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.

Select a trip specific review:

Select

14469 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Maureen Pearce

Reviewed March 2019

Wacky Races in the National Parks!

Our trip specifically aimed at maximum attention on wildlife was somewhat disappointing. The reason for the disappointment was especially the complete lack of control of the amount of safari vehicles allowed in the national parks and the drivers disregard for speed control (25K per hr) we must have been doing at least 35 – 40 mph and overtaking masses of other vehicles all racing to see either the sighting of a sloth bear or latterly the sighting of the leopard in a tree about 300 meters away in a tree. I wouldn’t be surprised if all the animals scattered during visiting times of tourist knowing what mayhem was in store! Once in view of the leopard (only seen with binoculars at that distance) passengers then suffered from carbon monoxide fumes whilst drivers went past the area not once, not twice but three times!. It is difficult to know how you can change the culture of such behaviour of the guides/drivers as it seems to be inherent. Walks in the Udawala were along the road track leading to the eco lodge were ok but not astoundingly memorable. The birders in the group were enthused.

Most Inspirational Moment

Inspirational moment of the trip was seeing a blue whale right up next to our tourist boat. We shared the morning sightings of our whale with about 12 other loaded boats, but having said that we saw our whale dive several times showing it's fluke and blowing before diving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dilshan Chathuranga was the most uninspiring Exodus leader I have ever had the chance to come across in all of our trips. He did the basic essential travel connections without any problems but seemed to lack the passion of other group leaders. When asked a question by clients he would often retort "I have told you that, wern't you listening?". His English was OK but sometimes difficult to grasp. I know that he caused offence and anger amongst at least 4 of the clients, reducing one Canadian guest to tears because she complained about the inept guide on their safari vehicle! He took the complaint personally and attacked her verbally insinuating that she was making a fuss. "what is that in the tree?" a monkey - was the response by the safari guide! when they wanted the type of monkey. He also gave incorrect names to birds seen and had little knowledge. It is the first time I have been on an Exodus trip where there had not been a thank you speech and presentation of tips etc. at the last evening meal end of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Contrary to your trip note you do not worry about leech socks as the Eco Lodge provides them. The whale watching trip organisers also provide sea sickness pills.

Marie Longworth

Reviewed March 2019

Great trip!

Great opportunity to see 3 countries! Great leader!

Most Inspirational Moment

While sad it was wonderful to bear witness to the relatively recent history of both Cambodia and VIetnam and also great to see the lovely welcome we got!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I returned from Sri Lanka in October and thought the legendary Suresh was thee best Guide ever, Where to start with Is!! She was just fabulous! She looked after us so we’ll and was always one step ahead in organizing everything. At the border crossings she brought pens for filling out the forms and even spelled out the names of the hotels that we had to put on the forms. She stopped the traffic with a firm hand which made us feel very safe but she was always very gracious in her acknowledgment of those that stopped! Her Tinglish (English) was excellent and she was never off duty. She never stopped and was unfailing courteous at all times! The support team in the three countries were great too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the heat! The cycling was very doable but oh soooo hot!

Gill Young

Reviewed March 2019

Crampons were also used due to the snown conditions.

Magnificent in every way – some of the finest scenery in Europe. Variety of walks with an afternoon stop at an Alpine hut for refreshments. Comfortable accommodation with health spar and plenty of food.
One small niggle, you had to buy a bottle of expensive wine rather than a glass of Hauswein.

Most Inspirational Moment

Monte Piana - we were lucky to go to both summits with superb views of 3 Cime. Also Strudelkopf, Lutterkopf and Durakopf walks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara Bull was fantastic. She was so encouraging and helped people discretely without them feeling embarrassed. She ensured everyone reached the summits. After the second last days walk in order to see what the conditions were like, she went on the walk she was thinking of doing on the last day, returning at 10pm.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Plenty to do on the free day using free train/bus passes. You can even go to Bozen to see Otzi

David Hill

Reviewed March 2019

Disasterous week 1; OK 2&3

Supplied with the wrong vehicle which was both unsafe and very uncomfortable and guides who didn’t know where they were going. It took a week to replace both.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wonderful Africa

Thoughts on Group Leader

First week useless, second and third weeks brilliant

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ask questions : 1) is the vehicle safe?; 2) is there 'working' air con?: 3) how old is it?; 4) has the guide/driver done the trip before?; 5)are the trip note 'driving' times reasonably accurate?; 6)if you are tall, how much leg room is there? 7)is there room to move on the bus?.

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank David for his review, however, we are genuinely sorry to learn that the first week of this holiday did not meet his expectations. Regrettably, due to a miscommunication on the ground in South Africa, our local team provided a smaller vehicle than is usually used on this tour; while we would like to clarify that this vehicle was serviced and signed off by qualified mechanics as in a safe condition prior to the trip starting, we acknowledge that it would have been slightly cramped and uncomfortable, for which we remain very sorry. Upon being made aware of this issue, a larger vehicle was supplied, and we would like to assure any future customers considering joining this tour that this unfortunate error has not recurred since this trip. We were delighted to read that David felt the second two weeks of the trip were brilliant, which we find is much more in line with the feedback we usually receive from this tour. John Penge – Product Manager

