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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14457 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Stephanie Valentine

Reviewed November 2015

Petra & Wadi Rum by Bike

Firstly have no worries about safety in Jordan. The country is a very stable “island” surrounded by countries in turmoil, and at no point did we feel uncomfortable. This holiday has less cycling then other ones we have done, but you wouldn’t go to Jordan without spending a fair bit of time soaking in the history and culture – Petra is just amazing and one and half days only allows you to scratch at the surface.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing up to the Monastry and View points at Petra, you feel on top of the world and it is breathtakingly beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair is a delightful and knowledgeable chap who loves being the storyteller and gave a real insight into Jordanian history and culture.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are a very keen cyclist, you may find the amount of cycling frustrating (bearing in mind it is also a cultural holiday), but if you more of an occasional cyclist you will find this holiday very achievable.

Philip Hill

Reviewed November 2015

JO'BURG TO CAPE TOWN

The trip was everything we hoped it would be. Loads of animals, birds, wonderful scenery and fantastic people. The success of a trip is is dependant on many things but we were fortunate to have a great itinerary, a group of like minded travellers and, most importantly, outstanding guides.
It is a trip full of superlatives.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many high points. There was a good set of walks included on the trip with the option of others at several of the stops. In particular we enjoyed our stay in Lesotho, the game drives, seeing the big 5, the beauty of the Garden Route and of course Cape Town and all it had to offer.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Justin, David and Fiona were 'awesome and amazing'. Nothing was too much trouble for them. They worked so very hard making sure we got the maximum from our trip, even visiting places not on the itinerary (where possible). Fiona provided a exceptional range of meals which were plentiful and tasty. Their knowledge and enthusiasm added greatly to the enjoyment of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the brochure carefully. Some of the days were long but they were always split into more manageable blocks with stops for meals, shopping, border crossings or 'mini visits' but don't be put off by the trip notes. Experience the scenery, smells, sights and people and enjoy this fantastic trip. + be prepared for inexpensive, amazing food in the restaurants.

THOMAS BRECKNEY

Reviewed November 2015

An inspiring week in a wonderful part of the world

The Aitana mountains offer a fantastic experience for trekkers, with challenging, rugged landscapes, breath taking views and a real sense of place and history. The air is pure, the people are warm, the food is glorious.

Most Inspirational Moment

Summiting Puig Campana felt like a huge achievement. It's a proper mountain and you need stamina, concentration and energy to get to the top and back. Seeing how life works in the mountain villages and meeting locals gathering wild mushrooms was great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was exceptional. His ability to communicate his knowledge of and passion for the area added a lot to the trip and you always felt secure. He did a great job encouraging the group to get to know one another and ensured every level of ability was catered for. His picnics deserve mention as well - delicious and well planned to give enough energy to keep you going. Jaime was also terrific, guiding us to the summit of Aitana and enriching the experience with his knowledge of local flora and pointing out distant Moorish ruins.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although not overly challenging, this trek really demands you have a good level of fitness and the range of terrains you will encounter means experience on the hills will make the trip a bit easier. There's some light scrambling and underfoot conditions range from flat roads to loose scree so be prepared. The treks are long - up to 18km and 8 hours - but rewarding. The weather was perfect for most of the trip but remember weather can change quickly in the mountains so pack a fleece and a waterproof. On your free day it is worth visiting the Valor chocolate factory/museum down the coast in Villajoyosa - easy to reach and free entry. Don't miss the Valor chocolate shop by the beach - the hot chocolate is the best you will ever have!

Ian Braby

Reviewed November 2015

A fabulous week in Jordan

A real tour of the highlights of all this peaceful country has to offer. Petra, and especially our second day there, was a real highlight but there was nothing to detract from it. Admittedly, perhaps in Madaba we could have taken time to see more that just the (relatively very modern) basilica of St George, but to have seen some of the other mosaics that we passed on our way there.
Learning to snorkel and visiting the Red Sea reefs was another highlight for me as was, surprisingly, our camel trek in Wadi Rum – the 4×4 tour the previous evening was limited by the failing light.
Overall, highly recommended.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing up to look down on the Treasury in Petra

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sami was excellent, despite mounting personal tragedies in his family, he maintained his professionalism and care for us as a group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Trip Notes and ensure that you have good walking shoes and a good-sized day pack.

Mark Sheldon

Reviewed November 2015

Ancient & Modern Japan

An excellent way to see the variety of sights that Japan has to offer, and as with other Exodus trips the trade-off is some long days on trains, subways, trams and walks (and variable standards of accommodation). However, all the public transport ran like clockwork, and even complicated travel days with 15 of us to look after were easily dealt with by our guide …and I loved the Shinkansen (bullet train). Kyoto was more westernised than I was expecting, but there was still plenty to see. Hiroshima was surprisingly emotional for me, and I loved the local okonomiyaki we had for dinner. The areas around Takayama and Yudanaka were definitely more traditional Japanese, and the ryokans were a big change from the city hotels but they still had wifi (bathing was interesting though!!). Finishing off in Tokyo worked well, getting back into western ways.

