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!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

Reviews

Deb Wragg

Reviewed September 2013

Needs more time in Western Ghats.

Having spoken to people who have previously been on this trip, we were left feeling disappointed for most of this experience. I think the review recently submitted by David is spot on and to write a diatribe would be just revisiting his content. With the exception of birds the only wildlife we saw was an elephant working and walking down a duel carriageway.

Most Inspirational Moment

Going over the Western Ghats with terrific views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

OK, but not at the top of the exodus pile. the information about the country, culture and history requested by different member of the group through the holiday was crammed into a 10 minute talk on the last day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The food budget is well over estimate on the trip noted, so change up money as you go along. The optional boat trip on the last day, get a firm price from the group leader BEFORE you go. we were told it would be 300/400R each, on the day after a 30 min bus journey the boat hire chap told us it was 750R each, not an extortionate amount of money but it left many of the group feeling backed into a corner. Once on the 2 hour trip the driver wanted to stop at a cafe boat after 20 mins (which with the service times would have took an hour), it was only the group refusing to do this that meant we carried on with the trip allowing us to see numerous interesting water birds.

Reply from Exodus

We were very disappointed to read that Deb and David (review below) were left underwhelmed by their trip. Deb and David’s tour leader has explained that due to high demand there was no availability in the early morning walk in Periyar National Park, but further to their experience our local operator will be booking tickets for this walk further in advance to help avoid disappointment going forward. We have taken feedback from this group on board and will now be giving this leader further training on the level of information we expect our clients to be provided with during the course of a trip and we have arranged for packed breakfasts to be provided so we can get to the houseboats earlier in order to help maximize the time on the Keralan backwaters.

Katherine Tory – Trip Manager for India

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Reviewed September 2013

CYCLING CUBA

Once we’d met the group the morning after arrival, as we flew in a week early to spend time in Havana, our feet never touched the ground. Straight roads, winding roads, flats, up hills, down hills, we cycled a whole range of terrains. Farming communities, mountain communities, fishing communities, we saw a wide range of Cuban life. Our leader, Laz, was knowledgeable on geography, culture, history and politics and always ready to answer questions – no matter how many times he must have heard them before. Learnt loads, saw loads, did loads. Loved it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Having seen lines and lines of immaculate washing as we cycled past peoples yards, I felt very humbled to see, in the mountain community we visited, the whites bubbling away in a huge cauldron, on an open fire amongst the pigs and chickens. I am in awe of the Cuban resilience and the creative way they overcome all obstacles. My partner says the most inspirational moment for him was when Laz read aloud, during a bus transfer, 3 letters, written by Che Guevara to the mother of his children, his children, and Castro before leaving Cuba.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Laz, along with the 2 drivers, were fantastic. Friendly, patient, caring... and always with a smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry about the food - you'll get LOADS and its tasty. Don't worry about the traffic - the whole nation are so tolerant - of everything. Don't worry about the accommodation - it's all 'cool' (only once did someone have to change rooms because the air conditioning wasn't working). DO worry about the pot holes (from someone who, not concentrating properly, came off on the second day but no serious damage) but hey... IT'S CUBA!

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Reviewed September 2013

SOUTH AFRICA: CYCLING DRAKENSBERG & KRUGER

This was the most brilliant trip – long cycles – hot days and freezing cold nights – August! The group were great, supportive and fun and the tour guides and cycle guide brilliant.

Most Inspirational Moment

South Africa is just the greatest place - friendly people, great value and with the added bonus of Kruger with our guides superb knowledge of birds, mammals and the area - we were so well looked after - seeing a giraffe so close as our first Kruger animal ... looking at us - looking at him was priceless, as was the sunrise on the Drakenberg mountains from the most beautiful lodge in Berghaus.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, tour driver ( and general comedian) and our cycle leader worked tirelessly for us for the whole 2 weeks - preparing all meals, always there for us with their expert & local knowledge, sense of fun, support and just great friends -  was 100% That's you guys Tallis, Bevan and Andrew! Thank you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were in South Africa in August - clothing is very important! Warm sunny days and freezing cold nights - take layers for the days and woolly hats & socks for the evenings!

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Reviewed September 2013

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

An amazingly beautiful part of the world. Waking up to the view of rolling hills dotted with colourful houses and the more distant mountains covered with pine and beech forest was heart-lifting.

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking up to the stunning view and walking through the beautiful countryside.Seeing the bears from the hide.I became a very happy birder when I saw a group of black storks.The amazing food in the hotel. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Greg was very informative and worked hard at making sure everyone had a good time. Full of lots of good stories about Romanian life!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you're fit as lots of walking. Invest in a good camera that can give clear shots in low light. Try Herman's plum schnapps! Be prepared for the bumpy road up to the village 

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Reviewed September 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

An exhilerating and exciting adventure with breathtaking scenery and amazingly friendly people. The perfect way to see this beautiful country and become a part of it, taking on the challenge of cycling its roads and engaging with the locals. 

