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

emma atkinson

Reviewed August 2014

Mont Blanc Circuit

A very enjoyable holiday, with great walking, scenery, food and company. Graham’s cooking was exceptional, particularly his ability to cook meat and vegetable options, and rustle things up from seemingly nothing! However, this holiday isn’t for the faint-hearted – the walking is indeed challenging at times, the days are long, and you have to be prepared to contribute to camp tasks (washing up, taking your own tent down etc)

Most Inspirational Moment

There are too many to name just one but if I have to it's completing the final climb to be rewarded with amazing clear views of Mont Blanc.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John was a helpful and informative leader with a good knowledge of the mountains and local area. He also knows a lot about trees, but not so much about caterpillars! He had a very good sense of humour and amused us trying to analyse Graham's jokes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking days are long so it is vital that you are fit and a relatively experienced walker. You also need to be able to cope with a variety of terrain - from grassy tracks to rocky and steep ascents/descents, ladder sections, and basic scrambling. However, if you are happy with this you'll have a great time!

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Reviewed August 2014

Mont Blanc Circuit

An absolutely brilliant trip from start to finish. Fabulous scenery, a brilliant group of trekkers and great fun, despite some mixed weather and spectacular storms.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to pinpoint one moment but I really enjoyed the extra 'optional' challenges that were set by our guide John. Huffing and puffing my way up the extremely steep 560m of the Col du Tricot faster than my target time felt like a massive achievement, as did completing the circuit after ten long days of hiking. It's a long way. 100% worth it but we definitely deserved a celebratory drink or two at the end.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John was an excellent leader. Very approachable and patient, with a good sense of humour and a truly wonderful singing voice?! Graham was equally excellent back in camp, always welcoming us when we came back to camp after our walks and providing delicious food (plenty of it) and a very welcome bar. I should also mention his 'jokes' and spooky ghost stories...

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do take an umbrella! It might sound crazy for the mountains, but you'll need it. Warm clothes are a must for evenings in camp. Also, if you're not sure about doing this trip due to worries about camping...don't worry! I had never camped for this long before but learnt to enjoy it!

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Susan Duncombe

Reviewed August 2014

Tour du Mont Blanc

Beautiful views, great camaraderie within the group and with Exodus guide and cook. A fantastic 2 weeks!

Most Inspirational Moment

Lunch stop with view of Mont Dolent. Beautiful!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I had confidence that in a crisis situation we'd be ok with him. Thankfully we never had a crisis situation. He paces the walks well, had local knowledge and also knowledge of flora and fauna

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was a bit worries about the camping as I hasn't been in a tent for 30 years. However, I'm sooooo glad I didn't do the hotel version of the trip. So much fun camping and the group were a hardier and more fun lot than the hotel group

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Sheena Small

Reviewed August 2014

Fabulous in every aspect

John and Graham run this trip as a well oiled machine. Everything is well set up on the camping side and they establish an efficient schedule for everything from breakfast to luch making to second breakfast and first lunch. John paces the walking exceptionally well making sure no one peaks too early but that everyone knows they are on a walking holiday and not out for a stroll. All these aspects go to make a fabulous and hassle free holiday with a good work out, fabulous scenery and delicious meals.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being pushed to take on the Tricot challenge and developing an understanding of the challenges and dangers faced by the many mountaineers who climb in this region as we looked at the spectacular beauty of the mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both John and Graham conducted themselves in a thoroughly professional manner but carried out their roles with humour and enthusiasm that demonstrated a passion for what they do. No request was too much for Graham, including the request for 2 bottles of Limoncello for his bar, and John demonstrated an amazing breadth of mountain knowledge on every subject from identifying conifers to the early ascent of many of the mountains, delivered in manageable bits that kept it all interesting and did not overwhelm.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather in the evening was cooler than I expected so I would take a few more warmer clothes than you might expect. Also - take the umbrella recommended on the trip notes. It comes in really useful walking in the rain in the mountains, keeping you a lot cooler than your waterproofs. I know you will be sceptical reading this advice about a trekking holiday - we all were as well when John suggested it!

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Alia Darweish

Reviewed August 2014

A wonderful trip - not a holiday!

A great trip if you are fit. TMB is a tough challenge for those who are not in the best possible shape, regardless of age, in which case, go for a shorter version and stay in the hotels. Camping in Europe is rarely the most luxurious option, but adds to group camaraderie and spirit of this option of seeing all the Mont Blanc massif has to offer.

Most Inspirational Moment

When the rain came, the storm rolled in and the group pulled together - friendships were built, hot chocolate and cakes consumed in large quantities, and ultimately we were rewarded with wonderful views and a great sense of achievement coming to the final miles of the trip. All worth the mud and endless wardrobe changes at the top of the cols...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was measured and thoughtful - he adapted our route to keep us safe in all weathers, and respected the fact that a lot of us were pretty fit and liked to stretch out a bit. One of our group had to drop out due to injury on the first rest day - he did his best to make sure her needs were taken care of, but mindful that he had a job to do keeping the rest of the group on track for the tour, and safe in the mountains.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are not fit enough, are a smoker, do not do the complete tour. It’s just that simple. Check the average age group on the trip you are thinking of and consider if that’s the right group for your own fitness level. Some 60 plus year olds are fitter than a lot of 30 year olds, evident on the tour as we went around. Some aren’t, as was the case on our trip. Be honest with yourself and you will enjoy your holiday a lot more. There are shorter versions where highlights can be enjoyed, hotels and chalet options may suit those less disposed to sleeping under canvas for two weeks. Communal bathroom facilities are not to my taste, but that’s European camping and there are ways to cope - like getting up earlier to avoid the masses. The spa at Pre St Didier is fabulous for a lovely chance to get really clean! Boots, not shoes. Trekking poles are great for down hills, even just one for a bit of support. Good waterproofs and a set of thermals for cold nights. A decent sleeping bag and thermarest. Antiseptic wipes and alcohol gel an absolute must. Flip flops for showers. A change of shoes for evenings in camp.

