Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Just to see how beautiful the country is and so many different forts, temples and palaces. My favorite was actually the Jain Temple at Ranakpur, it was just amazing. But also just the driving in our little bus. We saw so much from that bus (a wedding going on and a cremation party just to mention a few). Obviously Taj Mahal was beautiful as well. It's quite amazing actually, finally seing it in real life. We went to see a movie as well, one of the optional extras, and it was such a laugh. We all enjoyed that. Just so different to watching films in the cinema at home.I also really enjoyed Udaipur. Can't quite put my finger on it, but there was just something about that city.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were all really happy with Abhi. He was just so positive and helpful all the time. One of the first things he did was make sure we all had his card with his mobile number so we always could get hold of him. Abhi shared a lot of information about himself and his family and it really made us understand the people and the culture. He had a really good sense of humour as well. I would love to go to India again, and I would love to have Abhi as a guide on my next trip.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do read the trip notes as they are very accurate. I was prepared for the long driving days and you need to be aware of that. Mind you, without the long drives we wouldn't have seen so much. I went in December 2013 and it does get cold in the morning and evening. Also the hotel rooms have air condition, not heating. Bring a warm hat and maybe a scarf for the game drives. It was lovely during the day, but bring a warmer sweater/fleece for the morning and evenings, especially if you are eating outside for dinner as we did a couple of times.Just go to India with an open mind. It's a bit overwhelming at times but the people are so friendly and helpful. I wouldn't have been able to do all this by myself, so this trip, with a smaller group, was perfect for me.

Suggestions

Just go. Everything is well organised and you have a good guide to look after you. I have so many fond memories of India and Rajasthan now. Couldn't have done it on my own.

Most Inspirational Moment

The tiger painting I purchased at the local art studio in Ranthambore National Park!!!  It is incredible, a life long memory and to see the artists at work and view their work was absolutely fantastic.  The money paid is used to train young future artists, support tiger rehabilitation and the remainder to the artist.   The Taj Mahal was spectacular but so was the opportunity to view a tiger on safari and I particularly liked the insight into countryside India.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A very presentable and knowledgeable young man.  However as we travelled there was not much interaction or description of buildings, areas and sights along the route, particularly noticeable as we drove out of Delhi and passed some incredible buildings without knowing what they were.  If asked about a particular thing he was quite forthcoming.  On previous holidays we have had leaders who would forewarn us of sights about to come into view.  This was something that would have added to long hours of travel in buses.

Advice for Potential Travellers

India was enjoyable and would advise travelling light as there were so many different hotels and long hours on buses.

Suggestions

I would have liked to be forewarned about the long hours to be spent on buses due to road and traffic conditions.  Possibly might have chosen a holiday with rail or local flights included.  Would have enjoyed a stop or two to take advantage of photographs of local and country life

Most Inspirational Moment

The Taj Mahel is incredible, but do not bother going inside.  Seriously. Tigers were a major highlight, and the temples, palaces, forts are also very impressive.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very well organised, and helpful throughout

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are set on seeing all the cities and major attractions on this trip then go for it, but be aware that you will spend 50 hours of your trip on a coach. That is 3 days of being awake or 25% of the trip.  Also be ready for the coach which may be from the 1970s and unfit for modern travel on India's very bumpy roads, making for many unconfortable hours.  The landscapes outside the window are generally not that impressive i.e. not much to look out at.  After a while a cow on the road isn't that interesting any more....I have travelled a lot but first time in India.  I'm quite streetwise, and I guarantee you people will try to pick-pocket you, so be very careful with valuables.Also, I would suggest do Golden Triangle only as the coach travel is crazy for the rest of the trip, compare to amount of time "doing" stuff and exploring.  And if you want to see tigers, then book privately as you might get a 4x4 instead of a truck, which enables you to get closer to the tigers.  In the truck you will be looking at tigers with the 4x4s in the way as the 4x4s are allowed to, and are able to, get closer. Our tour leader advised against having street food, and NONE of our tour got a dodgy stomach...so it was very good advice it seems.  Unless you really know what you are doing, listen to the tour leader's advice on what to spend your money on, in terms of expensive shopping for Jewellery, textiles etc.Bring a plug for the sinks...Learn how to say "no", "not interested" etc for the touts who hang around the tourist trail like vultures on a fresh carcasse.  Unless of course you are a fan of utter tat, in which case you will love them.Persuade your fellow travellers to skip the "midway" lunch stops, just get a snack.  You will wait one hour for the worst food at UK prices. Bring a good book, neck rest, tablet, music, cushion, or high strength sleeping tablets...the coach journeys are long... 

