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.

Hannah Bryant

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written September 2012
The Tropical South was a Colourful Nicely Paced Introduction to South India
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The most inspirational moment for me was in the temple of Madurai
What did you think of your group leader?
Suresh the group leader was funny and caring and very knowledgeable about his country.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do not forget your bug spray the mossy was not too bad but other small creatures where plentiful
The tour guide is very good at showing you safe places to eat if you decide to go it alone for eating check how your food is prepared eg have they washed things in tap or bottled water.
If you dont like hot food ask for less chilli not less spices as you will loose a lot of the flavour.
Long trousers are great for visiting temples but also to protect against leeches :) you will be provided with leech socks put them on for the jungle bit harmless little critters but quite annoying. Your feet will get wet in the jungle but trainers dry fairly quickly in the heat.
Dont change too much money at the air port as its hard to change it back at a decent rate and when changing money ask for 100 rupee notes or less as most places will struggle to give you change apart from the large hotels where you could use 500 notes to pay for your dinner.
Sun block up even if its cloudy its gets you when your not expecting
Long loose skirts are easier for using the crouching toilets rather than trousers :) but its all good fun you will have buns of steel by the end of the trip
If you put on a bikini expect everyone to photograph you the locals go in the sea fully clothed so heaps of flesh on display is not a great idea if you don't want the attention.
Haggle haggle and Haggle some more or if your a soft touch like me just give them what they are asking for but seriously you can usually knock 20 % off whatever they start at usually more I worked on the basis of how much effort was needed to make whatever I was buying.
Pack light I went out with 9KG and came back with 20 KG I love shopping.
I wash by hand but if you like to get things laundered the tour rep will advice the best places.
The massages are very good but are a full front and back if your shy I would give this a miss wait until you get to the last hotel the massages reviewed much better here tha earlier in the trip.
Go with an open mind and have fun
Laura Payne

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written September 2012
I thought this trip was fantastic. I fell in love with South India. When I sleep at night I'm still dreaming about the trip - it was that good. I want to go back! My personal highlight was the trip to Munnar, the mountainous areas are just breathtakingly beautiful and green. The people in Munnar are incredibly friendly, its well worth taking a walk around the town when you have some down time. In fact - everywhere we went the people were very friendly. Periyar is also very beautiful and the town is interesting. What am I talking about? Everything and everywhere was interesting.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
For me - pretty much everything!
What did you think of your group leader?
Suresh was very kind, patient, knowledgable, funny and very pleasant to talk to. He was an extremely good tour guide.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Embrace everything! Indian people have a very good sense of humour and love to engage in a conversation with foreigners, so make an effort! :)
I went a bit mental, I can't sit still for 5 seconds, so I was getting up earlier than I needed to every morning to go into each the towns we stayed at just to experience more and more!!

Is there anything else you would like to add?
For me the trip to the beach at the end of the trip was slightly disappointing. Probably because I'm a very active person and after doing so many activities all week it didn't really do anything for me. It was very touristy, but then it is a leisurely trip so I can't really complain much!

I will be coming back to South India one day, I would love to revisit Munnar, Fort Cochin and Periyar and explore the rest of this part of the country - there is so much more to see!
Richard Kenyon

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written April 2012
A very pleasant introduction to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The group we were with was a very good mix and added to the enjoyment.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The temple visit to Madurai is a real highlight, and we were lucky to see part of the Painguri festival (not for the squeamish!)
What did you think of your group leader?
The leader, Suresh Moni was excellent. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and attentive to the diffferent needs of the group.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The hill walk at Munnar is not difficult, but with the heat was not attempted by all the group - some were fitter than others!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We had originally booked the South India Explored (AIS) trip where we expected to explore rather more including Mysore and Kanchipuram. Unfortunately this trip was cancelled, so we opted for The Tropical South trip as second choice. Obviuosly we did not see as much, but it did exceed my expectations.
Joy Brodie

