Anonymous

Reviewed September 2013

MADAGASCAN DISCOVERER

Different from anywhere else!

Most Inspirational Moment

Madagascar's USP is its unique wildlife. In particular, the lemurs and baobabs. So there are two highlights: the first was seeing diademed sifaka, in the first park we visited, leaping gracefully from tree to tree, and the second is the Allee des Baobabs, a wonderful natural monument. Then the third wonderful moment was standing atop the lookout point on the Grands Tsingy. The landscape is unbelievable and the via ferrata to get there was exhilerating.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sol is a top man. You're in safe hands with him: knowledgeable, polished, anticipating the group's needs and wishes, and with a smile like sunshine.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes over-exaggerate the ardours of the travel. Whilst there are long driving days, the roads are generally good. Obvioulsy, heading out to the Tsingy, the roads are bumpy, but you're in 4x4s so it's fine. They make sure you get appropriate breaks. Don't let the travelling put you off! The accommodation is also way better than I expected. At Morondava we were offered the chance to do a pirogue trip out to the fishing village. We'd thoroughly recommend doing this. It was so peaceful and relaxing and the guys made sure we saw loads of wildlife, including the funniest little jumping fish. They also offered a chance to meet the lcoal people, which I felt was otherwise missing from this trip.

Reviewed September 2013

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

A fantastic holiday, extremely well organised tour, loads of interesting places to visit and exciting activities.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the countryside, seeing how people really live and sharing a home-cooked meal in banana plantation. Kandy August festival was a unique experience, extremely colourful and skilful. Huge number of elephants dressed in their regalia being paraded accompanied by the beat of drums, dancers dressed in wonderful costumes all lit up by flares (no health and safety measures!) must not be missed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable, good sense of humour, always helpful and professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was told that meals were not included because there was a huge choice of restaurants to chose from and that people liked that freedom. This information was incorrect. All the hotels were set in magic settings but there were on a limb and the only place to eat was in the hotels which provided good food, buffet or a la carte at reasonable prices by our standard. I think that in all fairness this needs to be pointed out. A shame that we could not go out and experiment a bit with authentic non hotel food.

Reviewed September 2013

MONT BLANC HOTEL TREK

Scenery and walks fantastic.Food some good and some not so good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Border crossing at the col from Switzerland into Italy

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good as a team coach getting the best from us.Not so good at realiisng we wanted to enjot it, not go for records.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get fit,

Reviewed September 2013

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Despite being badged as a moderate/challenging trip, avid cyclists be prepared to rest on your handlebars and enjoy the scenery and the novel traffic conditions. Local changes and conditions mean that this a trip for adventurous leisure cyclists. This is a trip of contrasts; an emotional rollercoaster of experiences. A memorable trip with unforgettable people, places, sights and smells; but not something that I can easily sum up in a snappy summary.

Most Inspirational Moment

Joseph, who was the group leader, took us to a Syrian Catholic church. There is no real reason why this unassuming building should have had such an impact, but Joseph found himself quizzed by a hundred questions, which he answered for us. These question-answer sessions were typical of our access into what was for many of us an unfamiliar world. Our travels by bike in India certainly opened up the question of its rich faith history, which as a group we were mostly ignorant about. Temples, churches, mosques, shrines, festivals, ceremonial food, clothes and even bodily markings constituted many of the reference points on our journey; but we barely scratched the surface.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cycling with Joseph was like meditation. The traffic conditions in Kerala are novel, and are a complete contrast to the segregated cycling lanes of Europe. Sticking close to Joseph made it possible to understand how to move through traffic in a new way, at a constant and calm pace. The way that Joseph cycles is much like his skill as a leader. We trusted him and he provided help, and support and answered endless questions. An exceptional and skilled leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This seems to be a longstanding exodus trip and local cycling conditions change all the time; check to see what recent changes have been made. Trip notes will suggest what you are doing in terms of basic distance; but it is harder to anticipate your preference for long rest times, and mostly flat, unsurfaced roads.

Deb Wragg

Reviewed September 2013

Needs more time in Western Ghats.

Having spoken to people who have previously been on this trip, we were left feeling disappointed for most of this experience. I think the review recently submitted by David is spot on and to write a diatribe would be just revisiting his content. With the exception of birds the only wildlife we saw was an elephant working and walking down a duel carriageway.

Most Inspirational Moment

Going over the Western Ghats with terrific views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

OK, but not at the top of the exodus pile. the information about the country, culture and history requested by different member of the group through the holiday was crammed into a 10 minute talk on the last day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The food budget is well over estimate on the trip noted, so change up money as you go along. The optional boat trip on the last day, get a firm price from the group leader BEFORE you go. we were told it would be 300/400R each, on the day after a 30 min bus journey the boat hire chap told us it was 750R each, not an extortionate amount of money but it left many of the group feeling backed into a corner. Once on the 2 hour trip the driver wanted to stop at a cafe boat after 20 mins (which with the service times would have took an hour), it was only the group refusing to do this that meant we carried on with the trip allowing us to see numerous interesting water birds.

