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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14485 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Francesco Francesco

Reviewed February 2015

The Perfect Family Holiday

Excellent Family Trip, it did exceed expectations: outstanding nature and exciting adventure alternate and often combine together to make this holiday unforgettable. Caymans, sloths, toucans, crocodiles, rainbow and mangrove boas, capuchin monkeys, owler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, green iguanas, hummingbirds, blue and white herons, white ibis, blue-jeans poison dart frogs, brown pelicans, tanagers of all descriptions, scarlet macaws, snake-birds, huge rhinoceros beetles, silky anteaters, orb-weaver spiders, palm pit vipers, river turtles, green kingfishers, ctenosaurs, cat-eyed snakes, coatis, kinkajous, bats, blue crabs, all sorts of butterflies, lizards, stick-insects and raccoons are some of the animals we have seen in their own environments, which range from adventurous jungles to idillic beaches. The Sarapiqui River Rafting has been unanimously agreed to be the best of the action activities, but the zip-lining in Monteverde was not that far away! It is a perfect holiday for a family with young teens between 12 ad 15 years old.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights of the tour are The Tortoguero Canals, the Hanging Bridges in Monteverde, the rafting in the Sarapiqui river and the optional Mangrove Boat Tour in Manuel Antonio, while the Hot Spring in a fine Hotel in La Fortuna, the Coffee Tour and Manuel Antonio’s beautiful tropical beaches add to the variety of this holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Edward, was very friendly and professional, he flawlessly arranged all the extra activities. We all wisely followed his suggestions on the choice of restaurants, and I have to say that some of them were excellent. Also a mention for our driver, you could not get a better one than Campbell!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was surprised how few mosquitos we encountered, I believe the fact we chose to go to Costa Rica at the beginning of the dry season, which starts at the end of December, was an advantageous factor. So if you worry about mosquitos, choose a tour during the dry season. Use DEET or Incognito Insect repellent, wear long sleeves and long trousers and you will be fine. The sun is much more powerful than in the Mediterranean, therefore caution and moderation are needed on the tropical beaches of Manuel Antonio, not just suncream!

David Dodwell

Reviewed February 2015

Multi Sensory Experience

This trip was a delight to the senses – being on a bike totally immersed in the sights, sounds, smells … and of course tastes … of this beautiful and fascinating country. On the trip we experienced the rich culture and history, the varied vegetation and cultivation, the strikingly colourful birdlife, local food and tea stops, quiet back roads (and a few exciting ones!) and of course the friendly people.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing to the top of Sigiriya rock on Day 2 . Spotting the vivid blue of my first bee-eater. Watching rope being made from coconut husks in a cottage industry.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I can't speak highly enough of Suresh. He had a great relationship with the staff at all the places we visited and stayed at. He kept us informed all the way along the trip and provided us with a great variety of experiences. He coped with 'emergencies' and extra requests calmly and effectively - nothing was too much trouble for him. I felt really looked after by him and his team throughout the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are a bird watcher, get hold of a Bird Book of the area and take binoculars. At some of the remoter stops, there's also the chance for some great star gazing, provided you can drag yourself out of the bar in the evening, or out of bed early in the morning! - get Google Skymap app or equivalent on your Smart phone. I also wish I had read up about the particular form of Buddhism they practise here - a mixture of Buddhism and Hinduism.

Simon Farmer

Reviewed February 2015

Cycling Cuba Jan 15

This is my 4th Exodus trip and again it was superbly planned with plenty of cycling, culture, and fun. Its totally full on, and hotel rooms are only places to dump a bag and crash out at night. The Mojitas always beckon, and with a big group a party is always at hand.
The cycling is fairly easy and well researched. The hotels are generally good, and all have A/C and bathroom en suite.

Most Inspirational Moment

We had the chance to stay 2 nights with a local family in Trinidad, and although they did not speak English well and my Spanish was limited I spent a wonderful hour showing photos of my family and explaining about life in the UK. They have very few material possessions and were fascinated by the photos. 3 generations live in the one house. The rooms we had were surprisingly good. Bring small gifts like biscuits or chocolate. You are staying in a private house

Thoughts on Group Leader

Laz was brilliant and kept us amused with his stories anecdotes and general enthusiasm. He has a vast knowledge of the country and its history, and explained everything about the day beforehand. From teaching us dancing moves to problems in the hotel, he never tired and I can cannot recommend him highly enough. Tuna and Manuel the 2 drivers were also excellent and great fun on the dance floor.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Forget internet, and WiFi, unless you really have to. Most hotels do have a terminal but it was mostly down or so slow it wasn't worth the effort. WiFi did not exist even in the Melia in Santiago. Cell phones work for messaging, but not data. Food was better than expected but some meals can be a bit bland. Definitely bring snacks. Soy sauce for the endless rice. The cycling was generally flat and easier than other trips like Vietnam/Kerala. Day 9 the challenging day was actually quite easy, although very hot.

