8 independent reviews for Western Ghats walking tour in India
Reviews for Western Ghats walking tour in India
Judith Brown review 16 Apr 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Both avoiding and at the same time looking for elephants in the Periyar Tiger Reserve! (We found them). Abundant wildlife, particularly birds.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The walks are not too strenuous, but take into account the climate (hot and humid!). It’s worth taking binoculars.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We used local guides in the National Parks and the tea plantation, as well as our tour guide and driver who were both local. The crew on the houseboat were also local.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A great way to see this region, getting out into the wilds and experiencing the sights and sounds of the jungle. Our guide Satheesh and our driver Manu were both excellent and very willing to share their extensive knowledge of the local area and customs. The accommodation in the Western Ghats was of a very high standard. The backwater extension made a nice contrast to the hill walking. Overall, very good value.Lee Lee review 18 Feb 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Everyday was different and special. Of course the last day in Periyar was amazing to walk past elephants, gaurs and close by a great hornbill. But the rainforest day, cardamom plantation, and peaks on the first day were also incredible, and so great to be away from the crowds.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take your binoculars!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Since we had local guides (national Parks, tea plantation, cardamom plantation) as well as our tour operator guides, this was one way we supported the communities. Our accommodation were very luxurious and we really enjoyed the comfort and great food and slept well, but perhaps would also have been happy with more eco friendly and simpler places.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a fantastic week in the western Ghats, amazing scenery and wildlife, and the tour made it very easy and relaxing for us. Wanted to express our huge appreciation for Vipin and Raoul as really excellent guides, who did a great job organising everything without ever looking stressed (or getting annoyed with my kids!) and were fun to be with. Vipin was there for our first 2 days and was very knowledgable and friendly. We then had 5 days with Raoul - he has excellent knowledge of the wildlife and seemed to really enjoy helping us find animals. He also enjoyed surprising us with interesting snacks to try! He was well organised and looked after us really well, made sure the trip went very smoothly. We also appreciated how friendly and courteous he was to all the people we came across in the mountains. But overall he was great company for our whole family - always cheerful and laughing, and we were sad to say good bye at the end of the trek.Jane Fulford review 1 Feb 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Nirmala organised a lovely and varied week. It was all excellent. Abad Turtle resort and Emerald Isle homestay were quite different which enhanced the enjoyment as they were both splendid with good food and activities. The butterflies and birds I saw whilst walking and kayaking were beautiful.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
All I had to do was say what sort of thing I wanted to do and Nirmala did the rest organising with local knowledge. Very easy.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely. The all staff at the hotel and of course at the homestay were all local for example. The homestay was powered exclusively with solar energy.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent.Gillian Cholmondeley review 9 Jan 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We loved the days we spent in the Western Ghats. It was an education as well as an indulgence for us. We loved the varied landscape and seeing and hearing the sounds of the many birds and animals. There were many 'First times" for us and our enjoyment was enhanced by our guide and our driver as well as well as the many other people with whom we came into contact.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Our walking poles were invaluable particularly with difficult descents/ascents and crossing boulder streams3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I can't say that the vacation directly addressed the above but I would say that sharing knowledge and enthusiasm for nature conservation with all concerned has to be beneficial for all concerned and the preservation of our planet4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was a fabulous vacation and one we shall not forget. On departure our cases contained many different spices and coffee to remind us of our vacation in Kerala.Lorane Jones review 17 Mar 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing the nature of India, the quiet and beauty.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Consider any additional things you want to see or do as your guides will accommodate.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, all of the above.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
An excellent and memorable experience to see real India away from more touristed sites.Rob Story review 11 May 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
All good for various reasons. Trekking and overnight in the Periyar Tiger Reserve was particularly good.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We booked 2 nights at every hotel instead of the standard 1 night and would recommend the same to others. Hotels are all enjoyable with other things in the surroundings to explore.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Tourism in general has a highly negative impact on the environment no matter how you package it. But in the case of Periyar (and similar elsewhere) keeping the environment and wildlife protected for tourism is more economically beneficial than destroying it, so a positive.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good, met expectations. The operators flexibility was greatly appreciated. Driver, Joji, was superb. Excellent driver, knowledgeable, very pleasant, flexible. Couldn’t ask for better. Hiking guide, Satish, also very good, accommodating, shared local knowledge, pleasant guy. Hotels were fine, no complaints.Pam Campbell review 15 Oct 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The guides were very friendly and relatable and spoke good English. They had knowledge of the local area and local flora and fauna. As a horticulturist I enjoyed seeing how tea and cardamom were grown and harvested as well as cloves, cinnamon and vanilla.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you want an authentic experience to out of the way places, I would recommend this tour operator. I did extensive research to find a reputable company and this tour operator was great. The booking process was easy and the guides were very safety conscious when transferring me to and from destinations and when I was walking on the trail in the Western Ghats.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I visited small local shops and restaurants where I purchased produce such as chai tea and local food. I feel that I contributed to the livelihood of the local guides by going on the tour. It was amazing for me to experience a country so different from my own that for hundreds of years has been the focus of the spice trade.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I had the most authentic experience of all my overseas travels as I was able to see local flora and fauna up close. I did not see any tigers or sloth bears but I saw evidence of them. It is good to know they exist and live in the Periyar Wildlife Refuge.Matthew Wright review 10 Dec 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Candlelit dinner in the bush as they heard it was our honeymoon and seeing elephants in the wild, plus amazing views and beautiful birds and butterflies2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
There are some steep climbs so get ready for those (the guides are great and you can take as long as you need)3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, local guides accompanied us every day and we visited tribal villages to support their local economy. They also encouraged reducing plastic4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Absolutely brilliant! Highly recommendedHoliday Reviews
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