Reviewed 06 Mar 2010 by Felix Escribano
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The value for money relation is a serious issue, which you will find as well mentioned in the following points 2 to 4: We (couple) paid around €170 per day and we had in 20 days just 1 (!) time hot water, dirty bed sheets and towels, basic rooms, no mosquito nets, poor tours through Periyar (no English speaking guide, no guiding at all); The house boat, which called itself a “deluxe” houseboat, was in a pitiful state. For example: Who needs actually a Jacuzzi on a houseboat with the existing climate conditions, in particular if it is not fixed – as the toilet as well -; total lack of any maintenance (as for the whole boat, although this issue was evident throughout the trip). Finally, during the night it fills up by its own with residual river water. There is no point offering a tourist, something he does not require in the first place and it does not even work properly, but still charging as this was a room at the Ritz.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Security issues (No emergency plan, no first aid kit, not enough life-jackets on the houseboat, fire extinguisher replaced by a bucket with sand, no seat belts in the car (middle row), no mosquito nets anywhere, etc.): One cannot expect the tourists to carry their own first aid kit (although we did), as we had to find out after a small accident. The cars should always, under any circumstances have working seat belts on all seats. Our “encounter” with a tarantula in our mud hut in Chinnar, several other spiders in a “Honeymoon” hut in Thattekad – together with some King Cobra skins, which proved this place to be a territory of this animal and our way to the latrine at the same time – could have been avoided, if minimum standards would have been considered (as we have seen in similar places in Africa, Asia and South America) including such basic things as a closed hut or just a normal tent or at least a mosquito net. Regarding the tarantula, which is not unusual to meet, but if it is in an unprotected mud hut, where we are supposed to sleep, it is not acceptable, we are expected to pay staying in a alternative location (as we did on several nights).
Lack of minimal hygiene standards (filthy towels in almost any Hotel we were staying and bed sheets with stains or even blood spots): Especially in the last “resort” we stayed at the beach (OGs Beach bungalows) we paid according to the prices they told us there around €120 per night. The bungalows were basis not deluxe or superior, we had no hot water, AC was working from time to time, filthy bed sheets and towels (as almost always). We had to change our room, because AC was not working, doors couldn’t be closed and plug in was burnt. In the second room, we had a huge water stain in the bathroom…the beach was only cleaned directly in front of our bungalows, on the sides and behind it was all dirty. On top of it all, there were faeces all over the beach, which to our surprise were not left by the dogs, but by the fishermen. Although this was mentioned by an English guest several times, since he was staying there for a couple of weeks, this was ignored by the staff. A place like this cannot charge even more than 20 Euro at maximum in any other place and only the surrounding resorts provided a service that can be defined deluxe.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Lack of transparency regarding the economical benefit for the community projects: Lack of customer service minded flexibility (“Going the extra mile”). As we know by now the salaries of the people who accompanied us, we are wondering how we were actually helping the communities. As there is everywhere a sign that says “eco” or “green” or even “community development” and most of these place did not have in place even a minimum system for recycling waste or water, sanitation, saving energy, capacity building of staff (e.g. most of them incl. drivers could hardly speak English), etc. we have become quite sceptical about the success of this approach in Kerala compared to other projects we have seen worldwide. The prizes for the hotels are to be considered absolutely unacceptable compared to the provided service.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We would like to mention as well that our guide Sham was excellent. His knowledge, wonderful cooking and enthusiasm was something we will always remember with pleasure. Moreover we would like to add that the Gateway Hotel in Calicut was the only Hotel that actually deserved to be named “deluxe” in terms of service and maintenance and was worth the costs they are charging. The stay at Khoderi Farmstay was unfortunately too short due to a general strike in Kerala. The meeting with the family was wonderful; their friendly attitude was an excellent welcome to Kerala and their house provided by far the best accommodation, including the only place that offered a mosquito net. Finally we would like to point out that our driver Mustafa was a very safe driver, although it seemed as this was the first time he did this tour, as he got lost quite a few times in the beginning.
In the end we have to conclude that we cannot recommend a visit to Kerala by the means of so-called sustainable tourism in particular for the exorbitant price we paid compared to the delivered service / quality standards in comparison to other sustainable tourism destinations worldwide. Travelling as a backpacker is probably the best way to visit Kerala at this stage – or you choose a short "Deluxe" trip through Kerala.
Read the operator's response here:
This is probably the most severe criticism we have received from a guest. I accept the comments with humility but would like to give response to each observations:
1. Tiger by the River is an expensive program and rising Rupee /falling Euro value added to the invoice value. (18nts/1720 euro per person/ almost euro 95/- per person per day). End Dec/New Year period is about 20% more costly than normal times. All these factor made the tour expensive.
2. We are really sorry for the sate of houseboats and other resorts .But quite amused also as they have been our regular partners and have had never heard about such comments. Anyway we have terminated the contract with OGs beach resort which I agree were the worst hosts.
3. We have taken note of his observation on our sustainable tag and would like not to go into an argument. We have been in this space for more than 3 years and by and large 99% of guests have appreciated our efforts which mind it has not been funded by any organization or company. People at our activity areas are free to adopt their professions and we only assure a kind of supplementary income. I don’t know what salary Felix is referring to.
