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Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

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Reviews

An Unforgettable Trip to Peru and Ecuador

What an adventure!
This holiday combines two iconic destinations into one trip. It’s a busy, fast-paced itinerary, full of stimulation and excitement so be prepared!
In Peru, as well as enjoying Cusco, you’ll visit incredible ruins nearby and in the Sacred Valley and learn so much about the Incas and how they conquered, and then retained control of, vast swathes of South America. Holger’s in-depth knowledge of all things Inca helped us to piece together this information into a coherent whole so that we had a real insight into the civilisation. You’ll also have the opportunity (for no additional cost) to complete the One Day Inca Trail. Machu Picchu does not disappoint and, as well as being technologically fascinating, is absolutely stunning.
In the Galapagos, you’ll island hop your way to San Cristobal, Floreana, Isabela, Santa Cruz, Isla Lobos, Bartolome and Las Tintoreras, seeing every kind of wildlife imaginable. The animals really are everywhere, in large numbers and just don’t mind you being nearby. It’s a hiking, snorkelling and photographic extravaganza (and Richard will share all his videos and photos)!

Most Inspirational Moment

-Machu Picchu. We saw it twice- in atmospheric cloud after the Inca Trail and in brilliant sunshine on the morning of the tour. -Seeing the sheer extent and technological achievement of the Inca ruins. -Diving into warm waters and swimming with turtles, rays, sharks, sea-lions and so much more. -Seeing incredible endemic wildlife like the blue-footed booby, the giant tortoises and, of course, the marine iguanas.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were fortunate to have Holger Collantes and Richard Ruiz as our guides. Both were exceptional in terms of their expertise, attention to detail and absolute commitment to ensuring everyone had the best experience possible. They were warm, generous with their time and considerate of our safety (while at altitude and while snorkelling, especially). They were also fun! As always, the quality of Exodus' guides really enhance the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

-If you're a regular walker, the One Day Inca Trail is well within your capability. And don't worry too much about the Monkey Steps/ Gringo Killer. They're fine! - Circuit 3 is a great tour of Machu Picchu. -You can leave your trekking/ cold-weather gear at Vieja Cuba Hotel in Quito while you go to the Galapagos. -It's useful to take your own snorkelling gear, if you have it.

Not to be missed!

This is an amazing trip and actually was better than my expectations. Crossing four countries but focusing on Namibia. If you love varied landscapes and animals this is the trip for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention! Helicopter ride over Victoria falls, a week old elephant in Chobe, Jackal sitting in between the tents in Sessriem, numerous animals in Etosha, small animals in Swakopmund, exceptional knowledge from our guides, changing landscapes, climbing Big daddy! The hard work and attitide of our two guides Ian and Andy were both superb. So knowledgeable about the animals, countries and both delivered some fabulous meals. They were both the best!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Ian went above and beyond. Nothing too much trouble, extremely knowledgeable and somehow spotted animals hiding in the national parks. Very sympathetic to the needs of the group and both Ian and Andy had a great sense of humour. If i do another trip in this area I would love for them to be my guides again.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travelled in April/May this year. It was hot and warm in the evenings until Swakopmund it then got cold the further you go south. I had a good sleeping bag and layers but I bought a blanket in a local supermarket for less than 10$ and this was a welcome comfort. I had a lightweight down jacket which I used often especially in the morning and evening. Get a ZAR plug adapter. Card payments acceptable in most places. US dollars acceptable in Zimbabwe and Botswana. A small amount of Namibian dollars would be useful for toilet stops. They also accept US dollars in Namibia in some places and also ZAR rand. Tips are expected for extra trips about 5$. Washing is available in Swakopmund less than 10$ for a full bag. Trips: helicopter over Zambeze, sunset cruise, evening safari in Chobe, quad bike ride in Swakopmund looking for the smaller creatures, Table mountain and wine tasting.

African Adventure

If you want to immerse youself in Africa this camping trip is an excellent way to discover this amazing continent. There’s plenty of opportunities to discover its wildlife, scenery and culture. It’s quite full on and does involve some long drives but these are small sacrifices compared with the benefits that such a tour offers.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching sunrise over the Sossusvlie dunes in Namibia was an amazing experience but there were plenty of other great moments on the trip such as feeling the immense power of Victoria Falls, watching an amazing array of wildlife over a number of game drives, and walking around the plateau of Table Mountain in Cape Town.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The two guides on our trip were Andy and Ian. Across countless of trips over the years that I've been on these were undoubtedly the hardest working guides I've ever come across. Alongside this, they've both got an encyclopedic knowledge of Africa's wildlife and landscape and a great sense of humour to go along with it. You'll be very fortunate if they lead your trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just because it's Africa don't expect hot weather all the time as it will likely be cooler as you travel further south so bring a warm jacket and a decent sleeping bag. Most of the time you'll be at the campsites so there's no need to bring lots of fancy clothes for going out as these are only needed for the few days spent at Swakopmund and in Cape Town. You can handwash clothes at the campsites but there's proper laundry facilities at Swakopmund. Most expenditure can be done using credit/debit card but it's useful to have some local currency for paying tips etc. Also, get stuck in when it comes to helping out with the camping chores. The guides will do the vast bulk including the cooking but give them some support with the cleaning up after each meal and packing away when leaving each campsite. The guides won't look for any help but they'll appreciate it if you do give them some support.

