Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of Ooty Hill. Physically, the toughest thing I've ever done (it's brutal) - despite taking on electrolyes and other fluids, being in shape and generally sporty (I'm mid 30's and not carrying any weight) I got badly dehydrated and must of stopped 12-15 times. However, I was enormously proud of myself for cycling the full 13km /1,300m of height gain. And next time I'll know the sort of training I need to do! The other highlight was seeing an elephant in the wild for the first time on the game drive, which again was a lot more fun that I expected.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was easily the best group leader I've had and I've done these group tours all over the world. He was incredibly conscientious and kind as well as being exceptionally well organised - time and again he went the extra mile. He'd always phone ahead so everywhere we stopped was expecting us and his advice on things like what not to eat was greatly appreciated. Finally, when he needed to put his foot down with either us or his team he'd do so in a gentle, understated way - often with a chuckle. He had a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go when it's a bit cooler, padded cycling shorts are a must and take electrolytes if you sweat a lot. Oh and try the Kerala bread - kind of a cross between naan bread, a pancake and puff pastry (I couldn't get enough of it!)

Suggestions

Most of the cycling is in the morning so there is time to relax or go for a wander in the afternoons - assuming you're willing to brave the heat that is!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the winding roads between vivid green tea plantations Dusk viewed through the tracery of Kochi's fishing nets Lunch on the family terrace in Kochi The general Indian assault of colour and light The genuine sense of welcome from schoolkids and passers by

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joseph/Shibu (not forgetting Harry the driver) were all lovely Calm, assiduous and unfailingly patient and courteous - in what could have been a v stressful and dangerous context (some of this cycling is really quite dangerous if you cease to concentrate for the wrong moment!) The one thing that was really lacking was the cultural/historical input And quite reasonably, Joseph/Shibu cannot be good at everything However, the 2/3 one off guides hired to do this in situ were all terrible - the one in Mysore took a 10 minute call to sell carpets in the middle of our Palace tour, another local guide outside Mysore at the temple was incomprehensible This could I imagine be easily sorted with some better on the spot recruitment

Advice for Potential Travellers

You WILL get ill (unless perhaps you are a v seasoned Indian traveller) Pace yrself as the combination of cycling and heat and illness can be difficult

Suggestions

I much preferred the second week of holiday Mysore was OK but the Tiger Reserve/Ootey were not terribly interesting - may have been bad weather we had I would happily have had a longer time concentrated in Kerala The last venue was pleasant - hotel/beach etc, but it was surrounded by tripperish shops and outlets which was a pity after so much of genuine India

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the tiger in Bhundipur reserve. The animal and bird life was an unexpected pleasure. Going to a family home, meeting the family and doing a cookery course there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

This is my 3rd Exodus trip and I feel that the service that Safi provided was very much below the standards that Exodus had set previously. His knowledge was very poor and his communication skill were lacking. I felt he had lost any enthusiasm for the trip and he did not think about the social aspects of the group. The Kochin hotel as an example. The care that had been shown on previous Exodus rides,mwhen we came to stops on the bikes,bwas lacking e.g., no reminders for hand wash, no welcoming smiling faces and snacks had to be asked for. The driver was very good but not always there. Having said that Safi stepped up to the plate when I needed to go to hospital.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Use plenty of hand wash, apply lots of sun cream and drink plenty of water.

Suggestions

Our trip could have been made more enjoyable if our group leader had volunteered more information and stopped and explained things about Indian life, as has happened on my other Exodus holidays.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just arriving in India and realising that my 2 week adventure was about to begin! Against all odds, seeing a tiger drinking at the waterhole in Bandipur National Park! Mysore Palace at night (I nearly didn't go cos it was the first night and I was SO tired!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was a nice enough guide but could have been a bit more forthcoming with info about places visited and things seen along the route.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take: a bag for front of your bike to avoid bumbags/rucksacks (it's too hot!), shower gel if you don't like soap (that's what most of the hotels provide), loo roll (not provided in loos out of hotels), electrolyte tabs for your drink, concentrated squash (makes that warm water a little more interesting!) and BINOCULARS for the safari (a must!) Add as many extra days in Varkala at the end of the holiday as you can (one day just isn't enough!) but book it yourself (Exodus charged us double the going rate!!). We used the group flight but left 2 days later than everyone else and were so glad we did!

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick just one inspirational moment when there were many, but for me the houseboat trip felt like a privilege: the leisurely pace of the cruise and the photography opportunities as the evening light changed, not to mention the beautiful meals cooked on board for us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Joseph, and together with his team he kept everyone on track and ensured we were well fed, safe and gave us good direction. He let people go off on their own when it was safe to do so, and kept everyone in check and under his wing when cycling through busy urban areas. His management skills ensured that we kept to time, while at the same time allowing us flexibility to visit local homes, tea shops and tourist areas if we wanted. He made staying in Indian hotels easy - no worries about accommodation, food safety or what to tip. He also anticipated some of us needing to know if we could get a beer at the hotels, ensuring we bought in advance if there was going to be a no-alcohol policy at the next hotel.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I took my own saddle cover for comfort - not a necessity, but a little luxury for the last day which is the longest cycling and some roads a bit bumpy. Always carry hand wash or soap leaves with you - taps for washing hands were normally available at snack stops, but not always soap. Anti-mosquito spray was needed in the evenings at the National Parks and Verkala. Don't be put off by other road users/traffic in India - Indian drivers are much more sensitive to cyclists than British drivers in my experience. They want you to survive, they take care to avoid you, they beep their horns as a warning that they are there, not to tell you to get out of the way. I felt much safer cycling in India than I do cycling in my own home city - London

Suggestions

I have been on quite a few Exodus cycling trips now and can highly recommend this one for the itinerary, the varied experiences, the cycling (the uphill day was hard but exhilarating, the downhill day exciting), the views, photography opportunities, and the Leader is experienced. The last you can only appreciate when you have been on other trips where the Leader lacks skill.

