Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I think the overnight stay on the houseboat is an experience never to be forgotten. The magic of the rivers , our own cook , having drinks sitting on the deck. A once in a lifetime moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

PLease see above. I cannot speak to highly of our guide leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went totally vegatarian while on our trip, my wife a doctor, advised it. It was sound advise we had no problems whatsoever.

Suggestions

If you have not booked on this trip do so now, its a treasure.

Most Inspirational Moment

Agi was the most inspriational part of the trip. He was amazing at sorting out problems and adding so much to the trip.The local people were on average incredibly friendly.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic!!!!!! Simple as that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect basic rooms, I would say european 2 star on average. I think on average  the group was disappointed with the accomodation, especially the river boats, they were very poor quality. Take insect spray, hand wash and baby wipes.

Suggestions

Agi should be given a permanent role of developing the tours and training new guides. He is wasted in his present role and should be promoted ASAP.

Most Inspirational Moment

Quite a few - it was lovely seeing the ladies picking tea in the mountains; watching the people praying and worshiping the various Hindu gods in the amazing temple in Madurai; watching life on the backwaters from the amazing and very relaxing houseboat; and the people in general - so friendly and unassuming

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ajay was a fantastic leader, you could tell he really cared that we were all having a good time.  He was very knowledgable and keen to answer any questions we had.  Any feedback was taken on board and he did his best to make right anything that people weren't happy with.  He was particularly good at organising the restaurant staff pretty much everywhere we went - this was sometimes beyond the call of duty!  Great leader, who contributed to our enjoyment of the trip. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I don't really understand the previous comment by an 'independent traveller' who criticised the fact that the Exodus trip has a leader who did a lot of the organising.  This trip was a great introduction to India - and choosing a company like Exodus, paying a bit more, comes with this service.  The great thing about being on a group trip is  meeting like-minded people and relaxing in the knowledge that someone else is dealing with the logistics of the organising (which was often a challenge, even for Ajay who could speak the language!).  It would be very difficult to fit so much in in a country like India in only 2 weeks, that was another reason I chose a company like Exodus. Take pounds sterling with you to exchange, and do not rely on a Mastercard, as most ATMs are Visa.   Also - ladies don't have to be so strict with the dress code (the trip notes are a bit misleading); apart from the religious sites, bare arms and legs were seen as acceptable.  I was a bit disappointed I had packed to cover up in >35 degree heat! 

Suggestions

The last hotel was described in the trip notes as 'Comfortable' (i.e. of the higher standard), but actually it was the worst hotel on the trip, and of a far lower standard to those described as 'Standard'.  This was particularly disappointing as this was the one place we stayed the longest - 3 nights - where we would want to relax in some comfort.  It felt a bit like Exodus was scrimping a bit as we were staying in this hotel for the longest (you'd think it would be the other way round!).  That was the most disappointing part of the trip.  I know our leader, Ajay, took our comments on board and was already looking at other hotels in Kovalam for future groups. 

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the temple at Madurai and the Hill station at Munnar.I wish the whole trip had not been quite as regimented, as an adult and a seasoned traveller the follow-my-leader approach without a chioce  did not really fulfill my expectations of an organisation as long standing as Exodus

Thoughts on Group Leader

I think that Ajay did what he had been trained to do - lead a group of people around various sights. However what I believe might have been missing from the training was - these are people who are having an experience they ahve paid handsomely for, who may appreciate a choice of places to eat, who may not wish to be led around following their leader's hand in the air, who may want to ask questions individually and may not find being told to wait to be told until the whole group is together altogether useful, who might appreciate some information about places to visit or eat on their free time, who might expect a certain level of enthusiasm from their leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ask a lot of questions about how the trip is organised.

Suggestions

I had great hopes for this trip, I had expected the sophisticated, grown up service from Exodus that I thought its time in the business would deliver but sadly did not.The hotels used were a real disappointment - large and impersonal and not reflective of the country.We were told by Ajay that the river boat we travelled in was owned by the person whose complex we would be staying in, and that this man owned 18 boats and several properties, I found it incredible that a responsible travelling organisation would not support smaller, and probably much better, businesses.Several conversations with others in the group seemed to indicate that I was not the only one experiencing misgivings about the trip and Exodus as an organisation.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me - pretty much everything! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was very kind, patient, knowledgable, funny and very pleasant to talk to. He was an extremely good tour guide.   

Advice for Potential Travellers

Embrace everything! Indian people have a very good sense of humour and love to engage in a conversation with foreigners, so make an effort! :) I went a bit mental, I can't sit still for 5 seconds, so I was getting up earlier than I needed to every morning to go into each the towns we stayed at just to experience more and more!!   

