Thoughts on Group Leader
Simply the best
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:
Reviews
An unforgettable Cycle Journey Through Chile and Argentina's Lake District
Our cycling adventure through the Lake District of Chile and Argentina was nothing short of extraordinary. From start to finish, it was a journey filled with breathtaking scenery, unique experiences, and unforgettable moments.
First and foremost, a huge shoutout to our incredible guide, Ale, whose passion, expertise, and energy made the trip seamless and enjoyable. His knowledge of the region, combined with his enthusiasm for sharing it, elevated every aspect of the journey.
The scenery was absolutely stunning—Patagonia at its finest. We cycled past shimmering lakes, towering snow-capped volcanoes, dense forests of monkey puzzle trees, and rolling gravel roads that offered both challenge and charm. Each day brought something new: crossing lakes by ferries, spotting tarantulas on the road, and soaking in the vast, untouched beauty of the region.
The sense of discovery was unparalleled. Every turn revealed another postcard-perfect view, from tranquil lake shores to the rugged peaks of the Andes. The gravel roads and challenging terrain were made worthwhile by the jaw-dropping vistas and the camaraderie of fellow travelers. Sharing meals and stories with the group fostered a sense of community, making the trip as much about the people as the places.
This journey through two countries was more than just a trip; it was a soul-enriching experience. It rekindled a deep appreciation for nature, adventure, and the simple joys of life.
If you’re looking to fall in love with the world again, this is the way to do it.
Good
Inspirational, beautiful, very well supported and organised, wonderful lodgings, good healthy food and moderate to challenging for active multi-sport persons. Highly recommend.
Most Inspirational Moment
Achieving the Andes crossing to puerto blest and cycling camino de Los siete Lagos and in Conguillio national park
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tai was super professional, very informative, fun to be with, supportive and conscientious and always in a good mood.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take good quality hot, wet and cool gear even if like us you are super lucky and don’t have to face torrential rain or strong wind. Prepare to swim in cool unspoilt lakes.
Beautiful trip, great leaders
There is some stunning scenery on this trip, and a good mix of tarmac and gravel riding. Some of the gravel is harder going than others but the team really looked after us – no pressure on pace, and lots of options to hop on the bus or walk a little. Coffee stops and lunch were well paced. I highly recommend this trip which also included a nice amount of chill time in the evenings, and a couple of free days.
Most Inspirational Moment
The conguillio national park. The volcano, gravel tracks, lagoons, monkey puzzle trees, and eco lodge were all amazing!
Thoughts on Group Leader
An amazing team!!
Cycling the Lake District of Chile and Argentina
Thoroughly enjoyable, wonderful scenery, great guides, excellent food and beers (reminiscent of Belgian style). The cycling is physically demanding.
Most Inspirational Moment
Looking out over the Andes from window of Hotel Alma Del Lago in Bariloche. It was the most impressive view from a window that I have ever seen.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Taiel was completely excellent. Skilled, knowledgable, competent and affable.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take your own bike saddle!
great holiday with fantastic scenery
I did this trip October 2022. It was great fun, with amazing views and interesting cycling. There were 2 long tarmac downhills which were exhilerating. I took the bus rather than do the long steep dirt road section over the border crosing – the other 7 in our group all managed that uphill, but the bus followed the same route. Our guides were great; father and two sons team, as well as the yellow school bus. I was very glad I took walking boots for the two free days, (volcano climb and ski resort climb near Bariloche) although more sure footed people could have done it in trainers. Food was very good; hotels a mix of quirky and luxurious. Do not miss the chocolate factory in Bariloche. We had a very sociable group, lubricated with local wines and beers. Bring your best camera and cycling shorts.
A fabulous trip … we’ll worth the wait
A fabulous cycling trip around the Los Lagos region of Chile & Argentina – gorgeous scenery, plenty of lakes, mountains, rivers, volcanoes, roads, gravel, dust, lava, monkey puzzle trees, sand, sunshine and a couple of border crossings.
Most Inspirational Moment
Difficult to single out a single moment, but cycling amongst volcanoes is something I don’t get to experience at home. The descent into St Martin de Los Andes was wonderful too, especially after all the hard work of the previous few days.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Diego, Karina and Mateus were all great. The group leader, Diego, was very friendly and helpful throughout, as were Karina and Mateus. Diego always stayed behind the group to ensure our safety, and was good company whenever I was at the back .. which was quite often!