Reply from Exodus

We were very disappointed to read that Deb and David (review below) were left underwhelmed by their trip. Deb and David’s tour leader has explained that due to high demand there was no availability in the early morning walk in Periyar National Park, but further to their experience our local operator will be booking tickets for this walk further in advance to help avoid disappointment going forward. We have taken feedback from this group on board and will now be giving this leader further training on the level of information we expect our clients to be provided with during the course of a trip and we have arranged for packed breakfasts to be provided so we can get to the houseboats earlier in order to help maximize the time on the Keralan backwaters.

Katherine Tory – Trip Manager for India

Reviewed September 2013

CYCLING CUBA

Once we’d met the group the morning after arrival, as we flew in a week early to spend time in Havana, our feet never touched the ground. Straight roads, winding roads, flats, up hills, down hills, we cycled a whole range of terrains. Farming communities, mountain communities, fishing communities, we saw a wide range of Cuban life. Our leader, Laz, was knowledgeable on geography, culture, history and politics and always ready to answer questions – no matter how many times he must have heard them before. Learnt loads, saw loads, did loads. Loved it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Having seen lines and lines of immaculate washing as we cycled past peoples yards, I felt very humbled to see, in the mountain community we visited, the whites bubbling away in a huge cauldron, on an open fire amongst the pigs and chickens. I am in awe of the Cuban resilience and the creative way they overcome all obstacles. My partner says the most inspirational moment for him was when Laz read aloud, during a bus transfer, 3 letters, written by Che Guevara to the mother of his children, his children, and Castro before leaving Cuba.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Laz, along with the 2 drivers, were fantastic. Friendly, patient, caring... and always with a smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry about the food - you'll get LOADS and its tasty. Don't worry about the traffic - the whole nation are so tolerant - of everything. Don't worry about the accommodation - it's all 'cool' (only once did someone have to change rooms because the air conditioning wasn't working). DO worry about the pot holes (from someone who, not concentrating properly, came off on the second day but no serious damage) but hey... IT'S CUBA!

Reviewed September 2013

SOUTH AFRICA: CYCLING DRAKENSBERG & KRUGER

This was the most brilliant trip – long cycles – hot days and freezing cold nights – August! The group were great, supportive and fun and the tour guides and cycle guide brilliant.

Most Inspirational Moment

South Africa is just the greatest place - friendly people, great value and with the added bonus of Kruger with our guides superb knowledge of birds, mammals and the area - we were so well looked after - seeing a giraffe so close as our first Kruger animal ... looking at us - looking at him was priceless, as was the sunrise on the Drakenberg mountains from the most beautiful lodge in Berghaus.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, tour driver ( and general comedian) and our cycle leader worked tirelessly for us for the whole 2 weeks - preparing all meals, always there for us with their expert & local knowledge, sense of fun, support and just great friends - was 100% That's you guys Tallis, Bevan and Andrew! Thank you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were in South Africa in August - clothing is very important! Warm sunny days and freezing cold nights - take layers for the days and woolly hats & socks for the evenings!

Reviewed September 2013

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

An amazingly beautiful part of the world. Waking up to the view of rolling hills dotted with colourful houses and the more distant mountains covered with pine and beech forest was heart-lifting.

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking up to the stunning view and walking through the beautiful countryside.Seeing the bears from the hide.I became a very happy birder when I saw a group of black storks.The amazing food in the hotel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Greg was very informative and worked hard at making sure everyone had a good time. Full of lots of good stories about Romanian life!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you're fit as lots of walking. Invest in a good camera that can give clear shots in low light. Try Herman's plum schnapps! Be prepared for the bumpy road up to the village

Reviewed September 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

An exhilerating and exciting adventure with breathtaking scenery and amazingly friendly people. The perfect way to see this beautiful country and become a part of it, taking on the challenge of cycling its roads and engaging with the locals.

Most Inspirational Moment

On the day of the long climb to Nuwara Eliya, we passed through such dramatically beautiful scenery that it was almost too much to handle! And then the long climb to the top was a real challenge but so worth it for the feeling once we got to the top. All the time we were cheered on and encouraged by the friendly locals smiling and waving. Such a rich experience encompassing awe, determination, pride, hilarity, exhaustion, camaraderie, satisfaction, relief and feeling overwhelmed and humble. There was a very special moment at Gal Vihara at Polonnaruwa where there were hundreds of pilgrims including many families laying offerings at the shrines of the massive Buddhas carved into the rock. The whole atmosphere was very special. Peaceful, respectful, relaxed and warm with a real sense of importance. A little girl was talking to me and we were having a conversation, practising her English. Her uncle gave me some flowers to lay at the shrine which I then did. It was a very moving experience to receive such warmth from a local family and to have the oportunity to be part of such a special place.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was a great tour leader. He was very well organised and knowledgeable and always happy and smiling. He worked hard to ensure that everyone was happy and had everything that they needed. He took time to get to know everybody indiviually and as a group, helping to build a team spirit as we went. He explained every stage of the cycle route to us carefully so we knew what to expect and was very kind and patient when answering our many questions. He also added some very special and kind extra personal touches and surprises to the tour which demonstrated his warmth and his desire to make us feel welcome in his beautiful country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you would like an active holiday in a beautiful country with friendly people then this may well be the holiday for you. It is very busy and packed with amazing experiences that are different every day. If you decide to book, it would be a good idea to make sure you are reasonably cycle fit before you set off so you can really enjoy all the cycling. And make sure you smile and wave at the locals...!

Reviewed September 2013