Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

During our visit (January) Pongal (Harvest) was celebrated in Madurai. Our guide, with a couple of other guides organised a visit to a local village to take park in their celebrations. We were treated as honoured guests, presented with garlands and some of our party even appeared in the local paper. Although few spoke English, they were very hospitable and welcoming. The cows were celebrated and painted and there was special food prepared. We were given front seats to enjoy dancing, stilt walkers and gymnastics. A great insight into village life and a privilege to be able to take part. Other highlights: The Sri Meenakshi temple in Maderai and the houseboat on the Keralan backwaters.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Charles was a great group leader. He was very attentive to the needs of every individual in the group and was constantly concerned for our comfort and made sure we got as much as possible from the trip. He was concerned that we should also see his India (local life, food etc) and was great at organising the group so that no time was wasted. A great guy who added to the experience with his knowledge, enthusiasm and humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was very easy to add an extra week on at the end to enjoy the beach. Others added a couple of days into the middle of their flight over stopping in Sri Lanka or Dubai. Although much is made of dressing conservatively, I only took tee shirts with sleeves, vest tops did seem to be worn by westerners in Kovalan by the beach. We never had to buy water as it was provided in every hotel we stayed in. Although round pin power points were the norm, in many of our hotels, there was one socket that took either a square pin or European plug. Our universal adaptor was broken, but this turned out not to be a problem. We needed less money than was suggested in the trip notes. The alcoholic drinks were the most expensive part, although still cheaper than England. Maderai and Kovalan were the best places to buy local gifts and clothes to take home.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all inspirational. There were such a variety of experiences and activities on this trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was excellent. Afshar enriched the groups experience of India by his thorough knowledge and enthusiasm for his country. He was patient and caring. I felt safe and looked after. He suggested other activities to do in the small amount of spare time we had and organised any transport etc. He also had a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do everything. You will love it.

Most Inspirational Moment

We took advantage of all the optional trips and for me, having been born in India, the one to the southern most tip of India was especially poignant. It was one of the best holidays I’ve ever had & I will certainly travel with Exodus again.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Santo James, our Leader worked so hard to make it such a wonderful holiday from beginning to end. We kept thinking it couldn’t get any better and then it did. Santo had so much knowledge and information on absolutely everything. The picture he gave us of village life and his own experiences as a farmer made it very personal and really added to the wealth of history, culture, politics and local life; the range of experiences offered us was fantastic and we loved it all.

Most Inspirational Moment

I especially enjoyed the stay in Munnar and the trek in the Western Ghats with breathtaking views of the Annamudi Peak and surrounding hills. I could have stayed here for another day just exploring the countryside, photographing the wildlife and surroundings and talking to local people. I also enjoyed the fact that we stopped to see a small brickworks, rice being harvested and visited Madurai and the very busy Sri Meenakshi temple.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Chandra was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. He went out of his way to accommodate our wishes. The whole trip ran smoothly. Also the coach driver was an excellent driver and with his helper kept the coach in good condition.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As we had booked a few extra days onto the end of the trip we did not feel so compelled to relax at the seaside at the end of the trip and we did the extra optional trip to Kanyakumari. Although you end up on a small coach for a couple of hours each way I did enjoy visiting the old wooden palace at Padmapuhamban and the small boat trip to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue at Kanyakumari followed by paddling in the nearby beach where the three oceans meet and where we watched the sunset.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the beautiful tea plantations in Munnar and the day walk we had there with Chandra our Tour Leader and 2 other guides. It was a very peaceful place with misty mornings and lovely vistas. Also the stay on our houseboat travelling along the backwaters from Allepey. We saw interesting sights along the waterside and many birds , It was a very peaceful journey , good food from our chef on board.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Chandra was enthusiastic and looked after us very well, nothing was too much trouble, he was knowledgeable and organised and every day he answered our questions with humour. He was patient with us and sorted every little problem .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long waits in restaurants , nothing is done quickly and the.sorting out of paying bills at the end of a meal can be a nightmare, The drinking of alcohol is haphazard as some places sell it and others don't but there are ways and means and your tour leader will have a plan up his sleeve!! Don't expect to see any elephants!! .

