Cycle Kerala & Tropical India

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 62 reviews.

Katherine Tracey

CYCLE KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Written March 2012
India was vibrant and fascinating, and the cycling was varied and excellent fun
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Making it to the top of Ooty hill!
What did you think of your group leader?
Relaxed and easy going while still getting everything done that needed to get done.
Made the trip stress-free.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take your own bike seat - it's just more comfortable. And leave plenty of room in your suitcase for shopping!
Thea Quin Romandy

CYCLE KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Written March 2012
Way beyond my expectations, the trip just got better every single day, very well organized with some great cycling. Had done a previous cycle trip through another company and Exodus way surpassed in every aspect. It was adventurous, fun, action packed, a gastronomic delight just everything you would want out of a cycling trip and more. Thanks Exodus
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting to top of Ooty Hill. The amazing descent, back streets of Kerala, the many smiling faces along the way. The houseboat. Just too many to mention
What did you think of your group leader?
Nice relaxed well organized, loved the driver he was very warm friendly and helpful. Also the guy sweeping at the back was very informative
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I took my own pedals and saddle was maybe more comfy
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for the best cycle trip ever. Will use you again and again , way better than the previous company I used
Alison Chadwick

Incredible India

Written March 2012
This is my 3rd cycling holiday with Exodus and once again a fantastic experience, this trip we managed to fill the whole trip with friends who loved every minute of it, we are busy planning our next cycling trip with Exodus already.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
As always these trips are so well organised, the tour leader and back up staff go out of their way to help and assist you, nothing is ever too much trouble. I just loved all the cycling through the back roads off the beaten tracks, stunning scenery with the ocean on one side. The climb up Ooty was probably the most talked about subject on the trip - probably the hardest thing a few of us had done but at the same time manageable even if you have to walk part of the climb. I have to say the accommodation on this trip was outstanding especially the houseboat! And of course the food - just way too much! Don't expect to lose weight on this trip!
What did you think of your group leader?
He was brilliant, always willing to assist and part with information. The 2 support guys were amazing too. Such nice guys. Always a smile on their faces.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I do think you need to have some bike skills for this trip, cycling in the traffic can be a little daunting at times, luckily not too much of it. If you feeling insecure rather pull over and wait for the large vehicle to overtake you - the pecking order is alive and well in India. A level of fitness is obviously necessary, the first week is probably the hardest week, the 2nd week is mostly dead flat. If you plan on waiting at the top of the Ooty climb for all the party to arrive perhaps put a space blanket or light jacket in your pocket, we had more than 2 hours to wait at the rest stop and were quite cold waiting for the others to arrive. Cold in India, yes we did feel cold! Apart from Ooty is is HOT HOT HOT and HUMID!
The kitty works well - covers all the extras apart from alcohol, for 2 weeks you dont even have to think, everything is taken care of for you. Outstanding.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I can honestly recommend this trip - India is full of delights, like nothing I've experienced before and on a bicycle it is a real treat as we rode in places where no bus or vehicle could go so you get to see the real India. And of course it is dirt cheap - 12 of us caught a ferry one day on our free day in Cochin - the journey took 20 minutes and the fare for all 12 of us was 50 cents!!
Ellen McPhillips

CYCLE KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Written February 2012
There is nothing negative to say about this trip. It delivers on all aspects. The cycling is varied - at times a great challenge and other times an easy, pleasurable ride. With the local guides you get to see the real India. I couldn't recommend this trip enough.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I know everyone said this but it's really hard to pick out particular moments. The trip is so varied that every night you go to bed thinking "wow what a great day!" The mock charge by a bull elephant was memorable as was arriving at Wild Haven for a cold beer after a long ride. The absolute highlight for me has to be the cycling - fantastic! Even getting through the manic traffic in Mysore was fun.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader was Safi. We couldn't have asked for more from him - friendly, attentive and informative. He showed us what India is really all about rather than seeing the tourist side of things. He had us all well trained jumping on our bikes ready to go as soon as he rang his bell!!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
To really enjoy the trip I think you need a reasonable level of fitness. Bring a hair dryer if you need one (there won't be one in your accommodation). Ideally bring clothes that you can wash and won't need ironing i.e. sports clothes. That way you can stay on top of your laundry by washing things out each night. Be prepared to eat lots of lovely curries!!!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you are thinking of going on this trip just go ahead and book it. I went with high expectations and it was even better than I thought.
Susan Appleby

