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Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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53 Reviews

4.3 out of 5

Reviews

Palaces and Backroads

very good route and good rides through interesting countryside great palaces at Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaipur Taj Mahal is special

Most Inspirational Moment

Taj Mahal

Thoughts on Group Leader

Manu was very good. Delivered the programme. Told us a lot about India, and very open about his country. All the crew were very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

India is chaotic and assaults all your senses. On the road you will see people, cows, dogs, buffalo, and lots of rubbish and plastic. It takes about a week to get used to the chaos !

Review Centre
Reply from Exodus

Thank you for your review of your November cycling trip to Rajasthan with us, Adam. We were pleased to read that you enjoyed the rides and were happy with your tour leader, Manu, though we were very sorry that you found two of the hotels used to be of a poor standard, which is not at all the kind of feedback we expect to receive.

We have contacted our local operator to investigate your comments, and would like to assure you that these hotels are not our standard properties used on this trip. The properties you mention were last minute replacements for this departure, after our standard allocated hotels were unable to provide the number of rooms we required for your group due to unforeseen issues. We had believed these replacement properties to be of a similar standard, with the same facilities provided as those of our usual properties, however, it appears that they were not prepared for quite how busy they became immediately after the restart of tourism to the region (particularly domestic tourists). For our departures since, we have used the standard hotels for this itinerary, which receive very positive feedback, and won’t be using the alternative properties you mention again. While we hope that this can provide an honest explanation for the issues you faced in Sariska and Jaipur, we do remain regretful of your disappointment with the accommodation there.

-Sarah Puttnam, Product Manager

Great cycling and site seeing combination

This trip is a great way of seeing a selection of famous sites as well as getting glimpses of the real India from cycling on back roads, waving at friendly locals, looping round cows, avoiding wandering pigs, nipping past sleeping dogs, pausing to allow flocks of sheep and goats to cross, overtaking bullock carts and even camels. The sometimes parched scenery may not be as lush as south India but there are plenty of sights to see along the way and regular snack stops to break up the longer cycling days. The longer rides tend to be pretty flat and there are some stiff but achievable hills too. But there’s always a back up vehicle for anyone who has had enough and plenty of snacks and sweet chai to keep you going.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Taj Mahal literally took my breath away, the Amer Fort in Jodhpur was amazing and the City Palace in Udaipur was spectacular, but there were many fascinating insights into local life too whether seeing a couple making rope along the roadside or watching bricks being made by hand.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sanjay and Manu were both excellent, highly experienced guides who worked hard to make sure that everything went smoothly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are travelling in January, it is probably going to be colder than you think. I was glad of the down jacket I had worn to the airport and even wore it for cycling a couple of times until me and the day warmed up. Personally, I felt most comfortable wearing my over the knee mountain biking shorts as village women always have their legs covered but no one had any issues when wearing shorter shorts. Two pairs of cycling under shorts were sufficient as there are enough two night stops for them to get washed, three would be better if you have them. You'll need something warm to wear on cold evenings too as we ate outside a couple of times. But I guess that won't apply to later departures.

Good cycling but a shame about the pollution in the cities.

We’ve visited India twice before, the first time 20 years ago and then again 10 years ago, and so as keen cyclists we were excited about the prospect of cycling around the back roads of Rajasthan. The cycling was fantastic, along quiet country roads through small rural villages where everyone waves and shouts hello. Brilliant! But beware – after the cycling you end up in large cities where the levels of pollution are now so bad that it is not only unpleasant to walk around but potentially very bad for your health. I and 3 others ended up with chest infections and 2 of us couldn’t cycle again for the remainder of the trip. Our trip was over Xmas and New Year and the hotels, although perfectly clean and adequate, had no heating and it was very very cold at night – we had to ask for extra blankets just to be able to sleep. Our leader Manu and all the support crew were excellent but the bikes were a little tired. Would I recommend this trip – No! Although the cycling was great the pollution in the cities is horrendous!

Most Inspirational Moment

The cycling and the excitement of the local children.

Fantastic trip through Moghul India

This was a great trip to be on, saw amazing sights; buildings, landscape, wildlife as well as having a chance to see and interact with local people. We cycled through some varied and interesting landscape as well as some that was dull. The roads were quite a mix, some better than the guides remembered from their last trip, others much worse. The heat was relentless on a few days due to lack of shade and start times being later due to coach transfers, this did cause problems and maybe needs more thought. I have to say that, after a few days cycling, most of us improved but the 34km extenI think the trip will be a five in future but it needs some tweaking of itinerary and trip notes to get there. sion on day eight seemed to be wasted as the countryside was probably the worst we came across, uninspiring. Overall a great trip though with a few adjustments to trip notes and tweaking of itinerary.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few, sorry! 1) The forts and palaces generally, especially at Jaipur and Udaipur 2) cycle up to Kumbhalgarh and visit to the fort 3) Morning guided heritage cycle around Jaipur, everyone thought that was fantastic 4) Ride through Sariskar NP buffer zone on day 10 5) Day 13 cycle through backroads to Fatehpur Sikri 6) And finally, the visit to the Taj Mahal, amazing

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two tour leaders who shared duties, Sanjay who was the most senior and Tapesh. I thought they were a good mix and ensured we had the chance to meet locals, especially in impromptu situations. They looked after everyone on the rides and catered for the varying levels of fitness and determination. Socially they were good fun as were the cycle rides. They made the trip in my opinion.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t underestimate the heat and it’s impact on performance. Drinking plenty is difficult when the water in your bottle is 40C so try and mix with other drinks or take some squash or similar. Travel light, a bar bag is a useful thing to take rather than rucksack. Have camera handy for photos as you pass through small villages and chai shops.

