Reviews

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

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14413 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Phil Cooper

Reviewed November 2018

Beasties and Birdies of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a wonderful country, mainly for its variety and volume of wildlife.
Of course Costa Rica is well know for its bird life. While many will have seen humming birds, (as I have) it was a superb sight to be close to these magnificent birds as they weaved their way around us lumbering giants. I never grow weary of watching these creatures.
Howler, Spider and Capuchin monkeys using their prehensile tail moving from branch to branch provided an often amusing spectacle. Other animals featured were the Tent Maker Bats and White Lined Bats, Agouti, Coati, Caiman and Green Iguana.
Although not an ornithologist, brightly coloured birds such as Toucans, Curassaw, Acorn Woodpecker, Scarlet Macaw, Flame Coloured Tanagen and Emerald Toucanet, I find a delight to watch, particularly watching them feeding. It seemed as though even when driving along the roads animals almost posed for us to record them.
One would expect to be roughing it, but it was the last thing I would use describe our accommodation, while the food was always good and often outstanding.
The places visited represent the full variety of environments, from high altitude cloud forest (at Savegre) , to transitional forest (Manuel Antonio Reserve), to tropical wet forest (Tortuguero) to rainforest (Esquinas).
I cannot leave my summary without mentioning the inspirational Michael Schnitzler who as a conservationist has obtained over $4 Million from his Austrian sources to purchase land and develop Esquinas Lodge. Amazingly he has done this in between travelling to between Costa Rica and Austria, where he is an internationally admired violinist and concertmaster the Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra. A truly remarkable person developing a remarkable environmental project.
Friends who have seen the videos from the trip have been enthralled. Others to whom I have described it have suggested that it be added to their “bucket list”.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were some unique sights of sloths, one mother and child and another of a rarely seen encounter between two alpha male sloths. I was able to obtain unique footage of these events. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TvsyT9BACI&t=3s I was not able to capture the sound of the impact, but they hit the found with a real thud. Andreas in 18 years had never seen the sloths fighting. The amazing thing was that after that fall from 15 meters they kept on fighting! - Albeit in slow motion!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide Andreas had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the habitats and plants and animals we found. He was helpful always willing to oblige - the best guide in some ten or so trips I have undertaken abroad.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In a word - Go! Substantial waterproofing is needed and the full array of photographic equipment and back up devices. Check carefully on extra trips, particularly if inclement weather might affect the experience. I also thoroughly recommend the night tours. The one at Esquinas enabled me to produce some great video material.

Ellen Aust

Reviewed November 2018

Cycling in Vietnam

I found it the perfect combination of cycling, travelling by bus, visiting sites.

Most Inspirational Moment

At the end of most days I thought, “ wow, this day was great”. I did not expect to say that each day. Always a new surprise.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I always liked when Son would talk about his country and give his personal opinion about Vietnamese culture.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Know and believe that whoever designed this trip, highlighted the best experiences you could have between Ho Chi Minh city and Hanoi.

Ann Stobbs

Reviewed November 2018

Wildlife & wilderness of Botswana

It was such a memorable adventure – seeing cheetahs, leopards and wild dogs, not forgetting elephants who seemed to like wandering around our camp at night ! The wild camping made it possible to be part of their world which was a real privilege. The camp staff were excellent and I just loved Botswana. All together one of the best holidays I have been on .

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing cheetahs ,leopards, wild dogs, and all the other animals- Having elephants wandering around our camp... The okovango- Beating a hasty retreat from a rather cross elephant - Discovering I like birds - Space light & warmth of Botswana

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a scarf - the long drives got a bit windy - def take binoculars- It says there are ATM s at Victoria Falls which is correct but not one had any money in them so take small dollar notes (Not a big deal but don't rely on them) Otherwise the trip notes are comprehensive ..