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written January 2012
This was a great trip with a fantastic guide with lots of variety included from walking, wildlife, sightseeing and relaxing.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were many highlights - climbing Munnar Hill, elephant riding, houseboat trip, seeing the birds (feathered variety :)).
What did you think of your group leader?
Absolutely wonderful - nice and calm, good sense of humour, checked out the welfare of the group both individually and as a group, organised and able to try and put in an alternative when we couldn't do part of the trip due to a border dispute.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Hiking boots instead of trainers would be better for the hill climb and the Periyar National Park.
Need to be relaxed about slow service in restaurants - enjoy the time with your fellow travellers!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
India wasn't my first choice and it was one of my travelling companions who suggested it - when I saw this trip on the Exodus website and saw the variety it caught my imagination but still far exceeded my expectations. The area we went to reminded me very much of my childhood spent in Fiji where there is a large Indian population and I felt very at home from the time we travelled in from the airport in Kochi. The group we were with were a great bunch and I made some good friends. So nice to get away from the cold in Scotland to some warmth in winter too. Cooking and food was fab! Just loved it all round!
francis josephs josephs

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written January 2012
An excellent, varied and well-paced trip- inspirational and relaxing
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many: the two idyllic days on the houseboat; the moving Madurai temple and pilgrims; the exhilarating trek in the Munnar hills; our lovely meal with an Indian family; the tea plantations; the two peaceful days in the Coir village; exciting wildlife walk in Periyar; the elephant santuary; the (optional) train trip to Vekala beach; moving Gandhi museum; surfing and strolling at Kovalam; Trivandrum; bustling and atmospheric markets and villages- and so much more!
What did you think of your group leader?
Suresh was outstanding: highly knowedgeable, friendly, witty, very caring, attentive to the needs of all, and extremely hard-working. Easily one of the best leaders I have experienced.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Lassi is a nice drink, and cools hot curries. Chai tea grew on me- refreshing.
Munnar is cold at night!
Some markets and towns are dusty: I found tissues, eye lotion and throat sweets helpful. Antiseptic handwash and wipes are important.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Much easier and more relaxing than the north.
Jennifer Douse

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written November 2011
The trip was very well balanced with a range of activities and sufficient time to enjoy them. Manoj, the Tour Leader was excellent, professional, calm and efficient. He quickly worked out what the group liked to do and ensured that our needs were met. Memorable images include the fishing nets in Cochin, tea pickers in Munnar, pilgrims in the temple in Madurai, rice planters in Tamil Nadu, floating along in the houseboats on the Allepey backwaters, fishermen hauling in their nets in Kovalam and pilgrims visiting the shrines at the southern tip of India.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many colourful sights. I enjoyed travelling over the Western Ghats through the tea plantations and spice gardens. The colour and human hubbub in the temples in Madurai was fascinating. I enjoyed relaxing in the houseboats on the Allepey backwaters watching daily life unfold on the banks. Watching the fishermen hauling in the nets in Kovalam was interesting.
What did you think of your group leader?
Manoj the Tour Leader was excellent. He was very professional, calm and efficient and made sure that the needs of the group were met. The driver and assistant were also very professional and helpful and ensured our safety. Manoj dealt with problems in a manner that was co-operative such as having to leave early in the morning to flee from Thekkady to beat the blockade. He quickly worked out the needs of the group and would make sure they were met. He provided good advice on eating places, places to buy articles and places of interest. He was very knowledgeable and provided sufficient information to make the tour interesting. He also gave good tips on photography, being an expert.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for different climates as the tour goes from warm tropical to chilly mountain climes.
Take rehydration powders as there is a possibility of stomach problems.
Although we were able to borrow adaptors and eventually managed to buy one, the normal plug adaptors you buy here did not seem to fit Indian plugs. You will be taking a lot of photos!
Be prepared for quite a lot of travelling on mixed road surfaces.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It was a very relaxing trip and I felt rejuvenated by the experience.
Most of the group suffered from a stomach bug (probably Noro virus) so I hope this did not detract too much from their enjoyment of the trip.
I would recommend this trip for it's mix of activities and leisurely pace.
Malcolm Waddle

THE TROPICAL SOUTH

Written October 2011
Good balance between visits, free time, etc. Well organsided - liked the short stops on route like the brickmaking etc. Hotels and transport were higher standrd than expected.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Difficlut to pick - there were sevaral between sceenry/geography, food, people.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Could miss the night at the Coir village - would have liked to have done a train trip.

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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