Most Inspirational Moment
star gazing in Bedouin camp, riding camels through Sahara desert
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader Lahcen Hamyouy was very knowledgeable guide, friendly and responsible person.
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’!
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!
Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…
Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.
Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.
Select a trip specific review:
Reviews
Adventurous trip
It is an adventurous trip which offers an interesting overview of the country. The tour was generally well organised and ran smoothly, the driving was safe, the only criticise is about the comfort of the vehicle: the group of 16 people tried to be fitted in the small van, and one of tourists had to share the seat between driver and the guide in the front…
The group leader Lahcen Hamyouy was very knowledgeable guide, friendly and responsible person.
The best day of the journey was camel riding through Sahara desert and star gazing in bedouin camp. Also the Atlas mountains scenery was magnificent while driving and walking as well. One of the highlights was visiting kasbah Ait-Ben-Haddou, in Ouarzazate province, after seeing this ghost town you understand why this place has attracted a lot of directors and writers of various film industries to shoot movies such as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, ‘The Mummy’, ‘Gladiator’ etc.
Tour organisers should consider to spend more time in this beautiful place rather than wasting it in the remote village in Atlas mountains in freezing prison cell-like plain rooms. That guest house was very uncomfortable to stay in and needs a lot of improvements (little mobile heaters can make big difference).
The food was good overall BUT hygiene and sanitation was very poor I am afraid (most of places with non-working flush toilets, missing toilets paper and open rubbish bins).
The last part of the trip – visiting Marrakesh – was not that much exciting than others. Central square with its chaotic market is really dangerous place to walk because of annoying street hasslers and pickpocketers. One Italian restaurant “Portofino” recommended by the group leader was very decent place to have a meal…
A peaceful nation in the middle east
An amazing introduction to the Middle East and Jordan with a fabulous mix of culture and activities across the country. People are really friendly and say ‘welcome’ all the time.
loved the fact you aren’t changing hotels every night like some trips.
large comfortable coach.
Highlight obviously Petra and it didn’t disappoint. 2 days of hiking around Petra with every corner another wonderful sight and a view to take your breath away.
I also wasn’t knowledgeable regards the Roman Sights and they were a fabulous surprise.
Dead and Red sea great but abit chilly during Decemeber….so a short dip to say I did it 🙂
Most Inspirational Moment
Petra! ....and an impromptu arranged marriage at Wadi Rum Camp...all for a bit of fun.
Thoughts on Group Leader
very knowledgeable and informative. Full of passion and stories all day every day. Minor constructive comment would be that sometimes it felt like a boot camp especially as his loud voice bellowed at you for dropping back to take photos and he really liked it his way and being centre of attention.
Advice for Potential Travellers
order a sleeping bag....its free even if you don't want it. take sturdy shoes/boots for Petra...we did over 60,000 steps and near 40km over 2 days according to someone's fitbit!
Trekking at its best
As many of the other travellers who were on the same trek have said, this was one of the best. We’ve trekked many times in the Himalaya without visiting the Annapurna or Everest regions, so all our experiences have been in less visited and quite remote areas. With this in mind, this trip was still exceptional. We passed through a wide variety of environments, were rewarded with spectacular high peak scenery, and observed traditional life in villages which gradually evolved from Nepalese to Tibetan culture the higher we trekked. This part of our experience was enhanced by staying mainly in lodges in the villages rather than wild camping which is what we’ve mostly done previously. Even though the lodges were basic (and referring to them as ‘lodges’ may be rather misleading!), they were nevertheless adequate for our needs.
Most Inspirational Moment
For us, a very personal example was, after getting up at 3am in the freezing cold, walking in the dark for three hours under the stars, seeing the sun rise over the mountains, reaching the hundreds of prayer flags on the Larkye La, then struggling in the buffeting cold wind and bright sunshine to add a string of our own. We did this for a very special reason - our prayer flags were for the well-being of a friend with whom we've previously trekked in the Himalaya but who at the time was suffering from cancer. Apart from the many moments that have been described by our fellow trekkers which we also shared, we were very aware of the liberated but seemingly responsible lives the young children in the traditional villages led. Some examples - being in charge of goats or cows/zhos on the hillsides, collecting firewood, helping with farm chores (even burning stubble in the fields using firebrands!), but also being free to play unsupervised. And not a high-vis vest to be seen!!
Thoughts on Group Leader
We've trekked with Valerie many times and without a doubt, she's second to none. She also tells a good story or two!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes, a Steripen is essential for this trek. Water off the mountains was in good supply and this is all you needed to keep your water bottles filled and treated. Don't take too much stuff - our experience has always been to wear the same clothes for days and not to be obsessed with cleanliness (ie take a leaf out of the locals' book!).
A magical wilderness that stays with you long after you have left it behind
If you want to run away and have an adventure then this is the ideal escape for anyone looking
to be part of a small group and experience new things. I am not a fan of the snow but there’s not one moment that I would have changed.