Cycling with a bump

A great first experience of India

Most Inspirational Moment

Handing out pens to local school

Thoughts on Group Leader

Manu was very good and was always around to help us out when we needed it

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have good travel insurance

loved cycling in rajasthan

This trip was great! The cycling wasn’t overly difficult. The trip offers a wide range of sites to please everyone. Our guides and crew were excellent, the bikes were great as was the support vehicle. We always had drinking water and snacks while we cycled. They took great care of us.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through some of the small villages on our last day of cycling. There is no better way to be immersed in the Indian culture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Manu was fantastic, very professional but also alot of fun at the same time. Great sense of humour! We have travelled many years in many countries with many guides and Manu ranks right at the top!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy! Don't be afraid of the food or drinking water or the sheer number of people. It is fantastic

cycling through Rajestan

This was a good trip, seeing the classic UNESCO sites of Jaipur, Agra & Taj Mahal, wildlife reserves, train rides, moderate cycling as well as some really off the beat village life.

The hotels were mainly of a good standard with pools & the staff were excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the sites at Agra & Taj Mahal which were amazing. Some really fond memories of village life, visiting local schools, houses etc - Exodus really excel at this. The safari was ok, probably enjoyed the bird sactuary more

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tapesh & the whole team were brilliant - well organised, considerate, communicative etc

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's hot so take good screen, hat etc. Hardly any mossies, so didn't bother with Deet. Take alcohol hand wash to avoid the bugs.

Cycling through Rajasthan

India is an amazing place – totally different & totally mad but what an experience it was. This is a busy holiday packed with so many different places and many wonderful memories.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many different memories- the overnight train ride, the mental traffic, tut tut rides! the wonderful people and children welcoming us everywhere we went, the amazing Taj Mahal, chai tea ! - the total India experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Manu was was brilliant. Very knowledgeable, very organised, great sence of humour & a totally top chap.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a busy trip but make sure you go at your pace and enjoy the different experiences and savour India.

Cycling through Rajasthan

A fantastic whirlwind assault on the senses – incredible sights, smells and wonderful children waving us on throughout the villages.
Delhi was very smoggy and choked to death with traffic, but still amazing views from the coach window as we battled the congestion, but after the overnight train, the visuals start.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were invited, or press ganged into a wedding, which was a real feast for the eyes, to see how a diiferent culture celebrate here - horses, parades, fireworks and entire banquet filled the hotel grounds. Of course the Taj is an excellent feat in building, but Udaipur palace interior was filled with impressive craftsmans skills. Though ultimately, its the people, the smiles, the friendliness that catches your heart

Thoughts on Group Leader

Manu and Rigsin were exceptional, the knowledge of India and its people, a question was never unanswered. Whilst we were there, we had the problem of the 'black money' - which caused a huge problem for everybody, and given the circumstances Manu helped out wherever he could, and even beyond his duties. Ali and Ramu always helped with water and the bike maintenance, and Mr Singh an amazing driver through those conditions

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check the weather before you go - it was much hotter than the average temperature on Exodus website If you see something, buy it, as youll never have the chance to buy it again - we found Johdpur market (clock tower) wonderful, but held out for Jaipur, which was disappointing and a very long day on and off the bus. Its a great holiday, but be prepared for non stop adventure - rest when you get back home!!!!

Our Indian adventure

An enjoyable holiday, greatly enhanced by sharing it with a fantastic group of like-minded people. A fabulous way to capture the spirit of Rajasthan. With the added bonus of mixing the ‘sights’ with a glimpse of ‘everyday life’.
A little disappointing not to have sampled more ‘local’ food. The leader preferring hotels or ‘tourist’ type restaurants.
Would have liked to have seen more of the sights around Delhi, rather than driving round in circles by bus.
Compared to our previous trips, there was a lot of time spent on the bus.
The cycling was great. A mixture of easy and more challenging routes. I do however question Exodus’s assertion that everyone is able to ride at their own pace. There were no particularly slow people in our group, however there were times when the slowest were pressured to get on the bus, despite the group being happy to wait. Conversely others were required to slow down to keep the group together, this was often frustrating for both ends of the spectrum. This may have been due to there being only two guides cycling, only one of which was of reasonable fitness.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the villages were the most interesting and enjoyable times. The sleeper train was a surprisingly enjoyable experience also.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader spoke good English and enthusiastically shared his local knowledge with the group. He wasn't however so enthusiastic about the cycling element and lacked cycling fitness which sometimes compromised safety. The assistant leader is more of a cycling enthusiast with the fitness to match but unfortunately showed little interest in the monuments and sights.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of high energy snacks. Unlike on similar trips, these were not provided or easily bought. Our group were often hungry and energy reserves dipped on some of the more challenging cycling days. We soon learnt to take food from the breakfast buffet to refuel later on. We found we needed more money for food than the trip notes suggest. We were encouraged to tip more than the trip notes suggested also. There are opportunities to get laundry done.