点评:I recently completed a 6-day 5-night tour in Kerala with Kalypso, which started in Kochi and ended in Periyar. While I consider myself a very demanding client – I was extremely satisfied! First of all, Anna was very patient and flexible in setting up my tour with very short notice, coming up with an itinerary that was very responsive to my interests and abilities. We started in Kochi and ended in Periyar. Although they had no other clients interested in hiking and biking in the Western Ghats at that time, they agreed to offer the tour to me as a SOLO traveler. This meant Joji (expert driver and very skilled naturalist/birder) and Vineeth (excellent guide for hiking, biking, and everything else including wildlife) were assigned to look after only me for six days! They performed this task with a high level of professionalism and attention to detail at all times, ensuring that this 58 year-old woman was well fed, well accommodated, well watered, well equipped (with good bike and helmet) and otherwise ready to enjoy all activities (and down time) to the maximum.
At times, it was like they were reading my mind, as they seemed to know what I was feeling or wanting even before I said anything! Certainly if I expressed a need or desire at any time, even casually in conversation, they undertook to satisfy that need – whether or not it was related to the tour activities. In addition to planned activities, they added a side trip to Eravikulam National Park near Munnar for birdwatching and other wildlife. As well, they managed to procure a jackfruit for a cooking demonstration at my hotel after I happened to mention that I loved jackfruit. When I mentioned that I was looking for a pharmacy, they immediately were concerned about my health and what medications I might need. Those are just a few examples among many of how Vineeth and Joji went above and beyond the call of duty to provide me with a safe and enjoyable adventure in Kerala.
As a hiking/biking guide, Vineet showed just the right amount of attention to my level of fitness and tiredness. Not overly coddling, but always alert to signs that I might benefit from a rest or a snack break, or perhaps an easier route. As well, Joji was perfect in the support vehicle while we biked, always near at hand in case we needed something, yet not hovering on my back wheel either (I hate that)! As someone who normally organizes my own travel and does not often use the services of guides, I greatly appreciated the balance they struck between steadfast support and excess attentiveness. In addition, I was impressed with how Joji and Vineeth respectfully interacted with those whom we encountered along the way, from waiters to neighbors of Kalypso Camp. They already knew some of these people from past tours (both have worked with Kalypso for years), but especially Vineeth showed an interest in everyone we met and impressive people skills – which were evident even when I could not understand the conversation.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly (especially for a solo traveler) – we just had fun together, whether grinding up a steep hill, racing down the other side, admiring a gorgeous view, snacking on tree tomatoes and passionfruit, watching tea being harvested, eating delicious Kerala specialties, sharing a big bottle of Kingfisher at the end of a grueling day, spotting birds and giant squirrels in the forest, or whatever. I am happy to highly recommend Kalypso and their highly professional and personable team.
翻译:我最近完成了 Kalypso 组织的喀拉拉邦 6 天 5 夜之旅,从科钦出发,在佩里亚尔结束。虽然我认为自己是个要求很高的客户,但我还是非常满意!首先,Anna 非常耐心,在很短的时间内安排了我的行程,制定了非常符合我的兴趣和能力的行程。我们从科钦出发,在佩里亚尔结束。虽然当时他们没有其他客户对西高止山脉的徒步旅行和骑自行车感兴趣,但他们还是同意为我这个单人旅行者提供这次旅行。这意味着 Joji(专业司机和非常熟练的博物学家/观鸟者)和 Vineeth(徒步旅行、骑自行车和其他一切包括野生动物的优秀导游)被指派照顾我六天!他们以高度的专业精神和对细节的关注完成这项任务,确保这位 58 岁的女人吃得好、住得好、喝得好、装备齐全(有好的自行车和头盔),并准备好尽情享受所有活动(和休息时间)。
有时,他们就像读懂了我的心思,因为他们似乎在我说任何话之前就知道我的感受或想要什么!当然,如果我在任何时候表达了需要或愿望,即使是在闲聊中,他们也会承诺满足我的需要——无论它是否与旅游活动有关。除了计划好的活动外,他们还增加了一次前往 Munnar 附近的 Eravikulam 国家公园的短途旅行,以便观鸟和其他野生动物。此外,在我偶然提到我喜欢菠萝蜜之后,他们设法在我的酒店买了菠萝蜜,用于烹饪演示。当我提到我在找药房时,他们立即关心起我的健康状况以及我可能需要什么药物。这些只是 Vineeth 和 Joji 超越职责范围,为我提供安全愉快的喀拉拉邦探险之旅的众多例子中的几个。
作为徒步旅行/自行车导游,Vineet 对我的体能和疲劳程度给予了恰到好处的关注。没有过分溺爱,但总是警惕我可能需要休息或吃点零食,或者可能是一条更简单的路线的迹象。同样,在我们骑自行车时,Joji 完美地坐在支援车里,总是在我们需要的时候在附近,但也不会在我的后轮上徘徊(我讨厌这样)!作为一个通常自己组织旅行并且不经常使用导游服务的人,我非常欣赏他们在坚定的支持和过度关注之间取得的平衡。此外,我对 Joji 和 Vineeth 如何尊重地与我们在途中遇到的人们互动印象深刻,从服务员到 Kalypso Camp 的邻居。他们之前在旅行团中就已经认识其中一些人(两人都与 Kalypso 合作多年),但 Vineeth 对我们遇到的每个人都很感兴趣,而且人际交往能力很强——即使我听不懂他们的谈话,这一点也很明显。
最后,也许是最重要的(尤其是对于一个独自旅行的人来说)——我们在一起玩得很开心,无论是爬上陡峭的山坡,还是从另一边跑下来,欣赏美丽的景色,吃树上的西红柿和西番莲果,看茶叶的采摘,吃美味的喀拉拉邦特色菜,在辛苦的一天结束时分享一大瓶翠鸟,在森林里观赏鸟类和巨型松鼠,等等。我很乐意强烈推荐 Kalypso 及其高度专业和亲切的团队。