Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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14209 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed December 2011

CYCLE INDOCHINA & ANGKOR

The Cambodia part was great, the Vietnam part really nice too, however the first few days in Thailand (300km or so) was just tiring and a bit uninspiring with little to see – high mileage when everyone was jet lagged and short of sleep. The Mekong delta in Vietnam was lovely although some of the roads were really quite busy and it felt a bit too rushed at times with too few opportunities to take photos. More time in Cambodia and Vietnam to replace the days in Thailand would have suited me, plus more quiet backroads and tracks.

Most Inspirational Moment

The temples at Angkor, the sunset on Tonle Sap, the homestay / guest house on the Mekong and the friendly local people everywhere.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good fun and well organised but could have been more aware of health and safety issues and less dismissive of customer concerns.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get bike fit - although it is very flat, the roads can be a bit rough and it is hot and humid! Don't go if you want to have a relaxing holiday. Most of it is quite early starts and some days are quite hard work.

Reviewed December 2011

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Except for the weather, which unfortunately was incontrollable, it was a very interesting trip, we did and we saw a lot of things without any rush.

Most Inspirational Moment

Essaouira, hiking in the mountains, sleeping in the desert under the stars

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go during November take warm clothes and your sleeping bag with you.

Reviewed December 2011

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - RONGAI ROUTE

This holiday (if you can call it that) was the best but hardest experience of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and couldn’t have asked to spend my 10 days with a better bunch of friends or porters from the African Walking Company!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the Summit of course - but i could not have done it without the great friendship from the other members within my group, or the experteese of the porters.

Thoughts on Group Leader

My group leader was amazing, his English was brilliant and very knowledgeable - he was very thorough in explanations and i would go as far as saying he saved one of my friends - he was very ill and despite wanting to complete the challenge my guide gave him medication and advice to stop! He was very funny and an asset to our team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take disposible wipes with you - i brought mine from waitrose! Take a good waterproof jacket if not a poncho. my waterproof jacket turned out to be non waterproof and i got soaked, plus my back pack soaked, however one of the porters leant me his spare poncho which was brilliant, it covered me and my back pack so thats defo an essential. Take a high factor sun cream!!! if you think your just going to face snow your wrong, the sun is very hot and i got sun stroke - one of my friends got badly burnt so take like a 25 or even a 50 factor of cream. Make sure you take a hat too. otherwise i couldnt have had better thermals then morino wool. They were amazing, expensive yes but the best thing. Otherwise pack light!PS you dont need the yellow fever vaccine, i didnt take malaria tabs but i was the only one in my group that didn't. I did take altitude sickness drugs! Make sure you take some anti biotics with you! MUST!!! i got very ill and had gastroenteritus and UTI if i had anti bots with me i would have been able to start treatment alot earlier. I went to see the waterfalls and the villiage before we left but wished id have had more days to do a safari or zanzibar so look into that

Reviewed December 2011

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

I choose this Exodus trip because I wanted to go on an adventure and having seen the itinerary I suddenly didn’t want to go anywhere else! I felt that this trip was offering so much variety with the wildlife, sunshine, walking, cycling, rafting, cultural/historic sites, jungle, beaches, hill country…I could go on…but to sum up, it delivered all that was promised and more.

Most Inspirational Moment

One of the most enjoyable activities on the trip was the bike ride to a local village, where we stopped at a farmers house for the best curry I had on the trip! The reason this bike ride really touched me was the peaceful way this allowed you to soak up the atmosphere and the scenary, but also the friendly welcoming atitude of local people...we must of looked like quite a spectacle, 15 British people and a Canadian...on bright yellow bikes, wizzing (and sometimes wheezing!) past peoples houses...children came out and waited by the side of the road to wave to us as we went by :)I'd also have to mention the first time we saw an elephant in the wild, catching a train from up in the clouds of hill country, the view from the top of Sigiriya Rock and as a keen photographer...all of the inspirational photo opportunities throughout the trip!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan our tour leader was absolutely brilliant, we always knew exactly what was happening and what was expected of us; he kept us amused and informed, teaching us Sinhalese and Sri Lankan songs! And went above and beyond when we ended up in the midst of an unexpected cyclone, he made sure we were all safe, reassured us and then created a cocktail to calm our nerves when the storm had calmed! Sujan obviously loved his homeland and this love was infectious, also him and his crew had an amazing eye for spotting wildlife and maximised the number of elephants we got to see!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for all weather conditions!!! We had so many days of beautiful sunshine, but I wasn't quite prepared for how wet it could be when the heavens did open!

