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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14217 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Graeme Mackenzie

Reviewed February 2024

Fabulous Cycling and Scenery / Wildlife

Very full two weeks expertly led by our local guide (Memo) covering cycling on both the Pacific and the Atlantic coasts as well as across the middle of Costa Rica. The scenery and wildlife are magnificent (particularly across the more mountainous middle section of the country) with the additional activities including boat trips, wildlife walks and kayaking all adding greatly to the overall experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling some of the more rolling sections and sweeping downhill sections (I prefer downhills as I can get my head up to enjoy the view) during the middle part of the trip was stunning. The colour of the orange bloom on the Poro tree was magnificent (my camera could never do it justice) as was the variation and colour of much of the other vegetation. The nature walks where we saw sloth, snakes, howler monkeys plus many other creatures were also special. Kayaking through the mangroves also memorable. The walk through the botanical gardens led by the wonderful local guide at the Las Cruces Biological Station also a really educational, fascinating and entertaining.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Memo was an excellent and very engaged and organised group leader. His “PowerPoints” covering many and varied subject matters were both amusing and informative. Memo’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the local wildlife and plant life was particularly impressive and ably demonstrated on the wildlife walks which form part of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Paying electronically in dollars available everywhere (though local colones also equally welcome). Bring some imodium tablets as a few of us on the trip had upset stomachs at some point.

Helen Corbin

Reviewed February 2024

A fabulous week

A wonderful week of activities.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were too many to narrow it down - dog sledding was great for everyone (old and young alike), snow shoeing in the forest finding out the creatures that had created which foot prints, sledging, meeting the baby reindeer, playing in the snow with the family, amazing scenery, meeting other families ... and so so much more

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tuomas was very friendly and great with the whole family. He was very observant, communicated well and told us so much about FInnish nature, whilst looking after us on our trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The clothes they provided were perfect and enough to keep us warm in under minus 30 degrees !

Andrea Pegler

Reviewed February 2024

Jordan - a country not to be missed!

A most memorable trip discovering Jordan’s sites, people and culture with an excellent guide and great company

Most Inspirational Moment

It’s truly difficult to pick out one most inspiring moment when there was one on each day but the walk up to the Place of High Sacrifice in Petra was certainly one - a quieter backwater with stunning views and places to explore

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mikhled was a very knowledgeable guide with great people skills - very personable with a great sense of humour and the patience of a saint.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Layers of clothing essential for a February trip and a walking pole for Petra is incredibly useful

Martin Pegler

Reviewed February 2024

Jordan is a must

This was our first trip with Exodus & our first group tour. It was an exceptional holiday

Most Inspirational Moment

The arrival at The Treasury in Petra from the Siq (Path into Petra)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mikhled our group leader was an inspirational guide & together with our fellow travellers made the trip very special

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hope that Mikhled is your guide. Do all of the additional optional trips within the holiday to enhance the experience. There is time to sleep when you get back home 😎. The Jordanian people were very welcoming and I would urge others to take this tour. They deserve our patronage particularly at this difficult time for the Middle East. I felt very safe, in fact much safer than in certain cities back in Europe

Nicholas Eldridge

Reviewed February 2024

Great location, tour leader and weather - what more could you wish for!

Lived completely upto expectations, wonderful country. WE didn’t experience any adverse weather conditions which made all the walks and hikes pleasurable. I’ve never eaten so much lovely steak and lamb, and the wine was fabulous and very well priced. The blues of the glaciers were stunning.

Most Inspirational Moment

The challenge of walking upto the lake next to Fitzroy, and seeing it out of the cloud. Well worth the long slog up!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tomas was just the best guide you could have asked for on this trip! He was companionable, thoughtful, knowledgable, caring and great company. I would suggest that you use him as a model for all your guides - no negatives at all

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be properly aware of some long journeys in the minibus on the second half of the trip. Also that the two 'long hikes' are definitely only for serious walkers and can't really be classed as 'moderate' due to their duration and steepness in parts

Peter John Tebbit

Reviewed February 2024

Not sure what 'review title' means!

The trip fully met my expectations. It was a full on experience involving (voluntary) frequently pre-dawn early morning bird watching walks; seeing some amazing natural sites (waterfalls, (dormant) volcanoes; Pacific and Caribbean beaches – where swimming was possible, bird and animal watching close up – the fauna seemed a lot less afraid of mankind, and as a result good views were easier. The guide was more than capable of giving us a full-on Costa Rica experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Fulfilling a dream of getting to Costa Rica to experience a truly different natural environment; getting up close to the wildlife, whether it be birds or animals; swimming in the Pacific - a truly warming experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I think that we were lucky to have Andres Herrara as our guide. I addition to his years of experience we benefitted from his knowledge and expertise on his personal subject (the botany of Costa Rica); his incredible knowledge of the birds and animals that we saw (or were helped to see) and his enthusiasm for Costa Rica's history and it current affairs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not overpack. British Airways gives the option of hold luggage and two items of cabin luggage (small case and ruck sack). I would have coped better with a larger suitcase and a back pack. What I had was cumbersome, particularly in transit by plane. Given the time of year (February) and the weather (almost universally good) I think that pair of strong walking shoes would have sufficed. I took strong walking shoes and walking boots, and the latter were hardly used - see above re packing / weight).

