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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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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327 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviewed November 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

We had a great time. Danh was a great tour leader, full of enthusiasm for his country, our trip, cycling and our enjoyment. Led his team superbly. Never fazed by mini "disasters", took everything in his stride and with a smile. We had a very good taste of the real Vietnam, not just the tourist traps.

Most Inspirational Moment

Don't really like long downhills but really enjoyed the 34K descent we did. Total quiet, beautiful scenery, fabulous. And of course Hoi An is truly wonderful

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simply the best, better than all the rest. Have been on many cycle trips with Exodus and your competitors, so I feel I am qualified to judge. Danh never just went the extra mile, he went the extra 500K. It always felt that we were his number one priority and nothing was too much trouble. I think he was a true friend to all of us.Very knowledgable about his country, history, customs etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Several laundry opportunities so you really don't need all those clothes.........

Reviewed November 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

Fantastic holiday – cycling is a great way to see the country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Each cycling day had many highpoints, but for me the best day was the last one when we cycled 10k up the Danang-Hue pass, then 10k down again in torrential rain !! Ended the trip cycling through the villages as the children were leaving school.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simply the best ! My expectations for future exodus trip have been set extremely high. Not only were Danh and his team 110% safety conscious, he also ensured we experienced a variety of excellent food and gave us extensive insight into the culture and history of the country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hotel accomodation was far better than I expected, so don't bother with a mosquito net !The markets in Ho Chin Minh sold good quality rucksacks, waterproofs, caps, casual crossbody bags plus lots more, so providing you plan to get there before midnight, you could pick up most things you need when you get there. Oh, and if you fly Malaysia airlines, carry plenty of spare clothes on the airplane with you. On the way there the baggage missed the connecting flight, and on the way back there was a 14 hour delay in KL - we were sent to a hotel for the night without luggage. Malaysia airlines don't supply sleepmasks/earplugs/toothpaste/toothbrush like most other airlines do on long haul.

Reviewed November 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

A wonderful holiday – fabulous country, great company, delicious food, spectacular scenery, and the best guide ever (Danh).

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the "bloody" hill (it was only big in our minds!); Drinking beer on nursery stools in the road; Watching sea eagles fish; Cycling downhill through a herd of goats when I couldn't see where I was going because of torrential rain; Being entertained by Danh, whose giggle is infectious!

Thoughts on Group Leader

They don't get any better!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do this trip, you won't regret it! Just ensure you are moderately fit, the rest will come with practice!

Reviewed August 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

Great mix of activity, culture, history and socialising

Reviewed July 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM - A great way to get fit

Friendly, helpful staff; quality hotels; nice roads and a great route.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last full day of cycling had about 30km on the flat then a 10km climb, 10km descent and then about 50km flat. The climb was challenging but not impossible. I was amazed at how much fitness I gained whilst on holiday. Since it was the last major day of cycling, I decided to ride as quickly as I could for the last 30km and was amazed that I continued to feel great as I pushed myself well beyond what I would have been capable of just a few weeks earlier. It was so nice to relax in the hotel pool after such a day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader was friendly and helpful. He had some great insights into Vietnamese culture and history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was the only person on my trip with my own bike (a touring bike). Whilst it was lovely to be on my own wheels, I think it was more trouble than it was worth. After buying a new suit in Hoi An, I ended up paying about US$200 in excess baggage so there was no real cost savings.

Reviewed July 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

My husband and I have just returned home from our cycling trip and we can’t wait to plan our next tour! Our holiday far exceeded our expectations. We had a great group, so ably led by Linh our tour guide. We were a little worried that we wouldn’t be able to cope with the heat and humidity on the trip as we are both in our 50’s but the backup we received from Linh, Y and the bus and truck drivers was amazing. Nothing was too much trouble for them. Their support and consideration made the experience an unforgettable one for us. We loved Vietnam – the food, people and country side. Well done Exodus on an exceptionally well organised tour. We have travelled with other tour organisers before, but from now on it will be Exodus all the way.

Most Inspirational Moment

We loved the diversity of the tour. The challenge of cycling through little towns, the different resturants we ate in, the cooking class and the shopping experiences along the way. The children calling "hallo" as we passed was good fun but the stand out was the cruise on Halong Bay. It was a beautiful, relaxing way to end the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Linh, was exceptional. He went out of his way to ensure we were all safe and enjoying ourselves. He taught us so much about his country. It is great having a local guide. It really made the experience!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We battled a little with the heat and humidity on the days we cycled bigger distances. I think it would be preferrable to cycle at a different time of year - probably November to March.

