Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Impossible to single out any particular moment. The tour just continued to be inspirational throughout.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bijou, the guide was amazing. His knowledge of every aspect of the tour was first class. His attention to detail combined with ensuring the welfare of the group was excellent. I believe that his pride and work ethic was above and beyond what every group member expected. Combined with the bus driver (Vinod), they are a fantastic team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it! The entire trip is excellent value for money. So much is to be seen and experienced within a short time, something that cannot be achieved on your own. Being part of a group adds to the experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking in the tea plantations and in Periyar National Park, the early morning walk in Madurai and walking barefoot through the incredible Meenakshi temple complex amongst pilgrims, Grace and staying in her beautiful homestay, the backwaters, the daily interactions with the lovely local people , so many inspirational moments and happy memories.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Biju was an absolutely exceptional group leader, so proud of his country and he shared so many wonderful and interesting insights. He is cheerful , professional, well organised, knowledgeable, warm, smiley and so kind and he looked after us all so well. He went out of his way to ensure everyone was having the best time, nothing was ever too much trouble for him. Biju made this the most wonderful trip for which thank you so much Biju !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Food and drink is very cheap in comparison with the UK. Take a small bag for your overnight stay on the houseboat. Smile at the lovely locals and they will smile back, such a wonderful country and such warmth from the people , a very special place which touches you. Just book this holiday, it’s brilliant!

Most Inspirational Moment

Dawn city walk through Madurai

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding in every way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and book it. It's really great.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wildlife spotting and watching life go by on the Aleppey backwaters.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding. Biju deserves to win your Leaders award. I have done multiple tours with various companies and he is hands down the best group leader I have ever had. Patient, warm, helpful and incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about his country. Normally the time spent on the bus between locations would be unwelcome but he made it something to look forward to as it was the perfect opportunity to learn more about the politics, religion and history of this amazing place.

Most Inspirational Moment

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it

Most Inspirational Moment

So many to choose from - the early morning walk around Madurai finishing with the Meenaskshi temple visit, walking and boating through the Periyar wildlife sanctuary, (loved the otters!) and the houseboat backwater cruise. Then there were the unexpected encounters - especially the Hindu festival in full swing as we drove past a temple. Our driver pulled in and we were welcomed in and shown where to stand to get a good view by the worshippers who greeted us with smiles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Biju was an absolute star, anticipating our requirements, going the extra mile unasked, always cheerful, a terrific ambassador for the state of Kerala. Our driver Vinod, was great too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If, like us, you've only done the golden triangle and think you know India - you don't. Come and try Kerala - a different experience. Take the option al trip on the last day and travel down to the tip of India - it rounded off a really great holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the tea plantations in the Western Ghats. Beautiful scenery. Loved sailing down the waters in the various boats, walking in the nature reserve with the unexpected way of getting across the water. Witnessing the various ways taken to travel and how many they get on a motorbike.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Biju was exceptional. One of the best I’ve experienced. An awareness of the group needs, willingness to help out in any way, including cooking lunch when the kitchen staff were short staffed. Very honest and open about his own way of life, and the culture of the country. Gave us lots of information often during the long journeys, so we learnt a lot about Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is hot and can be humid. Take binoculars, there are lots of opportunities for bird watching. Ladies, make sure you put a few sheets of toilet paper in your pocket from the hotels, as outside of them there isn’t any. Stick to the rules,” if you can’t peel it or cook it don’t eat it”, and no ice in drinks and you’ll be fine. We did and no one was ill on our trip. Take some sterling and a preloaded Visa card. Don’t use the money changers at the airport, there’s an ATM just before you go outside and anyway, you won’t need money until the first full day when you’ll be given opportunity to us an ATM. I paid for majority of optional excursions with the sterling. There are plenty of opportunities for ATMs throughout the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The mountains and waterways are breathtaking. Travelling to see tea and spice and then plunging down the mountains (all well driven in a comfy coach) to see reservoirs, lakes and canals- I think we did four different types of boat trip! And just seeing everyday Kerala life going on around us- the traffic, the shops, the temples, the families, the school children, the animals. Being able to see ambitious cities, bubbling towns and quiet villages gave us a unique and valuable perspective. I felt more like a traveller than a tourist.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Biju Kumar is a great Amassador for India, for Kerala and for Exodus. He deserves a pay rise and a trip to the UK at the least! He MADE this trip- his professionalism, knowledge, humour, patience and humanity- he was the beating heart that pushed this trip from great to out of this world.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Relax! If you can just relax into Kerala- it will love you back. India and Kerala have a proud and noble history and a bright future. Particularly as a British person, it’s wise to bring your humility and gratitude to this great nation.

