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Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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119 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviews

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Cycling on varied terrain across some quite different parts of India, from cool hills and eucalyptus forests, to tea plantations, bamboo and coconut palms as well as National Parks. Accommodation excellent (on the premium trip) and the staff incredibly helpful and caring. Sometimes the traffic was a little much, but I just got in the bus!

Most Inspirational Moment

The long downhill from Ooty was the most varied of days with amazing scenery. I also enjoyed the quality of the food, I don't think we ate the same dishes twice. We saw a wild elephant in the National Park and had time to relax as well as cycle. People were really friendly and kind.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vishnu was great, really informative and made sure we knew what was happening each day. He was also a good first aider, and when I came off my bike on the last afternoon, he patched me up (it wasn't serious!) Our driver Ashok was so caring, and he prayed in the bus every day for our safety, which I appreciated a lot. Sheebu the mechanic looked after the bikes and made it a trouble free trip - he even sourced me a peaked hat for the downpour that threatened to wash my contact lenses from my eyes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There's quite a lot of traffic on some segments, so be prepared for that. India has changed a lot and continues to morph, so what used to be backwater is now densely populated.

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Despite being badged as a moderate/challenging trip, avid cyclists be prepared to rest on your handlebars and enjoy the scenery and the novel traffic conditions. Local changes and conditions mean that this a trip for adventurous leisure cyclists. This is a trip of contrasts; an emotional rollercoaster of experiences. A memorable trip with unforgettable people, places, sights and smells; but not something that I can easily sum up in a snappy summary.

Most Inspirational Moment

Joseph, who was the group leader, took us to a Syrian Catholic church. There is no real reason why this unassuming building should have had such an impact, but Joseph found himself quizzed by a hundred questions, which he answered for us. These question-answer sessions were typical of our access into what was for many of us an unfamiliar world. Our travels by bike in India certainly opened up the question of its rich faith history, which as a group we were mostly ignorant about. Temples, churches, mosques, shrines, festivals, ceremonial food, clothes and even bodily markings constituted many of the reference points on our journey; but we barely scratched the surface.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cycling with Joseph was like meditation. The traffic conditions in Kerala are novel, and are a complete contrast to the segregated cycling lanes of Europe. Sticking close to Joseph made it possible to understand how to move through traffic in a new way, at a constant and calm pace. The way that Joseph cycles is much like his skill as a leader. We trusted him and he provided help, and support and answered endless questions. An exceptional and skilled leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This seems to be a longstanding exodus trip and local cycling conditions change all the time; check to see what recent changes have been made. Trip notes will suggest what you are doing in terms of basic distance; but it is harder to anticipate your preference for long rest times, and mostly flat, unsurfaced roads.

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

This was my first group cycling holiday and I really enjoyed the experience of cycling with others and having very experienced guides with us at all times.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip was very varied with lots of cycling but mixed with cultural experiences and plenty of delicious food. A fantastic way to see Indian life and soak in all the sensory explosions of colour, taste, noise and aromas.Getting to the top of Ooty hill up 36 hairpin bends was an inspirational moment even if it did take over 4 hours while others took 2 hours but kindly waited for us with tea and cake at the top! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was very calm and efficient and we had excellent support from both him and his co leader and our lovely support driver who was always there with a seat in the bus, water and snacks to keep you going.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would advise anyone with a fairly good level of fitness to join this trip, and go with the flow and start ringing your bell as soon as you hit any town traffic, keep your eyes open and enjoy the amazing scenery which I can only describe as vibrant.

CYCLING THROUGH KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Brilliant, absolutely love love LOVED it!  First time I’ve ever done an Exodus holiday, a group holiday or a cycling holiday and I can’t wait to do all three again!

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the ascent up Ooty- was amazed just to finish, the cake at the top was a pleasant bonus! :)The fantastic descent back down Ooty!  Occasionally it pays to carry a bit of extra weight- free-wheeling on a bike is one of them!I found cycling is a fantastic way to see a country; you experience so much more of the local culture and in a very natural, laid-back way rather than something that is "put on" just for the tourists.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent.  I think Vishnu's love for his local area really helped inspire an enthusiasm for learning about and experiencing a new culture that I've never truly had as a tourist before.  In terms of the cycling, I always felt well looked-after (despite the sometimes crazy traffic, road surfaces and wildlife you share the road with) and very safe.  Thanks to Vish and his team!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Surprisingly few issues with the food (or the ill-effects thereof if you know what I mean!!) and as a vegetarian (Pescetarian by the coast, admittedly!) I felt extremely well-catered for.My own gel saddle turned out to be an essential rather than a luxury. 100 denier tights are an excellent anti-mosquito method, recommended to men and women alike!

