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.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

5 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Holly Parkinson

Reviewed April 2026

A Magical Experience Which Supports Locals

This journey through Ecuador showcases its dramatic landscapes, unique wildlife, and warm local culture. What makes it especially compelling is the opportunity to experience the country as locals do, staying in locally run accommodations rather than traditional cruises, particularly in the Galapagos, offers a more authentic and often overlooked perspective. The Galapagos feels incredibly safe and close‑knit, with a strong sense of community that stands out alongside the extraordinary wildlife.

Most Inspirational Moment

From the landscapes of Cotopaxi to the incredible hot springs hotel in Papallacta, I loved all of it. The journey then continues to the Galapagos, where it feels as though the islands are run by the wildlife! February is an exceptional time to visit, with newborn sea lion pups appearing all across the islands.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had different trip leaders from the mainland to the Galapagos, where we had an official Galapagos Naturalist Guide take over. They have an extraordinary knowledge of the wildlife, it was fascinating to witness.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be mindful of the wealth disparity between mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos. Accommodation on the islands are generally more basic than on the mainland, reflecting a long history where much tourist revenue has remained with cruise operators rather than local businesses, something that’s visible in the infrastructure, particularly on the less inhabited islands. The islands are significantly more expensive due to strict regulations and the need to import almost everything. I would ask other travellers to be gracious when comparing the two.

Lee Ireland

Reviewed February 2026

Highlights of Ecuador & the Galapagos

Hotels were as expected and in good locations. Tour guides were great and the overall tour well balanced. Always a great experience with knowledgeable tour guides.

Most Inspirational Moment

Virtually everyday was a highlight as everything was different but the Galapagos for the wildlife was my main reason for going.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Estaban and Joed were excellent leaders. Both very knowledgeable about their areas covered and keen for our group to understand as much as we could/wanted to know about the trip and areas. Nothing was ever too much or no questions ever not answered however silly they may have sounded. I would go as far as they that Estaban and Joed were the best 2 tour guides I have had and that includes previous Exodus guides.

Fiona Allan

Reviewed December 2025

Great to explore the Galapagos

This is a very varied trip from the beautiful buildings in Quito to the unique Galápagos Islands. Heights of Cotopaxi to Amazon jungle. It is challenging at times especially on the Amazon jungle walk, this was not an easy stroll through a path in the jungle it was at times very steep and very slippery. Well worth it though to then enjoy the visit to AmaZoonico.
Boat journeys between the Galapagos islands are long especially between San Cristóbal and Floriana. I personally saw no enhancement to the trip in stopping at this island and would have preferred more time on Isabella. Due to boat times there was no real free time to explore this lovely village.
Trip notes are pretty inaccurate and need an overhaul especially the first week.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think visiting the devils cauldron waterfall and going behind the cascade of water, the absolute power of nature is breathtaking. Snorkelling and coming face to face with a playfull sea lion or turtle was pretty amazing

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders one on the mainland who was, I feel, not really up to the job. She was knowledgeable and passionate about her country but organisation and timekeeping was sadly lacking meaning we were mostly late to our destinations cutting any “free” time we had to look about where we were staying. Changes to hotel were not communicated to us prior to arrival, we were disappointed arriving in Banos to find we were staying at a different hotel that did not offer the same facilities as hotel on the trip notes. At the airport she was unaware of current import rules applicable to Galápagos which could have been a disaster for some of the group who had no WiFi connection to allow them to complete customs declaration. In the Galápagos we had Wilson who is a Galápagos guide and was the complete opposite. Kept trip moving to schedule and listened to the needs of the group tweeting the irony where necessary to make the most of out time on the islands. There was a lot of snorkel stops on which Wilson always joined us in the water along with another colleague to ensure none of us encountered any problems whilst in the water.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack for every weather situation. I found a cape was more use than a waterproof jacket especially on the Amazon. Accommodation was in the main basic with the exception of papallacta and Santa Cruz, I do note however the price of this trip has increased considerably so perhaps the standard of accommodation will also improve. I felt the standard of accommodation offered on this trip fell well below the usual exodus “classic” rating. There are plenty of good and reasonably priced restaurants around hotels (except Amazon) most of the hotels we stayed in did not offer evening dining facilities. In Galápagos most of us hired shortie wetsuits which I was grateful for as water was quite cold!

