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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14469 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Dorothy Brockway

Reviewed January 2019

Annapurna Circuit in cold December

Wonderful scenery, amazing mountains but this was a lot tougher than a grade 5. (I’ve done an easier 6 than this).
Whilst Exodus does attempt to make the traveller aware of the often primitive conditions of the tea huts, the EXTREME cold encountered on Dec trips is not emphasised enough. Those huts which did have wood burners in the dining area seemed reluctant to Light them other than when we were having our paid meals. Despite requests, we were forced to spend a lot of time in our beds and sleeping bags.
The meals were good but the only prepaid meal, breakfast could have been better. It became apparant most tea huts were offering free accommodation if evening meals were purchased. Most days we were only offered porridge and toast despite eggs etc being available. A little mean of Exodus,

Most Inspirational Moment

The La Thorong Pass and Poon Hill

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely excellent. Prem. And his assistant Hari could not do enough for us. As well as making our safety paramount and doing everything in their power to help us achieve our goals on the mountains, they also paid attention to the smallest details, noticing our every need and trying to fulfil them. Just brilliant.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Respect the cold and perhaps consider a Feb or March departure. (I did The Sanctury in March and It was nowhere near as cold).

Kerrie Starbuck

Reviewed January 2019

Fabulous Finland

We had a great time on our Finnish adventure and felt like we were well looked after and entertained the entire time. The scenery and activities were amazing and we’d highly recommend this trip to families of all ages.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting huskies and reindeer, and snow-shoeing through some truly breath-taking forests.

Thoughts on Group Leader

James catered well to the group and kept us informed at all times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take hand/foot warmers - the supplied equipment is suitable, but sometimes you just need a little extra.

Anastasia Kondylis

Reviewed January 2019

Jordan Cycle Tour

The trip was a good way to see a lot in a short amount of time, but rushed. There weren’t many moments to stop and take in the scenery or actually fathom where you were and what you were experiencing.

The cycling was incredible and the main highlight. We cycled through remote areas and experienced scenes that we would have otherwise not had opportunity to see.

The experience in Wadi Rum was somewhat disappointing and lacked the unique cultural experience.

The food that you receive in the Middle East caters for all food types and is delicious, but we were not given the opportunity to order our own meals, which caused a few issues if you are constantly eating bread and rice all you want is a bit of vegetables.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling throughout Jordan was incredible. The views were spectacular, the cultural side of being able to see the Jordanians way of life and how they live was great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was a real let down and really ruined the trip for many of us. As someone with such an important role on a trip such as this you can really make or break it. He had obviously done this several times and seemed rather disinterested and unexcited, not giving much more than was necessary and didn't go out of his way at all. He rushed when there wasn't need to and took more time when wasn't necessary. We would be all standing waiting to cycle and he was either having a coffee chatting to his friends or having a smoke - a real annoyance. He didn't cater for any dietary requirements and the lunches that we received for shocking in comparison to the amount that we paid for meals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are wanting to exercise and travel this is a good way to do it, we cycled and walked a lot. You meet extremely interesting people and learn a lot about yourself.

Ian Wilkes

Reviewed January 2019

No lights but great holiday

We were a family of 5, kids ages 20, 18 and 14, doing the Finnish Winter Adventure Family holiday from 23rd December. The family holiday ran in parallel with the adult holiday (over 16yrs) and was very similar. Some of the activities were the same and even run together.
We went to see the Northern lights, over the Christmas holidays whilst our kids were home from Uni or school. The ski was overcast most of the week, and cloudy in the evening, so we didn’t get to see the lights, although our leader called us out to see faint glows through the clouds.
However, we chose this trip as there were plenty of activities to keep us entertained whether we saw the lights or not.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights of the holiday were the huskie dogs; the snowmobile optional trip; sleeping out on the frozen lake in a Quinzee; the Basecamp food; and the Basecamp staff

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Basecamp leader was Anna, who was very good. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Our Exodus leader was James, who was very good. Great communicator, very knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in making sure we had a good time. He couldn't have done more to help us have a great holiday, other than provide a clear sky to see the lights!

Advice for Potential Travellers

You truly only need to take a base layer, top and bottom. The Basecamp provide boots, two pairs of gloves, a fleece layer, top and bottom, and a waterproof/windproof layer, top and bottom. You just need a hot and buff. My wife and daughter found ski goggles useful for crosscountry skiing and snow shoe hiking, really just to keep the wind off their eyes. I found a balaclava useful too. Other than that, just layer up with long sleeve t-shirts and jumpers.

