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!
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35 Reviews
4.9 out of
5
Reviews
David Paraschuk
Reviewed November 2024
Stunning Algarve Coastal Views
We spent 5 Algarve hiking days with two wonderful tour leaders. Each day provided an authentic hiking experience through local forested trails and breathtaking costal paths in the Algarve. Many other unique Portugal experiences were included and at the end you will definitely want to see, taste, and hear much more of this warm friendly country.
Most Inspirational Moment
The incredible Algarve coastline
Thoughts on Group Leader
Francisco and his co-leader Raphael were over the top prepared and accommodating for our group. They included many extra special events during the tour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring small pair of binoculars for viewing. The activity rating is more like a 3 than a 2, so prepare a bit beforehand. Some of the restaurants only accept cash, bring enough.
Morgan Dalphinis
Reviewed November 2024
Wild Algarve
The hike combined a holiday, a historical introduction to the Algarve, active coastal sustainability and a promotion of local businesses.
Most Inspirational Moment
Most of the trip was inspiring. No particular moment stood out more than others.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Francisco and Raphael
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go on the trip and enjoy the beauty of the Algarve, the knowledge and skill of the guides as well as an insight into the area’s past, present and developing future.
Charles Loch Trimingham
Reviewed October 2024
Excellent inspite of some heavy rain
Excellent mixture of some hill walking for the first three days and then some spectacular Atlantic coastal scenery for the rest of the trip.
A very nice group who got on well together.
Most Inspirational Moment
Celebrating with the whole group with some sparkling wine at the castle of Aljezur out in the open in the pouring rain
Thoughts on Group Leader
Francisco and Rafael were brilliant. Organised, well informed, friendly and fun.
Always willing to share their knowledge about history or politics or flora and fauna or whatever.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The weather will probably be good but be prepared for some rain. I have gone on about the rain but there was some pleasant sunny weather as well!
Susanne Steggerda
Reviewed October 2024
Very well-organized trip in the stunning Algarve of Portugal
My first group tour walking holiday and I enjoyed it immensely. Every walk was different – a really nice mix of mountains and coast – and the scenery was stunning. Interesting bits of history, geology, and biology from Francisco, the trip leader, who is from the area, added a lot to the value of the experience for me. Perfect amount of walking each day, peppered with rest stops at cafes (the best parts of the trip, in my opinion) and visits with local artisans, plus a couple surprises that made the experience more memorable. Francisco and Raphael were great guides and it was awesome to just relax and let them take care of all the logistics.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking the streets of Monchique
Thoughts on Group Leader
Francisco and Raphael were well-organized, attentive, and fun
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring both raingear and sunscreen
Lillian Rehak
Reviewed October 2024
Perfect! The area is so diverse, historical, profound and exceedingly beautiful!!!
An amazing trip to share a spectacular area of Portugal with 10 others and 2 exceptional guides. The Tour was well organized; flowed well; prompt; lovely hotels each quite diverse.
Appreciated the “eco” focus of our guides and also the introduction to local artisans and businesses. My first trip to Portugal and I learned so much!
Really appreciated the guides providing poles to hike with as I couldn’t bring in hand luggage from Canada.
Guides worked well together and were well attuned to what was happening and knowledgeable.
Amazed at the differences of each hike despite the proximity and being a “mountain girl” I also appreciated our start there.
Highly recommend this tour for anyone who love nature and hiking!!🥾
Most Inspirational Moment
The end of the hiking at the Lighthouse. Felt very blessed to have experienced such an amazing holiday with some very nice people from other parts of the world.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very professional, knowledgeable and obviously passionate about his job. Worked very well with Rafael. Excellent.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Wear good footwear…I was glad I brought my more supportive boots. Delighted the guides had poles for me to use.
And…it “can” really rain…be ready!
Meline Fletcher
Reviewed October 2024
Perfectly Curated
Francisco & Rafael delivered a perfect flavour of the Algarve. Just the right amount of walking, visiting artisans and local producers & restaurants serving delicious regional specialities and wines as well as sharing their knowledge and passion for their country in a fun, safe environment.
