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

Emma Sayer

Reviewed November 2018

A great way to see all the great things in China

Have low expectations and be positive was the motto of our guide. My own expectations were exceeded! We got to see so many great things

Most Inspirational Moment

Pandas! I booked this trip over any other because we go to visit the panda breeding centre. They are the most cuddliest and most adorable creatures. Whilst we were there we watched one get a bucket stuck on its head to one falling out of a tree. Yangshou with its Karst mountains! I love the countryside and this place was just stunning. We had rain most days we were there but the mist rolling across the mountains is just beautiful. A nice break from the busy crowds of the city too. The great Wall - Just wow! Even more breath taking in real life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dragon was very efficient and organised. He told us what we needed to know and what was happening a few days before it happened. He made us aware of optional extras that we could partake it. The motto of the trip was to have low expectations and to be positive. Dragon would often give us the worst case scenario and prepare us for the worst which meant we were never disappointed or surprised. And most things actually proved to be okay or to exceed our new expectations. Dragon was very helpful and supportive. My luggage got misplaced on a different coach and after a few phone calls managed to get it back quickly and without fuss. There was also a problem with my passport number. The office had pre booked my train tickets with my old passport number and so wouldn't pass the security check but after the first incident, Dragon managed to sort extra tickets so this wasn't a problem further along the road. Although not forth coming with information, Dragon knew alot and would give you all the information that he could give. No problems with translation.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't drink the water. You don't need to cover your legs for temples and things. We were supplied with bike helmets for our bike ride and had the option to hire some at other places. So no need to take your own. Don't flush the loo roll. Walk the steps up to the great wall. It's tough but if only a few of you do it you get that section of the wall to yourself for a good hour before you see everyone else that comes via the cable cars. Great opportunity for solo photos too. Practise with chopsticks before you come - its great fun to learn before you come and sometimes forks can be hard to find. Good trainers will get you through this trip! Lots of walking. Don't upgrade on the boat. We saved £50 and got to eat with the locals. We couldn't speak to them directly but I enjoyed watching how they used their chopsticks. If you only pay for one extra activity, do the night show at the Li River, Worlds largest natural theatre. Breathtakingly beautiful! Make sure exodus send you the exodus luggage tags - helps porters know that your luggage is all the same. Take an extra SD card, your going to need it!! One your packed, take half the clothes and double your spending money!

Alison Cairns

Reviewed November 2018

Sierra de Aitana Travels

We have just returned from our first Exodus adventure. Had a brilliant week with great company and camaraderie in our group. The walks were safe, fun and informative in the hands of our guide Jose, who conveyed his love and knowledge of the area to make our walks interesting and very enjoyable.
Jose was a very competent guide and we felt safe at all times with him. The terrain is fairly challenging in places due to the gradient of some sections and conditions underfoot, however achievable for anyone who is walk fit and who walks regularly off road and we felt sufficiently tested and a good sense of achievement after each walk.
Our accommodation was comfortable and clean, with plenty lovely, home cooked food. We enjoyed delicious triple decker sandwiches for packed lunch made personally by our guide each day, very much appreciated after a long and tough ascent!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the highest point of our walk each day in such glorious weather and conditions, also the remarkable scenery of limestone rock formations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We thought Jose was a ‘top guide’. Professional, fun, knowledgable and ensured all group members were looked after and safe.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking poles, walking boots and enjoy!

Martin McColgan

Reviewed November 2018

A Wonderful Trip to a Fascinating Country

I have been on many trips, all over the world, during the past decade or so, including many with Exodus. This Exodus trip I would rank as one of the very best. From start to finish, it was a wonderful experience, with a great group of fellow travelers. Each day was filled with new delights. The Japanese people were consistently kind, friendly, welcoming, and polite. The transport system is absolutely superb. The spotlessness of every location – even side streets in huge cities – has to be experienced to be believed. I am absolutely adamant that I will return to Japan in the near future because I was so enthralled by my experience during this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Big things? The sheer scale of the space age buildings in Tokyo, standing not far from delightful back alleys with great restaurants and bars. Or the traditional dwellings and tea houses of Kyoto, with the promise of a sighting of geishas in the early evening. Hiroshima. The artistry of so many shrines and temples. Smaller things? The lovely student lad who, when we couldn't find our way back to our hotel, insisted on taking us all the way to the front door - then bowed at us as if we had done HIM a service. Snow monkeys - hilarious. The tiny bars in the Golden Gai in Tokyo. The first ryoken - and the first onsen.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Keigo Ninomiya . What a wonderful group leader; indeed, what a wonderful friend. He loved his country, and was desperate for us to experience and enjoy as much of it as possible. This was a man who did not accept that a "free day" was a day of respite for himself. Keigo was with us EVERY day and EVERY night. Our itinerary was so much more full than the extensive programme outlined in the trip notes. We visited temples and shrines which were not covered in the notes, we went to great restaurants (ie great food and drink, for modest prices, in traditional Japanese places), we went to Japanese theatre. in Tokyo. On one particular night in Tokyo, after our meal, a small group of us wanted to visit the Golden Gai. Keigo was immediately obliging, and led us to the place and to a delightful little bar, which could accommodate no more than a dozen people. We stayed there until 1.00am. Keigo was up bright and early the next morning, having arranged the theatre visit on our "free day". THAT was the kind of commitment he had throughout our trip. I have had great guides on every Exodus trip. In an exalted group, Keigo is the top man. Thank you so much, Keigo.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a portable umbrella. Expect rain in Japan. Do a bit of basic homework about bars and restaurants before you go. Eating can be fairly cheap. The small supermarkets are well stocked with sandwiches, etc, for a modest lunch. There are PLENTY of small supermarkets, close to hotels, where you can stock up on essentials. Hotels have kettles, so if you have a supply of tea bags and/or coffee to supplement the handful of items supplied by hotels, it might make things easier. Day tickets for buses are about 600 yen, and if you are travelling on your own in Kyoto or Tokyo, these can be a good investment. Western food and drinks are available, but if you go into a "British Pub", such as "The Hub", which is behind the Kyoto Tower, you'll pay about £7 for a pint. There are also "Irish Bars", such as the one at the rear of Kyoyo railway station, where Guinness, or an equivalent, will cost 1000 yen, which is comfortably more than £7 a pint. Japanese pale beers, in Japanese places, are a MUCH better purchase.

