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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108 Reviews

4.6 out of 5

Janet Leverton

Reviewed August 2023

Just 'Bears!'

This was a really interesting trip in rural Romania; we were blessed with amazing weather, so the views and scenery were quite beautiful. The trip was a good mix of sight seeing, exploring and walking. The walking wasn’t difficult and very leisurely, plenty of time to soak in the surroundings. Personally, I would have enjoyed more walking , but visiting Bran Castle and Brasov was interesting. The visit to the bear hide was undoubtedly the highlight, we watched 9 females and 5 cubs for over an hour, a very special moment. The guest house was comfortable and the food was delicious, home cooked and plentiful. There were no options, vegetarians and vegans may struggle.

Most Inspirational Moment

Has to be the bears, watching bears in the wild was an absolute privilege, Katerina who ran the guest house, is a passionate bear supporter, it was so interesting and informative listening to her.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebi was a great leader, he ensured our week was the best it could be. The walking pace and experience of our group was quite diverse, he managed the differing paces and needs with ease.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just to be aware, the guest house is in a rural community, hot water is not a given; showers were often on the chilly side. We extended our stay and enjoyed a few days in Bucharest, would recommend the city, lots to see, easy and safe to get around, and reasonably priced.

Richard Lowry

Reviewed October 2022

Wild Carpathian Mountains Walking & Bears

The trip content is very varied and if you love wildlife, wildflowers and fungi this is a great trip. Wild European Brown bear watching in the forest and the bear sanctuary was brilliant. Local hikes in the rugged countryside- Barza valley; Coja, Pestera and Postavarul nature reserve were wonderful. Brasov and Bran castle visits were informative and took you back to the past.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching wild European Brown bears in their natural surroundings and visiting bears at Europe's largest brown bear sanctuary- learning about how many suffered from conditions in captivity was quite emotional. We found several fire salamanders, a Common European viper (Adder), European firebugs and many species of fungi. I also spotted a Lesser Spotted Eagle, Black Redstarts, Chiffchaff, Ravens, Wood Sandpiper, Caspian gull, Little Stint, Black Stork and a Green as well as a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thomas was a very friendly, organised and flexible leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You can pay for your drinks and bear hide in £s or Euro at Villa Hermani. Change your money in Brasov's exchange shops as the rate is so much better than at home and in the airport. Take binoculars for bears and birds. Learn about your camera settings. A sandwich box is useful. I took my own travel kettle and tea bags to make my own drinks. If you love wildlife, wildflowers and fungi this is a great trip. Wildflowers are best earlier in the year (May-June-August).

Dan Curran

Reviewed September 2022

Carpathian Walking & Bears (566)

An excellent week in the heart of Transylvania

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching a mother bear and 2 cubs Walking and scrambling up the Cheile Pisicii - Cats Gorge

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great fun and very knowledgeable

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Trip Notes - this is a walking holiday with the added benefit of seeing bears from a hide plus at the Sanctuary. It's tempting to want to see a bear/wolf in the wild on a walk - it's both very unlikely and probably very dangerouse if you were to. Bran Castle is just a tourist trap. It obviously isn't "Dracula's Castle" as that's a fictional character. It's highly "disneyfied" and very crowded

Joseph Harper

Reviewed August 2022

Absolutely Fantastic

I absolutely loved this trip. Our guide Tudor was absolutely fantastic, he went above and beyond when organising things. We also met his wife Andra, another tour guide who helped out with some people who were unable to complete all of the walking, saving them from just sitting around the hotel. She also took me to the hospital when I had an allergic reaction to a wasp sting. Honestly the tour guides were amazing. The accommodation was brilliant, Katherina and Herman who ran the guesthouse were friendly and knowledgeable, the other staff couldn’t do enough for you. The food was delicious and we were given far too much to actually eat. The beer was nice too as well as the cherry schnapps. Excursions were all good, I enjoyed every one of them. The scenery was beautiful and people friendly. 10/10 go on this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing wild bears was amazing. Also visiting the sanctuary was quite humbling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Amazing. Honestly 278437892278743377 out of 10.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go and enjoy it.

Karen Guest

Reviewed October 2019

Ramblings in Romania (with bears!)

Magura was a lovely base from which to explore this beautiful part of Romania, and a good variety of walks and activities were offered during the week. The walking was mostly fairly easy going.

Most Inspirational Moment

Magura itself! Such a beautiful setting, particulary with the Autumn foliage lighting up the surrounding hills. The bear sanctuary was very thought-provoking and it was inspirational to see the passion felt by Katerina and the others involved in the project. Having lunch in the local 'pub' in Pestera with a few bewildered, smiling locals who watched in amazement as 16 very wet and bedraggled hikers walked in!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thomas was excellent: very knowledgeable and good humoured. He was also very patient when dealing with the differing levels of walking abilities within the group. His organisation was excellent and he changed the itinerary around when needed to ensure we could enjoy most of the activities during the better weather days. Special mention too to Theo who ably assisted Thomas during the week, and was very friendly and helpful. Sebastian, who guided us on the first couple of days, was also an excellent leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for changeable weather! We had everything from cold (with light snow on the mountains) and wet to sunny and warm. Sandwiches are made up from the breakfast buffet, but bring any other snacks with you if needed as these are not provided at the hotel. ATM machines are available at the airport (although a charge is incurred) and we were given the opportunity to use them before we left the terminal. Excluding the bear hide, which we paid in Euros, we spent about £100 in local currency for 2 of us over the week, which included the meal out, a few souvenirs, tips and drinks at the hotel (although the latter can also be paid in Euros). Hairdryers are available in the rooms, despite checking with Exodus and being advised that I needed to take my own! Tap water was perfectly potable (no ill effects felt by anyone in our party as far as I know!), so bring refillable bottles as advised by Exodus. Be prepared to spend quite a lot of time travelling in the vans and be prepared for crowds at Bran Castle!

