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!
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324 Reviews
4.8 out of
5
Reviews
Debra Thomas
Reviewed December 2016
Amazing way to see Vietnam
The title sums it up – a great way to see a beautiful country and meet the lovely friendly people.
Most Inspirational Moment
I think that when every single member of our group managed to cycle up the Hui ven pass that was pretty amazing
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was very professional - he gave us a great overview of the Vietnam war as his father had been a general in the south vietnamese army and the detail and personal aspect of this was a one in lifetime experience. He was very serious though and sometimes seemed very upset / angry if we asked questions whilst he was talking making me at times feel very uncomfortable. Towards the end he explained that in his culture teachers talk and explain things and people listen and do not interrupt or ask questions but in our western culture it is different and we are encouraged to ask questions and he finds this difficult. I wish he had explained this at the start! I would have preferred a guide who was more light hearted at times but this is not a complaint just an observation / preference.
The only other comment is arriving at first meeting as single person in a group of mainly couples was a bit weird and he made no attempt at all to introduce everyone. To me a basic thing would have been for us all to say our names and introduce ourselves at that first meeting but this was not facilitated by the leader and as not everyone came to the first dinner it was awkward for next few days not even knowing some peoples names. In the same vein there was a real mixed ability of cyclists and again no attempt made to get an idea of abilities before we started cycling.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Vietnam is not flat - its very undulating with some difficult road conditions too (pot holes / water buffalo / motorbikes / monsoon rain / landslides ) - make sure you are a confident and competent cyclist!!
Naomi Robinson
Reviewed December 2016
Vietnam cycling
If you want a trip to see Vietnam, this is the trip for you. I say trip as this is too busy to be called a holiday. Great local experienced guides with the patience of saints. Vietnam is an amazing country. This cycle trip takes you from cities through mountains, beaches, forest and remote hill tribes. Always with amazingly smiley, happy people en route. Long hours on the bus, sometimes long pointless days on the bike. If you want to rack up the miles though our guide certainly knew how to ride a bike, with our mechanic (who seemingly had super human strength) and could aid people by cycling himself and pushing them up hills with one hand. Incredible staff made the sometimes tough days worthwhile.
Most Inspirational Moment
I'll never forget the resilience, happiness, resourcefulness and application for hard work of the Vietnamese people. Amazing. Very humbling to see 70 year olds still working in the rice fields.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lhyn was excellent. Ours was a group of 18 UK individuals, with varying cycling abilities. Some how he managed to steer us in the right direction. He has the patience of a Saint.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Train at 16-18 mph. Vietnam is NOT flat. It rained really hard on two separate days for us, so getting kit dry was difficult. With four days at the beginning between the ability to get clothes properly washed and dry. We stayed a few extra days (well worth it in Saigon) as you don't get much time to look around, and the jet lag a nightmare. Allow yourself some extra time at the end before going back to work as we were very tired after one night on a train, next on a boat and next in a busy (paper thin walled) Hanoi hotel., then a long flight home
Nigel Leaver
Reviewed December 2016
Vietnam cycling
Excellent holiday Loved it
Most Inspirational Moment
Haiphong Bay
Thoughts on Group Leader
excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
no
Anne Allen
Reviewed November 2016
cycling Vietnam
It was an amazing trip. The mountain and coastal scenery was magnificent. The people, especially the kids, were friendly and welcoming. The hotels were first class and the food everywhere was excellent.
Most Inspirational Moment
If we had to choose one thing then it would be Halong Bay for its´ beauty and serenity.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Chi was excellent. He is knowledgable, cheerful, supportive and has a good sense of humour. He and his team worked well together and all worked hard to ensure we all had a fabulous trip. They were always smiling and took us to some fabulous eateries. By the end of the holiday, Chi and his team were more than just a support group, they were our friends.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We found that there were plenty of ATM´s in the towns and cities so currency exchange was no problem.