Tuscany Walks & Chianti Wines

Very well organised trip with excellent guide. Generally discovering the beautiful scenery of Tuscany, visiting the nearby villages and towns and the trips to Siena and Florence.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lorenzo was an excellent guide with in depth knowledge of the local area. He was very organised and made sure we had all the information we needed for the following day’s activities in good time. He was friendly with a good sense of humour.

Excellent trip

This was a superb trip that surpassed our expectations. Excellent guides and a stimulating and comprehensive itinerary

Most Inspirational Moment

Far too many to list, but for starters: Watching, from very close, a family of elephants virtually demolish a tree to provide food for the family. The older elephants were teaching the young ones how to break off branches for future use. A huge privilege to watch this, and enormous thanks to the skill of our driver getting the vehicle in poll position to observe Zebra wandering round the campsite like domestic pets Sunrise over the sand dunes- once again, thanks to our driver and guide for getting us in situ in good time to climb the dunes in good time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant! Ronney was amazing. His knowledge and planning meant we made maximum use of every opportunity to experience the best of Namibia. Our driver and cordon bleu chef Michael was also excellent and helped ensure that we had a great trip. Such a joy to experience Namibia with such inspiring and stimulating local guides, whose love for their country was palpable and which we now share

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't hesitate to book this trip. It's excellent

Discover Morocco

I loved the varied programme of places to see – green parks, ancient buildings, mosques (pity we could only go inside one mosque…but that is the Islamic tradition), mountains, lovely footpaths in oasis, markets and fine views of city. Also I like the varied places to eat – restaurants, picnic, local family houses, little cafes with rooftop views, even motorway service area, and of course the desert tent!

Superb Local Moroccan Guide – polite, respectful, well connected to locals, knew the history, customs, and told us what we needed to know without being over prescriptive or too long winded. Very varied activities, food, scenery, countryside, city sights. Lovely other people (by chance) in our group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Camel riding in sahara desert, playing the drums as a group just before going on the camels (this was a really good bonding exercise for the group, made such fun by the Moroccan musician, known to our guide, Samir. Visiting the gorge. I appreciated walking for say 2 hours each day, in the oasis, in the city, the market (souk), at the roman site.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Samir really was excellent. We voted him Guide of the Year. I hope he carries on doing this work, since he loves it, and the overall impression is that all the members of our group liked him very much indeed. He had a great sense of humour.

Discover Morocco

Wonderful! Enjoyed the range of experiences. For a first guided tour with a group, this was amazing! Our guide, Samir, was very well suited for the job. He was knowledgeable, funny, read the group, and helpful. Our group turned out to be wonderful. We enjoyed experiencing and seeing so much of Morocco.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights were taking the camels across the Merzouga desert and staying in the tents. We also very much enjoyed the meals at different family homes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Samir was a fantastic leader! He was very knowledgeable and shared his insights willingly. It is obvious he loves his country and is proud of it and his people. He had a great sense of humour and read our group very well. He got to know us personally and anticipated our needs. He made stops when they were needed. When something personal came up, he went out of his way to help and take care of us. For example, when someone was sick or lost something, he took care of them and went out of his way to find and get back a lost bag. He is very well suited for the job!

Very enjoyable and relaxing level 4 walking trip, spring a good time to go

I really enjoyed this week, Activity level 4 in Early May.

Cortijo Rosario, where we stayed is in a lovely position, perched above Algámitas/ looking across to two large peaks, with a pool (which was warm enough for me to swim later in the week), nice flowers at this time of year and swallows nesting on the way in chittering and swooping around the way in.
I was in room 5, very comfortable as a single person in a twin; facing east-ish so nice for sunrise. Bed was comfortable for me, en-suite with shower, shutters worked, small safe, clean.
Information in room has little in apart from a nice history and safe place instructions. Needs more work; add emergency night time contact (no staff at nighttime which works well, though I wondered what to do if emergency lighting which came to the on once stayed on longer) for instance. Everything else was clearly gone through and the next days info on a whiteboard. Selection of teas, coffees and biscuits were perfect for my needs in the bar area. Dinner inside some nights, outside on others (sometimes need extra layers for those nights). All staff friendly, made us feel welcome.

