Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

What an amazing country - we loved all the places we visited and really enjoyed all the activities! Hoi An was probably our favourite - cycling past rice fields with a water buffalo lazing about is an iconic image of Vietnam (and the town is spectacular at night).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Huyen is a wonderful ambassador for Vietnam - her knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for her country were infectious. We learnt so much about her country and culture, and would never have known a quarter this if we had attempted this trip independently. She was incredible with the children and her organisational skills were faultless. She is also not bad at karaoke!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are worried about the 'homestay' don't - it is relatively basic, but the rooms are individual (per family) and even had en-suite bathrooms (albeit Mekong-style). The food is also amazing! Although no air-con, many of the families wish they could have stayed longer (though we thought that about all the places we visited). Most people had a sleeping bag liner for the overnight train - and probably worth taking some toilet roll (just in case).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, one of the best ever

Advice for Potential Travellers

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Most Inspirational Moment

Cu Chi tunnels, the citadel at Hue and Mekong Delta homestay

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nhung was exceptional and kept us well informed and on schedule. She made sure everyone was comfortable with the itinerary we were following.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me there was no single stand-out moment. Such was the variety of this adventure that comparison is meaningless.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Trung is an exceptional group leader and consummate professional. From start to finish, Trung went over and above to ensure that all of us went home not only with memories of an amazing country of such diverse beauty, but also a sound insight into its history and its people - all achieved with superb organisational skills, but above all with a clear love of his country which he conveyed with passion, enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and wit. He is truly an asset to Exodus! AND Trung also has a superb voice - if he should ever consider an alternative vocation, then he should be on the stage!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go! You will not be disappointed!

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to stay in the village of Tighza

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khaled was extremely knowledgeable, patient and kind. He was an excellent leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are travelling mid season, pack layers. It was colder than we expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

The long drive from Bukhara to Samarkand, stopping for drinks and toilet breaks in places where people have been doing exactly the same thing for thousands of years!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Dilshod, was excellent. Incredibly knowledgeable and experienced, he balanced the needs of a diverse group very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't listen to anyone who tells you that Uzbekistan is unsafe or inaccessible. The recent tourism initiative has got rid of pretty much all red-tape, and there is virtually no street crime etc. Much less stressful than travelling in Egypt or the US! The vegetarian food is also much better than everyone leads you to believe.

Most Inspirational Moment

The positive energy driven by the team leadership....day in and day out.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jackie Garcia

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is very busy and very rewarding. I was pleasantly surprised that even though there were not long bicycle days, each day was packed with visiting parks and beaches that were made interesting by the knowledge the team leadership shared at each stop.

Most Inspirational Moment

Such a difficult question as there were so many. If pushed, I would highlight the kayaking in Ha Long Bay (which I didn't even know we would be doing) and the sunrise visit to Angkor Wat. Both were "pinch me" moments in a trip which has created so many memories.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both were everything we hoped for. Bon in Vietnam was great. He ensured we arrived at the kayaking and caves in Ha Long Bay and at the Cu Chi tunnels when the crowds had left which greatly enhanced our visits. He had great recommendations for places to eat which catered for all in our group. Chesda in Cambodia was super - witty and funny, she kept us to time and nothing was too much trouble. She was very informative and helped us understand the history, culture and religion of her country. There was so much to learn. Thank you both.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We took all our Vietnamese Dong to Vietnam although the exchange rates were good in the country. For Cambodia, take US Dollars in brand new $20, $10 notes if you can. Both countries were affordable and felt very safe. For our travel in March, we underestimated how hot and humid the second half of the trip would be. id the second half of the trip would be.

Most Inspirational Moment

On the first day we had unseasonal cold weather with very heavy rain. We nevertheless walked up a mountain through an amazing oak rainforest. Much greener than I expected, it was magical and the rain somehow enhanced the excitement.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader, Michael Newcomb, was excellent. Very clear with information and adaptable to the circumstances as you would hope for. Always going the extra mile. Keen to be a positive part of the local community. Above all Mike was absolutely passionate about his interest in local wildlife, land management and food production, history etc and in sharing this with the group. And good company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Come on this holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wildlife spotting and watching life go by on the Aleppey backwaters.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding. Biju deserves to win your Leaders award. I have done multiple tours with various companies and he is hands down the best group leader I have ever had. Patient, warm, helpful and incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about his country. Normally the time spent on the bus between locations would be unwelcome but he made it something to look forward to as it was the perfect opportunity to learn more about the politics, religion and history of this amazing place.