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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14433 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

denise gillott

Reviewed August 2018

What an adventure

What an amazing trip! Walking through jungle, swimming beside a waterfall, snorkelling in clear blue waters, boat rides along canals and through mangroves. Incredible wildlife everywhere, huge crabs, monkeys, sloths, turtles, whales, dolphins, caimen, crocodiles, frogs, snakes ,hummingbirds, butterflies. …i could go on and on..The trip was full on. Early starts, that are not really a problem because of jet lag and extra walks included by our guide Alex who ensured that we all made the very best of our time in Costa Rica. We saw so much on our excursions but also lots just in the areas around our accommodation.
We were a group of 14 , plus guide Alex, ranging in age from 19 to 70. It was very special being in a group of like minded people who were all there to get the most out of the trip, see a lot of wildlife and have lots of fun at the same time.

Most Inspirational Moment

We joined an optional evening tour in Tortugero to a beach where we watched a turtle laying it's eggs in the sand and then burying them. This image will stay with me forever. It was truly an honour to have witnessed this.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex, our group leader, really helped to make the whole trip special. His knowledge of birds and animals was incredible. His enthusiasm for any "find" made by any member of the group was infectious. Many species he must have seen so many times but his enthusiasm was real. He made a point of finding out what each member of the party wanted to see most of all and then made it his duty to make that sighting a possibility. On the last evening he even found a red eyed green tree frog that we had not seen until that time and came running to our rooms to call us over to ensure that we didn't miss it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure that you have winter walking boots. A pair of walking sandals that can go in water are useful for some trails and then for beach boat landings ( water shoes otherwise for landings). A pair of lightweight flip flops dry quickly for use around the lodges. Clothes/shoes do not dry very easily in Costa Rica...having items inside the lodge when the fan was on was more efficient than leaving items outside as the air is so moist. You MUST have a poncho. Insect repellent needed for all days and evenings so take plenty. Antihistamine cream is also very useful even if you have used deet. Much cheaper and more readily available in UK ,Use high factor suncream when snorkelling AND remember to apply more before going in for a second swim. Take a good camera if you have one and good binoculars. Many birds, bats , snakes etc can be at a distance, through foliage. We didn't have good binoculars but seeing things through Alex' was a whole different experience to seeing without. In the cloud forest the evenings were cool and the nights cold. I slept with 2 duvets and a blanket. I wished I had taken something warmer to sleep in. There is a free laundry service at Drake Bay. Enjoy!

Nicola Rouse

Reviewed August 2018

Amazing!

What an amazing trip! Incredible wildlife at every turn – sloths, monkeys, turtles, iguanas, frogs, coatis, the list goes on, beautiful birds and unusual plants too. Seven very different locations, shortish travel times and great hotels. Just be prepared to sweat more than you thought humanly possible!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching a green turtle lay her eggs at Tortuguero (optional extra). And the sloth with her baby hanging low on a vine beside the river.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabulous.

Siobhan Partington

Reviewed August 2018

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

This was my first experience of travelling outside Europe. I absolutely loved it and it has made me so excited to see the rest of the world. I met some really great people and it was so great to experience this with them.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the Sun Gate and looking out over Machu Picchu after four days of trekking was amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Julio was absolutely brilliant. from start to finish he made this a wonderful experience. Our luggage didn't make it to Columbia and he was phoning at 3am and going to the airport to make sure we got it in time for the trek. Nothing was too much for him or Jonny the second tour guide and they really made the trip a wonderful experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would definitely do this trip again. I would advise travelers to take waterproofs and a good poncho (available cheaply in Cuzco) even when not in the rainy season as its better to be safe than sorry.

sarah shorter

Reviewed August 2018

Sri Lanka Summer 2018

In 2 weeks we managed to see most of the main sights in Sri Lanka. It was going full tilt mostly staying one or two nights in each place. We really enjoyed all the places that we visited and found them very interesting (apart from the gem museum which was very dull and boring and high pressure sales). The accommodation was more luxurious than we expected, having been on tours with other companies. The nice thing about this was that almost all hotels had pools and very pleasant surroundings. The downside of this was that they were often outside the population centres so that you forced to eat there and had less scope for exploring local towns and villages and using their shops and restaurants. It also therefore added to the expense of the trip. The transport was comfortable (coach) and the driver did a really good job in such adverse and hectic driving conditions.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our favourite moment was watching the elephants splashing and playing at the waterhole at Kaudulla national park. This trip was optional but we all did it. It was actually a better trip than Yala which is included in the itinerary. We saw crocodiles there which don't move (no leopard) and loads of birds at both but there was more birdlife at Kaudulla. The most enjoyable activity was walking on Horton Plains, looking at plants, wildlife and the amazing view.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was excellent. He went out of his way to explain about the history and natural history of the island, using his own visual aids! Nothing was too much trouble and he was constantly looking out for our welfare, from health and safety to making sure that we were served the drinks we had ordered. He also helped us to organise our onward travel at the end of the Exodus trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sri Lanka is an amazing place full of friendly people but in most places there are no pavements or streetlights so if you are out after dark, take a torch and/or flag down a tuk tuk (very cheap). Not all ATMs will give very much money - some restrict it to less than 40,000 rupees (£200). Hatton National Bank (HNB) will give you up to 200,000 rupees and charge 200.

Sarah B

Reviewed August 2018

'Happiness from small things'

‘ ‘Happiness from small things’ is what we want to give our guests; peace and tranquillity from our countryside, and company with which to discover the secrets and beautiful areas of Garfagnana’ so says the Agriturismo Braccicorti website – and this trip provided just that.

