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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14484 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Tilly Jensen

Reviewed September 2017

CAUTION: This is a '4' level of difficulty and NOT a '2'; difficulty level grossly misrepresented

We booked this trip to have some cycling time with our son who is a novice cyclist but fit. My husband and I are strong cyclists and have done trips with Exodus that are rated as a ‘4’ and ‘3’; no difficulties with cycling experienced on those trips. However, this Dordogne trip starts off the first cycling day with grades of 5% to 10% and as high as 16%. The second day of cycling has two optional rides with the same thing and even as high as 20% showing on our Garmin. Our son was not here to train for the Tour de France … the goal was to have some relaxing cycling … this is NOT relaxing cycling. I confirmed with an Exodus agent that a trip rated as a ‘2’ should be relatively flat terrain. When you are continuously experiencing elevation grades greater than 6%, it’s a seriously challenging ride. We ride in the Canadian Rockies … some great but tough rides there … this Dordogne trip is as tough as our mountain rides in Canada but not as many kilometres. The difficulty rating of this ride has been totally misrepresented by Exodus. Had we known, we would have booked an ebike. We were unable to get an ebike because we didn’t realize it was necessary until we had done a couple of days of cycling … now they are unable to get us one … so we’re stuck sitting around doing nothing. BEWARE!!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

When we realized that we will never book another trip with Exodus given the misrepresentation experienced on this trip ... and we've done more than 10 to date with them!

Thoughts on Group Leader

No group leader; self-guided.

Advice for Potential Travellers

BEWARE!!!

Reply from Exodus

We were in contact with Tilly whilst she and her family were on their trip. We responded as quickly as we could and arranged an e-bike for their son so he could enjoy the last 3 days of their cycling holiday together. We gather that this gesture greatly improved the end of their trip.

Subsequently, following their concerns of the grading we have looked at this in greater detail. The average daily distance is 37km with the longest ride being 49km and the average elevation gain is 462m with the highest elevation gain being 550m. With this in mind, we have increased the grade to a level 3.

Chris Shelley

Reviewed September 2017

Good overview of Peru

A lot of travelling by coach (3 full days, including a 5am start, in a coach) that gives you a good insight into three distinct areas of Peru. The desert, the trail and Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. Inca Trail pace set by weakest, so be prepared for a slow pace!

Most Inspirational Moment

Enjoying the mountain scenery on the Inca Trail.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He's very sweet and amiable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not a good tour for walkers - or that will depend on your group. There's only one leader and he will set the pace to the weakest walker, which is right as he has no support and can't leave someone struggling behind. We were walking at a glacial pace for 20 or 30 mins and then taking a 10 minute break. I found it excruciating and frustrating. They should really have some kind of release form for the leader for people who want to walk at a reasonable pace. The trail is very clear and impossible to get lost on and lots of people around, so I'm sure they could say go on if you wish but the tour leader can't be responsible for you. I did this and the leader wasn't happy but I'd paid to enjoy my holiday too I figured and so strode out.

Amanda Jackson

Reviewed September 2017

Walking in Andalucia

A fantastic week of walking through various landscapes and looking out to some spectacular vistas. The cortijo is perfectly based; the staff just lovely and waking up each morning with the sun rising over the hills was really special. As a solo traveller I can easily recommend this trip, I was fortunate enough to enjoy the company of a great group of strangers that became friends through the week.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Caminito del Rey and getting over the bridge in one piece!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alexis is a brilliant guide, very knowledgeable, well organised, considerate and has a great sense of humour. He made the whole group feel welcome from the start

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are vegetarian/vegan don’t worry about the food; the staff made some fabulous dishes for me throughout the week.