Suggestions

For me the trip to the beach at the end of the trip was slightly disappointing. Probably because I'm a very active person and after doing so many activities all week it didn't really do anything for me. It was very touristy, but then it is a leisurely trip so I can't really complain much!  I will be coming back to South India one day, I would love to revisit Munnar, Fort Cochin and Periyar and explore the rest of this part of the country - there is so much more to see!  

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment for me was in the temple of Madurai  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh the group leader was funny and caring and very knowledgeable about his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not forget your bug spray the mossy was not too bad but other small creatures where plentiful The tour guide is very good at showing you safe places to eat if you decide to go it alone for eating check how your food is prepared eg have they washed things in tap or bottled water.   If you dont like hot food ask for less chilli not less spices as you will loose a lot of the flavour.Long trousers are great for visiting temples but also to protect against leeches :) you will be provided with leech socks put them on for the jungle bit harmless little critters but quite annoying. Your feet will get wet in the jungle but trainers dry fairly quickly in the heat.    Dont change too much money at the air port as its hard to change it back at a decent rate and when changing money ask for 100 rupee notes or less as most places will struggle to give you change apart from the large hotels where you could use 500 notes to pay for your dinner.Sun block up even if its cloudy its gets you when your not expecting Long loose skirts are easier for using the crouching toilets rather than trousers :) but its all good fun you will have buns of steel by the end of the trip If you put on a bikini expect everyone to photograph you the locals go in the sea fully clothed so heaps of flesh on display is not a great idea if you don't want the attention.Haggle haggle and Haggle some more or if your a soft touch like me just give them what they are asking for but seriously you can usually knock 20 % off whatever they start at usually more I worked on the basis of how much effort was needed to make whatever I was buying.Pack light I went out with 9KG and came back with 20 KG I love shopping.I wash by hand but if you like to get things laundered the tour rep will advice the best places.  The massages are very good but are a full front and back if your shy I would give this a miss wait until you get to the last hotel the massages reviewed much better here tha earlier in the trip.  Go with an open mind and have fun

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment of the trip was Madurai Temple. Seeing people together in the temple, praying and lighting candles was a lovely sight to see.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was a very good group leader. He had a lot of knowledge of the areas we visited as well as the recent history of India in general.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you don't take too much money with you. It is hard to try and get it converted back to English pounds on the last days without getting really bad exchange rates.

Suggestions

Thoroughly enjoyed the trip overall. Thank you Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

The moments that stood out most were the little extras that the leader threw into the trip, like the Rescue Tuk Tuks that saved us from the rain in the plantations and our last night at the Onam celebrations in Trivandrum - We even made it into their local newspaper with our yellow balloons! The meal at family home was also fantastic. I loved so much of the trip. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was brilliant. So knowledgable and has a wicked sense of humour. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take loads of cheap pens to hand out to the children. You will have never heard the phrase "One pen?" so many times in your life before. Get an easy to apply mosquito cream instead of the greasy sprays as you want to make sure that you apply it diligently daily otherwise you will be eaten. Not a malaria risk, just annoying bites. Boots Repel Citrapel 75 cream worked brilliantly for me. 

Suggestions

It's an amazing trip. Do it!

Most Inspirational Moment

The temple visit to Madurai is a real highlight, and we were lucky to see part of the Painguri festival (not for the squeamish!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader, Suresh Moni was excellent. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and attentive to the diffferent needs of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hill walk at Munnar is not difficult, but with the heat was not attempted by all the group - some were fitter than others!

Suggestions

We had originally booked the South India Explored (AIS) trip where we expected to explore rather more including Mysore and Kanchipuram. Unfortunately this trip was cancelled, so we opted for The Tropical South trip as second choice. Obviuosly we did not see as much, but it did exceed my expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many: the two idyllic days on the houseboat; the moving Madurai temple and pilgrims; the exhilarating trek in the Munnar hills; our lovely meal with an Indian family; the tea plantations; the two peaceful days in the Coir village; exciting wildlife walk in Periyar; the elephant santuary; the (optional) train trip to Vekala beach; moving Gandhi museum; surfing and strolling at Kovalam; Trivandrum; bustling and atmospheric markets and villages- and so much more!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was outstanding: highly knowedgeable, friendly, witty, very caring, attentive to the needs of all, and extremely hard-working. Easily one of the best leaders I have experienced.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Lassi is a nice drink, and cools hot curries. Chai tea grew on me- refreshing. Munnar is cold at night!Some markets and towns are dusty: I found tissues, eye lotion and throat sweets helpful. Antiseptic handwash and wipes are important.  

Suggestions

Much easier and more relaxing than the north.