What a fantastic holiday. The whole experience from booking with this tour operator, to canoeing with a great bunch of fellow travellers, to camping besides elephants, to singing with lovely African kids.....this trip didn't disappoint.
The Dolomites trek was without doubt one of the most memorable I have done. The mountains themselves were spectacular, the trails varied and while challenging very doable. The refugios were “interesting “ and our guide charming and very capable.
Excellent trip. It was good to get a day at the end in Kovalam. We could have done with 3 days on thew backwaters which was fantastic.
Look out for the "Easy to moderate" hike in Tea plantations which is at least medium and on several sections it is a hard tough hike not suitable if you have dodgy knees or not fit.
Tour leaders tend to be risk averse or for the sake of "commissions" and take people to "tourist" restaurants for meals. The best food for most of us was always in the local restaurants.
Hope Exodus will stop exporting this virus of "Tipping" to India.
No Indians tip bell boys to take bags up/down in lifts so why "impose" this negative practice on them?
Why don't you just pay the drivers etc. better wages instead.