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.
An unforgettable trip - but a few opportunities for Exodus.
Don’t let the 3 stars put you off — this is an amazing trip and I wish I could rate it 5 stars. Peru is stunning, and this itinerary covers a lot of the country, which means it’s intense: early starts and long bus days. As the trip progresses, the landscapes get more impressive — Colca Canyon is jaw-dropping (condor-spotting and the llamas were highlights). Hotels were decent and food ranged from good to excellent, with plenty of great meals, wine, and pisco sours. Overall, a great overview of Peru’s culture, nature and history — hard not to fall in love with the country and its people.
We were a great group of 12, but because of that small number we were given a small, uncomfortable bus. Luggage barely fit, the suspension was terrible, and it was wholly inadequate for long journeys (one day of 13 hours!) on bumpy roads at altitude. Our guide Giscard tried to get an upgrade, and I contacted the London Exodus office, but the Peru office wouldn’t budge — so for over half the trip, our enjoyment was hindered by the transport. We did get an upgrade in week two, the night we had to flee Cusco at 10pm due to a strike — but that bus broke down (overheated radiator), leaving us without heating while it snowed outside. The last few days we finally got a great bus, and it made a huge difference for Colca Canyon. This is something for Exodus to reflect on.
Unlike some other reviewers, I didn’t enjoy the homestay (nor did the 2 travelers staying in the same home). There was little communication with the family — we only met the mother and son — and they were keen to sell us their wares from the moment we arrived, even asking to swap my much-needed fleece for a woollen hat. The next morning we were all asked to “dress up” in “traditional” clothing, which felt at odds with the spirit of these trips — more like forced cultural appropriation. Others may have felt differently.
Overall, I’m so pleased I did this trip and would recommend it strongly!
Most Inspirational Moment
Machu Picchu is an unforgettable experience, it by far exceeded my expectations! We were so lucky with the weather as well. It is in these moments that Exodus truly shines: all the logistics (train journeys, bus journeys, ticketing, queueing etc.) would be so hard to do on your own, it truly ran like clockwork.
The other highlight was the (optional) flight over the Nazca valley. I loved loved loved it (and I have a fear of heights!). Truly spectacular.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Giscard was nothing short of terrific!! The perfect guide, caring, firm when he needed to be, sense of humour, and very knowledgeable! He is a very experienced guide and he navigated any curveballs without flinching, we always were in the safest of hands with Giscard. I will remember him fondly!
Advice for Potential Travellers
It's an intense trip, so be prepared. You will get tired, but the beauty of the country is so so worth it! Listen to the tour guide's advice when it come to the altitude, it is something to carefully manage.
Pack warm clothes ... in fact you need clothes for all seasons. You need layers, because on the same day you may need only a t-shirt and shorts, and a few hours later you will need proper trousers and two fleeces. Never been so cold in my life as when the radiator of the bus broke down when it was snowing outside! (Ironically, there was a heatwave in the UK at the time!).
Finally, you need to be have a decent level of mobility and fitness to enjoy it. Although you're not climbing any mountains, often there will be some hikes where there is uneven ground.
This was my first trip to South America and I think the bar is set high!
Fantastic holiday. Good experience at booking. All lodges were beautiful. The tour very well planned and our guide was just amazing – ensuring we did everything we wanted to do.
Most Inspirational Moment
The wildlife, visiting a local farm, learning about the country from local Costa Rican
Thoughts on Group Leader
Can't praise her highly enough. Her knowledge was fantastic - sharing insights into her country and spotting and naming wildlife. Amazingly hardworking - nothing was too much trouble. Organised us into perfect efficiency without feeling we were bossed around. Fun and friendly to be with at all times. Definitely went over and above our expectations to ensure our holiday was everything we wanted it to be.
Colin Mansell
Reviewed July 2026
Iceland Explorer
Because it more then met our expectations so may well do so for someone with similar interests.
Most Inspirational Moment
Waterfalls and Glaciers.
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was exceptional. Most Exodus leaders are good but Gisli went out of his way to tell us about Iceland, its people, traditions and history. He was very sociable and helpful. The only Exodus guide who has come close is one we had in Costa Rica. He made the trip.