Suggestions

I have got back home and have looked through amazing photos. And no doubt, some of the sights were incredible.  I can say that I have some great memories but it came at a cost... In the interst of fairness, I'd point out I was ill for half the trip so was lacking in energy and perhaps that detracted from the overall enjoyment......however, I do feel the trip lacked balance: far far far too much time sitting caged up in one very uncomfortable coach (until it broke and was replaced) and then the replacement coach.  I do not know why this trip doesn't do an overnight sleeper train once or twice to cover the distance, and perhaps miss out Pushkar and Jodhpur which were basically nothing more than a stopping place between Udaipur and Jaipur...that would leave time to "relax" and explore a bit...something I enjoy on every other tour like this that I've been on.  Also, and this is just personal, but I hated the local guides...at least half were producers of monotous robotic monologues which for me ruined the experience of just exploring in peace. I say just personal, but many of the group felt the same way.  I do not wish to detract from the amazing sights, sounds and smells of India...you will find it on this trip, but this trip needs to be reviewed, and changed.  I can't understand why people are giving this trip four or five star reviews, but this is of course subjective.

Most Inspirational Moment

The camel fair, glamping, Bundi fort - the blue town, the Amber fort, being first into the Taj Mahal at sunrise......... I could go on

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Dj, was brilliant. He really made the trip; he was full of information, facilitated everything excellently and was always ready to answer questions and talk. I couldn't recommend him highly enough.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take something very warm to wear for the glamping, it was cold at night!

Suggestions

I loved this trip so much I am planning on going back to India in March!

Most Inspirational Moment

I don't think this is the right question for being in India ...  it is like being on a different planet, but with new-found friends to share and discuss and thrill with.    The tour name "Colours of Rajasthan" is appropriate ...  silks, sunlight, saris, smiles, marble, jewels, farmlands .... contrasted with dust and the other inevitable non-beauties of this country.   Food ...  delicious and a huge variety!

Thoughts on Group Leader

DJ was fantastic.  Sensitive, hard-working, responsible, respectful, gentle, sincere, efficient ...  I was especially touched by, and impressed with, his special consideration for an elderly lady on our tour.    DJ was knowledgeable about his country and customs, and answered fully, honestly and interestingly anything we asked about.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pay attention to the section in the brochure about "Is this tour for you".  The only way to see as much of India as we did ...  and as much of the truth as possible - is on a tour like this, at street level and in the middle of the chaos.   And leave space in your suitcase for shopping.

Suggestions

I think that everyone on our tour was pleased with Exodus as a tour company.  some had taken several Exodus tours before.  This was my first, and I was extremely satisfied with the value, the arrangements, the food, the hotels and coaches, and the points of interest (and options) that were included.  Well done!

Most Inspirational Moment

Tigers at Ranthambore reserve, Sunset and rise at the Taj Mahal, Holi Festival. the city of Udaipor

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yadduh was knowledgable and well versed on the area, he was willing to arrange additional trips upon request. He understood interviduals requirements and acted on these where possibal. He showed good leadership when working through the Indian pedestrian traffic organising alterntive transport when needed such as Rickshaws and Tuk Tuks

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for busy days and a hectic scedule, Do try the street food but onlyif you see it cooked and recomended by your guide, A few long journeys on rough roads to be expected. 

