India Farm and plantation visits Trips

Had a great time in Kerala, with a fabulous bunch of fellow Explorers and a very knowledgable guide in Sam. Weather was kind, despite rain being forecast for the whole trip, only one heavy shower which was quite welcome in the very hot and humid conditions which made the cycling a little tougher. Accommodation was of mixed standards, had more cold showers than hot! Often welcome tho. A/C or fans throughout and much needed. Backwaters just as expected, lush and green, teeming with flora and fauna, binoculars useful, also enjoyed blowy coastal rides and the start of the trip in hippie vibe resorts of Kovalam and Varkala, excellent restaurants overlooking beach and lots of shops selling clothing and fabrics. Trip ended in Fort Cochin, iconic fishing nets ‘Cheena Vala’ didn’t disappoint along with architecture left by Dutch and Portuguese, nice feel to the place - an excellent trip with lots of good and cheap food, a few G and Ts too.

I did the India and Sri Lanka combo experience and honestly had the best time in both. As my first time going away anywhere on my own it was so reassuring having intro do all the hard work, organising, planning, getting from place to place for me. In India my group leaders were Yoni and Mikes, both two absolutely beautiful human beings. It was so beautiful to see how they interacted with the locals which encouraged us and showed how we could also interact with them positively and respectfully. In Sri Lanka my group leader was Matt, who also was amazing. He was so knowledgeable on the incredible country Sri Lanka is and really helped us appreciate its beauty on a deeper level. All three of the group leaders gave a great sense of security to me allowing me to feel safe in both countries and able to relax and really appreciate and enjoy them for what they are.

It was absolutely beautiful and the experience specifically in Sri Lanka was amazing. There was a ton of adaptability that allowed everyone's voice to feel heard while still staying to the roots of the country's significance.

Overall I had a great time on this trip! I got to experience a lot in both India and Sri Lanka and appreciated my time spent in this area of the world!

Great trip covering highlights of Kerala. Fabulous tour leader and support team. The rides started easy and flat, and became progressively harder with increasingly longer hills as we headed into the mountains. The slow pace suited my ability. The spinning classes I did as preparation definitely paid off. The heat and humidity were challenging! Road conditions were better than expected. The bikes could have been in better condition- the mechanic was great in sorting out issues on the way. Most of the participants missed their various connecting flights arranged by Explore, including us! Arriving at 5am and having to be prepared to cycle at 8.30am wasn’t fun! Explore really need to consider this as I think it’s a regular occurrence!

The southern India trip itinerary offers a nice variety of things to see and do. One day you are at a magnificent temple and the next day you are on a safari looking at a tiger. Be aware that there are long drives to get from one city to the next but this trip gives you a nice taste of the southern region which has a totally different feel from the northern and central areas.