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I am back in Ireland and thank you for a wonderful last week in Kerala. Let me begin by saying how much Carol and I enjoyed the being in the company of Roger and Joji. Their care and attention to our needs and interests were top class. We have had experience of many guides -- I think Joji was as much a guide as a driver -- and they were among the best, if not the best. They are a great team. They do not have any sense of their own importance which is something that many guides suffer from. Joji is an expert on birds -- but they were generally sufficient for our needs and interests. The best ride I had was the one with Roger on the Sunday. Cycling on the main roads is spoilt by the traffic. Tom Inglis 2016-05-10
I would love to express our thanks to you and Kalypso for the success of our Six days endemics tour of Kerala. The tour was fantastic. The two places where we stayed were very good (service, food, rooms, etc.). In particular, the setting of the Hornbill Camp is very beautiful, comparable to anything in the world. Mathew, the driver, did a very good job. He was polite, careful, always on time, and cooperated with all our special needs. And Sudeesh's job was outstanding. He is highly professional and passionate about his job. He went really out of his way to find birds for us. And he managed to balance, as I had requested, the diversity and quantity of the birds observed (more than 140) and the time needed by me to get photographs, as good as possible, of the highest number of species (more than eighty lifers photographed, and many more with improved photographs). The fact that we saw and I could photograph five owls and the Sri Lankan Frogmouth (three individuals of this species) is just one sample of a job very well done. The Kalypso tour was a very important part of this unforgettable first trip to India Francisco and Claudia Piedrahita 2015-01-30
Firstly, please can I congratulate Kalypso on the way we were treated whilst in Kerala. Secondly and the main reason for contacting you is to thank you for the way we were treated by Joji during our travels. He was a pleasure to be with for that period. Nothing ever seemed to be too much for him and he went out of his way to make sure that we had everything we needed. Although this was not primarily a birding tour Joji was able to show me many birds that I would not have found myself. Could you please pass on our thanks to Joji for a wonderful holiday which is unlikely to be forgotten. Joji is a credit to your organisation and I am sure he will continue to be so. Bob and Sally Philpott 2014-11-29
"I cannot speak highly enough of the one day birding trip I took around the Thattekkad area that I organised through Kalypso Adventures. The organisation of the tour was extremely easy via email and all the arrangements were confirmed to me again a couple days prior to the trip. I had Joji as my driver and guide for the day - he was was amazing. He had a wide knowledge of the area, the endemic species and where to find them We were able to spot over 60 species for the day (nearly all 'lifers' for me), with the highlights being sightings of a male and female Malabar Trogon, a Sri Lanka Bay-Owl and a Mottled Wood-Owl (at night). We also spent some time at Hornbill Camp, where I had a lovely lunch during the heat of the day and then took a walk around the area for some more birdwatching. Joji also took me to a great place for breakfast ('The Idly Shop'), a local chai stall (where I had my first banana fry) and then found a great restaurant for us to have dinner before I was dropped at the airport. I will definitely recommend this company to others who go the Kerala."Chris Devoil 2023-11-21
Q: Do I need a Visa to enter India?
Yes. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html
Q: What kind of climate should I expect?
India is tropical and would be hot and humid most of the year except during November to February when it is cooler. In addition, the highlands are cooler and cold at nights during the winter months.
Q: Are tour dates flexible?
Yes.
Q: What are the accommodations like?
Accommodations we use are all birder friendly accommodations near the birding areas, clean and with great service.
Q: Can you provide me with a list of the hotels we will be staying at?
It would be sent along with the detailed itinerary we send to you.
Q: Can I book extra nights of hotel accommodation before or after my tour ?
Yes, we can arrange pre and post night extensions.
Q: Do you cater to dietary requirements?
Yes we do but we would require adequate advance notice.
Q: What is the Indian currency?
Indian Rupee. The higher denomination notes are 100, 500 and 2000 rupees.
Q: Are foreign currencies accepted locally?
The USD, GBP and EURO are easily accepted at all places.
Q: Are there ATMs available?
Yes. Banking services and numerous ATMs available throughout South India
Q: Are credit and charge cards widely accepted ?
Yes, all the hotels we use & most shops in locations mentioned in this itinerary accept credit cards
Q: Should I purchase travel insurance before travelling ?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling to India, covering any medical situation, hospitalisation, cancellation and loss of your baggage. We cover your causality evacuation to the nearest hospital which is included in the cost. However, this does not cover the cost of medical treatment at the hospital.
Q: What vaccinations will I require?
Please check with your doctor. The areas which fall within this tour are malaria-free.
Q: Air airport transfers included?
Yes. Pick up from the airport and drop to the airport are included as mentioned in the itinerary.
Q: What kind of electrical travel adaptor will I need?
India uses 230 Volts, 50 Hz alternating current as the power source. Plugs and sockets have either grounded / earthed 3 Pin connections (Type D) or ungrounded 2 pin connections (Type C). The two pin plug is also called the Europlug. It has two round 4 mm (0.157 in) pins. It can be inserted in either way into the socket. Hence there is no fixed live (hot) and neutral (cold) terminals. The three pin plug is rated at 6A / 250V. It has three round pins in a triangular pattern. The earth terminal is slightly larger than the live and neutral terminals. For Higher current, there is a 15 Amp version of the same 3 Pin plug, usually called the Power Plug or the M Plug. Live and neutral are 1 inch (25.4 mm) apart. Earth terminal is 1+1⁄8 in (28.58 mm) away from live and neutral terminals. Typically, refrigerators, heaters and other high power devices are connected to this 15 Amp socket.
Q: Will a standard European electric plug (2 round pins) fit into a power point in India?
Yes. To insert the 2 pin plug into a Type D 3 Pin socket which in some cases may be closed by default, push a pen into the Ground/Earth terminal. This opens up the protected 2 Pin terminals and you can insert the 2 Pin plug.
Q: Will a standard American electric plug fit into a power point in India?
No. But any electrical store will sell you an adapter for around 50 cents or less.
Q: What is included in my tour?
Accommodation with most meals, all transfers, all birding walks, birding guide.
Q: What is not included in the tour?
Tips, some meals, personal expenses, beverages and liquor.
Q: How much should I tip?
Tipping is the customary way of saying thank you for a good trip. Any amount is welcome and is certain to augment the income of the bird guide and driver. Please remember that this is their only means of livelihood.
Q: Tell me more about the birding guides?
Our birding guides are knowledgeable. For single or two guests we sometimes provide a car with a driver who is also an accomplished birding guide.
Q: Is there any restrictions on drinking liquor or smoking?
There are no restrictions on drinking liquor but consumption of liquor in public is not permitted. Please check with your guide or driver if the hotel has a liquor license. You can pick up liquor from liquor vends all over South India. Smoking in public is also not permitted.
Q: What will the meals be like on my tour?
Meals are usually ethnic Indian fare, both vegetarian and non vegetarian. Some hotels may provide Continental food.
Q: Is there a 24 hours hotline for me to call during an emergency?
Yes. The number will be provided to you before you start the tour
Q: What is the Internet access like?
All places have internet, not necessarily in the rooms but near the reception.
We Accept
If you are looking for a trekking, walking cycling holiday, kayaking expedition in the backwaters, wildlife & birding or family activity holidays in Kerala & other regions of India, we have a wide range of tours to choose from !
G 340, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi - 682036, Kerala - India
Tel : +91 - 484 4012700, 2092280
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