I was a little apprehensive initially, never having done an Exodus trip before and because my own level of fitness wasn’t what it had been and should have been. Yet, those apprehensions dissipated when I met the group and discovered Tuscany.
Great company in my trekking companions and leader, and kind hospitality from the family – an enjoyable and memorable break overall (despite the pain in my knees!).

Most Inspirational Moment

Just stopping and taking in the breathtaking and spectacular scenery of the region, whilst walking or relaxing at the farmhouse. (and finding out that one member of our group had scaled Everest - three times!!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz excelled at every level. In addition to being immensely knowledgeable and organised, she was incredibly industrious, understanding, caring, funny, helpful - and very, very patient! It was very evident that she was passionate about the region, the walking/activity and her role. I cannot believe she eats cake! A worthy runner up for the Tour Leader Awards in 2014 (check out the Exodus website!) – but very much a winner in 2018 ;-)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ignore any apprehensions and go for it! Take mossie repellent.

Gill Fowkes

Reviewed August 2018

Excellent trip and experience with a brilliant tour leader - Nuts

This trip was a great experience and the best cycling holiday we have been on to date. Our tour leader Nut was outstanding, he could not have done more to ensure everyone on the trip had a great holiday, we could not rate him more highly.

The trip itself was well thought out and we covered so much in just a few weeks. The highlights included: Cycling in Vietnam, particulalry down the muddy tracks! the homestay in the Mekong Delta, the Killing Fields and the variety of food in each country.

I would recommend this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The friendliness of all the people, the greetings from the local children and seeing Ankor Wat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nut was an outstanding tour leader, he thought of everything, he gave attention and checked on all group members and worked really hard to ensure that everyone had a great holiday. Looking after a group of 16 with a variety of needs and abilities is no mean feat and he handled it brilliantly, we could not fault him and he had a really positive impact on the enjoyment of our trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip it is a really good mix of cycling and sightseeing. Read all the info sent by Exodus and you will be well prepared.

Julian Hartley

Reviewed August 2018

A well balanced adventure.

A superb introduction to Peru.
This was the first time we have used Exodus and we can’t wait to use them again. The trip way very professionally organised from start to finish. Cusco exceeded expectations…a surprisingly interesting city with lots to do and see during the day and a variety of good restaurants and bars.
The group we were with were great fun and as well as having a common interest in the trip itself we soon realised we had a very similar sense of humour…which came in handy during periods of inevitable minor adversity.
The Inca trail itself was perfectly planned with good food (no idea how the chefs did it really), porterage and general support. The walking was just challenging enough and the rewards in terms of scenery and sights were well worth it.
Our guide, Julio, had the complete skill set…language skills,local network,man management and empathy with the group. He set expectations well throughout.

Most Inspirational Moment

As well as the clear thrill of realising we were actually at Machu Picchu the real thing for me was the way the team bonded ...due in no small part to the initial cohesive impact of Julio.

Thoughts on Group Leader

First rate...the complete skill set. He made it look easy...when I am sure it wasn’t.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for all weathers...it can be very cold and wet ...even in the dry season. Take lots of layers. Set up a Watsap group to share photos.

Ian Hudson

Reviewed August 2018

A walk through a lunar landscape

A five day walk through the land that allegedly inspired JRR Tolkien to write “Lord of the Rings”. Go on your own journey to return your own one ring to Mount Doom. More volcanoes than you can count on both hands but no Orc’s.
Iceland has quite a high rainfall but not a problem for this trip because:
1) It didn’t rain all week!
2) There is very little soil, so no mud, you spend most of the time walking over volcanic ash or lava!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking over a mountain of obsidian boulders/cobbles. For non geologists obsidian is a volcanic glass that appears black , shiny and breaks with sharp edges. Usually difficult to locate but here there is a whole mountain of the stuff. Being informed that Icelandic trolls are bad, big, don't live under bridges and turn to stone if caught in daylight. Familiar if you have read the "The Hobbit". Petrified Troll spotting was a highlight of most days. The company of a great bunch of Exodus clients.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gunnar is a very experienced Icelandic guide with a flexible approach to travelling in the mountains. The forecast of high winds early in the trip meant we we didn't use a couple of exposed campsites which made the trip more enjoyable, high winds and tents don't mix! He is a wealth of knowledge on the locality, its eruptive history and the Icelandic saga's. He even coached me in local pronunciation I can now say Eyjafjnallajokull .......(I think).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes the advice in them is good especially the bit about using duty free at the airport. Gunnar carried hot water flasks for lunch tea/coffee but if you a lunchtime cuppa soup person take your own flask and packets, plenty of hot water at breakfast. Strong winds over ash produce "dust storms", take a pair of close fitting sunglasses to keep it out of your eyes. Goggles would be a little OTT.

Richard Atterton

Reviewed August 2018

Does what it says

15 day trip travelling around Costa Rica discovering all it has to offer.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the wildlife close up. Being in the rainforest,amazed at the trees,vegetation and flower species.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgable and professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Maybe try to put your clothes in sealable bags as first days are in rainforest and everything will get damp and stay damp. Don’t pack too much, opportunity to wash clothes at halfway point of trip. Protection for camera or make sure you have one with two viewfinders in case of water ingress (my camera broke down on third day!). Good protection if you suffer from insect bites.

Sara McDonagh

Reviewed August 2018

I would do this again!

This was an amazing adventure. I had never camped before nor had I ever trekked in the Alps, so lots of reasons to be a little nervous before I went. On reflection, any worry was unnecessary. The camping was fun and well managed. The scenery was amazing. And the trekking, although hard work at times, was entirely manageable and hugely rewarding. Incredible views. Wonderful people. If I could, I would do this all again. In fact I just might!

Most Inspirational Moment

How could you ever grow tired of looking at these mountains and trekking among them?

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