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Dorian Moss

Reviewed August 2014

Tour of Mont Blanc - camping

This was a fantastic walk from start to finish, and I felt a great sense of achievement to have walked the whole route.

Most Inspirational Moment

Coming over the Grand Col Ferret from Switzerland to Italy after several days with very limited views due to low cloud, and seeing the Italian Val Ferret and all the peaks in dazzling sunshine. Reaching the end of the official circuit on the last afternoon at Plan Praz and deciding to continue alone to La Flegere where we had ascended 11 days earlier.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent leadership of the group, set starting times and kept to them, set manageable walking speeds. Good local knowledge of flora, mountain peaks, history and local land use / customs. Good fun to be with. He also allowed (and led) two optional extra climbs to viewpoints on cols which were excellent additions to the itinerary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you really up to this. There are long ascents and steep descents. You need good knees.

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David How

Reviewed August 2014

Mt Blanc Circuit

Rightfully described as one of the world’s iconic trekking trails, the TMB met all my expectations. It was challenging and tough going in many parts. I can sit here back in England and reflect on something I am proud to have achieved and with every intention of encouraging friends to have their own go at. A great team of people to accompany me and led by a first class Mountain Leader in John, fed, watered and spiritually strengthened by our Cook, Graham.

Most Inspirational Moment

A glass of grappa and a toast to Walter Bonatti, in the refuge bearing his name. John our guide had told us the story of the famous Alpinist and his independence of spirit. On the wall a photograph of the man himself and the inscription 'L'aventura e dentro di noi' .

Thoughts on Group Leader

John was first class from start to finish. He had the gift of knowing when to talk and when not to. He allowed us to enjoy the mountains for ourselves but at the same time and at the right time, knew how to enrich that experience with his knowledge and love for the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get yourself fit before you take this one on. If you can't walk in hills or mountains then regularly run or cycle or swim or do some serious gym work, just to get you used to exertion and recovery. It's 100 miles and 10 000 metres of ascent and descent that is not to be underestimated.

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Margaret Bray

Reviewed August 2014

Margaret

Having had are original booking changed due to no one else booking, the company re booked our trip for the Saturday. They were very helpful and apologetic, they could not understand why, having been on the trek I do.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cocktails at the hotel in Les Bossons,we went here by ourselves. As every meal that had been pre booked by Exodus, we were told beforehand that the hotel did not like the group, or people the previous week had complained.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He had very little knowledge about the area, he had done two trips and we were his third group. He did state quite clearly that the did not expect us to move along at the same speed, however with all the references to the previous group, a pack mentally developed and on arrival at the campsite each evening it was "were we faster than the previous" This resulted in one day, three of the team having to abandon their walk due to being completely wrecked.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure that the people running your trek, are enjoying their job, as if they are totally fed up it begins to rub off on you. I did the Yorkshire Three Peaks in just under ten hours, I would suggest that you must be fit enough to complete this within nine hours otherwise do not book. Also be prepared to pack up belongings and your tent, before you are allowed a warm drink or anything to eat. (this is because they do not trust you will be organised in time for the group to leave!

Reply from Exodus

An Exodus staff member who travelled on this departure has given us excellent feedback about the tour leader and the way in which the walks were led, and this leader has had great feedback over the past two seasons so we are disappointed that Margaret’s experience was not as positive as we would have expected. We are aware that on one day, three of the group members decided to take a cable car down when the option was available, but to our knowledge this was not because they felt they had to abandon the walk and we have not received any other feedback to suggest that the pace of the walking was overly fast. We are really sorry that Margaret did not enjoy this holiday as much as other trips she has been on and that she sustained an injury as we realise she must have been disappointed not to join all of the walks. Chloe Knott – Walking & Trekking Programme Manager

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Philippa Halden

Reviewed August 2014

Great Trip!

A great week of spectacular scenery, great hiking trails, good food and good company!

Most Inspirational Moment

My highlights were swimming in the lake above Chamonix (though very very cold!!) and seeing a Wallcreeper.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rupert made the trip very interesting by sharing his knowledge of wild flowers and knowledge of the local cuisine and best coffee stops! His knowledge of the area was excellent and due to this we could do little detours to see glacial lakes and Bernard the cheese farmer that you would miss if you stuck rigidly to the TMB. I also loved having 2 half-lunches, will do this on hikes in the future!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep your pack as light as possible - I wished I'd taken a small pair of binoculars though. Do take your swimmers & sports towel with you as it is great to go in the lake! If you have any knee problems, use hiking poles and bring knee supports with you. There is a lot of downhill on this trip!

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Beverley Cejer

Reviewed August 2014

Mont Blanc Circuit

An excellent 10 day trek in which ever day is different and 3 countries are visited. Wonderful views on the rain free days!

Most Inspirational Moment

The carpets of wild flowers set against the dramatic backdrop of the Mont Blanc Massif

Thoughts on Group Leader

John was an excellent leader in every sense admirably supported by Graham (great food) and Charlotte

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go light -you get a chance to wash clothes through BUT take good quality waterproofs or a poncho -it will rain! It can be cold so plenty of layers and a 4 season sleeping bag

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