The Tropical South

Our Clients’ Reviews

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. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 43 reviews.

Isabel Regan

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written November 2012
The Tropical South was wonderful, Exodus in India less so.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I loved the temple at Madurai and the Hill station at Munnar.
I wish the whole trip had not been quite as regimented, as an adult and a seasoned traveller the follow-my-leader approach without a chioce did not really fulfill my expectations of an organisation as long standing as Exodus
What did you think of your group leader?
I think that Ajay did what he had been trained to do - lead a group of people around various sights. However what I believe might have been missing from the training was - these are people who are having an experience they ahve paid handsomely for, who may appreciate a choice of places to eat, who may not wish to be led around following their leader's hand in the air, who may want to ask questions individually and may not find being told to wait to be told until the whole group is together altogether useful, who might appreciate some information about places to visit or eat on their free time, who might expect a certain level of enthusiasm from their leader.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Ask a lot of questions about how the trip is organised.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I had great hopes for this trip, I had expected the sophisticated, grown up service from Exodus that I thought its time in the business would deliver but sadly did not.
The hotels used were a real disappointment - large and impersonal and not reflective of the country.
We were told by Ajay that the river boat we travelled in was owned by the person whose complex we would be staying in, and that this man owned 18 boats and several properties, I found it incredible that a responsible travelling organisation would not support smaller, and probably much better, businesses.
Several conversations with others in the group seemed to indicate that I was not the only one experiencing misgivings about the trip and Exodus as an organisation.
Sally Parker

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written November 2012
This was a fantastically varied and colourful trip, with a great combination of wildlife, culture and beautiful landscapes
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Quite a few - it was lovely seeing the ladies picking tea in the mountains; watching the people praying and worshiping the various Hindu gods in the amazing temple in Madurai; watching life on the backwaters from the amazing and very relaxing houseboat; and the people in general - so friendly and unassuming
What did you think of your group leader?
Ajay was a fantastic leader, you could tell he really cared that we were all having a good time. He was very knowledgable and keen to answer any questions we had. Any feedback was taken on board and he did his best to make right anything that people weren't happy with. He was particularly good at organising the restaurant staff pretty much everywhere we went - this was sometimes beyond the call of duty! Great leader, who contributed to our enjoyment of the trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I don't really understand the previous comment by an 'independent traveller' who criticised the fact that the Exodus trip has a leader who did a lot of the organising. This trip was a great introduction to India - and choosing a company like Exodus, paying a bit more, comes with this service. The great thing about being on a group trip is meeting like-minded people and relaxing in the knowledge that someone else is dealing with the logistics of the organising (which was often a challenge, even for Ajay who could speak the language!). It would be very difficult to fit so much in in a country like India in only 2 weeks, that was another reason I chose a company like Exodus.
Take pounds sterling with you to exchange, and do not rely on a Mastercard, as most ATMs are Visa.
Also - ladies don't have to be so strict with the dress code (the trip notes are a bit misleading); apart from the religious sites, bare arms and legs were seen as acceptable. I was a bit disappointed I had packed to cover up in >35 degree heat!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The last hotel was described in the trip notes as 'Comfortable' (i.e. of the higher standard), but actually it was the worst hotel on the trip, and of a far lower standard to those described as 'Standard'. This was particularly disappointing as this was the one place we stayed the longest - 3 nights - where we would want to relax in some comfort. It felt a bit like Exodus was scrimping a bit as we were staying in this hotel for the longest (you'd think it would be the other way round!). That was the most disappointing part of the trip. I know our leader, Ajay, took our comments on board and was already looking at other hotels in Kovalam for future groups.
Stephen Kirby

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written November 2012
The guide Agi, driver and asssistant were all excellent and turned a very average quality trip into a good one.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Agi was the most inspriational part of the trip. He was amazing at sorting out problems and adding so much to the trip.
The local people were on average incredibly friendly.
What did you think of your group leader?
Fantastic!!!!!! Simple as that.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Expect basic rooms, I would say european 2 star on average. I think on average the group was disappointed with the accomodation, especially the river boats, they were very poor quality.
Take insect spray, hand wash and baby wipes.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Agi should be given a permanent role of developing the tours and training new guides. He is wasted in his present role and should be promoted ASAP.
Janet Atherton

