Spice Trails of Kerala

Customer Reviews

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  John

  · January 16th, 2019
  Amazing tour guided by amazing people. What an...
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  Trip date: December 2018
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  Peter Morgan

  · April 9th, 2012
  This holiday was a brilliant introduction to India
  Trip date: April 2012
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  Nicholas Hindley

  · February 6th, 2012
  An enjoyable short break with a variety of activities - a short trek (its very hot for trekking in the day) - a visit to Madurai and some time in the back waters of Kerala. What did you think of your group leader?Ajit was a very knowledgeable guide and was able to deal with unforeseen events - such as the support jeep breaking its axleThe only qualms were that there seemed to bea bit too much time spent on 'shopping' and also the walks should be adjusted to avoid too much time spent walking in the hot times of the day.  Start earlier, lunch longerDo you have any advice for potential travellers?Its very hot for trekking during the day but can be (and was) sub zero at night while trekking.
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  Trip date: February 2012
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  Avril Mcallister

  · January 20th, 2012
  A different way to spend christmas for me,a great mix, walking and camping the first week then moving around the backwaters in more comfort the second.a very varied trip giving a perspective on india you wont get just by visiting the big centres of population.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?sharing the generousity of people who had very little, we had 3 christmas cakes on christmas eve...one from a priest after we stopped by his small one room church, one shared with the small number of parishoners whose meeting place was beside our campsite and one baked by our cook and shared around the campfire.i will remember for a long time, the view from my tent at sunrise,drinking my bed tea and looking at the spectacular scenery which had been shrouded in a cloak of mist the previous evening.What did you think of your group leader?ashok was a calm ,friendly and very competent leader. he gave us a great insight into the lives of indian people and guided us through many problems of travelling in a different environment. our trip had to be changed in part due to trouble at the border with tamil nadu but he rose to the occassion and managed the situation without us being aware of any issues.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?be prepared to accept different standards of urban structures , most towns were a bit of a mess, get over this quickly and look to the people and countryside . i didnt eat any meat or fish and was one of the few who didnt get a tummy upset,maybe related. great range of veggie meals,very cheap.weather in december was good,only one wet day in 2 weeks and boy, did it rain!Is there anything else you would like to add?south india ...great food, fantastic people,spectacular scenery,serene backwaters,fun company with like minded people....what more could you want?
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Richard Maxey

  · January 19th, 2012
  A great introduction both to India and to trekking holidays. Hills, greenery, tea, curry, boats, rain and leeches - something for everyone!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Seeing a full Indian meal being cooked from start to finishWhat did you think of your group leader?Santosh was brilliant - enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and taking in his stride all the myriad small (and large) crises that came our way. A lovely guy who really made the trip special.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Bring decent waterproofs and plenty of dry socks. You might not get a sun tan!Is there anything else you would like to add?The trip was a lot of fun, but we were unlucky with the weather. It may be worth making sure you go well into the dry season. Despite that, the walking was good, and there was a poor weather alternative to camping on a couple of nights, so we had the chance to dry off. Kerala seems to be regarded as 'India-lite' - not too much in the way of visible extreme poverty, begging, rubbish etc, that is more common elsewhere in the country. If you're not sure whether you'd like India, give Kerala a go. And the food is fantastic - curry two (or even three) times a day!
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Elizabeth Wherity

  · January 19th, 2012
  An absolute classic despite torrential rain, earthquakes, strikes, leeches etc etc, all of which were handled with great calmness by our superb guide Santosh Kumar! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The wonderful Indian people who couldn't do enough for us!!What did you think of your group leader?Santosh Kumar was an inspired leader who with dilligence and humour lead us on this fantastic adventure. Santosh went out of his way to ensure that every individual had a fantastic holiday, he was kind and fair to all and the whole group got on like a house in fire, due to his great attention to detail. A star!!!!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Expect anything and everything on this trip, don't ever go on an Exodus holiday and expect to follow the itinerary, the holiday's themselves always turn out to be much better.Is there anything else you would like to add?Another amazing Exodus holiday for us! We have been on at least four and they have all been amazing, We wouldn't go with anyone else! Everything has always been superb and we have met friends for life on these trips. Bring on the next one!!!!!!!
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Brian Hogg

