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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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!

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14188 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Sue Duncombe

Reviewed February 2025

Great scenery, brilliant guide and support staff

I’ve been on many Exodus trips and this ranks as one of the very best!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through rural communities in beautiful landscapes with the locals waving, smiling and shouting “hi”. I have never come across a more welcoming, friendly and smiling nation

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ruwan is a brilliant leader. His passion and knowledge about Sri Lankan history, culture, flora and fauna is extensive. He’s imparts this in an interesting and understandable way. His organisational skills are excellent and he communicates clearly the plans. On top of this he gave us so many extras - visits to local businesses eg coconut coir producer, curd factory and we had a cookery lesson one evening from a local family. He really is the guide who keeps giving! On top of this he’s a really lovely person.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you’re not a strong cyclist and not on an e-bike, think carefully about what you do on the challenging day to Nuwara Eliya. I opted for the train ride but if I was doing it again I’d cycle and get on the bus when the going got too tough for me. Seats aren’t guaranteed on the train and it’s a long journey. We had an adventurous, interesting day on the train and the views are stunning but I wouldn’t repeat it.

Patricia Little

Reviewed February 2025

Sri Lanka: Wonders and Wildlife

What a beautiful country with such a variety of things to do and see. Incredible Buddhist sites and sights, glorious scenery and wildlife.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gazing down the Ella Gap at sunset.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mahen was excellent, carefully navigating a difficult itinerary reorganisation during the first week after travel disruption for 6 of us. Very knowledgeable and ready to share that knowledge, from Sri Lankan history to unusual fruits. Always bright and smiling and with a novel way of attracting our attention. Ding dong!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't hesitate to book this trip. Tiring at times with necessary early starts and some long journeys. Just pace yourself with early nights. You will see so much and experience Sri Lankan culture at first hand.

Kathy Kranzfelder

Reviewed February 2025

Warm Weather and Warm Welcomes

Children (and many adults) universally waved and hollered hellos as we pedaled past–one man giving a few of us a Tour-de-France running push when he saw us struggling up a hill. We had a jam-packed schedule of riding, hiking, visiting temples, photographing elephants on a safari, getting a cooking demonstration (and recipes!), going on an epic train ride, swimming in the Indian Ocean, visiting a tea plantation and processing plant, seeing coconut husks turned into rope; taking tea, stopping for fresh pineapple, eating delicious Sri Lankan curries….it was an amazing adventure with really lovely, fun, game people.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably finishing the punishing climb (7,200 ft over 45 miles) and getting a teary, heartfelt congratulations from our teammates--atop the climb and at the hotel (for those who took the train). Also, reuniting with three fellow travelers from a December 2023 Exodus trip (Vietnam), where we all met for the first time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh is an uncannily perceptive, creative, indefatigable guide. He picked up on our preferences and adjusted options to really optimize our experience. Great sense of humor, too. We had lots of laughs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're considering this trip but think it's too far to travel from the United States, just bite the bullet. It is far but doable. I arrived a day early, got a room close the airport to sleep, booked a taxi, and returned to the airport to the next day to meet with the group flight. The extra day added about $50 (room and transportation) to the trip for me and I was recovered from the voyage. Also, pack light! Only 1 suitcase. Bring some basics in a backpack you carry on so you can still bicycle and brush your teeth if your luggage gets lost or delayed (which has never happened to me, but just in case....). Consider a year-long membership for trip insurance instead of ad hoc coverage. That's what someone on our trip did--I'll check that option out for my next trip.

Helen Ritter

Reviewed February 2025

Always listen to George

A most enjoyable trip made excellent by our guide George (Jorge). I was not sure what to expect of Belize so everything was new and interesting. A good balance of nature, culture, history and tropic island. The people of Belize were very warm and friendly and helpful so nice to travel amongst them.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cave tubing. Tikal, Snorkelling with nurse sharks, Crooked Tree boat trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

10/10. Knowledgeable, pragmatic, experienced, caring, engaged. I cannot speak more highly of him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Always listen to George.