Simon Hill

Reviewed November 2018

Atlas Descent

Second time on this trip and once again it was brill. Great riding, stunning scenery, amazing tour leaders and a good group of fellow riders.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brill! Both Radu and Liz were great

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy it

Salman Syed

Reviewed November 2018

Mountains & Villages of Evia

The tour guide, Thanos, was superb. The food was great. Treks were beautiful. However, the quality of the hotel was OK.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching to the summit

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb, Considerate , Helpful

Graham Cliff

Reviewed November 2018

Fantastic India

A very good trip seeing many wonderful sights and experiencing some of the culture of the country. It involves a great deal of travelling on indifferent quality roads and in the towns and cities chaotic and noisy traffic and people everwhere. We saw quite a lot of poverty.

The forts and palaces are awesome and the serene beauly of the Taj Mahal is an unforgettable experience. We saw 2 tigers in Ranthambore but the park would be worthy of a visit for its landscapes alone without that bonus.

The camel fair was rather disappointing as most of the camels there were just to give rides to tourists rather than for trading and the whole thing is really a huge street market and funfair.

The travel times in the trip notes were inaccurate as journeys often took significantly longer and we ended up having almost no free time to do any shopping. The one day we could have had a little spare time was in Jaipur but the local guide then took us on a pointless visit to a carpet/textile emporium which I believe the whole group considered to be a waste of time.

The hotels were gernerally of an adequate standard although some were in need of a little tlc particularly in the plumbing department with leaks and loose taps. Staff were unfailingly helpful.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many wonderful experiences but of these I would say seeing the sunrise over the Taj Mahal, the beautiful city of Udaipur with its lake, temples and palace and being lucky enough to see tigers in Ranthambore will probable live in my memory the longest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Naveen was truly excellent. I have regularly been on trips of this nature for 30 years and can honestly say that he was up there with the very best leaders I have travelled with in that time. He was always helpful, always retained his good humour, was a mine of information and totally organised. He showed us things and gave us experiences that were not part of the itinerary such as taking us to a local school and introducing us to some of the street foods. He took us to some really excellent restaurants and also to where the locals eat. He really made the trip an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for an awful lot of bus travel and very limited free time for shopping etc but you will see many majestic sights and experience a very different culture. Be prepared for crowded streets with constant noise, to see poverty and to adapt to not having the personal space we have in the West. In Ranthambore, on the advice of someone who had previously visited, we asked Exodus to book a jeep for our party rather than the standard canter as they are more flexible. It is thanks to this that we saw tigers as the rest of the group, travelling in a canter, did not.

Chris Jennings

Reviewed November 2018

Stunning Patagonia

Where to begin. I’ve been on some amazing trips but this tops the lot! Exodus clearly do their research, so you are guaranteed awesome walks with excellent competent guides and as described accommodation.
The variables typically are a) weather b) the group c) how you get along with the group / guide.
On this trip all these were far exceeded – I have memories that will always bring a smile to my face, a sure sign of a great trip.
The nature of Patagonia ensured we got to experience all types of weather conditions, high winds, heavy rain, sun, hot, cold, but importantly we were lucky and got to see and do almost everything on the itinerary, and where cut short there were alternatives to keep the group occupied such as the micro brewery in El Chalten :). Excellent beer!
The group came from all walks of life and had interesting stories to tell and quickly gelled over our common interests that all brought us to this holiday.
Finally, our group leader Tomas, what can I say apart from repeat an earlier review comment, the guy is a legend!

Most Inspirational Moment

So many highlights, having a shot of Jim Beam on reaching the viewpoint at 'Mirador Britanico' on day five. The views of Fitzroy and Perito Moreno Glacier that take your breathe away, soaking up the vast landscapes and enjoying the journey, exploring cosmopolitan Buenos Aires to the large quantity of ice cream and steak I consumed!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I'll repeat again Tomas is a legend! Always on the look out for people's well being (include those not on the group!), from simple things like pointing out open zips on rucksacks to dealing with angry people in dorms, that was a simple misunderstanding (nobody from the group I must add!), to carrying peoples bags. His knowledge and spoken English were both excellent and he had many an interesting story to tell of prior jobs and life experiences. After the trip extension I caught up with him for my final evening in Buenos Aires and again he was hard at work attempting to address flight issues for the next group (caused by the G20!), I don't think I seen a harder working guide. Socially he got to know the group very well and our sense of humour, and I hope that we, and the group, stay in touch.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Highly recommend the trip extension to Iguazu Falls, particularly if you have time to see the falls from both sides, Argentina and Brazil. Note - I packed 3 bags, one for this extension (t-shirts, shorts etc), one for Chile where you have to carry everything and one main rucksack for the rest of the trip. Worth nothing that you are not carrying all your stuff as much as you think in Chile.

