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.

Reviews

Reviewed October 2011

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

A truly fantastic holiday.  Group Leader, Linh, was brilliant and added a very personal insight into Vietnamese history and culture. Connections were seamless and essential to cramming so much into two weeks.  I firmly believe it would be impossible to have experienced so much without a great guide and itinerary.  

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay is amazing.  We were there when the rain was pouring down and then when the sun was shining.  It's one of those places that you have to stop and really appreciate where you are.  Unforgettable.  Equally unforgettable, but completely different, was being pedalled around Ho Chi Min city on a three-wheeled bicycle.  The motorcycle traffic that envelops you for the whole journey is indiscribable - you'll just have to try it for yourself. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Priceless.  Linh, is a great team leader who works tirelessly to make your holiday as perfect as it can be.  However, what sets him apart from most other guides is his ability to explain things from a very personal perspective.  You can read as many books as you like, but none of them will provide Linh's personal touch.  He also takes you to places you'd never find in a guide book - restaurants that are tucked away on a back streets and the homes of local people.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take enough clothing for a week and wash it when you get there.  It costs about £1 per load.  That will give you plenty of luggage allowance to buy a super cheap suitcase in Hoi An and fill it with ridiculously cheap tailor-made clothes.

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Reviewed October 2011

WALKING IN TUSCANY

Thoroughly enjoyable holiday with a very sociable group.  The walking was more strenuous than expected but manageable, possibly Grade ‘B+’ rather than ‘B’.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the summit of Monte Prado, 2054 metres, on the last day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader, Sara Bull, was extremely professional, capable and considerate although it was a shame that she did not eat with the group for evening meals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure a fitness level capable of walking 7 to 10 miles a day with some fairly steep inclines and descents!!

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Reviewed October 2011

MONT BLANC TO THE MATTERHORN

A fabulous trip over some of the highest and most spectacular parts of the Alps.  The walk was at times demanding but the effort was definitely worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were blessed with some fantastic weather, only a couple of days rain so we had fantastic views of both Mont Blanc at the beginning and the Matterhorn at the end.  As an ex geography teacher I was fascinated by the range of landscapes, geology and glaciers.   We got close up and dirty with lots of glacial features.  The walking was superb with generally good paths but a few steep rocky bits to keep you on your toes (the conversation tended to drop at these points).  The wildlife kept us amused as we tried to spot the marmots that kept squeeking to warn each other of our presance (and yes I fell for a cuddly toy one in Zermatt).  It's hard to say what was my most inspriational moment(there we so many good bits) but probably watching the sun setting over the Alps from the Cabane Mont Fort with a well deserved beer- marvellous!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul our leader looked after us and all our sprains, falls and bruises.  He did a great job encouraging us over the cols. Mark (who cooked and transported our tents) always welcomed us with a cheering smile and most importantly tea and cake!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a spectacular walk but as the grade says, it is challenging.  It's rather like going up Ben Nevis everyday from Fort William (but with no rain and lots of fab views).  I was certainly fit at the end of the two weeks and lost an impress 4 kg but if I did it again I would try and be a bit fitter at the beginning of the walk.  But hey I'm a short fat 51 year old so if I can do it so can you!

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Reviewed October 2011

HIKING IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

An excellent trip, great walking and amazing scenery!

Most Inspirational Moment

What was great about the trip was that each day's walking brought something new.  The walking was hard at times, but the views always very rewarding and the beer back at the camp felt well deserved.  It's pretty hard to beat walking in mountains, with views of glaciers and stunning glacial lakes to keep you company, with clear blue skies and constant sunshine.  I think we were definitely seeing it at its best!The walks were well chosen to offer the chance to see all that the Rockies have to offer.  It was remarkable how quickly you could get away from the crowds on the walks - we often had stunning mountain top views to ourselves.  There was some serious elevation gain in most of the walks, and we all soon learnt not to believe the Canadian version of 'flat'!      As always, a good group of people to share the experience with.    

Thoughts on Group Leader

Renee and Katy were excellent guides and looked after us extremely well.  The cooking was exceptional - what they produced on camp stove was consistently delicious.  They knew the area and walks well and looked after us well on the walks, tending to blisters and generally keeping the show very successfully on the road.  Thanks to them both for making the holiday so memorable!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks - particularly at the beginning and end of the trip - are quite long days, with lots of elevation gain, so do take the challenging rating seriously, a decent level of fitness will help.   Quite a few of the walks are through bear country, the group does need to walk closely together to keep the bears away.The campsites all had very good facilities and it was easy to set up and move camp the few times we needed to.  It did get cold at night- the campfire was a great help, but pack enough warm layers.  

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Reviewed October 2011

CORSICAN MOUNTAINS & VILLAGES

Apart from the heavy rain on the first day the weather was hot. The scenery has expected spectacular. The walking was more mentally demanding due to narrow trials and loose stones. Corsica is rather laid back so expect the trains to be late and full. Food is not as good as mainland France but plenty of it.  

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good. No navigation errors. He had prewalked and marked paths in advance. Good preparation! Would have been good to have a local to know more about Corsica.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking requires concentration as they are mainly on loose stones and narrow.

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Reviewed October 2011

UZBEKISTAN UNCOVERED

A very good trip, with the right balance of sights, free time and experiencing the culture.  The monuments were impressive and it was interesting to see how Soviet rule still cast a shadow 20 years after independence. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Overall the most striking experience was to see how friendly the people were.  Happy to chat to visitors, have their photo taken or just smile and wave.  The two days in Khiva were probably the highlight of the trip, specially wandering around the town after the official sight seeing.  The locally produced art and crafts were impressive, good choices and reasonable prices.  What was noticable was that stall holders didn't hassle potential customers too much.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader was very knowledgeable and gauged the mood of the group well.  He was flexible to meet the group's or individual's needs and adapt the schedule, when it became necessary (e.g. delayed flights)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Great place to visit, take plenty of cash for those souvenirs and pack a few cereal bars - food was a bit repetetive...

