Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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14212 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed November 2011

EVEREST BASE CAMP

For any trekking fan or anyone who enjoys landscapes of natural splendour this is a must on the ticklist of holidays. The scenery is fantastic, the culture is interesting and amazing and the people are just brilliant.To trek in this wilderness with a group of like minded people is not just a holiday but a lifetime experience that should be done at some point.

Most Inspirational Moment

Without doubt reaching the highest point of the trek (Kala Pattar) bang on time for sunrise beginning to peak like ethereal light over Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse after a hard and extremely cold walk up to it. Words nor photos will do that moment any justice so I wont add any more to that.Another close moment was a long day going down when all of the views were at their best due to light and sun and were able to get some truly magical photos of sunlit peaks and landscapes out of this world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sukman was simply brilliant, a nicer friendlier man you could not meet. Always smiling and always checking if everyone in the group was ok and when needed man managed individuals in the group to the end goal half hour by half hour. Also socialised well within the group and treated himself as part of the group and good fun to play Pool against (though watch the table rolling off in Namche).A special mention also for the fact that in a group of 8 people at different abilities he timed our ascent of Kala Pattar to perfection for sunrise, and we always felt in capable hands of someone who has been to basecamp 40 times plus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have any doubts on ability to do this trip don't, anybody that can trek 3 or 4 days in the Lakes or Wales for 5 or 6 hours a day can manage this. There are some hard longer days but take your time and listen to the guide and you will succeed.Above 4000m dont try and ascend like you would in this country it wont happen and you will lose breath and struggle, relearn yourself you are not summiting in a day and back - it is a long drawn out ascent. Do not hire the down jackets if you have not got one simply take layers instead - they will be easier, more effective and less stressful to repack them in the morning in your bags which is nearly impossible with a 4-5 season down jacket.At night once high (4000m or higher) sleep with a neck gaiter and hat on, the rooms are cold and you will get headaches moreso if you dont keep warm at night. Take some Tiger Balm, Olbas Oil for sinuses.

Reviewed November 2011

ATLAS DESCENT

A great trip for a pair of over 50’s who were a bit worried we might have bitten off more than we could chew! Having said that we did prepare well with plenty of off road rides beforehand. A great group of people on the trip, a mixture of age groups and abilities off road but it worked really well.

Most Inspirational Moment

An 84km ride which exhausted everyone, but what an achievement.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was a great leader, efficiently herding the motley crew around the mountains, warning people of the dangers of going ahead and getting lost, but some still did (sorry Marcus!) Liz was able to think on her feet when the unexpected happened (us missing the connecting flight and not getting our luggage until Tuesday), rain interupting one day etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are fit for riding off road, some days are quite tough even without the extra single track.

Reviewed November 2011

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

Great trip for bird watching. The lodges give a real rain/cloud forest experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the otters hunting and feeding from out boat in the back canals at Tortuguero. No mention of otters on the Trip Notes (in fact our guide said they were the first he'd seen).Seeing squirrel monkeys in Juan Antonio NP.Humming bird wonderland!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marco was very good. On a trip were there were lots of options he managed (with a little difficulty) to keep tabs on the group. He didn't over-regiment the group. He also went beyond his remit to help me shop for my 40th wedding anniversary present for my wife!His one black mark was our final group meal (see below).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Trip Notes carefully. These are the best notes I can remember from Exodus. They are very accurate in that there is a lot of travelling; the wet season in rain and cloud forests is wet. Don't say you weren't warned!

