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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30 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Gail McElroy

Reviewed August 2024

A challenging, beautiful, bucket list trek.

This was a most memorable trek and comes highly recommended. It is far less crowded than other routes in the Alps and this brings a real sense of ‘getting away from it all”. The views are spectacular and surprisingly varied (boulder fields, snow, glacial landscapes etc.). The trek is, however, quite challenging due to the duration of each day; there really is no let up. A significant portion of our group did not complete the full route, as it is very “full on”. But if you are fit, don’t have significant issues with vertigo and comfortable with very long ascents and descents, it is really a fabulous experience.

There was a late snow melt this year, so there were sections which required micro spikes but this was an added bonus and added a real sense of achievement. The food was of high quality and generously proportioned. The tents were spacious and the mountain huts were a fun experience (though not great for sleep!).

Overall, a really wonderful trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are too many to choose from, each day brought spectacular views, challenging ascents and new experiences. Reaching the remote hut at Louvie and the walk through the glacier landscape to the Prafleuri Hut were probably the pinnacle.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Agustin was an exceptional leader- kind, endlessly patient, good humoured and also very skilful. There are some tricky/challenging moments on this trek but Agustin was very safety conscious and inspired confidence.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This Is quite a challenging trip , mostly because every day is long and there is only one rest day in the middle. So do make sure you are up for 20+km of walking and upwards of 1500m ascents/descents day after day. It is absolutely worth it but several very fit, experienced hikers in our group struggled, due to the pace and duration of the trek. Also, the descents are often through long boulder fields, which some found very tough going.

Penny Meekings

Reviewed July 2023

Fantastic

What an incredible experience! An expedition rather than a holiday, with a fantastic guide who found us swimming spots in lakes and rivers as well as guiding us expertly over challenging passes, through flower streets fields and smiling over 11 days of challenging but exhilarating hiking. Our camp wonder women was wonderful and made delicious dinners, was full of fun and helped us find everything from the milk to a picture perfect buvette in Zermatt. The group was great, and you need a great group for this trip as you are together a lot and it is challenging – 15 days hiking camping and enjoying the sun and mountains.

Most Inspirational Moment

Jumping in lakes or rivers to cool off and refresh at the end of long hot days.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great, experienced, commuted, wise, upbeat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect an expedition not a holiday. You have to be able to get on with things and not be needy! Be prepared for a ‘group pace’. And being together a lot.

Iain Dredge

Reviewed August 2022

Excellent, Challenging Trip in the French and Swiss Alps

This is a tough trek but really worth it. Stunning views, Beautiful lakes, High passes, Stream crossings, Boulder fields, what’s not to like about this trek. Although relatively short daily distances don’t be fooled there is a lot of climbing my total elevation gain for the week was around 40500 ft or 11220 meters. Being in the outdoors for 14 day dose your mind and sole the world of good. Our guide and group was fantastic and I have met some good people on this trip from all walks of life, different ages and nationalities.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are definitely a few Col Prafleuri is the highest Col on the route albeit the weather wasn't the best this day (heavy rain) it made the whole day better. First views of the Matterhorn. Staying in the mountain huts meeting some great people. Working as a team throughout the day, at meal times, washing up, breaking camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Egle is a fantastic group leader. Friendly, funny and knowledgeable. She looked after the whole group, informed us of all the different flora and fawner through out the hike and answered every ones questions. A very experienced outdoor person. Always happy to share a beer and have a laugh at the end of the day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely do some training before you go even if you are a seasoned hill walker as you basically climb Snowdon every day for 10 days. I would strongly suggest taking walking poles to take some of the pressure off your knees. The mountain huts can be quite noisy so definitely take ear plugs. Albeit the lunches are adequate I would suggest taking or buying snacks like nuts, chocolate, etc just to keep you topped up during the day. There is a day or two where you can not fill up with fresh water. You can either buy water from the huts or I took a filter and filled up with glacier water.

Paola Cassotti

Reviewed September 2018

Walking in paradise

Two weeks walking in some of the most spectacular scenery of the Alps. Breathtaking views in the many clear days and surreal when walking in the clouds. Varied terrain to entertain all…this is a must for any mountains lover. Excellent arrangements from Exodus as always and great leader and camp manager.

Most Inspirational Moment

About every hour of my walking time every day. The scenery was breathtaking. Cheering UTMB trail runners in Chamonix, swimming in an Alpine lake in a clear sky day, eating lunch by a glacier, the Emerald lake, eating my favourite Swiss chocolate when reaching a col, the outstanding views of mountain peaks above a sea of clouds from Cabane Praflouri, snowball fight in the boulders, introduction to trail running to St Nicklaus, walking in the clouds on the longest suspension bridge in Europe, trek to Zermatt with clouds opening over the Matterhorn.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John and Ags made my holiday!!! Inspirational, brave, kind, funny, passionate, knowledgeable, supportive and a good laugh. I always felt safe and in good hands, the food was absolutely delicious. They tended to all group members and really went the extra mile for me...quite literally 😊. I could have not wished for better leaders

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip requires a good level of fitness and stamina to ensure you can enjoy it with the group. Be warned that you will want to return to the Alps the moment you leave

