Spice Trails of Kerala

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking to the top of Mt Meesapulimala Madurai - to experience the buzz and frenetic pace of a big Indian city, as well as the temple of course! The kindness and hard work of all the staff involved. They all went above and beyond what was required in so many ways to make this trip truly enjoyable and memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

San was the best group leader ever! He made sure everything went smoothly, sorted out any problems and entertained us with his knowledge of Kerala and India in general, along with personal anecdotes around campfire !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take everything on the trip note list, but also a 3 pin round plug adaptor for India, and some eco baby wipes plus small soap bars for camping. Make sure you sanitise your hands after you've touched anything and everything (money,seats, toilet handles/doors etc) - that way you'll minimise the risk of getting tummy problems! The water on the coach is filtered, and at camp is always boiled, so fine to drink, but otherwise use a water filter, even for hotel water. I bought a Grayl Geopress which I used all the time and never got sick. If you are unhappy about anything, don't keep it to yourself-just talk to San and he will do his utmost to fix the problem. The hotel accommodation ranges from really good to a bit basic- we only asked to change rooms once. The toilets for 2 of the night camps were holes in the ground within a tall square tent and soil to shovel over the contents-great to get back to nature! If you want to change money once you arrive at the airport, you'll need to take cash. For £200, the commision was around 2% .Otherwise,San will take you/direct you to the nearest working ATM. As we hadn't booked the group flight, we also used the pre paid taxi service which worked well- even at 4 am- and cards are accepted for this service.

Suggestions

There's an Air India direct flight to Kochi from London which leaves on a Saturday and arrives in Kochi on the Sunday. It takes 9.5 hours out and 10.5 back. We decided to choose this flight rather than the indirect group flight. Air India was fine- little choice from the drinks trolley ( just beer or whiskey) , food ok, but flight on time both ways. If you book economy, they also allow you to 'bid' on business class seats/flat beds if they are available ! The minimum bid was £400 per person per flight.

Most Inspirational Moment

There’s too many to limit it to one. Climbing Mount Meesapulimala, House boat in the backwaters of Alleppey Madurai, Cooking class, Beach

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was excellent. He had so much knowledge it was unbelievable. I felt very looked-after. Santosh Kumar arranged extra cultural visits to break up the journeys. And pointed out interesting features which we would have missed otherwise. He clearly had a lot of experience and prevented problems by anticipating and advising ahead. He had the right balance of authority needed to make it run like clockwork but perfect sense of fun to make it enjoyable. Nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the itinerary, kit list and trip notes. Take a flannel- it really helps with the camping 🏕️ and washing. It’s a bit chilly in the tents overnight so make sure you have a thick enough sleeping bag. I felt cold in a two seasons one. Embrace it all, accept the differences!

Suggestions

Thank you Exodus. This trip is perfect for couples and especially for singles and/or people who want an adventurous trip but don’t have the time or local knowledge to plan it.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trekking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

San was exceptional, exodus are very lucky to have him. His English was very good as was his local knowledge He ensured everybody was happy as our group had a very wide age range 35 to 76. He never stopped, in all the hotels he was there in breakfast ensuring we got what we wanted and ensuring the waiters delivered. He even ensured we had porridge!

Advice for Potential Travellers

No need to get money out at kochi airport as commission rates are high. There is a prepaid taxi service in the airport which is open 24 hours and takes credit card. It will cost about 1,200 rupees to get to the Grand Hotel. There are plenty to AT!’s near the hotel. I used SBI and HSBC both of which didn’t charge me any ATM fees. I have a barclaycard rewards card which is worth having as they don’t charge for ATM withdrawals or ex fees on transactions. Ladies - carry loo roll and bags to put used loo roll in as there isn’t always a bin and yiu shouldn’t put it down some of the more remote toilets

Most Inspirational Moment

This is a tricky one, too many moments... the trekking was beautiful and exhilarating at every turn, especially as this was the first trip since the virus outbreak so some trails required a man and a machete - I felt very intrepid. Madurai and it's incredible temple complex was stunning, jostling and serene all at once, the slow churn along the Backwaters a golden treat and the people - so calm, cheerful and welcoming even in the tightest of motoring spots. Ooh and the wild elephants and mongooses, all a bit special really.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were blessed with San (Santosh Kumar) a top leader and top fixer of a man. We never had to ask for anything, he was always 3 steps ahead correctly anticipating and organising everything to make the trip interesting and memorable. He lead us with intelligence, integrity, generosity and good humour, loving to impart his vast knowledge of India and Keralan culture in particular. Plus his use of the English language would put most of us to shame. I must also mention his selection and support of the local guides who were all terrific (carrying and serving our delicious lunches up and down hills each day) and our splendid camping crew and patient, giggly driver Bijou - all a delight

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just to read and re-read all the Exodus blurb and take everything suggested, they know what they're on about. Also why not try to go without paper sometimes, the water method is pretty efficient once you get the hang of it.

Suggestions

An exciting and memorable trip, I can't recommend it enough.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is difficult to pick out one thing but seeing the Western Ghats for the first time and the houseboat were up there. Also all our party really enjoyed the visit to the spice plantation and preparing a meal, Kerala style. And seeing some endemic birds species plus tahr, gaur, giant squirrel and elephant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

First rate. The 10 of us and Santo James clicked right away. He ensured everything ran smoothly and was likeable, good fun and everything needed from a trip leader. He organised all the activities perfectly and anticipated all our needs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trek is the central part of the tour and don't underestimate it. If you are a regular walker at the distances covered it will be fine but otherwise do some preparation. November is the end of the rainy season so don't be surprised if you get the odd shower. Take wet overtrousers with you not just in case it rains but for walking through the Shola grasslands if it has been wet eg on walking down from the peak. One or two walking poles should be used even though we don't always use them ourselves when walking at home. Also leech socks were needed on our walk after it had rained overnight but these are provided and don't be put off by coming across these creatures!

Suggestions

We were lucky in that the rest of our party were a delight to be with and everyone was very positive and enjoyed all the activities. The trip met all our expectations.

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.