VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations vs Exodus Travels - Tour Companies Compared
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Tour Company |
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| Rating Breakdown |
Overall — 5
Value — 4.9
Guide — 4.9
Activities — 4.9
Lodging — 4.9
Transportation — 4.9
Meals — 4.9
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Overall — 5
Value — 4.7
Guide — 4.7
Activities — 4.7
Lodging — 4.7
Transportation — 4.7
Meals — 4.7
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| Recent Reviews |
Wonderful0.0 August 2019D
Don Recommends
We , Leslie Gault and Don Lucas went on the Galway & Connemara Coast ride.
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I would like to give our review for the trip, We have to say Steve and Brian were the best guides we have had out of the three VBT trips we have taken. The went above and beyond the call of duty, total pros. They both have great knowledge, ability, and the best of the Irish personality. We also loved Shane's wit and knowledge on the Burren. The rains did come at times but for the most part they are not that bad, the roads do not puddle much, so riding is still a lot of fun. The guides marked the turns with flour on the streets, wonderful, previously not done, and works even with rain, the greatest thing for carefree riding. Bikes as always great. The hotels are wonderful as always, lots great staff and perfect feel and style.We would like to thank Brian and Steven again for their hard work and caring personality. Leslie Gault and Don Lucas Tour VBT Walking and Bicycling Vacations Company ReviewsAwesome, memorable vacation0.0 July 2019B
Bikeal Recommends
Cruising on the barge gives a great overview of the breathtaking scenery. Then diving into the countryside gets you up close to the people, sight, sounds, and smells – a sensory experience, not just a glimpse from a bus or car.
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Tour VBT Walking and Bicycling Vacations Company ReviewsReasonable challenges but very worthwhile0.0 July 2019S
Saint Recommends
This was our 6th VBT trip and again it met our high expectations. The entire group of riders were great to be with all week. While some of the hills were challenging, they were doable, and the van was there (as were e-bikes) if you needed some assistance. Towns were charming, the scenery was beautiful and both guides were outstanding! Our hotels and food/drink were excellent and I learned much during our week. As usual with VBT, there were many added experiences and side trips which just added to the fun. And, the bikes were extremely well suited to this trip. Well done VBT.
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Tour VBT Walking and Bicycling Vacations Company Reviews |
A magical trip! One of my best ever!0.0 March 2019KS
Kim S. Recommends
This trip far exceeded my expectations on every level. The underwater wildlife encounters were superior to any other snorkeling I've done. There's an abundance of things to see and coupled with the chance to scuba dive and excellent water conditions - it's a top notch destination. The boat was very comfortable, the crew was excellent and took care of every need, and the food was awesome. Ranks as one of my all-time favorites!
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The most stunning trip of my life0.0 October 2018A
Anonymous Recommends
Its been a long held dream of mine to go to the Antarctic and the trip I
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booked via Exodus far exceeded my expectations. Amazing scenery, captivating and exciting wildlife, a plethora of facts, figures and general education from the on board experts and I can claim a world first to boot from my holiday to the Antarctic and below the polar circle. The landscapes and wildlife. The scenery is breathtaking, from the continent itself to the many islands and icebergs floating away from the land mass and glaciers. I have never seen anywhere quite so remote and in many ways barren, yet at the same time rich in life and activity. And you will never get over the amazing shapes of the ice along with the vivid blues you see in the glaciers and icebergs. Quite sensational. The penguins are of course the stars, but the frequency of whale sightings and fluking along with seals and many type of birds including the mighty albatross just make the experience even more rewarding. The tour leader is in effect an Expedition Leader fronting a large team of professional from a range of countries. Ours was wonderful. An enormous personality and with the best sense of humour coupled with safety and huge amounts of professional integrity. The people in the expedition team were sensational. They come from a mix of backgrounds, however all have skills in subjects ranging from glaciology to water sports instructor, polar researcher to the armed forces, historian to nature and much more. Not only do you get the chance to attend lectures and learn from them on a really diverse range of topics, but they also accompany the trips off the ship and interact with you during meals and drinks as well as on time when you are cruising. They have both professionally and also personally empowering stories to tell and they really enhanced my trip in a way I did not think possible. If you want to do any of