Ronald Smith

Reviewed February 2015

Everest Base Camp January 2015

Excellent trip well organised and going in January meant trail and teahouses very quiet. In many cases we were the only occupants of the teahouse. Nights cold but not a problem with down sleeping bag and blankets. Walking temperatures fine and trail largely clear of snow and ice.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing how the Nepalese cope with the very demanding conditions in rural areas at altitude

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lhakpa was an excellent leader and had huge experience of the trail, Everest base camp and Everest itself.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it

Elizabeth Dyall

Reviewed February 2015

Highlands of Sri Lanka

My first hiking tour, my favorite walks were the jungle walks and those through the rice patty fields in the small villages. Amazingly beautiful and very old Buddhist art work in the Dambulla Caves. The Sri Lankan people are friendly and welcoming, the country has an old world feeling, very green, very laid back, the land of elephants and coconuts.

Most Inspirational Moment

Making it to the top of Adam's Peak. I never thought I would actually make it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sampath Kulatunga was an excellent guide. Very patient, friendly, very knowledgeable about his country and birds. He definitely loves his job. My first singing tour leader. I struggled during the first few days of the tour with painful knees and adjusting to the hot climate, he was very supportive and patient. I was very very greatful for his assistance.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely bring walking sticks and a sports cream for the sore calves, I wished I did.

Owen Legg

Reviewed February 2015

Vietnam Cycling Trip - Owen Legge

A great trip seeing the country of Vietnam on two wheels. Tour leader, Long, loves his job and had pleasue in showing us the lifestyle of the locals.

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding up the Hai Van Pass, the country kids delight in seeing the cyclists, the food and the sights.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A top tour leader who is friendly, approachable and a grand bloke.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ride your bike more and do some hill work.

Noreen Kitchner

Reviewed February 2015

Vibrant India

Beautiful, wonderful place and a very well organised holiday with a great combination of trekking and culture. Helps if you like camping!

Most Inspirational Moment

Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. Kathakali dancing. Walking in the Western Ghats. Cows with painted horns in Tamil Nadu. And just the life on the streets as we drove through towns and villages - good humoured, colourful, traditional and modern at once.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Santosh was a great group leader and a good companion. Intelligent, enthusiastic, organised and fun. He is an asset to his country and to the organisations he works with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The grading is fair at grade 3 as the hiking challenges are not sustained. Be prepared for walking uphill in the heat and downhill on rough paths that were hard on some folks' knees. Camping is not my thing so I didn't expect to enjoy that aspect. However, I do think the camping could be made more comfortable: >Squatting is difficult in trousers and toilet tents in the dark are a nightmare I will avoid in future (remember to bring a head torch) - is there a better solution? >The tents were old fashioned, didn't close properly, were too cosy for two and had no cover sheet on the veranda for bags and shoes. Better tents would help. >Instead of providing a basin of water to hunker over in your tiny shared tent, it should be possible to set up some ad hoc showers on one or two nights. >You need a 4 season sleeping bag in January. It dropped to -2c on one night and few of us slept.

Raymond hall

Reviewed February 2015

Atlas descent

A great trip through stunning mountainous morocco

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day was brilliant with amazing descent from up high down to the beach

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was good fun, very patient, good at punctures and ridiculously healthy (overtaking everyone on the hills and making it look easy)

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is very tough and there is not a great deal of free time so be prepared, make sure your fit enough and it's probably best if you have a bit of off road experience (I never and it took a bit of getting used too)

jonathan sadler

Reviewed February 2015

Cuba cycling

A BRILLIANT HOLIDAY.

Most Inspirational Moment

I would say admiration for the strengths of Cuba's social ideals (there are of course great weaknesses in it too) & the friendliness and apparent contentment of the Cuban people. Also you can't also fail to be inspired by the beauty of the country and the Spanish colonial architecture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Laz was fantastic. A trained teacher who loved his job as a tour leader. He was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, competent and amusing. He told us amusing personal stories and talked openly about his country. With regard to the cycling before each section he carefully described the terrain and any potential hazards. It probably explains why not one of the 18 of us got lost, fell off or had any sort of accident. He took us to some wonderful restaurants -my favourites the lobster and also the garlic shrimps.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do go there soon. MAKE IT YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY. January was a good month to go. Cycling is a great way to see a country but if cycling is not your thing go to Cuba anyway.

Simon Arbon

Reviewed February 2015

Cuba Cycling Jan 2015

A unique country and a fabulous holiday! A heady mix of great scenery, friendly people, top cycling, vintage cars, music, dancing, Caribbean coastline and cocktails galore!

Most Inspirational Moment

Almost getting the hang of Salsa, Trinidad, the mountains of Sierra Maestra, history all around, and great fellow bunch of travellers!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Laz was brilliant, very organised, friendly, great sense of humour and nothing was too much trouble. He anticipated every question typically raised by new visitors to Cuba and his passion for his country was infectious! In summary, the trip ran like clockwork thanks to him and his excellent support team of Tuna and Manuel!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go before it changes now that the USA looks like it may lift the long standing (and totally unjustified) trade embargo. A trip in January is just right for enjoying perfect Cuban weather (warm but not humid) and avoiding grotty British weather!

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