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.

Select a trip specific review:

Select

14469 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Ruth Flynn

Reviewed August 2015

The Classic Inca Trail

A fantastically organised trip where every detail had been though of, planned for and executed well. The walking route was well structured to make it as simple and pleasant as possible.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment was probably seeing Machu Picchu Mountain for the first time at the end of Day 3 of walking. Although there were so many highlights it's hard to choose one. Other great moments; Exploring Machu Picchu, Walking through the cloud forest, Sliding down the Inca slide at Sacsayhwaman, seeing the chef in full whites (and eating his marvelous creations), The Andes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Cesar was obviously passionate about his country and was keen for us to understand the culture, both past and present. He and the second guide Jose were both knowledgeable on flora and fauna along the trail. Cesar also arranged and accompanied us on additional trips during our free day in Cusco.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My only advice for other travelers is to do everything the guide recommends for acclimatisation, including taking things easy and not drinking alcohol before the trek. We did and it really helped. The porters on the trail work so hard to deliver a fantastic experience, if possible leave something behind with them, a t-shirt, fleece or whatever that you might not need. They really appreciate it.

Richard Thornton

Reviewed August 2015

Walking the Picos de Europa

Great walking, good company, top notch leader, stunning scenery and a lovely hotel.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to choose, if pushed I'd have to say the walk taking in the summit of Macondiu peak and San Carlos peak. The Cares Gorge walk was also a highlight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

In short, Alvaro is an excellent leader with a passion for the Picos.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This was the challenging week and is highly recommended.

Carolyn Thomas

Reviewed August 2015

Discover Costa Rica

This was a wonderful holiday for getting in touch with nature. I became glued to my binoculars trying to spot birds, animals and insects. All of the lodge/hotel stops showed a different element of the country and it was nice to sit and listen to the life around us. It is a lot of travelling and moving around the country but it allowed some people to catch up with their sleep and others to watch the scenery move past.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing at a feed station for hummingbirds trying to get photos and feeling them brush past my head was such an unusual experience that it will stay with me. Also going to a local school on the last day was a wonderful way to finish the holiday. The children were very welcoming and it made me feel we understood a little more of their country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour guide Guillermo Arrieta was extremely knowledgeable about his country and was keen to tell us about the rainforests, cloud forests and all the wildlife we should be able to see. His enthusiasm was infectious. He was sensitive to the needs of the group and readily joined in with the gelling of the group. Our driver Orlando was equally friendly and kept his vehicle spotless, washing the windows and the floor everyday and always putting the seat belt back to its original size and position. He also became quite keen to spot birds as we travelled around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Essentials for the trip are a good pair of binoculars and a good camera otherwise you will become frustrated trying to record what you are seeing. A light pair of waterproof walking shoes are also highly recommended. If I was going again I would put in some dressier clothes for the evening and a hairdryer as these are not available in the rooms although can be asked for at reception providing no one else was using it. I wrapped up every item of clothing in plastic bags to stop my clothes feeling damp and this seemed to work. I was unsuccessful in getting washed clothes dry so be prepared to use the hotel laundry services or take lots of clothes. Advice particular to spectacle wearers - take a spare pair. My husband lost his when swimming near a waterfall and spent the rest of the holiday using his binoculars to help him see. This ended up being a very expensive loss.

Neil Thomas

Reviewed August 2015

So Many Natural Wonders to Enjoy

What a thoroughly enjoyable experience! This trip covers a lot of ground with 2-day stops at six different venues and in so doing offers the chance to learn much about the natural wonders of this remarkable country. We went from rainforest to cloud forest and back again, via the Pacific coast, and clocked up an impressive number of sightings of mammals, birds, butterflies and reptiles.

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking up to a dawn chorus of howler monkeys at Tortuguero and La Fortuna; hearing the frogs' chorus at Esquinas; finally spotting the elusive resplendent quetzal in all its finery near Savegre.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Guillermo Arietta (known to us all as Memo) is a naturalist's guru! He was so knowledgeable about every species we saw. However, his real talent was in knowing intuitively where we might see a creature of interest. He would regularly stop the bus to let us get out to photograph monkeys, sloths, snakes or macaws.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good pair of binoculars and a camera with a high-powered zoom. So many opportunities to take great wildlife pictures come your way it's frustrating if, like me, you can't make the most of them. Fortunately, all the members of our group got on famously, so there's a bit of image-sharing going on post-holiday.

