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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14493 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Eric Pye

Reviewed March 2017

Discover Costa Rica

I really enjoyed the Costa Rica highlights trip which gave a great insight into the wealth of wildlife in the country. Our guide Guillermo was very knowledgeable but struck a good balance between enough but not too much information. The group was, as on previous Exodus trips, an interesting mix of people sharing a common interest. We covered a lot of distance but travelling was broken up well with viewing and refreshment stops.
Food was almost always very good and sufficient variety at buffet meals for the length of time we stayed at each place.
Eating out felt a bit expensive probably because of the recent decline in the value of sterling. Similarly it wasn’t easy to find souvenirs at good prices.
We expected the travel to be much more strenuous on unpaved roads but in truth it was rarely uncomfortable. San Jose, where we stayed for an extra night, doesn’t have a lot to offer but we were lucky to experience the main drag on a Sunday “family fun day”. Quite a few things are closed on Monday so it’s worth checking in advance. Many guide books advise extreme caution in San Jose but we felt as safe as any other city we’ve visited whilst keeping to the central area.
If anything was lacking it was perhaps the opportunity to meet with more local people and learn a bit more about daily life in Costa Rica but I think this would need a longer or different trip. The visits to a school and cheesemaking family were very interesting.
I will be recommending this trip to others.

Most Inspirational Moment

I've always wanted to see toucans in the wild so the occasions we did so are top of the list but there were lots of other things vying for a close second place. In particular I remember the periods of silence on a boat in Tortuagero national park as we awaited another sighting of birds or monkeys. The favourite place for many on our trip was Esquinas Lodge which has an inspirational history of development. Do go on one of the night walks. It's great fun whatever you end up seeing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very impressed, particularly with knowledge of flora and fauna.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a couple of cold nights.

Helen Woods

Reviewed March 2017

Colours of Rajasthan

A complete assault on the senses! As an ex-travel agent and very much an independent traveller, I was a little hesitant about an organised tour. However, for first timers to India, a small group tour is a brilliant way to fit everything in. Yes, it was a whistle stop tour, but was a wonderful introduction to India. I loved the way Indian people kept asking for photographs with us, and struck up conversations. Only one issue….. where do we go next?

Most Inspirational Moment

The Taj Mahal, of course, but at the end of our holiday, Ronit fitted in a trip to a Sikh temple. I thought by then I was templed, palaced and fortressed out, but I found the place so uplifting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ronit, our guide, was calm, funny and knowledgeable, but also gave us plenty of quiet time on the long journeys. Hence, we could absorb what was going on about us on the streets and passing through the villages.... or sleep!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the trip says leisurely, be aware that many temples and fortresses have lots and lots of steps, so you do need to be reasonably fit. Remember, in most places you only stay one night, so there is no point in taking too many clothes with you, you will never find them in your case. There is time about half way through the trip to send them to the hotel laundry.

Tracy Mosley

Reviewed March 2017

Family Finnish Winter Adventure

Fantastic week in a wonderful setting. Accommodation is warm and comfortable, food is great, and the setting is just spectacular. Great mix of activity, and you can choose to do as much or little as you want, although it would be a shame to miss out… Great fun sledging, kick sledging, learning about huskies and reindeer and much more. I wish we could have spent longer there.

Most Inspirational Moment

The week is a wonderful mix - you get to try so many different things. Cross country skiiing across the frozen lake was a special memory, but so was the husky trip and everything else! We tried downhill skiiing on the free day in Ruka and all loved it - Miriam organised a lesson for the adults (one group) and the kids (a separate group). Everyone loved it, although the transfers to get there and back were stressful and could have been done differently.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Miriam was great - helpful, well organised, fun and very friendly. All the kids (and adults) loved her. She showed us the basics of cross country skiing, snow shoeing, Quinzee building and much more.