Pam Douglass

Reviewed September 2017

Mont Blanc Highlites

hiking was wonderful and loved every moment – even the hard parts

Most Inspirational Moment

Everyday hiking was inspirational for me

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jim our guide was good but Sarah and Rich were our hosts at the chalet and they made our trip. Sarah was always full of stories and her dinner meals were fabulous

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring snacks as most of us felt that breakfast and lunches were not that great. Something hot for breakfast would have been nice and some fresh fruit - not days old fruit for lunches. It would be better if they could provide clean towels throughout the week - we had them all week. No place to wash or dry clothes - we were lucky we had room 4 so we had the balcony so we could dry clothes as hiking clothes needed to be washed out daily.

J. Thomson

Reviewed September 2017

Land of the Jaguar - and other wildlife

The trip provided the wildlife viewing we had hoped for – five jaguars, plus giant otters, armadillos, anteater etc etc and a wide variety of bird life.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching a jaguar cub emerge cautiously from its den before playing with its mother.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tony was very good at spotting and identifying wildlife, both mammals and birdlife. All the trips and transfers ran smoothly due to his involvement.

Advice for Potential Travellers

On my visit the weather was dry, sunny, and hot, up to 40ºC. It cooled to about 20º around dawn. Go prepared for a range of temperatures - check the Caceres weather forecast. The trip notes do not make it clear that at the lodge activities such as horse-riding and canoeing are part of the programme. You may wish to check that your travel insurance covers these.

Balbinder Sidhu

Reviewed September 2017

Fantastic Holiday!!

I would highly recommend this trip if you are considering a trekking holiday. The views of the Alps from Switzerland, Italy and France were beautiful. The trek itself was hard but doable if you train ahead and it’s far more enjoyable too. Camping was fun. Really helps to bond with the group. I’m glad I took this option over the Hotel version.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing up the Cols and witnessing the magnificent views of the surrounding Alps was jaw dropping. A real motivation to plod along knowing you will be subjected to some beautiful views. The final day up to the Brevent was fabulous. Sat eating my lunch with the Mont Blanc Massif around me will remain in my memory for a long while.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John was a terrific leader and team builder. He was so chilled and unregimented I strongly believe this attitude resonated down the group. It made us all feel relaxed and un-pressed to go marching forth. Instead he would pace us all at a leisurely comfortable way stopping quite often to share his knowledge on the surrounding environment. He would teach us how to trust our boots when walking and encourage us to take 5 smaller steps than to waste energy by lunging up one step with greater exertion. He would share local knowledge of flora and fauna. History of the mountainsides and even an impromptu berry tasting session. John was a brilliant teacher who clearly showed great enthusiasm and huge respect to the environment that he was show casing to the rest of us. John was almost host-like rather than our guide. Wonderful chap who made the tour far more enjoyable. You could truly trust he was looking after you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Four seasons sleeping bag and comfortable mat for a good nights rest.

Jo Cuttell

Reviewed September 2017

Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn 505A

A great walk with fabulous scenery. The group was very supportive and friendly and this added to the enjoyment of the holiday.
The food was amazing, delicious and filling. The camp manager was brilliant – very efficient, and a great cook.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at the col after climbing up the ladders at the Pas de Chèvre. I've never done anything like that before. Exhilarating!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader really added to my enjoyment of the holiday. He was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the area and pointed out interesting plants that I would have missed otherwise. We even saw an eidelweiss on the mountainside. He also shared his interest in the geology and history of the area which I found interesting and helpful in understanding the mountains. He was a thoughtful leader and took time to help people who needed support over the more difficult terrain. His route finding was impeccable and when bad weather came in the group felt complete confidence in him to get us to the campsite.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take an inner sheet sleeping bag for the night in the huts.

Françoise Walker

Reviewed September 2017

Unspoilt Sardinia

Excellent walking in an unspoilt, wild part of Sardinia. Walks are varied and interesting and reasonably hard going. If you like craggy, rocky landscapes with lots of up and down, this would suit you. Also enjoyed the cultural day visiting archeological sights, it made a good contrast and I was keen to find out more about bronze age Sardinia.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk to Tiscali was fantastic. Both for the views, Tiscali itself and the rocky paths we had to negotiate.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric was excellent. Very sociable, organised and good at imparting his enthusiasm for Sardinia and its history and culture.