Steph Dyer

Reviewed November 2018

Cycle Namibia

A fantastic varied exciting adventure exploring Namibia, it’s breathtaking natural beauty and it’s wildlife, both large and small.
A cyclists/naturalist/geologists/ photographers paradise

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the dunes, Experiencing Etosha wildlife then tiny desert animals, seeing sidewinders ... experiencing a thunderstorm Namibia style Cycling the huge vast areas was mesmerising and challenging, admiring the beauty whilst concentrating on the sandy tracks- Cycling with the game in the ranch reserve near the end of the holiday, being a few hundred yards from White rhino- without a fence! Hiddenvlek at the dunes Sundowner after cheetah experience at Solitaire lodge

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good very knowledgeable on wildlife, Namibia in general. The group felt very well lead by the three team members Happy and McLoud were brilliant and the three worked well together, complementing each others skills. Stefan team leader was great, always cheerful and obliging, answered any questions we had, looked after us all. Occasionally a little light on specific details of the trip (eg how long upcoming cycle was) but we felt this was sensible as it allowed him to be flexible and he always made good decisions as to when we had had enough! I would encourage him to talk to the whole group more about history/ geography of Namibia as he had much more to tell when we asked him on a 1:1!

Advice for Potential Travellers

make sure you take lip salve a cycling scarf that you can soak in water to keep the dust out ear plugs for camping- some of the others will snore! camera! I don't think I ever stood up in my pedals to cycle, it's all steady, flattish and you develop skills on sand!

Susan Bowers

Reviewed November 2018

Cape Town and The Garden Route

A fantastic trip with a very varied Itinery that gave a great feel for the beauty of South Africa and what it has to offer. The trip leader Justin Barr had a really positive attitude for his country and added to the enjoyment of the tour by being such a nice person and did his best to please everyone. The accommodation is also varied and I loved it. The wildlife and scenery on this tour are fabulous and I would strongly recommend this trip if you are thinking of visiting this lovely country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick out one thing but the interaction between the different cultures was very heart warming. Also I felt very safe all the time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Justin was the best, a lovely person who bent over backwards to make everyones holiday great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry you'll be safe and well looked after.

Peter Brook

Reviewed November 2018

The best way to see the Real Vietnam.Bicycle.

Tour Leader : Mr Linh Vo. Trip Code: MOV181014. Linh & his Exodus team; Tour Bur driver, Support truck driver & Bicycle mechanic were striving to ensure our tour group of 18 riders all had an exceptional Vietnam Holiday cycling holiday. Their efforts were appreciated and ALL group members had a wonderful Vietnam Experience. The cycling program was just right (moderate) for the cross section of the group.We saw the “Real Vietnam” from the bicycle saddle along back roads , as well as by bus,boat & train.The organization & running of this trip was exceptional. Full credit to Linh & his team for their efforts,I feel they went above & beyond simply,”just following the Itinerary”. They made sure we had a little “extra’ of the real Vietnam experience. Linh’s stories,songs and History lessons were all greatly anticipated by our group.

Most Inspirational Moment

The 30 klm downhill section from the Dalat Pass to the coast plus the 10 klm uphill section of the Hai Van pass .ie just getting to the top! (made more difficult due to the hot & humid weather conditions) Also, Linh arranged a "Home Stay" dinner with a Local Vietnamese family which was an outstanding experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mr Linh Vo was a fantastic tour Leader & a credit to your (Exodus) Company.I would give him 12/10.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're intending to cycle Vietnam,extra training to allow for the hot & humid weather would help.