Most Inspirational Moment
Starting in the beautiful mountain region around Monchique to the awe inspiring power of the Atlantic Ocean, the scenery is utterly spectacular.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Francisco is professional, always on time, works hard to ensure everyone in a mixed ability group had the best experience. While, behind the scenes, keeping the transport clean and continuing his environmental work during his free moments between guiding.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for all weathers and underfoot conditions. I found my trail shoes were perfect for sand, rock and the odd water crossing. Take this tour, you won't regret it.
colin jones
Reviewed September 2024
Great trip, brilliantly led
A fantastic tour with two knowledgeable, engaging, caring and highly professional tour guides, Francisco and Rafael. The mix of hillside and coastal walks interspersed with some visits to local industries and artisans gave us a real insight into the rich culture of the Algarve. Grade 2 is right but definitely moderate rather than leisurely with a couple of more challenging stretches during the walks – take walking poles if you are thinking about using them. The 3 hotels were all very good. Like previous Exodus trips we clicked with enough of the group to have some great conversations and a lot of laughs. Highly recommended.
Most Inspirational Moment
Final cliff walk to Cabo de Sao Vicente was a fitting finale
Thoughts on Group Leader
Francisco was excellent throughout the trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for moderate rather than leisurely walks.
Roberta Johnson
Reviewed September 2024
Walking The Algarve in Portugal
Roberta Johnson
September 2024
We have been on many Exodus trips and this one was one of the most beautiful places I have visited. The varied scenery on our coastal walks and paths were breathtaking. This is a very unspoilt, tranquil, cultural region with passionate local people. Each hotel we stayed at was lovely, especially the Aljezur as it was set in a peaceful, uncrowded location with very friendly, fun staff. Francisco and Rafael guided us throughout this wonderful trip doing their utmost to make our holiday special and enjoyable. They were very passionate in every way and extremely knowledgeable. They explained things to us in a kind, caring, relaxed and fun way. They always made sure we were comfortable and happy with what we were doing each day. They worked very hard and well together.
I felt privileged to share this trip with inspiring people, exploring the region and making this a magical holiday.
Rosamund Walshe
Reviewed September 2024
Spectacular Coastline
This was a brilliant walking holiday for me. Always wanting to be near the sea, and not disappointed this time! The walks were well chosen, a mixture of easy and slightly more challenging bits. Our brilliant guides, Francisco and Rafael made sure the pace was right for all of us, pointing out interesting features of nature or history along the way. They seemed to go the extra mile, treating us to a glass of bubbly at sunset on the Castle in Aljezur, a lovely touch!
Most Inspirational Moment
The sudden view of Bordeira bay was very impressive..Laurence of Arabia land!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both our leaders , Francisco and Rafael were brilliant.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The walks were really easy, but I found poles were very helpful for the ‘technical’ bits and would advise anyone with unsure feet to bring some , and maybe get used to them beforehand.
CATHERINE ARNST
Reviewed July 2024
An Excellent Week
This was one of my favorite activity vacations. The Algarve region of Portugal lives up to its reputation–gorgeous, unspoiled, uncrowded, and wonderful seafood. I sing the praises of our guides Francisco and Rafael who made the trip so special. They were knowledgable, passionate about the region, always good-natured, and extremely patient. The daily walks were easily managed, just challenging enough for those who are very casual hikers. The daily visits to various local craftspeople who introduced to local traditions were all interesting, and the food uniformly excellent. One of the three hotels we stayed at was a bit rundown, but the other two were quite lovely. We had a great, international group, small enough to get to know everyone, and they certainly were a big part of why the trip was so enjoyable. A special shout-out to Jess, an Exodus employee who also came on the trip. She was so much fun, and her energy was infectious. Plus she agreed to take a surf lesson with me on our day off from hiking–try it, you’ll like it!
Most Inspirational Moment
The views, the stork sightings, and getting to see a less traveled part of Portugal.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I cannot say enough good things about Francisco, he is outstanding, as is Rafael. They made the trip truly special.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The hikes were very manageable, but there were some tricky parts. Our guides did have hiking poles, but you might consider bringing your own. And bring sunscreen!