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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34 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Sioned Jones

Reviewed September 2018

Berchules, Sierra Nevada, Spain

Another great holiday thanks to Exodus! This was my 13th walking holiday with Exodus and one of the best, thanks to the varied walks, excellent leader, great scenery, wonderful family run hotel and good weather.

Most Inspirational Moment

Following the Moors waterways into the hills and enjoying the long varied walks along the rugged landscape and through pretty little villages. We covered 9 miles, 10 miles, 9 miles, 10 miles, then 12 miles during the week, which was challenging enough for a Grade 3 walk. It was great to be out for a full day, before returning "home" to the wonderful, family run Los Berchules Hotel. Our hosts were Alejandro, his wife Csilla, the lovely Wendy (Alejandro's mum) and Omar. The staff were amazing and nothing was too much bother for them. Alejandro cooked us fantastic, locally sourced food, whilst Csilla and Omar waited on. Wendy made the excellent home made puddings and gave us a warm welcome "home" each day front of house.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dan was a great leader. His local knowledge of history, the way people live and wildlife was second to none and his Yorkshireman sense of humour added to that! Dan allows you to walk on at your own pace, but has control of the group is an unassuming, professional way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Having exhausted most of the Grade 5 centre based options over the years, we were looking for a more challenging Grade 3 walking trip and this one surpassed our expectations in terms of terrain, scenery, length of walks and accommodation. I would highly recommend this holiday.

Suggestions

We are used to a large group of 14 to 16 people, but on this occasion, there were only six of us. That did not detract from the holiday at all, in fact, it added to it as we all got on so well. Thanks Exodus for another fantastic walking holiday!

Jane Firth

Reviewed May 2018

Loved it!

Our first Exodus holiday and it will certainly not be the last. Everything ran smoothly even though we had to have a replacement guide due to illness. Dan, our guide, had a great sense of humour and was knowledgeable about the region. The walks were varied and the scenery was beautiful.
Hotel Los Bérchules was comfortable and very clean. Wendy, Alejandro, Csilla and Omar made us all feel so at home. The food was super, tasty homemade bread and marmalade at breakfast, satisfying packed lunches and generous portions at dinner with always a homemade pudding. Finally our fellow travellers were a great group of people, so interesting and full of fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

Managing to keep on walking whatever the weather threw at us!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dan is a great leader, calm and confident with a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take an extra day for Granada, so much to see, so little time.

Suggestions

No complaints at all! 😊

Des Cassidy

Reviewed May 2018

Great time

Stars aligned for this trip, Outstanding Lead, Landscape, hosts and crew.
Our guide Dan, had a bit of style and swagger. instilled confidence in all the group making all the walks of Sierra Nevada a stroll in the park.
Hotel Los Berchurles a welcome retreat full of charactor and warmth. Wendy, Shelia, Alejandro and Omar,all served us well.
Our fellow guests was the final part in the alignment and it was great to share anniversaries, quizs, horse wrestling with them all.

Most Inspirational Moment

Great restaurant recommendation for Granada and what a beautiful city. Be warned one day does not do it justice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Top of the tree, lucky to have Dan

Advice for Potential Travellers

Extend your break to take in Malaga and Granada. take a earlier/later plane

Suggestions

Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Well done Exodus.

Des Cassidy

Reviewed May 2018

Great time

Most Inspirational Moment

Great restaurant recommendation for Granada and what a beautiful city. Be warned one day does not do it justice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Top of the tree, lucky to have Dan

Advice for Potential Travellers

Extend your break to take in Malaga and Granada. take a earlier/later plane

Suggestions

Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Well done Exodus.

Noreen Jennison

Reviewed May 2018

Distressing experience. Spain never again

I have trekked and been on walking holidays all over the world, some with Exodus. This was my first holiday in Spain and the experience was distressing. I will never holiday in Spain again. This was not due to Exodus nor the walk leader but due to the local people. When I arrived at the hotel (Hotel Los Berchules) the proprietor Alejandro checked us in and also checked that I was vegetarian. When I asked him if their was a lift (my room was up a few flights of stairs and I have slipped discs in my back so lifting a heavy load could cause problems) he said that if I ate meat I would be strong enough to carry my own bag!

During the week I saw many cases of animal cruelty. Emaciated dogs chained up with no food or shelter. All the dogs I saw (and there were many roaming free in the villages and countryside) had been mutilated with their ears cut off.

There was also posters in the village of Los Bechules advertising a village ‘event’. On Sunday 29th April the villagers collected in the square to watch animals being tortured to death. The walk guide told us that the villagers put down a lot of sawdust in the square presumably to soak up all the blood. This distressed me really for the whole week. I have trekked in the High Atlas Mountains and In the High Andes staying with locals peoples and have never come across this level of cruelty.

We walked through several villages but hardly saw anyone. A few bars we went into were busy but the local people were not at all friendly. Whilst walking in the countryside we were shouted at by the local ‘cowboys’ gesticulating to us to move on. (We were on proper paths and walked a proper authorised route).

The Hotel was fine but as a vegetarian I was hoping for better quality meals that the vegetarian equivalent to chicken nuggets. My meals were mostly convenience junk food that I would not have eaten at home.

Most Inspirational Moment

Nothing

Thoughts on Group Leader

I thought George did the best he could to make an uninteresting walking environment as interesting as he could. Also after the hotel proprietor had been so rude to me when I first arrived about being vegetarian George, who overheard him' carried my bag upstairs for me. Thank you George.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you care about animal welfare and are distressed at seeing animal cruelty then don't do this holiday. If you are vegetarian and would like a decent meal at the end of a days walking then don't do this holiday and don't stay in this hotel. If you would like to meet friendly locals on holiday then don't bother with this holiday. If you are used to seeing fantastic scenery on walking holidays then this probably isn't the holiday for you. The holiday seemed like a case of trying to make the best of nothing very much.