Barbara Dolynchuk

Reviewed November 2018

HEADWATERS TUSCANY WALKABOUT

The walkabout was lovely. The agritourismo, food, wine and walking were great. The problem with the walkabout is namely directions. The directions submitted by Headwaters need to be updated. Sometimes, they just DID NOT WORK. This is very frustrating when you’re in a country that you are unfamiliar with, are on a walking trail that is already moderately difficult, and unsure if you are on the right trail (and sometimes we were not). In some instances street names which were available would have been useful. In other instances, it would have been nice if the directions had said, continue for 4 km or 3 miles (instead of just continue on until you get _______.). That was the biggest/only “frustration” of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenic views on the walks.....so astounding!!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Stephano was fabulous. He is a very thorough and conscientious guy. Even with the language barrier, Stephano was easily able to make his directions or point of what he was discussing clear. He was ALWAYS on time for transfers etc and very easy to chat with from destination to destination.

Advice for Potential Travellers

To do the walks you must be minimally in average shape/conditioning. Some of the hikes are easy but some (especially one) is quite steep and quite physically demanding!! Overall, Tuscany is very hilly so there is no getting around climbing!!

Carole Kinsey

Reviewed November 2018

A wonderful introduction to Bolivia.

An energetic holiday that packed things in, on a daily basis. We saw all that was promised & much more. Although tiring, as we moved on for most days, but extremely enjoyable, informative and interesting. We learnt a lot about a country we knew little about before we went. Highly recommended, but you need to be able to walk.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many unforgettable events & places - parades, marching bands & street dancing in Sucre, fantastic pre Incan archaeological ruins, impressive Baroque cathedrals & churches, spectacular scenery, places with beautiful jacoranda trees in purple bloom, women in colourful costumes, especially in La Paz, numerous rocks that were a geologists paradise, Lake Titicaca & a trip on a reed boat’ but our three day adventure by jeep, to Iyuni and the salt flats stood out. We saw desert scenery, ’ bubbling mud pools, experienced hot springs and visited the vast salt flats, as well as staying in the splendid Salt Hotel, it was a pity we were only there for one night.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marco, our group leader was very experienced. He was extremely caring & solicitous & made sure everyone was ok. Several people had tummy upsets & Marco produced medicine where necessary. He was very knowledgeable with an excellent command of English.He was also ably assisted by Linda from the office in La Paz, who was also friendly & very caring, checking every detail. She too spoke excellent English. Our third guide, Ericka was monitoring the trip as it was only the second recent trip.by Exodus. In several places we had local guides’ who were also very knowledgeable & spoke good English. I especially enjoyed Leroy on our trip to Iyuni who giggled at every opportunity & was instrumental in fishing out large quantities of salt crystals from below the salt crust. Also George we had at the end in Lake Titicaca & LaPaz. He too had excellent English & explained everything with enthusiasm. He was very dedicated to his job, & took us and a fellow traveller, to our hotels in La Paz on the last night’ while the rest of the group flew to Santa Cruz for their flight home. They all were superlative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a considerable amount of walking’ so make sure you have walking boots with a good grip. The was especially important on Isla Del Sol in Lake Titicaca. Walking poles there were also advantageous. We took a travelling kettle, tea & coffee with us. Important if you like early morning teà though milk was not usually available. Don’t pack too many clothes, Like others we took too much.. Strong insect repellent is a must in some places., with sunscreen/ sunblock especially in the Salt Flats with UV sunglasses. Hand gel was also useful on many occasions, though Marco had a supply, as well as toilet paper in toilets where we stopped by the roadside. Don’t forget a light towel if you want to go for a dip in the hot pools. We bought puffa jackets with hoods before we left & these were excellent. They are light, warm, wind proof & waterproof/ showerproof, with the added benefits of scrunching up small. I would recommend packing them into a small plastic bag. A good camera is another must as there is so much to photograph., Jeans were useful when it got cold, thought the bedsocks recommended by Exodus we’re not necessary. I managed with a pair of walking boots and a pair of trainers, though I would have liked a pair of light shoes , especially for the evenings. I also had a pair of slipper socks which were handy for bedrooms. Leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs as there many lovely things on sale very cheaply. The Witches Market in La Paz was a good place to shop.

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!

Ruth Adams

Reviewed November 2018

Excellent trip to Egypt- lots of history, culture and wonderful weather

A wonderful trip with some leisurely days along with early starts to beat the heat. October was a perfect time to go- not too hot, blue skies against which the sand and pyramids/ temples contrasted wonderfully.

Our guide was very helpful; it was wonderful to have water available both on the bus and the ship…..

One caveat- it would be helpful if in the trip notes if somewhere it mentioned that one must pay extra to take photographs in some of the temples…….not a problem for myself, but some travellers came with minimal cash, and so hadn’t factored that into the equation. A minor point overall though.

Highly recommend!

Most Inspirational Moment

Truly for me it was hearing the call to prayer while floating down the Nile......as the sun was setting.......drinking a glass of white wine. Second most inspirational moment was Abu Simbel and the entire history involved from ancient and modern times.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very helpful and extremely knowledgeable about all things Egyptian.......

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go......very safe. Inspirational in so many ways.......the history is overwhelming......

Prev 1 … 503 504 505 506 507 … 1,447 Next