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Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

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.

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132 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviews

Cycle Kerala & Tropical India

A thoroughly enjoyable and informative holiday – what better way to see a new country than on a bike. This trip was really well organised, enabling us to see a good cross section of southern Indian life.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed cycling through the villages, seeing village life and finding everyone so friendly and welcoming. One of the most inspirational places was Guruvayoor and watching the pilgrims come to the temple.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi, aided by Joseph and Vishnu made an excellent team. They were well organised and unflappable making the trip a seamless journey. They were happy to answer any questions and talk about about Indian life, religion, etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to go with the flow.

Cycle Kerela and Tropical India

Our first time to India and the country just blew us away. We enjoyed all of the cycling including that which at first sight seemed impossible. Once you understand how the Indian’s drive you will love it! India is a densely populated country and half the fun of cycling here is to participate along with motor bikes carrying whole families, tuk tuks, oxen carts and random cows horses and other livestock – not to mention the legions of smiling school children who all rush out to high five you. Unusual obstacles including unmarked speed bumps, wheat being spread over the road to thresh it, impromptu religious celebrations and wedding processions all add to the fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

Well a 25 mile downhill through truly spectacular scenery takes a bit of beating but I was also moved by the little Syrian church of St Thomas (the doubting apostle) where there has reputedly been a church since 50AD. I loved the enthusiasm for all religious activity. I noticed in one church that Mary's customary blue dress had been replaced with a dayglo pink sari. My husband also took me for a romantic dinner in the beautiful courtyard garden of the Old Harbour Hotel Cochin......highly recommended!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Saffi was a lovely kind caring guide as indeed were the whole team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes. If you enjoy a drink after your efforts and don't want to drink beer buy your favourite tipple at the airport. Alchohol in its various forms can be tricky to get hold of! Take your flip flops because some bathrooms are a bit grubby. Do loads of reading up on the places you will visit before you go and take your own guide book. No-one minded us wearing Lycra shorts despite formal advice to the contrary.

Great trip , recommended - 9th cycling trip

I’ve done 9 cycling trips to date (not all Exodus), and this definitely rates as one of the best. I took my girlfriend (her first cycling holiday), and it was a good introduction for her to this format of holiday

I believe its organised by the same person that does the ‘Back Roads of Sri Lanka’ trip (done 2 years ago), maps you get everyday are certainly exactly the same format

The distances cycled on busy roads is very limited , so no-one had an issue in that regard. Some of us found the busy roads quite exciting, speeds are generally slow, so risk of injury is actually very low

Most Inspirational Moment

There were lot of notable moments, the Backwaters, and the high speed descent down Ooty

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was excellent, all the good stuff, very sociable, helpful, etc

Advice for Potential Travellers

Install (free) Strava on your phone (or similar), good to see your route, speed, elevation, etc Not essential, but I found a cateye useful on previous trips (only need distance, 20 pound job should do the trick) , esp where you get good maps such as on this trip. On some trips we've had everyone install Whatsapp, good to share pics, mssg group re restaurant to meet up at, etc

Cycling and more

Kerala and Tropical India by bike. What an experience. Joseph our guide made it so much more than just a cycle ride. India is such an interesting country and we were able to discover some of it without feeling like “tourists”.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being befriended by a spirited, dynamic girl while she was back visiting her parents for a few days. Four of us stopped for a drink while "free" for a few hours and later were given chai while Shakira talked about her life and asked about ours. She then took us home to see their house and told us some sad family history which we were privileged that she shared. Her mum then appeared intending to make us dosa. but we had to decline this hospitality as we needed to get back to meet up with the rest of the group. Indians are such wonderful, friendly, welcoming people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joseph managed to make his job look easy although keeping 14 of us happy and safe for 2 weeks was presumably no mean feat. He was able to warn us of the dangers of particular sections of the ride and get us to pay attention without scaring us. Joseph took us to small roadside cafes and snack shops and eating establishments use by locals without us succumbing to Delhi-belly. We even ate street food and salad under his supervision. Everything was well organised but appeared casual.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of antibacterial hand gel. I suspect people who do become ill infect themselves. It was very hot in November and I had far too many warmer clothes for the evenings and when in the hills. The downside of the local eating places is that they may not be air-conditioned. Be ready to eat curry, curry and more curry - it was all wonderful. Sometimes the spoon or fork took a while to arrive as many places expected you to just use your hands. I turned lout to be the only one on the trip who didn't cycle for a past-time at home. It was tough but I managed by missing out cycling up Ooty Hill which was far steeper than I had expected. I had thought I'd be able to manage some of it but I was wrong. I walked a bit and then gave up completely and got in the support vehicle. I would say you can mange this trip even if you're not a regular cyclist at home as long as you are pretty fit.