Peter & Liz Rooke

Reviewed February 2025

A great introduction to Costa Rica

A brilliant trip that shows the diversity of Costa Rica. From lagoons to rainforests to dry forests and cloud forests and beaches we saw so much of this lovely country and its flora and fauna. Highly recommended.

Most Inspirational Moment

Highlights include seeing scarlet macaws, a sloth with her baby, toucans, humming birds and the boat trip from Tortuguero were all special, but there's so much to see and it's all amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andres was very knowledgeable, passionate about the plants and birds of Costa Rica and looked after our group very well. A shout out for Keylor, our driver, who was also excellent and often spotted wildlife along the way (macaws, monkeys, a trogon and a quetzal).

Advice for Potential Travellers

At the time the trip seemed quite busy, but in retrospect the pace was about right. Be prepared for some early starts and some long drives, but it's all doable, just go with the flow... Take small denomination dollars: 1, 2, 5, 10 dollar notes are useful. Make sure you only take new notes - nothing torn or damaged as these may not be accepted. Take a decent pair of binoculars. You don't need a massive camera, a decent compact or even a phone with a good camera was fine for everyone in our group. When it rains, it can be a tropical downpour, so take waterproofs. We took ponchos (handy on the boat trips), plus waterproof jackets, trousers and walking shoes and used all of them at some point. Most hotels have umbrellas you can use, so not essential to take your own. Definitely pack warm layers for cool evenings and mornings, particularly at Monteverde and Savegre (our waterproof overtrousers came in handy as an extra warm layer!). You can get clothes laundered at almost all the hotels and lodges (although Esquinas Lodge didn't iron ours). Just budget for getting laundry done en route as even lightweight travel clothes didn't dry overnight in the humidity. Tea and coffee making facilities are rarely in the rooms, but ask at reception/restaurant - all the staff were happy to oblige us. All the hotel staff were helpful and generally spoke good English. If you have free time in San Jose at the start/end of your trip, the Jade Museum and Gold Museum are worth a visit. In particular, the Jade Museum is excellent for giving an insight into pre-Columbian Costa Rica and the indigenous people's lives. The trip is a bit flora and fauna based, so this is a good counterbalance. (Also, we recommend the 'Capital Coffee Roasters' cafe opposite the Jade Museum for a coffee or lunch.)

Alan Warne

Reviewed February 2025

Cycling Back roads of Sri lanka

2 weeks of breath taking scenery, superb quiet back roads , being guided round by a superb team , left wanting for nothing, Excellent

Most Inspirational Moment

The beauty of the landscape, and learning via our guide the history of Sri Lanka

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh organisation and knowledge was first class , it was a pleasure to spend time with him ,

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will want for nothing , hotels excellent, lunch’s superb , the cycling is controlled and safe , just have a great time

Susan Suarez

Reviewed February 2025

Amazing Experience

Fantastic trip to a stunning country with a great guide, cook and team. I’m new to camping and was apprehensive but it was fine and we adjusted much more quickly than expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention but the mokoro rides in the Okavango Delta, game drives in Savuti, African painted dogs running beside us, watching a lioness eat a baby giraffe or seeing a big group of elephants rushing to the local watering hole were all highlights. I also loved the last night in the Okavango where the local crew sang and danced after dinner.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brian was amazing. We were 11 people, so a large group and he dealt with the group’s lost luggage, missed connections, my misplaced passport at the Zimbabwean border, etc with equanimity. Brian was also very good at positioning us in advantageous light for those of us who were serious photographers. Mike was a great cook and all the dinners were excellent and the two others were lovely.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go- you won’t regret it and try camping. We had two eighty year old campers in our group. There’s something amazing about waking up in the morning and seeing all the animal footprints around the campsite or eating breakfast while elephants stroll by.

