Reviews

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

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14236 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed June 2012

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

This was my first group holiday with Exodus and I was travelling on my own, so hoping for a nice group of fellow travellers, plenty to do, good food and accommodation and well planned and executed travel arrangements. This trip pretty much met all these expectations and exceeded some. The actual walking part of the holiday was tough at times but manageable and certainly enjoyable (rain didn’t help – but I can’t blame Exodus for that). Accommodation was simple but comfortable and everything worked. Food was good. The company (fellow travellers) were great and we really got on well. The guide was great and overall it was a very good holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the bears in the sanctuary was incredible, the stories of their rescue and how they are now thriving was very moving. However seeing wild bears was also amazing.In addition the beautiful Carpathian landscape especially when high up in the sheep pastures and pine forests was lovely.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin Dan was excellent, very knowledgeable, very patient and looked after us very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need much extra spending money on this trip, the bear hide and the visit to Bran and Brasov allow some opportunity and you can spend money at the guesthouse on excellent local beers and wines, but generally everything is provided. Good waterproofs (essential for the week we were there) and perhaps boot cleaning kit is a good idea.

Reviewed June 2012

THE AMALFI COAST

Superb hotel, brilliant location, smashing leader and great walks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gelati, limoncello and old car.

Thoughts on Group Leader

If she plays her cards right, she can have me!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes. This holiday is everything it says on the tin.

Reviewed June 2012

CYCLING THE DALMATIAN COAST

Croatia is a beautiful unspoilt country. Thoroughly enjoyed the road cycling, was a bit more nervous on the off road sections as I hadn’t ridden on gravel before.

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved all the different bits. The island of Hvar was very pretty as was Miljet. Loved the 2 longer days on the bike which are the first 2 days. Great to see Dubrovnik after all the restoration too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very calm, capable and great company. Kept the group together despite differing ability levels.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try some off roading before you go so you are confident on different surfaces.

Reviewed June 2012

A WEEK IN JORDAN

A superbly balanced trip with a fantastic guide. Wonderful people and far exceeded expectations. I had images of Petra being overwhelmed with people but it was surprisingly quiet (sadly due to the drop in tourism) I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Most Inspirational Moment

Even with a crowd of gabbling Italian teenagers the moment when you exit the Siq and come face to face with the Treasury at Petra really is quite something. That said it was surpassed on the second day when Khalid took us on a long walk over the top, away from everybody, before suddenly finding yourself looking down a rocky abyss into the Treasury.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Possibly the best tour leader I've had, Khalid was faultless.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I've travelled a lot and love the Middle East but had put Jordan down the list as I thought it would be something of a tourist trap. In part the Syrian situation has led to a decrease in tourism which is sad for the local economy. The benefit is that the sites are a lot more free of bus parties than normal. Highly recommended from me! Jerash and Petra are stunning. Wadi Rum is big enough to hide the legions of tourists and make you feel like you have the desert to yourself. The Dead Sea is an experience not to be missed if not the most delightful place. Always plenty to do and to see, wonderful people, great food and runs like clockwork.

Reviewed June 2012

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

A great trip with a great bunch of people and a truly awesome guide. This was certainly an interesting and fun filled holiday. A great mix of walking, culture, good food and great company. Our guide Kevin was superb and made the holiday really special by taking such great care of us.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking the un-renovated parts of the wall pretty much alone. We had the Wall to ourselves on several of our hiking days.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kevin was fantastic. He took great care of us and was extremely flexible, changing the schedule to suit our needs. His foremost objective was to ensure that we all had the best possible holiday and he succeeded here without a doubt. He was also great company and has an outstanding sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate the challenge, we walked up thousands and thousands of steps, harder work than your ususal hike. Come prepared for very hot weather if you're booking this for the summer months. The heat was even more challenging than the steps on some days. A sun hat is a must.