Lucy Chaldecott

Reviewed March 2019

Sunshine in Spain

I have just returned from this trip. What a beautiful escape from the wet and wild UK in March! We enjoyed superb, varied walks, often with 360′ views on the summits and not another sole in sight! Although the walks were quite challenging, the pace was ideal and our guides provided the perfect number of rest stops. Generally we had very good weather although layers were needed on the peeks in the wind. In terms of food, we enjoyed tasty, plentiful meals together in the hotel for breakfast and dinner, and filling picnic lunches. Being centre-based in a comfortable hotel felt like a real holiday, and the timings were in-keeping with this; due to minimal transport times, we could start walking at 9/9.30 each day and return at 4/5pm to enjoy a relax before dinner. I would highly recommend this trip for those with good levels of fitness who wish to discover quiet, varied mountain walks with good food, super views and a really chilled-out leisurely feel.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching so many beautiful summits with amazing 360' views. Another highlight was the hotel kindly baking me a cake for my birthday!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leaders (Jose and Jaimie) were excellent - very knowledgeable, friendly, and laid back yet extremely competent. I had complete faith in them but could also enjoy a laugh together. They provided a briefing for each walk on the night before and provided useful information for the "free day" and our departure day which we spent in Alicante. As mentioned in previous reviews, very good picnic sandwiches at lunch!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip! I hand't previously heard of hiking in the area, but it far exceeded my expectations. Other advice.. -when we arrived we had time to explore local Guadalest which is a lovely town with a hilltop castle and a good tapas bar! -highly recommend visiting Aitea on the free day, especially in good weather -we had a late flight back on the Sunday so spent the day exploring Alicante (the hike up to the castle is worth it!) -no need to take extra cereal bars as plenty are provided!

Peter I'Anson

Reviewed March 2019

Snowshoeing in Catalan

The recent weather meant that snow was only present at the higher altitudes, but, there was only minimal disappointment as the Pyrenees is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year. Miguel used his local knowledge to ensure we had good walks every day, even when we were not snowshoeing.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the peaks of the Aiguestortes National Park.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Miguel's enthusiasm for Catalan stood out both during the walks and the early evening events he arranged. He does that little extra to enable you to have a good time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to be flexible, the weather can be fickle.

Rosie Ritchie

Reviewed March 2019

Well worth visiting!

Lots of wonderful wildlife and plants, beautiful surroundings, great company and leader 🙂

Most Inspirational Moment

Staying at Tortoguero National Park was an education! We stayed at the lovely Laguna Lodge in comfy rooms within the grounds and within a few minutes walk of the Atlantic Ocean. Taking to the waterways to view wildlife was something I hadn't experienced before and I found it fascinating when the boat came to a stop so we could see birds, monkeys, iguanas and even orchids up close and personal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hector really knows his stuff. And his love and knowledge of the wildlife, as well as the plants, really came through with everything he told and showed us. His patience in answering our questions was great and he is also resourceful. When we had bad weather on one occasion, he immediately found another activity for us, and he also had plenty of suggestions for good restaurants.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Remember to take mosquito repellent, suntan lotion, a swimsuit, and a waterproof.

Ivan and Sue Godfrey

Reviewed March 2019

A totally memorable experience

We normally organise our own visits but for a destination such as Egypt we felt it important to put our trust in professionals … and our faith In Exodus was well-rewarded. The itinerary was full-on but packed with such variety and richness that it left us quite overwhelmed. By the end we felt we had not only visited a huge number of outstanding sites of world importance but also come to know and understand a country that has played and continues to play a major role within the world.

Most Inspirational Moment

Impossible to choose one but amongst them - experiencing the thrill of witnessing the rising sun shining on the innermost statues at Abu Simbel just as ancient Egyptians had thousands of years ago ... a sense of shared experience across millennia - cruising down the Nile and watching ordinary lives unfold in the timeless riverside scenery - being overwhelmed by the scale and magnitude of the temples and their art

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding. Not only did Sayed demonstrate a huge depth of knowledge based on his study of Egyptology but he gave us daily insight into the lives of ordinary Egyptians and the culture of the country of which he was so rightly proud. In today's often divided world he gave us all an example of how meaningful communication can lead to a far greater understanding of different cultures and religions and promote world harmony. He also tended to individual needs, was patient and empathetic and made us all feel valued within the group. . A wonderful ambassador for his country, his culture and his religion.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When applying for a visa make sure you use the correct website (Visa2Egypt) as there are numerous other ones that look authentic but charge a huge commission (about 300%!!). Check arrangements for obtaining money carefully. We would suggest budgeting for at least £250 - £300 per person to cover cost of general tips / tip to leader, optional visits (irresistible!), additional meals and purchases. Egyptian currency can be obtained from ATMs (with a charge) or you can take £s and exchange them in banks. When in banks try to get small coins to avoid embarrassment in loos (when you have nothing for the person handing out the paper!!). Be very clear about what is covered by the tipping kitty proposed by Exodus and when additional tips might be necessary.

Anne Black

Reviewed March 2019

A wonderful trip.

This trip covers a lot of ground, with a packed itinerary and with plenty of walking in beautiful scenery. The weather was very kind to us – we even saw Milford Sound with clear blue skies!

Most Inspirational Moment

I couldn't single out just one - there were too many. The North Island volcanoes and geothermal activity were amazing but the South Island scenery was spectacular. The ' Abel Tasman' day was one highlight - a beautiful walk followed by a swim and beach picnic then a return journey by sail - perfect. Sunrise at Lake Matheson, the boat trip on Milford Sound and walk to Key Summit were other highlights, as were the unexpected extras arranged by Sean and Merisha.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joint leaders Sean and Merisha were great!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel as light as you can - there are chances to wash clothes at lots of the motels. I brought far too much luggage and regretted it! Do bring layers, even though we had fantastic weather the temperature ranges were big. We didn't use our waterproofs much but I don't think our weather was typical. If you can, add an extra day or two in NZ at the start and end of the trip.

Cathy Radul

Reviewed March 2019

Awesome Vietnam!!

Excellent support team! Cannot day enough about how well cared for we were!
Trip was well planned with great rest day accommodations. Loc was extremely knowledgeable and shared wonderful recommendations for both sightseeing and restaurant choices.
Excellent trip!