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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14460 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Steven Felstead

Reviewed November 2015

Fantastic Introduction

Not a particularly relaxing holiday since there was a lot to see in a short period, but overall, a fantastic introduction to the real Cuba.
Go with an open mind, throw yourself into the culture and you will come home with a love for the people and island, highly recommended I Def. want to go back again .

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Santa Clara and the Che Guevera Mausoleum. I know the country was 'on lock down' wrt the speaking of foreign languages until recently, but I was disappointed at the last of translated script in the museum on such an interesting and historic subject.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was fantastic throughout and tackled daily obstacles with professionalism. We were warned on day one about 'Cuban time' and soon realised that life is more relaxed than the hustle and bustle of the UK. Therefore I would advise to go with a relaxed attitude to things and try and not to get stressed!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would advise to try and learn some Spanish as not many Cubans can speak any other language due to it being banned under Fidel. We couldn't and whilst we didn't suffer per se, one person in our group could and he really interacted with the Cubans and gained so much more from the trip. The Casa Particulares are the equivalent of UK, B&B's and whilst every one we stayed in was of adequate quality, the language barrier made the stays a little uncomfortable. Every member of the group suffered tummy problems during the week! We were told to only drink bottled water, but then every day, mojito's, pina colada's and cuba libre's were available full of ice which I imagine was made from tap water! I was ok drinking beer until we reached Havana and then had my 3 included cocktails at the Buena Vista Social Club and 'whoosh' - so be warned!! On previous trips to India I have used probiotic tablets and had no problems at all so if I go to Cuba again I will Def take them next time. Whilst the food is good and wholesome, it does get a bit monotonous in the general restaurants as the only daily choice is what meat you want, the accompaniments will be rice, rice and beans, salad and fruit. Seeing as they have good ties with Mexico, the lack of spice and chilli was surprising and craved for after a few days. Breakfasts in the hotels were excellent and the buffet lunch in Santa Clara was unanimously hailed as excellent. There are two days when you are on the coach for most of the day so I would recommend you take some entertainment with you specifically for those days. I had some films on my tablet that made the journeys zip by, some had music, and some read, although the roads were bumpy at times and made that difficult.

Richard Lowe

Reviewed November 2015

Vietnam Adventure

The trip was everything on the trip notes and more. Most of this was down to the leader who offered lots of extra activities for those who were interested, eg bike rides, cooking courses, street food, home meals…
All the hotels we good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay boat trip and swimming in the Gulf of Tonkin

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, nothing was too much trouble, lots of extra activities on offer, sorted out a birthday cake for my wife..

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to Vietnam before it changes. Get up early at Angkor Wat to avoid the crowds

Robert Wilson

Reviewed November 2015

Taste of Cuba

Generally an excellent trip, made good by our guide and fellow travellers. There was a lot of bus travel, and day one and two were long for the limited appeal of what we saw in Vinales. We travelled a tourist trail and stop offs enrolee were uninspired, where perhaps local minor attractions could have been enlivening. We were told of the poverty, sugar cane and tobacco industries but did not experience it. Good spanish Colional building in towns, but we saw little of the post independence or revolution buildings, unless there is nothing more than half a dozen examples. It was certainly a taster trip, would have loved to have seen more.

Most Inspirational Moment

Touring Habana in an open top 60 year old pontiac

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good. Amazing in fact given he had never left the country and english was not a recommended language until recently. As a chemistry Graduate he was intelligent and well informed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is almost no internet, unless you have the patience to stand in the odd hotspot and log in continuously. The food is basic and repetitive, but the rum is good, therefore mojitos, cuba libre, and pina coladas are plentiful. It is very relaxed and the people welcolming.

