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!

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Reviews

Reviewed January 2012

CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA AND PANAMA

A truly great holiday – the biking built up at just the right pace, some really amazing sights, the people along the way were lovely and the accomodation very good.  I can’t recommend this trip enough.

Most Inspirational Moment

The hot springs were amazing - the live volcano was something I've never seen before (nor again).  overall, the wildlife was such an unexpected delight, cycling being almost silent mean't we'd past the frequent spectacular sights rarely even startling anything.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kevin was absolutely excellent - I would not hesitiate to recommend him and hope to travel with him again.

Advice for Potential Travellers

On a very practical level I started to take a change of clothes onto the bus for the early afternoon drive onto the sights rather than sitting in slightly damp cycling gear.

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Reviewed January 2012

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

We were so lucky! The best group ever! Excellent weather, beautiful countryside, beautiful people, great food!Fantastic cycling. Some challenging days followed by the reward of long down hills! Best trip so far.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Sri Lankan people (including an army convoy) waving and cheering us on!Seeing Leopards (three), elephants, crocodiles and lots more on safari. Whales(six) and about a thousand dolphins! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter and the whole team were great.Peters knowledge of the country, animals etc is amazing. Saresh and his map! The speed of AK!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try and get some cycling in before hand as there are a couple of days of challenging climbs.The food service in the hotel in Kandy was rubbish (2 hours and no food). Go to the pub at the bottom of the driveway. The beer is also cheaper.If you do the day of the big climb when there is a full moon make sure you buy any beer etc the day before as it can't be sold on full moon. We had tea!In the Hill Club don't order sparkling water. It will cost more than your meal! 

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Reviewed January 2012

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST - Moonstone trek

This was my second holiday with Exodus and something I had been considering for some time and never booked it, I am so glad I did as it was an excellent trip. Everything was very well organised for us throughout the whole trip, which meant we did not have to worry about anything. You get a full and divers perspective of Peru all of which was extremely enjoyable. The group I was with was really good and we all got on well, the Jungle was an unforgettable experience and the scenery on the moonstone trek was just amazing. I can highly recommend doing the Moonstone trek as an alternative to the standard Inca trail.

Most Inspirational Moment

It would be difficult to pick just the one moment! The Amazon rainforest was a great experience and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the jungle on the nature walks seeing all of the different animals and creatures that live there.  Reaching the top of the Accoccosa Pass on the Moonstone trek was amazing and well worth the effort. The views when on the tops of the mountains were incredible and we did not see a single tourist for the whole trek J

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Fabrico was really good, well organized and made all of our arrangements for us sorting everything out making our two weeks trouble free. He also looked after us well, and made sure we remembered to drink plenty of water and to put sunscreen/ insect repellent on. The local guides should also get praise. Emerson and Hugo in the rainforest were great and spotted all sorts of insects and animals we would have walked right passed. Even a 6m anaconda when we were canoeing on the lake.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I can highly recommend doing the moonstone trek as an alternative to the Inca Trail; there are no real restriction of your luggage weight as it is carried by horses. The views when on the top of the mountains are amazing and we did not see a single tourist for the whole trek. Prior to getting to Macho Picchu you can book the Wayna Picchu mountain trail. The Climb is a bit of a hard slog but well worth the views at the top looking out over Machu Picchu (assuming the weather is good). It takes about 2 – 2 ½ hours to do the full loop including the Great Cave. Machu Pichu - best to opt for the hotel rather than camping, as this would have been less rushed. It was a bit hectic getting to the hot springs and then only having a hour to enjoy them before having to get back to the campsite for the evening meal. It would have been less of a rush to have booked a hotel in town allowing you to enjoy the hot springs followed by a meal in a local restaurant. ·         Good waterproofs are a must especially on the trek; mine were good and meant I was dry when we reached our tents in the evening.·         Some Euros would be handy for snacks if you are travelling via Europe (Madrid) ·         When you arrive in Lima change quite alot of dollars into soles straight away and get small notes (they give you 20s and 50s you need much smaller than that). The trip notes suggest you can use dollars (and you can) the exchange rate is not very good and we it was easier to use soles. ·         Don’t forget the Deet 50 or 100 a must for the jungle, sun screen and walking poles for the trek. ·         Pack as light as you can and be organised, work out what you need for the jungle and trek. It will make repacking your bags much easier as you are limited to what you can take.

