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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14462 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Rupert and Jo Livingstone
Reviewed September 2017
Grade 5 Dolomites fun
We chose a grade 5 challenging week and it did not disappoint. This part of the Dolomites is incredibly beautiful, Tre Cime is one of the most beautiful places we have walked and we felt part of the landscape, almost swallowed by it’s beauty and grandeur. Each day of walking brought something different and each was wonderful. Returning to the Hotel Adler each day made the trip very special as the facilities, the food, the accommodation and the staff are simply superb.
Most Inspirational Moment
Tre Cime was a highlight with almost too much natural beauty to take in. Throughout the days walk, in each and every direction there were awesome views that made us feel humbled and privileged to be there.
Monte Piano was equally good in a different way. The walk up was long and sweaty but enjoyable and worthwhile. The wooden steps and steel ropes were interesting and gave security on what might have been a tricky section. Seeing the trenches and bunkers on the summit, amidst such natural beauty, brought the futility of war and the power of nature into stark contrast.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alex was very good, imparting some advice to each of us (all experienced walkers) on the most efficient way to walk and use poles. He was enthusiastic without being over the top and the sight of seeing him skip and jump down the trail each day gave our weary limbs a little boost.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Not really, the trips notes are clear and representative of what you will do. We did the challenging week and the walking was what we expected, tough but not beyond regular/experienced walkers.
Helen Skeen
Reviewed September 2017
Beautiful scenery and great cycling
Loved this cycling holiday. Lots of great cycling in beautiful scenery with a knowledgeable and fun guide, Alan. Great group of people too!
Most Inspirational Moment
Loved the changing scenery and the switchbacks up and down the hills allowed you to drink in the views ahead and behind you.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alan was a great leader. Helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. Nothing seemed too much trouble for him.
Derek Mitchell
Reviewed September 2017
Discover the Heel of Italy
A pleasant and rewarding few days in one of the lesser-visited parts of Italy. Gentle visits to picturesque towns and villages taking in the cuisine and culture were ideal for a group of 11 ranging in age from about 40 into the mid 70s. Travelling in May avoided the blistering heat which followed throughout the summer. There was plenty of free time in which the group could do their own thing. Accommodation was excellent throughout, particularly the Trulli of Alberobello, and caves of Matera.
Most Inspirational Moment
I'm unable to pinpoint a "moment". I thought the whole week was inspirational. But if I'm forced on pain of death, then sitting by the roadside in Alberobello licking ice-cream made me appreciate life after serious health issues.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Marcella was lovely. Very knowledgeable, chatty and welcoming. Excellent command of English. Catered to people's individual tastes. On the free day in Alberobello everyone went elsewhere. But I wanted to savour this Unesco World Heritage town, so I stayed put. I have an urge to swim everywhere I visit and Marcella pointed me in the direction of a hotel where I could use their pool for 5 Euros. The staff were lovely and didn't ask for anything.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Although a solo traveller I thought this trip and the region of Puglia and Basilicata would be ideal for young families. There is the usual tacky souvenir stuff but I found locals friendly and helpful, particular in local restaurants. No pestering anywhere from touts. The Peroni beer is outstanding, particularly the Tradizione (red label) and the Gran Riserva (quite strong at 6.6%) which is difficult to find in this country (Scotland).
Martin Hole
Reviewed September 2017
Imperial China and Yangstse River Cruise
Wow! This trip was an assault on the senses from day one! Started off stressfully we arrived in Bejing on time but our luggage was still in Dubai! Well done Emitates and Exodus we were reunited within 12 hours (note: always take spare pants in hand luggage)
China was amazing redefining our preconceptions from day one! Bejing; old town, Forbidden Palace, Summer Palace etc. Jane our guide was Wonderwoman, fantastic knowledge, super organised and a sense of humour. We asked if we could fit in a visit to the Olympic stadium: no problem, we were walking round the ‘Birdsnest’ the following afternoon.
The Great Wall was a highlight and tobogganing down was certainly different.
This trip cannot be described as leisurely, if you want to see the best of this fantastic country we need to be prepared for a frantic itinerary. Thank you for the advice Exodus, pack lightly and make sure you can carry your own luggage with ease.
Loved the pandas and visiting the Terracotta Army. I must admit as a person who would never consider a cruising holiday and who considers the Isle of Wight ferry tiresome I was not looking forward to the Yangstse river cruise; I was pleasantly surprised the scenery of the 3 gorges was breathtaking, the relative rest of 3 days, was a chance to recharge batteries and the dam a marvel of engineering.
Superlatives are far to many to mention, the tour finished in Shanghai where again Jane our guide was brilliant suggesting we visited the Tower on arrival since clouds were forecast the following day – wow! Awesome views across the city as the sunset fron 532m.