Brian Helsdon

Reviewed January 2019

An excellent but busy trip

This is an excellent tour in a country where variety really is the spice of life. You go from the Andes highands, in fairness this is most of the trip with heights, not including the peaks of 2600 to 3600 metres, to the cloud forest, rain forest and the hot and very humid coastal belt. It is very well designed but there are some long coach days. For example on day ten (to Cuenca) we did not finish until after dark having had two long coach rides. It also helps to be reasonably fit if you are to enjoy the more strenuous walks at Chimborazo and Cajas national parks.
There are things I would leave out if I was designing the itinerary. For example there is the AmaZoonica Animal rescue centre which says it is not a zoo but it is really and a crowded and disorganised one at that. The Ingapirca ruins were really a non event and mostly reconstructions.
One disappointment was the Mangrove boat trip. It did not happen. This was January 2nd and the boatmen simply did not turn up.

Most Inspirational Moment

Two moments stand out. The first was the climb up Chimborazo from 4800 to 5000 metres. It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. The second was at Cuenca. we were there on new year's eve. Totally unexpected and unplanned we came across a massive parade with local ethnic groups demonstrating their affinity with the deity. There were loads of floats and children and adults in colourful costumes plus music.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eddie was excellent, extremely knowledgeable and well organised. He was at ease with the group and enjoyed a joke. He had to cope with several issues affecting group members and did so calmly and effectively without this affecting the attention he gave the rest of the group, a real asset.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Outside of the rainy season you don't need a mosquito net for the rainforest. We didn't see any at all. For the rainforest take a bag that is big enough for all the things you will need for two nights in the rainforest. The boat to the lodge is not big enough to take the main bags. Also make sure you have a powerful torch both for the night walk and the room. There are candles but the matches and match boxes provided were useless.

David Hindley

Reviewed January 2019

Cool trip

Loved this trip. Well organised. Shibu was a very likeable trip leader. Shogar and Franklin as supporters were excellent too. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with the smiles of the people of Kerala. Great activities. Very flat cycling! Only hills on the last day around Varkala, and then not serious. Only disappointment for me was the very poor quality of room at the Deshadan Hotel in Varkala.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the more remote towns as people waved and shouted “Happy New Year”.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shibu was very likeable and dependable. He always did what he said and took good care of use.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are not a fan of hot and spicy food, like me, I’d suggest taking some small sealed containers of butter, jam, pate, etc to flavour rice, bread etc. If you like hot and spicy, you’ll be in food heaven!

AnneFleur van Diem

Reviewed January 2019

Fab Holiday!

I loved everything about this trip. The accommodation was cozy and the beds incredible. The food was delicious, fresh and plentiful and the surroundings stunning as they only can be in Norway

Most Inspirational Moment

Being on the plateau, in the high w8nds, snowshoeing through the wilderness. It was too dangerous to ski so Ilse and Mary took us out for a snowshoe instead and it was a brilliant hike.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The local guide for this trrip is simply incredible. A true coach, she knows exactly how to get the best out of people, always being patient and working with everyone individually, even in a group environment. She's very attentive and just a lovely person. She should be guide of the year as I have yet to meet anyone that would surpass her in guiding, teaching and general personality..

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go. You'll love it!

CLIVE Beauvais

Reviewed January 2019

WALKING IN MADEIRA

THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THIS WALKING HOLIDAY

Most Inspirational Moment

NO PARTICULAR OUTSTANDING MOMENT

Thoughts on Group Leader

GROUP LEADER, ANDREAS, WAS EXCELLENT. OBVIOUSLY VERY PROUD OF HIS ISLAND. HE HAS GONE TO A LOT OF TROUBLE TO LEARN AS MUCH POSSIBLE ABOUT FLORA AND FAUNA. HE WAS FUNNY AND ENTERTAINING THROUGHOUT.

Chamini Mendis

Reviewed January 2019

Cities and beyond

The trip had a great mixture of imperial cities of Morrocco as well as country side and desert. Great to see Essaouira which a starke contrast to other cities. Loved the walks in Torda gorge as well as the high Atlas. Loved the city of Fes with winding souks.