Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing different lives, homes etc as you cycle where often only a local would go allows you to get under the skin of 3 different countries. With all respect to the Thailand section I doubt if we saw the best that Thailand has to offer but nonetheless it was a good way of getting to Cambodia! The Temples of Angkor Wat were fantastic and unless you were incapable of cycling for some reason then cycling around the temples has to be the very best way to see them. The site is huge so you don't want to be on a bus in that heat and humidity! The killing fields and associated museums of death were just awful to visit and learn (in my case) even more about man's inhumanity.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The 2 key group leaders were nothing short of terrific and the different support crews in each country were excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

The fitter you are the more you will enjoy the cycling but don't worry if you are an occasional weekend cyclist you will cope. If you really want a cycling holiday with lots of miles then you should probably choose something else - the Rajistahn trip I've done previously nor example. Be prepared to buy an extra suitcase and fill it with locally made branded goods and make a fortune on e-bay or the local car boot sale or just make your friends happy! Shopping in Ho Chi Minh is an experience not to be missed - you should probably leave your wife at home!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader were perfect. One very organized that made sure everything went smoothly, some others more extroverted. All very knowledgeable of their country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's a great experience for cycling freaks as well as leisurely cyclists. Sportive and flexible midset guarantee loads of fun and an unforgettable trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Managing to cycle every day and enjoying it, riding through the villages and the children giving us hi fives, doing group Mexican waves whist riding through the villages and making the children laugh at us, visiting the temples, hanging out with really fun people and enjoying drinking beer every night and still managing to get up early and cycle in the heat, the boat trips, the island home stay......the amazing delicious food.....the exodus staff......I could go on as it was all inspiring and I didn't stop smiling for a while after I returned to the UK...even the grey sky's and rain of Manchester airport!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nee was fantastic....totally looked after us and had a wicked sense of humour. All the leaders worked so hard and made our holiday so easy to enjoy. Special mention to Fila who made us all smile with his enthusiasm and cheeky sense of fun......

Advice for Potential Travellers

Kit list musts for this trip 1. Good size water bladder with bag section - can recommend osprey - would not have been without it! 2. Anti bacterial gel/hand wipes/pocket tissues - lots of but you can easy buy out there 3. Long sleeve cycle top or cycle arms to stop you getting burnt - I didn't have them but wished I did. 4. Padded gel seat to go on bike. Don't really need your own saddle as bikes are pretty good - specialised. 5. comfy shorts that can be rolled up easily going in to temples and loose long sleeved shirt 6. Recommend water sport sandles to cycle in, instead of socks and trainers - make a downpour much more pleasant and cooler! Only need 1 pair if they are comfy 7. You will need mosquito wipes and sun cream - take small pack size for your water bladder bag 8. Sunnys, cycle helmet, summer cycle gloves 9. Anti histamine tablets if you react to bites and mossy bite relief - I only got bitten 3 - 4 times though 10. Something nice-ish to wear in evening when go to restaurant or bar .... Top tip - don't take too much as you will not need much on cycle days.

Most Inspirational Moment

The temples and warmth of the people in Cambodia.  I have been to Vietnam a couple of times before so was not expecting this to be too much of a highlight this time around.  But I was wrong - just loved how in your face everything was.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nee is very diligent, hard working, conscientious, organised.  Could not ask her to do more!  My only suggestion would be that she not feel she needs to manage everyone's expectations at quite so low a level.  From her comments about the homestay, I was not sure I was going to like it at all.  But it was wonderful! The local guides in Cambodia and Vietnam were great as well. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Can't think  of anything.   

Most Inspirational Moment

The day we cycled into Vietnam. It was just the most perfect bike ride: so much to see on the road-sides, from fighting cockerels to laughing locals, exotic flowers, hilly bits, flat bits, bumpy, laugh-a-minute bits; the guide took us at the perfect pace - not too fast, not too slow; I loved every minute.I also loved the muddy, bumpy off-road bits when we got very dirty!Can't say I 'enjoyed' the Killing fields day in Cambodia, it was pretty harrowing but well worth doing and I'll never forget it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nee was wonderful. She was fantastic when I fell a long way behind the group after a puncture. She's only tiny but superfit and strong and just by placing her hand on my back, she managed to help a knackered and despondent me pedal up the neverending slopes to catch up with the others. She was constantly aware of people's comfort and enjoyment. 10 out of 10 for everything.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try everything! Learn a few words and phrases of the local language, even though you're only there for a couple of days. And if you're arriving before the others, it's cheaper to find your own way to the hotel than use the transfer option from the airport in Bangkok.Have a proper Thai massage ( not just a cheap street one). I recommend the one at the hotel used by Exodus in Bangkok - Nouvo Hotel - the one they use if you arrive in advance. Amazing. If you go for the single supplement option as I did, you tend to get the nicest rooms!  

Most Inspirational Moment

The friendliness of the Cambodians was uplifting especially when one bears in mind the horrendous recent past the country has endured. Our time in Phnom Phenh and the visits to the killing fields etc brought home to us its horrifying history.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader Moh was good; very friendly and keen to do her best but would probably benefit with a little more experience. Digger, the Cambodian leader was excellent whereas the Vietmanese leader seemed more intent upon collecting email addresses from the group for his own future benefit than leading the tour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for temperatures during the middle of the day of up to 40 degrees! Drink lots of water and take advantage of the beautiful fruit, serveed at regular intervals by the support team along the way. There's always the option of dropping out on any day and travelling in the support vehicle if needs be.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cambodia the tour guides for the Killing Fields and S20 amazing stories dealt with so sensitively.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mo was an excellent leader. She was always availlable to help no matter how small and managed difficult travellers with ease. I have been on many adventure trips,  Mo was the  most efficient, friendly and kept her excellent customer service consistant throughout the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you take the correct clothing for the visiting the historical sights. Visit the Chi Chi Tunnels they were excellent

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many blissful moments. Of course Angkor Wat course was very very special, did not want to miss that!  But for me, getting on the bike in the morning and go for a lovely sometimes exciting and strenuous ride to a new place was the best part.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Thai guide was absolutely fabulous. She did everything to make it enjoyable for us and took very good care. She diversified where possible to meet everyone's needs. I really think she did a very good job.I also have many fond memories of our Cambodian guide who joined us till Vietnam. Because of the situation in Cambodia when we were there (former King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia deceased in Beijing, the country was mourning), we experienced even more how much he loves his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are at least a bit fit, you will enjoy the trip even more. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Actually completing the 70k ride on the third day even if it was nearly dark Learning the history first hand from some inspirational people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was fabulous when the ATM ate my card at 10pm she and the local rep were calm (I wasn't) and it was all sorted out by 8 the next morning.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only take the bare minimum for cycling and wash it out

Most Inspirational Moment

Impossible to pick a moment, but overall it was the people we met on the trip that inspired me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

excellent, and went the extra mile to make the trip excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

I think you need to be more than reasonably fit and used to relatively long cycle rides to enjoy this trip.