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:
14469 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Jan Emms
Reviewed September 2018
Great walking in spectacular Corsica
Corsica was beautiful in the late summer sunshine. The hiking was as described in the trip notes and I felt appropriately prepared for the level of walking. Good central base and excellent use of the trains to allow a varied set of walks. The last two walks were outstanding, though there wasn’t a day I didn’t enjoy.
Hotel was basic but adequate with welcoming hosts.
I would definitely do a similar trip again.
Most Inspirational Moment
Some of the views were remarkable and cooling down in the mountain streams.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sebastian was outstanding. Obviously enjoyed and took great pride in sharing his love and knowledge of Corsica. Went beyond his responsibilities and was a real asset to the trip- Exodus you should use him again!!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you carry enough water and if you do need extra supplies bring them with you- no shop in village.
The level descriptions are accurate- so do some training to get to the suggested levels.
ENJOY!
Stephen Bond
Reviewed September 2018
Porto to Lisbon Cycling Tour
My wife & I have joined cycling tours in Italy, Croatia & USA & unfortunately the Exodus Tour rates very poorly against the other tour companies
We have been used to excellent guides, well rated itineraries & plenty of free time upon arrival each day…none of this was achieved with the Exodus tour
The guides were very pleasant but out of their depth with regards to understanding the customers needs
Most Inspirational Moment
Nil
Thoughts on Group Leader
Guides were pleasant but inexperienced
Advice for Potential Travellers
Try another tour company if taking this route
Reply from Exodus
We would like to thank Stephen for his feedback, although we are sorry that his trip fell below his expectations, especially with regards to the tour’s leadership. Whilst we were confident that the tour leader had the necessary skills to lead this departure, we would like to confirm that he is no longer working for Exodus, and for all 2019 departures only experienced guides that have been trained on our standards and expectations will be used. Additionally, following client feedback, we have made changes to both the itinerary and the accommodation used on this trip, which we trust will improve the tour and we hope will be well received by our clients.
Marta Marinelli – Product Manager
Robert Sellars
Reviewed September 2018
Fabulous time!
The daily trips were well organised and all had some excellent photo opportunities. There were some relatively tough sections (at least for a 71 yo guy with a well-controlled heart condition!) but the sense of achievement at reaching the ‘summit’ was well worth the effort. We had quite a variable group young to old and with variable levels of fitness but our guide, Paul, looked after us well. The group ‘gelled’ together amazingly well and we all contributed to our Group Whatsapp with photos and comments. What made it extra special was the cooking of Zohi and Ben who served up an amazing variety of meals, all of 4-star restaurant quality and alway served exactly on time. A great variety of dishes, I don’t think we had the same dish twice. The food was one of the highlights of the trip. ‘Chalet Chocolat’ is about 15 minutes walk from Chamonix and full of shops and extra activities. A lovely town and we enjoyed the walk (and train!) in and out several times.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the summit of Aiguilette des Possettes (2,200 metres) and having lunch with a stunning 360 degree view of the Alps. Amazing! A reasonably stiff climb but the reward was outstanding. We stayed there for a good 30 minutes soaking in the beauty of the Alps. A moment to cherish for the rest of my life!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Great! Paul was knowledgable, affable and kept the group going. Could not have done a better job. He spent time with all the group members and it was a pleasure to have him 'lead the team'!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes, do some fitness training, particularly some stiff up and down hill walks. It may be described as "moderate" but there are sections where it can be a bit more challenging. Make sure you some good shoes/boots and socks, well 'broken in' to prevent blisters. I didn't have any walking poles but most of our group di and found them useful.
Elaine Waller
Reviewed September 2018
Trip of a Lifetime!
What a wonderful trip from the first day we arrived at Chalet Chocolat and we were greeted by the sweetest hostesses Ben and Zohi and a delicious cake. The food each day was fabulous and the accommodations was like being wrapped in a warm blanket each night. Those beds, I had the best sleep of my life. The view! I can not think how anything could be better. Jenny, our fearless leader, always keeping an eye on everyone, pushing out limits and her passion and excitement of the views shined through.
I highly recommend this trip, but make sure you you are ready to hike up hills. At least 1 hour and half at at time. 😉 You got to see all the nice bits.
Thank you Ben, Zohi for your laughter and amazing meals and Jenny for your kindness, encouragement and strength, you are an inspiration. You made my memories that much more special!
Elaine Waller
Most Inspirational Moment
With the guide encouragement, I went further and farther that I thought was possible.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jenny was wonderful, calm and a beautiful spirit. I knew I could count on her and I could tell she really cared and watched over all of us.
Advice for Potential Travellers
These are not leisurely strolls.
Peter & Pamela Ackerman
Reviewed September 2018
Outstanding Trip
We have been on a number of Exodus trips and without doubt this is one of the best we have undertaken.
