SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

16 days from GBP1,949 to GBP2,399 including flights
Tripcode: TGK

Countries Visited: India

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 16 reviews.

avril mcallister

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written January 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.
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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?
nick hindley

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written January 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.
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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 axle
The 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 longer
Do 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.
Elizabeth Webster

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written January 2012
A barrage of incredible and unforgettable experiences enhanced by our outstanding tour leader. Wherever we went people were friendly, welcoming and hospitable.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Every day of the trek was inspirational, being able to witness a vast and ever changing landscape. One particular highlight was sitting on the side of a mountain listening to our tour leader singing an Indian love song.
The houseboat trip and stay in the backwaters was idyllic and pleasantly relaxing after the strenuous efforts of the trek.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ajith is an exceptional human being. His knowledge of history, religion, geography, politics, art, culture, botany and cricket is encyclopaedic and he put his heart and soul into ensuring that we all got the most possible from our time in South India. He was always prepared to seize extra opportunities as they presented themselves rather than simply sticking rigidly to the pre-arranged programme. He also showed infinite patience in meeting the various needs of the group.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Come prepared for extremes of temperature. You need to be aware that this is a very packed and intensive programme of activities. Have a few cricket nets before setting off!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The hotel on the first night in Kochi was disappointing, certainly didn't merit a CH designation and was way below the standard of all the others.
Brian Hogg

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written December 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.
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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.
Richard Maxey

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written November 2011
A great introduction both to India and to trekking holidays. Hills, greenery, tea, curry, boats, rain and leeches - something for everyone!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing a full Indian meal being cooked from start to finish
What 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!
Janet Deane

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written April 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.
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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!
William Glennie

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written March 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.
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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.