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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131 Reviews

4.9 out of 5

Anne Dawson

Reviewed April 2025

Magnificent views, perfect host

The Sierra de Aitana trek more than lived up to expectations. The scenery was magnificent and the walking was challenging enough to feel like an achievement each day, but manageable enough to be great fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Aitana

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group bonded well, thanks to the expert and sensitive leadership of our host Jose. His passion for the mountains and his home region underpin this trip, and his ability to manage a large group with different trekking experience and ability made the trip enjoyable for everyone. Jose always went the extra mile to ensure we were happy and safe, and (very importantly) well fed! His sandwiches are legendary and we were all grateful for his advice on local restaurants, and a wine and olive oil tasting at a nearby vineyard. Thanks, Jose for a truly memorable week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are fit enough for this challenge.

Paul Higgins

Reviewed April 2025

Sierra de Aitana - March 2025

An excellent week of hiking, led by José. About 1,000m of ascent on most days, so you need to be reasonably fit – but the views are most definitely worth the climb. The hotel is simple but perfectly ok – and the food prepared by Raquel was tasty. It’s a small hotel, so the exodus party takes over the whole hotel which is helpful when doing evening briefings.The weather in March was cool (c15C max most days) which was ideal for hiking.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Ibiza 180km across the Med from the top of Aitana

Thoughts on Group Leader

José was a good group leader - very knowledgable about the local area, and made adjustments to daily walks to suit the group (some group members did slightly shorter walks but still managed to join the group).

Advice for Potential Travellers

I highly recommend this trip.

Gowtham Avula

Reviewed November 2024

Amazing Trip

I recently completed the Sierra de Aitana trek in Spain with Exodus, and I can confidently say it was an incredible experience. From start to finish, the entire week was filled with breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and a real sense of adventure. The trek itself was challenging but absolutely rewarding, with a variety of terrains that kept things interesting. The views from the top of the Sierra de Aitana were absolutely stunning, with panoramic vistas over the mountains and valleys below.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed hiking on Serella peak, Aitana Peak and Puig campana. Where you enjoy the panoramic views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was an outstanding guide—friendly, approachable, and deeply knowledgeable. Being a local, Jose had an incredible understanding of the region’s history, culture, and agriculture, which he shared with us throughout the trek. His passion for the area was contagious, and it really enhanced the experience. Whether it was explaining the geology of the mountains, the history of the region, or the agricultural practices in the area, he made everything feel alive and relevant.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I highly recommend this trek for anyone looking for an immersive hiking experience in Spain. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or someone looking to push your limits, the Sierra de Aitana trek offers a perfect balance of challenge and reward. And with a guide like Jose, you're guaranteed to have an experience that’s both enriching and enjoyable. Thank you, Exodus, for a fantastic adventure

Susan Houston

Reviewed October 2024

Fantastic Trip

Spent a great week walking in Sierra de Aitana. The walks were challenging but well worth the effort. The views from the summits were spectacular. Jose was a great guide and as he was local he was so knowledgeable about the area and passionate about his country. He made us lovely sandwiches for lunch and we also had pasta one day. Jose’s mother made little cotton lunch bags for us to use for the week – a nice touch. The accommodation was more than I expected – clean, good breakfasts and a lovely 3 course meal with wine in the evening. The drinks are very reasonably priced. There was a room set aside for Exodus and coffee, tea, milk and biscuits were provided. Raquel and Pepe who ran the hostel were a joy! Jose’s dog Bobi joined us on our last 2 walks. So friendly and well behaved. It was also nice to meet Sara.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved all the walks, there was something different every day but I really enjoyed the Simas Limestone fissures and scaling Aitana Peak.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was lovely, funny, kind, approachable and safe. We had a briefing every day about the next days walk so we knew what to expect

Advice for Potential Travellers

Mosquitoes! Make sure you have a good repellent. Study boots/walking shoes as lots of scree. If you use walking poles bring them. Plenty of water bottles or water reservoir - the hostels tap water was drinkable. My trip was in October and the sea was still quite warm so you may wish to bring your swims as Jose took us to Villajoysa after one of the walks.

Sylvia Meldrum

Reviewed October 2024

Wow

Just back from doing this tour. The walks are arduous at times but they’re well worth it as the scenery is fantastic. The accommodation was good with clean rooms and good home cooking.
Our guide Jose was local and he was knowledgeable in all aspects of the terrain, history and agricultural status, he also makes great sandwiches! The group also benefited from pick ups and drop offs on our free day from Jose and lots of suggestions regarding what to do.
If there was a problem it was the mosquitos….make sure you take repellents as they will eat you alive!
Can’t not mention Bobi (the dog) and Sara who also did some of the pick ups and drop offs, thank you both.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was the all of the summits

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable, fun and nice

Advice for Potential Travellers

Mosquito Spray!!!