The bottom line is that we are sorry about the trip of Mr Escribano and would like to assure him that we would continue to engage the local communities towards tourism.
At times experiences do turn out to bad and we are ready to compensate him on his next trip to India should he plan to.
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was my trek to camp, Cliff hut near Munnar.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Check the kind of rooms you are getting, as the trip was great but the rooms were not up to the mark.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes it did.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Overall it was a great trip with good planning but it lacked detailing.
Reviewed 26 Feb 2008 by David Wilson
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole holiday was a memorable experience! But sitting outside the mud hut at Chinnar high on the escarpment overlooking the valley below - the sightings of spotted and samba deer and later wild goar - along with amazing meals prepared over a camp fire by Vinod and his helpers. The next day, still at Chinnar, we saw the elephant herd on the way to the tree house. Magic!!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for quite a bit of travelling - the distances seem longer because of the condition of the winding mountain roads. But the reward is great and well worth the journey. The Keralan hospitality is generous - and the food hot and spicy for most meals!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The local tribal people were definitely employed and involved in our stay in their areas. They acted as guides, cooks, porters, rangers etc etc- and seemed very willing to be helpful and informative. Many had some knowledge of English and were happy to give out local information on plants, animals and birds etc. I would like to think that our visit made a contribution to the local people with minimum impact on the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The tour operator are a company to be recommended. They assured that we had a perfect holiday and were in regular contact to iron out any unforeseen changes that had to be made to our itinerary. The car hire and driver could not be faulted. The guide, Vinod, who was with us for the nature element, was enthusiastic to the end: and very patient when our aging brains could not retain all the bird names he showered upon us! As I said before - a truly memorable holiday and very well organised.
Reviewed 13 Sep 2006 by Nicholas Nisbett
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hitching a lift with Gopi to Serenity - the operator's base in the beautiful Wayanad hills. Arriving at night on the back of an Enfield, travelling along a bumpy track and taking in the moonlit expanse of a tea estate and then the dense foliage of the forest surrounding the house, was certainly one of my most memorable experiences in India.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring a camera, but don't feel wedded to it. The landscape is incredible that you'll wish you'd spent more time just taking it in.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The campsite was sensitively located and not a trace remained when we left. At one point we even stopped to pick up the litter from a group which a group of other day trippers had selfishly left by the waterfall. Our guides were local, knowledgeable and friendly. When we came into contact with a group of forest dwellers, they were left at a respectful distance and certainly not turned into part of the attraction. All of the operator's staff seemed fuelled by a love of the environment and the natural life they encounter.
4. Any other comments?
This operator has given a lot of thought to the sustainability and responsibility of their operations. I had a really fantastic time.
Reviewed 13 Sep 2006 by Elizabeth Pope
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Going with the trackers almost every morning from our camps to check if the camera traps have any pictures of wild animal in it!!
Since this wasn’t the best season to go spotting wild animals, I was told to look at the trip as a walking trip through the wilderness. A Nilgiri Marten in Wayanad (supposedly second sighting in the last three months), porcupine, Elephants, Spotted deers and wild boars were all we could see in the entire trip face to face. But am I complaining?
No way, the excitement of setting the camera trap before sunset along with the naturalist and the trackers and then waking up in the early morning to check for the results were definitely the most exciting part of the whole trip. A Civet, wild dog, barking deer, Nilgiri Langur and Sambar Deer (can't remember the names of many others) had come so close to our campsite at night and we wouldn’t have known about it if not for the cameras perched on canopy and ground level.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Better not to travel while it rains if you don’t love rains. Since most of the areas we covered were through rain forest regions (second largest rain fall area after Chirpunji in North East). Since I had gone to enjoy the monsoon, it was great to see some rain at least for two days. In the wetness, no known techniques against leeches seemed to work, except for one bark our trackers were pounding and brushing on to their feet. (they should probably apply for a patent!). Otherwise ? hmm. Ask the locals for stories, there are plenty!
One of the treks we did was devised based on stories locals know about logging during the 50s it seems. Every corner we turned and every rock we climbed had some story or the other and it was as if you could just picture the old days. Their passion is something that you wouldn’t miss. I would suggest you to get an insight into the projects they are running. It was incredible how many projects are run parallel in this un assuming place on the banks of Nila.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Certainly. I liked the way they presented the trip in the email. They are very clear about where the money we spent is going. I enjoyed going through the checklist they have developed while travelling.
By end of every day, I was going through the trip in mind, while comparing the check list that was printed out earlier before the trip. Other than the 20% they are donating to the foundation, all the programs we participated were designed with a focus of how each of this would benefit local people and the surroundings.
From the tracker, to the woman who cooked food for us, to ex-poachers who guided us in Periyar, I had the feeling that they were proud to do what they were doing. (there was even an ice cream vendor who has taken up birding!) Through out the trip our trackers were voluntarily collecting garbage (plastic papers, and bottles) even during the night patrol.
4. Any other comments?
Speed in which they responded and the efficiency with which they re arranged the trip to accommodate me and still not annoy the other travellers were wonderful. The personal attentions given to details and flexibility in changing itinerary to accommodate our demands were really appreciated by all. I am personally very happy to have used your site to meet this intelligent passionate group of youngsters.
