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.

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’!

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14370 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Angela Jackson

Reviewed July 2019

Pleasant cycling trip

This is a pleasant cycling trip but as some reviewers have previously highlighted despite the grade 2 we were often arriving at the hotel about 5.00pm or later and so we didn’t have much time for relaxation off the bikes. This was not too much of a problem until the arrival in Obidos which is worthy of some time to look around. There are some diversions from the original route following the devastating fires in 2017. Generally good hotels are used, The Literary Man in Obidos is very interesting and quirky.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not really inspirational - but overall this is a very pleasant relaxing trip. We had great company. We had a short guided tour of Porto prior to the wine tasting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ricardo worked really hard all week and was well supported by Ruben. He took some videos of us cycling which he tried to edit each evening for viewing whilst giving the next days briefing. Both were really nice guys who were enthusuatic about the outdoors and Portugal.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The kitty for lunches worked out great and I would recommend as everything was ready prepared on our arrival with a good choice of food, this included picnic lunches as well. Book extra nights in Porto and Lisbon as they are both worthy of more time.

Catherine Mclaren

Reviewed July 2019

Fantastic trip

Lovely holiday in the Rockies, varied walks, great guides who cooked 3 course meals every night on a 3 ring gas burner. Bus time kept to a minimum but we covered a lot of ground. Just remember, you are in the mountains and the weather can be variable, the averages given in the trip notes can be deceiving!

Most Inspirational Moment

Camping in the back country was fabulous, including the helicopter trip in.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leaders were great, Vincent had a lot on his plate on this particular trip and Maggie was a great second in command, doing the majority of the cooking - couldn’t fault either.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It will probably be colder and wetter than you might think,

Michael Curtis

Reviewed July 2019

Excellent walking holiday.

The holiday was based in a village high up in the alps, at about 2000 metres.
There were two guides, one leading a moderate-grade walk and one leading a challenging-grade walk and each day clients were able to choose which one to join. Some stayed with the same group all week, others switched between groups.
The weather was very good except for one day, and we were able to see snowy mountain peaks many miles away. There were patches of snow at higher altitudes on one of the challenging walks.
We saw marmots on some of the days.
Most walks started from the hotel, but on two days local buses were used to get to the walk start point.
There was plenty to do in the village, with restaurants, shops, cafes and a couple of small museums.
St Veran is a small ski-ing village in the winter and there were a few closed-down ski-lifts, but nothing to spoil the views.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think this was reaching the pic de Caramantran at 3025 metres in the moderate-grade group (bear in mind that the walk started at 2340m that day). There were excellent views of mont Viso in Italy, which still had some snow on it. You could walk over the border into Italy for a few minutes. It was windy there. Everyone shook hands on reaching this point.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I walked with both group leaders on different days. Both were very competent and spoke English very well. Both had a good knowledge of the history of the local area and knew the routes well. Yves led the challenging walks and Isabelle led the moderate walks. Both guides ate with the group in the evenings. On the free day, they gave us an informal tour of the village, explaining its history. On the challenging walk on the last day, there were some difficult stretches near the top and Yves made sure everyone was safe. The leaders provided marked-up contour maps of the walking areas, something I have not experienced before on this type of holiday. This helped clients to make up their minds which grade of walk to go on.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's a good idea to have walking poles if you are going to do the challenging-grade walks.

Linda Cunningham

Reviewed July 2019

Perfect Adventure

I can not recommend this adventure enough: Mongolia is a special country and Exodus provided the ideal adventure to highlight all aspects of Mongolia and Mongolian life. We aren’t really mountain bikers but the biking was superb – not particularly easy – but truly enjoyable in terms of terrain, scenery and fun riding. We aren’t really campers – but have to admit it was kinda enjoyable in the end 😎. Food on the trip was exceptional – we were v well fed: breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon snack, substantial dinner. Ghana and her assistant certainly kept us well fed. We even had a shower and a proper sit down toilet on camp 😎. The whole Mongolian support team were superb and NK – our guide – was a special guy. Knowledgable, funny, kind and considerate – he really made our adventure special.

Most Inspirational Moment

Biking along with a herd of Mongolian horses zooooming alongside us was pretty special. Although the laugh we had playing football v Mongolian team was hilarious 😆

Thoughts on Group Leader

NK was superb: can’t fault him in anyway. Knowledgeable, funny, cheerful, friendly and v capable. He made our adventure special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get out on your mountain bike and get away on this adventure: you’ll love it. I’d highly recommend going on the Naadam departure.

Lucy Chaldecott

Reviewed July 2019

A marvellous week in the mountains!

My dad and I have just returned from the Dolomites. We had an absolutely amazing week and I cannot rate it highly enough for keen mountain walkers. With varied walks, beautiful views, excellent guides and cheerful company from fellow hikers, it has been a very memorable week; I am so pleased that i chose this spectacular trip. Thank you to everyone for making it such a happy holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

The beautiful, high up ridge walks with undulating paths stretching for miles ahead, with dramatic views down into the valleys. Standing in the snow at the top of Piz Boe at over 3,000m was also pretty inspirational!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Albert and Martin were outstanding leaders, and they swapped between the grades of walks each day so we got to know them both. They proved to be not only organised, knowledgable and highly competent, but also kind, friendly and funny. Thanks for all the excellent mountain refuge stops!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go prepared for all weathers and temperatures - sometimes we needed shorts, sun hats and sun cream, and sometimes waterproofs and gloves. Best be prepared and take it all! Dad and I hired bikes for half of our free day which I would highly recommend. Also enjoy the sauna downstairs in the hotel, and take a kettle for your room if you’re a keen tea drinker!

