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.
Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!
Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!
Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…
Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.
Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.
Select a trip specific review:
63 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Reviewed May 2013
SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA
What an amazing trip; everything I hoped it would be and more! I’ve done a few of these sorts of trips before and this one is up there as probably the best.
Most Inspirational Moment
Getting away from the tourist trail and being up-close to the local people, flora and fauna. The back-waters of Kerala are absolutely beautiful.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Arvind was friendly, approachable and well-informed even though this was not his regular tour. He was very good at keeping the group under control and making sure we got the most out of the trip. He even included some interesting trips that were not on the trip schedule.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It was very hot and humid when I went at the end of March, so be ready for that. The camping is fairly basic, including the sanitary arrangements and it was a good thing that we did it at the start of the trip so that the remainder of the time could be enjoyed in a personally clean condition. The local support guys for the camping were brilliant anf the food they produced for us was incredible.
Reviewed April 2013
SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA
See last paragraph…………………………..
Most Inspirational Moment
The elephant kissing my head with its trunk in the temple in Madurai.Day 7 - trek was outstanding and finished in the most beautiful campsite ever. We were visited by lots of inquisitive monkeys swinging by just to say hello!talking to the children in the villages.
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was fine, but I understand he was not the usual leader for this trek. At times his instructions could be a little confusing. However he was a very professional person who did give us a great deal of information on the various religions and cultures.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I took very small presents for the local children - small notebooks and pencils, pens rubbers and sharpeners (no sweets). They love loved them and were so pleased with a small gift.Always ask before you take a photograph of a person.
Reviewed March 2013
SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA
We thoroughly enjoyed the trip, the scenery was very impressive and the Indian people seemed very happy and cheerful.
Most Inspirational Moment
The trek over the Western Ghats was the most enjoyable part of the trip and the best of that was the evening meal round the campfire. The group got on well together and all had a thoroughly enjoyable time. The camp support staff were extremely capable and very amusing.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I thought that Ajith Kumar was a genuinely nice man who did everything he could to help us and make the trip as enjoyable as possible. He was affable, amusing and extremely informative about the flora of the region and its geology.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Money: £200 in cash will probably see you through depending on how much you spend on presents. Best take advice from the tour guide regarding money changing. When we were there you got R82 to the pound for cash in town but only R75 at the airport. ATMs were limited to a max of R10,000 and the effective rate was only about R76 when deductions were taken into account. My credit card paid R81 for hotel checkout bills.Mosquitoes: the only place we were bitten was in the Cochin hotel bedroom on the first night. Take a knockdown spray and use it before going to bed and use deet. Leeches: there should not be any outside of the rainy season. We did not come across any.Food poisoning: we ate whatever was given us and did not have a problem except on the flight home through Dubai.Camping: the sleeping mats are a bit thin, I would take a light selfinflating mat next time.Fluids: bottled water is readily available for about 20p a litre, even on the trek, we didn't need a water bottle (hotel bottled water is about £1.50). We had beer each night on the camp provided by arrangement with the support staff for about £1.60 a 660ml bottle.Laundry: you'll probably want to wash some things after the trek, be aware that the Madurai hotel charges double the quoted rate per item received after 10.30am for express wash and you may not get your stuff back until after 11.00pm. Don't put anything delicate in. Consider waiting until you get to Thekkady.
Reviewed March 2013
SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA
A wonderfully varied insight into the areas of Kerala
Most Inspirational Moment
I was frequently inspired but our tour leader and the local support teams. They all wanted us to have the "best holiday " and I did... we were shown so many different and unexpected sides of Kerala.. loved it !!!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader couldn't do enough for us. He quickly assessed what we individually were interested in, then stimulated the whole group. He showed no preferences and a great sensitivity. Amazing knowledge which helped to make the trip so satisfying
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go for it !!
Reviewed February 2013
SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA
The trek and walks were excellent. I also enjoyed the boat trip through the backwaters of Kerala and a short walk along the beach. The sightseeing was more trying/tiring; long bus journeys for short, hot city tours. Even in January (winter) it was extremely hot and humid down at sea level.