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Written January 2012
The second week in Kerala was stunning - scenery, birdlife, food, backwater cycling, Varkala beach. Perfect.First week - not so good. Too much heavy traffic and pollution. I have asthma so it wasn't a happy time as I struggled along 40KM of trucks, cars and motorbikes belching out goodness knows what. I would therefore recommend anyone with a similar condition to acquire a face mask.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I loved the houseboat. For the first time in many years I actually relaxed and watched the world go by. It helps to have some of the most genuinely lovely people we met on the trip on the same boat.
What did you think of your group leader?
Vishna was excellent - however one of our party did have a serious accident and had to be hospitalised and flown home so Vish left us to take care of her and her partner. So we had to put up with Safi! I jest. He was brilliant - what an extraordinarily happy man! Quite infectious. Whenever I hear a bike bell ring I shall think of him....
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you have asthma please ensure you have what you need with you and get a breathable face mask. There are no panniers on the bike so, if you have a fancy pants camera like me, you could invest in a camera holder which attaches to the front of the bike. I had to use a rucksack which was hot and heavy.
If you can, spend an extra couple of days at Varkala at the end - it really is a lovely beach with great seafood, generally hassle free shops and beer oddly wrapped in newspaper so the locals aren't offended.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I have enjoyed several group holidays both with and without Exodus. This, by far, had the most entertaining, well travelled and enjoyable group to spend the first 2 weeks of 2012 with. I can't thank them enough. They made the holiday along with Vishnu, Safi and Shibu (our wonderful driver who put up with nearly all of us having to hop into the bus at some point whilst recovering from the usual holiday trials and tribulations one encounters when away from home...).
I am sorry that Al felt the need to be so angry in his comments regarding this holiday. Can I point out the following: indeed someone went over their handlebars on day 2 - entirely their own fault as they didn't see the road humps (this is my partner by the way so I am not being biased). Second: one of the group managed to fall over because he didn't get his feet out of his cleats in time (3 times) - this is not an accident but, frankly, a rather hilarious mishap! Al needs to realise that his (very lovely) wife had an accident and to stop blaming Exodus for the fact that this happened. It had nothing to do with local traffic, road surfaces etc. It was an accident.
Jane Howard

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Written January 2012
Loved it, particularly the 2nd week once we'd entered Kerala, which was as beautiful as I'd imagined. Lots of early starts, and some long cycling days, but always with the support vehicle for anyone in need, and friendly 'hi's' from local children as we cycled passed, and a wonderful day on the house-boat and final day on the beach to round it all off.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
1. The ascent to Ooty. Not for the faint hearted - a 2 hour slog up hill but a great sense of achievement at the end.
2. The descent from Ooty - an amazing and beautiful downhill ride crossing over into Kerala.
3. Sunset on the houseboat; early morning on the houseboat
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group was led by 3 incredibly patient people - Vishnu, the main group leader; Safi - main bike man; and Shibu in the bus. They worked really hard behind the scenes to ensure we could relax as much as possible, and nothing was too much trouble for them. Putting away bikes each night, getting them out and loaded with new water bottles each morning, organising and running the kitty for meals and tips, and looking after us at our frequent coffee/tea stops en route.
They deserve particular thanks for the way they coped when, due to an unfortunate and serious accident one of our group had to be taken to hospital. Vishnu stayed with them at the hospital for a few days and Safi took on the role of group leader as well as main bike man.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The hotel at Ooty was freezing cold - take some warm clothes, ask for an electric heater for your room. Best options for your free afternoon in Ooty are the Botanical Gardens or the Rose Garden.
If you are not sure about the trip to the Orphanage - do go. It is not at all voyeuristic and the children at the orphanage will be excited to see you, and at the end you can make a donation if you wish.
Allan Allison

