Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

One of our guides on summit night Lucy dragging me to the top when I was exhausted. “Get on your feet!” She would shout to me. I would never have submitted without her. Everyone at Exodus was inspiring. Fred, William, Angela, Anna and of course our leader David and Mama Lucy (my sister from a different Mister) were inspirational. Milton and his team in the cooking tent were magicians. Thank you to you all.

Thoughts on Group Leader

David was a solid leader who was impeccable, faultless. He made you believe in him and respect him. When he spoke you listened. He didn’t mess he wanted to get everyone to summit and he cared about his group and his staff.

Advice for Potential Travellers

No books (you wont have time) Wear the same clothes apart from summit night. Go easy on your snacks as Exodus supply plenty themselves. Take hand sanitiser You only need one hat. Wet wipe washes are fine and wear merino wool undies. Small packet of Rennie (heartburn) You wont need any hair products as you will be wearing a hat for most of the time. No one ‘dresses up’

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing in mount cook area

Thoughts on Group Leader

North island - Justin was very attentive and organized and took care of everyone and everything very well. South Island - Ali was a top notch guide and made the trip amazing - fun, organized and experienced. Always willing to answer questions and address concerns. Great guiding !!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If your in the fence just commit and go and you won’t regret trekking in this beautiful country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Seen did an awesome job keeping us entertained and informed.

Most Inspirational Moment

The stay at Gal Oya. The glamping set up, location and activities there were wonderful, as were the staff.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mahen was brilliant, with his detailed knowledge, impeccable planning and thoughtfulness. And all done with an infectious smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The pace may seem hectic at times, but just go with the flow, you'll love Sri Lanka and the people. You could however opt out of some activities if you needed a rest!

Most Inspirational Moment

The stay at Gal Oya. The glamping set up, location and activities there were wonderful, as were the staff.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mahen was brilliant, with his detailed knowledge, impeccable planning and thoughtfulness. And all done with an infectious smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The pace may seem hectic at times, but just go with the flow, you'll love Sri Lanka and the people. You could however opt out of some activities if you needed a rest!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)