Uzbekistan is a stunning country with wonderful buildings and monuments and incredibly friendly and polite people. Our guide was the best guide we have had on an Exodus trip, he was so enthusiastic about his country you could not fail to enjoy your time there.
Kazakhstan could really be missed from the trip with the time saved being spent in the other two countries, we just saw lots of open plains and a big busy city in Almaty.
Kyrgyzstan is a stunningly beautiful country with wonderful scenery. Some days involved long drives and perhaps driving all the way around Issyk Kul may be a little excessive but you get great views of the snow capped mountains and have the opportunity to stop at various sites along the way.
The food overall was very good though the service in all three countries is very slow, haphazard and random.
Whilst the dominant religion in each of the countries is Islam they are open to western culture and dress and therefore provided you offer the usual respect in mosques etc. there is no issue regarding the suitability of clothing
Most Inspirational Moment
The Eagle hunter in Kyrgyzstan
Registan Square in Samarkand
The people of Uzbekistan
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader in Uzbekistan was outstanding
Advice for Potential Travellers
If possible only take a rucksack with your overnight gear to the yurt.
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.
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.
Jane Holt
Reviewed September 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable
An excellent holiday all round. Beautiful scenery and architecture, great bikes, lovely company and a fantastic guide in Iris, supported brilliantly by the two Guiseppes!
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling into Noto for a fab lunch after a challenging morning!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Iris is knowledgeable, a great leader and good fun to be on holiday with.
Russell Conway
Reviewed September 2018
Beautiful Africa.
Safari means journey. This really was an intense journey through Botswana & Zimbabwe. But a journey with the added bonus of sightings along the way, magical birds at the side of the road and on one occasion slowing down the bus to see a bull elephant only to be gobsmacked by a pack of 10 wild-dog just a couple of trees away! Journeys don`t have to be boring; long bus rides are often part of the adventure. On this holiday we had the added bonus of River safari`s and, in the Okavango Delta, Mokoro rides with only the gentle sound of water lapping by your side, damsel flies and giant hawker dragon-flies buzzing around your ears and in the evening a gigantic frog chorus like something from a Fairy-Tale.
Of course Safari is all about the animals but on this holiday I became more aware of the rich variety of people that helped us along the way. Kaiser the leader of the Polers in the Delta, Rowan our Tour Guide, his trusty driver Siwasu and the dozens of others who did their bloody best to give us the holiday of a lifetime.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were a great many. But the moment that will live with me was on a walking safari in the Delta.
Somebody yelled "Kudu", I looked through my binoculars and shimmering in the early morning sunlight I could just see a pair of twisted horns emerging from the long grass. The horns morphed into a beautifully marked male Kudu who, having emerged from the grass like a Gladiator in a Ridley Scott movie just stood there staring at us. He was joined by a couple of others. His long piercing stare said it all. He was a king in his own realm. We were just there to watch.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Rowan is quite a character. Good with people. Excellent at animals and he had the ability to keep everyone happy at the same time - no mean feat.
I particularly appreciated his pointing out a small scopes owl one night; he knew I was interested in birds and on another occasion he showed me a fearsome video from his phone of hundreds of may-flies perishing on the lawns at Victoria Falls oddly enough something I found curiously fascinating.
I think his inspired use of the Millionaire Game on the longer journeys is something other tour guides should think about doing. The number of long journeys I have been on where the leader simply goes to sleep is legion.
I did not meet anyone on the trip who had a bad word to say about Rowan. I think he is a real star and somebody who actively contributed towards the success of this brilliant trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
1. Take warm clothes as it gets cold in the mornings;
2. Take a spare torch;
3. Don`t just take photo`s - feel and hear the animals and birds. Don`t just get caught up in the technicalities of photography - appreciate your experience.
4. Take something for the locals. I took some pens and was so very touched by the warmth of the thanks of the locals. These are people who really appreciate your kindness.
5. Don`t drink too much late at night - wandering to the "bushy-Bushy" in the middle of the night is an adventure but best avoided!!
lynne connell
Reviewed September 2018
fabulous holiday!
We had a fabulous holiday in Finland with our 10 year old daughter. The other travellers in the group were lovely and we all got along. The accommodation was clean and cosy and our daughter loved sleeping in the mezzanine level. The food was really good- wholesome and tasty and plenty of it.
The staff at basecamp were so nice too and very helpful. The activities were good fun- especially the rafting- and it was good being out in the great outdoors with all the clean fresh air. We were also able to take out the kayaks and canoes out on the lake whenever we liked which was a bonus.
Most Inspirational Moment
I really enjoyed the peace and quiet and no TV etc. At night after dinner we would play cards and games with the children or go down to the lake to make a fire and have a chat.
We also used the hot tub and sauna a lot- very relaxing. I slept really well too! It was great to see reindeer wandering around.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader Martii was fantastic- so knowledgeable and really great with the children. He was really good with all the safety elements which inspired confidence. A genuinely nice person!
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you like outdoor activities and don't need bars, shops etc then this trip is for you.