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Written January 2012
India is not a cycling friendly country. A decision to take this trip should be guided by a serious consideration of traffic and road conditions - both are adverse and the potential for serious injury is real and not to be underestimated.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Vishnu was extremely helpful to us in coping with and negotiating the unfamiliar hospital experience.
Shibu was an excellent and thoughtful driver. Safi is a very competent cyclist and able bicycle mechanic.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you have difficulties breathing wear an anti-pollution cycling mask.
A water bottle with sanitary cap covering the drinking value is much better than the exposed values of hydration packs and standard bottles that are exposed to dirt and contaminents.
Always carry medical information on your person in case of injury - particularly if you are travelling alone.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Along the Ootty Hill climb there are large red signs, marked with skulls and cross bones, that announce ACCIDENT PRONE ZONE DRIVE CAREFULLY or DANGEROUS GHAT ROAD DRIVE CAREFULLY - that particular sign goes on to list the numbers of persons killed or injured over a number of years. The map we received during the trip for the descent from Ootty to Edakkara twice states: “Ride carefully we have had 2 big crashes on downhill!” I wonder why no mention of such is made in the trip notes, no advisory given. Shame! Dangerous road conditions, sometimes happening unexpectedly and in combination, include: Narrow roads and laneways The angle of curves, blind corners and steep descents Road surfaces – including substandard patches, extended surfaces breaks, disintegrated pavement, potholes, jagged, uneven and elevated drop-offs at shoulders, insufficient shoulders and or shoulders strewn with litter, or overgrown with vegetation, or blocked in various ways Obstacles - including unmarked speed bumps, parked vehicles blocking shoulders whilst extending into traffic lanes, and freely roaming animals The risks inherent in these conditions are exacerbated by the nature of traffic that can be described in three words – unsafe and chaotic! “ …. it’s not uncommon for bicycle and motorbikes to ride in the wrong direction! And you have to make allowances for this. Rule number 2 there is a pecking order with cows at the top, then large trucks and buses, working its way down through old vehicles then new vehicles to dogs and chickens with cyclist and pedestrians at the bottom. As a cyclist you pretty much have to give way to everything” (Form Rules of the Road – a handout to the group on day one.) The trouble is there is often no space into which one can give way! Again, shame that no meaningful description of cycling conditions is given in the trip notes. Six days into the trip, my wife went down in the midst of traffic. She sustained serious multiple injuries and an abrupt halt to this holiday. Be advised that prior to her accident one individual went down with resulting minor injuries. Another individual fell three times also suffering minor injuries. On two occasions individuals were forced off the road. From this experience recommendations to increase safety include: - A proper pre-ride safety check ensuring that all cyclists are wearing properly fitting and correctly adjusted helmets. Fit matters!- A pre-ride check to inform less experienced riders how to shift gears and how to do it safely, followed by time to practice. It is too dangerous to do this in traffic during the first ride. - A non-negotiable expectation that all riders wear helmets whenever in the saddle. - Pre or post dinner group meetings to explain and meaningfully discuss the next day’s ride and its requirements. The handouts we received moments before each ride were insufficient. - Increased vigilance by the group leader during the Ootty descent and other dangerous areas (stopping the group more frequently to bring it together, slowing the descent for all, making himself/herself visible to riders and controlling their passage over dangerous surfaces - be that on foot if necessary). This was lacking in our trip. - An assistant leader (capable of sweeping back from time to time to inform, encourage, support or assist riders at the back of the group).

Our fellow cyclists were a good group - frequently supporting each other.
Exodus Response
We thank Mr Allison for his review and have replied directly in full to all his points.

Exodus takes the safety of its clients very seriously so investigated this incident, and the manner in which the trip was conducted in full. Exodus has operated this trip for 10 years; in this time, over 1000 clients have cycled this itinerary and any accidents have been few and far between. Five Exodus staff members have been on the trip, one of whom went in September 2011, and we have not had any reason to believe that this trip is any more risky than other cycling itineraries. The trip notes explain that clients should, 'be aware that cycling of all kinds has its dangers and that accidents can happen from time to time. Please ensure that you are properly prepared for the riding you are going to undertake.'

Having reviewed the risk assessment for this trip and the established procedures that are adopted by our local staff, and having spoken at length to staff members who have been on this trip previously, we remain confident that Southern India is a suitable part of the world for a cycling itinerary of this nature. We do not feel that cycling in India poses any greater risk than cycling elsewhere in Asia or indeed, many other parts of the world. There is an inherent risk associated with cycling either on road or off road anywhere in the world, but we believe that our local staff are providing our clients with sufficiently thorough briefings each day and the information in the trip notes is accurate.

If anyone has any particular concern regarding any points made in this review please feel free to call us for further information.

- Exodus Staff