Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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104 Reviews
4.5 out of
5
Reviews
Charlotte Bosseaux
Reviewed January 2018
Mixed feelings
Perhaps summarizing the trip as overall fair is a little on the harsh side. After all, I did see beautiful landscapes and enjoyed good times with my partner, as part of a group 14. However, I wasn’t ‘wowed’ by India. There are too many issues of inequality, discrimination, misogyny and last but not least pollution. I enjoyed parts that were quiet in the tree plantations in Munnar, the temple at Madurai, some aspects of the walk in the jungle, and the cruise on the backwaters but these were very short moments in the midst of extreme noise and pollution, and issues of inequality, discrimination, misogyny always in the background, and on occasions, very much in the foreground. I would have preferred spending longer in the hills, on the backwaters, in the temple, etc, but as the tour is packed with things to do, there’s very little time to breathe and take in properly what you are being shown. It is a shame as one of the big selling point for Keralan trips is the backwaters, for instance. But you’re on the water for less than 24h, and you’re not moving overnight like you would on a Nile cruise, you start at midday, moor at 5pm and leave again at 9am so cruising time is just about 7 hours. The hotels were also not very good: most were run down and in need of TLC. It’s always so much nicer after an intense day out to come back to a room and feel that you can relax properly not having to worry about hygiene. I have traveled in many places in South East Asia, China, Sri Lanka, Africa and Latin America, and hotels in Kerala (and Madurai) were by far the worst I’ve stayed in. On the plus side, food was good, with other options than curries in most places we went to. If you love coconuts, you’ll be happy as lots of curries are made with them, and you can drink coconut water from the shells almost everywhere, yummy! Overall then, this trip was a mixed bag, and I would only recommend it if you are fully aware that it won’t be relaxing, and that don’t have too many other destinations to compare it with.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cruising the backwaters, followed by visiting the temple at Madurai, and the tree plantations.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam was very professional and knowledgeable. He also had a great sense of humor.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for an assault to all your senses and to face the fact that misogyny and discrimination are everyday issues. You also know nothing know about sound pollution, air pollution and garbage/plastic pollution until you have been to India! Quite frankly I came back from the holiday more tired than I was before I left. That's mostly due to the fact that we were traveling from one place to the next every other day (with three nights in a row in a different hotel). But India generally speaking is not a relaxing place, unless you go to a beach and don't move for a few days, I guess. I have learned a lot but I wouldn't say India is a place I'll be eager to go back to.
Christine Dempsey
Reviewed January 2018
A Taste Of South India
A very good & varied introduction to South India. Very different to `the triangle` around Rajasthan and West Bengal in the north of India. Kerala & Tamil Nadu are relatively wealthy compared to the north. Relatively relaxed itinerary covering about 750 miles during the 12 days (13 nights) with a couple of 5 to 6 hour (maybe longer or shorter depending on the road conditions & congestion) driving days. Lots of interesting & varied sights & experiences. Generally very well organised with optional extra activities/trips if you want.
Most Inspirational Moment
Not one moment but many (in no particular order). The scenery in and around the tea plantations of Munnar (though I did not go on the trek) and the visit to the TATA plantation. Helping to cook our own evening meal with a local family at their home in Periyar. Visiting the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai (probably the highlight of the whole trip for me). The rubber plantation homestay near Erattupetta. Early morning boat ride on Vembanad Lake at Muhamma to watch the mussel fishermen at work. The houseboat backwater cruise of course. The day trip to Kanyakumarti (southern tip of India). The late afternoon / evening walk to the Muslim quarter and fisherman quays, away from the tourist areas, of Kovalam.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader/facilitator, Sam Benjamin, was excellent. He was very knowledgeable on so many topics of Indian life and history. He was friendly, considerate and helpful (he was very helpful when a fellow passenger had a minor crisis during the trip).
