Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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14339 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed March 2012

CYCLE MOROCCO'S GREAT SOUTH

Wow, what a trip! Being a newbie to Morocco, group tours, AND cycle trips I had no idea what to expect, and being honest I was a bit daunted by it all. But this didn’t last long..As soon as we were off on the bikes I loved every minute of it. We had a great group and Andy, the group leader, knew his stuff and put us all at ease.
While the cycling is quite demanding at times, it is well worth it and the scenery was so inspiring that you can almost forget about it and just look forward to what spectacular view greats you round the next corner. It’s definitely the best way to see Morocco and it is very difficult to fault the trip at all. I will definitely be signing up for another cycling trip very soon!

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, this was doing the Tizi n Test pass..20k ascent on roads bending in and around the mountains, and to reach the top and see the road back down from where we came on one side..and an awesome view across the next valley, where we were to decend, on the other. Absolutely incredible - a great reward for the mornings climb!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andy was great as our group leader - very calm and organised, and put up with our constant questions on the routes. It added to our holiday that he is so taken with Morocco and was keen to pass this on to us. The trip to the women's group, and also the morning walk around Marrakech on the day off really made us see and appreciate the more hidden side to the country more. He was also a good motivator in terms of the cycling..never would I have thought I would be racing up mountains!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in Feb take warm clothes

Reviewed March 2012

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

We had a great time and Morocco was a wonderful experience. The Group of 15 merged together very well and we were inspired through all the extremes of temperature by our sensitive and entertaining Tour guide, Mustapha and his excellent driver Mohammed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to select as the trek up and down the Todra Gorge, the camel ride into the Bedhouin camp in the Sahara and the scenery in the High Atlas were all up there. Not forgetting the relaxing time back in the warmth of the resort of Essaouira, with it's fascinating port and wonderful fresh sea food.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustapha was informative, knowledgeable and very enthusiastic about his Country, sensitive to the Group's needs and had a wonderful sense of humour. He seemed really happy and excited when he was able to manoeuvre a mock Wedding celebration between a pair in our group the man[Tim] of which was going to propose to his partner[Kensie] on Valentine's evening, for which he had already invested in a beautiful engagement ring!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do believe the weather advice that Exodus give you in terms of the cold temperatures at this time of year and take plenty of warm clothing. After 6pm and through until about 10am the temperatures were very low and some of the buildings had no heating[as 75% of the year, I guess the temperatures are so high as to be uncomfortable]. However, our own cocern from the Climate sites we had investigated, which predicted up to 9 days of rain in Morocco during February, were totally unfounded from our experience of 5 minutes of showers in Marrakech on the Friday before we came home on Sunday.

Reviewed March 2012

Comfort and variety, well paced

I had wanted to do this trip for some time, and specifically chose it to avoid any long bus/train journeys. I enjoyed it greatly, particularly thanks to Dzung, the tour leader, who made an incredible effort to ensure we all experienced whatever it was that had drawn us to Vietnam.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling for 4 hours in the countryside surrounding Hoi An in a small group with a local guide (organised by our TL) who knew his ways through the many waterside paths. It rained but that made it a truely Vietnamese experience.The variety of food available. The cooking school in Hoi An was enjoyable and a nice inclusion.Kareoke with some of the group in Saigon; organised by our tour leader in a private room place which also had good food and cheap beer. The Mekong Delta - I knew little about it before going and the various boat trips took us to see a variety of industries and environs.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb. Dzung is one of the best tour leaders I have experienced, and mature beyond his 26 years. He established early on what sort of experiences, food etc that we were all interested in and made sure we were given the opportunities we sought.My only disappointment with the tour leading is that Dzung was left behind when we left for the last 2 days in Angkor and the "tour leader" in Cambodia was sub-standard - basically he was a historical guide who did not look out for us at all. It was a flat end to what had been a good tour, and given it was the most "deluxe" type of Exodus tour, it seemed mean not to keep the Vietnamese tour leader for the last 2 days to ensure the group ended on a "high".

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't expect Halong Bay to be the highlight; it's a mass touristy experience and care for the environment seems minimal. The water was full of floating rubbish and the boats didn't appear to have holding tanks or the courtesy not to run noisy generators all night. Eating out in Vietnam is cheap so order more than you think you might eat and share some of your "finds" with others in your group.Try to take lots of US$1 notes if you can get them as they are useful for tips, purchases etcDon't sit at the front of the bus if you are a nervous passenger as Vietnamese road usage is scary! I didn't take the group flights, and the others complained about them (seat size, route and stopovers). I paid a bit more to fly via Bangkok, but it saved me 8 hours travelling on the way home, so I thought was money well spent.

Reviewed March 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

This is a great way to experience Vietnam, cycling added an extra dimension to the trip allowing us to get closer to the people, the beautiful scenery and off the beaten track. The planning was faultless, the guides could not do enough for us and I came away with some fantastic memories (and friendships).

Most Inspirational Moment

Despite the breathtaking scenery for me everything about the was encapsulated in a brief moment whilst we were riding through a village. I was 100 metres behind one of our group and could see clearly children running and skipping out of their homes to shout 'hello' and give him and then myself high fives as we went past. This was par for the course everywhere we went - as I was riding up the Hai Van Pass motor cyclists pulled up alongside to say hello and chatting to me as I was fighting for air! Vietnam is a beautiful country with wonderful genuinely friendly people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lynn was excellent. Planning and execution of the trip was faultless but the extra dimension was brought to the trip by his personal stories of his experiences growing up in a war torn Vietnam. It was not only interesting but allowed us to understand on a personal level the challenges the Vietnamese have faced in relatively recent times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My only concern about the trip was me travelling on my own - there was the unknown element what the other of the other people on the trip were like. Do not let this put you off! Of a group of 10, 5 of us were solo travellers but we soon realised we all had the similar ideas, values and reasons for going on the trip and this made the basis of making some really good friends - in fact they made a good trip great.

