Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

No one moment, but the daily experience of travel across a fascinating region, while practicalities were sorted for us, was very good. Just looking takes you a long way in India. The choice of little places such as museums, cattle market, and eco spice woodland, even ordinary tea shops, was good, and there was never pressure to buy, except - inevitably - in a carpet shop in Madurai.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Santush Kumar is a great leader and a born fixer, concerned that we should know Kerala and have fun. Choice of restaurants was good too. Santo James was also a good communicator and his personal account of the Keralan floods in 2018 was remarkable. Other local guides were OK too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Have a torch or headlight to use in towns at night and not just when you are camping. Take Exodus' advice about getting fit before the trip. A flask of whiskey is good to have when camping for those out-of-energy moments. Be prepared for a lot of early starts: the daily pace is quite intense when you're touring, however, slow drives in the coach are relaxing.

Suggestions

Thanks to all at Exodus. My holiday would have been ruined without the support of an experienced team.

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking through the hills around Munnar

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks are a little bit harder than you think they are going to be.

Suggestions

Great trip, would highly recommend.

Most Inspirational Moment

There is no one moment that stands out for me. The day-to-day interaction with south Indian culture - whether through food, commerce, walking in the heavily congested cities, stopping at village tea-houses, meeting people and guides, spotting wildlife, and just looking through the bus windows at people working and living were all inspirational. All life is here! I have to say that I didn't really enjoy the camping. I am not a "camping" person and for me it was to be tolerated rather than enjoyed. However, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the trip overall. And it is true that the food on trek is wonderful (including a cooked lunch for 12 that the guide carries up the mountain!!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Santhosh is the best tour leader I have met on any organized tour. This kind of trip involves a huge amount of logistics and management - in India things do not always run to plan and the tour leader has to have a very high level of local knowledge and a plan B (and plan C) up his/her sleeve. Santhosh was just oustanding: hugely informative, generous, and good-humoured, so much so that you don't realize just how much work he is doing behind the scenes to make sure the trip runs smoothly. We all felt very well taken care of on this trip, thanks to him and all the local guides and camping/cooking crew that we met.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take everything that is recommended in the trip notes. Also take tissues, wet wipes, and the recommended dog-poo bags (you'll need them). The weather is cool for a surprising amount of this trip, and can be cold on trek, so bring several pairs of long trousers and warm layers. Flip-flops are useful for bathrooms, which are often wet. A deck of cards or a board game would be a good idea; there is not much to do in the evenings after dinner. Mostly, bring your curiosity and you will not be disappointed.

Most Inspirational Moment

When we were asking about a suitable place in the shade for lunch, we were promptly invited into a local's house (a complete stranger), to eat there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good indeed. He did particularly well in sorting out our bus, which had broken down late at night in the middle of nowhere.....

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be too concerned if the plan has to change.....it will most likely lead to even better alternatives!

Suggestions

We were also fortunate in being part of a very relaxed and laid back group of people!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention but amongst them has to be seeing elephants in the wild up close and personal, the magical temple in Madurai at sunset, the relaxing houseboat in Allepey, watching fruitbats flying overhead in their hundreds, pulling up a fishing net in Cochin...Oh, I could go on and on..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was amazing and went above and beyond the call of duty. He even went out and bought one of our group a cake when it was her birthday. He was a mine of information and always wore a smile no matter what was thrown at him. Our coach broke down one night in the back of beyond and Sam handled the whole situation very swiftly and with great professionalism. He is a charming man and a credit to your company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trekking is quite hard in places so make sure you are fit enough. Take extra sd cards because there is a photograph around every corner!! Just go...and enjoy the beauty of southern India and all of her wonders.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trekking, some harder than anticipated, particularly in the heat and the altitude, so feel a sense of achievement. Happy faces. Humbled by the stay at the school, and seeing what the pupils have compared to pupils in schools here. Hindu temples Colour Wildlife at first hand

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent tour leader, certainly did a tremendous job, when the coach broke down between Munnar and Mundhan, finding alternative dining, and another coach/minibus to continue our journey. Came away with much more insight into Indian/Keralan life, ways, etc Supportive when we struggled with some of the trekking, and had a humorous side. Went out of his way to source a birthday cake for one of our travelling companions, and fireworks for us to celebrate Diwahli.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Leech socks, may not look good, but a necessity. A number of our group were affected by leeches, including myself. They're smaller than I expected. However it wasn't a painful experience, just expect some bleeding. Be prepared for early starts, particularly if you want to get the most out of this trip.

Suggestions

A wonderful experience, with a group of strangers at the start of the trip, and who become friends within a matter of days. I went with no expectations and have come back wishing to go again.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many it's difficult to be specific - all the walks, Madurai temple, Periyar Reserve, the Houseboat... ............. The top two are getting to the top of Meesapulimalai and the many interesting and informative stops on our coach journeys.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam Benjamin was brilliant -a great guy always prepared to go the extra mile. He got on well with all the group and with a lovely sense of humour. He is very well informed and his talks on the bus journeys and the interesting stops were highlights for me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's a great introduction to Southern India. - recommend with no reservations at all. The walks in the Western Ghats are quite demanding so you need to be reasonably fit and up to walking on rough and steep terrain.

Suggestions

A truly memorable trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

When I had to use the hole to do my toilet in! 😂😂😂

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam Benjamin was the most inspiring and thoughtful and decent young man ever, he made the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep your expectations low! 😂😂😂😂

Suggestions

If you never visit India then you have never lived!

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the achievement of reaching the summit of Meesapulimala, though seeing Indian Gaur and elephants in Periyar Park was very impressive too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sanhtosh was great, managing things brilliantly and telling us an amazing amount about India, it's people and society. I can't praise him highly enough.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and other instructional material and follow the advice. We nearly missed our connecting flight in Mumbai due to the slow process for e-visas at immigration there. If travelling on an e-visa, get the immigration form at Heathrow or on the flight & complete it before arrival in Mumbai. Go straight to the e-visa queue and be prepared for delays.

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking to the peak.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Santosh was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly. Lots of small interesting stops and diversions along the way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

At our time of year you really needed at least two pairs of long trousers (leech area trekking and temple visit). The reason the trip notes mention thin socks is that you will likely be wearing the free issue leech socks on top. You will likely get a beer or two every day (if you need one) but a plastic bottle or two of duty free sprirts is not a bad idea.

Suggestions

This is a great way to see two scenic states in Southern India where much is changing as their economies grow. The walking is not hard but you do get into the wild, as well as seeing local country life close up.