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.

Select a trip specific review:

Select

232 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed October 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

This was our first trip with Exodus and our first visit to Sri Lanka. Overall we were impressed with Exodus and our guide, Suresh Bandara. We absolutely fell in love with Sri Lanka! This trip features a great mix of history, archaeology, religion, nature, culture, and sport. We found it all fantastic. If you’re interested in Sri Lanka for more than a week’s time, this trip gives you everything you want (except a visit to Anuradhapura) and also provides enough free time that you don’t feel rushed and overwhelmed. Ages of group were 30s-50s and we all had a great time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick an inspirational moment as I wouldn't say anything was "inspiring" in those words except we had a great group moment on top of Sigirya with one member afraid of heights-we all helped her get to the top. It was nice to stop at Exodus Tsunami House #7 for lunch, but would have liked more interaction with the home owner and her family. The lunch, however, was one of the absolute best meals we had in the country. Very fresh and delicous and her papadams were heavenly!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh Bandara is a great tour leader. He went beyond the call of duty several times to ensure comfort and well-being to the tour members from arranging a quick neck massage before departure to tracking down some aloe vera cream (and actual plant leaves!) at 8pm for a sunburn. He works very hard to make sure the tour members are having a great time and he provides excellent information. He is very open to answering questions about Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans and he's inquisitive about our home countries and customs as well. He's always trying to learn new English phrases he can use with future groups. Every day he made sure my husband and I had either a "king's bed" or two twins pushed together. That really meant a lot to us.The only point I would like to see more of is a better idea of the day's itinerary when we meet for breakfast. With the Trip Notes I knew where we were going, but I wasn't sure of the timing. Would we get to the hotel in the early afternoon? Have the activity before or after lunch? How long (approximately time and distance) would we travel that day? I know I am more interested in time than many people on holiday, but I like to have a good understanding of the process. A simple "Today we drive approximately 30 minutes to this temple then drive 1 hour to the hotel. We'll check in and have time for lunch and a swim before we meet again at 3pm for the afternoon activity" would be helpful for me.I loved the day's "topics" and personal details Suresh shared with us. He is a wonderful guide with great enthusiasm for welcoming and sharing his country with visitors. He has a big heart and his laugh makes everyone laugh with him because he's so happy. He is very generous and gving of more than his time."Dinner?" (Wobble-wobble) Ha ha!

Advice for Potential Travellers

For women bring a combination of shorts and capri pants. Trousers were only needed at Nuwara Eliya and when hiking out to World's End (we didn't have Adam's Peak on this itinerary). No shorts or tank tops at temples, but the rest of the time shorts and capris or longish skirt are fine.For swimming in the river at Kithugala: local women don't wear swimming costumes. They swim in shorts and t-shirts. If you don't want stares from local men, dress modestly. The local guys think it's OK and flattering to say, "Hey, Hottie!" and whistle. On the rafting trip you'll have the chance to jump out and swim in the river. Dress accordingly.At the Hill Club Dining Room: No clothes to lend for women-we just need to be dressed "suitably enough" to accompany the men. For men: they have jackets, ties and shoes to lend, but no collared shirts or trousers. Make sure you have the appropriate collared shirt and trousers wtih you and you can borrow the rest. National dress ok for both men and women. No sandals or trainers on men. If you're not dressed suitably, you'll have to eat in the casual dining room. On the safari in Yala NP: bring a bandana or something to cover your face while driving down the dusty roads or you'll be coughing out orange dust after! Also bring a plenty of sunscreen-you'll need it. A 1L refillable water bottle is also helpful.

Reviewed October 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA Sept/Oct 2012