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Reviewed January 2012

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

In skiing terms, this was a superb trip. Tuition was excellent and I felt I learnt a new skill. The equipment provided was of excellent standard and the leaders were friendly and helpful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Beautiful scenery and a great party in the local bar on NYE.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb. He was recommended and he lived up to the accolades.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The one negative aspect of this trip was the Tschurtschenthaler Hotel. Although the basic standard of accommodation was good, there were major drawbacks and the big one was the standard of the cuisine. At best, it could be described as adequate and perfunctory. At worst, meagre and totally lacking imagination. Italy is going through austere times at the moment. I think that the austerity fed through to our meal times. Not good enough when we were paying upwards of £1,000 each and walking away hungry every day. The portions were stingy and the waitresses could be seen to be cutting portions in half in order to serve diners. When challanged on this practice, you received a hard stare. Add to this the lack of any flair and panache evident in the cuisine, I was extremely disappointed. For example, the salad bar consisted of tomatoes cut in quarters, lettuce and cold pasta. That was it. All other courses were served in small portions direct from the kitchen. Having experienced Austrian cuisine on skiing trips on many previous occasions, I regard it as essential to have a superb meal in plentiful portions at the end of a hard day's exercise. Just over the border, the Tschurtschenthaler experience was anything but. Another negative aspect was members of the group being told they couldn't leave the hotel because it the doors would be locked when they returned. Incredible. Obviously, this was not well received and the words 'prison' and 'school trip' were mentioned. The way round this was to request a special card to gain hotel access late on. However, only ONE hotel staff member could facilitate this and if she wasn't around, forget any help. This also applied to gaining WiFi access and other requests where some decision making was required. The hotel is family run by family members and whilst they are all pleasant and friendly, it is not otherwise a good customer experience. I would recommend future clients to AVOID this trip whilst the Tschurtschenthaler hotel is the choice location. In normal circumstances, I would officially complain to Exodus but the skiing and tuition were so good, they tended to compensate for this disappointment.

Reply from Exodus

It is great to hear Mr Triggs enjoyed his trip to Dobbiaco and I’m sure Eric and Heather are also happy with the feedback of their good work. It was of great concern however to hear about his experience at the Hotel Tschurtschenthaler, who we have been working with for almost ten years now. This wonderfully located hotel has always provided some of the best hospitality in Dobbiaco with a real family run atmosphere and it is regrettable they have not offered this renowned service on this occasion. Exodus usually received good comments relating to food at the hotel and we have immediately been in contact with the hotel owners to resolve the issue raised. Please be assured that this limited service is not accepted by Exodus and thanks to Mr Trigg’s feedback, we sincerely believe the issue will be rectified before future groups visit the hotel.

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Reviewed January 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

I can thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone considering Sri Lanka as a holiday destination. The country is beautiful, the people so friendly, and every day there is something new to see or do on this very varied trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

There wasn't any one moment that I could pick out as we did so many different and interesting things on this holiday. Among my highlights were cycling around the paddy fields and viewing it's great bird life, visiting the ancient capital of Polonaruwwa and the hill station of Nuwara Eliya, then catching the train down from the hill country, playing Sri Lankan games in a banana plantation, then...... well nearly every day had it's own inspirational highlights. And I must mention the great local food we ate at lunchtimes, particularly on the bike ride, at the house of a Tsunami victim, and some fabulous samosas and other snacks just before the train ride.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan Fernando is one of the best leaders I've been with - I think it says it all that he won the Leader of the Year award in 2010!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a decent waterproof - it rains a lot even when if it's not officially the monsoon season. Change plenty of currency at the airport, then you need not bother again until Kandy where there are several options available, but the hotels will all accept credit cards if you prefer. Don't worry if you're not a fan of curry - there are plenty of other options as most evenings you eat in the hotel where you can choose from a huge range of foods from the buffet, or order from the menu. I do love curry myself, and ate plenty of different curry dishes - highly recommended and not too spicy!

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Reviewed January 2012

A WEEK IN JORDAN

A busy week’s sightseeing, taking in all the highlights of Jordan.  A full itinerary, but still plenty of R&R and "downtime" for people wanting to chill out as well as taking in all the sights.  

Most Inspirational Moment

I think everyone books to go to Jordan because they want to visit Petra.  It doesn't disappoint.  You walk for the best part of three or four kilometres before, as the path (carved out from an old river gulley) winds its way yet again through yet another twist between rose red vertical cliffs, you catch that first glimpse of the Treasury between the walls of the Siq.  And stop to take at least one photo before walking on to gaze up - necks crooked - at the heights of the Treasury and the facing cliffs.  Being there in the week before Christmas in the year of the Arab Spring, there were just no crowds - and very few other people - there with us; the moment was magical.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ala was informative, interesting, and hilarious in equal measure.  A large chap, he created quite a splash with the locals wherever we went, being personally known to almost everyone everywhere we stopped - including the boat crew, who forgave him when he divebombed into the Red Sea and drenched the back of the boat including the BBQ with lunch being prepared!  What they don't tell you in the brochure is that every tour involving American, English or Aussie tourists must - by order of the Jordanian government - be accompanied by a tourist policeman.  That is usually a spotty 18 or 21 year old, newly recruited to the Jordanian police service, who will sit at the front of the bus and fall asleep on long bus journeys.  Ala - bless him - ended up guiding the Exodus tourists in English, and the tourist policemen in Arabic (we had a changeover of policemen mid-trip), with a big smile on his face as he said everything at least three times (some of the tourists were a bit hard of hearing!)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel with a smile, and see where the tour takes you.  Be open minded.  Compared to other places in the middle east - or indeed around the world - you really do get "no hassle" in Jordan, Petra aside.  You can't help but smile at Petra as the boys see if you'd like a donkey or camel ride - "air condition taxi, miss?"  In a country where people dress relatively conservatively, follow their customs and you don't get any hassle on the streets and do get a friendly welcome wherever you go. 