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Reviewed October 2011

HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY

First time I used exodus.  Impeccable service for the money one pays.  In general, hotels, sites, guide, driver, etc were all one expects from such a trip.  Well done Exodus.  I shall be using you again in the near future, probably as soon as next year!  God be with us all. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Istanbul's cleanliness despite the 17 million who live there.Fantastic food.The fact that all Western civilisation started from there, including all of Christianity.The gentleness of the Turks, including that of our driver and guide. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Could not have been better.  Difficult to find such a well-informed, gentle and helpful leader, who made our stay super-enjoyable.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes.  Two advices. 1. Do not do Termessos!  Not worth the climb, except for the excercise!2. Try and chose your own restaurants where possible.  It's fun and exciting and worth all the hastle!  Try and eat where the Turks eats and not the majority of tourists. 

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Reviewed October 2011

WALKING IN MADEIRA

This trip was more than I was hoping for as I was a complete novice at walking holidays.   Fantastic way to see such interesting places, people, wildlife and geology.

Most Inspirational Moment

As a complete novice at walking holidays, I amazed myself by the fifth day when I climbed Pico Ruivo (1,862 mts high).   I stood on a mountain surrounded by clouds and "up with the Gods".  Fantastic moment for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

My Guide was called Andre.   It was just me and him for the whole 7 days.   What a mind of knowledge that young man has.   I learnt Maderian history, geology, fauna, wildlife, customs, politics, and bad jokes!!  I really hope Exodus continues to use his services.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go for it!  Even if you're a solo traveller and walking novice like me, you have to start somewhere and why not try walking the levadas in Maderia.

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Reviewed October 2011

HIKING IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

A fantastic trip, thanks to all involved. The Rockies are all they say in the brochure – and more.

Most Inspirational Moment

At walking level the inspiration was the quality of the scenery that we could access for "only" a few hundred meters hieght gain. Move on to a high ridge and you see how far the Rockies goes in every direction. At a social level (I was travelling alone) just as good as previous Exodus trips. I always hope a group of like minded people doing something they love in some of the most impressive scenery on this planet is going to produce a happy and fun party. This was a happy and fun group.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leaders were Renne and Katie. They looked after everything and produced a great trip. Clearly capable of handling anything that was thrown at them and as they have done the trip many times knew the best routes, the best places to stop, even the best bars! The food was excellent and being out doors did not stop an impressive list of dishes arriving every mealtime and I mean every.   

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was on the September trip and we had clear skies day and night. This resulted in warm/hot days 25 - 28 degrees, but very cold nights with temperatures down to freezing. A Down sleeping bag was a must and evenings in camp needed a serious number of layer to keep warm - preferably a Down jacket. If the weather had not been so clear then it may be less cold in the evenings/night. Go prepared. Compared to remote trekking, access to the comforts of modern life is available so one can relax about forgetting something on the trip. The minibus can recharge phones etc, supermarkets are never that far from the camp site or are passed on way back from walking each day, even liquor stores. If you need something (exra clothing - see above) then is is usually available to get.As this is not a trek from A to B to C etc there is the option of not doing all of the walks. Once you have a taste of the scenery you probably will want to do it all - but not compulsory.

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Reviewed October 2011

JOHANNESBURG TO CAPE TOWN

An excellent trip overall. Long days were expected, but some were TOO long. But the variety of experiences, and places we visited more than made up for it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Not included in itinerary - this was an optional extra - Shark-cage diving with Brian McFarlane's "Apex Predator" at Gansbaai - www.sharkcagediving.net - It means a two hour return trip back from Cape Town, but they pick you up in their minbus around 6am and bring you back around 4.30pm. He has a hit-rate with sharks of over 99%, and he's been doing it for 15 years. You don't even need to swim!! Get your wetsuit on - drop into the cage - and see these magnificent creatures at close quarters. Trippers should not make excuses - simply DO it!! You'll not regret it!  The whale-trip out of Hermanus was also excellent, and finally, the hike into the Drakensburg mountains - stunning scenery, stunning light - drinking the ice-cold water from the gorge on a hot day... and filling your bottles for the trip back! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rob, at just 23, is still learning his trade, and I'm sure he has a very bright future as a guide. He was always helpful, hard-working and eager to please, and I'd readily go on another trip with him. His assistant and driver, the much more experienced Sifiso, gave him help and support where appropriate, and collectively they couldn't have given more. The excellent food, its preparation and putting up camps after long days on the road can only be commended.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't miss the opportunity of the village walk at Lesotho - as close a view of village life as you may expect to get - nothing staged - and also, the turtle trip in Mozambique...... (already mentioned the sharks!!)     Make sure you get your visas before you go, otherwise you can seriously delay the group at border control.   The sunset drive is probably preferable to the night drive whilst in Kruger.

Reply from Exodus

Thank you for your review, It’s great to hear that you enjoyed your time in Southern Africa and all the diversity on offer in this incredible part of the world.

With regards to the vehicle, We do use a larger vehicle for bigger groups, and are hoping to be able to use a better custom-made vehicle in the future. Unfortunately there are some restrictions from the South African government which we have to adhere to (following new regulations implemented by the South African government in 2004).

Tom – Product Manager for South Africa

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