Spice Trails Of Kerala: Trekking Holiday, India

Our Clients’ Reviews

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Average Review Rating: from 30 reviews.

Daphne Perring
SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written April 2013
See last paragraph................................
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The elephant kissing my head with its trunk in the temple in Madurai.
Day 7 - trek was outstanding and finished in the most beautiful campsite ever. We were visited by lots of inquisitive monkeys swinging by just to say hello!
talking to the children in the villages.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was fine, but I understand he was not the usual leader for this trek. At times his instructions could be a little confusing. However he was a very professional person who did give us a great deal of information on the various religions and cultures.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I took very small presents for the local children - small notebooks and pencils, pens rubbers and sharpeners (no sweets). They love loved them and were so pleased with a small gift.
Always ask before you take a photograph of a person.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The title of the holiday belies the fantastic adventure I have just returned from in Kerala. The breathtaking scenery, the beautiful people, and the diverse culture of Southern India were magnificent to see. The wildlife was abundant. We were lucky enough to see wild elephant, buffalo, monkeys and wild boar during our travels. Cows roaming around everywhere! Kingfishers, egrets, herons, drongos and eagles, to name but a few birds - in abundance! The butterflies and moths were the most beautiful I have ever seen. The flowers and the plants were a mix of most beautiful colours, shapes and sizes. The fragrance of the mimosa tree was delicious! The jungle treks, the tea plantations and the spice growing areas were superb. The backwaters of Kerala were stunning, the houseboat stay luxurious. Still the surprises kept coming – the Coir Resort was a fantastic stay and the local villagers so welcoming.The local guides were very knowledgeable and the cultural visits we made were very interesting and well thought out.I can’t finish my write up without commenting on the beautiful food. Our camping chef and his team produced the most fantastic food throughout. It’s been hard settling back into life after the trip, but I have memories with me that will last forever.
David Ralph

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written April 2013
What an amazing trip; everything I hoped it would be and more! I've done a few of these sorts of trips before and this one is up there as probably the best.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting away from the tourist trail and being up-close to the local people, flora and fauna. The back-waters of Kerala are absolutely beautiful.
What did you think of your group leader?
Arvind was friendly, approachable and well-informed even though this was not his regular tour. He was very good at keeping the group under control and making sure we got the most out of the trip. He even included some interesting trips that were not on the trip schedule.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It was very hot and humid when I went at the end of March, so be ready for that. The camping is fairly basic, including the sanitary arrangements and it was a good thing that we did it at the start of the trip so that the remainder of the time could be enjoyed in a personally clean condition. The local support guys for the camping were brilliant anf the food they produced for us was incredible.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The trip title does not fully decribe the range of experiences on this trip.
It would have been nice to have the hotel in Cochin in the older part of the city (Fort Cochin) instead of the newer part. Otherwise 'well done' Exodus, I will be back again for a new adventure.
Michael Dowd

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written April 2013
A great mix of excellent trekking in glorious scenery, a quieter second week where you can unwind in the backwaters plus a few real jewels, Madurai for one.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It has to be the trekking. It was so varied and there was so much to see, really lovely walking.
Though the elephant ride was a treat.
And the food - I even ended up opting for spicy breakfasts in the end. We ate in very local everyday cafes and it was great. And Anthony the chef's cooking on the trek was another treat.
Madurai of course.
And as everyone says unwinding on the houseboat.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ajiy was terrific, really good fun. We were a small end-of-season group and he turned this to our advantage. He asked if we were happy to have a degree of spontaneity in what we did - if so, he would try to show us the real India. We were more than happy to trust Ajiy on this and he really delivered, taking us into small tea shops and even people's homes in a way that would not have worked with a large group. Ajiy also worked out what everyone was most interested in and made sure we experienced this (I now have an unexpectedly thoroough selection of Malayalam movie music). And we learnt so much without ever getting too earnest.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You don't get a lot of begging but a few spare pens for children go down well.
Buy Connemara tea for your Irish friends.
Leave space in your luggage for Popy umbrellas.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
One of my favourite holidays. Not so touristy as some areas of India, more relaxed.
janet dennis

