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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14179 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed January 2011

MT TOUBKAL WINTER CLIMB

This trip is classed as ‘tough’ and that is certainly what it is if your haven’t trained, or are not naturally very fit! I would class this as an enjoyable experience rather than a holiday! The mountains, once you get into the snow, are beautiful and awe-inspiring. They are also very steep! The accommodation is very basic and cold, but as long as you have warm clothes it’s fine.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gingerly leading the roped group down on day three - what fun, but slow progress since I was determined not to slip down the very steep mountain side.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohamed and Lahcen certainly knew the mountains well and kept us safe.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have warm clothes. Ski-ing gloves are useful since they keep you much warmer and Ski goggles are to be recommended, rather than using your sunglasses. When the wind blows the snow around (quite violently and almost continually) you can't see a thing with just glasses on. Books, games, cards etc are useful since there is little to do in the evenings except have lots of early nights and early means by 8pm! Bring good earplugs, you will need them! Wet wipes are essential. Make sure your camera is handy at all times since the views are fabulous.

Reviewed January 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

A perfectly balanced week of life; do a lot of exercise, eat a lot of food. Do a lot more exercise, eat an even bigger amount of food. A truly virtuous circle.

Most Inspirational Moment

Despite skiing with commendable effort, i struggled with the subtleties of the snowplough and sensible cornering. Many bruises later my balance began to improve markedly, my skills less so. As i sailed out of control rounding a corner too fast, i prepared mentally to hit the deck once again. Imagine my surprise first not to fall over, second not to ski off the track completely, and third to negotiate my way back to the correct loipe in an almost controlled way. Not quite a baby taking its first steps but a definite sense of progress.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert found ways to deal calmy and patiently with a group of mixed ability and fitness. His basic apprach that you learn more my doing, trying, and taking your own risks, was very practical. I will remember fondly how on one occasion he said to me '' yeah, not bad '' while his eyes said '' i have no idea how you didn't fall over with that hamfisted approach. ''

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dobbiaco is an excellent site; many opportunities for different cross country trails either from the little town or from a short journey away. Personally i enjoyed the opportunity to make a journey from a to b in the different places we skied; more rewarding than just following circuits. The Hotel Tsurtschenthaler - though unpronounceable - is excellent. Literally endless supplies of food and friendly service. In the last 4 years my work has taken me to at least 30 different hotels in nearly as many countries. But the best shower in the world is in room 17 in Dobbiaco !

Reviewed January 2011

THE INCA TRAIL

A well organised and thoroughly enjoyable trip. Not intrustively rigid but with support should you need it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being left to climb alone in the beautiful cloudforest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Engaging and I felt secure that he would solve any issues that cropped up.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light, and pack a light (I forgot my headtorch).

Reviewed January 2011

EVEREST BASE CAMP

Even if seeing Everest has not been a lifetime ambition this trip offers so much. The variety of sights, sounds, colours, noises, smells and tastes encountered in one holiday is amazing. From the apparent chaos of Khatmandu to the peace and tranquility of the mountains, the Everest Base Camp trek has it all.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment was being part of the team installing solar cookers along the trek. To see the difference our fundraising could make to the lives of everyone living in the mountains was an honour.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima was everything you would want in a group leader. His love for his country and for life in general was infectious. When things got tough (and they almost certainly will) Ngima was there with words of encouragement and the ability to turn tears into a smile. He took his job seriously and I felt that our safety was his number one priority, but this did not stop him from having fun. We all felt that our trek would not have been so enjoyable without him as our leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the warnings seriously. This is a hard trek, not just fitness wise but also because of the altitude. Go away with the knowledge that it will be tough but a good sense of humour and determination will help get you through. It is worth it.

Reviewed January 2011

WALKING IN MADEIRA

Good, enjoyable trip albeit a little repetitious and out of line with the trip notes on the later walks. On balance though – Recommended.

Most Inspirational Moment

The stunning contrasts of all the first three days' walks and scenery was superb.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bruno Castanha was excellent and went out of his way to be of assistance.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check accuracy / up-to-date-ness of trip notes.

Reviewed January 2011

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI

Easily the best wildlife safari I have been on. The photo opportunities available on the long days are worth every minute and every penny.The camp was comfortable and the food produced by a temporary set up was simply amazing.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching a cheetah lounging around on a small mound at dusk and hoping she would stay for sunset. The driver was very accommodating in moving the Land Cruiser back and forth until we were in the perfect position for a silhouette. Then we waited … and the cheetah delivered.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul is an excellent wildlife photographer; passionate about the wildlife and passionate that you get the best photos you can.However, you need to be proactive in asking for advice. For example, after photographing a cheetah a sunset Paul made the comment, “I hope you were underexposing for that”. This tip would have been nice before the event and also assumes you know why you need to do this and how to do this. Paul is of course willing to help but you can sense his frustration that you may have missed the opportunity!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I feel that you need a certain level of knowledge about your camera and photography to get the most out of the long days and excellent opportunities afforded by this trip.

