Beyond The Mayan World

Our Clients’ Reviews

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. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Peter Adrian

  BEYOND THE MAYAN WORLD

  

  Written March 2013

  Poor balance made awful by bad transport. Eleven people with daypacks, camerabags, etc. in the back of a Toyota Hiace is more torture than holiday transport. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Walking down the main avenue at Teotihuacan; AWSOME!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Good guide but untrained as a group leader. Exodus used to make sure leaders were trained but they seem to have taken thier eye off the ball.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The travel times in the notes proved to be very optimistic. Ratio of travelling to time on site is very poor and the transport in Mexico was not fit for purpose; tall people had to crouch down just to see out the non-panoramic windows. Up to 10 hours a day in a small minibus where you are in pain from the cramped conditions will tend to spoil your holiday. To sum up my advice: AVOID THIS TOUR.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  While I found the standards on this tour well below what I have experienced from Exodus in the past I loved the places we visited and the people were lovely.

  It felt like a great three week itinerary spoilt by being crammed into two weeks.

  Exodus Response

  Dear Peter, Thank you for taking the time to review 'Beyond the Mayan World'. I appreciate that this is a busy trip which fits in all the main sights in a relatively short space of time and consequently there are some long journeys to be undertaken. I have endeavoured to include as many details about the length of the drives in the trip notes, although on the back of your comments, I will re-do them to ensure that the information is as detailed as possible. The trip is currently being reviewed in full in order to ensure that the most suitable transport and routes are being used. Following your feedback we are also considering adding 1 or 2 days to the duration of this trip to slow the pace down slightly. With kind regards

  Vicky Boughton (Trip Manager)

  
  

  - Exodus Staff

   
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  Colleen Brewerton

  BEYOND THE MAYAN WORLD

  

  Written March 2013

  I saw many Mayan archaeological sites which were fantastic and my fellow travelers were wonderful but the trip itself had some problems. We started out with 11 people crammed into a small van and then spent numerous hours on bumpy roads with little room to move and get comfortable. Not a good way to begin a tour. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I thought the murals at Bomampak were amazing. The colors of the murals were so vivid and so worth visiting. I also stayed several days longer in Antigua to see some of the processions connected with Holy Week (Semana Santa) and I enjoyed that very much. Antigua is a lovely city.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Raoul was very nice but needs to improve as a tour leader. My sister and I arrived early at our hotel in Mexico City and no one there was familiar with Exodus and there were no signs posted with any information about the tour. We never did have a group meeting before the tour started and Raoul was always very vague about our daily schedule. In Palenque he even took us to the wrong hotel, and unfortunately for us it was much nicer than the one where we eventually stayed.

   Raoul did let the group have imput on some of our activites and that was nice but he never really stepped up and lead the group.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  There are many sights to enjoy but be prepared for long tiring days. If you want to see as much as you can in a short time period then this trip would be for you but I thought for a moderate leaisurely rated trip that too much was squeezed into the short two week time frame.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I think the trip would be better if some things were shortened or skipped altogether. Many in our group could have passed on the boat ride up the Sumidero Canyon and I also would leave out the trip to Yaxchilan. It was nice to visit but with the time we spent at the ruins and an hour boat ride each way to get there made for a very long travel day. In fact, we arrived so late at our hotel in Guatemala that the owner was wondering what had happened to us. The group loved San Cristobal and wanted to spend more in that beautiful city but we arrived around 6 in the evening and left early the next morning. Definitely more free time should be spent there.

   
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  Peter Savin

  BEYOND THE MAYAN WORLD

  

  Written October 2012

  A packed journey through Central America and all things Maya taking in some beautiful colonial towns full of great resturants and cafes. Many areas felt slightly off the tourist map and enhanced the trip for this reason.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The overgrown ruins of Yaxchilan reached by boat in the forest with the constant sound of Howler monkeys was a great experience as was seeing crocodiles on the return visit! Wandering the streets of Oaxaca and Antigua trying out the cafes and markets. Just as feeling that the next Mayan ruin couldn't be beaten we found that yes it could, each site offered its own unique take on the Mayan world.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  In Diego we had a great group leader, he knew how to make the trip run smoothly putting us at ease and always eager to alter the days itinery to best effect or listen to the group if we wanted longer at one place.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Some long but rewarding days are part of this trip,. There are several two night stays during the trip so laundry can be done. Pack light and have plenty of books or music for the longer travel days. Pack the insect repellent for ruin visits although most of us didn't have too much trouble. Leave some luggage space free as there's some great chances to buy local souvenirs.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Try the zip wire through the tree canopy at Palenque sheer terror off the first tree then the fun takes hold. The optional trip up to Teotihuacan is well worth doing. Travel with a sense of humour and an open mind and this trip will reward you.