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding down hill from Ooty in the mist through the eucalyptus trees.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was informative, helpful and fabulous.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Mmske the most of all the trip has to offer.

Suggestions

It was a great experience and I would highly recommend the tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved -seeing the people washing in the river outside Mysore -recognizing the extent of our disposable plastic problem - the range of climate from dry land in the parks to the canals of Alleppey - seeing a tiger. Yes we were that lucky.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I appreciated that our leader Safi allowed us to cycle - when reasonable- at our own pace. Safi has a quiet sense of humour. He was sensitive to the groups various food needs, always calm and in control of the situation.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Look out for the tuk tuks in Kochi. They will try very hard to get you into 'tourist' stores. That can be fun, but be prepared to wonder about the value. Consider Dukoral to reduce the chance of stomach upsets. Pack your sense of humour. It is all part of the experience. Enjoy the people. I found that a smile or wave, especially to small children would be rewarded with wonderful welcoming smiles in return. We spent some time before and after the biking on our own. People were helpful friendly and happy to share their lovely country.

Suggestions

You don't have to be an expert cyclist to do this tour. It is possible to opt out of some of the more difficult areas. I only managed to cycle 1/2 way up the nasty switch backs to Ooty. The rest I enjoyed on foot. Be prepared to enjoy some very good food. Pack expandable clothing.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling all the way up Ootty !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Saafi and his team were EXCELLENT !!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ladies don't worry you can cycle in Lycra and vests all the time. I packed all sorts of cover up clothes that never came out of my bag !

Suggestions

I packed mozzy stuff, Imodium, and pain killers - NONE WERE NECESSARY. - fabulous trip !!

Most Inspirational Moment

I managed 30 of the 36 hairpins going up Ooty Hill before waiting for my partner who wasn't feeling well. Big achievement for me & one of my personal highlights.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joseph (leader) & Shibu (driver) were a fantastic team & they gave us everything we needed & more besides on the trip. Unfortunately there were only 3 of us on my departure (because the other guests cancelled the day before) so Joseph & Shibu spent a lot of time with us, talking about India, their lives & ours. I cannot speak highly enough of them. They are absolutely lovely people & made the trip for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be nervous on the roads - they are insane & chaotic but you get used to the traffic & soon start understanding how they work. Confidence is the key! The cycling really isn't very challenging so don't worry about doing loads of training before you take the trip. Only Ooty is tough but that's optional & you can take your time if you do go for it. Jump in with both feet & enjoy the culture shock! Oh & eat as much food as you can manage, it is amazing.

Suggestions

I can't fault this trip. It offers an amazing array of scenery (seaside, city, mountains, forest, tea plantations) & the accommodation & food is fantastic. The only slight downside was the fact there were only 3 of us (we are a young couple & the other guest was an older solo traveller). This meant we couldn't enjoy the group holiday experience which we had hoped for (& enjoyed on a previous Exodus trip) but it was outside Exodus' control so was just unfortunate.

Most Inspirational Moment

Well some might say completing the 36 hairpin climb which was a sense of enormous personal achievement however 2 things stand out for me....seeing and managing to get some really good photos of a leopard, truly amazing to see this amazing creature in the wild. Also the ride after leaving Ooty where you have a long downhill, the bit before this as you pass through the tea plantations, the peace and array of colours did it for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Safi, an experienced rider who has done this trip 70+ times I believe. He was organised, friendly and sorted out any issue or request we had. He was well supported by Vipen our other biker and Maneesh who was our water and banana man along with being the driver of the bus in which all our bags went. They were a really good team together. They joined in our fun and made the trip so much better for it. I felt safety was high on the agenda and always felt so at all times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good camera, one with a zoom lens and one you can carry on the bike, also get a cheap handle bar bag to carry it in too. Handy for phone, hand gel, sun protection etc. Padded shorts are essential and a gel seat or seat cover will help too. Hand gel/wipes at every opportunity! Travel light, don't take any super smart clothes, you won't need them! Buy clothes and haggle but be reasonable.Take cash £ to change, its easier as sometimes an ATM is not always available. India is cheap for most things so your money will go a long way. Do the kitty the notes advise, makes for much less hassle and is in fact good value on reflection. Don't delay..book it!!!

Suggestions

We arrived a day early to get the best flights and took the opportunity to do a cooking course in Mysore, time well spent. Travel from Bangalore to Mysore is a good 3.5-4 hours, taxi from airport is best way if traveling independently. Sun protection absolutely essential