Shelagh Hawken
Reviewed October 2016
Cycle Vietnam
The trip organization was great, the balance of biking and van transfers was perfect. We found tours to be informative and eye opening. It was interesting to get the local perspective on the wars in Vietnam.
Most Inspirational Moment
Safely navigating the traffic circle in Dlat during rush hour.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Danh was exceptional he made the whole trip worthwhile.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring a gel seat cover!
Abbas Khan
Reviewed October 2016
Cycling Vietnam 2016
Vietnam cycling was the most exciting, satisfying, amazing experience I have encountered and if you took out the cycling, it would not have been the same!
Most Inspirational Moment
There had been many highlights throughout the 2 weeks but the one that stands out is cycling down one of many mountains for 20km in heavy rain.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader Lam treated the trip as it was his very first one and was always at hand with guidance and advice and led the group without incident.
Advice for Potential Travellers
In the busy cities, keep your phones, cameras, wallets very close to you and do not take out so much money when shopping, but just enough.
Amanda Soper
Reviewed October 2016
Miss
Very glad I decided to do the trip, thoroughly enjoyed every moment of scenery, cycling, pleasant comfortable hotels, lovely boat and must say the train was definitely and experience.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling 18 miles down the mountain, amazing scenery
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lam really looked after us all impeccabley and was always smiling.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't forget your water bottle to fix onto your bike
David Arundel
Reviewed May 2016
Great way to see Vietnam
Great way to see the highlights of Vietnam – though take note of how much time you will spend on the bus each day on the trip
Most Inspirational Moment
The sleeper train to Hanoi - including a conga down the length of the train following on from our leader's generous pouring of mojitos and G&T .
One of our group was 78 years old and with the support of the group and our group leader managed all the trip without getting on the bus
Thoughts on Group Leader
Danh was a great tour guide - exceptionally well organised and very knowledgable. He was also great at getting the cycling group to quickly gel into one very friendly and fun group
Advice for Potential Travellers
Visit Sapa after the trip for a 2 or 3 day trek - book it with Sapa sisters
Michael Warman
Reviewed May 2016
Highly recommended: Cycling Vietnam
As mentioned in the previous reviews…”Fantastic tour well organized from beginning to end
Wonderful way to see the country and sample the culture”
The group leader and his support team were terrific, always happy, helpful and having fun making the experience more enjoyable.
Having vehicle support along the rides meant, if any problems arise no-one gets left behind.
Most Inspirational Moment
Riding along the off the beaten track villages. Waving to the locals and saying "hello"
Seeing and hearing the streets being clogged up with scooters, bikes and cars. Also the excitement of crossing the road and dodging the scooters at the same time.
The heat and humidity.
Eating at the local restaurants guided by our group leader.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Chi was well organised, great sense of humour, plenty of patience in answering everyone questions or concerns. Making sure everyone was safe and well, even when not riding.
Always happy to have his picture taken or take a picture for you/ group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared. Do some research and training beforehand.
Ride at your own pace to soak up the scenery.
Nigel Dinnes
Reviewed May 2016
Excellent trip
This was an excellent trip: tour group leader and support team were superb, hotels generally of a high standard, local restaurants serving really tasty food. The cycle routes for the first two days were rather dull and dusty but after that they just got better and better. Quite a lot of transfer time between cycles but because the temperature and humidity were so high, we were all appreciative of the cooling off time in the air conditioned coach. I think maybe at these temperatures (38C)the cycle rating should be a little more towards the difficult end of the spectrum. That said the back up team provided everything we needed – regular pit stops, plenty of rehydration, snacks (the fresh mango was to die for!) and even chilled wet wipes to the back of neck!
Highly recommended.
Most Inspirational Moment
Hai Van Pass
Off the beaten track villages
Cycling in the late afternoon through huge cemetery - so atmospheric.
Halong Bay overnight boat - great food, fun kayaking and dancing into the night.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Calm, well organised, great sense of humour. Excellent steers to local restaurants. Chi could not be faulted.