We thought it was excellent value for money, and had a great holiday with helpful, very informative staff from Mabaruli african safaris.
Most Inspirational Moment
Rhino tracking, number of different animals we saw in Etosha, doing walks on the trip - e.g. at Sossusvlei, the White Lady at Brandberg.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Helpful, personable, and he worked well with 'Happy' who accompanied him on the trip. He was suitably sociable and very knowledgeable about wildlife and local history.
An excellent introduction to a fast-changing country. A varied itinerary took us through the beautiful Albanian scenery and included visits to mosques, churches and houses of interest as well as archaeological sites.
Most Inspirational Moment
The group meal with a village family at Dhoksat was a particular highlight. Berat and Kruje stand out, although Albania's mountains, rivers and lakes were inspiring. Our visit to Bunk Art 2 was a sobering reminder of Albania's recent past.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Artur, our group leader, and Diu our driver, were a professional and experienced team who worked closely together. Highly recommended. Artur is excellent at running the tour smoothly and Diu is a very careful driver who also helps with luggage – and he shares great photos on the group WhatsApp.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We arranged direct BA flights through Exodus that also gave us an extra day in Kruje, which allowed us time to explore the market and visit the excellent Ethnographic Museum. Be prepared for moving on almost daily and some longish days on the road (with plenty of stops built in). Some of the cobbled pavements are slippery (e.g., Berat Castle and Kruje market) – take appropriate footwear. NB there are no money changing facilities airside at Tirana airport, so don't end up stuck with too much lek at the end of your trip.
Everything went really well – logistics, travel, accommodation, communication, etc.. The local team was very friendly and helpful – their contributions were a hugely positive part of the trip. The places included in the itinerary were all amazing. The wildlife we saw was quite exceptional.
Most Inspirational Moment
All places that we visited during the trip offered amazing experiences. The cruise on the Chobe River was particularly stunning, and our sighting of wild dogs was truly memorable.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Brian's knowledge of wildlife and much more was extensive and he communicated it very well - generously and humorously. He applied his excellent interpersonal skills to all the people on the trip and that we encountered. He was very helpful in supporting members of the group whose flight or luggage had been delayed. His simultaneous driving, spotting and informing skills are unparallelled.
The holiday was exactly what I was hoping for, exceeding my expectations. The prospectus was clear and accurate. The booking system and sales support team were excellent. Leaders and accommodation were equally good. The walks were well-graded and took us through the most lovely landscapes. As always, I found myself in like-minded company and quickly made friends of my fellow travellors.
Most Inspirational Moment
The scenery, the alpine meadows and their biodiversity. The good leadership and good company.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both leaders were well-informed and experienced. They knew their patch very well and Mark had helpful botanical knowledge, which I appreciated. They were personable, with excellent inter personal and leadership skills. They had the skill of cementing together a party of disparate nationals into a fellowship.
Great holiday in The Baltic States, with a fantastic guide.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cold War Museum and Rundale Palace.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our guide was exceptional, good knowledge, organised, helpful and friendly. Even better he had a great sense of humour, which we all appreciated. As with these holidays, there were a couple of guests who were a little awkward and he handled these well.
Andrew our tour leader was amusing and attentive managing the groups needs with kindness and humour. accommodation was mostly very close to attractions to enable further independent exploration. Mainly the countries and the tour guides along the way who helped us to grasp the enormity of the past occupations and future concerns.
Most Inspirational Moment
This is really difficult as there were way more highlights than expected! Tallinn, Lahemaa national park. Rundale Palace Curonian spit and hill of witches Cold war museum and Trakei castle and everything in between!
Thoughts on Group Leader
He helped the group to bond with his humour planning and affability. He was not only a tour leader but someone who had lived the experience of the recent history and this impacted on our understanding and empathy towards the people of the Baltic states. His planning had us always just ahead of any other party entering a sight. Minimal waiting in hotels for keys. Clear information daily and through the day with exemplary patience for those requiring repetition.