Ruth Jones

Reviewed February 2025

Excellent Vietnam team

I loved this trip, a great way to see Vietnam…helped enormously by our excellent guide and great company! I broke my wrist going for a walk on the day off cycling so missed a week of the tour in hospital. Our guide lam took me to hospital and waited with me until I went up to my walk , explaining and translating, then organised everything like sending luggage and kept in touch. He was backed up by his ‘boss’ Tan whom I didn’t meet but constantly text to see if there was anything I needed, and in fact is still helping me with insurance claim! I have done several exodus cycling trips and lucky enough to have never had an accident…/So very reassuring to know that that you are in such competent hands should it happen!
Thankyou Lam and Tan

Most Inspirational Moment

All

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam was funny, patient and very informative! Helped me through my accident and made me fell calm and safe, Thankyou Lam!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book, nothing not to love… just don’t fall!

Nancy Arbogast

Reviewed February 2025

Exciting Introduction to India

India is an over-the-top experience for all the senses, bright colours, constant noise, strong flavours, heat and cold. The cycle routes provided a wonderful opportunity to explore a wide variety of landscapes and lifestyles — farmland, plantations, villages and small cities. We experienced the busyness of the traffic and the quiet of the beaches. Shibu was a wonderful guide who answered all our questions and explained the economic activities of the backwaters of Kerala. The challenges of this route include the heat and humidity combined with the long distances in the coastal section of the trip, and the demands of intense traffic conditions and poor roads on some days. The climb up Ooti is challenging, but accounts for only 90 minutes of one day. I used an e-bike for the first time on this trip and it would have been helpful except that it was so poorly fitted.

Most Inspirational Moment

The long descent from the hills to the coast, dropping 2000 metres through tea plantations, eucalyptus plantations, jungle, and bamboo forest (elephant crossing zone!!) with outstanding vistas at every turn was absolutely exhilarating! The circle ride around the backwaters to see how the locals live was really interesting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shibu was very helpful and personable. Rintu, the assistant guide and Shihan, the driver were also great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The driving style in India is very different from North America or European practices. Be prepared for noise and apparent chaos.

Aneesa Dalwai

Reviewed February 2025

Frozen Lakes & Snowshoeing Bliss! 🌨️

First time snowshoeing and I’m already hooked! ❄️
Huge thanks to our guide Joonas for giving us the confidence to explore the Finnish wilderness – crossing frozen lakes, trekking through snow-laden forests, navigating tiny bridges over fast-flowing rapids, and sinking into snow up to our knees! What an unforgettable adventure!

Basecamp Oulanka itself is a true highlight of this trip – a magical setting where you can step right out of your cabin and into an adventure, with hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at your doorstep!

The camp itself is so well-equipped and has every comfort. The cabins are cosy and warm. The main lodge has lots of comfy corners to sit and enjoy a hot drink from the complimentary tea and coffee station after a hike or sit by the fire in the evenings. The sauna and hot tub became part of our daily routine after active days out.

I was also impressed by the kit that Basecamp provide, you literally could come with the basics and they will give you everything you need for the whole week. I found the snow boots and snowshoes themselves very comfortable!

Most Inspirational Moment

The most beautiful of the hikes for me is the day we spent in Riisitunturi NP, it snowed the day befoe and we had fresh deep untouched snow to snowshoe through. The hike up to the view point was otherworldly and calm, through the trees bending over with the weight of the snow. The snow shoes make you feel so confident that you can hike through anything, and just loved hiking through the deep snow, ita wonderful sensation

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Joonas was wonderful, he really looked after us and taught us alot not just about snowshoeing but the finnish wilderness itself, the nature, wildlife and how understanding it helps you know how to survive and live in such an extreme environment.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you've never snowshoed and want to try it in a wonderful setting this is the best place to try! The whole week was wonderful and you can try so many other winter activities as well, making it an action-packed week! Basecamp provide literally everything you need kit-wise for the week, shoes, thermals, waterproofs, socks, gloves, backpacks and even a thermos for hot drinks. I would recommend bringing your own thermal base layers and gloves to wear in the evening and free time, as the gloves they provide are quite thick for when you are out doing activities but might be too chunky at other times.

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