Reviewed March 2012

A TASTE OF CUBA

Cuba offers visitors so many fascinating aspects, it is so close to mighty America and yet so different ! It is one of the last bastions of communism, there was nothing on which to spend money (except Rhum and tobacco) and it has none of the trappings of consumerism / no advertising! Refreshing world and a beautiful island, clean, people are well educated and peaceful but poor! Cuba is slowly opening up – go now and you should not be disapppointed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in the Bay of Pigs and our visit around Trinidad! I wish we could have spent more time around Vinares (at least one night hotel around there instead of Havanna on the last days!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Umberto was fabulous - very thoughful and well organised. He made sure we had what was needed and nothing was too much trouble for him. Very chatty too!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Relax - climate is good - do not take too much stuff - food is not that bad for tourists (infact quite good and comparable to many other holiday place). Take small presents for kids if you like (preferably not money).

Reviewed March 2012

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

This is our 5th visit to Dobbiaco and it hasn’t lost its appeal.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visit to Platzwiese and an icy downhill descent on the Military Road.The downhill descent from the Kreuzgergpass to Padola, bus back and the downhill descent to Moos.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were both part of Gareth Buffett's Group 2.We thought he struck the optimum balance as regards flexibility, rest breaks, challenging terrain and teaching. We thought the latter was particularly good and picked up several tips as regards the double pole kick and the basics of skating.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are numerous options for shortening the day (we didn't) should travellers so require, as the area is served by a very good, reliable bus service.Stops for lunch and afternoon tea are rarely disappointing as regards the quality of available food and high standard of restaurant cleanliness and ambience.

Reviewed March 2012

UNDISCOVERED ATLAS

This was a very interesting trek in a lessor known region of Morocco. It was great to get away from traditional tourist areas and to experience authentic Moroccan culture in the rural Berber villages.

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking up at the African sky at night. Some of our group went for 'night walks' just to look at the stars. We had one occasion when a whole group of us just looked up in silent awe for about twenty minutes - this was the most inspirational moment of the trip for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lachen was a very good group leader - he had a good sense of humour and was enthusiastic to answer questions about Moroccan culture, no matter how many we asked! His English was excellent, as was his knowledge of the local culture.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take thermals - it gets very cold at night. (I tried to wash and dry my socks one evening and woke the next day to find that they were frozen!)

Reviewed March 2012

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

See the real Sri Lanka as well as many of the key tourist sights. The back roads take you through villages and countryside that would be missed travelling any other way. There is one challenging long ride with a steep climb but a train option provides a cultural alternative. A surprising experience providing fantastic views of the hill country. Travel through the heart of Sri Lanka, from low land wild life parks to the more temperate tea hills.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing how rural Sri Lankans live - they all seemed so happy despite often difficult conditions.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A big hearted Sri Lankan who worked tirelessly to make everyone on the trip happy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider the train ride if you don't think you want to complete the long uphill cycle. It is an experience you will remember. In Kandy, climb the hill (or get a tuk tuk) to the Buddha temple on the hill. The views over Kandy are worth the trip.

Reviewed March 2012

CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI

THis trip to Kenya was great from beginning to end. Kenya is a very beautiful country, amazing wildlife and very welcoming people. I went to see animals and thats what I got, the game drives on the Masai Mara were wonderful. But a group trip like this can be made or runied by your fellow travellers, what can I say…….I travelled with the most friendly, easy going bunch of folk….thanks guys, you made a great holiday even better.

Most Inspirational Moment

Staying on the Masai Mara was awesome.....being greeted by a giraffe on the way to breakfast was sureal....and the game drives wonderful it was awesome to see so many beautiful animals in their natural habitiats.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guides Ben and Davies were excellent...what those guys dont know about Kenya and its wildlife can be written on the back of a postage stamp.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go and enjoy yourself! Be prepared for long bumpy drives but thats part of the fun of stepping outside the comfy UK to explore the beauties of Kenya!!

Reviewed March 2012

IN SEARCH OF THE SNOW LEOPARD

This was a trip into a remote area in the winter to search for what we all thought was unattainable. We expected cold, camping at altitude and rough walking. We got all of that but we did not expect hot water bottles every night!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Surrounded by steep sided snow covered mountains it seemed impossible that anything could live in this terrain , until we saw tracks and scrape marks of a snow leopard. Expectantly scanning the mountainside and intently watching for any unusual movement of blue sheep (snow leopard fodder!), added to the excitement. We all hoped, but no one really expected to see a snow leopard, after all, we all knew that film crews had staked out areas for months before getting footage of them. Then after hot footing it up a steep snowy mountain track, there it was high on the mountainside but visible through binoculars. When it decided to move, the full length of its powerful sleek body and equally long tail was fully shown. We were so priveledged!It was not all about snow leopards though as this area is stunningly beautiful with other plenty of other wildlife and prolific birdlife. However when the second snow leopard was sighted 2 days later, late in the afternoon, with it snowing gently, it just could not get any better!None of this would have been acheived without the experience and knowledge of our superb wildlife guide - Khenrab -he was inspirational!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Valerie Parkinson was the best!. She had such knowledge of this area and it was obvious she loved being there. The local team and the organisation was brilliant which is why all went so smoothly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the very warmest sleeping bag, lots of layers and a good pair of binoculars.. The altitude is something to consider as its immediate when you fly into Leh, though this trip gave good opportunity to aclimatise by spending a few days around Leh before moving higher. This is not a holiday with mod cons so don't expect them. Just enjoy the shower when back in Delhi.

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