Most Inspirational Moment

Always difficult to know how to answer this one, as we saw so much. For me it was the people, as they were all so respectful and Japan felt very safe from a traveller's perspective.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chiko Hansen was always smiling, full of energy and kept all of us on time. As with any trip like this there were a couple of hiccups (not of Chiko's making), but she managed to keep us together.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As mentioned, there is a lot of walking in this trip. Although technically you could describe it as leisurely (not climbing mountains!), due to the amount I would rate it more like a 3, especially if you want to see everything. I had taken a pair of hiking boots which was overkill, but sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended. There was more free time than on other Exodus trips I have been on, so planning ahead would help. That includes meals, as not many are included. Despite the hotel in Kyoto being very central, not many of the nearby restaurants stayed open beyond 9pm. We did find a food court at the top of the railway station that stayed open until 10pm, but not until the second night.

Caroline Hughes

Reviewed November 2015

Mount toubkal winter climb

Just back from a great week, great group, great fun! Even though the accommodation was basic, the food was amazing and plentiful.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was great to learn how to walk on the crampons and feel I accomplished something more than just climbing a peak.

Thoughts on Group Leader

hassan was brilliant. A good combination of keeping us driven and keeping us entertained.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you physically strong as well as fit. I did a lot of circuit training and I probably needed to do more because walking in crampons is more physical than I expected.

Joyce Collier

Reviewed November 2015

Cycling Cuban Highlights

Fantastic holiday, well organised trip around fascinating and beautiful country. Hotter and more humid than expected. Cycling also harder than expected only because of heat, humidity and head winds. Stops came every 10 to 15km and were much appreciated. Plentiful water was provided but note you do need to take your own snacks, fruit or energy bars/drinks. We were bitten more than we expected so do take repellant with you and possibly some antihistamines. Casa stay in Trinidad was very interesting and despite appearances was very comfortable with full facilities. All the Cubans were very friendly. Day trip on catamaran to beautiful deserted tropical island was outstanding but was a long motor out (2hrs). Boat trip around lake and dam was quite different though! – rather worryingly unstable, noisy and full of exhaust (and driver’s cigarette) fumes! Somewhat spoilt the beauty of the lake and surrounds.

Most Inspirational Moment

The helpfulness of the Exodus team when we accidently mislaid a bag. (James was very kind)

Colin Brandish

Reviewed November 2015

Walking the Amalfi Coast

Great trip, well organised as normal. Fabulous views, walks and visits, nice group and a really good leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

Really enjoyed the guided walk round the crater of Vesuvius. Also the Walk of the Gods walk.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thomas was exceptional, he was well organised and clearly very keen to please us in every way. He lead and organised us very knowledgably and is a very nice and caring man - no ego in sight!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had very good weather for November with temperatures around 21-24 degs and very warm in the sun. Think it would be quite a tough trip if it was much warmer.

Janet D

Reviewed November 2015

Fantastic week with a little of everything

A packed schedule with archaeology/history, food, culture, walking and snorkelling. Note that the walk on Petra second day is quite tough (with some ascent, scrambling and heights not for the vertigo-sufferer) – not to be attempted without walking boots.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the boat trip off Aqaba, and the first reveal of Petra does not disappoint. But that first magical glimpse is a tiny fraction of the Petra archaeological site. The food was pretty good too - especially Tawaheen Alhawa in Amman (but you'd better like hoummus, you'll be seeing a lot of it ;-)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was knowledgeable and resourceful / flexible in adapting the schedule to changes in circumstances.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will need proper walking boots if you are going to attempt the walk on the second day in Petra (they are a pretty good idea for the rough ground around all the archaeological sites anyway). To get to the high places above Petra there is some scrambling, and walking along narrow cliffside paths, but your grip of boot on sandstone is generally good, and there are good natural handholds for the scrambles. If you suffer from vertigo, you may want to think carefully about it! At the Bedouin Camp I would definitely recommend you take a sleeping bag / liner, and mosquito protection which works in your tent, i.e. without electricity (a lot of us were badly bitten) [- if you take mozzie coils you will need the tin so there is no fire hazard to the rush mats on the floor of the tent]. Jordan is not malarial, but our bites made for an uncomfortable last couple of days. Head torch is always good (not only for the camp, but also for peering into dark corners of castles, and the further reaches of the Petra site) - I LOVE a good head torch! If you have the slightest tendency to dry skin, take plenty of body lotion / moisturiser to combat the sandblasting effect of sightseeing in the desert. It is not cheap in Jordan - simple meals in restaurants are quite expensive for what they are - and you'll probably want a [soft] drink which will also be quite expensive - we managed to get through JOD40 per day easily before beer, souvenirs or any other extras.

Michael Johnston

Reviewed November 2015