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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26 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

John Sutton

Reviewed December 2018

Smashed it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Delightful fellow trekkers, a brilliant leader, the smiling Nepalese and amazing scenery made this the trek of a lifetime. We had no rain and much of the time walked in brilliant sunshine, which really lifts the spirits when you are feeling a bit knackered. The team dynamic really works. We all got on and helped each other. Now consider myself a leading expert on veg. noodle soup, tomato soup( both home made, of course ) along with egg and veg noodles and apple pie !
It felt a real privilege to visit this very poor country and see how the very tough Nepalese live. It makes you realise just how very fortunate we are with all the amenities we take for granted, which in Nepal would be a luxury.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up at 3 am and climbing for 5 hours with head torches to reach the Thorang La pass by 9. Watching the sun rise and then descending about 5,400 ft . Views that just took your breath away. The desolation up there and freezing cold too. And the sense of achievement that the whole group made it. Poon Hill was amazing too. Another early morning start to get up there but you really did feel on top of the world. And all those other trekkers up there too, like us, waiting to see the sun rise. The way the light caught the mountains was just magical and presented great photo opportunities.

Thoughts on Group Leader

If you said name me the perfect group leader, it would be Prim ( and I know others in the group thought the same) He constantly watched over us (but not in an intrusive way) ensuring everyone was OK. Safety was paramount. Sorted out all our meals, was very knowledgeable about the mountains, had a great smile, was very courteous. A true gent. Nothing was too much trouble. He took away any anxiety with his calmness. He had Pasang and Lappa helping him too. They were both excellent. And lets not forget the porters - delightful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of hand gel. Reduce your risk of tummy bugs - take probiotics before and during walk. Whilst it can be very cold as you go up, its also very warm when the sun is out, even when high up. So have a good mix of winter and summer clothes. Jelly babies , boiled sweets and chocolates bars keep you happy !

Julie Reynolds

Reviewed December 2018

A great trip!

The annapurna circuit has been on my wish list for a long time and having finally got to do it, it did not disappoint! The scenery is fantastic and ever changing with something new to look at, at seemingly every corner.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting drinking fresh apple juice as a golden eagle flew just over our heads. Seeing the mountains against the cloudless blue skies time and time again from all different angles. Getting over the pass!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kumar was excellent. I really do not think we could have asked for more in a guide. Everything was well organised and nothing was ever too much trouble for him. I think he put a lot of effort into ensuring everyone in the group was happy and had what they needed and to just making sure we were having a good time . He worked extremely hard as did the other guides and the porters and we were very lucky to have such a great team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take lots of warm layers for the evenings. Despite being in tea houses it is very cold, even in the communal areas. Don’t go on this trip unless you can cope with squat toilets, often not very clean, communal facilities and dodgey showers!

William Harvey

Reviewed November 2018

Annapurna Circuit

Descriptions or photographs cannot do justice to the dramatic scenery as

Most Inspirational Moment

The ascent other Thorong La Pass, the climb from Totopani to Ghorepani and of course the dramatic scenery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good leader however a little authoritarian, demanding (not recommending or advising) the clothing I should wear rather than accepting that I have the experience and awareness of my tolerances to climate conditions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The accommodation, wind and dust can pose challenges however if you can embrace these issues as being part of the Annapurna Circuit you'll enjoy the experience to its maximum effect.

Iain Black

Reviewed April 2018

Annapurna Circuit

This trip was excellent-the first Himalayan experience, a highly thought-of trek through brilliant mountain and remote scenery in mostly ideal weather conditions with a great mix of fellow trekkers all led by a delightful knowledgable guide. The first week was spent trekking up the Marsyangaki River from to the remote high pass of the Thorong la then the circuit was completed by descending down the deep gorge of the Kala Gandaki surrounded by the high mountains of the Annapurna range. A euphoric feeling developed at the end of the circuit in Pokhara !

Most Inspirational Moment

Definitely the crossing of the Thorong-la It’s a big long day with an early start and potential problems are weather and altitude. Just standing by the prayer flags in the sun and snow 17000 feet up with the group and thinking how we’d all got there was very moving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

What a cheerful knowledgable unflappable person! Faced with 11 disparate souls from entirely different backgrounds, he led, cajoled, and encouraged us throughout the walk. He was very proud of his country and did a very good job of explaining the cultural differences and challenges of Nepal.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect a good days walking most days. Expect to be breathless on the higher sections -the air though clear is much drier and thinner,and use sunscreens to protect against UV skin damage. Take your time ascending. Expect stomach upsets - some of us got more than we expected! Even with antibiotics

Iain Black

Reviewed April 2018

Annapurna Circuit

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Iain Black

Reviewed April 2018

Annapurna Circuit

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Shamini Mahadevan

Reviewed January 2018

Annapurna Circuit

Fantastic trip. Great people, scenery, culture and views. Very well organised and was very well looked after by trip leader and whole exodus team.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting poon hill was very special for me as it was where my grandpa and grandma visited over 40 years ago so I thought of them as I looked across the amazing views. However there were many amazing moments including visiting beautiful monasteries and the feeling after crossing Throng la pass and seeing the amazing view on the other side.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bikash was fantastic. He had a great awareness about all those in the group and how they were feeling and was always helping us to have the best time possible. He showed professionalism as well as being a really fun trip leader. Would 100% recommend him as a trip leader to friends travelling to Nepal. Thanks Bikash!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to Nepal! It is a beautiful place with beautiful people. Would recommend travelling in winter if you don't mind the cold and don't want the crowds.