Prepare to be challenged, Prepare to Laugh and Prepare to be full of glorious memories.
Most Inspirational Moment
I paid extra for the Husky Dog sledding optional activity. I feel so blessed to have been able to be part of a fun, small group of people that helped make this day so Magical. The natural beauty of the surroundings felt like you are first people to touch the landscape. This will stay with me forever. We sledged over a lake and it was a pinch my self moment. It was perfectly stunning. If you do this, stop and do a 360 degree look around.The lunch by a open fire that was prepared for kindly by the leader. It tasted great and felt like luxury. The Dogs were well behaved. I didn't expect this day to make me smile as much as it does and it's nearly a year since I visited. The other moment that makes me smile and laugh was tree hugging. A small moment. Fat Biking in Ruka. You hire the bikes and it is a lot of fun!. There was no obvious bike trails in Ruka but that didn't stop the enjoyment and thrill of cycling in the snow.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Julia is an Angel. She is an outstanding group leader. She has a wonderful kindness and sincerity. She fun and attentive. She is serious. If you were to get lost in the Finnish wilderness then you would want her there by your side as she fills you with ease, excitement and wonder. There's nothing that she wouldn't do for a person in her group. Thanks is a small word but I'm not sure it would have been half as much fun with out her help guidance, enthusiasm and support.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I remember going to the travel agents and said that I'm looking for an adventure. I'd always wanted to go to Finland. I said to the travel agent that, if this Finnish wilderness week accepts a non skier than I will pay the deposit instantly. This holiday was booked once the reply came in that it was OK. It was worth the 20 year wait to visit a small part of Finland. There are times when you need to think about all options. This trip isn't one of them. Cease this wonderful moment because it does honestly stay with you and it becomes a travel highlight The only thing that you need is a passport and some spending money. Be open to the optional activities because the only thing that is difficult and challenging is working out how to spend your freed time and then trying to fit it all in.
Super trip - bucket list complete!
Great trip – every aspect of the trek was well organised. This is a 6 day trip (not 11 as advertised since that includes 4 days of travelling/arriving plus 2 days where you have to do your own thing in Cuzco). The guide was really knowledgable and the trek was challenging but enjoyable. The support (porters, cook etc) are amazing. Suggest 4 season sleeping bag as a minimum.
Most Inspirational Moment
Arriving to Macchu Picchu - did not have view from Sun Gate but had the benefit of a second day at Macchu Picchu so all good!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very knowledgable and supportive
Advice for Potential Travellers
4 season sleeping bag. 2 walking poles. 1 rain poncho.
What a fantastic experience, led by a wonderful guide!
This was our first organised cycling holiday, recommended by friends who had been to Cuba with Exodus. One of us is a regular road cyclist, the other spent 8 months wondering why she’d signed up for a cycling holiday and endeavouring to get cycle fit through spin classes. Both of us loved it. Our group of 18 plus our fabulous four support team (Lam, Y, Long and Tan – apologies for spelling) got along from the start and made the trip interesting, challenging, varied and thoroughly enjoyable.
Lam was endlessly encouraging and confident in our ability – even when some of us weren’t! He is the perfect cycle leader who also knows his country so well and his pride and enthusiasm in it shone through. The whole trip was really well organised, despite the itinerary having to be slightly amended due to a recent typhoon, and all the lunch stops and recommended evening restaurants provided excellent local cooking and great value. Y sorted out any mechanical issues quickly and Tan and Long were a welcome sight with their smiles and waves at every snack/drinks refuelling stop or tricky junction!
Along with the cycling, we made many stops – scheduled and unscheduled – to experience and understand local culture, everything from peppercorns, rubber, coffee and dragon fruit farms to water buffalo, ducks, temples, war memorials and museums.
The weather was mixed, and we did get very wet on a couple of days but Lam organised local (very cheap) laundry whenever possible which let us get our wet and dirty clothes clean and dry.
All in all, It was a truly rewarding fortnight which showed the diversity from the south to the north and the friendliness of the Vietnamese people throughout.
We would definitely recommend and are planning our next trip with Exodus.
Most Inspirational Moment
Completing all the cycling including the Hai Van pass; the 30k downhill; Ha long Bay was a bonus - great cruise and food - loved Hoi Ann - the wildlife , the friendly reception we got in some of the remoter villages was also brilliant and Hanoi was fascinating. Wished we could have stayed a little longer
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lam is an absolute credit to Exodus. He works extremely hard to make sure everyone was ok and his planning was meticulous - right down to where the 'happy bush' was at each rest stop. He was always cheerful and managed to reach the right balance of keeping us close when road or traffic conditions required and letting us go at our own pace whenever he could. His research for lunch and evening meal destinations was always sound and great value and he really felt like one of the team
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book this trip, you won't regret it. Good to very good hotels, comfortable beds, great way to experience Vietnam for moderate to experienced cyclists. Great shopping in Hoi Ann and Hanoi, leave space in your suitcase or buy another like we did!