Our first travels with Exodus and our first visit to Sri Lanka. Overall we were impressed with Exodus and our guide Suresh, and we absolutely fell in love with Sri Lanka! A great mix of history, archaeology, religion, nature, culture and sport all in one tour. We found it all fantastic! If you’re interested in Sri Lanka for more than a week’s time, this trip gives you everything you want (except a visit to Anuradhapura) and also provides enough free time that you don’t feel rushed. Ages of tour participants were 30s-50s and we all had a great time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick an inspirational moment of the trip as I wouldn't say anything was particularly "inspiring" in those words except we had a great group moment on top of Sigiriya with one member afraid of heights. So glad she made it! It was nice to stop at Exodus Tsunami House #7 for lunch, but would have liked more interaction with the home owner and her family. The lunch, however, was one of the absolute best meals we had in the country! Very fresh and delicious and her papadams were heavenly!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh is a great tour leader. He went beyond the call of duty several times to ensure comfort and well-being to the tour members from arranging a quick neck massage before departure to tracking down some aloe vera cream (and plant leaves!) at 8pm for a sunburn. He works very hard to make sure the tour members are having a great time with no troubles and provides excellent information. He is very open to answering questions about Sri Lanka (and Sri Lankans) and is inquisitive about our home countries and customs as well. He's always trying to learn new English words and phrases he can use with future groups. He always made sure my husband and I had either a "King's bed" or two twins pushed together. This really meant a lot to us. The only point I would like to see more of is a better idea of the day's itinerary when we meet for breakfast. With the trip notes I knew where we were going, but wasn't sure of the timing. Would we get to the hotel in the early afternoon? Have the activity before or after lunch? How long (approximate time and distance) would we travel that day? I know I am more interested in time than many other people, but I like to have a good idea of the process. A simple "Today we drive for approximately 30 minutes to this temple, then we drive 1 hour to the hotel. Check in and have time for lunch and a swim before we meet again at 3pm for the afternoon activity" would be nice. I loved the day's "topics" and personal details Suresh provided regarding many points. He is a wonderful guide with great enthusiasm for welcoming and sharing his country with visitors. His laugh makes everyone laugh with him because he's so happy! He is also very generous and giving of not just his time. "Dinner?" (Wobble-Wobble) Ha ha!

Advice for Potential Travellers

For women bring a combination of shorts and capri pants. Trousers were only needed really at Nuwara Eliya and when hiking out to World's End at Horton Plains (we didn't have Adam's Peak on this tour). No shorts or tank tops at temples, but the rest of the time shorts and capris (or loose skirt) are fine. For swimming in the river at Kithugala: local women don't wear swimming costumes. They swim in shorts and t-shirts. If you won't want the stares from local men, dress modestly. The local guys think it's OK and flattering to say, "Hey Hottie!" and whistle. On the rafting trip you'll have the chance to jump out of the raft and swim in the river. Dress accordingly. At the Hill Club Dining Room: No clothes to lend for women-we just need to be dressed "suitably enough" to accompany the men. For the men-they have jackets, ties and oxford shoes to lend, but no shirts or trousers. Make sure you have the appropriate collared shirt and trousers. No sandals or trainers. National dress OK. If you're not dressed suitably, you will have to dine in the casual dining room.

Reviewed October 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

Thankyou Exodus for another wonderful trip. I travelled to Sri Lanka 7 years ago a few months after the Tsunami. I had an amazing and emotional trip that time and wondered if the 2nd trip would be as good? I need not have worried. Sri Lanka is a beautiful island with a very varied landscape.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational part of the trip was seeing how the people of Sri Lanka have carried on with their lives since the Tsunami. It was wonderful to see the fishing boats back in the bays.I was also inspired by the rest of the group. Its wonderful to be with such a mixed age group and to experience the activities together.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I was lucky enough to have Roshan again as the leader of the group. He truly loves, and is proud of his country. He is so knowledgeable about all aspects of Sri Lanka, its culture, its history and its people. He cares about the people in the group and demonstrated this continuously. Nothing was too much trouble. He has a great sense of humour and made the trip fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy every minute of the trip and listen to the guide. Take plenty of mosquito repellent.Think twice before taking travellers cheques. They are difficult to change.

