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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117 Reviews

4.6 out of 5

Reviewed May 2013

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.

Reviewed March 2013

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!

Reviewed March 2013

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.

Reviewed March 2013

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.

Reviewed February 2013

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!

Reviewed February 2013

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!

Reviewed February 2013

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 ).

Reviewed February 2013

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.

Reviewed February 2013

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

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

Reviewed February 2013

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

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.

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