Carol Webster

Reviewed August 2015

Amazon Rainforest, Inca Trail and Lake Titicaca

This was my first trip with Exodus and my expectations of having a memorable holiday experience were well and truly exceeded. The holiday has 3 distinct phases, starting with the rainforest trip. My friend and I flew a day earlier than the main group flight so we stayed an extra night in Lima which helped to orientate us to the time difference. The standard of hotel accommodation was generally excellent once you got the hang of not putting loo paper down the toilet. The jungle experience was amazing, but don’t expect to see wildlife as close up or as abundant as in TV wildlife documentaries. The weather can be ‘unpredictable’ throughout Peru, and our days in the Jungle were cooler than usual at this time of year. The second part of the holiday was the 4 day Inca trail finishing at Machu Picchu, and the part I most loved, despite the necessary evil of the ‘toilet tent’ and thousands to steps to climb up or down. The scenery and plant life throughout the trek were truly awesome, especially on days 3 and 4 as the terrain became more tropical. The food on the trek was fantastic; delicious 3 course lunches and dinners were prepared for us each day by our chef and his assistants; indeed the food throughout the holiday was really healthy and varied – if a tad rice heavy.
The final part of the holiday was the boat trip to an island homestay on Lake Titicaca. The journey there was wonderful as the weather was amazing and we could sit at the back of the boat and enjoy the fabulous scenery. The only part of the lake trip I wasn’t as enthusiastic about was the visit to the artificial reed islands inhabited by the Uros people. I found it difficult to comprehend that people could live in such primitive conditions and had the sneaky feeling they probably sailed back to Puno at night.
The generosity and kindness of all the people we encountered in Peru was incredible. Life is very hard for many Peruvians but everyone we met seemed joyful and content. Even the babies were happy and incredibly cute. Overall a truly memorable holiday experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

At the end of the Inca trail, climbing the steps to the sun gate and then looking down on Machu Picchu. Even the best photographs don’t do justice to the majestic sight that awaited us! Truly inspirational!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tour Leader: Wilbert Ramos Code: TPJ150808. Our lovely tour leader Wilbert looked after our every request and whim from the start of the holiday to the very end, herding us onto and off bus, boat, plane and ‘limousine’ (ie bicycle transport from Puno hotel to the port!). He ensured we had water, a constant supply of snacks and bananas at all times and provided us with constant humour, an amazing love and knowledge of the Inca people and positive thinking throughout. His constant thoughtfulness and care for our well-being was astounding.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tipping is a part of the culture. We gave our tour leader tips as and when required which removed the decision over when and how much to give. I was glad of this but at the same time you didn’t feel in control over how much extra you were spending. Bring about 1,000 dollars and prepare to spend a good amount of this on tips. Read up in advance about what meals and optional trips are not included in the holiday price. Don’t worry about altitude sickness or fitness on the Inca Trail – just have a very positive attitude! If this is difficult to attain, try walking up and down some steep hills before you travel !

Jane Durgan

Reviewed August 2015

Rockies and Wilderness Walk

We had a fabulous time. All weather’s were experienced….snow, rain, heat and smoke. Our Great American Adventure guides (Audrey and Simon) were a terrific double act with a tremendous sense of fun. The food was exceptional and rapidly geared to the groups requirements.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking through 12" of virgin snow across Cavell Meadows

Thoughts on Group Leader

They were a really great pair. Always cheerful and lots of fun

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack for all weathers. The nights can be VERY chilly

Niall West

Reviewed August 2015

Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama

This is a wonderful trip giving a chance to explore three different countries on a bicycle. Each day is very different giving a wide variety of experiences of what the three countries have to offer, from rolling hills to cloud forest and rainforest to coast with some fantastic hotels.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many wonderful moments it's difficult to choose any one in particular but here are some of my favourite moments: - The first hotel in Granada is a real charm, centrally located and very comfortable, the day on Ometepe is fantastic and the optional cycle in the morning to the springs is worth taking to cool down in. The cycle around Lake Arenal is breathtaking and the float down the river the following morning is wonderful. Bocas del Toro is a great spot and there is a free day there to take advantage of a boat trip to see the dolphins, stop off for some snorkelling and visit Red Frog Beach. Seeing the Panama Canal is also a great highlight of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roberto and Andrea are fantastic, they couldn't do enough for us. They have a wealth of knowledge about all three countries and enjoy sharing it with the group. Pol, the mechanic leader is also super, always checking the bikes' safety and leading from the front. Luis, the bus driver, carefully transported us on the transfers. All in all a wonderful team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're thinking of going on this trip, book it fast - you won't regret it!