Reviewed October 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

I transferred to this trip from Elephants and Leopard which was undersubscribed, but am so glad I did as it was a really fantastic trip with great variety. Sri Lanka is a real country of contrasts from great bustling towns, to stunning and tranquil sights and scenery. The people are welcoming and friendly. Had an amazing group and a fantastic leader in Roshan.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many great moments of the holiday but some of the more memorable: climb to the top of Lions Rock in Sigirya and the panoramic view of the landscape, the trip to Pinnewala - we were unable to visit the orphanage but did experience seeing the elephants walk to and from the local lake and watch them relaxing and playing in the water. the walk on Horton Plains, with spectacular views at World's end and Baker's falls. the drives through the tea plantations showed the diversity of scenery from newly constructed roads to green plantations and hills to mountains. Fascinating temples in Dambulla and temple ruins in Polonnaruwa. Yala National Park - sadly the leopards stayed hidden but we saw a rare sloth bear, plenty of crocodiles, peacocks, wild buffalo, and a variety of birds.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan is an experienced and enthusiastic guide who planned and organised every detail of the trip to perfection so that everything was seamless. He has a wealth of knowledge about Sri Lanka and its people which give you a great understanding of the country's history and present. Our original itinerary changed as we had to stay in two different hotels, which caused him some concern but he remained good-humoured and was intent on making sure that the group was fully satisfied with the substitutes and negotiated some free meals for us. Also, he went out of his way to help some of the group to acquire more currency,or see a doctor with the least fuss.Roshan is one of the best leader's I've met, a real professional who has a great sense of fun and wicked sense of humour. Our Sri Lankan singalongs were a highlight and it felt like we were travelling with a friend rather than a guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to Roshan! he gives great advice and also gives you the right amount of detailed knowledge about Sri Lanka and the sights. He has a love and enthusiasm for his country which is infectious.The optional activities - elephant riding, visit to the orphanage/lake, white water rafting and small boat trip through the mangrove swamp don't cost that much and are really worth doing.

Reviewed September 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

We selected this trip for its variety both in activities and landscapes and we were not disappointed. Sri Lanka is a wonderfully diverse country with beautiful vistas, rich culture and some of the friendliest people we have met.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the countryside, meeting local people and sharing a home cooked meal, beautifully prepared in the middle of a forest has to be one of the high points of the trip. There were other opportunities to connect with the 'real' Sri Lanka and these are what made this particular tour so special. We also had the opportunity to witness the Kandy Festival and the colours, costumes and sheer energy of the evening will stay with us for many years.We shared the holiday with a healthy mix of different characters who came together to help make this an unforgettable trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

What can we say that has not been said before? Roshan is such an experienced and enthusiastic guide who made everything seem so easy and yet the detail of his planning and organisation was clear. His stories of Sri Lanka and its people conjured up such clear images and gave us all a real understanding of the country's history. The original itinerary of our trip would have meant that we were unable to witness the Kandy Festival and possibly miss the elephant rides, but Roshan reorganised things so that we could do both. This involved some tough negotiating in Kandy at one point but throughout he remained good-humoured and kept a cool head. Roshan has an uncanny ability of balancing a professional approach with sincere warmth and a wicked sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to Roshan! He really does know what he is doing and you will enjoy the trip so much more if you follow his advice. Take the opportunity of shopping whilst visiting the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela. The prices seemed more reasonable than in Kandy and the selection more varied. We stayed in some beautiful hotels and it is worth taking at least one or two outfits to dress up accordingly.

Reviewed September 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

This was my first trip with Exodus and I had a wonderful time, thanks to Sujan, the varied action-packed itinerary, and the people I travelled with. Sri Lanka is a beautiful island and its people are incredibly warm, relaxed and hospitable. Sri Lanka is one of the places which I would love to re-visit in the future – again with Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many moments of the holiday I enjoyed so here are a handful... The walk to the top of Lions Rock in Sigirya, seeing the wall-frescoes of the Cloud Maidens, and having a panoramic view of the landscape was well worth it. The scenery of Sri Lanka is beautiful, and breathtaking; I really enjoyed the jungle walk in Kitulgala, the walk on Horton Plains, and the game drive in Yala National Park. Also, while I can't say I loved the hairpin bends on the roads (got a bit travel-sick!) away from the cities and towns, watching the scenery evolve from neatly tended fields, to gentle sloping hills and then to majestic rugged mountains draped with lush forest and long waterfalls, was worth the drive, and I'm really glad I chose this tour.Walking around the the well-preserved and beautiful ruins in Polonnaruwa. Galle was another really interesting place due to its history involving foreign colonies.I'm don't have green fingers, nor am I enamoured with plants, but I really enjoyed the walk around the herb and spice garden near Matale, as well as the beautifully tended Peradeniya Botanical Garden in Kandy. Also, the wildlife in Sri Lanka was a real pleasure and highlight of the trip (both in and outside of Yala National Park); in particular, seeing the huge fruit bats take into the early evening skies in Kandy was a wonderful sight. Sadly, our group didn't bag a leopard on the game-drive, but we saw plenty of other animals, such as crocodiles, elephants, jackals, raptors and wild boars, to make the tour a wonderful experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan is one of the best tour leaders I've met. He's warm, knowledgeable, patient, professional and has a great sense of humour. Also, he went out of his way to help us (in one way or another, whether it concerned acquiring more Sri Lankan currency, going to a nice toilet or seeing a doctor), and made sure we were looked after, i.e. prioritising safety over cutting costs, when we took three small vans instead of two, to take on the narrow (and sometimes hair-raising) hill roads. Sujan is also a great communicator, as he articulated exactly what was on the agenda, as well as what to expect.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As other reviewers have mentioned, this tour has something for everyone, and you should try to go with an open mind. I was unsure whether or not I'd enjoy the botanical aspect (such as the herb garden and the Peradeniya gardens), and I loved it.In regard to the above about having an open mind, go wild with the food; I'm not a vegetarian, however the vegetarian food such as the banana flower curry was delicious, and I went back for more. The seafood meals in Ahangama were also a major highlight, thanks to the skill of the chefs.