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do not take the group flight; make your own way there and own way back. Arrive at Kochi at least 1 or 2 days before the tour starts and depart at least 1 or 2 days from Kovalam after tour finishes to `take-in` and have time to explore on your own or just relax. (Try and get start & finishing hotel details from Exodus in advance to save you changing hotels. Book the hotels directly and not through Exodus as they, Exodus, will add a `mark-up`.) Changing money (with a good exchange rate) and hiring a taxi at Kochi airport is cheap & easy. Although English is widely spoken, try and learn a few words of the local language, Malayalam; it may help you to engage more easily with the locals in Kerala. (I managed to pickup a few words from the local taxi & tuk-tuk drivers.) Make sure that tickets for the lake boat ride at Periyar are confirmed in advance of the day of the trip as I, with the tour leader and other members of the group had to queue for 3 hours under the hot sun for a one and a half hour boat ride. I would recommend visiting Kanyakumari (southern tip of India) by taxi. The taxi, from Kovalam, costs around IR3500 (divided by the number of passengers) for a full day (3 hours each way + 4 to 5 hours at Kanyakumari). Note that there is a `priority` queue for the island ferry (for a surcharge) if you want to visit Vivekananda Rock. It will save you a lot of queuing time if you walk directly to the gated entrance of the quay.
P Cruickshank
Reviewed December 2017
Tropical South. Leader Sam G Benjamin. December 2017.
A good introduction to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Some fairly long mini-bus journeys were necessary to cover the ground, but there were also two good walks and lots of sight seeing. Although we changed hotels more frequently towards the end of the holiday the pace became more relaxed so it worked well.
Most Inspirational Moment
As expected the walk in the tea plantations and the tranquility of the houseboat were highlights. But equally it was the variety and unexpected - traditional crafts like preparing the incredibly long dyed warp threads for the loom on the pavement around a busy square (presumably the only place with sufficient length), seeing and tasting local foods made on the street, the flower market, the kingfishers, the rare and short-lasting but torrential downpours including one in the rubber plantations where we were welcomed into a traditional home for shelter, the many tuk tuk rides etc etc
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam was a very good leader - the holiday just wouldn't have been the same without him. He was knowledgeable on a very wide range of topics and good at sharing information with us on local customs etc . He was very patient with our slightly unwieldy group of 16 - helping us all to choose meals from the menu and waiting until we had all been served before eating himself. He organised and came to every evening meal (and most of the lunches too) which was much appreciated in our busy schedule. He looked after us all well, and took a mini dental emergency in the group in his stride.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Personally, I was glad of my walking boots on the 2 walks and I wore my waterproof gaiters instead of the anti-leech socks provided which had to be fitted inside ones shoes. However, we only encountered a handful of leeches on this trip and less mosquitoes that I expected, although as always some people got more bitten than others. There was no mosquito screening on the hotel windows or mosquito net provided on the houseboat as I had been told would be the case by Exodus before leaving the UK. A torch was useful in the few short power cuts we had.
Ros Preuss
Reviewed December 2017
Ros Preuss
An interesting and varied trip which gives a real insight into the way of like in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Although the coach journeys are fairly long (mainly down to the congested Indian roads), there is plenty of walking and visits to various kinds of production, from bricks to fabrics and matting.
Most Inspirational Moment
There was not really 1 powerful moment here. I really enjoyed the long walk and the houseboat trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam is excellent. 1 of the best leaders I have experienced on such trips. He was knowledgeable, considerate, conscientious, friendly. We covered many aspects of Indian life on our trip. He had a good sense of humour, but could also deal admirably with what ever cropped up. He was very aware of our needs and took a lot of trouble helping us make good choices on the menus.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The pace of this trip is not as leisurely as suggested, especially the first part. The walk is moderate not leisurely, and you will need good walking shoes, or better still walking boots, as the paths are uneven and slippery in places. I had boots and a light walking pole, which were appropriate for this. Depends if you feel it is worth taking boots for 2 walks (also the nature reserve walk). There is not much time to relax other than on the coach, though you do get some free time to yourselves towards the end. This suited me fine, but maybe not everyone.
You will not be disappointed in the wonderful insight you get into the way people live, their customs, how things are made. Also the unforgettable sights, smells, tastes and sounds of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Lynda Parry
Reviewed March 2017
The Tropical South
What a fantastic trip this was. Our guide Lukas was so knowledgable and willing to share his own opinions of his native country with us as well as his extensive academic knowledge. The holiday was a mix of local, cultural and energetic experiences from walking through tea plantations and spice gardens, cruising on the boat, visiting temples, local shops and markets to cooking and eating our own curry and seeing elephants in the wild and monkeys on our hotel balcony!