I have no hesitation in recommending this trip to all if you want to see China warts and all. It was well organised, accommodation was as described, guide was fantastic. Try everything and go on every optional tour you will not regret it ( one visit to a Chinese Opera is enough for any sane person)
Most Inspirational Moment
Bejing, Great Wall, Chengdou Dou and Shanghai
Thoughts on Group Leader
I cannot praise Jane enough, (The best things come is small packages) she was professional, unflappable, super organised and helpful. Jane has a wicked sense of humour, if I could book Jane to be my next Exdous guide I would.
Thinking of walking in North America next year, can you organise Exodus?
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes, ensure you pack light and can carry your cases ( easy to organise laundry and ball gowns are not required) Take advantage of every optional tour you won't regret it.
Jonathan Taylor
Reviewed September 2017
Fantastic family experience
I can’t fault this trip. An excellent balance of guided tours and beach time/down time. I have to say that our guide Eduardo was a gem. Exodus are extremely fortunate to have him working for them. He is a gold mine of knowledge, full of conversation and great with the kids. I am sure that our experience and access to places you would never be able to reach are down to him. The pizza making was brilliant and the kids even joined the chef to cook our dinner one night! Thank you Exodus but more so thank you Eduardo.
Most Inspirational Moment
Lunch in an old farmhouse on the walk of the Gods. Only accessible by foot or mule. Good food, good wine, good company... All overlooking Positano and the turquoise sea from 700metres!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Amazing. He made the trip.
Jan Ellis
Reviewed September 2017
Backroads of Sri Lanka - Fantastic!
We loved our trip to Sri Lanka and would not hesitate to recommend it. The itinerary is very well planned and there is a really good mix of cycling and sightseeing. We visited temples, caves, a tea factory, a gem factory, a spice garden (complete with massage), several wildlife parks and walked up the famous Sigirya Rock as well as stopping at a number of very individual refreshment stops. The accommodation was good throughout as was the food.
Most Inspirational Moment
It’s hard to pick one but all 16 of our group completing the hill climb to Nuwara Eliya, seeing the elephants at Yala national park, climbing Sigiriya Rock, meeting the local people at some of the tea stops were all highlights.
Thoughts on Group Leader
What really made the trip special was the leader, Suresh. He has led this trip over 70 times so much of the itinerary had been developed by him, including some really special stops at the houses of local people who Suresh – and successive groups of Exodus cyclists – have been able to support and help through difficult times. Wherever we went it was clear that he was greatly respected and no problem was too big for him to sort – and we threw a few at him just test him out! He is very proud of his country and passionate about telling you its history, its wildlife and its culture – his knowledge is amazing! He really brought our various stops to life and they would have meant much less to us without his guidance. He was also amazingly adept at spotting wildlife in the bushes while cycling along at speed! And all combined with a very engaging personality and some enduring catch-phrases. The support crew of Sandy, Upali and Lasa were also excellent, making sure we always had plenty of water, guiding us at junctions and making sure our luggage was always ready and waiting for us.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This trip is action-packed with some long days in the saddle so a reasonable level of fitness is advisable to make the most of it. I would advise taking some energy gels and electrolyte tablets to help with hydration. Be prepared for cycling in heavy traffic in some of the towns, particulary Kandy, however we had no problems and there’s always the option of hopping on the bus. There were a lot of dogs around but we didn’t find them aggressive.
Neil Thomas
Reviewed August 2017
Bears Essential
I had not realised before arriving in Magura just how remote, rural and remarkably beautiful Romania could be. The village where we were based is accessibly only via a long, winding unmade road… so get used to leaving modern life behind. In this part of the world people still travel via horse and cart and cut hay with scythes. It was like stepping back into Tudor times. Fortunately, this also means that Europe’s largest group of wild brown bears are still able to thrive and going to see them from a hide in the forest was one of the highlights of our trip. There is also plenty of opportunity for hiking, with walks of varying severity on all but one day of the holiday. The views are spectacular – in some parts resembling Switzerland or Austria, in others California and the Rockies. We also took in trips to Bran Castle – to which the Dracula legend has been eagerly attached – and to the delightful city of Brasov.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing four bears from our hide in the woods.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Thomas was very energetic, very knowledgeable with - for a German - a great sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the Trip Notes carefully. There is no opportunity to change money for the first few days, so either take some Lei with you or spend some time in Bucharest first - as we did. I would also recommend taking walking poles.
Linda Joyce
Reviewed August 2017
The Inca Trail - Amazing.
I did The Inca Trail trip as a solo traveller and cannot recommend it enough! Our group, expertly managed by our Tour Leader Dennis and his second in command Javier, enjoyed everything this trip had to offer. From sightseeing and sampling wonderful local cuisine around Cusco to following the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, it was awe-inspiring each step of the way.
Most Inspirational Moment
It's a tough question as there are jaw dropping sights at every turn. For me, the first nights' camping. Coming out of my tent and looking up to a stargazers paradise. Ink black sky with millions of stars. Breathtaking.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Dennis was amazing. 10/10. He is a magician with multiple hats: tour guide to doctor, food enthusiast to mentor, photographer to comedian.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book it now.