Reviewed November 2011

HIDDEN TREASURES OF JORDAN

Petra was stunning and Um Qais and Jerash were impressive too. Many of the other items on the itinerary did not live up to the exaggerated hype in the trip notes or were not covered well, but even so the trip was still packed with a lot worth seeing.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra was amazing in the number of things to see and the area to go off and explore. This was my fifth 'wonder of the modern world' and was definitely the most 'wondrous' so far.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A principled and interesting person who had our trip well organised and planned out.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I picked this trip from the many Jordan holidays I looked at because it allowed 2 full days in Petra where others only allowed one or even half a day. This was definitely a good decision and three days in Petra would have been even better. Coverage of many things on the itinerary was disappointing. The "full days exploration" of Amman promised in the trip notes turned out to be three hours visiting two sites and then being dropped back at the hotel and told not to go out by ourselves. They did not take us to see the Dead Sea scrolls as these had been moved form the museum at the site we visited to a different museum in Amman. At the caves of Iraq al Amir with the aramaic inscriptions we were only given 5 minutes to take photos from the road side and then drove on. At Um Qais the "fantastic views of The sea of Galilee" were a dusty haze where you could imagine a sea might be. At "Madaba, 'The City of Mosaics'" only one mosaic was included in the itinerary, though we chose to pay about £2 extra to visit another site. At Wadi Rum the itinerary said we would "take a four wheel drive vehicle far into the area for an exciting desert adventure". We were booked a two hour trip that lasted one hour forty minutes including stops next to the Bedouin tourist shops, so we didn't see much more than was visible from the bus on the main road. There was a strong wind blowing away from shore on the Red Sea so it was only safe to snorkel holding onto a rope from the back of the boat and the only person who tried to swim further had to be rescued. The "Petra by Night" option consisted of atmospheric walks in and out along the siq by candle light and two solo performances of Bedouin music and was well worth doing. This only runs about three nights a week so make sure your group leader is on the ball, as ours was, and gets this organised in time. Little Petra is like 1% of Petra that's then been scaled down, so in hindsight was a waste of time and I would have preferred to spend the time seeing more of the main site. We were eventually given this tour for free as compensation for the awful hotel in Petra, but it was originally offered for 13JD/US$15. Since the entrance seemed to be free and it was a ten minute drive up the hill from the town, you could probably see it for a fraction of the price by paying a few JD between 4 people in a taxi. Most of the tourist restaurants want you to take the fixed meal of a similar salad selection every time followed by a hot dish. This is typically quite expensive at £10-£12 (before drinks) and gets repetitive, especially if you are vegetarian so only have the salad part. Try to find places where you can just order what you want form the menu. Alternatively for snacks try one of the smaller local places. Most look a bit grubby, but in one place I got two falafel and houmous wraps and a soft drink for under a pound. Don't miss trying the lemon with fresh mint cold drink which is so delicious I ended up having it with most meals!

Reviewed November 2011

Cycle Morocco's Great South

Beautiful Atlas mountain scenary. Hard cycling ascents rewarded with exhilarating descents. Comfortable Riads. Tajine. Tajine. Tajine. Beer.

Most Inspirational Moment

Day three and an ascent up to Tizi n'Test Pass at 2100m. A seemingly never-ending series of switchback climbs to our goal. Hard work at the challenging end of the 'moderate to challenging' trip tag. It was worth it though, views over the anti-atlas mountains and across a stunning decent that literally went on for miles with barely a car in sight. All topped off by an evening in a luxourious Riad complete with swimming pool and peacocks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Richard, was a key part of the success of the trip. He clearly identified goals for each stage of the cycle and personally ensured that eveyone excelled their expectations as to how hard they could push themselves cycling enjoyably. This ensured everyone could get through the trip and that the group remained cohesive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't put your inside peddle down when you go around a fast corner. What goes down must go up. Taking your own cleats for the bikes certainly helps.

Reviewed November 2011

KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE

An experience so far removed from my daily routine that I relaxed completely despite the early starts. You can't underestimate the sensation of being amid lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos, baboons – and much, much more – in their natural habitat.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's a toss-up between spotting an Elephant trotting into our campsite as we walked back to our tent from the bathroom (it was literally just metres away and seemed completely oblivious to our presence, happily chomping away on the bramble!) and actually getting to see a Leopard, which I didn't expect.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chris was an excellent group leader - fair but firm, he made us all feel safe. When the truck broke down in the middle of the Serengeti, we were all very calm in the knowledge that he and Tutu, his second in command, were doing there absolute utmost to get it repaired. Chris even caught Malaria while on the road and this did not affect our trip in the slightest. A true champion.

Advice for Potential Travellers

'Haraka haraka haina baraka- Great haste has no blessing': The pace is different in Africa, you'll have to adapt. That said, don't be afraid to tell your group leader if you feel something is wrong. Being chilled about stuff does not mean being taken for a ride.