Catherine Lawson

Reviewed November 2015

Cuba Cycling Tour

Cycling is a superb way to experience Cuba and to get a feel for the country and the way the Cuban people live. As usual, Exodus’s organisation is second to none and their ability to respond to unforeseen circumstances or problems is excellent, allowing us to get on with enjoying the holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Cuban people are an inspiration in their willingness to share their lives, history and customs with complete strangers and to do so with good grace and humour. They have so little and yet share so much.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was excellent. Extremely knowledgable and able to share this knowledge in an insightful and often amusing manner. He kept us safe and on track, accommodating the differences and desires that a diverse group of people inevitably brings.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be openminded and go with the flow.....have few expectations especially about the toilets and food and you will be delighted rather than disappointed

Helen Hill

Reviewed November 2015

Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route

A fantastic, challenging but exhilarating experience! If you are thinking about it – do it!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight for me was the people that I spent this most amazing experience with and to have all 12 of the group reach the summit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abraham was great, he was very informative about the trek and kept a close eye on all the group checking that no-one was suffering from Altitute sickness.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just be prepared, make sure that you have the right gear to tackle all sorts of weather eventualities, keep fit and most of all have a "postive mental atitude".

nelson Savein

Reviewed November 2015

drakensberg and kruger

fantastic experience. The cycling is wonderful. long uphills which require your full attention as well as glorious downhills..A much better than average degree of fitness will go a long way to making this cycle fun. Great open spaces with wildlife freely roaming for you viewing pleasure. This trip will meet and likely exceed your expectations..The food is wonderfully prepared by your guides. Be prepared to have the time of your lives.

Most Inspirational Moment

The bike ride through the Golden Gate Park was breathtaking.Even without the wildlife all around the bike ride in itself was wonderful,filled with vistas and undulating ups and downs,but when you add the zebras,baboons,monkeys,antelopes,water buffalo it was inspirational

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leaders,Beven and J.P were outstanding!! Cannot really elaborate..One could not do any better

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train hard and it will make your ride more enjoyable.

Sally Gillies

Reviewed November 2015

Just the best tour I've ever done

I picked this trip because it was a great blend of cycling, hiking, sight seeing, shopping and kayaking for a 2 week tip in Vietnam. I loved that we got to get out of the cities and walk amongst the hill tribes of Northwestern Vietnam or cycle amongst the farmers and fishermen of the Mekong Delta. But I also appreciated all our city stops to experience the different characters and cuisine of the cities throughout Vietnam. It was also fun that transportation varied from buses to boats to ships… This trip was just a fantastic blend of activities and exercise.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several.. The day hike amongst the hill tribes, the cave we visited in Halong Bay, watching the sunset from a kayak in Halong Bay, the train trip to Hue, walking the utterly charming streets of Hoi An - and getting a 'couture' dress made in less than 24 hours..., the cycling in the Mekong Delta. And possibly, the knowledge that I survived crossing the road every time in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dahn was brilliant! He is an enthusiastic and passionate tour leader who clearly loves his job. He was brimming with knowledge about his country, happy to share such knowledge with us and answer all our 'dumb' questions. He was super super organised - we were never left waiting for anything - the buses, the boats, the bikes - all there when it was time to move on to the next activity! I was very impressed by that as we sailed past other tour groups standing around idle, waiting for whatever their mode of transportation was... And I loved his highly infectious laugh - you can't help laugh when he does, and he laughs a lot!

Advice for Potential Travellers

**Most cash transactions will be in Vietnamese Dong -but you can get it out of an ATM when you arrive (or at the airport). Helps to have some $US in reserve, but I think I only spent a total of $US50 on the entire trip... ** We were there in mid-November. I did not find the mosquitoes were that bad in the north or south. Some repellent is nice but not sure it had to be Deet. I'd strongly recommend if you do buy Deet, you test it on yourself before you go - I had an allergic reaction to it on my face only, and of course had not packed anti-inflammatory cream.. **There are 5 nights where the accommodation is a bit more basic. If you are sensitive about your mattresses, you may want to invest in a small, compact inflatable mattress to add a bit of comfort to the bedding. ** As others have said, no need for mossie nets - they are provided and the ones provided are more than adequate ** For the cycling, it is STRONGLY recommended, male or female, you invest in a gel seat cover or if you are a cyclist, take your padded cycling shorts (do not take long leg cycling pants - you'll melt away). ** Helmets are provided. They are good enough but some are not as comfortable as you might be used to at home (I was given an XL which barely fitted and I am a S/M in my country, so have to assume it was Vietnamese sizing!). However the provided helmets are of comparable quality to what you are used to so up to you if you bring your helmet or not. Most people on my tour did... were probably happy they did - but also cursed endlessly at how much space it took up in their luggage! **Once you have packed, halve it. If you take more than 2 t-shirts, 2 pants, a pair of sandals, a pair of day walking shoes and maybe 1 weeks underwear, you've packed too much clothing! (well, ok - through in cycling shorts if you don't take a gel seatcover for the bike). There are plenty of opportunities to have clothes washed and it truly is peanuts ($US2) and you'll buy tons more clothes you don't need on the trip... ** Strongly recommend you have a hydration backpack not water bottles for the longer cycle trips and walks. Most people had 2 litre hydration packs and they were adequate and it was so easy to drink on the fly. There are plenty of water fill up stops included so you'll never run dry with 2 litres. But you will run short if you are only toting a 500ml or 1 litre water bottle...There is also no guarantee the bottle holder will work on the bikes.