Activity level 4 has a busy schedule which I liked, lots to do and see; I didn’t use much of the other downstairs communal facilities, though noted games, books, and spare poles for instance. I enjoyed every day, even rain pouring out of first floor pipes in town the first day (Nb unfortunately lots of rain damage to the roads from the past few months storms; did make for a lush green landscape).
Each day is different, a variety of walks/ activities, the two local peaks the first two days, both worth doing, even in some fog on day 2, I still enjoyed the wide variety of wildflowers in early May (spotted more than 30 different ones), bird calls, and butterflies (spotted around 9 different ones). Then we did a meadows, monastery, valley, and the lovely Setinel destination walk, seeing eagles, vultures, mulberries, croaking frogs/ toads, and what looked like it could have been a nightingale perched in front of me briefly.
Worth the 3 hours travel going to/ from Seville on the day off; I liked getting lost in the numerous narrow winding streets, the view of the round tower from a bridge, and the Alcazar that was a nice peaceful end to the day ( Nb buy tickets well in advance if you can navigate the online payments system); I ran out of time for the cathedral and to try out at the recommended restaurant. Also if day 5 gorge tickets are early enough, I can also recommend the 3 hours in Ronda extra; I enjoyed an online trail I found, my favourite was the steep walk down and back up to see the new bridge from a ruined house just above the waterfalls, below the sheer cliffs, which is free ( you also get a good view of what looks like cliff arch); there are many paid for alternatives to what I did; and again I ran out of time.
The gorge wall walk is fun and not scary for me, though busy at times; nb I have a fear of edges with long sheer drops and this didn’t at all trigger me. The last walk is a crags and meadows walk around an hour away; again eagles and vultures, some closer this time; also wild black pigs and a couple of black shapes gliding down in front of me escaping an eagle, and some apricot shaped almonds near the town.
I was really happy with each day and wouldn’t have changed anything except the fog on the top of Pennon crag.
It was a group of 10; all nice, friendly people.

In comparison with the Sierra de Aitana walk I did last fall, this was easier, walked at a comfortable pace for me, with plenty of time for me to look at the things that caught my eye, though each day was further/ longer time out, about 25% more steps, though less difficult climbs/ descents and a lot less slippy. There was much more driving this time. There was less flexibility, using hired mini-buses mostly, not their own, therefore need to stick to the advertised schedule. Food much more refined, veggie meals looked much better/ more varied , though probably food much less authentic. Overall I enjoyed them equally and recommend doing both as different enough from each other.

And I managed to navigate the new EU system, though needed to register again going back home, in plenty of time for the flight.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed all the locality, the activities, the wildlife/ fauna, and the hotel, there wasn't one outstanding moment for me however.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter was an informative and relaxed guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Didn’t read any of the book I brought with me in case of time to fill. Even if the walking was easier I still wore my walking boots each day. If you have lots of energy like me, do all the trips offered, including Seville and Ronda, and have some swims if warm enough. Spend time pausing and looking around, there's lots to see. If flying with Jet2, unless you pay more, you get random seats, their planes did seem even slightly more cramped than even Easyjet.

Cycling Puglia & Matera

Guides were fantastic- knowledgeable, clearly very experienced, fun, kind, relaxed and paid a lot of attention to detail – we were unlucky with the weather but they were so supportive and helped us make the best of it.

Great group – I know this is a bit of a lottery but everyone was good fun and it made a huge impact on my trip.

Locations and stops on the trip – ie, the routes were spectacular and felt like a real taste of the area geographically, culturally and historically. Hotels were of a high standard and massieras were beautiful. Great food and restaurants.

Most Inspirational Moment

Matera Cycling along coast from Gallipoli to Lecce over 2 days

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alessandro was fantastic- knowledgeable, clearly very experienced, fun, kind, relaxed and paid a lot of attention to detail - we were unlucky with the weather but he was so supportive and helped us make the best of it. There was a mix of experience levels in the group - he catered to all. The kitty was an excellent idea he managed it well choosing great spots to eat and drink at and pay the local taxes with money left to spare. It was my impression he cared about our groups experience and went above and beyond to make it special and memorable holiday.

Amazing experience

It was a well planned and executed trip. All the details were taken care of. We really enjoyed it even though my daughter before the trip had food poisoning. She was taken care of by everyone specially Dinish and Tomaz.

Most Inspirational Moment

Biking along the Atlantic and beautiful views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dinish was really amazing with the right temperament and leadership qualities needed to lead a group of 14 individuals with different needs . He motivated us to keep biking and giving the best. We would love to do more tours with him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Training for this bike ride is important or else go with ebike option