Reviewed September 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

A wonderful tour – outstanding tour leader in Sujan, varied tour content covering historical, cultural, scenic and physical aspects.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing wild elephants with their babies in the Yala National Park.The white water rafting was lots of fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was fantastic. A great person, professional, knowledgeable, well organised and able to pace each day and the tour overall.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The optional activities - elephant riding, white water rafting and small boat trip - are really worth doing. Small gifts such as pencils and pens for children you meet as part of the tour are really well received.Take lots of Deet based insect repellant (didn't get bitten once), especially for the boat trip. Sun cream is important - you can burn easily and we saw several lobsters around the hotel pools. Folding umbrellas are much better than rain jackets. Power points in hotels are of varying types but a universal adapter plus a power board does the trick.There's some very good shopping for casual winter recreation clothes such as gortex jackets, hiking pants, fleecy tops etc in Nurawa Eliya.If you are looking to unwind for a day or two after the trip in Colombo I'd recommend the CASA Colombo Hotel.

Reviewed August 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

It was the best holiday. The people on our trip were a fantastic group, which helped to make the holiday memorable. The organisation was great from start to finish and of course Sri Lanka is a beautiful island.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed something every day. I suppose the elephants were a highlight. Both the elephant ride and the elephant orphanage.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was the best. He organised everything and was always willing to help that extra bit if needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a mosquito net or an electric mosquito repellent machine as not all hotels provided this. Take a tie to the Hill Club Hotel if you are a man! They don't take up much space!

Reviewed August 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

This was a fantastic holiday which exceeded my expectations. It included a variety of activities as well as relaxation time.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many inspirational moments during the trip. I especially enjoyed the white water rafting, the inpromptu games of cricket, the cycling and the visit to the elephant orphanage!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was a fantastic tour leader. He was professional, organised, knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider taking probiotic tablets to help keep a settled stomach. Your camera, or other electrical equipment, will not continue to charge if the fob is removed from the wall power unit in the hotel rooms!

Reviewed August 2012

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

A great trip which showed much of the variety of this beautiful country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a huge bull elephant ambling across the plains at Yala - this was particularly good after seein them in peraheras...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sampath was excellent, he was considerate, thoughtful and careful to offer us information about his culture at appropriate moments which meant I understood much more than I would have done otherwise. He was able to keep the group together and on schedule in an unobtrusive way and tried to accommodate the requests of individuals without inconveniencing the group. He was really kind and had a great sens of humour. The tipping kitty and water fund worked well and I liked the way that he used some of this to help those selling fruits etc. and tried, in this way, to spread the benefits of tourism through his country.Prasanna (our driver) and Udithe (assistant) also looked after us very well, Udithe was always ready to shin up a tree to pick some fruit for us to try. They all worked well as a team and the cricket games were enjoyed by all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Royal Lotus was the only hotel that was a littl ropey and check the state of your bike thoroughly before seting off - they weren't maintained very well (broken chain and moving saddle) which made the bike ride uncomfortable - though the meal we had on this day was one of the best!Try to see a local perahera - not just the Kandy Esala spectacle.

Prev 1 … 17 18 19 20 21 … 24 Next