Advice for Potential Travellers
The trip was rated moderate to challenging which was a fair rating. There was a lot of climbing but no more than expected based on the ride details in the trip notes. The gravel sections were more gruelling than I’d anticipated, and were quite long (in terms of time if not distance). Many of the early reviews refer to the gravel and now I can see why. However, even though I usually ride on roads rather than rough gravel, I’m so glad I didn’t let the gravel put me off. Yes, it was challenging, but the scenery was fabulous and I had a huge sense of satisfaction when I’d finished, so don’t let it out you off. Also, don’t worry unduly about day 3 … short in distance but lots of climbing. There are options, including being able to put the bike in the truck and walking up the steep bit, which meant I could do the whole day under my own steam.
Beautiful Scenery Tough Gravel Roads
The volcanos and the snow covered mountains are incredible. The guides were great and helpful in every way. But the “gravel” roads were tough, from river stones in Chile to washboard roads in Argentina. The pace on the gravel roads is very slow which meant that we spent lots of hours on arm and butt pounding roads.
Most Inspirational Moment
The views are unbelievable. From the first volcano to the last, I cannot describe. the beauty.
Thoughts on Group Leader
They were fantastic. Even when we gave up riding the gravel roads, they took great care of us.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just be ready for very rough gravel roads.
A memorable journey
This was our first adventure with Exodus, but we are not new to cycle touring having used several other tour companies in the past. This was also our first time in South America and it was memorable for many reasons – the stunning scenery, the excellent guides and the surprising amount of rough surfaces we had to ride on.
Most Inspirational Moment
Waking up in the mornings and looking out at exceptional views in so many locations. The scenery in this part of the world is part Alps, part Dolomites, part Rocky Mountains, part South Island New Zealand. Then add perfect volcanoes and you've got the Lake District of Chile and Argentina! Riding the valley between Peulla and the border pass was my most breathtaking memory, partly because we saw our first condor, and partly because it was such joy not to be in yesterday's pouring rain! Conguillio National Park is the icing on the cake - so stunning it's hard to describe, and so different from the rest of the experience. On day one, because of the rain, our guides arranged a tour of Teatro del Lago. This should be part of the tour, it was an outstanding experience.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was Alejandro and he was exceptional. His side-kicks Yal and Diego were too. The three made such a great team. We've never been disappointed with tour leaders, and these three were top-notch, and so much fun to be around.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes, plenty. There was so much good about this tour from the leaders to the scenery to the hotels to the food, but if you are a road cyclist then you might be in for a surprise. I know the trip notes say there's 26% of unpaved tracks but that doesn't even begin to describe how rough some of the cycling is. It's more like 30% anyway, and given the time it takes to navigate we reckon we may have spent 50% of our riding time on unpaved surfaces. You need to be prepared for this. There are only two days out of the nine riding days that are entirely spent on paved roads - and they are both heavenly rides, listed as day 7 and day 9 in the trip notes. There are also two days that are entirely unpaved from start to finish, that's day 4 and day 12. Strange there's no mention of this in the trip notes regarding individual days! These days were difficult, and yet they were also the must stunningly beautiful. The advice from our leader to lower your saddle when negotiating steep unpaved downhills with rocks and boulders was extremely helpful and made us feel safer. Quite a bit of walking was happening too. Everyone was in the same boat, but those with off-road experience obviously fared better. There's considerable elevation gain on this tour too. Funny that's not mentioned in the trip notes either. Cycling trip notes with daily distances but without daily elevation gains seems incomplete to us. We made enquiries and eventually got the daily elevations sent to us. Suggest you do the same. They are anywhere from 230 m to 984 m. It is hilly, every day!
Cycling in Argentina and Chile Lake District
Overall a good trip with generally good accommodation throughout. Exceptional level of support from the brothers Ti and Yal together with the driver Mathias. There is more ‘down’ time than on previous Exodus trips of all sorts which is something to note. The focus is very much on scenery rather than a different culture which you are likely to get in Asia, for example. Compared with some grade 4 trips that I have done recently, this tends to be on the lower end of the scale (in my view), but please be aware of the amount of cycling on gravel.