Julia Keddie

Reviewed February 2024

Fascinating exploration of Southern India

Southern India is less well known than the golden triangle – but that’s why this trip is so special. It shows you a new side to this amazing country. The Keralan backwaters showed us wonderful wildlife and opened our eyes to the culture and life of the local people. An excellent blend of nature and culture, we made new discoveries every day.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many to choose from - the early morning walk around Madurai finishing with the Meenaskshi temple visit, walking and boating through the Periyar wildlife sanctuary, (loved the otters!) and the houseboat backwater cruise. Then there were the unexpected encounters - especially the Hindu festival in full swing as we drove past a temple. Our driver pulled in and we were welcomed in and shown where to stand to get a good view by the worshippers who greeted us with smiles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Biju was an absolute star, anticipating our requirements, going the extra mile unasked, always cheerful, a terrific ambassador for the state of Kerala. Our driver Vinod, was great too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If, like us, you've only done the golden triangle and think you know India - you don't. Come and try Kerala - a different experience. Take the option al trip on the last day and travel down to the tip of India - it rounded off a really great holiday.

Cameron Dunn

Reviewed February 2024

Still reeling !

This was an action packed tour with not a moment lost, traversing a great selection of Vietnamese coutryside and towns.
Each day was breakfast at six, cycle and bus via interesting sights to the next town, dinner, hotel (with a couple of two nighters and an eye-opening train sleeper). At times exhausting, which enhanced camaraderie with the rest of the group (six solos, six couples).
The quality of the bikes and the provision of en-route refreshments was superb, as were the hotels. It was such a varied and full-on trip that I’ve come away with a head full of great memories and a pretty good knowledge of Vietnam.

Most Inspirational Moment

The local kids yelling Hello! and holding out their hands to be clapped as we cycled past.

Thoughts on Group Leader

When describing places we were visiting, Lam spoke passionately about his country, its people and history . His depth of knowledge and way of speaking was very engaging. He was patient and generous with his time to anyone who had a question or needed help. For example, on a tour of a temple he came over and we had a nice chat as we walked back to the group. Another day, I was waiting with the group as Lam went to find a missing member who was late returning from a temple. He came back chatting happily with the guy - I then realised that earlier he had retrieved me because I was late back, and I didn't even know!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Going solo was a slight concern for me but getting to know other group members was very easy.

Rob

Reviewed February 2024

Cycling - The Best Way to Experience Kerala!

I had a truly memorable week as part of a group of six, who cycled a total of 134 miles (215 km) from Willingdon Island, Fort Kochi to Varkala.

The weather was georgeous and the scenery and food amazing. The sights and sounds of the real Kerala could not be experienced in a better way.

Shibu our tour leader and Kingsley our mini bus driver and support assistant made it so easy just to relax and soak everything up. The support vehicle was always present to provide regular water top ups and snacks and always drove a good distance behind the last cyclist, (frequently me) so there was never any pressure to speed up.

There are seemingly no rules of the road in India.! Lorries, cars, taxis, tuk tuks, motor bikes and cyclists simply move along in incredible harmony , somehow avoiding each other and the numerous animals and pedestrians occupying the streets, by sounding horns and bells constantly. Unlike European drivers, this is done in a very non aggressive way and is simply to alert other road users of a vehicles presence. You soon learn to join in with your bicycle bell!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through towns and communities and experiencing the genuine friendliness and excitement of locals of all ages calling out and waving to our group as we passed through.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shibu was an excellent tour leader. He briefed everybody clearly on where we were going and how far we were cycling. He broke each ride up into stages, so that we always knew the distances and times between stops and breaks. If we needed to negotiate a challenging junction, he ensured that everybody crossed safely. He also allowed individual group members to ride at their own pace, which I particularly enjoyed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was a little apprehensive about coping with the distances, as I am a very infrequent and casual cyclist at home, having never done more than 20 miles. Three of the group were keen cyclists and two of the others had opted for electric bikes, whereas I had a standard bike. I needn’t have worried, as the routes were all flat, apart from the odd bridge and the final day exploring Varkala, which was quite hilly. I was lucky enough that day to borrow an electric bike from one of the group who opted out and was so impressed with the assistance it provided, I would definitely recommend one to anybody in two minds about considering this trip.

John Cartwright

Reviewed February 2024

Walking in Andalucia - First Group of 2024

A really enjoyable holiday despite the potential for disruption caused by the farmers’ road blocks, deftly avoided by Michael, our very knowledgable guide, and his network of ‘spies’. A good variety of walks, nicely paced to accommodate the mixed ability within the group. The day off in Sevilla is a must, as is the optional trip to Ronda. As an add-on consider exploring Malaga, if you’ve not been before. It’s well worth the effort, and if slotted in before the walking begins, as I did, gently eases you into holiday mode.

Most Inspirational Moment

Everybody raves about the Caminito del Rey - it is spectacular, but a bit too processional for my liking - a bit like attending a 'Bob the Builder' sponsored walk (everyone has to wear blue protective hats). For me the best walk was the trip into the Grazalema mountains. Slightly more challenging underfoot maybe, but well worth the effort. Due to the re-arrangement of itinerary caused by the farmers' shenanigans it was the last walk of the holiday, and it was a fitting end to a great week. I just wish the whole group could have witnessed it - by then covid had cruelly split us into positives and negatives!

Thoughts on Group Leader

This is my third walking holiday in Spain, and every leader has been passionate about their neck of the woods. And Michael is no exception. He really tried hard, and succeeded, in overcoming everything that was thrown at us during the week. Algamitas, the neighbouring village, is not a tourist hot spot (thank God), but Michael has built up good relations with the locals. We had coffees in the village cafes at the beginning of two of our walks. His knowledge of the local fauna and flora is impressive, and his enthusiasm for it is infectious. He also gave us top tips of where to visit in Sevilla, and organised a really nice tapas lunch too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If travelling in the Winter months, make sure that your gear is up to scratch. We had a good downpour on the first day, fortunately after we'd had our tapas lunch, and quite a lot of us had leaky kit by the time we got back to the hotel!

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