Anita Leblanc

Reviewed November 2015

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

It was my first experience with Exodus. Everything was so well organised, the guide, the driver were punctual to the minute. Upon arrival at our different destinations, the meals were hot and ready and I have to say very delicious and offering local dishes as well. All our accomodations were clean. We felt safe every step of the way. For nature lovers and bird watchers, Costa Rica is a paradise and your tour offers so many opportunities. Both the guide and the driver were very alert and very good at spotting wildlife and they would stop often so we could see and take pictures.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were quite a few: - the view from the Guanacaste Mountain Range, in all my travels, I had never seen such beautiful landscape -the so very peaceful boat ride in the canals of Tortuguero, enjoying wildlife and not one mosquito! -Manuel Antonio Nat. Pk. beach [Pacific Ocean] -view from the Muerte Mountain Range looking down St Isidro -the lush green vegetation everywhere and the wide variety of flowers -seeing the quetzal at 5h00 in the morning along with 50+ people awaiting for the same

Thoughts on Group Leader

couldn't ask for better, very dedicated, knowledgeable, respectful, caring, as eager as us to see wildlife

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel with Exodus, you won't be disappointed

Stephen McLetchie

Reviewed November 2015

Inca trail - Amazon Rainforest

This was the most enjoyable trip we have ever taken. We were fortunate enough to have a group of like minded people, all of whom have become friends.
The trip was well executed from the original booking to final day. The information supplied both prior, and during, was excellent, with any questions being responded to fully and timely. An excellent holiday, one we will never forget. Thank you

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the Sun Gate after 4 days of hard trekking. Watching Machu Picchu one of the 7 modern wonders of the world, appear through the mist, was inspiring to say the least. In fact the total trip exceeded our expectations. One of the most enjoyable trips we have taken, even after all the early morning calls!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders. In Machupicchu we were fortunate enough to have a leader who did everything to make our experience in Peru a holiday to remember. The leader in the Amazon had a lot to live up too, and he did. Everything was excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a holiday which you need to prepare for. The treck is challenging, but taking your time means everyone will succeed. This is camping at its best, however you really need to be aware of how basic the toilet facilities are!! Never the less it's the best experience ever.

Ken Plumb

Reviewed November 2015

Everest Base Camp Nov 15

Wow what a trip ! SO well organised with amazing leader and superb staff. It’s not a simple ‘walk in the park’ – the fitter you are the better but it is well within the capabilities of most people. If you are thinking about doing this trip – you should do it NOW

The views are amazing. The people and their culture you will meet along the way are amazing and the way Exodus have set up and organised the trip is amazing

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving a Everest Base Camp. Having read so many Hillary and Tensing Norgay stories as a boy I dreamed for so many years of walking in just a few of their footsteps. It was a long walk to get there but worth every step and every breath.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was OK I suppose.... Pasang was actually brilliant. He has many years experience and seemed to know everyone along the trail. Nothing was too much trouble and he achieved the impossible on a regular basis. He added so so much to our trip. A BIG thumbs up from me !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be fit. Take Diamox to prevent altitude problems and drink... and drink ( water not alcohol... sorry) And take your time on the trek to take in the amazing views.There is plenty of time so don't turn it into a race as you will miss so much. The 10kg weight limit for the flight to Lukla is flexible to a certain extent so don't get too concerned over this. There are some good YouTube videos showing the kit you need . Layering is the secret - cold mornings can soon give way to t-shirt weather.

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