Most Inspirational Moment

On the day of the long climb to Nuwara Eliya, we passed through such dramatically beautiful scenery that it was almost too much to handle! And then the long climb to the top was a real challenge but so worth it for the feeling once we got to the top. All the time we were cheered on and encouraged by the friendly locals smiling and waving. Such a rich experience encompassing awe, determination, pride, hilarity, exhaustion, camaraderie, satisfaction, relief and feeling overwhelmed and humble. There was a very special moment at Gal Vihara at Polonnaruwa where there were hundreds of pilgrims including many families laying offerings at the shrines of the massive Buddhas carved into the rock. The whole atmosphere was very special. Peaceful, respectful, relaxed and warm with a real sense of importance. A little girl was talking to me and we were having a conversation, practising her English. Her uncle gave me some flowers to lay at the shrine which I then did. It was a very moving experience to receive such warmth from a local family and to have the oportunity to be part of such a special place. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was a great tour leader. He was very well organised and knowledgeable and always happy and smiling. He worked hard to ensure that everyone was happy and had everything that they needed. He took time to get to know everybody indiviually and as a group, helping to build a team spirit as we went. He explained every stage of the cycle route to us carefully so we knew what to expect and was very kind and patient when answering our many questions. He also added some very special and kind extra personal touches and surprises to the tour which demonstrated his warmth and his desire to make us feel welcome in his beautiful country. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you would like an active holiday in a beautiful country with friendly people then this may well be the holiday for you. It is very busy and packed with amazing experiences that are different every day. If you decide to book, it would be a good idea to make sure you are reasonably cycle fit before you set off so you can really enjoy all the cycling. And make sure you smile and wave at the locals...!  

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Reviewed September 2013

NAMIBIA: 4WD DESERT EXPLORER

Excellent off the beaten track camping safari.

Most Inspirational Moment

Coming across the desert elephants in the Palmweg concession, and the lions, giraffes, mountain zebra and all the other wonderful animals.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hans was a star. Even when we had technical problems with vehicles he was calm and confident.  He's a great cook!  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take thermals for ice cold nights under canvas in the desert.  Mornings were cold up to about 11am. 

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Reviewed September 2013

NAMIBIAN ADVENTURER

This trip exceeded our expectations. There was never a dull moment and always something different to see or do.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the "Big Mama" sand dune in the heat of the desert sun and then running and jumping all the way down. Watching animals in their natural environment coming to drink at the waterholes. The elephants seemed to be having such fun rolling in the mud and completely submerging themselves, apart from snorkel like trunks, under the water. Seeing the Milky Way so vividly in the black night sky.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shane was excellent. He had amazing local knowledge and went out of his way to be helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you travel in August you won't need a raincoat but make sure you have enough layers of warm clothes for cold nights and early mornings. It was 1C when we landed in Windhoek.

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Reviewed September 2013

THE INCA TRAIL

Wonderful trip. The guides were fantastic. The second day is tiring but the end result was worth it. The guides were supporting the whole way and the cooks on the trip made some lovely food.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through The Sun Gate and seeing the view below us truly incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was great. One of our party had altitude sickness and wasn't able to join us for most of the trip..he was very supportive of her and ensured that she was able to join us for the last day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take good waterproofs even in the Dry season!

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Reviewed September 2013

WALKING THE AMALFI COAST

I was nervous, as this was my first Exodus holiday and I was on my own, but I felt totally relaxed from the moment I arrived. This was due to the excellent skills of our guide Christine. Moreover the trip was extremely well organised and the hotel was excellent. There were a good range of walks, which were all amazing.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed walking around the rim of Mt Vesuvius. Swimming in the sea at the end of a hot walk.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely fantastic. Professional, informative, caring and she set the right pace.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would say the walks were more moderate but carried out at a leisurely pace so make sure you are reasonably fit and can walk down steps.

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Reviewed September 2013

MONT BLANC HOTEL TREK

Pain is temporary; pride is forever! This phrase sums up my experience of the Mont Blanc Trek. The challenge was immense but the satisfaction that I completed th trek will stay with me for the rest of my life! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day had its inspirational moments. The views were stunning and the company fabulous. The group I traveled with were diverse and we all got on extremely well. I enjoyed the idea of moving from one place to another and exploring The Alps on this Trek. I was lucky enough to see the start of The Ultra Trail; the electric atmosphere will stay with me forever! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was excellent. He was knowledgable and led the group with care and consideation for the whole group. He did not make anyone feel that they were not up to the walking; infact we all worked at our own pace which made a very challenging holiday a relaxing one!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure that you are in good physical health before you embark on this trip. It is a very challenging trek but an immensly rewarding one. Invest in some walking poles and learn how to use them before you do the Trek; they proved to be an extremely useful tool.  If you are interetste in Alpine Flora; invest in an identification book; I really wished I had one with me to identify the beautiful flowers in bloom! 

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