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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14451 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Diana Rybinski

Reviewed November 2015

A thoroughly enjoyable holiday

This was my first Exodus holiday and my first solo holiday. The programme was just what I hoped with interesting walks, some visits to ancient sites and sea kayaking. The scenery and weather were fantastic and the food was very good. Our group of 14 people got on well together and the hard work of the guide made sure we were very well looked after.

Most Inspirational Moment

Without doubt the sea kayaking. The two of us were complete novices but after an embarrassing start we managed well and felt safe with 2 guides to help us and a support boat nearby. Paddling over the sunken city was a great experience and then on to the small village where we had an excellent buffet lunch and climbed up to the castle. Another memorable occasion was our visit to the ancient city of Arykanda where the enthusiastic local guide showed us round and then took us to his house where his wife had prepared a lovely buffet lunch mainly from their own produce including cheese and yoghurt from their goats.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Turget was a brilliant guide. He genuinely seemed to want us all to have a great holiday and worked hard to ensure that we did. He communicated really well, had an excellent knowledge of the area and I feel I learnt a lot about the country and people. He listened to us and was flexible and changed things if necessary. We felt safe at all times and appreciated the way he found interesting restaurants for us in the evening and made individual arrangements on request.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a few steep sections and for some people, the crossing of the bridge on the aqueduct could be scary. Poles are useful. Rooms near the breakfast room and stairs can be noisy.

Mervyn Kohler

Reviewed November 2015

Uzbekistan Uncovered

This was well planned and organised, and very satisfactory. The variety, with city explorations plus trips to the desert fortresses and into the desert to stay in yurts, was a good idea, but entailed a lot of time spent in the bus driving over indifferent roads. Hard to avoid that, but the journeys used a lot of time. The advance notes were adequate, but incremental changes had been inserted and noted, some of which conflicted with the earlier text, but the whole document had not been adjusted and edited to create a clear narrative (about the details and practicalities, such as liability for a departure airport tax). The local leadership was excellent and might be worth more emphasis – it was a 24/7 service whilst I certainly expected to be relying on my own resources much more. The hotels were generally good (even the Uzbekistan in Tashkent had no hot water on day one, and the loos in Bukhara were somewhat smelly). The airline trip was really uncomfortable in both directions – London to Tashkent direct might only be possible with Uzbekistan Airlines, which is a plus, but the seating and the service – the food – was quite dreadful.

Most Inspirational Moment

I went for the architecture, and got it in spades. Bokhara's Poi Kalyon was a high point, until we got to Samarkand's Registan Square. Came home very satisfied!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilshot was magnificent. Sympathetic, knowledgeable, totally in charge; he led the group with light-touch certainty and firmness. He rose to every problem that arose. He led us round a comprehensive but still manageable itinerary which otherwise would have made navigating the richness of Khiva, Bokhara and Samarkand much more difficult. He provided comprehensive background information, plus personal insights which added valuable illumination. He helped us around meal options and hard Uzbeki menus - serious practical issues.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You could spend years in this part of central Asia, but this tour captures the best bits and crystallizes them. Unless you want to put in the years, this is the overview and experience you wanted in a holiday trip.

Elizabeth Morgan

Reviewed November 2015

Essential Peru

This trip covered the essential, well known attractions in Peru, but didn’t prepare me for all the fantastic sights that I hadn’t anticipated. Although the journeys from one location to another could be quite lengthy, the scenery was outstanding, from the desert and sand dunes of the coast to the impressive Andes mountain range. There was always something to see and then of course the very special treat of walking in the footsteps of the Inca at Machu Picchu. Wow!

Most Inspirational Moment

Having seen pictures of Machu Picchu for years and thinking I knew what it would be like to be there - it surpassed all my expectations. Seeing the condors launching themselves off the cliffs and soaring effortlessly on the morning thermals.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Leo, worked tirelessly on our behalf. He sorted out the problems that were thrown his way in an extremely professional manner and ensured we got the most out of our trip. His English was excellent and he had a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A lot of people worry about whether they might suffer from altitude sickness, but the way in which this trip is organised means that you are able to gradually acclimatize before getting to Machu Picchu. The hotels and the buses we used also had oxygen available for anyone who was feeling any effects. Everyone on our trip was able to visit all the high altitude locations.

Evelyn Alpert

Reviewed November 2015

Madagascar Discoverer

I loved this trip and would even rate it as excellent, but future travelers need to understand that Madagascar is a third, possibly 4th world country. So there are, as some others have said, days of long drives on bad roads and heavy dust, and days with limited electricity, but it is all worth it to discover the beauty of Madagascar and its wildlife and people. This is a fascinating place, albeit being slowly destroyed, and my hope is that her future can be secured by people interested enough to tour there.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are just too many to list: reaching the top of the Tsingy ( and I recommend an even earlier start than we did), sunset and sunrise over Isalo, snorkeling off Ifaty, the ring-tailed lemurs, having the entire beach to myself in Morondava, Lemur island (which is just too much fun to have the lemurs so up close and personal), swimming in the natural piscine after a long hike, Baobab alley, and on and on!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sol was unequivocally the absolute best. He is patient with everyone, answers every question you might pose (or finds the answer for you if he doesn't know), has the greatest smile known to man, and his love for his country comes through in every thing he shares with the group. I can't imagine having done this trip with anyone else!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long, hot, dusty days of driving. But use them to look at the countryside and the people and enjoy the scenery. Bring quick drying, moisture wicking clothes, and listen to Sol when he tells you how much water you will need!