Chimps and Gorillas of Uganda
This is a really great and varied trip. In addition to the chimps and gorillas, the safari drives in Queen Elizabeth NP and Lake Mburo also gave some super game viewings, including lions, zebra, giraffe, hippo and various types of antelope, although not the proliferation of game as the like of the Masai Mara. The boat trips are both interesting and restful, and we had the luck to see the famous shoebill stork at Mabamba Swamp. Overall this is a fantastic trip for anyone who enjoys wildlife.
Most Inspirational Moment
The highlights of this trip had to be the close encounters with the gorillas, but the chimps came a very close second - I was so glad I opted to do the optional second treks, as in both cases, the second encounters were even better than the first, and certainly quite different experiences. It is amazing to observe these primates as such close quarters and the Park staff have done such a good job of habituation, that both chimps and gorillas carried on life, seemingly indifferent to our presence.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader was always there to make sure we were well cared for at the lodges and exceptionally knowledgeable of the various wildlife and birds, as well as a brilliant spotter. We would have missed so much without him.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This trip does entail quite a bit of travel and you have to be prepared for some long drives, but there is just so much to see on route, with great scenery and good wildlife viewing, as well as the opportunity to witness local life. The people are so friendly, and try their hardest to please, but do remember this is very much a developing country, without many of the facilities we take for granted.
Tropical South. Leader Sam G Benjamin. December 2017.
A good introduction to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Some fairly long mini-bus journeys were necessary to cover the ground, but there were also two good walks and lots of sight seeing. Although we changed hotels more frequently towards the end of the holiday the pace became more relaxed so it worked well.
Most Inspirational Moment
As expected the walk in the tea plantations and the tranquility of the houseboat were highlights. But equally it was the variety and unexpected - traditional crafts like preparing the incredibly long dyed warp threads for the loom on the pavement around a busy square (presumably the only place with sufficient length), seeing and tasting local foods made on the street, the flower market, the kingfishers, the rare and short-lasting but torrential downpours including one in the rubber plantations where we were welcomed into a traditional home for shelter, the many tuk tuk rides etc etc
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam was a very good leader - the holiday just wouldn't have been the same without him. He was knowledgeable on a very wide range of topics and good at sharing information with us on local customs etc . He was very patient with our slightly unwieldy group of 16 - helping us all to choose meals from the menu and waiting until we had all been served before eating himself. He organised and came to every evening meal (and most of the lunches too) which was much appreciated in our busy schedule. He looked after us all well, and took a mini dental emergency in the group in his stride.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Personally, I was glad of my walking boots on the 2 walks and I wore my waterproof gaiters instead of the anti-leech socks provided which had to be fitted inside ones shoes. However, we only encountered a handful of leeches on this trip and less mosquitoes that I expected, although as always some people got more bitten than others. There was no mosquito screening on the hotel windows or mosquito net provided on the houseboat as I had been told would be the case by Exodus before leaving the UK. A torch was useful in the few short power cuts we had.
Classic Patagonia Trek
A thoroughly enjoyable trekking holiday. Fantastic scenery, the company of like minded walkers, in a variety of accommodations in both remote and popular locations in Patagonia, Chile and Argentina. The services of excellent tour and local guides made the experience feel both authentic and comfortable. My hat off to the whole team from Exodus
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the pinnacles of Mt Fitzroy behind the glacial lake.
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was extremely competent and helpful, rescuing me on a very difficult long day in the heat.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you love spectacular mountain scenery, you'll love this trek. If you have the chance, take the Iguazu extension. This was fantastic.
Trekking in the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
What an experience! After a delayed start due to weather conditions we finally landed at Lukla for the beginning of an awe inspiring trek in the Himalayas. A team of 15 meandered across the Dudh Kosi river to reach Namche and then North eastwards steeply through forests to above the tree line reaching Thangboche. From there we headed to Dingboche, Loboche, Gorak Shep and our ultimate goal Everest Base Camp.
The scenery was excellent from walking through fertile farming settlements, through forest, high altitude settlements and glacial moraine to reach EBC and it wasn’t a disappointment – witnessing the khumbu icefall and ice seracs at base and seeing Everest flanked by Changste and Nuptse and other giants was amazing.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching Everest Base Camp was the moment for me. It is the fourth time I have trekked in Nepal, and the last time I reached base camp was 2001 so experiences were new for me - even base camp was in a higher position on terminal moraine. It was amazing to see how settlements had grown.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Nirmal, our guide together with Bhim, Khami and Chong were exceptional. They were informative and encouraging. They managed to get all fifteen of us to EBC with no major problems.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Food and drinks were extremely pricey. I have camped previously so all food was catered for however I was surprised how expensive things were in the tea houses and hotels. I didn't buy water I filled by water bag and used a steri pen to treat the water and I had no problems. I managed with a 2-season sleeping bag as blankets are provided so had more space in my trek bag as it didn't take any room up.