Most Inspirational Moment
I greatly enjoyed the walks through the tea and coffee plantations and up to the second highest peak in south India. Just a pity that on the summit we bumped into a KE Adventure group approaching from another route! Luckily we had bagged the best camp site by far.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ajay was very keen to help and went out of his way to make our trip enjoyable. We had the added advantage of an ex-pat Indian in our holiday group who was a Tamil speaker; we forget that many northern Indians have as many problems as Europeans in speaking to southern Indians who do not speak English.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The trek advice/list is rather too general. It is VERY cold at 8,000 feet at night so make sure you have lots of layers; we had ice on the water one night. Towels and head torches are also necessary. But the trek crew provided sterilised water all the time, so no need to take water purifying tablets. Do take a loo roll; the camping was fine, but there is no toilet paper in any of the many restaurants visited on the holiday.
Reviewed February 2013
SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA
An enjoyable and awe inspiring treck of south India
Most Inspirational Moment
Sri Meenakshi temple.Beer, rum & laughter round each evenings campfire.
Thoughts on Group Leader
It was good to hear Ajay shout my name at the airport before I'd even collected my bag of the carousel. I'd met Ajay on a prevous treck in North India that was throught with danger and laughter at every turn. So it was good to reminise and share another adventure. Ajay is very knowledgeable about Indian whisky and the culture/history of his country. And good at mizing with the group making everyone feel part of the group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
A very strong mosquito repelent.
Reviewed February 2013
SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA
From begining to end this, my first trip with exodus, was superb.Magnificant scenery, lovely food, great companians, a brilliant tour leader in Ajay and the guides on the trek were very helpful especially Mani who helped me overcome, what was for me a particularly tricky ridge.
Most Inspirational Moment
The most inspirational moment of my trip was the Hike in Silent Valley, wonderful scenery and lovely people along the way.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was truly wonderful, very helpful and always ready with a little anecdote and a glimpse into the real lives of the Indian people. Ajay really helped to make this a holiday to remember.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Although this is advertised as a moderate trek, I did find some parts quite hard but with the help of the guides, Mani in particular I enjoyed every moment.
Reviewed January 2013
SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA
Fantastic, Fabulous and Fun! This trip was the perfect combination of adventure, new experiences, brilliant walks and serious chilling on the backwaters!
Most Inspirational Moment
So many it's hard to decide. Each day I would wake up knowing I would be experience something new and that's a very cool feeling!
The laughter and chat around the campfire.
Finally reaching the top of the second highest peak, didn't think I would make it, but a lot of encouragement I did it. Was a good feeling!
As soon as Ajthi brought the chocolate out, we knew we would be climbing uphill.
Watching the group play cricket with local kids.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ajthi was fantastic, he really made the trip for everyone. He had boundless energy and enthusiasm. His knowledge was incredible making this not only a fun trip but absolutely fascinating. I'll never look at tea and spices in the same way!
Advice for Potential Travellers
You will not be disappointed. go for the penthouse suite (top tent), as Lady Laura can vouch for it:-)
Always have some small change for public loos and tips.
Take your own loo roll
Reviewed January 2013
SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA
The trip was well organised allowing time to relax and discover some of south India after the more strenuous, though not too hard walking part of the trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
The variety of the scenery, which constantly changed, while walking
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very relaxed, but well organised to cope with the Issues which arose.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Enjoy a bit of activity and discovery on this trip, though take the notes about climate and effort required into consideration when booking.
Reviewed January 2013
SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA
A great trip, full of impressions – wonderful guide – a truely alternative Christmas.
Most Inspirational Moment
- The mountain walking- The temple in Mudurai- The fantastic food made under simple conditions during our camping
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ajith is a very good guide, full of kowledge about the nature and his country, a good organiser, and a very nice person.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Give your packing list a real consideration. Although wet and a little chilly in the mountains, most of the time it is really warm. Be flexible and multi-purposed in your packing. A warm waterbottle in your sleeping bag works miracles for chilly nights. Be aware that the camping life is very basic, with little chance of a wash for 5 days. The tents are small, so keep your bags as small as possible.
