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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14440 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Mark Brissette

Reviewed January 2015

Patagonian Highlights (AAA) Jan 2015

A great trip. Patagonia is a large area but this trip hits the highlights- Fitzroy, Petito Moreno glacier, Torres del Paines NP, and Ushuaia. The minibus trips from El Calafate to Torres del Paine (1 day) and from TdP and Ushuaia (2 days) are long but there are stops for pictures, short walking, food so not too bad. Our group agreed that hikes should be considered as moderate- both have parts that aren’t bad but both have parts that are steep and rocky so more challenging.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Mt Fitzroy and the Torres del Paine for the first time. The boat trip on Beagle Channel. Petito Moreno glacier calving ice. Also the group we had was fantastic and clicked very well. They were very supportive of everyone on the more challenging portions of the treks. The group made the trip even more special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Xavier was great! Arrangements were flawless, needs were met, and he always was available for issues. One member of our group become ill and had to go home and Xavier took care of everything. If you get Xavier as your leader, you will be very happy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for changeable weather. Parts of the hikes (treks) are moderate so make sure you are prepared physically for them. If those parts are too challenging, you can always stop and go back down and wait for the group to continue the hike (trek). Taking it slow is no problem. Local currency and US dollars are taken almost everywhere for optional trips and food. For taxis in Buenos Aires, use local currency. When leaving Argentina, if you depart from Ezeiza International Airport, arrive earlier than normal at home as check in can be a bit slow.

Ian Edgar

Reviewed January 2015

Backroads of Sri Lanka Review

Superbly varied trip, based around fairly tough cycling but also includes temples, beaches, wildlife and great chances to meet the locals. One or 2 of the hotels are quite basic, but the clue is in the title – you’re out in the sticks so occasionally have to make do without some facilities. Saying that most hotels were excellent.
The people were extremely welcoming, the food excellent and so overall it was a great value holiday. I will definitely go back

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed all the World Heritage Sites, especially Lion Rock at Sirigaya, but also got a great sense of achievement in completing the hill day up to Nurawa Eliya and the long day down from Ella in 35C heat !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh Baranda was excellent, very attentive and knowledgeable. He fixed any issue really quickly and clearly had the respect of all the hotels and the three man back-up team. He was very clear on each day's cycle and set a balanced pace to ensure we all could complete every day I rated him 10/10 on the local evaluation form which says it all

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some training if you get chance - the middle 3 days are tough and you'll probably enjoy it more if you get a bit fitter

Caroline Merrifield

Reviewed January 2015

Cross country skiing in Dobiacco

This is the 7 th time we have done cross country skiing in Dobiacco, as we love the Dolomite scenery and the extensive choice of trails. Unfortunately this time there was no snow in Dobiacco! However, our leader had researched available areas of snow for us, so we were able to ski every day.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cross country skiing along white ribbons of loipe meandering through green meadows, surrounded by mountains. - most unusual! We also travelled to a high area, to ski in sparkling snow fields under an intense blue sky.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex planned our holiday very well despite the lack of snow. He found snow for us every day! He was a friendly leader, with lots of interesting tales to tell of his adventures.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are unlucky enough to have insufficient snow for skiing, don't worry. Dobiacco and the surrounding area is still beautiful without snow, and there are endless possibilities for excellent walks. Take your camera! After a days skiing, I recommend a delicious Italian ice cream and a hot chocolate (really thick!) in the cafe opposite, then a swim in the hotel pool.

Rosemary LEIPER

Reviewed January 2015

Trails of New Zealand

Covered the highlights of the whole of New Zealand in a three week marathon trip! Hit all the major spots of the whole country which of course means many long hours of driving (3000 miles!) but worth it. Managed as well to fit in special things for us on free days so best of both worlds.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots of highlights including jet boat on matukituki, Maori evening with hungi, Mount Cook on a clear crisp day, breakfast at Cherry May's in Wanaka, kayaking at Milford Sound under rain laden clouds and amazing waterfalls, thermal pools at Rotorua in technicolour and of course seeing kiwi's even if in a wildlife sanctuary..... to name a few!!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Helen and Ian complemented one another . Both so enthusiatic and delighted to share their experiances and knowledge of their home country with us all. Nothing too much trouble from cooking us breakfast to sorting out requests for things to do on our free days ..and supporting me at Christchurch Park Run on last day!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect to be jetlagged if coming from UK . Accomodation was exellent with laundry facilities so I took far too much! The accomodation was far from basic and in most cases execelent with cooking facilities ( including fridge) in all the Motels which means you can go to supermarket and eat in if you want for a change with nice bottle of New Zealand wine. Price in supermarkets on a par with UK in most cases.

Nicola Ward

Reviewed January 2015

Discover Costa Rica

This was a very good trip. We had a very nice group of like minded people, an excellent tour leader, beautiful varied scenery, very nice lodges and so much to see in the way of animals, birds and plants. The included meals were all very good and the walks were not too long. I am so glad I went. Another great Exodus trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Costa Rica has a strong conservation policy and protected areas make up almost 27% of the country. We traveled around much of the country and were priveleged to see so many animals, birds and plants living in unspoilt areas of outstanding natural beauty. I went zipwiring and as we were waiting to be collected at the end someone dropped his helmet into some shrubs. He went to retrieve it but one of the young guys who was in charge shouted to him not to as he would tread on the plants. I won't forget that. Costa Rica has a young generation educated to look after what is so precious. That is hope for the future.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He is an experienced and knowledgeable tour leader who assessed the group and got it just right. He knows a great deal about the bird and plant life. We also learned a lot about life in Costa Rica but he had the skill to not be talking all the time so I could take it all in.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Learn a little Spanish as it adds to the holiday experience to say a few words, although English is widely spoken or understood. Have some money handy each day for small tips which are much appreciated. Staff are hard working and friendly.