Stephen Clark

Reviewed January 2018

Annapyrnna Circuit

A great holiday. Excellent leader, good group, great weather, excellent views, lovely locals.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the Thorong la Pass and the high mountains all around us. Pokhara was great fun on New years eve.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good, he mixed in with the group in the evenings and was always joyfull and very knolageable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to enjoy yourself and have plenty of card space in your camera. It is a strenuous trek with plenty of steep ups and downs to tax the knees

Joanne Parker

Reviewed January 2018

Amazing trekking experience.

Namaste! When we decided to book this trek we considered several things – costing, availability, timings and fitness level; and upon reflection, we chose the right trek at the right time – it was a fantastic experience. The trek itself is 18 days (with varying levels of distance) through a variety of scenery – from forests to valleys, from large villages to small hamlets – each day is unique and interesting with stunning views of the Himalayan mountains. You acclimatize slowly on gradual routes with a small group and guides: porters carry your large bag (exceptionally fast!) so you just have a day pack with you.
As we trekked in December we hardly saw other trekkers on our route and this made for a more remote feeling: you are embedded in the local culture from the start and to the end. This will be a memorable trip for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several inspirational moments on our trip - passing the Thorung-La pass, the views from Poon Hill, the views from Manang, the temples of Muktinath, the villages we passed through and the Nepalese people we met. I think overall it was the grandness of the mountains that overlook the circuit - they are incomparable and astounding to see and you will be in awe of them. The whole experience hasn't fully sunk in yet!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bikash Tamang was a fantastic group leader - compassionate, caring, funny, friendly and knowledgeable. He made the experience enjoyable and ensured the pace was suitable for all; we never felt rushed nor unable to stop and admire the view and take pictures. Bikash pointed out views we would have otherwise missed, recommended things to try and took us to good quality restaurants in Pokhara and Thamel. I felt safe with Bikash as group leader and reassured that any issue I might have had he would do his utmost to help sort it. He is proud to work for Exodus and is a good representative of the company and their ethics. We want to book another trekking experience in Nepal and I will be asking for Bikash as our group leader (if he is available).

Advice for Potential Travellers

The circuit can be dusty in a lot of places so a buff/face mask is a must - this was a great bit of kit that was used often and saved a lot of coughing. We found that the Steripens we used struggled to work at higher altitudes so take back up tablets for sterilisation just in case. Jelly babies! A good 'pick me up' for when energy is low. A good tip would be to write on the map you're provided with the dates of the mountains you see for reflection when you return - it is also useful the take a photo of the day's itinerary on your camera before you start snapping pictures that day so you know which day's photos are on your camera and can match up to any trip notes you make in your journal You won't spend as much as suggested in the trip notes but take that amount anyway as there's a lot to buy in Thamel and having extra spending money was great for us (practice bargaining as well if you're not used to it!). Don't be afraid to ask questions from your guides! Stop, take photos, interact with the locals and admire the views. Lastly, a headtorch. Some people in our group didn't pack one but I found I used mine often and there are a couple of days where you start in the dark and it is needed.

Ana O

Reviewed January 2018

Beyond Expectations

An absolutely amazing trip. Nepal is such a beautiful country with very beautiful, kind and open people, and this trips opens a door into this culture. I have been mountain trekking and altitude trekking before, but this is by far my most favorite trip: first, there’s plenty time to acclimatize, a very gentle way up, with gradual increase in altitude, easy on the body (considering the trip and the physical activity). I found it easier on this trip than my other experiences (Kilimanjaro, Toubkal). And one of the things I enjoyed the most is passing villages, seeing the local people and how they live. You are embedded in the local culture from the start and to the end. This makes Nepal quite distinct! The landscapes change every day, and you can’t help but want to one picture after another. The food and accomodation are mostly basic, but one has to expect it on these kinds of trips, and as long as you have the right expectations, you’d be able to enjoy it hugely.

Most Inspirational Moment

All of it! So hard to pick! Seeing people, seeing children, dancing with porters, putting another rock on top of the rock towers, Poon hill, NEPAL! Loved it all, every day!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bikash is the best! I'd go to Nepal with him again tomorrow! He is very attentive to everyone's needs and moods, and goes out of his way to make this trip an amazing experience for all!

Advice for Potential Travellers

1) don't change money at the airport - they take commission which you can easily avoid in town! most places would change you all money you want, so you don't need to worry about the limits. You do need local cash from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Take cash pounds or $, as ATMs (in Kathmandu) have stricter limits (some 10,000 rupees = $100 = GBP80) and commissions (one definitely cannot take all one needs in 1 go at an ATM). 2) be prepared for temperature range - you could go from a tshirt during the day to down jacket over dinner. Take layers and be prepared. I would also advise taking cold medicine and sore throat meds along, just in case: It's easy to get one when not used to this temperature range. 3) nights are cold: it will be cold in your room, either take a good sleeping bag, or rent one from exodus, take a bottle appropriate for hot water (and a sock to put it in) for hot water bottle if you tend to be cold. The Thorang La Pass is going to be cold too! make sure you have appropriate clothes, including socks and gloves! 4) hot showers are not guaranteed, take wet wipes, that would make your life simpler! 5) snacks (chocolate bars) are easily available from all along the trek, but jelly babies go a long way in the mountains! Take them and share with your new friends! 6) we definitely used less money for meals along the trek than the trip notes suggest, but there are plenty of shopping opportunities in Pokhara and Kathmandu + some along the trek. Kathmandu has a lot of outdoors shops, easy to get any trekking gear you want if you don't have any, and it'll be cheaper - if you have enough time in Kathmandu before the trek begins. All above true at least for December departures!

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