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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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!

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124 Reviews

4.6 out of 5

Shuling Wu

Reviewed November 2018

Walking and Trekking the Great Wall

It is a great experience! I am so happy to meet the new friends from UK. And the leader Jerry is very reliable to make sure everybody is safe.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking on the top of the original Wall

Thoughts on Group Leader

He is responsible and makes everybody is safe and sound. It is appreciated to learn his comment about the popular news but it would be great he can share the information and knowledge about the sight, the history, the location and the hiking plan. Some times the group like the sheep and he is the sheep-dog and we just follow him blindly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

British Chinese, American Chinese and the similar can be the potential travelers.

Michael Cooper

Reviewed November 2018

MEETING THE WALL

Walking the great Wall of China is invariably on lots of Intrepid travellers wish lists or objectives – simply just do it. You will not regret making the decision. If you have not been to China before it is both an introduction to the country (especially Beijing) and walking one of the most documented locations in the world.
The majority of the meals are inclusive but this is a bonus as it includes both restaurants in Beijing and and more authentic Chinese cuisine in the Home stays. I do not think I will not bother with a Chinese restaurant again in the UK.

Most Inspirational Moment

Actually walking on the great wall and and viewing the changing scenery and especially away from the tourists and crowds. Exodus do deliver because for 90% plus of the walk you do not meet/encounter any other walkers. When you do meet the crowds it just brings it home to you how fortunate one has been in being away from the masses.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jerry was both entertaining, knowledgeable and well organised. His timings were spot on and he could be approached on any issue. A tour leader is best judged on when something goes wrong and he/she has to think on their feet or has to deal with an individuals issue. I saw evidence of Jerry responding to both of these situations.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a lot of steps both up and down and have an 'open mind' to the the home stay accommodation as it may not be what you perceive.

David Banks

Reviewed November 2018

A fabulous journey

I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the trip. The scenery – the wall and the surrounding mountains – was stunning and constantly changing. The weather was perfect with mostly warm sunny days with cool evenings. Everywhere we stayed from good quality hotels to basic rural homestays provided great food and hospitality. Our group leader, Jerry, was excellent and I felt very lucky to be away with such a lovely group of fellow travellers. Finally and perhaps most importantly the Chinese people I met were warm, welcoming, interesting as well as curious about us and almost without exception delightful.

Most Inspirational Moment

The sheer scale and beauty of the Great Wall and the surrounding mountains Tiananmen Square was a particular highlight in Beijing The warmth of the Chinese people everywhere

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Jerry, was excellent in all respects! His caring, thoughtful and hardworking approach was key to the success of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. Do this trip and do it in autumn when everywhere is quieter and the weather is pretty much perfect for walking 2. Do the Xi'an/terracotta warriors extension! 3. Supplement the excellent guides with your own guide book 4. A little mandarin (and a big smile) goes a long way! 5. Find at least a little quiet time each day to reflect on your experience and the pleasure and privilege of being in such an amazing place 6. Do try the street food in the wonderful night market in Xi'an!

Suggestions

Thanks to all the exodus staff for their positive and professional approach I would happily talk to anyone considering this trip who wants to hear any of the above from someone who has actually done the trip.

John Pethick

Reviewed October 2018

Let One Hundred Flowers Bloom

Space, and the (temporary) frontier abound provided that you go boldly, up, more up, and even more up; cast aside fears of teeming hordes, and remember, the people, and the people alone, are the motive force in the making of world history. At times, you become the ‘attraction’ – videoconferencing a chap’s wife on her drive home so she could practice her English (at the top of the Wall, naturally). That was a first. High fiving hundreds of school kids, while teachers convulsed with laughter (on the wall too), in a society where physical contact is not a thing, also a first. Underpinning it all, a long past with, to quote a fellow traveller, “zero history of democracy”. And the kittens really do want their fluffy tummies tickled, oh yes they do.

Most Inspirational Moment

Decades of watching China from afar, dissolving whilst sitting on some unused telegraph poles, on a country road, alone at sunset.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pema. Well, it's always handy to have a Tibetan guide, when you bump into some Tibetan monks, looking for a group photograph with some westerners for their Instagram. Or need to explain the fire in your room. Retrieve a confiscated bank card. Discuss the geological formations under the wall and the materials in it. Get you through 'Security' painlessly. And be objective about Tibet's relationship with China.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1) the Dong Fang has a machine which converts cash banknotes (sterling, USD, canadianD, euros, and many more) into yuan, which is very handy indeed. 2) two types of ATM exist, ones that hand out cash and return the card, ones that are for account management only, and hold onto the card. Make sure you are using an international bank, and a real ATM. Worth watching what other people are doing for a few minutes. 3) Euro / US plugs sometimes work in the local sockets, but if you require mains, take a three pin Chinese adapter. Not many amps in the supply, so charging is slow. 4) Do not, repeat do not, leave electric oil radiators switched on in an empty room. And stand by for a few minutes to pull the plug out of the socket after switching on. 5) keep an eye out, and the camera hot, for feral panda spotting.

