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.

Reviews

Andrew Bass

Reviewed October 2016

Bolzano to Venice

This was my first cycling holiday and hopefully won’t be my last. I had a fabulous time, saw some wonderful sights and met a great group of people on this trip. The cycling wasn’t too hard, but enough to make you appreciate you had earned your distance each day. Being the last trip of the season, the weather could have been a problem, but we were lucky until the last day when the heavens opened. The scenery, towns, cities and villages were superb and the food and drink fantastic. The bikes were good for the kind of terrain we were travelling and the majority of the trip was on cycle paths and quiet roads.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many, but the one that stands out for me was the ride down through the vineyards and into Soave. The sun was out, the grapes were being picked and the castle overlooking the town all came together and I thought 'this is the life'

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele is a legend. He couldn't do enough for us, always smiling and with a great sense of humour. He took us to some super restaurants and cafes, advised us on the local food and drink and his local knowledge on the history, architecture and culture of the area really added to our enjoyment of the holiday. We also got to meet his beautiful family in his most beautiful city.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are thinking about it, just do it. And when you do, take time to look around, take it all in and enjoy every minute because the week goes too quickly.

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Alison Dixon

Reviewed October 2016

Festivals of Bhutan

Beautiful country
Calm happy people

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing to Tiger's nest monastery Gangtey festival

Thoughts on Group Leader

Friendly,knowledgeable ,funny and kind. He gave me a hot water bottle at the hotel at Gangtey to keep me warm as there was a power cut.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a small waterproof cushion to sit on at the festival. We had a wet day and I spent 4hrs sitting in a puddle of water!

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Victoria Campell

Reviewed October 2016

Namibian skies

This was our first camping tour and we really enjoyed the camping aspect of this trip. Jonas and Happy looked after us superbly, making sure that the tents were set up and cooking was underway each evening. The toilet and shower facilities were fine and the tents were big enough for us to have space between us for our big bags and room at the top or bottom for daypacks etc. This trip covers a lot of ground and the vehicle and roads do not always make for a comfortable journey. However, the route and schedule compare favourably with other options and the fact that it is ” full service ” camping helps a lot. We were very lucky with the composition of the group. Everyone got on and looked out for each other and the spirit of co-operation made the trip most enjoyable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being at dune 45 at sunrise and the great breakfast afterwards. Seeing cheetah in Etosha. Visiting the cheetah conservation project. Staying at the campsite with no electricity, just wonderful to be in the middle of nowhere, just our group, unforgettable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ronney did a good job but having to drive all day is clearly arduous. He did his best to make the journeys as easy as possible. He constantly reminded us about sunscreen, water etc. We would have liked a bit more info at times and it was hard to ask questions along the way. When the opportunities arose, he showed that he is knowledgeable and caring. He was kind towards us and to others and was a great guide when we were in Etosha.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Others have written about the long days and there is no getting away from this. Two days in particular are long and uncomfortable and the fact that these are back to back doesn't help. The big plus of this trip is the fact that you visit the dunes in the south and have 3 nights in Etosha. We bought pillows on our first shopping stop after leaving Windhoek, well worth it.

Reply from Exodus

At Exodus we take every step to ensure that our holidays provide an enjoyable experience for our customers and that we make a positive impact on the communities we visit. Based on feedback that we received regarding the Himba village, we have taken the decision to remove this visit from the itinerary.

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Joanna Jackson

Reviewed October 2016

Walks of the Cinque Terre

I had a good holiday because of the lovely people on the trip. The hotel was nice and clean. Restaurants that we went to were great with one exceptional-‘Asserto’. It could have been very different. The organisation was pretty shambolic and we sort of muddled through. Many of the paths were shut and open ones were packed with other walkers.

Most Inspirational Moment

A concert in the 13c church

Thoughts on Group Leader

Started badly but he grew on us. It seemed he had been catapulted into this trip.-didn't know the status of the paths or train times. Also he couldn't speak much Italian neither could Albert who was shadowing him and who also takes tours in Italy so obviously this was not a one off situation. I was amazed and appalled that tour leaders on Exodus holidays aren't fluent in the local language. Not their fault-you employed them but I would consider that a pre-requisite of a guide as well as knowledge of the walks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I probably would not recommend this tour to anyone and definitely will look at alternative operators for other European trips. I have been to Sri Lanka with Exodus and it was very good.

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Jane O'Brien

Reviewed October 2016

Walking the Prosecco Hills

A really wonderful trip overall, great to get off the beaten track in areas of Italy with very few tourists. Well planned walks in beautiful scenery and towns, plentiful wine and interesting conversation made for a very relaxing week, you really felt far away from the pressures of day to day life.

Most Inspirational Moment

The second full day walking through the vineyards, having a cold beer (do try some Italian beer as well as prosecco!) overlooking the hills followed by the fascinating and beautiful winery tour and tasting. The lady who ran it was hugely knowledgeable and warm. Day two is a perfect day. Also Venice on the free day, I still can hardly believe I've been to Venice now, it was amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bob was immense. The group was more diverse in terms of ability and expectations than I thought it would be and he dealt with resulting challenges calmly and professionally. His knowledge of the area and history added a huge amount to the walks and the sheer amount of information he provided for the free day was amazing, it made it so much easier and took any potential stress out of the day, I just did what Bob suggested, job done!