Patricia Noble

Reviewed August 2015

South African Walking Safari Aug 2015

A fantastic trip which gave us a some highlights of South Africa. We really enjoyed the Drakensberg area and especially loved the chain ladders! Walking in the indigenous forest was a great experience. We enjoyed the 2 nights in Swaziland as the area was very scenic and the walking good. Visiting the Karongwe and Kruger was so worthwhile – we saw so many animals, birds and plants. Our day on the beach at Cape Vidal was great fun and we loved the big waves and the white sand, a real opportunity to relax at the half way point

Most Inspirational Moment

The early morning walking safari in Karongwe Private Reserve was really amazing: we had a close encounter with rhino and learnt so much about plants and animals. My highlight though was the evening driven safari, also in Karongwe, where we left the vehicle to watching a cheetah eat her kill, standing just a few feet away, we watched for 10 minutes - totally incredible! We also saw 2 porcupines and a civet in the headlights. Wow!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ende (Andy) and David were fantastic! They were both so enthusiastic and worked so hard to give us an amazing holiday experience. Ende's cooking was fantastic, every meal was tasty, well prepared and vegetarians well catered for. Both were very knowledgeable about the animals and plants we saw and we had interesting discussions about some of the local customs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take books/Kindle to occupy yourself during the long drives. Some of the walking in the Drakensberg may worry vertigo sufferers but there was nothing technically difficult. Rehydration tablets/sachets useful on very hot walking days ( it was much hotter than we expected)

Phil Watson

Reviewed August 2015

Beautiful scenery and rewarding walks

A very pleasant week exploring the coastal walks. Emily, our guide, was very well prepared and flexed the week to suit recent feedback, weather and the needs of the group members. Due to the hot weather, several of the walks were strenuous in places, but always rewarded us with spectacular views.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the steep sided vineyards on the way to Corneglia on our last day, with the sea sparkling below, pinching the odd grape and blackberry along the path.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good humoured, well prepared and very tall :-)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking boots with ankle support and then flipflops as soon as you finish the walk!

Philippa Gardom

Reviewed August 2015

Holiday of a lifetime

We had an absolutely wonderful holiday in Costa Rica with our 9 and 10 year old daughters. Stunning natural beauty, fascinating insights from our group leader, and exciting outdoor activities all contributed to our enjoyment.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was an inspirational moment almost every day...Exhilarating white water rafting through spectacular scenery; ridiculously brightly-coloured poison dart frogs; experts interpreting the night-time sounds and sights of the forest; pairs of scarlet macaws flying in front of the forest (viewed whilst floating in the Pacific); following columns of leafcutter ants to find their nest; boat trips through the rainforest to find ibis, herons and crocodiles; local food in lively restaurants.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Edward was absolutely brilliant. You could not have a better guide. His knowledge, insights and gentle humour really enhanced our trip. He enjoyed sharing his love of nature - and all things Costa Rican - with us all. His organisation was flawless, and he always told us what to expect and what to bring. He was superb with the children, patiently helping them to identify bugs, birds and reptiles. On the last night my younger daughter left a treasured soft toy in a restaurant several miles from the hotel, but a few phone calls (and a half hour drive) later Edward had retrieved it for her. Hernan, our driver, was also superb. I felt safe at all times in the minibus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to your guide - you will learn a huge amount. Go on all the trips - every one was fascinating, and most were led by real experts (although avoid the zipwire trip if you are afraid of heights.) Take plenty of mosquito repellent. Check your flights carefully, and make sure the flight bookers have allowed enough time to change planes - two families had more exhausting than necessary journeys as a result of missing connections.

Prev 1 … 920 921 922 923 924 … 1,448 Next