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
Gill & Sam Darby
Reviewed September 2018
Lovely Hol
Second trip with Exodus. Lovely holiday cycling through Tuscany, finishing in Florence. Lots of clmb, but not too severe. Great weather, food & wine. Group were great fun. I’ll be back next year for another trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Hard to say - perhaps the views to the next town, perhaps the food. Perhaps the towns themselves. Maybe an ice cream in Sienna. All were truly impressive.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
Get reasonably fit, take plenty of sun tan lotion & insect spray.
Alice McClean
Reviewed September 2018
A must do Cycling challenge
A great Cycling trip that had it all. Breathtaking mountain landscapes and coastal scenery with fabulous food and wines to be had. My group of 13 fit club cyclists found this a sometimes stengous tour in the 36 degrees heat in Mid September. There’s really no easy days in the saddle and almost everyday involves long climbs with equally long descents. The roads are very rough in places and you need to keep your wits about you for the cows, mules, dogs & goats that you meet on the narrow roads. Albania is a beautiful mountainous country that will take you back to times of old with its simple ways and graceful charm.
Most Inspirational Moment
My most inspirational moment was reaching the top of the climb of Liogare Pass on the final day. I arrived hot and sweaty into a sea of white clouds resting on the mountain top with a breathtaking views. With a great sense of achievement and comardardy our small group had made the entire Climb unassisted and relished the long descent to the coast.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our Group Leader Eilis was fantastic and made everything simple & easy for us. Nothing was too much trouble for him. He was very professional, kind and most attentive to us all and made Cycling Albania a once in a lifetime trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do some hill climbing before you go otherwise you will spend a lot of time sitting in the support vehicle. I got a lot of bites so take insect repellent and apply everyday before you commence your ride. I wouldn’t advise using clip in shoes. The road surfaces are really rough and on a couple of occasions I had to stop quickly for traffic coming both ways on the narrow roads. As I had nowhere to go but on to the ditch I put my unclipped foot down to prevent a fall. I would highly recommend this challenging tour, you won’t be disappointed.
Clair C
Reviewed September 2018
One of the best Exodus trips
Although the price is high, this is a great holiday and worth the cost. The only thing that could have been better was the weather, as we had two days of rain during the trek, but that made us appreciate all the other days of good weather more. The scenery was fantastic, the itinerary was perfect, and we were very well taken care of. We certainly left with a positive view of Bhutan.
Most Inspirational Moment
Really, the whole holiday was inspirational. Watching the sunrise during the trek was beautiful and we were glad the guides woke us up to see it. We also visited Punakha Valley even though we were supposed to miss it as we were going to a festival and we were very glad we got to go as it was great. All the dzongs were interesting and the buildings were photo-worthy everywhere we looked.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Norbu was very knowledgeable, attentive, and accommodating. He had clearly been a guide for a long time. Our other guide was also helpful and a very nice man, although his English and his knowledge were not quite as good.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It can be very cold on the trek, especially at night, and very hot in the valleys. You are also likely to get sunburnt on the trek, no matter how much sunscreen you apply.
Pillows are provided on the trek.
Take cash on the trek for the tips as this will be given to the camp crew at the end of the trek before you get to the hotel in Thimpu. The recommended tip in the trip notes didn't include the main guide on our trip.
Take cash -- some people had trouble using cash machines.
Leave some clean clothes in Paro before starting the trek. You will get them in Thimpu after the trek.
You have free time in Kathmandu at the beginning and end of the trip -- there is nothing organised before dinner. It's not difficult to visit sites on your own but if you are a woman travelling on your own, try to go with someone else. Sole women often get harassed, probably not as badly as in some places, but enough to be a nuisance and, potentially, slightly menacing. People in our group experienced this. For myself, on one occasion I was walking behind my husband so it wasn't clear that we were together and I was followed by a man who wouldn't take no for an answer until my husband turned around and threatened him.
norm walczak
Reviewed September 2018
Great trip,guide and itinerary!
The tour was well planned, outstanding sights and great lead guide(Dana) and support staff(Peter & Lubo).The accommodations and meals were good.
Most Inspirational Moment
A tour or Sigmund Freud's home/office(Vienna) ,seeing the martyrs shoes along the Danube(Budapest) and the statute of Ronald Regan(Budapest).