Paola Cassotti

Reviewed September 2018

Walking in Paradise

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip requires a good level of fitness and stamina to ensure you can enjoy it with the group. Be warned that you will want to return to the Alps the moment you leave

MARK FOSTER

Reviewed August 2018

Enjoyable trip high up in the Alps

Quite strenuous trek high up in the Alps,beautiful scenery with a excellent group of people.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few moments that stood out.The sunset at Cabane Mont Fort,the high alpine landscapes,walking on snow in August,climbing up the ladders to one of the cols. My favourite days were days days 7 & 8 on the remote stuff.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group was led by John Briggs,he's as good as it gets! Excellent leader,some days we had to start earlier to avoid afternoon thunderstorms,he got us all out on the hill & back down safely without any drama's.Due to the nature of the terrain the group would split but he had everyone covered,we also got some winter skills walking on snow lessons from him. Our leader back at camp was Adz from Lithuania,she cooked some great meals was great company & well organised.You couldn't have asked for more from either John or Adz.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you've done the TMB trek this is definitely harder,but for me it was more rewarding due to the remoteness of the places you were walking through.

John Halstead

Reviewed July 2018

Brilliant Trip

This was a trek that was harder than I expected for the walking, but there are no altitude issues at all. It was professionally led by John Briggs and coked for by a lovely Lithuanian lady we all called Ads. Most days we walked up to a col with fantastic views and then back down to the next camp site or other hut style accommodation.

There was a fair bit of walking on snow and ice, but the presence of the snow really added to the scenery and I was not uneasy about it at any time.

I lost 7lbs which was slightly disappointing (I lost 21 lb on last year’s 3 week trek in Pakistan) but the food was irresistible, and wine and beer were available at modest prices.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our first view of the Matterhorn was amazing. Utterly majestic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very professional says it all. A good leader in control of the group at all times and offering help and advice when needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some training. Not just in the gym. I visited the Brecon Beacons for four two day stints in the weeks before I went. It really paid dividends, not only being able to take the walking in my stride, but being able to enjoy the trip rather than suffering from tiredness. Be prepared for steep ascents and descents over several hours.

Frank Kennedy

Reviewed July 2018

TWH: 827 Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn

A Memorable Trek
This trip had everything, meadows, mountains, snow, rock and the thrill of the great outdoors. However, the trip wasn’t just about the wonderful scenery and hiking, a large part of its success was the team spirit that was fostered by our leader John Briggs and camp manager Egle.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several highlights, however, I very much liked the steady ascent to Villa and Col Torrent. The panoramic views of the vast mountain range were wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John Briggs is an outstanding leader, multi-talented. His practical instruction on how to proceed on difficult terrain was most helpful. He was always prepared to go the extra mile to ensure each day was a success. Overall John displayed exceptional leadership skills. I have no hesitation in nominating John for the annual leader awards. John was ably assisted by Egle, together their pleasant manner added greatly to group bonding and the forming of new friendships. On returning from a trek, Egle would have tents set up and coffee and biscuits at the ready. The delicious, wholesome 3 course meals were cooked on a gas stove. in the middle of nowhere, (magic) and all done with a smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

On our trip in early July we encountered several snow fields. I found it useful to have a light set of walking crampons.

Russell Tullo

Reviewed July 2018

Excellent tour of the Alpine highlights

A thiroughly enjoyable, challenging and stunningly beautiful trip across the French and Swiss Alps.

Most Inspirational Moment

It’s hard to distill all the best bits of the trip into one, but the combination of stunning scenery, personal challenge and top quality leadership and support makes the trip a jewel in the Exodus crown.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John Briggs was a top rate leader. Hugely knowledgable, impressively fit, patient and kind and an all round great guy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip is challenging in parts but that should not deter you from experiencing some of the best views in the Alps, and spending time with a great bunch of fellow travellers. It’s hugely enjoyable and well worth it.

Dorian Moss

Reviewed September 2017

Two wonderful weeks of high cols

My second Exodus trek in the Alps, and the Haute Route deserves the challenging grade, definitely tougher than TMB. Very well organised by Exodus, excellent leader and camp manager, and a great bunch of 12 trekkers.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of the third col of the day between Mont Fort and Prafleuri mountain refuges, the Col de Prafleuri (almost 3000m). This day 5 of the walk stayed over 2500m all day, we were fortunate to have a fine day for it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John is a natural leader, highly skilled in mountain technique but also very sensitive to the different abilities and interests of group members. He quickly gauged the correct pace, and knows when to give extra support to people who need it, e.g. with tricky parts of a steep descent. He kept our spirits up on the days with poor weather, and on fine days allowed the fastest members of the group to go ahead (but then wait at junctions). He has an excellent knowledge of Alpine geography and trees, which he was ready to share. Having been led by John on TMB in 2014, I was delighted to meet him again on arrival at Geneva.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is not for those who lack fitness and stamina. Several days wth 1000m or more ascent and descent, one after another: there is no rest day until after 6 days walking. Do this trip if ready for a challenge, otherwise consider the Tour du Mont Blanc TMB.

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