Suggestions

In case readers think I was the only one on the trip who did not reply enjoy the holiday because of all of the above: At the airport on the way home one of the other walkers in the group said that of all the Exodus Holidays she had been on this was the worst. Again this is not the fault of Exodus or George the guide.

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Noreen for her feedback, although we sincerely regret that she did not enjoy her time in Spain. We appreciate that witnessing the animal cruelty described would have been very concerning and worrying, however, we would like to reassure that Exodus does not endorse these types of activities, and our groups did not witness the festival being held in the village. We were disappointed to read that Noreen felt that the food provided for her as a vegetarian was poor as it is always our intention that clients with dietary requirements are well catered for and we believe this is usually the case on our trips. We are, however, genuinely sorry that Noreen’s experience was not so positive.

Monica Princic – Product Manager for Spain

Anne Smith

Reviewed June 2017

Hiking the Sierra Nevada an amazing landscape

A wonderful week based in the most friendly and supportive Hotel Los Berchules. Long days hiking the narrow trails captivated by the landscape dressed in spring flowers.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the footsteps of the moors who created the most intricate scene of irrigation canals, edged in wild flowers and providing water for local farmers. Having lunch perched in the most beautiful places with a group of walkers who shared my holiday dreams and styles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

George is an extremely knowledgeable guide his information and perspective on moorish Andalusia is enthralling. George encouraged us all to extend the experience with side trips and enjoying the local bars at the end of the day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trails are rough and the days long so get fit on hilly terrain and uneven surfaces. Pack light it's easy to wash out your walking clothes in the evening.

Suggestions

Both drives from Malaga and to Granada are very long and twisty, be prepared with car sickness tablets if your prone. These drives detract from the wonderful walks.

Janet Milne

Reviewed June 2017

Walking in Sierra Nevada and Granada

An unspoilt area of Spain with interesting walks and scenery. It was good to have walks starting from the hotel and / or a short transfer to a local village. At the end of the week to have a day and overnight stay in Granada worked well especially as the hotel was very central to the old part of the city.
The hotel in Berchules was lovely. The staff very welcoming and accommodating. The food was excellent as was the service.

Most Inspirational Moment

We went in May so the mountain sides were covered in spring flowers including many orchids. We also saw eagles, golden orioles and hoopoes. I found the geology of the area very interesting as there were some incredible rock formations and folding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

George was an excellent leader with a detailed knowledge of the history and culture of the area. The walks were well paced with opportunities to stop to take photographs and look at the spectacular views.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although most days there were opportunities to replenish water bottles at local fountains, do take 2 x 1 litre water bottles as the temperature can rise quickly.

Suggestions

This was a very enjoyable walking holiday in an unspoilt area of Spain. There was a good variety of walks, each showcasing a different aspect of the area whether it be historical, geological or flora and fauna.

David Cartwright

Reviewed May 2017

Sierra Nevada and Grenada.

The trip met all my expectations The walking was excellent and the company brilliant
Our leader was enthusistic, patient and extremely knowlegeable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the path ---- every day!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

As above Would recomment him to anyone as a guide and leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book early to gain entrance to the Alhamra--- if you really really want to go because its full, ie really full of tourists!!!!!

Suggestions

I would recommend this trip to any walker

Edward Curtis

Reviewed April 2017

Great mix of history and hiking

Great walking in a dramatic and historic landscape which isn’t as well known as it deserves to be. This trip has a variety of different walks with lots of different aspects to keep your interest. The scenery is dramatic – lots of crags and gorges with views of the snow topped mountains, but there is also the history and culture of the area. The villages are scenic but not twee, this is a working agricultural landscape after all, and the terraces and ancient moorish irrigation system give the landscape a distinctive character.

Most Inspirational Moment

The variety of walks was a real high point. By walking in a different valley or at a different altitude on each walk every day had its own distinct landscape and character.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader did a great job of guiding us around the area. As well as the basics of looking after the group and getting everyone around the hikes he gave us some insights into the local way of life and history that really brought the landscape we were walking through to life.

Peter Jefferies

Reviewed April 2017

Sierra Nevada and Granada

A fantastic week of varied walking in sunny Andalucìa! Great hosts, great tour leader, great fellow company. I would highly recommend this trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

For me there were many moments! The wall to wall sunshine and temperatures already in the mid-20s in April certainly helped! The variety of stunning scenery and walking terrain throughout the trip was excellent and each day's walking seemed to get better and better. Visiting Granada was a great conclusion to the trip and La Alhambra in particular is not to be missed!

Thoughts on Group Leader

George was warm, friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about the local area. It was a real pleasure finding out more from him about the way of life in Las Alpujarras, its nature and regional/national history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are planning to visit La Alhambra in Granada, make sure you book tickets as soon as you book the holiday as they go quickly. Try to get an early morning or evening slot to avoid the tourist hordes in the middle of the day. Although the days were very warm-hot in mid-April, you will need some warmish layers to wear in the hotel on a night as it can get chilly.

Suggestions

This holiday was perfect for a week at Easter - I would highly recommend it. The temperature was just right (20 - 25 degrees in the mountains), making it ideal walking conditions. Remember to bring lots of sun cream! Other reviewers have mentioned that it is not walking in the Sierra Nevada itself but in the foothills. In actual fact, it is a great mixture of the two and there is certainly more than enough dramatic mountain scenery to wonder at.

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