Kerala and tropical India 8/22Nov

Much stunning scenery. Too much cycling on busy roads. Bike gears too high for the otherwise fun climb up to Ooty. Enjoyed the low key visit to the driver’s family farm at Wildhaven. Would have enjoyed more visits to local industries. eg tea factory,coir carpet making,sugar and rubber processing . Space for these could have been provided by reducing temple visiting times.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling along stretches of palm fringed road.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely inexhaustible efficient,cheerful and totally first class. Without these qualities we could not have possibly rated the holiday so highly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We took too many warm clothes. We could have left more room in our cases for bringing stuff home. Remember washed clothes dry overnight in the warm weather. Perhaps we were lucky but the one day that started in the wet from Ooty wasn't really cold in UK terms.

Cycle Kerala & Tropical India

I took two trips back to back with this trip being the second the first being the coast to coast
A straight forward trip with short days and one challenging hill . Limited interface with the local people and industries. More touristy than the coast to coast trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The safari at the tiger reserve on which we spotted wild elephants, a tiger and best of all a leopard. The people guiding the safari were extremely knowledgeable and were enthusiastic about their job and country

Thoughts on Group Leader

A less experience quiet guide who did his job getting us all through the trip with only minor incidents.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sun protection and hydration main issues Consider using Sun Sleeves as well as sun block Avoid cotton clothes Go for loose synthetic clothing

Review Centre
Reply from Exodus

We are pleased that David enjoyed the wildlife sightings during his recent holiday and we would like to thank him for his review. We are, however, sorry that David was disappointed with the bike he was allocated; our local operator is currently in the process of updating their bike fleet, so we are confident that our clients will not be equally disappointed going forward.

Megan Devenish – Trip Manager for cycling in India

Cycle Kerala and Tropical India

Cycling is the perfect way to experience the colours, sights, sounds, and smells of this beautiful part of India. Wonderful variety of cycling, scenery, wild life, culture and people. Fabulous food, great company and something new every day.

Most Inspirational Moment

The variety was probably the best bit, so many different experiences. Cycling past wild elephants, the hillclimb to Ooty and the hair raising descent next day, interacting with the children on the roads, overnighting on the Houseboat, the wildlife, and the colours.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was fantastic, enthusiastic, fun, very personable, nothing was too much trouble, very quickly identified our individual preferences and catered to them where possible. It was the best teamwork I have ever seen between Safi, Joseph and Shibu with each one of them doing their bit and supporting each other and all the group at every opportunity. Happy guides, happy group. The seamless organisation we enjoyed concealed a lot of hard work behind the scenes and I felt safe and free to enjoy myself.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it. I was a little nervous about India but am so glad now I did the trip. Bring hand gel and wipes for hygiene, eat where the guide recommends and drink bottled water and enjoy the trip. A torch is useful on occasion and perhaps a small umbrella if there in the Rainy season. Practice some hillclimbs for Ooty, but it is only one day in the trip so don't worry too much if it is not for you.

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

A wonderful way to get around to see the diversity and beauty that is Kerala. Good support from tour leaders, comfortable hotels to rest weary legs and tasty, varied food gives a very good introduction to Kerala.

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding 2,200m down a mountain to reach the coast of Kerala.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tour leader was supportive and knowledgeable, and for the support staff nothing was a problem and they were always encouraging, enthusiastic, positive and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are not a regular bike rider, like me, do some training, but the team and other riders were very supportive.

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Excellent trip. Great mix of scenery and biking terrain. Highly recommened. Please read final section here about the average trip mileage.

Most Inspirational Moment

1 - The climb at Ooty, shame I wasn't feeling 100% though, rather fancied going for a good time.2 - The descent off of Ooty the next day. Crazy downhill bits, unexpected pot holes, incredible views. 3 - The food4 - Relaxing on our veranda looking directly out on the backwaters5 - The chill out "hippy vibe" at Varkala 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was superb. Very caring both towards the clients on the trip and all the locals we encountered on the trip.Nothing was too much effort for him. One of the best guides I have had on all my trips.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

As with all Exodus trips, please read the trips notes so you are fully aware of what you are potentially booking.The accent and descent off of Ooty are tough, several of our group walked to the top. Don't be put off however by this. Good padded under shorts are a must. Drink plenty of water. Take anti bacterial gel to help minimise health problems. Listen to your guides and their advice on places to eat, or not.The cycling is not a race, enjoy the company of your new found friends and all the lovely local people. For those more experienced riders, look out for group members less able. 

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

A great trip for first timers (on a bike trip or to India) and also for more experienced cyclists. Good mix of cycling and South Indian culture, good hotels and great food. Lovely thing to do when its cold and wet at home – its sunny and warm. Great team of staff as well to look after you. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the Ooty hill. Hard work but worth the effort. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was our leader - a wonderful person. Looked after the whole group and on cycling days made sure we were briefed at regular intervals. Socialised with everyone in the group. Shibu the bus driver is great - he drove the bus, made sure we always had water and snacks and sometimes cycled with us. Vipin the assistant was an enthusiastic learner.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your own saddle for comfort. Wear light cotton clothes as it is hot - I wore padded shorts under baggy cotton ones. Take the Ooty hill slowly - last few hairpins do one by one. Take swimming gear - there are a couple of swimming pools in the hotels and there is chance to swim in the sea. On the long downhill from Ooty take it slowly - don't rush - its a lovely ride through eucalyptus forests. The road is very potholed and requires 100% concentration.