Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many - the obvious ones like the Taj Mahal, but also Bundi, where we were away from the tourist trail, drank the most delicious masala tea and wandered through the market, after visiting an abandoned fort, much loved by our local guide. The colours in the markets and the beautiful artwork . The people , who were unfailingly polite, the traffic , riding in tuk-tuks, the wedding processions in the streets - apparently it was an 'auspicious time' to get married!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ajay looked after us very well. He was very informative about all aspects of Indian life and answered our questions in detail and with good humour. It was good to hear someone speak so positively about the future of his country. He was always attentive to the group's needs,particularly in the search to find a working ATM! He organised a few extras - e.g. the Sikh temple in Delhi and the Midnight Gardens in Agra. He went out of his way to organise a trip to the cinema for four of us. His obvious love of his country and his pleasure in sharing it with us, shone throughout our trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was unseasonably cold at the beginning of our trip, so would recommend taking warm clothes if going in January - especially for sleeping, as hotels have no heating! Be prepared for long bus journeys and take something to listen to - can be quite bumpy for reading! Those with back problems might want to reconsider the ride in the cantor . It was particularly bumpy and one of our group was incapacitated the next day.

Suggestions

I would suggest missing out the trip to the jewellers in Jaipur. It was not sufficiently interesting to warrant the time spent there. Add the Sikh temple to the itinerary in Delhi - it was wonderful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Of course the Taj Mahal is an obvious answer, but I particularly valued an unscheduled stop at Chittorgarh Fort, on the initiative of our Tour Leader - full marks! This is an astonishingly large complex, and I recommend it for formal inclusion in future trips, as it broke the long journey. Consequently, we could only spare a couple of hours, but I hope to return and spend several days there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

GAJRAJ - is a first class professional, completely on top of his game. He has excellent command of English (not his language!) and has a good sense of our British humour. I am sure there must have been admin. issues along the way, that Gaj dealt with quietly and efficiently on his mobile phone. In particular, there was a 'Cash Crisis', which Gaj went to exceptional lengths to manage around, for example, touring one town on the back of someone's motorbike to find a working ATM - thank you very much - it took much of the stress out of a difficult situation. Gaj also facilitated three of us visiting Ranthambore Fort during some free time, which is tantalisingly visible from the National Park, with many temples and buildings. We greatly appreciated this, and felt it was better use of our time than a second Game Drive, so we recommend it should become an optional alternative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just be aware, there are some long journeys. Also that it was very cold, doing the early morning Ranthambore safari, so take plenty of warm clothes (e.g. layers, hats and gloves.)

Suggestions

I was disappointed that no hot water was available on any of the occasions when I needed it, at the Ranthambore Lodge. It is otherwise a pleasant enough venue, with an 'outdoor feel'. It was also distinctly chilly in my room with no heating available (easily fixed, I'd have thought.) I caught a persistent cold afterwards.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the Taj Mahal. No matter how prepared you think you might be, the reality exceeds expectations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Krishna and Harish were outstanding.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a very busy schedule. There is so much to see that time is very much at a premium. My advice would be to just go with it and try to be as punctual as you can.

Suggestions

I would thoroughly recommend this trip, it is full on India but amazing because and despite that.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Taj Mahal at sunrise is breathtaking, the Victory Tower at Chittorgarh is a beautiful example of ornate carving, and there are no words to describe the experience of seeing two tigers in their natural habitat in Ranthambore. I would also have loved more time to explore the Observatory of Jai Singh, which is an absolute masterpiece of engineering.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krishna was a good and very patient leader. His knowledge was great and he did everything in his power to ensure an enjoyable trip for everyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a plug in mosquito repellent!! Don't bother with the optional boat trip in Udaipur, accepting a blessing or prayer at the Jain Temple will require you to open your wallet, and if you are a meat lover, prepare for a limited supply. Some eateries are vegetarian only.

Suggestions

This trip has a lot of long journeys on poor roads and traffic will add extra time to those journeys. Be prepared to sit for 4/5 hours at a time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunrise at the taj mahal! Getting a glimpse of rural life in Rajasthan - peaceful and colourful in contrast with the vastness and 'honking' of the cities!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was more than you could ever expect from a leader! Enthusiastic about his home land of Rajasthan, very knowledgeable and kept us feeling safe, up to date with the plans of the trip and also very adaptable if changes had to be made. Very kind, funny and contagious optimism! We feel very lucky!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Embrace the noise, honking & tuktuks and keep moving with it! It becomes normal after a day!

Suggestions

Highly recommend exodus and thank you for a great trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight for me was to see the tigeress in the wild with her cubs. whilst on our tiger drive. And of course the Taj Mahal. we had to get up early and I can now boast my wife and I on the day we visited were the first through the gates! and all of the group had great uninterrupted photos taken of the Taj Mahal

Thoughts on Group Leader

we had a tremendous leader in Chandra. if you are lucky enough to have Chandra on your next trip you are in for a treat. His love for his country and his depth of knowledge is astounding. a great sense of humour and compassion for us inexperienced travellers. he had the ability to stand at the front of the coach and give a talk on any Indian related subject we put to him.. which was often funny and always interesting. we visited many forts and palaces and Chandra's knowledge of each one was superb. Chandra was possibly the highlight of the whole trip

Advice for Potential Travellers

we visited many temples forts and palaces I would recommend a diary or journal to remember some of the highlights

Most Inspirational Moment

The fort at Jodhpur, Taj Mahal and the lake at Udaipur

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chandra was outstanding. The whole experience of the trip was enhanced by his guidance. His knowledge, humour and insights in to Indian life helped to create an exceptional holiday. He was always aware of our safety and was available 24/7.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the tigers in Ranthambhore National Park Also the fort in Jodphur, beautiful Udaipur, and sunrise at the Taj Majal

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chandra was absolutely excellent. I have travelled all over the world, and done 10 similar trips to this one with Explore and G Adventures, and Chandra was the best guide i have had - he's a huge asset to Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to name, riding the ox on a small mill with the permission and amusement of the owner, my first site of the Taj Mahal, the Bollywood film our guide organised for us, the boat trip in the lake at Udapur, so many memories.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Aarti was amazing, funny, engaging, went out of her way to ensure we saw and did what would make the trip for us. We also have to mention out driver Amal, whose knowledge and eyes for spotting things we may have missed was unsurpassed. What a team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect long drives, but make the most of it. If you have a good guide as we did rely on her/his expertise, Aarti knew the shops, the chai stops, the restaurants, in my case the best place to have a Meade to measure silk dress made.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were no inspirational moments, it was not that type of trip for us, we were revisiting some areas of Rajasthan as well as seeing other places for the first time. The high points were - Taj Mahal, Udaipur, Jaipur and of course the Pushkar Fair.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader was excellent, patient and went well out of his way to try and sort out a major luggage problem for some of the others. I thought he had an excellent knowledge of where we visited and he is to be congratulated for that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long travel days but the hotels chosen were more than up to the suggested standard.

Suggestions

1. We had one poor lunch stop after visiting Fatehpur Sikri, a new venue should be found. 2. The highway meal stops are VERY expensive for what you get, can I suggest you find somewhere else. 3. The time and distance from Pushkar to Jaipur meant that we had no time to explore the Old City. Jaipur needs another day added to the tour so that the City Palace, the Jantar Mantar and Amber Fort can be explored over two days giving people time to enjoy this marvelous city, do a little shopping or just wander and enjoy the sights.