Advice for Potential Travellers

All the kit is supplied - clothing and equipment. Some of it is quite old, but the quality is fine and it does the job. Take a good base layer (thermal top and bottoms). We didn't think the beanie hats that were supplied were particularly good, so used our own, but everyone else seemed happy with them. We also used our own scarves. With enough layers you will be warm enough. Pack light - you will need very few things - just a change of clothes for the evenings. One pair of jeans, one pair of shoes and a couple of t-shirts/jumpers was fine for the week.

Daniel Morris

Reviewed March 2017

Cycling Vietnam

One of the most inspirational, varied, enjoyable and memorable experiences I have experienced – and also a super cycling holiday!

Most Inspirational Moment

The countryside cycling was thoroughly enjoyable, including a fantastic 30km downhill. A challenging 10km uphill followed by a exhilarating 10km downhill was also memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Linh, our Tour Leader, added that extra buzz with his knowledge of the social, cultural and geographical highlights of Vietnam. He also introduced us to a local family for dinner, sang old Vietnamese songs to us accompanied by guitar, and took great care to ensure we had a safe and enjoyable time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear padded cycle shorts! I cycled (indoors) for 4 weeks to get used to the saddle and get my legs fit. The only section I found challenging was the 10km uphill, the rest of the 2 weeks was perfect cycling. If your wrists ache holding the handlebars in one position, take handlebar extensions - they're easy to fit and I found them invaluable.

Iain Haigh

Reviewed March 2017

IndoChina cycle ride

A fantastic experience and we really enjoyed every moment. The organisation and back up were exceptional and all the people who supported us were first class in every aspect.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the people in particular the children smiling and being so welcoming along the whole route.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader was always taking our safety and well being as the number one priority. He also made it a totally enjoyable and fun holiday. The group dynamics worked so well because the leader included everybody in all aspects and ensured everyone enjoyed their time. He always explained what was happening so nobody was left unsure as to what was happening. Above all Chai was the nicest guy you could ever meet.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The only advice I could give is you can travel light as you don't need lots of clothes etc.

Helen Wood-Atkinson

Reviewed March 2017

MOV Cycling Vietnam

This was my first trip with Exodus, on my own and a cycling tour!!! I wasn’t sure what to expect, however from getting off the plane, I felt welcomed.
We met as group the first night, everyone appeared to be at easy, the leader was delightful and made the running of the tour easy, exciting informative and organised.
The weather however wasn’t on our side and it rained what felt like every day from morning to night. I think it rained for 10 days, we encountered land slides roads that were washed away, but our tour leader Chi, his wingman Tam , and the fearless bus driver Dan took the rainy and awkward days in there stride, every evening we arrived at our next destination on time with a smile on there faces.
The days are long and for me some very long rides up to 100km over some challenging terrain, though the roads were in good condition considering the weather. Every day was full on and not a lot of free time to recover.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was so many, the children running along side in county villages you saying "Hello". The amazing array of food on offer, the country side, culture, the cities. The people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Chi was wonderful, interesting funny and encouraging. His wingman Tam who was always at the back staying with the last person (usually me) until the end of the ride had little English but was encouraging and supportive and made of steel, helping to push me up one handedly up steep hills so we were to far behind the pro rides at the front!! the whole team were fantastic, organised and fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fabulous trip, research your weather and pack everything for all weather and be open minded. enjoy the food on offer, embrace the highs and lows as there will be some. Enjoy!! Vietnam was a fabulous trip in spite of the dreadful weather we had I would recommend you book up with out delay!