Serena Wilson

Reviewed November 2015

Walking in Puglia and Basilicata

Beautiful scenery, fascinating history and cultural influences, great mix of touring and walking and fantastic food. This part of Southern Italy was a revelation which our guide, Nino, introduced us to with great knowledge and enthusiasm. Each day was wonderful with the big highlight being Matera at the end of the week. I would recommend this trip to anybody.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the caves and Rupestrian churches in Matera.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nino was a knowledgeable, enthusiastic and extremely flexible guide who couldn't do enough for us and made wonderful recommendations about where to eat and what to visit in our free time. His ability to put together a pic nic which we all shared on our walk to the caves was fantastic. I very much enjoyed meeting Nino and his enthusiasm for the history and current way of life in Puglia and Basilicata was infectious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be intimidated by the walks if you are "not a walker" - they are easily doable for somebody with average fitness.

James Newcomb

Reviewed November 2015

A WEEK IN JORDAN

Activities were very good, and our guide was able to offer much in the way of useful guidance/information. However, don’t set your expectations too high, with respect to the three star hotels that Exodus will select. Our experience, not least in Amman, was that hotels were poor in terms of bathroom facilities and electrics and, in some cases, breakfast arrangements were not great either. This aspect of the holiday was generally disappointing and below prior standards experienced on Exodus trips. Finally, my wife’s baggage did not arrive in Amman (left at Heathrow) and although this was not a direct fault of Exodus, their representative in Jordan asked my wife to pay $100 to have the bag brought to Petra. It had arrived on the Royal Jordanian flight the evening following our arrival, but no one got it to us prior to leaving the hotel in Amman, for Petra.. She refused to pay the $100 and the bag did eventually arrive in Petra – free of charge – on day three.

Most Inspirational Moment

The two days in Petra - not least the High Places walk on day two.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Generally very good, though at times communication could have been sharper.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ask Exodus what hotels they will be booking you into and think very carefully about any stay at Le Vendome in Amman. I would not return to it if asked to.

Paul Mcgovern

Reviewed October 2015

paul mcgovern

Our trip to the Picos was nothing short of sensational. I had no idea such breathtaking scenery was available in Northern Spain. Every walk was different and inspirational.

Most Inspirational Moment

The climb to Pandescura peak was amazing and to be at eye level with the Griffon vultures was humbling. The walk in the Cares Gorge was a real adrenlin buzz.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was an outstanding group leader . Knowledge, empathy and fitness were all brilliant. Noyhing was too much trouble and all were treated equally. 10 out of 10.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Martin Christlieb

Reviewed October 2015

Mount Toubkal - nearly winter!

This was a great trip a real adventure. I have done little if any Winter Walking, and climbing a big hill in the snow was amazing,

Most Inspirational Moment

Realising that I had made it and hadn't suffered from the altitude.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hichan was very good. Competant, confident, and calm. very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get yourself some winter boots for this. The trip notes don't really stress this enough. I had pretty good Mindl Boots with a good stiff sole, but they weren't really a good enough platform to cope with serious ice. We made it up Toubkal ok in snow, but the day after, the ice was very bad and my boots bent at the ball of the foot and made walking on ice very hard work. My local outdoor shop were very happy to fit a c1 crampon to my boots and tell me they were ok. It was a rather marginal piece of advice.

Suzanne Carp

Reviewed October 2015

Interesting break, lots of downhill

This was our first time to Cyprus, and it was a great experience. The walks were not challenging, but there was plenty of downhill. We had a great group which added to the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

We really enjoyed the views from Buffavento and Kantara Castles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gulie (apologies for spelling) was very enthusiastic. It was a shame she wasn't at the airport or hotel to meet us on arrival, it made for a rather shaky start to the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for downhill. Most days we drove out to a castle or sightseeing point up in the mountains, and then walked back towards the coast. Great scenery, but you'll feel it in your calf muscles. Also, take some Euros for the airport in Larnaca. Being in southern Cyprus, they don't accept Turkish Lira.

Lee Thorne

Reviewed October 2015

Whirlwind Tour!!

This trip offers an interesting overview as to what Morocco has to offer. It gives the visitor a brief but rewarding experience of the desert region to the south, the High Atlas region and a glimpse of city life in Marrakech. With this aim in mind I think it succeeds. You should be prepared for some long drives, the longest being around six hours. However these are broken up by lunch breaks, short stops at scenic locations and visits to historical sites which are quite interesting. The food and lodgings on this trip exceeded my expectations, the standard was much higher than expected. I would recommend this trip for those who want an introduction to Morocco.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, the camel ride out into the desert and sleeping under the stars! Tents are provided but you do not have to use them. A group of us slept on mattresses on the sand just outside of the camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khalid is an excellent guide, very experienced,knowledgeable and intelligent. You couldn't really ask for better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry about currency, you will have plenty of opportunity to get it on arrival. Of the eleven in the group only one had currency brought from outside. A sleeping bag is not necessary, blankets are provided in the desert camp. I took a bag liner and only used it once, it wasn't really necessary either. Wet wipes are a good idea, there is no washing water in the desert camp. Don't change too much money at once, wait until you get to Marrakech for the big spends, the money changers there are the best. Haggle,haggle, haggle at all market stalls. The Yves saint laurent garden is highly over- rated, find something else to do! Marrakech is great for street photography, especially in the market areas.

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