Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing Hooty cycling and completing this as well as the back waters boat and good distances covered as well as teh safari I saw a tiger and other fab wildife teh only thing was the safari guides good have made it more interesting with some commentary but overall good it was lovely to see animals being protected and the echo emaphisis although India has a long way to go they have states taht are plastic free and look after the wildife its a sjhame about teh street dogs as there is a problem with that as dogs are pregant and no way to stop this but India and this trip has been fab

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was very good he gave us a daily briefing the only thing I would say is taht he needed to be a bit clearer with instructions, and keep up with the female members to check welfare as a few times men would come close to us on mopeds, which he needed to be more aware abaout, apart from taht he was excellent friendly nice and had local knowldge the trip was brillent thanks to Safi and his team

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip if you like a challenge cycling and also to see hardly any tourists you see the real india with teh villages and friendly people I havve not been to India before and will definatley book another trip the accommodation was good teh food teh cycling and you had time to socialise and shop for gifts etc with our leader telling us what a good price would be for tuc tuks and shops etc in a nutshell I loved this trip

Suggestions

Thank you for an amazing trip can't wait to book the next adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the hairpins at Ooty on a bike was a major personal achievement. However, there was so much to choose from - temples, holy rivers, stunning landscapes, amazing food, the warm ocean, three states, all very different, tuk tuk rides, seeing elephants and a leopard in Bandipur. Seeing a monitor lizard. And the backwaters cruise is stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was amazing, as were Dipin and Sanjeed. They were brilliant. Can't praise them enough.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't count on the ATMs, they don't always work and are only available in the bigger places. Safer to take cash to exchange as this gives you more options. Take plenty of hand sanitiser and use it. Only drink filtered or bottled water and drink in cans or bottles. We took chlorine tablets just in case, but only used them to keep our water bottles clean overnight.

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved it all but cycling up Ooty hill I guess. Also loved the overnight boat trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic, couldn’t be more helpful

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Definitely seeing a tiger stalking a baby elephant. We watched it for about an hour. The Granny and mummy elephants were so close to us and it was amazing to watch them protect their baby. Getting a Tuk Tuk to drive us round Kochin. The Jewish quarter is just lovely. The houseboat experience was fun. Loved sitting back playing Name that Tune with our new cycling buddies and chilling out.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was great. Always there with a big smile and he was brilliant at keeping us together which is not an easy task in India! And of course, Dipin with his very positive encouragement at the back and Sandeep who didn’t say a lot but always turned up with the van in time for us to top up our water bottles.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware, the traffic and noise is crazy. If there is a gap in the traffic, it will soon be filled with scooters! You will acclimatise but it is so different from the western world!

Suggestions

Great way to experience a fantastic Country and don’t forget to try one of the Auryveda treatments! The massages are great after a long cycle.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many to choose from, but a couple were: the people; always so friendly. The wildlife; couldn’t get over the sheer volume of dragonflies, butterflies and eagles/kites.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was exceptional and helped make the trip memorable. I’d read reviews of the trip before I went and saw the positive feedback about Safi, so was hoping he would be our leader. So I was pleased when he appeared. He has all the qualities you would want in a guide and super cool with it!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take cash to change up, some of our group struggled to find ATMs that would give out money. There were plenty of places that would exchange cash. You can only get clothes washed in a couple of places, one is at Ooty, but it’s not cheap.

Most Inspirational Moment

The long cycle downhill from Ooty through the large pine forests, then through the tea plantations and finally into the amazing eucalyptus forests was a real highlight. The scenery is unforgettable as well as the feeling of moving from the cool early morning air at 2,200 metres in Ooty to the steamy humid heat closer to sea level a number of hours later. We also ended that cycle with one of the best meals we experienced with the most delicious grilled fish as well as a selection of curries and other “dips” and bread served for lunch. The stay on the boathouse was also a delightful and relaxing experience- just a beautiful way to spend an afternoon and evening / night. Breakfast served whilst the sun came up the following morning as we cruised down the river was very special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Safi was excellent. Safi is very engaging, knowledgeable, organised and makes it his business along with his two colleagues (who were also superb) to ensure that the cycle tour is as enjoyable as possible for all participants. Safi ensures everything goes smoothly in order that the holiday is pretty much all enjoyment and zero hassle. Safi puts a lot of effort into enabling the group to meet local children (visit a local primary school), meet a local family and experience workers demonstrating the skills that have been passed down over hundreds of years. The local team led by Safi ensure that the bikes (which were excellent quality) are all in great working order (regularly checking / servicing them), always helps provide a feel for a local area and frequently takes the group on a walking tour and makes really good restaurant suggestions. Importantly, I think all persons on the tour felt very comfortable and safe whilst in the capable hands of Safi. Safi ensures that safety during cycling as well as in all other areas is a paramount consideration which is reassuring. Everything feels very under control.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not take too many clothes- opportunities to wash clothes as you go if required. Do not get too hung up on food hygiene concerns. The accommodation where we stayed and restaurants where we ate or were suggested for eating were all clean and well presented. Yes, take care but we had no issues. We did only drink bottled water (which was in plentiful supply) and used same for teeth cleaning. It may have been the time of year but we had very little issue with bugs or mosquitoes.

Suggestions

There is a lot of rubbish / litter on the streets and through many of the areas that you cycle (with the exception of the National Parks which are spotless). It is disappointing but you quickly get used to rubbish / litter being at the sides of the road and at stopping spots. There are many dogs which wander around at many locations but they all appear docile and do not bother people.

Most Inspirational Moment

Down hill from Ooty!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was extremely knowledgeable and very experienced. Was always calm and gave a great briefing for next days program and before each section of the rides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get a local sim card on arrival. Do some hill training for the 19 switchbacks up to Ooty!

Suggestions

The food was fantastic throughout the trip, so varied and tasty. One observation...some group lunches, too much food, leaving lots to go to waste.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Safi was pretty much faultless. He gave very clear instructions, was remarkably knowledable on items we passes from mud bricks to plants. He was impressively patient with even the dumbest questions.

Most Inspirational Moment

Ride down from Ooty. Varkala is a surprisingly beautiful and calm beach resort Hotel at Cherai between lake and sea Houseboat - birdwatching Dolphins

Thoughts on Group Leader

Terrific. Safi has done this trip over 100 times. Makes it flow beautifully

Advice for Potential Travellers

Watch your waistline You might want to take a jar of good instant coffee Stay a few days at Varkala end of trip

Most Inspirational Moment

I wouldn't pin it down to one moment as the interaction with many local people on the trip and interesting conversations was a highlight . The people are very friendly and open to many topics of conversation. I enjoyed the climb to Ooty with all the hair pin turns.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I would give Safi 10 out of 10. Great guy, smart, organized, fit, and calmly dealt with any issues that came up. Can't say enough positives about him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would suggest that someone best suited for this would be flexible with any issues that come up, a decent cyclist (only moderate fitness is required as only 1 day requiring a higher fitness state) , likes riding in warm weather, and does a bit of homework before trip on what to expect in India as far as traffic, culture, food , etc...

Suggestions

Just add it to your bucket list as a one of a kind cycling/cultural experience.