Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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14440 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Arran Ellis
Reviewed May 2015
3 Amazing weeks in India Nepal
3 weeks packed with so much to do and see. I have no idea how Exodus can make any profit from this trip. True value for money! In summary if you do the trip and the excursion it works out to be 3 holidays in 1. 1st week, the wonders of Delhi, Agra & Japur. Our driver Amir was brilliant and took us wherever we wanted. We also met 3 very knowledgeable guides who provided guidance while visiting the Taj Mahal, Agra, The Amber Fort and Japur. Our hotels during this part of the trip where excellent.
The 2nd part of our trip was Darjeeling & the Singalila Ridge, where we met our new treking friends. The trek was led by Jospal & Suntos a local guide from Darjeeling. What these two did not know about the the mountains and local community was not worth knowing. We had some wet and windy weather but I always felt they had our best intrests in mind. We did get views of Kanchenjunga which was the icing on the cake for me. The tents we used where adiquate and the trek chef never let the side down and produced some of the nicest food I have ever tasted whilst on a trek not to mention a few restaurants I have visited. The days varied in length and variety. I was one of the youngest on the trek at 42 and found the undulating ridge fine. Our oldest member of the trek was 70 and like me plodded with the odd steep section slowing us down. If your relatively fit and healthy you’ll be fine. No need to start running marathons to sign up. And certainly do not let age get in the way. The pace was always slow and steady to enjoy the views, banter, and rhododendrons. I chose to do this trip in April May to get the best advantage of catching the various colours of plant life. As it turned out it was by chance Budda’s Birthday and a full moon during the trek, so whilst staying in small villages from time to time there was always some festivity happening.
The 3rd and final part of our experience was what I would call the Jeep Rural Safari. We left Darjeeling after visiting the Mountaineering Intitute where climbers and sherpa’s train to climb mountains such as Everest and lead treks and plumited down in altitude driving past massive tea plantations. Where we stopped and visited the tea pickers and farmers. Then onto Sikkim, different from the Darjeeling Region. More Westernised in my opinion, industrial along the river and lots of schools and universities. We stayed in Gangtok and visited a wonderful monestry and had some time to look around ourselves. The drive to Kalingpong took us back out Sikkim and back into the Dajeeling Region where we climed in our jeeps to see wonderful views of the local foothills of the Himilaya. We stayed at the Himalayan Hotel. The same hotel Malory, Irvine, Hillary and Tenzing stayed in prior to going to Everest. This was by far my favourite hotel of the whole trip! Ooozing with character and history. A wee drive to the train station then an overnight train to Calcutta, where we said goodbye to the jeeps and Santos. Calcutta was amazing! We had time to do a whistle stop tour of the city in time for some of us to go to a 20/20 Cricket match to see the Calcutta Night Riders v The Punjab Kings. Such an experience. The stadium was packed with 60-70,000 supporters. This was our last day, so we went to a rooftop restaurant which was a special place to say goodbye to our new friends before parting our ways and going home.
I know this was to be a summary but there was too much to tell.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing Kanchenjunga in all its splendor once the clouds moved on, on our final morning on the ridge. Magical.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jospal & Santos where truely amazing! Very very helpful, approachable, flexable. There English was better than mine! You want these guys on your trek!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Prepare for some wet days depending on the time of year you go. Dont skimp on decent waterproofs. Some of the team had Poncho's which seemed to provide the best solution to staying dry. I went April May and a 3 season sleeping bag wearing thermals where fine. Drinking water whilst treking can get boreing. Take energy tablets or condensed juce pods to add to your bottles in the morning. Some of the team had metal bottles which proved useful at night to stick in you sleeping back as a makeshift hot water bottle. Bring an open mind and a sense of humour!!!!!
Marian Sears-Carter
Reviewed May 2015
Essential Peru
The trip is very busy with long days and several early starts but it is worth it. You see so much of Peru and each region has its own personality.
Most Inspirational Moment
The mountains. The drive to Cuzco was especially moving what with the mountains bracketing the roadway towering up into the sky above.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Cesar was excellent! He was detail oriented and attentive to everyone's requests.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The altitude takes getting used to. I was focused on the altitude effects at Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca but didn't pay proper attention to the altitude effects from the journey to Cuzco, where you are over 12,000 feet ASL for two days and over 15,000 feet ASL for a day. It takes approximately 6-7 days to get used to the altitude and you need to manage your body.