Reviewed April 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

I had very high expectations of the country having wanted to go there for over 10 years and put the trip off on a few occasions. I know many people who have been to Vietnam and they have all come back with glowing reviews and this trip did not let me down at all. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single day and was amazed with how beautiful and old fashioned the country. Honestly, this is the best way to see a country as you really do take in sights, sounds and smells of it (plus a bit of mud, grit and diesel fumes). It will take a lot to top this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling to Dalat and up the Hai Van Pass were personal highlights as the scenery was so beautiful I did not dare stop when the going got tough as I wanted to savour the sights rather than zip through them on the bus. I can honestly say that around every corner and over the top of every hill was a sight worth seeing and savouring. One turn it might be a peaceful river scene with a little boat gently putt putting its way around, the next you might see a load of water buffalo snouts poking through the water right the way through to beautiful rainforests, the most stunning beaches and ocean views I can say I have seen anywhere in the world...to date.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danh was great fun and had a good blend of knowledge and humour all throughout the trip. Cocktails on the sleeper train, cramming all 19 of us into a 4 man cabin on the sleeper train and the "penguins" are all good examples of his sense of humour. Always made sure that the pace of the trip was suitable for all members and gave good guidance as to what was coming up in terms of the following day and what we needed to do, where we needed to be and by when.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do train for the trip as elements of it are tough. If you are relatively fit and take your time in the granny gears you can climb anything. Read up on Vietnam as there is a lot of history that you will be ignorant to. Whatever you plan on packing, I would say halve it and then take a few less items. You will only need 2-3 set of cycling clothing and the same for the evening. As Ryan said in the review before this one, you can buy anything else very cheaply when you are out there. Take a mixture of Vietnamese Dong and US Dollars as both are useful to possess. You can change money in the hotels are decent rates without commission being charged as well.

Reviewed April 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

This trip seemed to have the right balance. A good amount of cycling with also a good portion of sightseeing. A good balance of hill and flat roads and city and rural roads.

Most Inspirational Moment

Final night drinks in Hanoi. And doing a 1700 meter downhill!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good. Great attention to detail. A high level of organisation made everything run like clockwork.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take 3 changes of cycling gear. Don't bother taking too much else in the way of clothes. (buy cheap clothes there!)

Reviewed March 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

It was a trip that had a lot of promise,and it delivered it ,and indeed exceeded expectations.I would have difficulty in suggesting improvements,without lenghtening the duration of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The inspiration came from the people,and especially the kids who greeted us so enthusiastically.The people were friendly and welcoming,and placid-despite the overwhelming number of mopeds on the roads I never once encountered road rage !The scenery at times was spectacular,and the hotels were generally better than expected.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi was superb,and hugely popular with the group. He was everything an excellent guide should be-knowledgeable,helpful,courteous,good sense of humour,always in complete control in a very relaxed way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I am not a serious cyclist-I am used to short rides of 2 hours or less-and I had no trouble with the cycling apart from the Mai Van Pass where I struggled,but made it ( I am in my sixties ! ).I did experience though saddle soreness at times,as did many others , so a gel cover is essential. Perhaps also a chamois cream.We were extremely well looked after at rest stops with refreshments-no need to take your own with you.Take care with the downhills,and with potholed roads - we had 2 accidents,neither fortunately too serious,but serious enough to stop any further cycling for the 2 individuals for the rest of the trip.

Reviewed March 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

Everything I’ve come to expect from Exodus. Excellent organisation, great hotels, fabulous food and the best guide yet. If you do this trip…..you want Chi as your leader!

Most Inspirational Moment

The 30k downhill was superb and surprisingly riding through the tail end of a monsoon gave a real energy boost. The freshness after 3 days of humidity was wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi organised the trip impeccably. He was fabulous and both him and his aides Nang, Can and Lee worked tirelessly to make the trip memorable and fun. This was my 8th trip and Chi was easily the best guide I’ve had.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Buy souvenirs when you see them. I was surprised at how localised items were. I saw a beautiful wooden bowl at one lunchstop (after the 30k downhill) and didn’t buy it because I assumed there would be more…there weren’t! also, at the top of the 10k hill you have to run the gauntlet of pearl bracelet sellers but these don’t appear elsewhere. Definitely buy something if you like it.The boat in Halong Bay was wonderful. In fact every night’s accommodation was of a far higher standard than I expected / have experienced on other trips.As mentioned by others, there was a delay in some of the groups luggage arriving. Make sure you carry at least one cycling outfit and one casual outfit in your hand luggage.Don’t go mad downhill! There are long transfers on the bus so take music/book/pillow.

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