Jo Lisowska

Reviewed May 2024

Hidden gem near Costa Blanca

Really enjoyed this hiking trip. Often travelling to Spain but it was the first time for me to experience Sierra de Aitana. Very close to Costa Blanca but felt secluded and peaceful. Hikes are interesting and varied; not very demanding, but i guess this is more of personal view as all depends on person’s fitness and hiking experience (also the weather could be a factor). We started our week with rainy weather but finished with plenty of sunshine. Paths vary, some have lots of scree and stones, some approaches are very rocky…this variety keeps things interesting. I found some hikes were easier in terms of approach than expected but anyway José was always on hand. Hotel is located away from everything and this provides tranquility and peaceful environment…really enjoyable moments sitting on the terrace after hike soaking up beautiful views. Great service from friendly Raquel (the owner) who prepared our tasty meals and provided us with freshly squeezed orange juice. The sandwich lunches were impressive and this comes from someone who is not a sandwich person – freshly prepared with plenty of variety – very tasty and nutritious.
The highlight – hiking in the company of Bobby (the dog).

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking Sierra de Serrella (my favourite hike, away from crowds, varied terrain, a bit of scrambling on the top, beautiful views). I also enjoyed Puig de Campana ascent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

José Miguel was very professional, well organised, approachable, upfront about hikes challenges and always on hand.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take hydration bladder (plus water bottle), thermos (if you like hot drinks at hotel /on hikes), hiking poles and plenty of varied layers; even at the beginning of May the weather was rapidly changing from rain / cold at the start of the week to rather hot weather on the final ascent. Note that there is no nearby shop, the closest village is about 1hrs walk or you need a taxi to get there. You can buy some local products at hotel - honey, olive oil, chocolate etc.

Pete Grist

Reviewed May 2024

Great Trip

I wanted a challenging week in good company and that’s what I got.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. It's great having a local guide who lives in the area.

Ann Cockburn

Reviewed February 2024

Sierra Aitana-spectacular and challenging

This holiday was both challenging and exhilarating. The scenery was spectacular and the weather perfect for walking in February. We had clear and careful guidance from our guide before and during the walks which probably helped the group to gain most from the experience (different goals for members of the group) Our guide, Jose, loved his local area and was able to add a lot of information and was very supportive of all.

Most Inspirational Moment

Last day-reaching the summit with spectacular 360 degree views, including of the Med and interesting geology

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was great in all respects

Advice for Potential Travellers

We agreed that this walk averaged out as challenging/5 rather than Mod/challenging 4. Steep rocky gradients at times. I felt I was slightly out of my depth on the downhills for the first time

Jade Rolph

Reviewed February 2024

A fantastic trip in an unexpectedly beautiful area

I loved this trip. The hiking was a great level for a sporty but relaxed holiday, with hikes that were just the right length and suitably varied. The scenery was stunning and the mountains weren’t crowded, we passed a few local hikers but were largely on our own. Jose the guide was so passionate about the area and was full of information about the plants and animals of the mountains.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Aitana Peak trip on the final day because the scenery was just glorious.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic. Jose was relaxed and friendly and great at accommodating different abilities and speeds within the group. He's full or passion and knowledge for the area. He's a great guide!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and difficulty rating before booking (the trip was rated 4 out of 7 - Moderate / Challenging at the time we did it). For us this wasn't a tough hiking trip, but it was slightly more challenging that some of our fellow travellers expected. One frequent Exodus hiker said it was tougher than some other similarly rated trips he'd been on. Jose was great at making sure everybody had a great trip though and this didn't affect anybody's enjoyment, we stuck to a pace that suited everybody and Jose made sure we were all comfortable. Bring lots of layers as we experienced lots of different weather in February. Be prepared for beautiful scenery and great food!

Jane Hallett

Reviewed November 2023

Challenging Trek With An Excellent Guide and Support Team

This was an excellent week of walking. The paths are steep in some places but well defined and Jose guided us with care and attention on the challenging ascents and descents of the Sierra Aitana. The walks were well-paced by Jose but the days are long so you do need to be fit. We trekked through a number of landscapes illustrating the historic and current use of the area and Jose with his local knowledge enhanced our understanding of how this area has evolved over the centuries as well as the current challenges. The views from the walks were amazing – one way you could see the coast from Alicante to Benidorm and beyond and the other the folding valleys and mountains of the interior. The skies were blue and the days sunny and warm and we experienced very little wind even on the summits. We were based at the Hostel Rincon de Pepe where we had a wonderful week being looked after by Raquel. The food was amazing and hearty (three courses plus wine). The terrace was also great place to have breakfast every morning as the sun rose out of the Med, as well as a beer or two after the walk as the sun disappeared behind the mountains.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Puig Campana. This was a challenging walk but worth the effort as the panoramic views especially over the coast were stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was an excellent leader and guide. He was informative, approachable and very organised and had a good support team. Jose briefed us every day so we knew the detail and the challenges of the next walk and made sure we were prepared. Jose's sandwiches which he made for us every day are rightly legendary as is his paella. He made recommendations and arrangements for each of us for our free day and even ferried us around. Nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was clear, dry and the right temperature for walking but taking many layers is the best approach as it can cool down quickly out of the sun. It is strenuous in parts so you do need to be fit, have a head for heights and have some good boots.

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