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!
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14469 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Nancy Reed
Reviewed December 2016
Cuban Highlights Ride
What a lovely trip – we had lots of laughs, learned a great deal about Cuban history and enjoyed a wonderful Cuban crew.
Most Inspirational Moment
Inspiration took many forms - our group discussions about Cuba, world politics and kindness to others inspired me each day.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Have to say that both our guide and mechanic took significant efforts to ensure we were keen to ride and well supported - from cold drinks and sweet snacks to gentle nudges up big hills to an unwavering love of their country that was shared each day. Our guide (Alex) was incredibly well informed, engaged in all he did and had a great sense of humour - as he might say, quite 'cheeky'!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take lots of time to engage with the communities you travel through - the people are very fun, kind and interesting. Tried to leave toiletries behind as tips in each place we stayed - these are crazy expensive in Cuba and so easy for travelers to share. Take the time before or after this trip to spend an additional day or two in Havana - really great city. We also spent time on our own in Mantanzas and found many wonderful surprises including a great art studio, fab little bar and paper making gallery.
Michelle Knott
Reviewed December 2016
2 peaks in 2 days!
It was a tough slog but soooooo worth it! The scenery was exquisite and it’s the perfect trip to learn new skills using crampons, ice axes and avalanche transceivers.
Most Inspirational Moment
We were lucky with the weather so had the opportunity to summit Ras Ouanoukrim the day after Toubkal. It was tough going up to the pass (the mind and body were still reeling from the previous day!) but then the technical scramble that followed was both exciting and challenging. The view of Mount Toubkal and Marrakech was incredible.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Hassan was knowledgeable and good fun. He set a good pace and knew just what to say to motivate me on my way up to the Ouanoukrim pass. The assistant guide Mohammed was patient and always had a smile on his face.
Advice for Potential Travellers
You need a good level of fitness and be able to keep a reasonable pace. 2 guides are required to get the group across the ridge for both the Toubkal and Ouanoumrim climbs so it's essential the group keeps together (within reason). Having said that I don't think I'm particularly fast and I made it!
Tamara Common
Reviewed December 2016
Wonderful country, beautiful and vibrant.
I throughly enjoyed the trip, a true holiday of a lifetime! I LOVED Cuba, it was so colourful, sunny and full of music and dance. A great tour group, everyone was lovely and happy to join in!
Cycling was fine, I am active person but not a cyclist except for cycling tours in the Netherlands, but the cycling was steady and I was tired at the end of the day, but manageable.
Cycling was on tarmac roads, and mostly fairly straight, but there was little traffic, just a 1950s car passing regularly to add to the atmosphere. There were regular breaks, and water was provided by the guides, and the bus was behind us all of the way.
Was glad to have cycling shorts with padding and also a gel saddle cover. Ended up leaving my bag on the bus which was always with us, and just cycling. It was hot and found a bag too annoying to be carting around.
Accommodation was clean and comfortable, though lacked soft furnishings, but personally for me clean is the important bit! Staying in the Casa’s were my favourite, gave a more authentic feel, and while simple still had air con, and I think more comfortable beds than the hotels in my case (we broke into smaller groups for the nights in the Casa’s).
Food was simple, a yummy meat (grilled chicken, pork that fell apart), with rice and plantain chips. I thought it was tasty, even if less varied! Fizzy drinks and fruit juice with meals that you bought separately.
Group tour leader, Alex was excellent. He organised on the tour excellently, looked after us, and also taught us so much about Cuba’s history and way of life. He was full of tips and ideas.
Non cycling time was just as fascinating, we learnt to salsa, drank mojitos, had walking tours around and went swimming in the sea. Really liked Trinidad and staying there two nights, and Havana town was charming.
Think that doing a tour was a really good way to see Cuba, afterwards stayed on 4 days at the memories hotel in Jibacoa, but after the fun of the group and wandering around and being able to mingle it felt a bit fake at the resort – wish I had done it before the tour rather than after. Other people in the hotel who did organised trips out weren’t that enamoured and felt alone it was a bit complicated doing a trip to a neighbouring town or Habana.
Most Inspirational Moment
Loved the whole Cuban experience and the friendliness of the country. The tour itself was really well structured, and the cycling was very well organised - good bikes, safe cycling, and good resources with snacks and water.