Thoughts on Group Leader
Dana did a great job keeping us informed, leading the group, being concerned with the groups cycling safety and sharing her local knowledge.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Have fun!
John Roberts
Reviewed September 2018
'High Peaks' is rated highly by me.
Pretty much a faultless trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Well the tomatoes were consistently wonderful. It was satisfying to be on the highest point in Bulgaria.
Thoughts on Group Leader
If all his tales and legends were true he is very learned. If they weren't he has a great imagination. Who knew the difference anyway?
Vladimir can certainly crack on.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The description warns that the trails are rough - note that this is especially the case on the first couple of days. Also, remember, Vladimir really can crack on!
Debbie Tasker
Reviewed September 2018
Memorable week in the Dolomites
This was my second Exodus walking holiday and I had a wonderful trip in the Dolomites. The week was well organised with great leaders and a lovely group of fellow travellers. Having the choice of two walking grades is a great idea so you can see how you’re feeling each day and then decide which group to join. Each walk offered something new and the mountains are truly spectacular with amazing views. We were well looked after by the friendly staff at Hotel Enrosadira. If you enjoy the outdoors and fancy some mountain walking, I’d recommend this trip
Most Inspirational Moment
It’s hard to pick out a single moment as I enjoyed every day (with the level 3 group), but a particular highlight was the morning walk down to Lago di Fedaia. We had a slightly earlier start that day but it was well worth it as it was so peaceful and tranquil that it felt like we had the mountains to ourselves. The longer walk on Thursday from Pozza to Penia was also special.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We were well looked after by both Albert and Martin throughout the trip. They are friendly, helpful, professional yet relaxed with excellent knowledge of the area. Albert led the level 3 group and he was attentive to the group’s needs and ensured everyone had a good time. I really appreciated his support in guiding me down the descents when my knee was playing up. Thank you both.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take all-weather clothes as the weather can change in the mountains, along with sturdy walking boots and walking poles. Once there – enjoy every moment and soak it all up!
Steven GITTENS
Reviewed September 2018
The land that time forgot
This was simply a magnificent holiday in a wonderful country. Cycling eleven days in a row is a bit tough and the terrain can be challenging, but it is worth the effort. The landscape is vast and photographs cannot do it justice. I never tired of seeing herds of horses, running free in this never ending scenery.
On the practical side, the tents were of top quality, the bikes were of equally good quality, the crew of 8 were brilliant and the group of cyclists were great company. The meals were well balanced and a credit to our cook. NK our leader was probably the best group leader I have experienced in my many Exodus adventures. We even had a shower tent with warm water when possible.
September brought us varied weather conditions, with cold mornings, some rain, snow on the mountains, hail, high winds and plenty of sunshine.
I would recommend this holiday especially if you want to get away from busy cities and experience real peace and quiet.
Most Inspirational Moment
I never tired of the horses running alongside us. The herds of yaks and cows and enormous flocks of sheep and goats are equally impressive. Large birds of prey can be seen regularly.
The night skies are incredible.
Thoughts on Group Leader
NK was magnificent. His organisational skills, his pleasant manner and his love of Mongolia is inspirational. My luggage failed to arrive when we landed at Ulaan Baataar, but NK assured me that the luggage would arrive before we boarded the overnight train. He arranged this and my luggage arrived.
The excellent Gala Dinner on our last night was a very pleasant surprise.
Our team consisted of NK, two other cyclist guides, three drivers, a cook and cook's assistant.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a good quality sleeping bag.
The camping is very good and nothing to fear.
We all became very slick at erecting our tents and taking them down.
Catherine White
Reviewed September 2018
A great mixture of being active, sight seeing and relaxation
All the reviews provide great advice and insights – I recommend reading them and I’ll try not to duplicate their excellent advice.
It is a Level 3 hike, so it’s not a stroll in the park on flat surface. You’ll enjoy the trip more if you’ve put some training before hand. Look at Exodus’ training advice. As Kathryn mentioned, the Dalmatian Coast is limestone so lots of different size rocks, and lots of going up, and down. Take good hiking boots and poles are really helpful.
For the going up, work on your cardio so you’re not winded and you can enjoy the views.