The viewing platform at the Nazca lines does not provide sufficient scope to truly experience them. My wife and I paid the USD125.00 for the airplane ride over the Nazca lines and this vastly improved our appreciation of them. However, since we went in early afternoon, when the sun was strongest, it was sometimes difficult to see the lines in the light colored sand. If possible, take the flight either early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun's rays are not as direct.
Michael Murray
Reviewed May 2015
Cycle Indochina
AN AWESOME TRIP COVERING 3 COUNTRIES IN ASIA
Most Inspirational Moment
First site of Angkor Wat
Thoughts on Group Leader
Is was outstanding, caring, very safety concerned, infomative and well organised.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Travel light, temperatures were between 35-38C. Take your own saddle and clips.
Michelle Madrigga
Reviewed May 2015
Wonderful mix of nature and culture!
I went on this trip in April/May 2015, which is the best time for viewing the rhododendrons but may not be the best time for views of the mountains. We were, however, lucky enough to get some great views of the mountains at the highest camp!
The trek was not overly difficult or too strenuous but the first couple of days did have some rain so make sure to bring quick drying clothes and enough warm items to wear in the camps in the evenings as clothes may not dry before the next day. Trekking poles came in handy on some of the downhill sections but were not essential. The nights did get quite cool so a three season sleeping bag is ideal.
The cook and camp staff were fantastic and always made sure there was plenty of food and hot beverages. I really enjoyed the hot juices at the end of the day’s trek – a great way to warm up!
The second half of the trip to Sikkim was equally excellent and the jeep rides were a great way to see the countryside. I did not think the time on the road was too long compared to other trips I have done. I think the longest day was about 4 or 5 hours. The jeep drivers were excellent and I never felt unsafe at any point, despite the rather narrow roads and signs of past landslides.
Gangtok was a beautiful town, which was clean and quite green. The hotel was excellent and a welcome retreat after the trek. The overnight train from Siliguri to Calcutta was a pleasant experience, despite a bit of a fistfight in the section next to ours.
I was not expecting much from Calcutta but was also pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness of the streets and friendliness of the people.
Prior to the trip I did the Kashmir extension, which was a great way to adjust to the time zone and relax for a few days before the more hectic pace of the trip. The people were very friendly and Lake Dal was beautiful. The houseboat we stayed on was first rate and the guide and boat staff were fantastic.
An amazing trip all around!
Most Inspirational Moment
Having 4 of the 5 tallest mountains revealed to us through the mist and fog at the last opportunity during the trek. Definitely a mood changer for the group after a few days of rain, cold and mist.
Being pleasantly surprised with Gangtok and Calcutta.
The friendliness of the people we encountered on the trip and the chance to learn more about the many different religions, regions and foods of northern India.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Chosphel was excellent - always well organized and pleasant. The Nepal earthquake occurred during our trip and we even encountered a small aftershock in Darjeeling. Despite this, Chosphel ensured our trip ran smoothly and remained positive throughout. During the trek he arranged for us to spend one night in a lodge after a day of non-stop rain, which had made the planned campsite a muddy mess.
Santos led us on the trek and he was always upbeat, positive and made sure the group was doing okay. He provided great local insight to the region.
The cooks, pony boys and jeep drivers were all excellent and friendly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Definitely bring a warm sleeping bag and plenty of rain gear as well as enough warm clothes to keep you comfortable at night. Also ensure to bring large plastic bags to seal your clothes and sleeping bag during the trek as, if there are heavy rains, stuff may get wet during the pony transport.
Mary Strachan
Reviewed May 2015
treasures of sicily
This was my first group holiday and it was a wonderful experience. It was organised so well and we saw Sicily in all its beauty. the group got on very well together which as a solo traveller was good for me. It was a wonderful introduction to this island and I would love to return and take my time in various parts of it. The food and wine were excellent and cheaper than any of us expected.
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved noto with its baroque architecture.