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written February 2013
A wonderfully varied insight into the areas of Kerala
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I was frequently inspired but our tour leader and the local support teams. They all wanted us to have the "best holiday " and I did... we were shown so many different and unexpected sides of Kerala.. loved it !!!
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader couldn't do enough for us. He quickly assessed what we individually were interested in, then stimulated the whole group. He showed no preferences and a great sensitivity. Amazing knowledge which helped to make the trip so satisfying
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go for it !!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Loved every minute !
w kerr

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written February 2013
We thoroughly enjoyed the trip, the scenery was very impressive and the Indian people seemed very happy and cheerful.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The trek over the Western Ghats was the most enjoyable part of the trip and the best of that was the evening meal round the campfire. The group got on well together and all had a thoroughly enjoyable time. The camp support staff were extremely capable and very amusing.
What did you think of your group leader?
I thought that Ajith Kumar was a genuinely nice man who did everything he could to help us and make the trip as enjoyable as possible. He was affable, amusing and extremely informative about the flora of the region and its geology.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Money: £200 in cash will probably see you through depending on how much you spend on presents. Best take advice from the tour guide regarding money changing. When we were there you got R82 to the pound for cash in town but only R75 at the airport. ATMs were limited to a max of R10,000 and the effective rate was only about R76 when deductions were taken into account. My credit card paid R81 for hotel checkout bills.
Mosquitoes: the only place we were bitten was in the Cochin hotel bedroom on the first night. Take a knockdown spray and use it before going to bed and use deet.
Leeches: there should not be any outside of the rainy season. We did not come across any.
Food poisoning: we ate whatever was given us and did not have a problem except on the flight home through Dubai.
Camping: the sleeping mats are a bit thin, I would take a light selfinflating mat next time.
Fluids: bottled water is readily available for about 20p a litre, even on the trek, we didn't need a water bottle (hotel bottled water is about £1.50). We had beer each night on the camp provided by arrangement with the support staff for about £1.60 a 660ml bottle.
Laundry: you'll probably want to wash some things after the trek, be aware that the Madurai hotel charges double the quoted rate per item received after 10.30am for express wash and you may not get your stuff back until after 11.00pm. Don't put anything delicate in. Consider waiting until you get to Thekkady.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Be careful walking about in the villages, there are no pavements and lots of traffic.
George Brown

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written January 2013
The trip was well organised allowing time to relax and discover some of south India after the more strenuous, though not too hard walking part of the trip.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The variety of the scenery, which constantly changed, while walking
What did you think of your group leader?
Very relaxed, but well organised to cope with the Issues which arose.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Enjoy a bit of activity and discovery on this trip, though take the notes about climate and effort required into consideration when booking.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Would recommend this to anyone who is fairly fit and wants a gently introduction to the noisy bustling world of India.
Laura Symon

SPICE TRAILS OF KERALA

Written January 2013
Fantastic, Fabulous and Fun! This trip was the perfect combination of adventure, new experiences, brilliant walks and serious chilling on the backwaters!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
So many it's hard to decide. Each day I would wake up knowing I would be experience something new and that's a very cool feeling! The laughter and chat around the campfire. Finally reaching the top of the second highest peak, didn't think I would make it, but a lot of encouragement I did it. Was a good feeling! As soon as Ajthi brought the chocolate out, we knew we would be climbing uphill. Watching the group play cricket with local kids.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ajthi was fantastic, he really made the trip for everyone. He had boundless energy and enthusiasm. His knowledge was incredible making this not only a fun trip but absolutely fascinating. I'll never look at tea and spices in the same way!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You will not be disappointed. go for the penthouse suite (top tent), as Lady Laura can vouch for it:-) Always have some small change for public loos and tips. Take your own loo roll
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don't think about it, just do it! You will not regret it.