Most Inspirational Moment
The first few days cycling were pleasant enough but the first day that provided a satisfying ride was on the '7 Lakes route'. However, cycling into the final National Park, amongst the lava flows and alongside the stunning volcano was without doubt the best day. The final lodge was also in a lovely setting.
Thoughts on Group Leader
As mentioned above, Ti was one of the best leaders that I have had. I am usually at the back of the group and spending time with both Ti and his brother Yal was always interesting and enjoyable.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It is unusual to have one day off let alone two as is the case here, on an Exodus holiday. If you want to do one of the typical trips (water rafting, kayaking, hot springs etc) then you are OK. If you want to walk, then it is more challenging to get the right level / accuracy of information. This is a notable surprise for the Refugio Frey walk which is mentioned in the trip notes. If you do not use WhatsApp, then it is more difficult to get the information on the route, options for days off etc. You will need to spend more time with the leader to obtain this information.
Cycle Lake District of Chile & Argentina : Great trip through stunning scenery
Another terrific Exodus cycle trip comprising a mix of on & off road riding, flat & hilly sections in scenery that is simply beautiful. Enthusiastically led by Tai, ably assisted by his younger brother Yal, & side-kick Mattieu (the quiet one), our group of 16 bonded on the first evening, were buddies by lunch on the second day and firm friends thereafter. Excellent sea food and of course, steaks to be had and at bargain prices in Argentina due to the devaluation of their peso. Chile was more UK priced. Turquoise lakes & snow capped volcanoes were the centrepiece, topped off with the two day stay at the Eco lodge in the Conguillo National Park. We simply did not want to leave.
Most Inspirational Moment
As ever there were so many. Day 1: the view from the plane window as we flew alongside the Andes in the final run into Santiago. Day 2 : The sight of not one but three snow capped volcanoes from the lake shore by our first night's hotel set the tone for the superb scenery to come : a mix of Norwegian fjord, Scottish loch & English Lake with added volcano. Day 4: the first ferry ride and the discovery of an excellent hotel in the wilderness close to the frontier post - we were expecting a youth hostel given the remote location. Day 5: the off road climb to the frontier, and the supportive way in which all those at the top cheered on those further back as they arrived. Plus the rapid downhill that followed. Day 6 : The coastal ride round to Bariloche, passing Tai & Yal's house en route. Day 7 : the largest & tastiest steaks ever at Don Alberto's in Bariloche - not to be missed, plus lunch atop the view point at Cerro Campanario. Day 8: Racing along the downhill section of Route 40 (Argentina's Route 66) into San Martin. Day 10: the impromptu detour to spend the afternoon at the Termas (hot springs) en route to Pucon. Days 11 & 12 riding into and through the landscapes of the Conguillo National Park (volcano on my left, emerald lake on my right, monkey puzzle forest ahead of me - where do I look ?).
Thoughts on Group Leader
With perfect English, Tai & Yal (despite their youth - mid twenties) were experienced, enthusiastic and capable leaders. Tai, in particular, managed well the different personalities on the trip which comprised five couples, three pals and three singles aged from late thirties to early seventies. He made sure everyone was comfortable riding their way depending on fitness, terrain & general inclination. His restaurant & even individual dish recommendations were consistently excellent. He was confident in his role and thus able to flex the itinerary as circumstances (weather or indeed our whims) dictated. As a strong cyclist he readily earned the respect of those who tried to take him on. Fortunately, his skills as a qualified paramedic did not need to be tested.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The November weather was mixed - Take layers so as to be able to cater for hot, cold & in between - plus rain. On some days there was much adding and removing of kit, with Yal or Mati magically on hand at the right moment to deliver to or collect it from you. This is also true off the bike with cool winds from Patagonia belying bright sunshine at times. The road sections are straightforward with drivers polite, separate cycle tracks on larger roads and wide verges to ride on minor ones. Off road sections are not particularly technical (I'm no mountain biker) and, taken at whatever pace you feel comfortable, readily ridden on the new Specialized hard-tail mountain bikes supplied. Food-wise the emphasis is meat and fish with pasta/pizza available but vegetarian food is a bit limited. Good range of beer and wine to be had and we rekindled our love of Pisco Sour developed on last year's Peru trip.