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.

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!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

Select a trip specific review:

Select

323 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Susan Munro

Reviewed October 2018

Smooth, easy, organised

Long Le was the rock star of tour guides. Ably supported by a team of drivers and bike mechanic, Long Le was charming, funny, intelligent and informative. I’m a bit of an anxious traveller but I felt 100% looked after and supported during the entirety of our journey. Long Le was great at bringing our group together to enjoy shared experiences. We started as strangers and ended as friends.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling up Hai Van Pass. I had almost not even tried but with support from Long Le, bike mechanic Lee and drivers Tan and Trin I knew that I could give it a crack and they would be there if I failed -but I succeeded and it felt great!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had the chance to observe other tour guides along the way and in the cities we visited which emphasised to me that we had lucked out with the A team and an exceptional group leader in Long Le

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring your swim goggles-there are beautiful pools at every stop. Don’t be scared to bring your own peddles and other gear-bike mechanic will install and remove for you and super quick.

Alison Radevsky

Reviewed September 2018

Fantastic

There wasn’t one moment when I regretted my decision to join this trip – it was wonderful from start to finish. Fascinating country, warm and welcoming people, superb food, varied and beautiful scenery, interesting culture…… and that’s just the place itself. Add to that the excellent organisation, top-notch guide and support staff, slick arrangements, high quality bikes, amazingly good quality accomodation, fun fellow cyclists, can-do positive attitude from everyone, and you have a really brilliant holiday. Well done Exodus!

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the Hai Van pass - I'd never tackled anything quite so challenging on a bike, particularly in searing heat (the promised Sea Cloud in the name didn't materialise, which meant great views, but a LOT of sweat!). It was quite an emotional experience when I actually made it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi was absolutely first class. Always smiling, positive, helpful, knowledgeable, flexible, charming, amusing. He simply couldn't have done more to make our trip a success. He knows so much about his country, and was very willing to share it with us, but never bored. And if you mentioned something you'd like to see or learn more about, as if by magic, he made it happen - like stopping by the roadside and asking permission for us all to wander into someone's small-holding to look at the crops because we had asked about tapioca and turmeric. And his team (Sau, Can and Y) were charming and couldn't do enough to make sure we were all looked after, well, safe and happy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go! Take a gel saddle and padded shorts. Also a bag for your handlebars to avoid having to carry anything round your waist or on your back, and minimise the sweatiness!

Andrew Oldham

Reviewed August 2018

What a Fantastic Experience

I signed up for this on a whim, having done the standard Exodus Vietnam trip 5 years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed that trip but saw no reason to return. This trip caught my eye as it covers the bit we previously flew over and I was happy with what was repeated. I have enjoyed half day cycling trips on adventure tours but am no great cyclist. Whilst I did some training – a short ride to work most days and a longer ride every couple of weeks – I expected to retreat to the bus on occasions, particularly for uphill stretches. Friends did not think I would be able to cycle 100km……….

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of the Hai Van pass having completed every available kilometre of cycling. Whilst I was a physical and emotional wreck on arrival I coul not believe what I had achieved. The cycling is very well structured and each day becomes a little harder so you build up gradually. The 100km day is actually not the toughest day as 30km is downhill from a pass that you have been largely driven up. The support from the Exodus team was superb and a major factor in my achievement- regular refreshment stops (the first hit of the ice cold lemon drink is amazing) with fruit, nuts and biscuits ensured no-one lost weight! The smiles of the staff as they directed us at junctions was great and those at the back had a great time with the engineer. The group was superb with a wide range of ages and everyone supported each other, no matter what their fitness or ability.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Loc was a fantastic leader and he was brilliantly supported by an excellent team. Nothing was too much trouble and he listened to us, informed us, entertained us and organised us superbly. He is clearly an excellent cyclist and an excellent cycling trip leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The scenery and greetings from the locals make this a great trip and a great way of seeing real Vietnam. I booked an extra night at each end to give me more time in the cities. If this is to be your only trip to Vietnam then I would strongly recommend this as there is little time to do normal holiday stuff. The cycling days are long so you won't get much time in places unless you are staying for 2 nights in a place. Some practice beforehand is sensible, especially if you are not a regular exerciser/cyclist, but the support staff are great and if you are struggling they are happy for you to drop out of parts of the route. The island is a great break, all the accomodation was very pleasant (and except for the train had wifi!) and often better than pleasant. Embrace the traffic and enjoy the chaos - they drive steadily and with a lot more respect than UK drivers.