Reviewed June 2012

ESSENTIAL PERU

This was a wonderful trip in a huge and varied country. It was a great mix of amazing archeological sites, great scenery and fascinating people and places. Although we had a few hassles with our flights, it did not detract from a fabulous trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me personally it was seeing Machu Picchu - a lifetime ambition. We took the train rather than trekking to get there and I do not feel I missed out in any way. As it was not high season we were able to go back to the site on the second day - choosing to go early at sunrise, which was really worth the effort.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marcial Bedregal was an excellent leader. He was born in Peru and has been leading tours for decades and so knows it very well. He knew how to pace the trip to suit us best and all the best places to stop for food, toilet stops and photos. He adapted parts of the itinerary slightly to give us the best possible experience. He was very knowledgable about the history but gave us information in manageable chunks. He was laid back and friendly with us all equally and very helpful to any group members having problems.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I went on the group flights with United Airlines with changes in Houston on the way out and Newark on the way back. We were unlucky with delays due to electrical problems. On the way out the flight from London was delayed and so we missed our connection and had to spend 24hrs in Houston. United Airlines put us up in the holiday Inn at their expense and gave us meal vouchers. We phoned Exodus about missing the connection and they arranged that when we reached Lima the next night we were met by the tour operator and driven four hours through the night down the coast to meet the rest of the group, so that we only missed one day of the trip. On the way home at Newark the flight to London was cancelled due to an electrical fault and we had approx 9 hours in Newark airport until the next flight. Again we got meal vouchers. It sounds bad, but I think we were unlucky to be delayed and the service on the actual flights was very good. As it was the official group flight that was delayed on the way out, I arrived home to discover a very prompt letter from Exodus apologising for my delayed journey and with financial compensation. I was very happy with Exodus' response and their actions to catch us up with the group. If we had not been on the official group flights and had been delayed we might have had to arrange our own transport at Lima to drive down the coast. So don't let my experience put you off the group flights!Apart from the flights saga, it all went quite smoothly. Two people were quite badly affected by the altitude at various times but were dealt with promptly by our guide and completed most of the trip with a few modifications. Most of us had only mild symptoms and just had to walk more slowly than usual - and not talk so much when walking! As regards money, I would suggest planning to use nuevo sol everywhere rather than dollars. I only used dollars twice - once to pay the local tour operator for some extra tours and once in a market when I ran out of sol. Most places seemed to prefer sol to dollars. I brought some from home and also changed a lot at Lima airport. For the first two to three days no-one seems to have any change but from Cusco onwards this is not usually a problem. From Cusco onwards it is easier to access ATMs or money changers.Some of us felt that we could have done with fewer hot weather clothes and more warm ones - it gets very cold at altitude especially in the early or late parts of the day. Layers are the way to go - the temperature changes a lot in one day as you go up and down in altitude.

Reviewed June 2012

MOUNTAINS & VILLAGES OF EVIA

Evia is an amazing island, very green and lush and the walking was varied. I was pleased by the amount of history and local knowledge imparted by the guides. The butterflies, flowers, tortoises and slow worms interested me a lot. The hotel provided a very comfortable base with the sea, tavernas and sea front giving evening entertainment. This is a great mix of moderately challenging walking with great food, wonderful history and interesting nature. I would heartily reccommend this holliday

Most Inspirational Moment

1 Reaching the top of the path to the Roman quarry on Ohi mountain - I have always been very cautious going down and the slope up was so steep I seriously wondered if I should stop, but encouraged by the guide I kept on, and to my surprise coming down was not as bad as I had feared.2 Standing in the cave used as a church since 300AD just below the Acropolis of Styra while the guide told us the history of the area - the battles between Greeks and Persians leading to the run from Marathon just across the gulf, the problems of the early Christians and the difficulties of the villagers up to the 19th Century with pirates.3 Seeing live wild tortoises ( reminded me of Gerald Durrell) and a huge slow worm which should be called a fast worm!4 Watching the pasteli maker

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had three leaders in the course of the week1 Thanos - brilliant. Very very knowledgable about the island and full of pride in it. Infectious enthusiasm and keen to help at all times. Thanos only did one walk with us due to having to go to London, but supervised arrival and departure. Gave the impression that when he was in charge nothing would go wrong and indeed nothing did!2 Cecile - good. Took over from Thanos and was also knowledgable about the island but possibly less good at the history, although she was excellent on present day Evia. Cecile arranged for a taverna to open up especially for us to have a drink towards the end of a walk and she organised a visit to a pasteli maker which was one of my trip highlights. Cecile has a lovely personality and is obviously very well liked by the locals, she also coped well with coming into the group after the holiday had started.3 Costas- OK. I believe Costas is training as a guide. He showed us the way on a walk where Cecile was not familiar with the start of the route, and throughout the day acted as backstop and also told us a lot of fascinating facts as the walk was all around land historically owned by his family. I really liked his style and enthusiasm, some people complained he was loud, but Greek people, especially the men, are loud. Costas is proud of his island and wants to pass on his enthusiasm. His presence added to that day's walk.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I found a fleece useful for the evenings as even at the end of May the breeze was cool after dark. For the price of a coffee you can have a lounger on the main beach for as long as you like - great after a walk. For privacy walk along the front to the left of the hotel, past the castle and through the park. There are steps down to a little cove with oleanders, a prickly pear and a fig tree and space to relax. Turn left out of the hotel and then right and along that street you will find a beautiful shop to buy hand made jewellery and scarves. If you are offered a visit to the pasteli maker then take it.