Jeremy Sackett

Reviewed October 2019

An outstanding holiday

This holiday is a great mix of mountains walks, wildlife encounters ( Bear hide and Sanctuary, Bird lakes ) , historic towns (Brasov) and visits ( Bran Castle, Byzantine monastery, churches and cathedral )

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking up to high mountain meadows and then through virgin Transylvanian forest with the trees dusted with snow and sparkling in the sunlight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thomas is an outstanding Leader for local knowledge and insights, great organisation and leadership and empathy for the group. First class English Up there with the best Exodus Leaders

Advice for Potential Travellers

This holiday is a real mix of activities so wouldn't suit "hard core" walkers. Most walks were fairly easy but a degree of fitness needed to get up to high levels and enjoy outstanding views

Natasha Challoner

Reviewed October 2019

A vegan in Romania

A great trip that was as described in the trip notes, I felt the most relaxed I have felt on holiday. September is a good time to go as there is still some sun during the day & the leaves are starting to change. A great trip with a variety of walks and activities. The long hike through Coja & Pestara is particularly nice. The beech and pine forests were beautiful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing wild bears from the bear hide. It is great that the forests are being kept wild and are protected. Every thing else was also great. The visit to the bear sanctuary was very emotional.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thomas had a great love for the area and he was able to share this with us. He was well organised.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is no need to take any local currency as the hotel keeps a drinks list. There is no shops nearby. You then change money in Brasov you don't need much, less than £100. May be useful to take Euros and to borrow a small amount if you want to buy some souvenirs in Bran. Take some snack bars etc for the walks. You make up a good lunch from the breakfast table. A walking pole is useful for some steep down hills.

Nicola Ball

Reviewed September 2019

Great holiday

Really good mix of culture, wildlife and walking. Clean and comfortable hotel and all the meals were excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight for me was definitely watching the bears in the wild, it is worth every penny, we were fortunate enough to see 8 adult bears and 2 cubs, I could have watched them all night.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Could not fault our group leader Sebi he was excellent - attentive, knowledgeable and extremely professional. He saw to it that everything ran very smoothly and he looked after everyone in the group equally very well (we had a full group of 16 people) he was quietly passionate about Romania and it’s wildlife and had a lovely sense of humour. On several days he was assisted by Radetch a guide in training who was equally delightful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip to the bear Hyde is a must, take some binoculars.

Daniela Amabile

Reviewed October 2018

Beauty, as to be found nowhere else.

Waking up every morning to the glorious Autumn colours of the Carpathians is something I will remember for the rest of my life. The beauty of the forests, the splendour of the mountains and the simplicity of the life there is something I never imagined. Granted, I was initially inspired by my interest in the Dracula legend to go but after experiencing the wilderness there, I can honestly say that I fell in love with “the land beyond the forest”.

Most Inspirational Moment

When I managed to make it to the top of the mountain on the long hike without collapsing :-). Seeing Bran castle. Sitting up at the monastery, looking at the mountains with the sun behind them. The views of the scenery during our lunch breaks in various locations. Being on top of the mountains and looking down at the clouds.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thomas was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the natural environment of Romania and its history. He also has a great sense of humour that kept us entertained. With his experience as a leader and training in the army, I definitely felt safe and in capable hands. And he was unexpectedly charming.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to remain as healthy as possible the week before this trip. I came down with a 24 hour stomach virus 2 days before the trip and it made the first few days difficult as I was still weakened. Also, walking poles are your friends. Definitely learn how to use a pair before you begin.

Suzy Franklin

Reviewed October 2018

Wildlife and hiking

A well paced hiking tour with free time to relax in the remote alpine accommodation, in the mountains of Transylvania. This is certainly the place time forgot with small farming communities farming sheep and cattle, and small orchards aplenty. Dogs are tied up or in the fields protecting the livestock from the bears and other predators.

The accommodation is basic but comfortable. We went when the weather was getting cooler and at times it was a little cold in the room. We had to remind the owners to put the heating on, which they did!

There were 3 course set meals in the evening that were hearty and consisted of local produce but possibly limited if you are vegetarian/vegan. Don’t expect there to be snacks like crisps and chocolate to be available, expect local fruits instead!

The guide kept us updated on the itinerary during the week and gave a very informative tour of Brasov and Bran.

All in all – a place to get away from it all and enjoy a slower pace of life! It was a very noncommercial region to visit and very refreshing in that sense!

Most Inspirational Moment

The hard work of the people in the bear sanctuary, who had rescued bears that had suffered cruelty and now been given the best chance of life - all funded by donations with no government money! One bear had been blinded and had its claws cut so it would tolerate people having their picture taken alongside it. Quite emotional to hear the sad back history of some of the bears. The good news is that owning a bare is now banned in Romania.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was friendly, quiet, amenable and informative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your thermals, scarf and gloves if going in the autumn as it get's cold in the mornings.

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