I love the sea and the countryside and found Mount Etna and the nature reserve very inspiring.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Salvo was very knowledgeable about nature and plants so all visits to Mount Etna and the countryside were very interesting. His organisational skills are very good and he is very good at answering questions. He was very helpful in suggesting restaurants to us and we enjoyed his suggestions for food and wine. In smaller places he arranged
that we stop at a delicatessen for food for lunch which worked very well.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The temperature was abnormally high for early May so make sure you bring all the sun protectors advised,
Karen Frey
Reviewed May 2015
Hiking the Amalfi Coast
Bomerano is a peaceful, charming village. I enjoyed the stay there very much. The week was tiring, but worth the effort. The whole area was beautiful, and the hikes took us to a good variety of places. Exodus had everything organized very well, and they were extremely helpful in preparing for the trip, booking, paying, and conducting the tour. I was pleased with Exodus as a company.
I had some issues with the hotel (see below) but otherwise the trip was great.
Most Inspirational Moment
The hikes, the boat ride, walking around the outskirts of Bomerano on my own.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Christine was a very dedicated group leader. She made sure all of our details were in order and that we were well-informed about logistics, plans, and preparations. She provided information about the culture and how to get along and get around in the area. She led our hikes at an appropriate pace and was helpful in every way.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The hikes are quite difficult. I was not expecting them to be so taxing. Long hikes, up and down mountains. I would suggest changing the rating of the hikes in the brochure to moderate-difficult.
Take a hot water pot and your own teabags if you drink tea,
Shaan Devnani
Reviewed May 2015
Well taken care of
A great trip. Camping is extremely comfortable with the team doing all the work in terms of putting up and taking down the tents, cooking and so on. Food is great. Get the experience of being amongst nature without the work (except for the trekking), in effect. Really enjoyed the snow (which was there in May) and using ice axes and crampons for the first time.
Most Inspirational Moment
Looking out over the Sahara from the peak of Mt Toubkal - knowing its vastness as it receded into the distance was special
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very attentive to the welfare of the group, which was important given the wide variety of abilities though light on contextual information about the history of the area, etc., which would have been welcome if available
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do the optional climb on the day after the Mt Toubkal ascent - it will be your last opportunity to trek somewhere spectacular on the trip and, while your inclination will be to relax, fight it as the experience will be far more memorable than the relaxation you gave up for it.
Take ear plugs even if you are a deep sleeper, as you never know how intensely someone you may be sharing a room with snores (also, the wind blowing against the tent at a couple of camps disturbed some).
Paul Pritchard
Reviewed May 2015
Walk awhile in Andalucia
A very good opportunity to walk in an unspoilt part of Andalucia from a converted farmhouse base where the staff will look after you very well.
Most Inspirational Moment
Unexpectedly walking the first section of the Caminito del Rey while in El Chorro Gorge and then having lunch over looking the Gorge while watching the vultures.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alexis was an excellent group leader, he gave the appropriate amount of information about each day's walk at the evening briefings. He was always discreetly attentive to the whole group and provided lots of interesting information about the area as we walked.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Cortijo Rosario has wifi in the bar area.
Some of the trails are rough so walking boots are advised or well soled walking shoes.
The evening meal on the first night is a cold buffet at 8 pm so have some snacks with you or eat a good lunch if possible.
Karen Cheesman
Reviewed May 2015
Camino de Santiago
A challenging trip with many hills & steep descents but very enjoyable.
Most Inspirational Moment
There was a huge amount of satisfaction at finishing the ride & cycling into Santiago together as a group.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose & Javier were excellent & very attentive, nothing was too much trouble for them.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you are fit before undertaking this trip.
Sharon Graham
Reviewed May 2015
Discover the Baltics
Three countries in twelve days gives you a taste of the culture and life across these Baltic States. The small changes as you move from one to the other are evident but also the sense of unity shared by these countries was evidwent.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the pride in an elderly man I photographed at the Freedom Monument in Riga at the celebration of Restoration of Independence day, and the same emotion about Europe Day at the sound of the European Anthem expressed by our guide Lolita. That tune will always remind me of the trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lolita had a smile to greet us every day that never waned in our presence. Her knowledge and enthusiasm was outstanding. Her tolerance of our behaviour with a large group of varied people was commendable.