the activities then book them up as soon as you make your reservation. Spaces are limited and I was unable to camp on the ice or take part in kayaking. Don't worry about being cold. Its not actually as cold as you imagine and the ship is fantastically warm and homely. The jacket and boots they supply you with are excellent. Concentrate on buying good quality thermals in layers along wit6h waterproof trousers and gloves and a warm fleece or wool hat. Edit your photos as you go along and always be ready to shoot stuff. The onboard team will help you with this as they have photographers ready to help with your trip. I was in the first group of paddleboarders believed to have ever paddleboarded south of the Antractic Circle. Not only had I never done it before, but we got to claim a world first. Finally don't delay going any longer. It may not be a cheap trip, however it is so amazing and experience that you will not regret the time and expense in going. Tour Exodus Company ReviewsAntarctic Circle Quest0.0 October 2018A
Anonymous Recommends
An awe-inspiring experience which exceeded all our expectations. The scenery
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is truly stunning, as were the encounters with wildlife. Life aboard the Academik Ioffe was very comfortable, the food was good and experts were on hand to help us with all aspects of the trip. After the first spectacular day of expeditions, we wondered how the rest of the trip could even begin to match the early promise, but each day brought new experiences and excitements. It is difficult to pick out a single experience. Cruising in zodiacs amongst icebergs and below glacial cliffs, watching penguins porpoising in the sea or making their way up and down snow slopes or across rocky terrain to the rookeries, observing penguin behaviour in those rookeries, experiencing humpback whales surfacing next to our zodiacs, whale/bird/seal/penguin/dolphin-spotting from the deck of the ship, descending directly onto fast ice from the ship after an impressive parallel parking manoeuvre, watching the sun setting (just) across the ice-filled bays...... David McGonigal was an excellent leader. He was very experienced, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and affable, and amended the programme to make sure that we got the very best experience each day depending on the ice and weather conditions. In addition there were several other experts on board, all of whom shared their knowledge of the environment, fauna and history generously and enthusiastically. We had good weather most of the time, with temperatures around freezing, but it can get very cold on the outer decks of the ship, especially if you can't drag yourself away from viewing the wildlife and spectacular scenery, and when sitting still on the zodiac excursions for two or three hours at a time. We took heat pads for hands and feet, but didn't need to use them. Sunglasses/goggles and sunscreen are essential. We were provided with good quality binoculars and outer weatherproof garments and boots. Closed toe shoes must be worn in all public areas of the boat; a pair of clogs or similar would have been useful. It was an expensive trip, but was a fantastic experience, Tour Exodus Company Reviews |
| Tours | 7 Trips | 549 Trips |
| Average Trip Price Per Day | $ 350 | $ 328 |
| Operator Type | Group Tour Operator | Group Tour Operator |
| Size | Global Operator | Global Operator |
| Trip Styles |
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| Service Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Known For |
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| Headquarters | Bristol, Vermont, USA | London, United Kingdom; United States |
| Year Established | 1971 | 1974 |
| Solo Friendly | N/A | N/A |
| Tour Languages | N/A | English |
| Top Trips | ||
| Similar Companies | ||
| Countries |
VBT Bicycling and Walking offers cycling and walking vacations around the world. The company was established over 40 years ago, so has lots of experience serving active travelers. It is based in Vermont, USA. It also promises lower prices than other cycling tour companies without sacrificing quality. Most everything is included in the price, except for a few meals -- and that includes use of a customized bike on cycling tours or walking poles on walking tours, and special packages including international airfare.
What Makes Them Stand Out?
VBT is all about value. They offer many standard inclusions that some other tour operators do not, such as meals, airport transfers, and a special 5% ‘credit’ to use on a future VBT tour. They are also cycling and walking specialists, with tons of experience leading groups all over the world.
Who Travels With Them?
VBT attracts active travelers of all ages, but tend to focus on the adult 50+ market. As they are located in the US, groups are frequently comprised of American travelers. Focusing on value means you will likely travel with a group of like-minded companions who are more concerned with seeing the sights and breaking a bit of a sweat, than dining at the fanciest restaurants.
Where Do They Operate?
VBT sells tours that explore six continents. Some of their most well-known and sought after destinations include Italy, New Zealand, and France. More exotic cycling and walking tours can be found in Peru and Vietnam.
Why Travel with Them?