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written October 2012
This is a relaxing trip with plenty of interesting things to see and do. There is a lasting impression of a riot of colours and lush greenery, mad roads and cheeky monkeys.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I was inspired by the Keralan backwaters as it is hard to find places to completely unwind and simply drift along in the sunshine with not a care in the world, only think about where you will find your next coconut to drink.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ajith is a wonderful human being, very caring, intelligent and openminded. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he surpassed all expectations. He probably knows more about history and culture than the local guides!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Feel free to scream as much as we did during the jungle walk through leach infested bush. I am sure it is very therapeutic and funny afterwards! If you are offered leach socks, take them and the leach powder. Yes, elephant droppings that are damp usually mean that there could be one in the vicinity. You are not in a safari park.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I was somewhat disappointed with the standard of spoken English by the local guides at the historical and cultural places such as palaces, temples and dance/martial arts displays. I found it frustrating to not understand what I was experiencing without getting irritated. Our tour leader Ajith would have done a much better job.
Michael Bryant

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written October 2012
An "interesting" trip but a little disappointing as it did not really cover the area in any depth.You really only got a "through the bus window" view of the country!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The panaramic view of the tea plantations
What did you think of your group leader?
Ajay Gupta was an efficient leader but with little passion or interest in the area - South India.
He is probably more at home in North India where he comes from.
One of the things that struck some of our group was his complete lack of understanding about where we came from so that he had no point of reference to know where our interests may lie. One thing Exodus should consider is letting all their long-service guides visit the UK - it would help the guides understand the people they are dealing with.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't take much in the way of extra clothing as it really isn't required. Get a good road map of the area to be visited as the Indian ones are poor. If you want some decent drinks - gin, vodka etc., buy at the duty free in the Indian airport of arrival prior to customs.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The local Exodus reps should spend 3 minutes checking every hotel room their group is going to use which would overcome the problems of naked wires in the bathroom, broken bulbs over sinks & dirty toilets.
On the boat we had an aircon unit the sprayed a fine mist of water droplets over the bed - hasn't anyone heard of legionaires disease?
Some of the worst breakfasts I have ever had anywhere in the world in hotels.
Caireen McGlashan

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written September 2012
The trip was awesome! Colourful, entertaining, friendly, amazing scenery, palaces and temples and the trip was packed with all sorts of great stuff to see and do.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The moments that stood out most were the little extras that the leader threw into the trip, like the Rescue Tuk Tuks that saved us from the rain in the plantations and our last night at the Onam celebrations in Trivandrum - We even made it into their local newspaper with our yellow balloons! The meal at family home was also fantastic. I loved so much of the trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Suresh was brilliant. So knowledgable and has a wicked sense of humour.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take loads of cheap pens to hand out to the children. You will have never heard the phrase "One pen?" so many times in your life before. Get an easy to apply mosquito cream instead of the greasy sprays as you want to make sure that you apply it diligently daily otherwise you will be eaten. Not a malaria risk, just annoying bites. Boots Repel Citrapel 75 cream worked brilliantly for me.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It's an amazing trip. Do it!
Gillian Wright-Dixon

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written September 2012
A very good all round trip. Madurai temple was worth seeing, and the backwater cruise in Kerela was definately the highlight. Lovely country, lovely people and tasty food.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The most inspirational moment of the trip was Madurai Temple. Seeing people together in the temple, praying and lighting candles was a lovely sight to see.
What did you think of your group leader?
Suresh was a very good group leader. He had a lot of knowledge of the areas we visited as well as the recent history of India in general.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you don't take too much money with you. It is hard to try and get it converted back to English pounds on the last days without getting really bad exchange rates.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip overall. Thank you Exodus.

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Our Clients’ Reviews

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

THE TROPICAL SOUTH