Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing quetzals in the grounds of the Savegre Hotel, and then again on a wildlife walk the next day

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny's enthusiasm for his country and its conservation was infectious and we learned an extraordinary amount. Johnny is an expert bird and wildlife spotter and was kind and considerate to every member of our group. The places he chose to eat were great and the early morning walks were lovely. We couldn't have had a better leader!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go to the Savegre Hotel, take advantage of their hide in the gardens, we spent a couple of hours engrossed in watching the hummingbirds - magical

Most Inspirational Moment

The harbour Dhow cruise and the Dolphin Pod we saw. The Cattle market and the witnessing of Omani traditional life. Nizwa forts and Mountains. Walking in the Wadis

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ahmed was helpful and his bus talks and guiding expanded our knowledge. It was Ramadan and managing that and tourist guiding must have been challenging. The driver was exceptional of the tour bus and the 4 Wd drivers also filled one with confidence despite the challenging terrain.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Add on a trip to Salalah for 3 days to visit the Frankincense trail. Add an extra day in Muscat for additional museums

Most Inspirational Moment

Matera has to be a highlight. We stayed in a charming cave hotel in the heart of the old Sassi area, ideal for investigating the many enchanting alleyways and nearby ravines. It would have been easy to spend a whole week there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tancredi proved to be an exceptional leader with a thorough knowledge of the area, having been acquainted with it for much of his life. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for him. He was engaging, helpful and knowledgeable and got on with every member of our 12-strong group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking is pleasant rather than spectacular for much of the time but thoroughly enjoyable. The weather for our trip in March was ideal. I can imagine it might become extremely hot in midsummer, when of course crowds will also descend on beautiful places such as Matera and Ostuni.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vania De Paoli was Excellent. Thoroughly knowledgeable of the area, extremely enthusiastic and went out of her way to be sure everyone had a great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Thoroughly recommend both the experience of this holiday and Exodus Travel.

Most Inspirational Moment

Palenque pyramids and Oaxaca wedding processions final meal in a Mayan family home (also independent visit to Churmula Church )

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent knowledgeable friendly helpful flexible

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bear in mind there are many hours on the road in an uncomfortable minibus. Double check well before departure that Frida Kahlo's house is included as per itinerary. We didn't find out it wasn't until arriving in Mexico so far too late to do anything about it and very disappointing

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the orangutans in Borneo and the river cruises

Thoughts on Group Leader

My experience of the guide in Malaysia has been the worst I have experienced and will make me seriously question the use of Exodus for future trips. Andy was obsequious and undoubtedly the worst guide I have encountered. It started a racist joke at the airport and continued with the arrival at out hotel in Malacca where he said we were with Intrepid and went downhill from there. At the KL hotel he said the same and we questioned this and he said that Exodus and Intrepid were the same company. News to us…..but perhaps he is right, however, we booked under the Exodus name. He failed to give adequate explanation about what we were doing each day, he never learnt our names and his guiding was frankly useless. When asked a question, he would often make up the answer. We asked for a recommendation on the second night in Malacca for somewhere to eat and he suggested a supermarket! The dinner restaurant in Malacca was below the standard expected for an Exodus holiday, the toilets were so disgusting they felt to be unusable. It felt like he reached the city and called into the first place he saw. He treated the group like children and was patronising on many occasions. On the walking tour of KL it lasted for 5 and a half hours due to his poor organisation. During this activity we had a guide from the Islam temple talk to us about the history and religion, in the few minutes we spent with her she remembered all our names and was clear and informative. We finished in the Chinese temple and then caught the underground went 2 stops and then a walk to lunch. Many of our party were over 70 and this was exhausting. The lunch restaurant was little more than a canteen and once again sub standard to previous experiences with Exodus. On the transfer day to Penang we left the hotel at 9:30, we arrived at the station at 9:45, when asked why we were there an hour and 20 minutes before departure he said it was the railway rules to be there an hour before otherwise they would sell your ticket. We found a notice saying “ we recommend you be here 30 minutes before departing and the train doors close 5 minutes before” ……. Nothing said to be there an hour before. He also said we could get nothing to eat or drink on the train and in our carriage was a buffet bar. We arrived in Penang and on the coach to the hotel asked about the itinerary for the next two days. He just said we would do a walking tour but no information about what we would see. We asked about the optional tours in Langkawi, he said there were two but could give no explanation about the costs or what they entailed. His walking tours were poorly managed and his knowledge inadequate. He did not make me feel safe or as though he had any clear idea about what he was doing. Having a lovely group and going to some interesting places the holiday was very spoilt by this inadequate guide. By the time we got to Penang several of us refused to go on his walking tours and went off by ourselves. I for one could not bear his disorganisation any longer…..but that is not what I expect to do on a guided tour holiday. Malaysian guides poor performance was brought into relief by the caring and friendly nature of our Borneo guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a lot of days of travelling!

Most Inspirational Moment

Inspiring moments every day

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptionally good - Ruwan deserves to win the Exodus Leader of the Year award

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Trip Notes - all is as stated. If you like what you read, don't hesitate - book now!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the northern lights.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many sights and moments to choose from in this trip! Jordan: Wadi Rum: sunset, traditional Bedouin dinner and stargazing. Petra: aside from the famous treasury, Mikhled’s alternative walk up through the royal tombs with panoramic views and the climb up to the monastery to dinner with a Bedouin family. Egypt: The temple and the ecolodge at Abu Simbel. Visiting Luxor temple by night, rather than the following morning as per the itinerary. The felucca ride on the Nile.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jordan: Mikhled was our tour leader in Jordan and was absolutely fantastic. From the very first day we felt welcomed. He had great people skills and was very personable, looking out for everyone. Since we were only an intimate group of 4 people, he took us to small local family restaurants, had dinner with a Bedouin family and he tried to introduce us to the everyday life of the people. He was very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and engaging, and we learnt so much about the sights, culture, history as well as daily life of the Jordanians in our short time there. On travelling from Petra to the airport for the flight to Cairo, Mikhled suddenly stopped the van and disappeared, only returning to have bought us a bag of falafel to eat whilst we waited at the airport! He also WhatsApp'd us the day after we had flown to Egypt to check up on us and make sure we had arrived safely, which was very thoughtful. We would, without a doubt, highly recommend him as a tour leader for anyone looking to visit Jordan. Egypt: Our tour leader in Egypt was Yousef and he was excellent as a teacher and educator in the hieroglyphs and history of ancient Egypt and we really enjoyed his explanations and how he brought the hieroglyphs to life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip certainly covers a lot in the two weeks, and could be very tiring for some, especially in Egypt where the itinerary is more demanding with lots of travelling to get to more remote sights. Meal times in Egypt were quite irregular, so wise to have a supply of snacks. Bring ear plugs if you are a light sleeper!

Most Inspirational Moment

Deir el Medina (the workers' tombs) and Haibu temple. We did these as an alternative to Valley of the Queens because the tomb of Nefertari was closed. Much quieter than the major sites, and still vibrant colours. They are well worth seeing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As mentioned before, the tour leader always seemed in a hurry to get through the visits. Some of his explanations were rather perfunctory, and I sometimes felt he would rather have been somewhere else. I appreciate that he was fasting for Ramadan and needed breaks for prayers and to eat at sunset, which we were happy to accommodate.

Advice for Potential Travellers

ATMs are readily available, but if you draw a large amount at one time you are likely to get it in 200 pound notes that are quite difficult to get change from - that was certainly my experience with the ATM at the first hotel. You need 10s and 5s for toilet stops. Pack essentials in your day bag for the train journey, as the luggage is stored above the top bunk making it awkward to get at.