Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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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 ).
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.
An amazing experience riding and eating my way through Southern India. The cycling at times was challenging but the group and leader were always there to offer support. The warmth and sincerity from the local people was tremendous and I urge anybody who wants a good mix of cycling to take this incredible journey.
Most Inspirational Moment
For me it was an afternoon spent at a local orphanage with such wonderful children. These kids didnt beg or want our money they were just happy to play football,cricket,skip or even learn the "chicken song !"They were highly articulate and intelligent and despite all the poverty they did not stop smiling. I also have to mention Tommy who battled up Ooty and pedelled every painfull step of the way....what an inspiration he was
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was Joseph Checkov.He was a brilliant leader,always there to help when language was an issue,always found me the best toilet or bush! Joseph chose our meals to make things easier and is responsible for my weight gainas he chose such delicious food! He became a friend and spent time getting to know us and our culture and spent time informing us about his culture and about India. Joseph helped in every possible way and always put our needs first.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do not underestimate the cycling espescially in the first week which does contain some challenging hills..or as Joseph used to say..undulating!Ooty isa 13 km hill with 36 hairpin bends and is very challenging.That said with stops and determination it is there to be beaten.Take a comfy saddle as the trek saddles are male specific and quite uncomfortableDo not take travellers cheques as there are very few opportunities to cash them
This was a fantatic trip to suit people who enjoy cuture, cycling and great food. Guides were great and support excellent. There are not too many transfers so great continuity.Loved it.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing all of the locals coming out, waving and wishing us well.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very patient, kind, sociable and easy going at the same time.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Drink plenty of water, take some salt / hydration nourishment and make sure you are fit enough for the ride.
Beautiful and very varied scenery; great cycling, great food and always something to see. The traffic is not as daunting as it first seems.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching hairpin bend 1 on the Ooty climb and finding out the road still goes up!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Safi was good; could have asked a little more what we wanted eg. getting to the beach and then we had to wait and eat hot chips before we could go for a swim!
Advice for Potential Travellers
From reading some of the other reviews...it's a Moderate-Challenging cycling trip; that means you should be able to ride a bike, some distance, change gears, ride in traffic and, hopefully, not fall off. The traffic was daunting at first (day 1 returning into Mysore in the dark) but you soon learn that it works, they merge and give way when they need to.
An amazing holiday – full of wonderful experiences.
Most Inspirational Moment
How can I pick? Every day was different... cycling through busy towns full of rickshaws and cows - to quiet villages where happy, smiling children rushed to say hello; through tea plantations in the hilly areas to beautiful stretches along side sandy beaches fringed with palm trees; from a long, challenging climb up a very big hill to a wonderful relaxing day drifting down the Keralan backwaters in our own luxury boat. Curries of every description - sadly an Indian take away will never be the same again!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was excellent: very knowledgeable, informative and helpful - as was our cycling leader ( a great character) and our brilliant van driver who sorted out all our problems with a smile on his face.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Distances were quite long compared to other Exodus trips we've been on - but this suited us well and the van was there should you have wanted to use it.
An absolutely classic trip. If you only do one cycle trip then this should be the one. The cycling is fantastic with very relaxed quiet roads (mostly), the scenery is stunning, and the food excellent. Add to this the lack of transfers, the houseboat experience and the variation in terrain and it has everything you could ask for.
Most Inspirational Moment
In no specific order:the scenery is just outstanding. Great variation and amazingly exotic.food fantasticall the locals so friendly and welcomingthe hill climb to Ootythe beautiful houseboat trip
Thoughts on Group Leader
Really top class. Totally organised, incredibly helpful and ensured a completely relaxing trip. These guys really make the difference between a good trip and an outstanding trip. Orchestrating 16 Europeans through all the logistical challenges is a big ask (!), and our team were fantastic.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Getting cash from ATM's is a pain as most won't work. So best take Sterling and just exchange it at hotels. The rate they give is as good as the airport (or credit card) and everything is so cheap out there anyway it doesn't matter if you lose a few rupees in the process.
Enjoyed cycling the back roads which were mostly quiet and in good repair. The kids in the villages were happy to see us, waving and calling our ‘How are you?’.
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved the challenge of the 7km hill with all the steep switchbacks and the wonderful cup of tea and cake at the top of the climb...I earnt it!...the downhill was lots of fun too.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Well organised and helpful, but we did get tired of having the same dishes night after night.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be careful with the pot holes and gravel bits. A few people fell off. No real damage, just scrapes and embarrassment.Keep your line when riding, maintain your speed and use hand signals and you will be ok. I felt safer riding in India than riding in Australia.