Most Inspirational Moment
The most fascinating experience was visiting a local fish market and watching the morning catch come in with all the local hoteliers and restaurants and individuals bartering and buying. I shouldn't think this has changed for centuries!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent leader. Friendly, knowledgeable and able to deal efficiently with every eventuality.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We were concerned about "Delhi Belly" but sensible precautions of hand washing, use of gel and avoiding ice,salads and drinking bottled water kept us all well. We felt very safe in Southern India and only came across friendly people. I cannot believe that with this varied tour wouldn't have highlights for everyone.
Mary Clarke
Reviewed March 2017
The Tropical South
Fantastic trip, lots of variety.
Most Inspirational Moment
The time spent on the Houseboat.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The leader was fantastic, giving lots of information stopping the bus to show us sights of interest and finding places to eat.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Come and see the south, it is amazing!
Kathryn Barrow
Reviewed March 2017
The Tropical South
An amazing and wonderful insight into beautiful Kerala.
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to narrow down to just one! The fishing nets at Cochin, the walk into the tea plantations in Munnar, the houseboat on the backwaters.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam was a brilliant group leader. The group got on very well, and am sure this was down to Sam. His knowledge of everything from politics to history to wildlife was excellent. Nothing was too much trouble, and he ensured we were always happy and safe.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take lots of mosquito repellent, and change money at any opportunity you can - the ATMs could be a little temperamental.
Gillian Mcaloon
Reviewed March 2017
Tropical south
A fascinating two weeks, seeing and learning so much about the area.
Most Inspirational Moment
The trek through the tea plantations was wonderful.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam was excellent. He was so knowledgable about everything, from plants to politics of India. He was entertaining to listen to, and built a good rapport with the group.
Adrian Cooper
Reviewed March 2017
The Tropical South
Good company, just the right sized group. The tour guide was excellent, the driver and his assistant were helpful and safe. The route was well chosen with a combination of large and small towns / cities with interesting history and sites. The restaurants we visited were good with varied menus. Scenery was excellent. There was something for everyone: scenery, culture, wildlife, history and many varieties of kingfisher (of both types!)
Most Inspirational Moment
Difficult - I think probably the the evening walk to the fishing harbour at Kovalam with the sun setting behind the mosque. But the optional boat trip on Periyar Lake in the evening was a close runner up when we were fortunate to see wild elephants, otters, large turtles, many kingfishers, monkeys, deer, bison and wild boar. Actually perhaps this was the best. But then there was the morning boat trip with sun rising behind the chinese fish traps.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sam was an excellent group leader and was able to provide much interesting background on all the places visited as well as the normal information you would expect. The group as a whole got on very well and I'm sure that this was in part thanks to him. Very humorous and diplomatic.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Some of the party stayed on at the end for a few relaxing days at the beach - we could not manage it on this occasion but it was a very good idea and would definitely try to do it on a future trip.
Carole Mullender
Reviewed February 2017
Great & unforgettable introduction to India
A very busy tour schedule but the option is there to opt out of some of the activities: I decided against the 4 hour walk in Munnar because I felt it would be too much for me and didn’t want to slow others down. There was no pressure to do everything. On the longer journeys we made frequent stops to look at things & have a snack or drink so it was always interesting with lots of points of interest. This is a real experience of the culture and life of Kerala and the guide was fantastic in the way he shared his knowledge with us, answering questions and acting as interpreter of food people & culture , A great intro into India in one of the most beautiful areas that in comparison to the north seems relatively affluent. The tea plantations and mountains are outstandingly beautiful.
Most Inspirational Moment
Loved the day spent on the boat - such a relaxing and fun time just watching the world go by, culminating in a group meal in the evening with music - and the men dressed in Keralan Lungis.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader was brilliant - nothing was too much trouble and he gave time to every member of the group helping us to change money, buy drink and advising on all sorts of things - even helping me phone my partner in the UK.. When the tour schedule was affected by a 3 day strike in Madurai he improvised and changed the plans so that we got the most out of our time. He helped the group gel together and always smiled.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is a great intro to India. Advice for women - sleeveless tops are ok providing you bring something to cover up when needed - like a shawl or thin cover - sometimes you get stares for wearing different things!
