Most Inspirational Moment
The agriculturs in TamilNadu and Kerala
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent,
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just do as the leader says
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Southern India Coast to Coast Ride Booking reference: 4571361
Great trip – opened my eyes to the changes in India
Southern India coast to coast
If you do just one cycling trip with Exodus, make sure it’s this one. It’s slightly tougher than Kerala and Vietnam, but more rewarding. You don’t have to be anything other than keen and reasonably fit to complete the journey (says the forty-something year old drinker and occasional smoker), but you will discover new muscles and an overall sense of achievement. But isn’t that the point?
Most Inspirational Moment
Successfully finishing a 160km day - by far the longest on the trip before I scare the horses - with my fellow travellers; exhausting but truly satisfying.
Thoughts on Group Leader
All the staff were superb throughout.....I wouldn't have changed anyone or anything about this 'once in a lifetime' trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do it, and do it now. The food, the experiences, the challenges, the weather (October), the comradery, the people and the sense of achievement make it truly wonderful.
Cycling India from Coast to Coast
Another great cycling trip with Exodus in late october 2014 when all official predictions for number of „wet days“ were wrong with heavy rain and flooding in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu is very different from Kerala and a great experience especially since the route has been improved and covers a very interesting area with long biking sections without any traffic.
The hotels and homestay were just great with good variation and luxury usually not seen on bike trips. Our drivers made sure the luggage arrived before or with the cyclists.
Most Inspirational Moment
It is difficult to pick only one moment as experiencing the caos of big cities with all their trash, traffic and human buzzling was just as interesting as cycling up the hill to the border of Tamil Nadu (Thekkady) in torrential rain against heavy waterflow or staying at Chettinah. The food was also excellent so dont espect to loose weight in spite of burning >20thousand calories cycling.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader was pleasant, opinionated, informative and talkactive and did his job well.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for long days with an early start and try to see the rain with the attitude of a farmer. Be flexible regarding the cycling distance (some disagreement was between different web trip notes, printouts and the expectations from our group leader. Causing some frustration) Because of the long cycling days there often is little time for independent exploration. Scheduled sightseeing may be very interesting but remember its optional and constant group supervision is not for all. Exploring on your own is OK as you dont disrupt the group schedule!
Southern India Coast to Coast Ride
I carried out two trips back to back. The coast to coast followed by tropical India
Once you accept that Indians like their cold water hot, their hot food cold, there are no rules of the road and that Indian time is different from the rest of the universe you will have a good trip
Cycling challenging in places but not excessive Accommodation about what I expected
Food exciting and varied especially in Kerela
Most Inspirational Moment
Meeting the people of the real India in the fields and plantations we travelled through. Meeting real labourer doing a real job in the actual location Tea Picking Rubber tree cutting and latex collection Squeezing and processing the latex Coconut Coire String making
Thoughts on Group Leader
An experienced guide who successfully herded the "cats" (travellers) through the trip without incident He had an optimistic and friendly approach to the job and offered opportunities explore and try new things
Advice for Potential Travellers
Sun protection and rehydration important Think about using sleeves for the arms don't use cotton clothing Loose modern synthetic clothing the most appropriate
Reply from Exodus
We would like to thank David for his review. We are pleased that he had a number of inspirational moments during the trip , but sorry that he was disappointed by his bike. We have followed up with our local operator who are in the process of updating their bike fleet; we hope that this will avoid such disappointments in the future.
Megan Devenish – Trip Manager for cycling in India
Southern India Coast to Coast Ride
The cycling right across from Pondocherry , Tamil Nadu to Cochin in Kerala was a wonderful experience. Apart from one transfer we cycled all the way giving us an insight of the different cultures of the Tamil and Kerala people. From flat to awesome scenery of the Highlands and tea estates. We enjoyed the relaxing houseboat cruise on the Backwaters before our last kilometres to the other side on the next day.
Most Inspirational Moment
The temple at Madurai. Our home Stay at Vanilla country. Visit to Auroville on our first day. Chettinadu village
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader put in a tremendous effort to make everybody happy. We would go with him again.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Exodus should upgrade the trip notes.
A ride of two halves
Having completed both this & the ‘Kerela & Tropical India’ trips the concept of a coast to coast ride has instant armchair appeal. However the reality of this trip is that the riding in the first few days is rather repetitive & flat & would benefit from a re-think of the route to take in more hills – perhaps commencing further South? Once in the hills the riding is excellent with a great variety of accommodation.
Most Inspirational Moment
Staying in fantastic manor houses & homestays.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Good organisational skills but lacking the ability to always understand the desires of the group. Fluency of English adequate but the cause of some frustration in the group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Prepare to be in the saddle for 7 hours per day - particularly in the first week. With the best will in the world there are not cold beers available after each ride. If it is a choice of this trip or Kerela & Tropical India I would book the latter first.
CYCLE SOUTHERN INDIA - COAST TO COAST
A well planned trip covering an interesting part of India. Good variety in the terrain, countryside and sights to see.
Most Inspirational Moment
Food was excellent most of the time, especially the picnic and roadside lunches. Riding through the tea country was a delight. Arriving at Vanilla Country. Welcoming happy people everywhere, and no begging. Relaxing day spent doing not very much in Kumily. Chettinah was amazing, but arrived at dusk so could not see the designated house.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was pleasant but not up to the job in hand and seemed unable to take charge on occasions, resulting in late arrivals and missed opportunities for previously planned sightseeing, and a lot of frustration. He appeared to have little training in coping with a group of travellers.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes before you go and select this trip carefully. Prepare for long days of 100 kms plus.
CYCLE SOUTHERN INDIA - COAST TO COAST
What a brilliant trip…..a must do. Cycling point to point, along back roads, seeing the most wonderful sights, through small villages, alongside ox carts, through tea and rubber plantations. Kids every where waving and calling hello. The accommodation was fabulous.
Most Inspirational Moment
On the first day cycling through the back streets of Pondicherry, as people were beginning to go about their day, with children getting ready for school, we arrived at the beach with the fishermen mending their nets. We all had our pictures taken with our back wheels in the sea in preparation for the adventure to cycle across to the other coast.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Peter was brilliant, adaptable. The back up team were great special thanks to Abi and Franklin.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book no.
CYCLE SOUTHERN INDIA - COAST TO COAST
At times I never thought I could cycle the distance. But I did it and saw some unique sights and met some wonderful people.
Most Inspirational Moment
The most inspiring moments of my trip were seeming people go about their daily lives early morning in Pondicherry. Visiting a village school and cycling through the tea plantations.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I had fantastic group leaders. Peter who created the route was always thinking of ways to improve the experience and our local India guys have become good friends.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It is a cycling holiday that happens to be in India. Not a holiday in India with some cycling. Be prepared for early mornings.
CYCLE SOUTHERN INDIA - COAST TO COAST
Fantastic people, fantastic scenery and fantastic food. Guides were happy to adapt so that we could ride more and transfer less.The route ws great with plenty of chai and dosa stopsto keep the legs going.
Most Inspirational Moment
Dropping down through the mountains to Vanilla County with mist over the rainforest and waterfalls everywhere. Simply magic - so much so I had to start singing!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very flexible to the needs of the group, great knowledge of the country and culture.