Cuba is a wonderful mix of carribean, spanish language, sun, fun and music.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Group tour leader, Alex was excellent. He organised on the tour excellently, looked after us, and also taught us so much about Cuba's history and way of life. He was full of tips and ideas.
Was clear with instructions and to also give some free time, but also ideas with what to do in that free time.
Perfect balance of information and helpfulness without being intrusive.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a saddle cover - bikes are excellent quality but the saddles are narrow. I wish id taken a actual sports bottle rather than using a normal water bottle which i couldn't undo the screw top while cycling.
Take little and cycle light!
Stop and take photos etc if you want, its not a race and everyone has to wait at the end, however fast you cycle.
Don't need to be a cyclist, but you do need a certain amount of fitness, and the sun can be intense, but be reassured that the bus is behind you if you need it.
Thorsten Querfurt
Reviewed December 2016
Great first tour
What a great way to see a country! I am not really a ‘tour’ person but this was an excellent experience because we got to experience many more things than we would have on our own. I’d love to do another one.
Most Inspirational Moment
My highlights were Angkor temples, Phnom Penh and Mekong Delta.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Khun Is was extremely well organised and a highly capable tour leader. Everything worked. Thank you very much for teaching us many things, for opening our eyes and making us taste things we would never have dared ourselves - actually her guidance made the trip really easy and gave us experiences we would have missed on our own.
Advice for Potential Travellers
There will always be different levels of fitness within a random group which is fine (catch up at next rest point) , but if the itinerary says there are days of 90km in extreme heat, then take it seriously and make sure you are up for it.
I brought my own clip on pedals and saddle which I think was a good move.
Veronica Benson
Reviewed December 2016
Cycling across Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
A great trip offering a real variety of landscapes, wildlife, accommodation and experiences. The cycling was sufficiently challenging to feel we earned our pre-dinner cocktails and was a really enjoyable way to appreciate the rain forests, lakes and volcanoes. Plenty of time to relax as well. It was fun to feel part of a team and we were well supported by our guides and driver. 300 miles and 3 countries in 2 weeks feels like a real achievement with lots of good memories.
Most Inspirational Moment
The boat trips were relaxing and offered a great opportunity to spot wildlife: spider monkeys on Lake Nicaragua, iguanas and crocodiles while rafting in Rio Tenorio and varieties of fish and birds round the Bocas del Toro islands.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andrea was a supportive, patient and well-informed group leader with a good sense of humour. She managed to be both part of the team as well as an effective leader keeping us regularly informed about the places we were visiting, the itinerary, changes to plans and what to watch out for.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Travellers interested in this trip should be comfortable cycling on main roads alongside large vehicles and be able to cope with cycling in 30 degree heat (though riding in air-conditioned minibus is always an option!). You should be prepared for moving to different accommodation on a daily basis and pack lots of cycling gear as washing and drying clothing while constantly on the move can be a problem. Eating out is expensive in all 3 countries (it costs about the same as in the UK).
Perry Burton
Reviewed December 2016
Everest base Camp Trek - Perry Burton
This trip has awesome in every respect. I am so pleased we choose to do this trek with Exodus. We saw lots of other groups on the trek and none of these seemed to be quite so well looked after as our group.
Most Inspirational Moment
A few
Seeing people carry 100kg loads for days on end
Seeing a team member arrive at the top of Kala Pattar after we thought they had turned round
The Khumbu Glacier....just mind blowing
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tenzi...it would have been impossible for him to have done a better job. Always laughing, great fun, but serious and knowledgeable when needed.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do this trek. Do not hesitate. Probably more mentally tough than I expected, but slightly less physically testing.
Malcolm May
Reviewed December 2016
A great way to get some flavour of Vietnam
This cycle holiday was a good way to get some flavour of Vietnam, especially while travelling through the country side and villages. Our guide and support team were magnificent and the group we cycled with gelled very quickly which enhanced the whole experience.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling 32 km downhill from Dalat in warm rain was quite an amazing experience in a perverse sort of way. Another inspirational time was in An Bang village, famous for it's huge royal tombs. Climbing Hai Van pass was exciting for everyone. It's 10 km long but, with a gradient between 5% and 9%, it proved to be manageable and enjoyable for everyone.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Long Le was superb and went that extra mile to ensure that everyone benefitted as much as possible from the trip.