Marilyn Scott

Reviewed August 2018

Very well organise and planned. Our group was friendly and supportive

Enjoyed every day. Great group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Stepping out of my comfort zone in a supported environment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good. Worked well with group. Very organised .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take part in the varied experiences. Take up challenges and 😊 enjoy.

Nick Bamberger

Reviewed July 2018

Fantastic trip to Vietnam

Excellent trip

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling on the small roads and of the beaten path

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic could not have done a better job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect the unexpected. Just enjoy the journey

A Woods

Reviewed June 2018

Cycling Vietnam

Cycling Vietnam was an amazing and fun trip from start to finish. Beautiful scenery and varied landscapes with a good mix of urban and rural cycling. Delicious food at every point. The Vietnamese could not have been more welcoming – especially the excited kids that cheered us along the country roads.

The tour was well organised with team leader (Lok) and support team (Xiu, Nhan and Truong) providing outstanding service throughout.

The tour covers a huge distance from south to north (with bus and train support!) and along the way we had the chance to soak up Vietnamese culture and history – paddi fields, cashew nuts, traditional fishing methods as well as the legacy of colonialism and war. The city stops varied from chocoloate-box-perfect Hoi An to cosmopolitan Hanoi and everything in between (including a few hair raising roundabouts!).

The cycling was a joy throughout. A great way to visit a great country!

Most Inspirational Moment

See above.

Helena Stage

Reviewed May 2018

Vietnam Cycling Enthusiast

This was my first trip to Vietnam and cycling the country was an amazing experience. Traveling with our local guide Son, a terrific leader who managed 16 cyclists of various abilities with good humor and patience. We stuck together through the maze of traffic, construction, honking in the midst of bustling cities and quiet and tranquil villages. The tour provided so many wonderful experiences and a very compelling story of Vietnamese culture and traditions.

Most Inspirational Moment

I found the people to be most inspiring - they work so very hard and are accepting and welcoming.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Son was top notch - very organized - he made sure everyone was safe on the ride as well as provided insights into the culture, the towns/cities that we visited. His team did everything to insure that our holiday would be memorable. Loved the fresh fruit and lemonade provided on our stops. A must to prevent dehydration. Our bus driver, van driver and mechanic....kudos to them for working 24/7 keeping up with all of our activities and making sure we were comfortable and our bikes in good shape.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For anyone who has not been to Asia, Vietnam is so very special. It is perhaps not the 5 star beauty of Bali or the majesty of Angkor Wat or have the many awesome temples of Thailand, but it's own special charm grows on you as you travel through the country. Ha Long Bay!!! Whale Island ...two special places for me. The cycling was harder than expected mostly due to the heat and humidity. Also the traffic and noise in the busy cities may make it more difficult for some cyclists. I would definitely recommend training as we had some time constraints to finish each day's ride so that we could make it to our final day's destination.

LINDA REID

Reviewed May 2018

CYCLING HO CHI MIN TO HANOI

Cycling Vietnam was an excellent way of seeing the countryside and meeting the local Vietnamese people who were extremely friendly and always willing to help.
The cycling involved flat, undulating and hilly sections so there was a good mix and the road surfaces were all remarkably good. The guide Lam gave you the opportunity to cycle at your own speed, with plenty of stops for rehydration and refuelling as it was incredibly hot and humid. At any junction the bus or the truck was there to point you in the right direction. It was extremely well organised and everything went like clockwork from start to finish. We were well looked after and well fed.
The countryside varied from paddy fields to more mountainous areas which were green and lush, but not as picturesque as I had anticipated.
We had to spend a fair amount of time on the bus, due to the large distances we had to cover, however, we would never has seen or done so much without doing so. The bus was comfortable with plenty of room for us to spread out.