Both cyclists and walkers travel at their own pace during the day, but local trip leaders and support vans are always available, and some guided sightseeing is included. Trips are rated easy to moderate -- nothing too strenuous -- and walking or biking is usually limited to two to six hours a day. Routes and custom maps are all planned out. Another great feature on some trips is the use of e-bikes - bikes with an electronic assist to help you power up any hills you might encounter on the route. Overall, VBT has been doing these types of tours for more than 40 years, and they seem to have it down to a science.
With over 47 years of experience with small group adventure travel, Exodus specializes in active cultural, walking & trekking, cycling and responsible wildlife tours. They offer more than 600 itineraries across more than 100 countries.
Adventure can take the form of serious and active adventures -- which may involve adrenaline-producing, off-the-beaten-path roughing-it trips to the most remote areas of the world -- or food and wine, premium (five-star), family, or cultural adventures to iconic destinations, which involve more comforts and amenities.
What Makes Exodus Stand Out?
- Booking flexibility
- Award Winning
- Tailor made adventures
- Responsible tourism
- Expert guides with extensive past experience
Exodus understands that new difficulty that comes with traveling during the coronavirus. They are dedicated to offering flexible services so travelers can book with confidence. Travelers can feel safe when planning their next trip with Exodus’s promised refund guarantee, Covid-19 refund commitment and 21-day no fee flexibility.
The refund guarantee means that travelers will be refunded if they have to cancel for any reason. This also includes cancellations due to the coronavirus. Travelers can also transfer their trip for free up to 21 days before departure.
Creating great and adventurous trips is the top priority for Exodus. They offer many pre-planned tours, but they also work with travelers to add or change existing itineraries or even create one from scratch. This allows travelers to create the perfect trip that fits their travel style, schedule and budget.
Exodus is also dedicated to responsible travel in all of their tours. They strive to improve life for the planet, places and people they visit. Instead of meeting the base guidelines for eco-friendly travel, Exodus seeks more ways to leave a positive impact with their trips. This includes economic empowerment for local communities, reducing waste wherever possible and making lower carbon choices for their adventures.
Each trip is led by a knowledgeable guide who has extensive past experience which adds benefits to any trip. Before working with Exodus, many guides were professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists as well as mountain bike gurus.
Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Exodus?
- All ages
- Active travelers
- Outdoor and nature enthusiasts
Exodus travelers are a diverse bunch, and average between 35-65 years of age. However, any age traveler is welcome. Exodus creates great packages and tours for families as well as fully customized trips created from scratch.
The Exodus traveler is very active, loves being adventurous, and will be less invested in luxury accommodations or a lot of museum time. You are game for anything, love the travel experience of getting to know a new destination through outdoor adventure, and learning about the culture from local guides and experts.
These trips are great for those who already have a base level of physical fitness, and enjoy meeting new physical challenges. Exodus provides physical fitness guides to show how much training you should expect to do prior to departure.
Top Destinations
Exodus leads 600 + trips spanning all seven continents. From African safaris, to walking and wine in Italy and France to the sun-drenched Croatian coast, to trekking Patagonia, wildlife cruises in the Galapagos and cycling in Vietnam, Exodus has built out their global presence and has active adventures in nearly any destination a traveler could desire.
Exodus Travel Style
Exodus tours are designed for the active and adventurous traveler. This means that most tours include activities such as walking, cycling and safaris. However, for travelers who enjoy cultural and culinary, there are tours and activities for you as well. Exodus offers cultural trips based around food, festivals or family to name a few.
These active adventures vary by way of difficulty from level 1-10, attracting casual cyclists and hikers as well as enthusiasts looking to really push their physical limits.
Travelers can choose from guided groups, private groups, self guided tours or solo traveling. Within each travel style, Exodus offers all the same activities from cycling to wildlife and provides the top itineraries for that specific style to help travelers find what’s best for them.
Most accommodations are charming and locally run with 2-3 star ratings. There are some premium departures available as well as unique accommodation experiences whenever possible. Exodus travelers don’t mind the lower level of luxury as the experience and destination is the highest priority.
Why Choose a Tour With Exodus?
If you love experiencing a new destination whether that’s through the culture, unique wildlife or beautiful outdoors through active and adventurous activities, then Exodus is perfect for you. You love that sense of discovery, of challenging yourself and want to travel responsibly.
Exodus offers great tours already fully packaged, but for the traveler that likes more control over their perfect trip, they offer customizable trips. Travelers get to choose not only the destination but each activity they will partake in to perfectly match their travel style and budget.