Penelope Westmoreland

Reviewed March 2017

Johannesburg to Cape Town AZJ

The game drives were fun as we never knew what we would come across, e.g. white rhinos crossing the road and elephants with calves… There were beautiful national parks but different highlight(s) every day with ever-changing scenery – amazing views e.g. at Cape of Good Hope and panorama from Table Mountain. Swaziland was charming.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing hippos play-fighting in Lake St Lucia.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marvellous - Petro was hard-working, fun, patient and more, ably assisted by Andrew, equally good, and both good cooks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We drove well over 4,000 kms so, some days, long hours were spent in the rather small seats of the minibus but I wouldn't have wanted to miss anything we did see - luckily reference books and drinking water were provided, and stops fairly frequent. It was hot and humid in almost all regions we visited in February (fewer mosquitoes than I'd expected, lucikly) but there would no doubt have been lots more vehicles in the game parks in the dry, high season when there is less vegetation in a few months' time, so pros and cons. A couple of optional walks were tough-ish (I later heard) but I had opted out as there were alternative easier walks to do and nice places to wait.

Ann Burnett

Reviewed March 2017

A week in Jordan

Thoroughly great trip!! This was my first Exodus trip and I decided to share a room. I did not regret this once, as my room mate was lovely and this added to the experience and meant there was no quiet time in my room waiting for dinner. There were 20 of us, which was initially worrying, but it all worked out very well, as we all got on brilliantly. There were 10 solos and 5 couples (including friends that had come together).

Most Inspirational Moment

I am deliberately going to leave out the obvious places because you can read about them in the other reviews. I loved the boat trip on the Red Sea (for the scenery as much as for the snorkelling). I was surprised by the extent of Jerash - 2 large ampitheatres as well as many other sights. The citadel in Amman and the views from there were great. The Jordan people were so friendly at the Citadel and the sound of the call to prayer rising up from the city was great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair was very friendly and he organised us very well. I don't think we quite realised how much work he was putting in behind the scenes as it appeared effortless.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As it has been said in other reviews, it was freezing in Wadi Rum in February. Don't hesitate to ask for as many blankets as possible. I was freezing and I was wearing a woolly hat, scarf and many of my clothes. Don't forget to look at the stars in Wadi Rum - only some of our group did this. If possible, do try to walk to the Monastery in Petra and to the High Place of Sacrifice. You can email Exodus beforehand to find out the age of the group and how many solo travellers are in the group. I did not do this but I would on my next trip.

Gillian Miles

Reviewed March 2017

What a surprise!

Now, I realised pretty quickly that I am NOT the demographic that Exodus aims for. I am fat and mid 50 and although I ride my city bike every day to work and walk the dog,I am not fit. I do not have a racing bike, I walk rather than run (or take a bus or tram) and my gym membership lapsed years ago. I like to swim properly – but thats it. However, I could join my road biking, running, daily yoga doing husband on this trip, AND have a good time!

Most Inspirational Moment

When I realised I could keep up with the others in my group, that it was ok to be slower, that Liz, our teacher was patient with me and enjoyed my successes as much as I did! That Liz could adapt the programme to allow me to stay with the group, without frustrating them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Amazing. Liz Procter, ex PE teacher and fitness nut - you were amazing. At times when I could have sat down and cried, you were there, helping set me right and encouraging me all the time. You set me goals and helped me adapt. You were always there with a ready reward or thick hot chocolate and strudel!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go! I had NEVER skiid before and I love d it. Yes we will go again... The hotel is basic and there is no choice for main meal for vegetarians, but we were always full!

Robert Harris

Reviewed March 2017

Andes to Amazon

A wonderful introduction to a hugely diverse country in terms of people, culture, nature and landscape. We came expecting a developing country and found a first-world one with a wealth of natural resources.

Most Inspirational Moment

The diversity of the flora was amazing - particularly ferns and the general greenness of the diverse topography. The constantly changing landscape and ecology that the trip itinerary presented was quite breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pablo Molveda was one of the best tour leaders we have experienced in nearly 20 years of travelling in small groups. He was patient, humorous, knowledgeable, kind and inspired confidence - the perfect guide to a new country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Despite your grading of leisurely/moderate we found the trip relatively full-on compared with others we have experienced. Whilst we were happy with the pace of the trip, others may find it a little strenuous with respect to activities and the amount of travelling/moving on between hotels and the relative lack of free time.

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