Reply from Exodus

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re very sorry to hear that aspects of your experience on the mainland did not meet your expectations. Daniela, your guide, has led many Exodus trips and is a knowledgeable and capable leader, however, it is disappointing to note that her organisation and communication on this occasion did not meet the expectations you’ve come to expect from Exodus. We apologise for any impact this had on your overall enjoyment and can confirm that your feedback will be shared with the local team to help improve processes and ensure that customers on future trips are better supported.

Regarding the hotel in Baños, we are sorry to hear that Isla de Baños did not meet your expectations. After reviewing this departure, we noted that La Floresta was unfortunately fully booked at the time of your stay. In such situations, we source an alternative hotel of the same category and star rating, which is why Isla de Baños was arranged. Our trip notes do state that listed hotels may be substituted with “or similar,” but we fully recognise that this change should have been communicated to you in advance. We will be reviewing our internal processes to ensure that any future hotel substitutions are clearly and proactively communicated to travellers.

Furthermore, we recognise the challenges you experienced with the new customs declaration requirements at the airport. Although our leaders are provided with updated guidance, the process is still evolving locally and has been causing difficulties for many travellers, especially when WiFi access is limited. We understand how worrying and inconvenient it can be to face unclear procedures at such a crucial stage of the journey, and we are very sorry that this affected your experience. Please be assured that we are monitoring these changes closely with our local partners so we can provide clearer information and better support for future departures.

Thank you once again for sharing such valuable feedback as it plays an important role in helping us strengthen communication, improve consistency, and ensure a more seamless experience for all future travellers.

Holly Parkinson

Exodus Product Manager

Marion Gray

Reviewed November 2025

Highlights of Ecuador & the Galapagos

Amazing trip, excellent guides and very interesting itinerary with so many experiences and amazing wildlife.

Most Inspirational Moment

The wildlife both in Ecuador, for example so many hummingbirds. The Galapagos is something extraordinary and it was a privilege to visit. So glad we were land based as we saw more and enjoyed the towns.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leaders were some of the best I have come across, Etiel was an amazing communicator, story teller and imparted of knowledge and he was very funny! He also inspired us to think about things differently. Janina was lovely, real good communicator, so knowledgeable about the Islands and about the wildlife. She also told us about living there which added an extra dimension. We were so lucky getting them both!!

Amrit Panesar

Reviewed October 2025

Highlights of Ecuador & the Galapagos

Ecuador was truly a holiday of two halves. Mainland Ecuador was beautiful to explore, but the Galápagos was an absolutely unforgettable experience. I could have easily spent two weeks there. The wildlife was incredible, with so much to see and experience. Swimming with large sea turtles was a real highlight, and I still can’t quite believe it happened. Watching the birds, playful sea lions, sharks, and iguanas up close felt completely surreal. It would have been nice to see Kicker Rock, but I understand that sightings of hammerhead sharks can be hit or miss. I did feel, however, that the physical rating for this trip wasn’t entirely accurate. It was listed as Easy to Moderate, but I think it should be highlighted more clearly as closer to a level 2 to 3. Our group included a mix of ages, four under 50 and the rest over 60, and many found the hiking, snorkelling, and walking over uneven volcanic rock quite challenging. Despite that, everyone was an absolute joy to travel with, such a great group. The guides were fantastic, but Richard, our Galápagos guide, truly stood out. From the moment we arrived, he made us feel welcome in his home country. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and great sense of humour made every day special, and by the end of the trip, we felt like one big family. Richard’s organisation was exceptional. His daily updates and schedules on WhatsApp kept everyone informed, and he shared wonderful group photos, wildlife pictures, and videos throughout the trip. We always felt safe with him, especially during snorkelling excursions. He was constantly smiling, approachable, and full of positive energy. He even ended the trip with a thoughtful gesture, gifting each of us a Galápagos Islands fridge magnet, which was such a lovely touch. Overall, an absolutely outstanding trip and experience truly unforgettable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Snorkelling with Sea turtles. Watching the sea lions, the "stray dogs" of the islands. The giant tortoises.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leaders were great, but Richard was truly exceptional. Then again, the Galápagos Islands have that special effect on you.