Alvise Calamai

Reviewed November 2018

What an amazing trip!

We decided to do a family adventure-type trip for the Hallowe’en mid-term and we picked this trip. It was really a phenomenal experience. We travelled from Marrakech across The Atlas mountains and back (with a couple of days in Marrakech at the end) in a week.
We visited some amazing places, had a great time, and the pace and intensity level was perfect for the whole family (four of us, ranging from 9 to 46 years old).
Our guide (Mohamed) was really excellent, always attentive to everyone’s needs, and always very interesting and insightful in explaining us everything that we saw and was going on around us.
Truly, truly recommended.

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking back from Kasbah Oliver

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide (Mohamed) was really excellent, always attentive to everyone's needs, and always very interesting and insightful in explaining us everything that we saw and was going on around us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Truly recommended

Jenny Trotter

Reviewed November 2018

Brilliant holiday

Have just returned from a truly memorable trip to South Africa from Port Elizabeth through the Garden route/ winelands into Cape Town. The holiday was absolutely wonderful mainly due I’m sure to our wonderful guide Justin Barr.He showed us the true Africa not the touristy one!. He is so passionate about his country you couldn’t be anything but inspired by what you experienced. There was such a variation in the itinerary that you came away at the end of the trip with a true understanding of the country. I was nervous before travelling as I was a single traveller of 75 years,but I needn’t have worried as Justin made sure I was ok at all times.The other travellers in the group were all like minded and we all gelled really well. I can’t praise Exodus enough for putting together such a wonderful itinerary and providing us with such a caring and knowledgeable guide. I look forward to travelling with them again to another far flung country!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing so many animals on our 2game drives and zip wiring over 8 gorges at Storms River,!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely great,knowledgable,careing and informative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are single go for it you'll be fine.

Stephan Schell

Reviewed November 2018

You'll know Morocco after this!

Really enjoyed this trip – we were lucky to be part of a great group. The trip introduces you to a lot of Morocco, from cities to the coast, from desert to mountains. There is a lot of travelling involved, some long days, but that is the price to pay to see so much of the country. Travel is in a 16 seat minibus (and we were a group of 16) but I didn’t find the seats uncomfortable, and there were plenty of stops for coffee, toilets, retail opportunities! I had been slightly wary of going on this holiday as I can’t stand being hassled to buy things, but (bar the main square in Marrakech) any hassle was low key and less than I have experienced elsewhere. Moroccan people generally were very friendly and had a very good sense of humour.

Most Inspirational Moment

We walked to the top of the Todrha Gorge and a nomad family were camped there. The group were invited to share tea in their tent and we were able to ask questions about their lifestyle. I found this quite special. There were lots of highlights - I loved walking around the medina in Fez, walking on our own in the Sahara, the sheer variety of all the sights we saw. There were a few more demanding days in the Todrha Gorge and High Atlas, where it was pretty cold and windy, so having a full day in Essouria with no planned activities was much needed by the time we got to it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lachsen was an absolute 100% star. Everything perfectly organised and he made sure we were all aware of what we would be doing every day, start times, when luggage needed to be out. He told us so much about what it was like to live in Morocco, as well as information on the history and geography of the country. Special mention too for Ibrahim, our driver, who had long days and some tricky driving conditions (flooded roads!) to contend with. The local guides were also very good and had great senses of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went late October/early November and I don't know if our weather was typical - it was never what I would call really hot - very warm and pleasant certainly - but once you got to altitude at the Todrha Gorge and High Atlas it got very cold and sometimes windy. The accommodation there is also more basic than elsewhere, so I wished I had packed more cold weather gear.

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