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through tea plantations, eating lunch from banana leaves and drinking masala chai in a local tearoom in Munnar. Also enjoyed washing elephants and getting sprayed with water!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very confident, relaxed and keen to please. Ideal team player who can cleverly manage a group and keep everybody together! Couldn't have been better!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good shoes required for walk through tea plantations and jungle walk!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved meeting wild elephants and seeing a very fresh tiger paw print inPeriyar. The walk in they tea plantations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was excellent . Knowledgeable and entertaining. Nothing was too much trouble and we were very well looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long journeys on bumpy roads. Our coach was comfortable and air conditioned and the journeys were all worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding on an elephant thought the jungle, eating curry off a banana leaf, seeing a hornbill flying through the forest, seeing the children running out to see us in Madjurai and beautiful temple, and walking in the tea plantations. Cookery class with a local family.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely wonderful - Santo was fantastic, going out of his way to plan extra activities, taking us to local places of interest and to eat. He really made the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long coach travelling days, and make sure you take long trousers and proper walking shoes - there are leeches in the plantations and forests!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The people are inspirational, so welcoming, resourseful patient and seemingly happy. The contrast between the cities and the countryside was astonishing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Being my first group holiday experience I did not know what to expect. Puncham our group leader was patient, funny, experienced and all I could have wished for. In hindsight he provided me with a great first insight into India, always on hand for advice about local customs, food, and all that I needed to know about the parts of Southern India that we visited. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for an amazing holiday full of colour, smells, noise and contrast. A wonderful introduction to Southern India.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many inspirational moments during the trip. It was my frist trip to India - and the rich diverse culture simply grabs you from the moment you arrive and enthralls you until you leave.There were many wonderful things, from walks in nature reserves and tea plantations, elephant rides, cruising the backwaters in a houseboat and by Canoe.., ancient and exotic Palaces and Temples, tuk tuks crammed with school children ( I mean at least 10!) all beaming and excitedly waving at you as they pass by, and now I'm onto that - the chaos of the roads - which actually seems to work - from the many tuk tuks, buses, wagons, carts, rickshaws, vespas, and yes elephants all vying for space, watching wild elephants grazing on rich grasses, sampling the excellent food which is just waiting to be explored - and sample I did! We even met a local family and cooked with them to learn how to make some of Keralas dishes and Paratta!Probably the most thought provoking was our day trip to the southern most tip of India. We took a ferry over to an offshore rock where we had two very significant views: Looking South, the meeting of three waters: The Indian Ocean, The Bay of Bengal and the Sea of Arabia.  Nothing between you and the Antarctic.  Looking North, the town of Kanyakumari and the start of the landmass of the subcontinent of India - and the rich, colourful, noisy, kaleidoscopic and charmingly chaotic life of 1.2 Billion Indians.I really appreciated that I could do so much and get so involve in the local culture and activities, which is down oto the fact you are going with Exodus - who know the country inside out and have the logistics and ideas of where to go thoroughly reseached / tried and tested.  There is room in the itinerary for you to decide if you want to relax or if you want to explore some more.  You can tailor it to what you want within your group.  The important thing is you can place all your trust with the Group Leader and waste no time in figuring out logistics / systems. You just get to immerse yourself and enjoy India to the fullest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Touffique was exceptionally friendly and really good with the whole group. He kept us on track and was really helpful throughout the trip.  The itinerary was already exciting, but he always had "a plan" - for some additional adventures - which I readily did and was so glad to do so...... Nothing was a problem for him and he went out of his way to make sure the trip was enjoyable and memorable for us all. He managed to strike a good balance of being informative but also not making you feel like you were on a school field trip and will be tested afterwards :-). Overall a very good Group Leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take hand sanitiser just to be sure, and use before you eat. It is not that people are "dirty" there, it is simply the fact that naturally you are exposed to bugs you are not exposed to in the cooler climbs of Northern Europe. I used Vicks First Defense hand foam, and did not experience any stomach upset at all.  Other than that, take a deep breath, and get ready to immerse yourself in one of the big adventures of our life.