Reviewed January 2011

Finnish Wilderness Week

An excellent trip. With a variety of activities there was something for everyone and most things for everyone!

Most Inspirational Moment

The day long (optional) dog sledding was without a doubt the highlight of the trip for us although all the activities were excellent. All the dog sledding is run by a small outfit (Kota Husky) that is a family firm. The leader, Lauri clearly cares immensely for the dogs and his control of them is impressive to see. The long trip takes in some wonderful sights and you really get a feel for the personalities of the dogs.Lunch is served outdoors, prepared for the boss of the outfit, and Lauri's wife Marijka. Sitting on reindeers skins around a log fire, eating and drinking local fare is a great picnic, made all the better by the fact that you arrived driving your own team of husky!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eki, the group leader was outstanding. He has an excellent sense of humour and great communication skills both of which he puts to good use when instructing and guiding.As you would expect his local knowledge was excellent and he genuinely cares about the environment around him, something which rubs off on all those around him.Whilst Eki was an excellent group leader, a great team backs him up . Nothing is too much trouble and they make excellent hosts in what feels a little like their home.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice to potential travellers is 'go for it'. Do not be put off by the thought of the cold or anything like that. My wife was really enthusiastic about the trip but was also apprehensive as she suffers with the cold when all others are walking round in shorts however she loved the trip. The equipment they issue you is top quality and is perfect for the weather conditions. If you want to take along your own cold weather clothing but everything they issue is sufficient.

Reviewed January 2011

EVEREST BASE CAMP

The trip totally met my expectations in terms of difficulty, quality of accommodation expertise of tour staff etc.. so the trip was definiteley what it said on the tin. Talking to people on the blog site is a really useful way to find stuff out as many people have done similar or even the same trips.

Most Inspirational Moment

Even though this trip was over christmas, I had no major expectations of having much of a christmas, especially given we were at 4,000m, the night time temperatures were about -10 C and the accommodation and food were limited accordingly. How wrong could I be. A superb group of people we enjoyed christmas decorations, a christmas tree, swapping xmas presents, music, drinks dancing and just fabulous fun. All repeated again in Lukla before our final flight to KTM. I had a fantastic time..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader led the group extremely well.. He was extremely consultative and only pressed a specific point or course of action when it was supported by reasoned logic. Extremely non-confrontational he led almost as a friend rather than a leader which I think is great credit to his skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in December / winter time be prepared for the cold. The hut communal areas only get warm once they light the stoves which may not be when you want it !. The rooms obviously have no heating and are extremely cold. The best tip is to make sure you have one or two aluminium sigg type drinks bottles which you can fill with hot water before you go to bed and use as hot water bottles. It helps enormously. You need a good quality sleeping bag (per the notes) and thermals..

Reviewed January 2011

CYCLING CUBA

Just spent an amazing two weeks cycling in Cuba. Sunshine, exercise, beautiful cities, countryside and beaches and the local people were really friendly. I feel like I’ve seen it all, but still dieing to go back again. The cycling was challenging, we had a really sociable group of differing ages, couples and singles and everyone got along really well. Added to that the music, dancing and of course, the rum, it was most definitely one of my best holidays ever.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling into the Sierra Maestra mountain region and arriving in a little paradise with a natural rock pool and waterfall, having a massage and a delicious meal al fresco with a few Mojitos and Cuba Libres. Inspiration to go on another Exodus holiday for sure.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was superb, nothing was too much trouble. His local, political, social and historical knowledge really gave us an insight into how the Cuban people feel and live.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with the flow. The Cuban people don't have the luxury of constant water and electricity like we do, I showered by the light of my headtorch one morning! It all adds to the Cuban experience.

Reviewed January 2011

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

Probably the holiday of a lifetime, never again though!! It was an amazing experience: great people, great food, great scenery and a bit of walking.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the crater at Gilman's point, I almost cried.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The head guide (Simon) and the assistant guides were all really friendly. When we got up higher they were always making sure we were ok, willing to walk slower if you liked.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Summit day (going from 4,700m to 5,900m) is hard, probably the hardest thing I've ever done and the thing I'll measure all future endeavours against! I'd say I'm very fit and I struggled once we got above 5,000m; I wasn't sure whether I was going to pass out or puke (thankfully I did neither). Other people who were fit struggled, but then some people who'd done no training made it ok, so as lots of articles I read before the climb said, fitness is no protection against altitude sickness. I didn't use diamox, some people did; there seemed to be no correlation between taking it and not feeling awful.

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