Suggestions

Be preapared to be sucked into the Indian culture to get the most from this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many! But probably the first close up sight of the Taj Mahal just on dawn with nobody else around except our group as our tour leader had 'encouraged' us to run as soon as we entered the gates! An experience never to be forgotten. Closely followed by seeing six tigers in one day on our safari visit. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chandra was a star! He looked after us as if we were his own family and his knowledge of Indian and Rajasthani culture which he imparted to us made our trip more interesting and meaningful. He often stopped the coach to show us different aspects of Indian life which we would not have seen without him. He had a super sense of humour and dealt with any problems efficiently. He was ever mindful of our safety and comfort and we could not have wished for a better group leader. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want a restful, relaxing holiday then this trip is not for you. However, if you want to see and experience a totally different culture and way of life in an exciting country with lovely people and come home with fantastic memories and a smile on your face then this is definitely one for you! 

Suggestions

We hadn't travelled with Exodus before, had never been on an organised group tour or travelled to anywhere as exciting as India but we loved every minute of this trip. We cannot wait to do another. 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several. Being the first to enter the Taj Mahal at 7 a.m.when no one else was there was wonderful. The place is serene and beautiful it was just breathtaking. Then after another early start seeing so many tigers close up at Rambanthore National Park, was very special. The game keepers see so much that I would have missed had they not pointed things out to us. Udaipur is spectacular and beautiful. The hotel was quite special too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Chandra really made the holiday for the group. He was knowledgable and informative, often talking to the group about Indian life and customs. He would advise us on anything we were interested in, I always asked his advice on which Indian dish I should select from the menu, and my meal was always delicious!!! He advised us on staying safe, local scams that we should not get caught out with. He definately was a top class team leader who would often get the coach to stop in order to give the group a little cameo of Indian life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this trip if you want an interesting active holiday. Rajastan is a large state and so distances covered meant a lot of time on a bus, sometimes six or more hours a day. It's not a strenuous trip but it is pretty full on with very little down time. Having travelled all the way to India to see the sights I was happy to take all the opportunities to see this amazing place. We took the advice of our leader on where to eat, so avoided any upset stomachs. Make sure you have comfortable robust footwear.

Suggestions

Go ahead and book it, Rajasthan has so much to offer.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Taj Mahal - so amazing to see it for real, a beautiful place.Udaipur - the hotel on the lake was an amazing setting, trying an authentic thali, getting stuck in a tuk-tuk traffic jam due to a wedding procession, the cultural show, the city palace - and of course the shopping!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pancham was a good leader with lots of information and always there to help and advise.  He did a great job of keeping a group of 16 organised and making sure we all got to see all the things we wanted to see. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The cultural show in Udaipur was an excellent show of Rajasthan music and dance - great value for money.  The Bollywood movie was great fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Taj Mahal has to be the wow moment as it is such a tribute to a great love story. Also the lake at Uidapur was sublime, we could have easily spent another day there. A special mention must go to the small village we visited, a chance to see real India away from the tourist hot spots.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ravi was great, knew his stuff and helped bind the group together. He also put the trip in context by telling us a great deal about the Indian way of life. Only drawback of a tall group leader is that there is a very tall Indian in most of my street views!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It can be colder than you expect, November is winter in India as well. I prepared for finding our own meals by downloading reviews from the Internet, but we ended up eating as a group all through the trip. Go vegetarian for the trip, the food is much nicer. There is a lot of walking around the various sites and palaces so it is not for the unfit.

Suggestions

The hotels and places visited were great, I only felt let down by the last day back to Dehli. Six hours on the road and straight into an afternoon sightseeing was too much. I realise they are trying to cram it all in but I was fed up by the time we got to the hotel, and the hotel for the last night was the only hotel of the whole trip I would not go back to.