Suggestions

Water for drinking: arrive, fill kettle, allow to boil, open lid to cool down, do something else, pour into 'tough' water bottle / bladder, refill kettle etc. Everywhere has a kettle for that purpose. Have a thermos, with local tea leaves instead / as well. Even petrol stations have hot water boilers. The journey to a plastic free world starts with the first step.

Stephen Meleady

Reviewed October 2018

China Calling 🇨🇳

What a great trip !
6 hiking days and 2 days seeing the sights in Beijing with Pemma our Tibetan guide and our mixed bunch of 16, comprised of couples and solos making for a great trip to China. ( I didn’t book the Xian extension ) the hikes are tough as they are up and down the many ridges that the wall sought to protect and most are on the “Wild Wall” where we had the fantastic views all to ourselves, so expect some tender knees and sore calves as the days progress. Accommodation in the country is in friendly and comfortable homestays and Don Fang in Beijing is about 30 minutes walk to the Forbidden City and Tianenmen square etc. China is a real mix of old and new and the vibrant colours are a treat for the eyes. Ticking the Great Wall box with this Exodus trip was memorable and as is the case on many a trip there were only minor things that could be improved but take it from me, if you’re thinking of booking then take the leap, you’ll love it.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Stairs to the Sky near Jiankou are scary, picturesque and a challenge to mind and body, but what a thrill !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pemna is a super guide, ever smiling, friendly but most importantly is putting you as his primary goal.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t underestimate it’s a tough enough hiking trip with more downhill setions than most

Suggestions

It’s a great trip 😃 so go for it !

Michael Cooney

Reviewed September 2018

Disappointing

Having travelled with Exodus before, I was looking forward to this trip. However, although the scenery was spectacular and the hiking was enjoyable, Exodus was disappointing and if I went again I would do the trip with someone else. Some of the accommodation was very poor, being smelly and dirty. The leader’s time management and communication was also poor, with some days having a very long period between breakfast (7am) and lunch (3pm) with no advance warning, no snacks provided and limited water provided.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from the wall when we were out in the wilderness.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Definitely not the best tour leader I have had.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't do this trip with Exodus.

chris hayes

Reviewed September 2018

walking the great wall of china and xian extension

spent 6 days walking the great wall of china and then a walking tour of beijing. we then went on a sleeper train to xian where we saw the terra cotta army

Most Inspirational Moment

walking on the unrestored parts of the great wall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jack was great and spent a lot of time explaining the history and he was a great ambassador for his country

Advice for Potential Travellers

We took metal water flasks with us but were given small plastic bottles of water every day so we didnt need the flasks. In september the weather was great and i took warmer clothing both for the day and night which i didnt need.

Suggestions

i was very disappointed in missing the walk in olympic city as we just drove passed it. Also I didnt like the skytel hotel in xian as it was soulless. No real communal area and no outside space/garden. The room was fine. Not to keen on the breakfast.

chris hayes

Reviewed September 2018

walking the great wall of china and xian extension

spent 6 days walking the great wall of china and then a walking tour of beijing. we then went on a sleeper train to xian where we saw the terra cotta army

Most Inspirational Moment

walking on the unrestored parts of the great wall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jack was great and spent a lot of time explaining the history and he was a great ambassador for his country

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Daniel Springett

Reviewed September 2018

Great Wall of China

First time I have done something like this before but it has been one of the best trips I have done.
Wish I could of been out there longer

Most Inspirational Moment

Descending the heavenly stairway, listening to stairway to heaven on the way down

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jerry was very knowledgeable, funny, fair and a great person in general

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's hotter than you think, make sure you have a semi decent level of fitness (hill walking especially), bring insect repellent and about £200 should cover spending (possibly a bit less).

Suggestions

Consider doing the add on, I wish I had done it but it will give me an excuse to go back

Louise Donovan

Reviewed September 2018

Introducing....Great Wall of China

Fantastic jam packed trip, from trekking up long steep challenging slopes to witnessing the stunning views from the great wall. A journey well worth the undertaking. I was a first timer to trekking, and a single traveller. The trip was well planned and executed. The organisation was second to none, from co-ordinating hot savoury pancakes on the great wall for lunch, to organsing shows and Tai Chi classes everything was done with a smile, a sense of humour and professionalism. A lifetime of memories, a personal achievement and a hunger for more. If you are thinking about it- think NO MORE, just book it – you will not regret it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Pushing myself to trek up the vast paths and steps, to witnessing the views making the hardwork pall into insignificance. Couldn't believe I was there on the Great Wall of China with a group of lovely people in the care of the most professional tour guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Professional, organised and funny. Jerry wears many hats as the tour guide - the historian, the nurse, the accountant, the food expert, the motivator, the teacher, the translator, pest controllor.........I could go on. He wears all these hats with humour humbleness and integrity. One thing though.......'those walls Jerry are NOT FLAT!'....!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your walking sticks, the climbs are steep and therefore the climb down is also steep. I didn't take mine, and that was an epic fail. I was loaned a walking stick from a fellow traveller and it made a huge difference to being able to keep up with the group. Before you go - hill walk for up to 5-8 km a time......making sure you can maintain a steep hill walk for up to an hour whilst carrying a back pack with around 3-4kg in it.

Suggestions

Simply - brilliant. I'll be back!

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