He led a very good support team who were determined to ensure that our day to day needs were met with good humour and efficiency. Long Le clearly loved his country and he spent time to discuss a wide range of issues relating to this country.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Vietnam is changing quite dramatically compared to our last visit 20 years ago. Like Cuba, now is the time to visit Vietnam, especially the rural parts. Be prepared to cycle at your own pace, reminding yourself that you have paid for this trip and plan to enjoy the experience. There is no need to bust a gut to keep up with faster cyclists. If rain is likely, bring an old cycle top. For some reason, Exodus don't fit mudguards to their bikes and good tops can be easily spoilt.
Karen Seager
Reviewed December 2016
Cycling Cuba
15 day bike and bus tour of Cuba. We had a group of 18 mostly English but also a Scot, 4 Australians and a lovely lady from Belgium. We were fortunate to be in Cuba during (and after) the mourning period for Fidel Castro. This gave a different perspective on the quiet side of Cuba with no music, few people in the streets of Havana, not to mention most places not serving alcohol. The trip showed us round Cuba from shore to shore and West to East, urban and country towns, mountains and sea all against the backdrop of Cuban struggles for independence and revolution. We followed a couple of days behind the Castro cavalcade to Santiago de Cuba and included a visit to his grave site (next to that of the National Hero Jose Marti).
Most Inspirational Moment
There are many highlights of this trip but one that stands out was the bush walk in the Sierra Madres and a visit to Maria and her farm. The guide was knowledgeable about the flora and was generous with his descriptions of mountain people and the life they lead.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Carlos was fantastic. He was informative, flexible, professional and fun. There were a couple of 'dramas' - lost baggage, forgotten handbag, passports gone astray and Carlos dealt with all of them calmly and professionally assisting those affected in any way he could. I'd also like to mention the bus drivers Alexis and Eduardo who supported all of us with patience and humour keeping us fed (fruits and a range of sweet peanut products - yum) and watered at each rest stop. And Sylvester the bike mechanic who was only with us for a couple of days but who cheerfully tweeked each bike to suit the rider.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are, like me, a vegetarian, be prepared for a very limited menu - mainly omelets and cheese coupled with tomato, cucumber and shredded cabbage supplemented with rice and beans on occasion (watch out for the bacon in the beans!). If you are vegan I would suggest you at least bring some 'protein foods' as you will be sorely tested otherwise. Being gluten free is only an issue on days where a packed lunch (read sandwiches) is provided, but again out comes the omelet and cheese! Be flexible and accept that your diet will be different in Cuba mainly because a wide range of foods is simply not available. There is the occasional yogurt and depending on the season a varying range of fruit is available (for us that was banana, papaya and pineapple, oranges and grapefruit and guava). The only nuts available are peanuts. You won't go hungry but variety will challenge!
Jennifer Dixon
Reviewed December 2016
delhi to kathmandu
a trip that far exceeded expectations.
Most Inspirational Moment
the human spectical of Veranasi
Thoughts on Group Leader
simplly the best
David Mayne
Reviewed December 2016
Mr David Mayne
An exceptional holiday experience, far surpasses anything I could have imagined. The history, sightseeing, enthusiasm of the guide, nothing was to much trouble for him. All the team at Exodus and individual guides I could not commend high enough.
Most Inspirational Moment
Finally getting to the sun gate at Machu Pichu and seeing the fabled Inca ruins shrouded in mist for the first time, just awe inspiring. The porters also deserve a mention for all their hard work and some of those marvelous culinary delights they concocted. The bird life on the islands came a magical second.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Wilbert Ramos was a man apart from all others in turn informative, helpful , spiritual, non judgemental, kind. Unlike any other guide we have had in the past. This man was everything you could want in a leader. Words could not praise him highly enough. Special commendation should also go to our driver Nico who drove vast distances and got us all to our destination without any problems. Shandi who was our.second guide on the Inca trail was also a delight.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do not fear South America as we initially did, instead embrace the country and all it has to offer The culture will astound you, and the friendliness of the people will live with you forever. It is different, it can, at times be maddening, but take it from me you will never experience such a rich and diverse quality of life than this holiday has to offer.