  · December 31st, 2011
  A great country to visit with very friendly people. The scenery was beautiful and varied from the quiet misty cool hills down to the hot busy towns. Many new experiences over the two week period.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Walking up to the Meesapulima peak and seeing (briefly) the magnificent views when the mist lifted. Walking through the tea plantations. Sailing in the backwaters of Kerala and watching the world go by. Taking a rowing boat down the numerous waterways around the Coir Village resort. Playing chess during the evenings in a local café by torch light which seemed to be of great interest to the local people, who I think, probably played a much better game than I did. Learning a little about the religions of India, visiting temples and experiencing the noise of India.  What did you think of your group leader?Our leader, Santosh, was great – very helpful, overcame all problems and helped to make the group bond together.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Not sure if the water purification tablets were required as the drinking water on the camp was double boiled and bottled water was readily available. Some of the experienced camper had brought with them a small sheet of plastic for taking off ones boots before going into the tent, something I would include on my next trip. If you are going in December waterproofed trousers are useful, something I forgot also a travel sink plug would have been most useful as there were no plugs available in any of the hotels. I found it most interesting to add a few days on at the end of the holiday and visited Mumbai on my way home. It was suggested to me that to avoid stomach problem it was best to avoid meat in resturants, as it was uncertain where the meat had been stored. I became a reluctant vegetarian for the two week period and suffered no problems with the food.    
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  Trip date: December 2011
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  Janet Deane

  · May 2nd, 2011
  For me this was an introduction to India. During the trekking partof the holiday, I saw areas of wild beauty, closely connected with a farmed rural landscape. The luxury of the house boat on the waterways of Kerala, enabled us to see traditional life without feeling intrusive.The fod was a vegetarian's dream. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Our walk through miles of lemon grass in Tamil Nadu and seeing the craggy peak of Meesapulima, through whispy clouds. We had previously climbed Meesapulima from the soft grassy Keralan side and the change in its appearance and the terrains marked the difference between the territories in a dramatic way. The Sri Meenakshi temple at  Madurai was an assault on the senses. There was loud beating music, smells of Jasmine and incense, emotive pilgrims dancing, all existing together with a museum and shops, within one of the most architecturally astonishing buildings I have seen. The  intrically worked multi-coloured towers were astonishing in themselves.  Outside in a rickshaw we thought we were being attacked until we realised we were being were showered in holy water.What did you think of your group leader?Our group leader was charming and delightful.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Don't forget to take antiseptic wash, sun cream and mosquito deterrent. With ample use of all three, I suffered no il efects from the trip.Is there anything else you would like to add?It was a very good holiday!
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  Trip date: May 2011
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  William Glennie

  · March 18th, 2011
  The trip was well organised, the group we were with mixed well and the group leader worked hard making the holiday a great success. What did you think of your group leader?Bali, what can you say, he made the holiday an experience and a pleasure, allowing us to appreciate the full wonders of India and at the same time learn about the more subtle parts of the religion, politics and every day life of Indians today and in the past.
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  Trip date: March 2011
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  Tricia Simon

  · February 14th, 2011
  a good mix of walking, sightseeing and relaxing made this a very enjoyable holiday. Wonderful to get off the beaten track in the Western Ghats and to experience this area of India.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?walking through the lush green tea estates and beautiful scenery of the Western Ghats, seeing the sunset and sunrise on the hills.meeting a family of elephants in Periyar park relaxing on the houseboat on the backwaters What did you think of your group leader?Looked after our every need and made sure everything ran to plan.  Ashok went out of his way to make sure we had everything that we needed.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?It was warm in the daytime, but take layers of clothing so that you can keep warm at camp at night.  Is there anything else you would like to add?a great introduction to India, I found Kerala a very relaxed place to visit and will definitely be returning to explore more of India.
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  Trip date: February 2011