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay was quite amazing and we had a lovely over night trip on a boat, we went sea kayaking which was great fun. We had a trip out to an island TITOP ISLAND, and had fantastic views of the bay from the top. Cycling up the HAI VAN PASS was also a great experience and seeing everyone completing the ride when it was 33C. The group was excellent and we had lots of fun and laughs along the way, so that made the trip for me, along with sights and sounds of Vietnam.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam our group leader was just excellent - so organised, pleasant, cheerful, always smiling and nothing was too much trouble for him. The mechanic Y was brilliant - the bikes were well maintained and kept clean, if there was a problem it was sorted immediately. The truck and bus drivers were always there to lend a hand, giving out drinks and food and always smiling. A great team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to do some cycling before you go as it is harder when conditions are hot and humid, especially if you want to climb the HAI VAN PASS - a challenging 10km climb. Be prepared for crazy drivers both cars and scooters - there are thousands of scooters going in any direction and popping out from side roads, riding in the opposite direction so you have to be very careful on all roads, especially in busy cities. Not for the faint hearted. However, it is Asia and anything goes. If you want to spend time in Hanoi book an extra day, as we didn't really have time to explore the city.

Paul Martin

Reviewed May 2018

Start to Finish Delight

The trip exceeded my expectations due to the fine(Hot!)weather we enjoyed.The wonderful nature of the Vietnamese folk,the quality and attention to detail of our support team,plenty of refreshment/regrouping stops.The team leaders desire to ensure we learned a little of the history,good and bad,of his homeland and the direction it was heading in these more modern times.
As well as the above,the hotels were great,although had I been arriving at these establishments solo,in cycling gear and somewhat road weary,I would have been a degree more self conscious.That said,there was never anything less than a warm smile and a welcoming cool fruit drink,and even flowers placed around our necks at one halt.
The rest days were well placed and welcome,all in all adding up to one of the most memorable trips I have enjoyed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up and over the pass after leaving Danang,and enjoying the descent that followed the climb.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam was a delightful fellow,very thoughtful and informative with ever a wide smile.The same could be said of his three assistants.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the heat extremes if you are a northerly hemisphere resident,but the stops are frequent and refreshing.Commit to enjoying cycling in the city traffic,as daunting as it at first appears,I felt quite safe as all the other many road users are aware of one another and considerate.Lam, the trip leader exerted his presence as leader of a group cyclists,with good affect.

Cerian Mellor

Reviewed April 2018

What are you waiting for, just book!

Beautiful scenery, wonderful people, tremendous food and days packed with activities and smiles. Traditionally, as an independent solo traveller, I wasn’t sure about a group trip. But, attracted by the idea of a cycling holiday and in need of a hassle free adventure in an amazing location, this seemed like the perfect solution. It absolutely did not disappoint.
From the friendly and efficient booking process, through well organised travel and transfers, to an immediate and warm welcome upon arrival, the Exodus arrangements could not be faulted. The cycling built up over the first few days allowing acclimatisation to sun and saddle, so whether good cyclist or weekend warrior, this trip is very achievable for those with a general fitness. Son Nguyen and his team offered superb support throughout the trip, and facilitated access to local people and experiences that are mostly not afforded to two-week tourists tied to hotel chains, bus tours or backpacker haunts. Vietnam has so much history, culture and culinary delight to offer and being part of a great group of like-minded people, game to try as much as possible during their adventure, made this trip just perfect. Thanks Son and crew, for making us so welcome in your country!

Most Inspirational Moment

So many moments stand out that it would be unfair to say which was the most inspirational. Hanoi is a magical city I shall undoubtedly visit again for its vibrant life, but it might not have been appreciated so much without having passed through beautiful, tranquil countryside full of colour, laughing children, and stunning scenery. The camaraderie around achieving the 100km mark and the 10km Hai Van Pass was a highlight too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Son did a great job at bringing Vietnam to life for us. Patient, organised, thoughtful and a good leader even when the weather meant changes to the plan - to us it felt seamless, and there was a smile & laugh for every occasion. He also did a good job of pricking our environmental consciousness with good reminders about single use plastics - keep up the good work!

Prev 1 … 11 12 13 14 15 … 33 Next