Beth Neill

Reviewed July 2019

Great mix of outdoor activities

Although the bear hide was the lure for us on this trip, the other activities of walking with huskies, rideing the river and walking the forests all made this a brilliant short break. Long days meant we had good evenings watching the bears and time to do things during the day as well. Oulanka base camp was a great venue.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the mother bear with 4 cubs emerge from the woods.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Elina was a wonderful leader - she always made sure we were all happy and knew what was going on each day, spending time telling us about local culture.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of mosquito repellant!

Linda S.

Reviewed July 2019

Amazing Amazon!

I was a little undecided about booking this extension, I’m so glad I did. The trip was very well organised, and the excitement starts with the very first boat journey to your Lodge. Lots of new experiences and a sensory sensation!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Travelling on the river in the dark, watching dawn break and hearing the jungle come alive. Night walk through the forest. The sheer enormity of the different sights, sounds, humidity and smell of the jungle.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Moises was an excellent and very knowledgeable local guide. He saw and heard things way before we did, and made sure we kept safe whilst photographing some potentially dangerous animals and plants.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it. Completely different to other parts of the world, and changing rapidly. You may not get the chance again, and the memories will stay with you forever.

Linda Stephenson

Reviewed July 2019

Amazing Peru!!

From start to finish this trip ticked all the boxes. Yes it’s full on, Peru is a huge country and this holiday maximises your time to visit all the most interesting places and areas. The scenery whilst travelling around is amazing. Didn’t even open the book I’d taken to read on the coach!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many - the reed islands on Lake Titicaca, standing at the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu at dawn - watching the transformation from atmospheric cloud and mist to bright sunshine, seeing the Andes in all their glory and experiencing the Amazon rainforest and it's amazing flora and fauna.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Daniel was fabulous. His friendly personality, pride in his country, knowledge of Peru's history and cultures, enthusiasm and organisational skills and excellent English made us feel very well looked after. Felt like we were travelling with a friend who was also a guide and leader!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it! You can sleep when you get home!!

violeta maftei

Reviewed July 2019

Mind-blowing experience

WYU190630
Just returned from my first African wild adventure and i m still day dreaming of it!
Couldn’t have asked for a better crew team members and better group. Absolutely awed day in day out.
This being my first experience camping and group travelling i must say it has been a blast!
Do not let the camping put you off! It is a great experience and i loved every minute of it!

Most Inspirational Moment

From day one, every day was memorable! And just when i thought that nothing could top seeing the big five, here comes chimpanzee trekking, mountain gorilla trekking, the scenery all around were absolute breathtaking. Totally totally would recommend this trip to anyone who's ready for adventure.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour guide Gilbert together with chef Albert, driver Stony and all around helper Charlie made our experience a memorable one. I could not have asked for a better crew! They were awesome and their hard work must be acknowledged. Absolutely stunned with Gilbert's knowledge in terms of culture, nature, wildlife; and throughout the trip he always kept us informed, always smiling laughing and ready to listen to everything we had to say. Driver Stony, hat down! His many years of experience definitely had a say and he kept us safe throughout the journey. 100% confidence is his skills. Chef Albert looked after our stomach affairs! The whole group were astonished how he always managed to come up with the most delicious dishes even when camping. Healthy and freshly cooked food, always a bonus. Charlie the man does it all!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack a sense of adventure and a big smile and you'll have the holiday of a lifetime! I was nervous when i booked this trip as was travelling alone, and never done this sort of trip before, but words cannot express how amazing the trip was and how well the group and crew members integrated from day one! Be prepared for long drives on bumpy roads sometimes. Its part of the adventure package!:)

Diana Escudero

Reviewed July 2019

Fantastic tour in an amazing country

This was my first Exodus trip and it exceeded my expectations. I really enjoyed the different aspects of the trip from swimming in the lake in Pogradec (and eating local korani trout afterwards), to the icon museum in Berat, from the walk in Llogora to the Mirahori mosque visit in Korça. Albania is a fascinating country and I enjoyed exploring it with like-minded individuals who were great fun. I found hotel accommodation very good (single supplement basis).

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to say as there were several. The moment when we witnessed the call to prayer at the Mirahori mosque in Korçë, or possibly swimming in the lake in Pogradec, or maybe the last evening sampling raki and local cheese while listening to a young local musician playing the accordion.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I liked the group leader Gerti very much - he had a great sense of humour and we had some great laughs. He provided us with a great introduction to Albania and was very knowledgeable. I was very grateful for his help ensuring I stayed in the same room for my extra night in Krujë at the end of the trip. His style was to recommend restaurants rather than accompany everyone and I thought it worked well as it gave you the opportunity to make the most of your free time and interact with locals. There was the occasional lapse when it wasn't clear how long we had in a particular short stop but nothing really serious. I also thought he was kind looking out for any group members who struggled on the steep cobbled roads.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I recommend arriving early in Tirana to have more time to explore - I arrived the night before and had almost a whole day to explore places not included on the tour. It's a great city to explore on foot and apart from general wandering I really enjoyed visiting the National Art Gallery which included an Ottoman period exhibition but also featured many communist era paintings. Also I recommend taking walking shoes with a closed toe for the mini-hike in Llogora which was great!). I managed fine with walking sandals with a good grip but it is quite stoney in parts so shoes would be better.

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