Reviewed June 2012

A WEEK IN JORDAN

A fantastic trip – lots to do and see, and all packed in to a week. A fascinating mix of history, geography and culture. In King Abdullah’s words, Jordan is in a ‘rough neighbourhood’, but please do not let this put you off. Jordan is a peaceful and safe haven in this difficult area, and at no time did we experience any problems. The people are very friendly, welcoming and helpful, and I have rarely felt safer in a big city or tourist attraction.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Treasury for the first time was amazing and photographs can not prepare you for the real thing. The night in Wadi Rum was also fantastic and we were looked after very well. I also really enjoyed floating in the Dead Sea and being coated in black mud - a real group bonding experience!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny was a fantastic group leader - very knowledgeable, extremely well-organised, and friendly and caring. He made sure that everything ran smoothly, down to getting up early to buy tickets to Petra so that we did not have to wait in a queue. Nothing was too much trouble and he took a personal interest in each and everyone of us. His love of his country was obvious and he went out of his way to show us aspects of his country that tourists often miss - for example, taking us to a local bakery and fruit market to buy a picnic. His knowledge of the history of the area was incredible and he told lots of good stories. He also seems to know all the best places to eat!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take good footwear as there is a fair amount of walking over stony dusty ground. Lightweight cotton clothes, with a light fleece for evenings.

Reviewed June 2012

INCA TRAIL, TITICACA & NAZCA

One of the best holidays/experiences I have enjoyed to date.Perceived Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail to be over hyped and becoming commercialised. A pleasant surprise to find exactly the opposite. Peru is a beautiful country, the Andes mountains and High Plains are spectacular viewing. A packed holiday adventure, get up and do it. You will have memories which last forever.

Most Inspirational Moment

Ending the Inca Trail and first views of Machu Picchu were incredible. The approach through the sun gate and looking down on the city is one of the most marvellous sights in the world. Viewing the Nazca lines from the air in a small aeroplane (it's the only/best way to see them). This optional trip is currently advised by the British Foreign Office as a "do not do", due to a crash a few years ago. But I have to say I found the experience fine in all aspects (pilots, aircraft, service). You make your own choice.......... Definitely a fantastic experience.From a fun perspective, you cannot keep a smile (or scream) off your face on the dune buggy experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Words are not enough. I have been on several treks/experience holidays, Fabrizzio was the best!!!Patient, caring, supportive, friendly, just keep applying the adjectives.Can I please have him on all my future holidays?A few examples: he served all our meals on trek, he was always first up, he listened to everyone (never mind how insane their question), he helped everyone, he made sure everyone had what they wanted, when they wanted it. He didn't try and control the group, but he made sure the group functioned.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Most of it has been said in other reviews.Take at least one pair of shorts, swimwear, a good sunhat.Take good walking gear, prepare for all weathers (a problem I know, but we had all weathers on the trek and through the rest of the holiday.)Some hotels struggle with the provision of hot water, plugs for sinks, towels are rarely in great supply. But generally they are clean and functional.Take currency in a mix of Sols and US dollars. My advice 20/80%.The food in Peru is very good, both local dishes and regular international dishes are always available. You will not starve!

Reviewed June 2012

NATIONAL PARKS OF THE WEST

A wonderful adventure through the parks, canyons and deserts of south west America with options for all levels of walking/hiking at most destinations.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Grand Canyon was simply amazing. Yosemite and Zion National Parks exceeded expectations, (which were high), and Bryce Canyon was simply out of this world. Oh, and yes, I loved Las Vegas. What's not to like about it?

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was a Prince in more ways than one. Very committed to the group and his job, was always about to advise and to chat and was a very careful and rerspectful driver. Had everything organised in a laid back sort of way. An ideal tour leader for this kind of tour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be careful with you packing. Temperatures in May were 35C and higher but a few days after we got home Ron emailed to tell us it was snowing in Yosemite. If there's one thing that is essential to bring its an appetite. The size of American breakfasts has to be seen to be believed! And wait till you order a pizza!!

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