Tracey Lawrence

Reviewed September 2017

Recommend this (NOT EXPLORE - see below)

I would highly recommend this cycling holiday. Not only do you get to take in the breathe taking views and islands on 2 wheels, but there is plenty of time to relax and explore whilst providing a few challenging hills with the reward of a stunning view at the top!
Our guide Alan and driver Danny were attentive, informative and in my top tour leaders 🙂
With the support of the cycle trailer and a bus to accommodate anyone who can’t or doesn’t want to complete a hill (or if you are injured) there is comfort in knowing this tour is still a holiday and not a fitness challenge.
The island are beautiful, mainly tarmac back quiet roads, the locals friendly, the food delicious…..a few hotels were very dated and need of modernisation and I’m glad I left the trip early and didn’t spend 2 nights in the Dubrovnik accommodation.

I would add that I considered Explore tour and the 70km day put me off…..we saw this group along the way they arrived in at 8pm on their long day… and noted they did not have a support vehicle like Exodus and some of their group were not happy about this.

Most Inspirational Moment

Full moon rising...our tour leader planned this perfectly

Thoughts on Group Leader

superb!

Advice for Potential Travellers

meals were a lot more expensive than I had budgeted for and the pre ordered food was sometime £10 - 15 for a lunch that was cheese, ham, bread and olives!

Anne Stewart

Reviewed September 2017

Mt Blanc Circuit - camping

Camping and walking trip around Mt Blanc. Beautiful scenery, a great group of people and our guide – John and our camp manager Egle made everything extra special. Effort and speed of walking was very well managed. I don’t think anyone felt that it required a major effort to keep up with the group but at the same time you knew that you had earned your meal at the end of the day! The ascents and descents bought a sense of achievement and of course always the reward of fantastic scenery. Each day provided different scenery and the always present mountains.
It is truly an excellent trip – manageable but challenging walking with well paced days that had us covering appropriate distances, managing the ascents and descents but also time for coffee breaks, scenic lunch stops and afternoon tea breaks. The camping, tents, meals and facilities were all excellent and comfortable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our guide, John, on the first day, gave us some tips and the opportunity to practice some walking skills particularly on managing the steeper ascents and descents. This was inspirational as the new skills helped make the ascents and descents so much easier to manage and also less tiring, which meant more time to enjoy the scenery and take photos. I've always been slower on the descents but using John's techniques made the effort less stressful on feet, knees and ankles and descents became much more fun. The scenery, is of course, just outstanding. Each day provided many "awesome" moments. Our group, mostly individuals, also got on very well - sharing camp duties, helping each other out, hanging out and having fun as well as walking well together.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John was an excellent group leader. He has a relaxed manner but keeps everything under control without ever coming across as authoritarian or overbearing. He was quietly vigilant in making sure each group member was travelling well and I think his personality and approach was a key factor in our group of individuals bonding and getting on so well. He definitely has a good sense of humour and an apparently endless supply of and desire to sing (fairly quietly) power ballads as he walked! His extensive outdoor skills and knowledge of mountains, walking, hiking and of the area around Mt Blanc gave each us a strong sense of confidence and this meant we could relax and enjoy the walk without having to worry about anything going wrong, or stressing on the details. Egle, our camp manager also did an outstanding job and produced fantastic meals, kept us all well fed and was a delight to have around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are doing the camping version remember to take a warm sleeping bag and a warm jacket for night time as it gets colder than you think. With these items you will be comfortable. Work on your fitness prior to the trip but you don't have to go super crazy trying to achieve maximum fitness. Also definitely take advantage of your rest day and take the gondola ride across the top if the weather is fairly decent. The views up the top over the glaciers and of Mt Blanc are stunning.

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