For going down, work into you daily routine going down stairs. Forward and backward lunges using a bosu is also good to help strength your knees/quads for the descents.
All of the hotels had access to swimming, so bring a bathing suit. There’s nothing better than going for a swim after a long hike. The beach in Bol is lovely and it was so nice to just relax.
Seeing Dubrovnik, Bol, Split and Starigrad were a nice “taste” of Croatia. It was also great to have a couple of nights in each location so you didn’t always feel like you arrived and then had to pack up and go.
Most Inspirational Moment
A lot of people have asked me this and I have a hard time picking one thing. The trip is a great blend of many, many elements from traditional sight seeing to the hiking. I love being active during the day and then going back to the hotel for a swim and a lovely meal at a local restaurant.
The people on my tour and our conversations were also a highlight. We were a diverse group (Canada, UK, US and Germany) from mid 30s to 60s, with different backgrounds (artist, engineers, health professionals, IT, lawyer, marketing, publishing, teachers, etc). I know I've made some new friends on this trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ivan is awesome and it's easy to underestimate how good he is.
Herding 16 adults is a challenge and he did it with skill and diplomacy. As I mentioned, we're a diverse group and we all had different ideas of what we wanted out of our holiday and he took into account.
This was my first Exodus trip and I'm looking to do another trip in part based on Ivan.
Advice for Potential Travellers
As noted above, put in time before hand to do some training so you can enjoy the trip. While going up is harder for cardio, most people have more challenges with going down.
A couple of months before add going down stairs. It will help to build up your quads and strengthen your knees. I did this leading up to the trip and I didn't have any problems. I was given this advice before going to do the Inca Trail and I didn't listen to it. On the Inca trail I was stiff but in Croatia I didn't have any issues. (Exodus also rates their Inca Trail trip a Level 3.)
David Kirrane
Reviewed September 2018
Cape Town and the Garden Route
A highly enjoyable tour of the beautiful Garden Route in South Africa culminating in the cosmopolitan hub of Cape Town bestraddled by the breathtaking vistas of Table Mountain, Lions Head. A wonderful adventure where game animals such as lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalos, warthogs, girraffes, zebras etc as well as ostritches, whales and penguins can be seen up close and personal and where beautiful forests, gorges, mountains, waterfalls, deserts, caves can be seen in all their glory. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who may be interested in visiting South Africa as this tour is so diverse and varied and gives the “adventurer” a stunning glimpse of this beautiful Rainbow nation.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the varied wildlife of the game reserves, ostriches, whales and penguins up close in their natural habitats. Also had the opportunity of mingling with local South Africans in non tourist areas as well as meeting inhabitants of the Langa township. The group leader also gave a stirring recount of the history, culture and traditions of South Africa which helped to put to bed my own misconceptions of the country.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader was amazing from his organisation skills in organising in advance the activities, meals and accommodation to his vast and deep knowledge of South Africa. The group leader also helped to make the group feel at ease through his easy going , patient and pleasant demeanour and was very obliging when small issues arose with his ability to resolve them quickly being remarkable. I would embark on his other tours that he leads in the future.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go on this adventure, you will not regret it. Listen to the group leader as he knows so much and is available to help when required.
Kara Brown
Reviewed September 2018
Sicily in a week !
Overall an excellent trip. This covers the main sites round the island. As it is the largest island in the Mediterranean there is quite a lot of ground to cover so it is quite a busy tour. However it was worth it to see the contrasts of this lovely island which combined with the lovely food made a great holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
The wine tasting on the first day was really excellent and a good way at the start of the tour to get to know your fellow travellers. The sites of the island were stunning. Selinunte was not overcrowded with tourists so was particularly lovely to walk around, with its stunning setting overlooking the sea. The town of Erice also had stunning views and was lovely to wander the quite streets of the town.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Marco was excellent. He provided us all with a book at the start of the tour and with a map of each town as we visited them. I have done many Exodus trips and have never had a guide so organised with such maps, highlighting the points of interest.
Phillipe was our trusty driver who was also excellent and we all felt safe with his driving.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I would say that the coastal walk was more challenging than the walk on Mt Etna. I wore good walking boots for both although could have got away with walking shoes for the Mt Etna walk.