Advice for Potential Travellers

As always, read the reviews and the trip notes carefully. Exodus will never be able to win with the ratings, but the clue is in the title, there are hills involved, but only moderately. If you never walk at home you'll find it a little hard, if you scale Munros then the walking will be easy and you'll be there for the scenery, company food and wine. A couple of the restaurants struggled a bit with the concept of vegetarianism for the 3rd course where they would usually have meat which is a shame in an area with such beautiful produce that so much went to waste, and when we had so much lovely food in the other courses that we didn't need 4 anyway! It would almost be worth seeing if your leader can negotiate not to have the 3rd course (or in one case Bob asked for a simple omelette which was lovely.)

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Lesley Pearson

Reviewed October 2016

Gorillas & Masai Mara

Amazing trip with so many highlights. I will be returning to Africa based on this experience!

Most Inspirational Moment

The precious hour spend with the gorillas, even the rain didn't dampen our spirits, more it added to it. They really were gorillas in the mist! Seeing the big 5 in Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara. The balloon ride over the Masai Mara. It is well worth a visit to the Little Angels school at Lake Bunyonyi, the children are wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kip was a great leader, full of information and absolutely tireless, as were the rest of the crew! Nothing was too much trouble and even the needs of our "fussier" travellers were met.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long days on the road including 2.5 hours on dirt track roads when entering the Masai Mara. The pillows in Africa are rock hard so it may be better to bring one from home if you can fit it in. Gaiters are useful for the trek to the gorillas, it is muddy and wet! Don't forget the gardening gloves, there are some vicious stinging nettles, and the last part may involve your guide hacking through the rainforest with a machete. Also for the gorilla trek, do hire a porters, they don't just carry your bags, they help you every step of the way and well worth the US$10. It really is quite cold at night, so don't forget the fleece.

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Ross Pezzack

Reviewed October 2016

Wonderful Exploration of a unique country

A unique adventure exploring a Buddhist country who embrace their monarchy and the importance of happiness. Great monasteries, beautiful scenery, festivals, and some hikes all make this a great trip. Hotels higher quality than I expected, adequate food with pretty good beer, and a great guide who spoke excellent English. Well organized tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

I woke up early in Gangtey, decided to go out to get some pictures in the mist. I walked past the monastery only to find an early morning festival and blessings. I walked in to be surrounded by local people being surrounded by dancers and people seeking a blessing by the monks. I stepped aside to not invade their personal event but the devotion and love of the locals to Buddhism was very moving, a very special moment. Tigers Nest was very special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Did very well, represented his country very well. Always adaptable and trying to please us. Able to pass on knowledge of the monarchy, Buddhism and his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get more than the $50 suggested by our guide at airport, depending on u $100-200 better, u can always convert back when leaving or use it as your tip. ATMs never worked for us in small towns so bring $US, even banks sometimes do not have a money delivery so u cannot exchange. Costs are just drinks but u may want to buy local crafts (often no cards taken) so have local currency. If worried about tiger nest monastery hike (especially if u got a virus in Nepal) consider doing horseback riding half way up. I would suggest u embrace the local festivals as a religious celebration we are lucky enough to observe but not invade. If u are combining trips, the hotel in Kathmandu has relatively inexpensive fast laundry service, my quick dry clothes were slow to dry in Kathmandu.

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Valerie Gray

Reviewed October 2016

Treasures of Sicily

I had a great trip to Sicily with this tour and would never had enough knowledge or time to get to and see half the places the tour took us to.

Most Inspirational Moment

The landscape, stunning archeological ruins, an evidence of the people's tenacity to survive and strive after political and natural disaster. (See any picture of a fortified medieval hill town or coastal village hanging precariously to the coast)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader managed to keep us on track and ensure our needs were met with such grace and humour. She was able to make the answer to our questions seem fresh and new. She had a great depth of knowledge about the archeological sites and history of the area being a native of Sicily.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It helped me a great deal to read about the history of Sicily when Sicily was a Greek colony to appreciate the ruins Siracusa and the Valley of the Temples become much more meaningful.

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Sally Eldars

Reviewed October 2016

Inka Trail

Amazing trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip. Breathtaking landscape and amazing inka sites along the way. Great porters and guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy every second of it.

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Jane Walker

Reviewed October 2016

Marvellous Morocco

From the moment we landed to the moment we left, Morocco unleashed a cacophony of colour, excitement and fun. The Hotel Gossamine was ideally situated in the modern district but only 15 minutes by bus from the historic main square and souk. We enjoyed street food in the square and European food close to the hotel. The banter when bartering in the souk was hilarious. By contrast the time spent in the Atlas was peaceful and the villages almost biblical in character, the scenery was stunning. We had the best of both worlds, definitely would return to Morocco.

Most Inspirational Moment

Eating our hot picnic which had been carried up the mountain by mule and cooked on the spot, surrounded by the most amazing mountains in colours of ochre, palest green and white and watching the goatherds watering their flock.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was a fantastic guide and host, he was unfailingly patient with the many questions we asked and always concerned that we were safe and well looked after; he also has a brilliant sense of humour and we laughed a lot. Would love to go on another trip with him as guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be afraid of the street food and don't be afraid to go into the souk. The traders will call out to you (sometimes with some quite funny comments) but they won't bother you if you aren't interested, just say no firmly. If you are bartering make it light hearted.

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