Most Inspirational Moment

The early-morning nature walk in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Thoughts on Group Leader

Biju was an outstanding leader and guide for the group; he worked really hard to maximise our enjoyment, understanding and pleasure; whatever you pay him is not enough! And don’t forget the driver, who so often is the “unsung hero” of such trips; Vinod navigated the long and often “challenging” drives with great skill and composure; he managed the luggage without a hitch and kept the bus spotlessly clean.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. Consider other options for flying home; the Emirates flight at 04.30 almost guarantees that you get NO sleep that night 2. You don’t need a mosquito net (at least not in January) at the Homestay or on the Houseboat 3. There’s no need to take US dollars - we exchanged sterling at a good rate and used those rupees for all our costs, including the excursions 4. Don’t worry about some reviews of the final hotel (Soma Palmshore) -it’s not luxury, for sure, but the staff were great and the location is perfect; as well as a pool, it effectively has a private beach below it!

Most Inspirational Moment

As the trip covers distinctly different experiences, it is impossible to name one highlight. For me there were many - a walk in the tea plantations in Munnar (such beautiful scenery); kathakali dance performance; early morning stroll through Madurai seeing the city waking up; jungle trek in Periyar on the trail of an elusive elephant; peaceful overnight stay on a beautiful houseboat on the backwaters ; many convivial meals with other members of group; tasting exotic fruits, sampling spices - the list could go on forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Biju Kumar is an exceptional group leader. The superlatives could go on for ever. Excellent communicator. Perfect English. Nothing was too much trouble. He looked after us all in a very inclusive way, making sure there were suitable options for meal venues, helping with ordering food and making menu choices. His enthusiasm for his country was inspiring and infectious and we learnt so much from him regarding local customs, religion, history, geography and current affairs, etc. His explanations and instructions were always clear - very important when organising a large group. He was always cheerful, polite and patient. From my experience of 15 Exodus trips and their group leaders, Biju is definitely A***. Thanks and commendation should also be made to Vinod - our fabulous (safe) driver for the whole of the trip. He too went beyond expectation. For example, during our stay in Madurai a festival was taking place which wasn’t part of the itinerary. So we could witness the celebration, Vinod dropped us off and miraculously picked us up. No mean feat in the total madness of crowds and traffic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would recommend taking advantage of the optional excursion on the last day of trip to the tip of India. We stopped at a beautiful and peaceful palace (very different from anything else we’d seen previously) and a temple where we were able to feel part of the pomp and ceremony and saw an amazingly huge monkey god. Paddling at the meeting point of Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea will be an everlasting memory. Do take at least one fleece/jumper/pashmina - the air con on coach was welcome but sometimes a bit fierce. Generally away from air con, it is very hot and humid - especially on the coast. Sun screen essential. Mosquito repellent recommended. I didn’t get bitten but I did take precautions. The walk in tea plantation does end in a bit of a scramble up a steep slope. There are opportunities to turn round a couple of times before then if unsure of capability. Don’t be put off going. No need for walking boots - trainers ok. Good internet connection in most hotels. We took sterling with us which was easy to change with Biju’s guidance. Eating out is incredibly cheap so don’t overestimate the amount of rupees you’ll need. Nice shops in Thekaddy for souvenirs. Lovely men’s cotton shirts for sale at Srishti.