Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling in the rain in Thailand with the steam rising from the tarmac and the rice being silently cut by hand in the fields beside you. Riding around Angkor Wat and getting a full appreciation of the scale of the temples there. The stunning brutality of the killing fields and realizing it all happened such a short time ago. The smiling children in the Mekong who have little except, energy, beaming smiles and high fives for all the riders. Riding with another 14 people in a tight pack a few feet from the guys in front and not feeling anything but exhilarated.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Its no easy task to manage 15 riders of varying experience, ensure they all have a great time, and, to do that with patience, skill, encouragement, sensitivity and humour. Well done Rit you really are a star.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dont take USD100 dollar bills smaller denominations are easier to use in country. You dont need your own bike the ones on hire are fine. Do take, padded pants, gel saddle, bike water bottle, bike helmet, sun tan cream, chamois cream, mozzy spray, handlebar bag, a sense of fun. Dont worry, the cycling is all pretty easy and as time passes your cycling skills will increase until you can ride over a really narrow bridge with no handrails.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is difficult to chose between the sunrise a Angkor Wat which although cloudy was a great experience, the homestay which was a real insight and fantastic experience. However I think for all of our group one key momentous event was meeting the 2 only survivors of the S21 prison in Cambodia, this will stay with me forever and I feel honoured to have met such strong, inspirational characters.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our instructor Is was hard working, dedicated and a true professional. Nothing was too much and I do feel she went above and beyond to ensure the trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all, which in itself was a difficult fate having such a wide range of nationalities, age groups and personalities. Is ensured that every single one of the group felt fully involved and we very much felt like a real team immediately. She is a real asset to Exodus, her personal pride and work ethic is admirable. the success of the trip is testament to this. If there was an award for group leader of the year, she would without doubt receive 18 votes, 1 from every member of our group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Decent cycle shorts with gel padding and lots of mosquito spray, a huge memory card for your camera.

Most Inspirational Moment

cycling through remote villages seeing beautiful scenery and children running from their houses to wave and cheer as we passed by- unforgettable !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Is. She was amazingly dedicated and organised. Her English was excellent and she was extremely knowledgable giving us constant information and guidance. She also had a great sense of humour and looked after us all so well. She deserves s medal!

Most Inspirational Moment

The temples at Angkor Wat are huge and impressive. Cycling through the back streets alongside the waterways of the Mekong delta gave a fascinating insight into local life. However, for sheer, jaw dropping shock, nothing can prepare a visitor, for seeing the Killing Fields, and S-21 prison. The visit was made even more poignant, by meeting the only 2 living survivors, and from the personal insights of the Cambodian Guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit did an amazing job. He was always good humoured, and tolerant of teasing. very good company in his own right. He led the tour through 3 different countries, with a separate support team in each one. No mean feat. A top cyclist, and a top man!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take US dollars for the tour tipping kitty. Use the out of hotel laundry, much cheaper than the hotels. Try to have a look at Chau Doc, in the short time you're there, an amazing waterfront on the Mekong. Take insect repellent, especially for the home stay.

Most Inspirational Moment

First site of Angkor Wat

Thoughts on Group Leader

Is was outstanding, caring, very safety concerned, infomative and well organised.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light, temperatures were between 35-38C. Take your own saddle and clips.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many highlights and inspirational moments and experiences during this trip, it's impossible to single out just a single one - so to mention just a few: cycling around Angkor and seeing the local traditional villages, visiting Angkor Wat at daybreak (even if it was too cloudy for a sunrise), the visit to S-21 in Phnom Penh, cycling the lovely little backroads and paths in Vietnam on the last cycling day, high-fiving with the children that ran out to greet us along the way in various places, and the homestay in the Mekong Delta...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit is an excellent group leader - I couldn't praise him enough. Patient, considerate, well informed, approachable, always cheerful - these are just a few words to describe him. And he's an excellent cyclist too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

No need to bring your own bike - the bikes provided are great. Do bring padded shorts and/or a gel seat, they're pretty essential. Something to prevent chafing (chamois cream or similar) is useful too. There are opportunities along the way (in Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City) to get some laundry done (it's washed and ironed for you - and it's cheap), so no need to pack too too much in the way of clothes. Around Angkor you'll be needing to put on 'temple clothes' to enter the temples - so bring some light trousers or a skirt to cover your knees - and also bring a top or shirt that covers shoulders. And bring a torch if you want to see Angkor Wat at sunrise - you'll be walking over uneven ground in the pitch dark. Money-wise, just bring some Baht for Thailand, and other than that just bring US dollars - they're accepted everywhere in Cambodia and Vietnam including any and all shops. There are cashpoints in most cities if you need access to additional funds (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City).

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling around Angkor was inspirational. The beautiful templates draped in vines, framed by jungle and set to the atmospheric chirping of cicadas was wonderfully visceral and dreamlike.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit was an excellent leader. He was calm, collected and professional. He has a gentle style which was never bossy, but always had everyone organised. He was always approachable and did everything he could to help anyone. And always with a large smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Buy a small cycling bag that you can strap to the bike to keep you camera, sun cream and some cash in. I wish I has done this. Others on the tour brought one along and it made carrying a few small belongings with you on the bike much easier.

Most Inspirational Moment

Angkor wat and contrast as we crossed from Cambodia to Vietnam

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good always helpful lovely person worked really hard. Didn't always make arrangements clear to everybody resulted in confusion especially at Thai Cambodia border

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring dollars not sterling. Read notes carefully especially tipping

Most Inspirational Moment

The Angkor Temples - despite seeing lots of documentaries/films/etc about them, the size of the complex still takes your breath away. Best cycling days - The cycle from Siem Riep to Banteay Srei with lots of interesting villages on the way. And the winding narrow paths in the Mekong delta on the last day of Vietnam cycling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit never stopped smiling :-) He had a very good knowledge of all three countries, was always helpful & very enthusiastic about cycling. The local cycling teams were great too. Tiet in Vietnam deserves a special comment for his very interesting overview of his country's history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you haven't been to Bangkok before, book an extra day to explore the city. Unless you have special dietary requests, no need to bring own snacks - these were plenty in all three countries. Do bring a "temple dress" though - needs to cover your shoulders and knees - for the day you're cycling in the Angkor. Pack some cycling gear in your hand luggage. Some of us lost our luggage on the way there and didn't get it until the evening of the day 2 cycling.

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit to the killing fields was awe inspiring and the visit to the war museum in Saigon equally memorable however I think getting up at 04.00 to go and watch the sun rise over Ankor Watt ......I will never forget

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was so kind and thoughtful to the needs of all the group. He had the patience of a saint as we had one, and there is always one, who would test anyone, yet he treated him with respect and patience where as I and others would have sent him in the opposite direction several times!!!!!! His local knowledge was fascinating and he really loved his job which was evident throughout the trip. Therefore we were so sad to say goodbye when the trip was over. Other guides form other countries when meeting him you could see their respect for him. Rik is a gem if you get him you will have a fab time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Advice for others considering this trip I would say go for it. I am 3 months off 60 with little or no training done for this trip however I can cycle a road bike so the transition to mountain bike was no problem. Just check the size of your frame before you set off as I was given a large frame I am 5ft 3ins!!! It took me 2 days to realise I had the wrong size of bike!!!! The food you will enjoy is outstanding as your guide will bring you to local restaurants. The local knowledge each guide has and their enthusiam is 10 out of 10. You feel safe and privileged to see the local villages and people. Bring american dollars rather than the local currency.