Reviewed December 2011

CYCLING THE CAPE & WINELANDS

Cycling through great scenery with occasional wildlife and places of interest en route. A great advenure, made memorable by a good group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling along the coast around False bay and then the route towards Cape Town.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rudi was good fun and has good energy. He got 13 of us around the full itinerary without any real mishaps. Lots of local knowledge, but could keep some of his briefings a bit briefer! Organised a good range of restaurants in the evenings. Andrew put in a solid performance as driver and assistant. Very knowledgeable and a great sense of humour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're doing the shark cage diving, be careful what you have for breakfast! Don't expect too much luxury accommodation.

Reviewed December 2011

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

A good introduction to Vietnam today. It is changing fast with more Chinese investment in huge new developments.

Most Inspirational Moment

The overwhelming presence of scooters and motorbikes, often carrying large freight objects and livestock or 3 and even four people; this coupled with a driving style with no rules. Crossing the street is an art form to be learned, but seemed to be safe; just don't stop.What little of the rural life we saw on this town and culture based holiday was very interesting. We would have preferred more of the rural and to have had time to see and even photograph the somewhat limited and shy wildlife.We also found the museum relating to the war very moving and informative.The Homestay in the Mekon delta was another enjoyable feature because it was closer to the real Vietnamese.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Long was excellent and his company very enjoyable. He made good contact with each of the group and established a good spirit. He took us to many shops and markets and bought local specialities for us to try. He was very good with the locals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the very very long flight of 13 to 13 and a half hours London to Kuala Lumpur and then the flights to Hanoi and back from Saigon. The internal flights, being shorter were less demanding and seemed roomier.

Reviewed December 2011

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

I can’t think of a better way to explore Sri Lanka than by bike. This trip takes you through paddy fields, tea plantations, national parks and along the coast – every day was so different.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many inspirational moments. Watching the elephants from the Elephant Orphanage in the river at Pinnawala, arriving at the The Hill Club in Nuwara Eliya after the gruelling hill climb from Kandy, the tour of the tea factory were all highlights of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter is an exceptional leader and worked so hard to make sure our trip was great. Along with his team, he made sure all the bikes were ready and servicedand food stops were organised. His extensive local knowledge helped give the group confidence to try local food and he was happy to answer our questions about Sri Lankan life. Suresh showed the group around the historical sites and temples. His English was patchy and he was quite hard to understand at times, but he was always kind and attentive to our needs and requests.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had terrible rain early on in the holiday so a small umbrella would have been really useful. The bikes didn't have mudguards and the mud on the road got everywhere which was impossible to get out of clothes. The standard of accommodation was varied so don't expect 5 star rooms and hot water every night.

Reviewed December 2011

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

A perfect way to experience the joys of Sri Lanka, book it you will not be disappointed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Where to begin.Elephant sanctury visit.Whale watchingThe hill climb day, especially lunch by the waterfall, followed by staying at the Hill Club hotel.Experience of the street food, the Pooja, the impromto stop at the school and the interaction with the tennis balls, playing cricket, playing catch etcAll the cycling, (even when wetter than I thought possible), and meeting all the lovely Sri Lankan people

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter - Absolute star, always available for help and advice, and really aimed to show us all Sri Lanka had to offer. Not permenantly sharing his knowledge, but did know the answer to anything, (from what I saw), he was asked, ie we may not all like to know the name of every single bird or flower we see, (too much info), but ask Peter and he will know.Suresh - A lovely lovely man, permenantly smiling, with our clear love for his country. Suresh had a very good knowledge of all the sights he took us to, and he loved his Sri Lankan map. The only thing that lets Suresh down is his grasp of the English language, in my opinion it may be too early to let him lead the trip. In my experience, people from this part of the world are far more adept at learning another language than I and many other Brits would be, so, all being well, Suresh will quickly brush up on his English skills, and end up as good a leader as Peter.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Anyone who normally cycles at home with "clip in's", take your pedals and invest in some SPD sandals, I bought the Keen make, brilliant.Take a small lightweight umbrella.

