Reviewed 27 Jan 2012 by Colette Cooper
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were too many to mention, but floating on the backwaters at sunset, felt
pretty magical.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Ensure to do your research beforehand, so that you can make the most of your
trip. My driver was really helpful to a certain degree, but the language barrier was a little difficult, so it was hard for him to understand if there was anywhere that I wanted to visit which wasn't part of the tour/schedule.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, to a certain degree.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was everything that I had expected and more. Kerala is a fabulous place.
Read the operator's response here:
Dear Colette,
Its such a great feeling to hear the feedback. We are happy that you enjoyed your recent trip to Kerala.
However at the time of arrival there was some confusion with the Hotel Booking which you have not pointed, we much appreciate & look forwards to have you here again.
Reviewed 30 Sep 2010 by Fiona Walter
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Nehru Snake Boat races were truly amazing- they take place once a year on the second Saturday of Augusts, which also marks the start of the religious festival of flowers. The boats carry more than 120 rowers plus drummers and singers, and four race at a time, making them the largest races in the world. We were found places on a barge near the finish from where we viewed the days festivities- tens of thousands of Indians having a carnival.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Try a home stay- it's a humbling experience to stay in local peoples' homes. Be aware that Periyar in August may be swathed in mist which restricts wild life visibility. Everyone we met was wonderfully hospitable and helpful.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes- the homestays certainly were. Driving around Kerala wasn't necessarily the most eco-sensitive way to travel, but there weren't trains going up to Periyar.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A fantastic experience for adults, teenagers and pre-teens alike. A wonderful combination of culture and the outdoors, plus plenty of wildlife.
Reviewed 19 Mar 2010 by Rosie Onyett
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Going to places where we were the only non-Indian visitors and being greeted with laughter, waves and smiles; elephants at dawn in the river; noise, chaos, colour and smells; the contrast of staying in Kaiaikudu...and the ghost-like silence of the empty mansions; eating wonderful curries every day!!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Know what type of holiday you want, research different places and be prepared to take time to plan it with your provider...
I must have exchanged 50 emails....but it was worth it. Accept that most hotels in big towns aren't 'atmospheric'!! (Though we did stay at a wonderful one in Bangalore). Absorb the clamour and chaos and relax. Learn to ignore the countless offers for 'guiding'... it's hard but for your own sanity you must. There will be the odd unexpected change to your plans... but this is India! Dress appropriately. Oh, and you must like curry!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. All our hotels were owned and/or managed by Indians. We had local drivers, did local shopping, and the company we booked with is based in India and uses other Indian companies to back them up.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was all I had hoped for and more. It was up there with the best. I cant wait to go to Northern India!!
The tour operator was great and I had contact with them all through the trip and any problems were sorted immediately. There were some minor hiccups along the way but they were sorted and didn't spoil my enjoyment at all...
Reviewed 02 Mar 2009 by Emma Williamson
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Watching my partner taking a shower with an elephant - the video is hilarious!!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It helped that we had read about some of the additional things we might want to do in the different areas we stayed. That, along with the knowledge of our guide, meant that we had lots of different activities and visits to choose from.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Difficult to tell as I am not sure whether the hotels were owned by local people or larger companies? Certainly the self employed guide was great and we did as many local activities as we could, thereby benefiting local people.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a really great time. We got to chill out as well as do different things and activities. We were able to see different parts of Kerala which we could have planned ourselves but this saved us a lot of time and stress.
Read the operator's response here:
Greetings… We always very carefully choose all our accommodation and make it sure that they are all owned by locals. We are happy that the trip went well and we look forward to further improve ourselves and deliver our best.
Reviewed 30 Nov 2009 by Gordon Drakes
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Taking a canoe ride along the canals at sunset, listening to the dusk chorus of birds and the chanting from a water-side Hindu temple.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The standard route does involve a lot of travelling time in a car. If you have more time (we had 12 nights), it might be worth spacing out the intervals in Munnar and Periyar or alternatively not staying on the south west coast (we stayed in Kovalam - not that impressive) but somewhere closer to Cochin and the backwaters.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Our trip was more at the "luxury" end of the spectrum, but we did trips with local people, some of whom appeared to be self-employed. This is a well-trodden tourist route and if want to get away from the plush hotels, you will need to proactively ask for "homestay" arrangements as this did not feature in our itinerary.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Beautiful place, tasty food, very friendly people. Very chilled holiday, good introduction to India. Good honeymoon idea.
Read the operator's response here:
First of all we would like to thank you for your feedback as it helps us always to perform better. We have taken all the suggestions in a very positive manner and have instructed our tour section to mention the distance well in advance before finalising the itinerary.