Reviewed November 2011

THE AMALFI COAST

This was an enjoyable week, great weather especially for the beginning of November, great food – although sometimes a little too much, good hotel, fab company, good guide and a good mix of walking and site seeing.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Herculaneum and Pompeii realising how little civilisation has changed in the last 2000 years.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine was a great group leader and was very considerate to all members of the group. She gave a thorough briefing every evening letting us know exactly what was to come the following day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The grading of the walking is appropriate and generally speaking there is alot more down than up, just beware there are an awful lot of steps on the day 3 walk into Amalfi and this does take it out of your knees somewhat. Plus be prepared for the bun fight to get on the local bus back from Amalfi, this for me was the low point of the trip.

Reviewed November 2011

THE INCA TRAIL

The Inca Trail is something everyone can and should do

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Macchu Picchu from the Sun Gate

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizio was a great lad... very laidback but thoroughRiccardo was absolutely lovely

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will have a lot of free time in the evenings. You can only take 7kgs on the trail, but sacrifice a bit of space for a pack of cards and a book, which will be real godsends. The trail is not that challenging. Only Dead Woman's Pass will give you a bit of a workout. The rest should be no problem for anyone with reasonable fitness and who doesn't suffer too much from the altitude. We also did the Lake Titcaca extension....DON'T BOTHER. Travel independently here and try to get a bit more out of the experience by staying on one of the natural islands. Otherwise it's just a visit to an overpriced floating MARKET.

Reviewed November 2011

THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY

A great holiday if you want to get back to nature. I really loved being on the river, although at times it wasn’t for the faint hearted! Dodging the hippos in particular at times could be nerve wracking although the leader (CB) gave us confidence that he knew the best routes to take.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably seeing a family of elephants swimming from one bank of the river to an island and helping the smallest elephant both get across the river and get on dry land.

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB was very experienced and gave us confidence that he had our safety forefront of mind at all times. He was also very knowledgeable about the wildlife and had a good sense of humour. A difficult job that he carried out really well. Carlos was the trainee leader and was very knowledgeable, but not always at the rear of the group which is where he should have been!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is really back to basics, so expect to be fairly dusty most of the time - take lots of baby wipes! Also hippo dodging takes a little getting used to - I found it a bit of a 'Jaws' experience at times, but got more used to it as we went through the week. I probably would have enjoyed the trip even more if I had been a little fitter as the paddling was fairly strenous at times, particularly when the wind got up.

Reviewed November 2011

HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTSWANA

Wilderness and wildlife at it’s best without too much of the other stuff thrown in. A fantastic trip with lots of opportunity for wildlife sitings and being at one with nature.

Most Inspirational Moment

This was a question we kept asking ourselves as the trip went on and we never managed to pin point one moment. Some of the moments for me were:1. watching a young leopard lounge around in a tree - it felt as if he was looking straight at me!2. watching three lionesses interact with two cubs as the sun started to drop3. an elephant almost taking a swim - he just about got his shoulders in!4. spectacular sunsets and a spectacular electric storm!5. watching the pied kingfisher from a swimming hole in the delta

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam, Jame and Bruce made a good team. Sam wasn't well for the first few days of our trip but he struggled on and came into his own after starting some antibiotics. Sam clearly knows his stuff and the trip ran smoothly from start to finish. Jame is the gentle giant of the three and a true wildlife enthusiast. Even after hours of driving on challenging roads Jame would always stop if an animal was spotted and position the truck to ensure we got the best viewing and pictures possible. Jame never rested unless everything was in order. Bruce always had a smile on his face and was happy to put the kettle on for us at all times (even in the heat of the day!)

Advice for Potential Travellers

A Zambian visa was extremely easy to purchase at the border so don't worry about getting one before.When heading into Savuti and Moremi ensure you have enough cold drinks (as well as water) to last as there are no shops in between. If you get fed up of drinking water then get some drink powder from Shop Rite (supermarket). This is easy to carry and a little like squash when added to water. The mixed berry flavour is particularly pleasant.Take your swim kit into the delta as the swimming hole is a great alternative to no shower!Although we were advised to keep buying 5 litre water bottles, most of the water in Botswana seemed ok to drink - the guides were actually quite excited about the water in savuti and it did indeed taste goodIt was very hot in October, between 38-42 most days and above 30 at night. We discovered that wearing a wet T-shirt or havinga wet scarf / towel around our necks helped prevent us from overheating at the hottest points of the day and dried very quickly.walking boots weren't needed - trainers were sufficient in the delta and sandals everywhere elseA light sleeping bag was totally sufficient and even that was too much at times. A cotton sheet or sheet liner would have been usueful.

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