Most Inspirational Moment
I loved the complexity of the water systems, seen from ancient times to present, throughout the country. The itinerary was fantastic. I was out of shape, exhausted from work and 24 hours of flying, and the warm-up day, the mixing up of riding and walking was perfect. The evening walk at Ella provided a stunning view.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Suresh is a true professional; both as guide and as a Buddhist giving his all to whomever he can. He watches carefully, and anticipates his clients' needs. You only need to ask Suresh once, and he will remember and take care of your request. He is warm and playful; knowledgeable and adaptable. He pulls out the nuances of his culture providing greater depth than other providers. He provided us with local food tasting opportunities and off the beaten path temple visits. And when I knew I wouldn't be able to complete the big hill day and was thinking of taking the train, he encouraged me to give the ride a try. And after 4 1/2 hours of climbing in the cold rain I decided I'd had enough; he smoothly took care of my transition to the support bus for the rest of the way ( and 5 others joined me at the next stop.).
Advice for Potential Travellers
As others have mentioned, prepare for rain. I had brought a cheap poncho for afternoon thunderstorms, but wore it all day throughout the first week. Bad for drag, but good for ventilation. The good thing about the rain is that other than the higher elevation days, it kept the temps cooler without being cold. That being said, pack a fleece and hat for the bus in case you bail on the climb day. Cycling sandals are also a good choice so that your feet can breathe.