Allan and Gill Edgcumbe

Reviewed January 2015

A wonderful week far from the madding crowd at Base Camp OulankaY

A really enjoyable week, full of adventures and learning new skills like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, wilderness skills such as fire lighting, first aid and building and sleeping in a snow hole (quinzee), and also riding on a snowmobile and dogsledding.
It is a great idea to provide a number of optional things to do, in addition to the basic itinerary, so that we could tailor the activities we wanted to take part in according to our wishes.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, the most awe inspiring moment was driving a team of huskies up through the snowy forest and reaching the highest point and seeing the sun glinting on the tree tops, it was magical.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were absolutely delighted with our team leader, Martti. He is extremely knowledgeable and such a caring person who always had a smile on his face and was more than willing to go that extra mile to ensure that everybody in our group had a great holiday. When my wife fell and hurt herself he went out of his way to visit us in our accommodation, later the same day to ensure that she was OK. All the base camp team were friendly and a credit to their organisation.

Advice for Potential Travellers

No need to take too much with you as three layers of protective clothing was supplied together with three pairs of gloves/mittens, socks, belt, a beanie hat and a head torch. We stayed overnight in a hotel at Gatwick and used the Thomson day before check-in service, which closes at 2200 hrs. Glad we did as we found out that my wife and I were allocated separate seats, disappointingly, however, the Thomson team kindly changed our seats for us -something for Exodus to consider for the future as were unable to book in online due to the block booking.

Celia Harrison

Reviewed January 2015

Cycling three countries

Cycling trip starting in Thailand via Cambodia to Vietnam. Culture stops at Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh and Saigon. The cycling was back to front with long distances at the start of the trip when I (this was only me, I think!) was struggling to adjust to the high (37 degree) temperatures. It was always possible to stop riding and take the bus, but I didn’t feel good about it. I did enjoy the trip immensely once I’d acclimatised and loved the stops at Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh and Saigon. The quality of hotels in these places was really good, too. Would do this trip again in a heartbeat.

Most Inspirational Moment

Affecting, rather than inspirational, were the Killing Fields and S21 Prison in Phnom Penh. I'm still thinking about it and reading what I can to make sense of the senselessmess of it. I was very proud of myself the day I managed all the cycling and completed a distance of 82km. This was the best group I've travelled with on Exodus: everyone was so nice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chai was the most organised group leader I've come across on an Exodus trip (I've been on more than ten). His belief in communication as the most important aspect of managing a group describes the essence of his approach. He engaged with all 18 of us, was professional, knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend time with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do this trip. I used Tahi Baht in Thailand and US dollars in Cambodia and Vietnam: this worked well. The hire bikes have drink holders, so bring a flask rather than a backpack bladder (less hot to carry). A loose shirt to wear over the top of a cycling vest/shirt is very useful (sun, modesty, etc). As a diabetic and vegetarian, I needed to avoid the rehydration salts and brought Marmite and V8 to compensate. There are very good veggie restaurants in Siem Reap and Saigon.

Steve Platt

Reviewed January 2015

Fantastic Finland Wilderness Week

A fantastic week.

Great team at the hotel made us feel very welcome. Maarti was a great guy and everyone was always smiling. Anika v helpful too.

Good food (thanks Teddy) and great mixture of activities. Lovely location about 100 metres walk down to the (frozen) lake. Cabins were always warm with heated floor in the bathroom meaning you could dry things out or warm things up. It was obviously pretty cold but the gear provided mostly kept you warm, except toes on the husky trips.

Most Inspirational Moment

First snowshoe trip was great as was the first husky trip. Wilderness skills including igloo building was a fun day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Maart was a great group leader. Unassuming, helpful, knowledgeable and friendly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When they say all the clothing is provided, it really is. I took way too much cold-weather gear. You only really need to take a thermal layer. I'd take hand/feet warmers and a balaclava though.

Thomas Jennings

Reviewed January 2015

Recommended but lots of driving

All in all, a good way to get orientated with a highlights reel of southern Patagonia’s best bits. Which are surely right up there with the world’s most spectacular scenery. Be aware, however, that in an area as huge as Patagonia, there are some seriously long drives required to get between the various scenic hotspots and not a great deal of free time between. Although these journeys never seemed to drag too badly due to the epic scenery passing by outside the bus windows and were offset by the days hiking in various National Parks. All in all, a really good trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the majestic Fitzroy Massif rising magically above the barren Patagonian Steppe as we drove away from El Calafate and towards El Chalten. I'd waited decades to see this sight for myself and the weather gods smiled, to put it mildly, so it more than exceeded my impossibly high expectations. The Beagle Channel penguin colony was also a delight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Xavier was great, one of the best tour leaders I have ever had. Constantly cheerful and relaxed, nothing was too much trouble and he made an effort to acquaint us with important Argentine traditions including asado and his constant mate drinking.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring some good books and one of those inflatable travel pillows for the number of long bus journeys involved. Also worth packing your trekking poles if you have them as some of the walks whilst not too tough do feature some slightly tricky trails at times.

Thomas Robson

Reviewed January 2015

morocco delights

A very interesting tour. Lots of diversity. Great guide with us .

Most Inspirational Moment

The camel ride to our desert camp. It was nearly sunset on the on our 1 hour journey by camel . The scenes and colours were amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yaya was a good guide always there to help without being over powering.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in December or in Morocco's winter take plenty warm clothes for day and night. The walks can be quite rugged and difficult so wear walking boots for support. Take plenty dina when you arrive as sometimes banks and exchanges were not always open.

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