Do your research and bring proper attire. You will be walking 6-7 hours per day so make sure you have comfy and durable boots that you have worn it.
I travelled in August and it was cold at night so layer up.
Bring a full change of clothes for going out for dinner (if you can fit in your bag) for the night in Machu Picchu town.
Rebecca Jones
Reviewed August 2017
I would not recommend this trip if ...
I would not recommend this trip if you are planning on travelling alone, if you are a light sleeper, if you value a sense of freedom, or if you are hoping for any form of relaxation during your holiday.
With one notable exception, Exodus seems to have chosen the cheapest and nastiest “hotels”. They were mostlly rather scuzzy and cramped, which is not very pleasant if you are sharing with one or more complete strangers. Several of them were also right next to busy roads and one just above the motorway leading to the Mont Blanc tunnel, making it all but impossible to sleep. I spent the whole trip sleep deprived, which was not helped by the early starts, in spite of the fact that, when I enquired prior to booking, Exodus had assured me that breakfast was normally at 8.00 am on the hotel trip. Because of the daily morning rush it wasn’t exactly a holiday.
The leader was good, but could have dispensed with the unnecessary morning group exercises in favour of an extra 20 minutes in bed. The exercises were apparently supposed to alleviate the stress of the hectic morning starts, but in fact just increased stress levels by adding another item to the list of things to do in the morning before getting walking. The group members were lovely, but of very mixed ages and fitness levels, meaning that the pace was extremely slow. Personally, I did not feel at all challenged by the ascents because of this slow pace. I appreciate that, on a group trip, the overall pace has to be that of the slowest member, but I would have enjoyed the trip much more if the pace had been more flexible and I had been able to walk a little faster at least some of the time. It seems that the enjoyment of faster members of the group was sacrificed to that of the slower.
Except for one challenging river crossing, owing to heavy rain over a couple of days, the walking is not at all difficult, so, if you are a reasonably experienced hill walker with some time to organise the trip yourself, I would recommend going it alone rather than through Exodus. I wish I had done so myself. The mountains are beautiful – it’s just a pity I couldn’t enjoy them to the full. Personally, I won’t be booking with Exodus again.
Most Inspirational Moment
The one day off when I went walking alone and could go at my own pace.
Barbara Cummins
Reviewed August 2017
Highly recommended introduction to Sri Lanka
A wonderfully varied trip. We did so much. I’ll try not to repeat what Karen said but will add a few thoughts.
The Sri Lanka we saw was surprisingly diverse. We went from low, hot and humid, by the Indian ocean near Colombo, up into the beautiful hill country, with its expanses of tea plantations, then down to the semi arid coast in the south. A great start was meeting the group. They were all positive, punctual and friendly. We laughed a lot.
I loved the food. So much choice! Buffets offered salads, curries, fruit and more for around £6. I didn’t feel the need that some felt for sandwiches and chips instead. I’m not vegetarian but found the veggie choices in the buffets to be the best options. We had great “village meals” on two occasions, plus the opportunity to try mannioc and drink tea from coconut shells.
Most Inspirational Moment
It's tricky to choose from so many. If it has to be a moment, perhaps I'll choose diving into an empty pool at 7am at the lovely Mandala Rosen in Kataragama. Music played underwater, then I came up to the quiet of birdsong as blossom floated down from the trees.
More widely, it was the gentle smiling people and the beautiful countryside, especially in the hills.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Neelaka is a Sri Lankan gem. He looked after us with his unfailing cheerful calm. He must have been paddling hard beneath the surface to keep everything running so smoothly. At every hotel we were greeted with a cool cloth and a drink, while our cases were whisked away to our rooms. An absolute godsend was his dealing with tips and small payments. Without this we'd have been burdened continuously, as everyone needs tipping!
We loved his little extra treats which included introducing us to fruit and veg we'd never heard of, let alone tasted. He guided us to interesting restaurants, took us to special places when we expressed interest and told us about local culture and behaviour, as well as describing in detail the places we visited. We learned about puberty rituals, which prepared us for the ceremony we saw scheduled in our last hotel, plus the surprising dependence of Sri Lankans on astrologers.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Activities are optional. As the group slow coach, I didn't complete the Lion Rock climb. I went part way and then waited and watched as the stream of visitors climbed the uneven steps. I also didn't complete the Horton Plains walk in torrential rain. (NB - make sure you have a good waterproof. Some didn't. Sri Lankan rain is serious!)
If you have to stay at the Hill Club, don't eat there. Go next door to the Grand. If you do have to eat there, definitely avoid the set meal. Don't buy spices at the spice place if you want a good price. A sarong or similar could be very useful in many ways. You can buy one out there. Cash can be changed in many places, with your guide's local knowledge. Check hotel bills are in rupees, not £s or you'll be paying a hotel's exchange rate instead of the bank's.