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Reviewed January 2012

CYCLE NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA AND PANAMA

VERY WELL RUN TRIP BY AN EXCELLENT TEAM. A GOOD RANGE OF ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES O TOP OF THE CYCLING

Most Inspirational Moment

HARD TO SAY: PELTING THROUGH THE FAST CORNERS ON THE WAY TO LAKE ARENAL DAM, THROUGH THE HOT AND HUMID RAINFOREST

Thoughts on Group Leader

ROB WAS VERY ATTENTIVE TO THE GROUP. I THOUGHT HE WAS VERY DILIGENT AND THE TEAM WERE BRILLIANT COMPANY AS A WHOLE

Advice for Potential Travellers

BE PREPARED FOR THE RAINFOREST TO BE WET

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Reviewed January 2012

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

This was one of the best holidays I’ve ever had – Namibia should be on everyone’s bucket list.  The breathtaking variety of scenery, the excellent roads and facilities, the lovely friendly welcomes and of course the excellent company of my fellow travellers all combined to make this an unforgettable experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

There is no one favourite bit - so much of it was so memorable.  Delicious fat creamy oysters, the lionesses and 2 cubs plus the white rhinos on a night drive at Etosha, the Etosha pan itself, a herd of 30 elephants at a water hole, the dunes, the scenic flight over Sossusvlei and the coast (even if the first hour was spent desparately trying not to throw up), the beautiful embroidery, the stars (we had a new moon in the middle of the trip), the birds, the banter, the joy of hot cleansing showers almost every day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was great - very experienced, patient and knowledgeable.  Jonas is an excellent cook and we had a good variety of food cooked on open fires - even a birthday cake, not to mention his almost encyclopedic knowledge of birds.  And finally, Ya, who made up the triumverate, allowing tents to be erected and lunch ready within an hour.  All unfailingly good humoured and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For anyone considering taking this trip - do it - you won't be disappointed.

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Reviewed January 2012

CYCLING VIETNAM

The tour was a mixture of cycling and touring and we saw everything that I wanted to see in Vietnam. It was a gastronomic tour of note. The Format was excellent. We personally would have liked more cycling…. as South Africans we clearly have a different view of what the ‘moderate’ classification meant… we would happily have cycled 100km each morning and then spent the afternoon enjoying the destination. We spent a huge amount of time waiting for slow members of the party at the regular stops along the way.

Most Inspirational Moment

Coming down the pass from the Mountain Park after overnighting in Dalat. 1500m descent in 30km with countless waterfalls on either side of the road was unforgettable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Chi was fabulous. He was always calm and had a sparkling sense of humor. In his own right he is a very good cyclist but patiently rode with the weakest members of the tour. I believe that the tour would not have been the success it was without him. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some proper training, be able to ride at at least 23km per hour for 3 hours, do at least a non-stop 80km ride self-supported, know how to use a water bottle in a cage on a bike..... all cycling basics. Unfortunately the cycling can only be as fast as the slowest rider and these basics will make it much more enjoyable for those who are stronger cyclists than you.

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Anonymous

Reviewed January 2012

MADAGASCAN DISCOVERER

an all-round fantastic trip, with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, stunning countryside, explore local markets, go hiking & swimming – be prepared for some bumpy rides and dusty roads, that’s part of the fun!

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the Tsingy, seeing lots of different kinds of lemurs, watching the sun set over the alley of the baobabs - there were lots of inspirational moments, plus a great group spirit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader made every effort to ensure this was a memorable trip for everyone.  He was very well informed, very polite and helpful and made the group feel comfortable and safe.He collected money from everyone at the start of the trip which was then distributed as tip amongst the various guides/drivers.  There seemed to be a few disappointments, so in future it would be good if the group actually knew how much money went to whom.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be afraid to try the food in the local markets - it's delicious and a lot cheaper than eating in tourist restaurants.

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