Reviewed December 2011

EVEREST BASE CAMP

A once in a lifetime experience. Amazing, awesome and a trully fullfilling trip. It was alway’s going to be more than just about the journey. Thankyou Christine for sharing this with me.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our first sighting of Everest was awesome, a magnificent sight.The weather was very kind to us. We were blessed with beautiful blue skies, snow capped peaks and ever changing scenery crowned with the ultimate lifetime achievement of reaching Everest Base Camp.The many faces of Ama Dablam was just incredile.The culture and humble lives of the Nepali hill people made me realise how very fortunate we are and just how much we take for granted. Prayer flags decorate the trail leaving memories of those who went before and celebrating lives of those who have never returned. It really has been an amazing trip, physically,mentally and spiritually. Believe in yourself and your abilities.This is truly an inspirational trip for everyone.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Urgen, quite a character. He was good at organising and very knowledgeable. He was respectful of the very different dynamics of the group. Urgen read our group well and in his word's alway's told us to "listen to your body" Good advice. Pace was good to allow us to get used to the altitude. He was quick to address any small problems that arose. He had the support of Chhong sherpa who I have great respect for.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Put in a few hills before you go, good cross training. Buy a metal water bottle it has two purposes. 1: A must as a hot water bottle at night in your sleeping bag ( Amazing, one of the best pieces of advice that I got) and 2 : You can drink the ware the next day. Take Chlorine tablets for the water it will save you buying it.If you do not have a sleeping bag then hire one from Exodus (Christine did and it was Fab). Loo rolls, you can buy Andrex one's that have no cardboard and do not take up a lot of room. Baby wipes are a godsend. You must try an Everest Beer, braw. Accept the culture and take each day as it comes.

Reviewed December 2011

LAND OF THE TIGER

I was apprehensive before i went , fears of Delhi Belli, revolting toilet facilities, not being able to cope etc. i am in my early seventies. In the event my fears were unfounded and I feel younger for having made this trip and so very glad not to have missed the opportunity. 16 days of pleasant warm sunshine are a tonic anyway

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many. I loved getting close to the real India. We were taken on an unscheduled walk by an off duty Park guide. He even took us to his own home where we were made most welcome by all the family. We crossed over a river where ladies in saris were doing their laundry, passed a 'pet' elephant kept in someone's 'back garden' viewed and discussed the rice , lentils and many other foods being grown and saw village life at really close quarters. We saw tigers on 4 occasions, a relatively low number of sitings for our group. We watched a male tiger stroll down the dusty road towards us, our jeep backing off every few minutes to keep a respectful distance. He sniffed at trees, stood on his hind legs to scratch one and then caught the scent of some wild boar we had just seen and prowled off into the undergrowth in persuit. Just then a mahoot on his elephant approached from behind. Two park officials had joined us in our jeep. The mahoot brought the elephant up right close, perofrmed a sort of three point turn by tapping the elephant's neck with his bare feet so that he was so close to me in the back he could almost have sat in my lap (elephant not mahoot) I had to resist the temptation to pat it! then the spare guides climbed up from the jeep onto the elephants back and off they all went tracking the tiger we had been watching. The there was the wedding party we got invited to one evening. It was just such a marvellous close welcoming experience not withstanding limits of language.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krishna was marvelous, more of a friend then an employee. He was always ariound to sort out difficulties and smooth our passage; managing us onto and off the trains with all our baggage was his special skill. He worked so hard. We were a group of 13 with quite a wide age spread. He was so good at tactful group management so that no one person or couple was allowed to dominate. In fact the togetherness of the group was one of the nice things about the holiday. He kept surprising us with little add-ons such as a cookery session one night in the hotel preparing our own supper!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a torch; my head torch was in valuable. My next most prized asset was my special'toilet' bag which went round my shoulders to leave hands free but provided accessible requirements such as toilet paper, gemicidal wipes, hand sanitizer, a cake of soap, tissues. Whenever I went to 'mark my territory' all I needed to do was grab that bag and I knew I would be well provided for. There were a few bad loos, some very good loos, one attended by a lovely lady in her sari and of course some 'au naturelle' Ladies, get used to the idea of squat loos, easy if you are wearing a skirt and often with less of a queue and cleaner than the europen variety. Next time I will take some Gaviscon tablets with me; I needed to borrow some when large late suppers and early bed produced indigestion and heartburn towards the end of the trip.

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