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

India is an eye-opening place and I am very pleased I’ve been. The people are fantastically friendly I can’t count the number of photographs I’m in with my new Indian ‘friends’.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think it would pretty hard to top the climb to Ooty. No number of warnings about how hard it is or how steep it is in places prepares you for just how hard and steep it is.I  commute everyday by bike in London and now that I have experienced Indian traffic particularly in Mysore I feel I can cycle anywhere with confidence!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joseph was great. He was very helpful and well organised. He managed to get us all onto to a train to Varkala when we could no longer cycle because of the country-wide general strike. He was pretty good at pointing out things of interest - especially trees and fruit, etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have reasonable fitness then this holiday should be fine. There's no need to be like Bradley Wiggins. I took out Sterling and changed currency in the towns which is fairly easy to do - avoid changing at the airport as the rates aren't so good - because while there are plenty of ATMs not all of them work (I thought it was a bank issue despite me telling them I was going to be away but it appears it was an ATM issue). I did find an ATM that worked and that was fine. Including tips, etc, I struggled to spend £250 over the two weeks.Despite using DEET throughout the holiday I did get bitten quite a lot - actually while we were on holiday there was an article published on the BBC news website saying that mosquitoes are becoming tolerant to DEET. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21519998. 

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Stunning scenery, delicious and plentiful food, great company, amazingly cheap shopping, friendly local people and exhilarating cycling – what’s not to like?

Most Inspirational Moment

The downhill bike ride after the ardours of cycling up to Ooty was breathtaking in all senses. The scenery took my breath away - majestic Eucalyptus trees for miles around looked like an impressionist painting - and swerving around huge potholes and maniac lorry drivers on the downhill ride was a big adrenalin rush, much like skiing a slalom course at speed! And you cycle through all temperatures, from the chill of Ooty at the start to the tropical steamy heat of Kerala as we crossed the border from Tamil Nadu. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joseph was excellent; he was extremely well organised, friendly and capable, and dealt really well with the impact of a 2-day national strike on our holiday, having to reorganise our plans at very short notice. He was the rear rider for the uphill ride to Ooty, and I was at the back of the group with 3 other women, struggling with the effort, but he helped keep our spirits up and got us to our final destination on 2 wheels despite our protestations!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The second week's cycling was a little disappointing compared to the first, as it was much less strenuous, so it felt a little anti-climactic. Some of our group had extended their stay to recover at the final hotel, but actually didn't need extra recovery time and regretted their decision.  The cycling, apart from the Ooty day, was much easier than the similarly-graded Exodus tour to Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama - so if you're a lycra lout, you might be frustrated by the lack of challenge. 

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

As our first visit to India, this gave us a real taste to see more of this lively, colourful and friendly country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the orphanage the night before the "Ooty ascent", and talking to the older children about their plans for careers in professions such as doctors and barristers-a long way from their current circumstances. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vish was calm, knowledgeable and ever helpful, ensuring a perfect trip from start to finish.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear a cycle helmet!!  Indian driving is a totally new experience, although in my experience you seem to have more chance of falling foul of the occasional pot hole than you do of falling foul of their driving style!

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

This is an amazing trip. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Making it to the end of the trip unscathed, the traffic needs your full attention!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joseph was amazing.  I could not have imagined a better group leader.  Joseph invested a lot of time and energy into each of us insuring a great holiday.  He also created a great team with Abi and Romeo. It was a magical combination.  Book the trip just to be able to experience India with Joseph and his team.  Worth it!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just be ready for the traffic.  Pay attention and stay with the group in the city and you are good to go!

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

This was our first lengthy cycling trip and it has inspired us to book another next year.  The long distances, level of difficulty and heat were perfectly manageable ( my husband and I are reasonably fit leisure cyclists in our early 60s ). I did decide however to walk rather than ride up the 37 hairpin bends which was no problem. Everyone was buoyed along by the great group camaraderie and the prospect of a shower and good meal at the end of the day. In my opinion this is the perfect way to see parts of India not on the normal tourist trail. Highly recommended.

Most Inspirational Moment

The houseboat was unforgettable -  like something out of the days of the Raj. The visit to the orphanage was sobering and inspiring - wonderful work being achieved . We were lucky to meet the remarkable Swiss lady who has spent her life raising funds to keep the place going.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was competent, professional and always attentive to the group's needs and diverse requestsAbi with his ready smile was always there to give support , checking the bikes daily and ensuring we had a good supply of water.Vipin did a great job shepherding the stragglers. We always felt we were in safe hands.It was also very thoughtful of the team to arrange a surprise cake and poppers for me on my birthday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a plentiful supply of pens to give to the many children who greet you along the route. They love them !Take a can of insect spray to blast your room before bedtime . Some hotels provided smoke coils , nets and socket inserts , but not all.  In Ooty take the opportunity to travel by train on the small gauge rail from Coonoor ( as featured on a BBC  programme about the old steam engines of southern India). Also an evening at the Kathakali theatre in Cochin is fascinating ( booking made with proprietor of Ann's Residence ).

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

This was a great trip with an interesting group of people and wonderful support from our leader Joseph who was always there to help in all matters. He was so efficient that we may have become too dependent on him. Abby was also very committed and gave me a lot of snacks and water going up Ooty.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just meeting the local people throughout the trip who were so open and friendly was incredible. It gave me a new prospective on how it is that total strangers can be so open and friendly without seeking personal gain.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joseph is the consummate professional in every way. Always there for support and totally on the ball.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

You have to be calm and focused when cycling in built-up areas and the highways.