Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the place where Ghandi had been assasinated and seeing his worldly possessions in a glass display case.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide wasnt the best I had ever had but I couldnt have managed without him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I took some single US dollar bills which were handy for tipping toilet attendants in the early stages of the trip before I had accumulated a stock 10 ruppee notes and came into their own again later in the trip when I ran out of small denomination notes at one stage..

Suggestions

The memory of the sight of a split windscreen lorry loaded with what looked like a semi deflated hot air balloon full of heaven knows what beeping and swerving around a cow in the middle of a three lane highway will I hope remain with me for all time.India is a work in progress but I wouldnt have missed it for the world.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were very lucky in that we saw tigers on both of our drives (morning and afternoon) in Ranthambore National Park. The afternoon sighting was exceptional. We spent two hours sitting watching a tiger which was no more than 4 metres away from us. It was dozing, occasionally waking to look at us. It then got up and wandered past us for a toilet stop, before settling down again.This was a highlight, but to be honest, there were so many.  I could have spent all day sitting in a the magnificent Jain temple at Ranakpur.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mayur Hada was brilliant. He was experienced, knowledgeable and considerate - everything you want in a guide. He really made everything come alive, and the trip would not have been as good without him. He made sure that on the long driving days, we always had an interesting place to stop mid-way, rather than just having a simple lunch stop. Chittorgarh (an unscheduled stop not mentioned in the dossier) was the best of these, and actually warrants an overnight stop.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the dossier so you're not surprised by the hectic pace of the trip and the occasional very long driving days. Don't change too much money when you arrive - the dossier estimate of up to £15 per day for meals is way too high. Most dishes were £3  - £4 each, and would often feed two people. There are lots of ATMs, so change as you go.Leave space in your bag for some of the fantastic things you can buy.

Suggestions

The hotels were much better than expected from the dossier, so don't expect to be roughing it. Only the hotel in Agra was a bit below par. The only negative thing about the trip was that we all felt that it needed to be 2 days longer. We felt that an afternoon in Delhi when we arrived would have allowed us to recover from the journey, see a bit of Old Delhi, and allow us to travel to Agra the following day in time to to see the fort that evening. Similarly, and overnight stop in (fabulous) Chittorgah would have broken up the long drive from Bundi to Udaipur

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a tiger at 50 mtrs in Rathanbore and sitting beside her for 15minutes.Friendly and communitive peopleHeritage Guest HousesRanakpur temple carvings and Mogul minature paintings in JodhpurBundi and chittagarth as an example of real India,of the tourist trail

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely brilliant, So enthusiastic and informative. Phased by nothing,took everything in his stride.Arranged additional trips to cooking lessons and a bollywood film. Also a cultural evening in Udaipur

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are travelling as a couple make sure both names are on your travel/flight documents otherwise the security will not let you into Delhi Airport.Recommend sticking to a diet of Indian food.Go with the flow and abandon all pre-concieved ideas.

Suggestions

when can we go again please

Most Inspirational Moment

Suprisingly it wasn't the magnificent sight of the Taj Mahal or Red Fort that was most inspirational,  though they didn't disappoint, it was the 'off the cuff' visit we made to a local village school that we happened to pass. The children were so delighful and welcoming and we felt we had a taste of India that wasn't just for the tourist. Another visit that sticks out was a walk round a small local village, eating from road side stalls and drinking in the fabulous colours all around us.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Avtar was simply amazing, always on hand to answer questions and explain the customs and rituals of a very complex county. He went out his way to show us a side to his country he is obviously very proud of.The 'Bollywood' movie was an experience!.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was definately a bit colder than we imagined ( December/January) especailly in Delhi. Temperatures fell to single figures at night and only rose slowly  during the day. It was also quite foggy/misty all the time so some views weren't as clear as at other times of year. Advise would be take an extra jumper or two. Getting clothes cleaned at Hotels was easy and very inexpensive. There are long road journey's ( it can't be avoided) so be prepared.

Suggestions

Enjoy every second. You can sleep when you get home. Don't be scared to taste and try. Try not to sleep on the bus as you miss some of the most 'exciting' driving you will ever experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Taj Mahal exceeded my expectations (which were high) though the pleasure was marred by only having 20 minutes to walk around, so constantly checking watches.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was really a nice chap and looked after us well. I could have done without some of the banter on the coach, but it was well intentioned, he clearly loves his country and wanted to share it with us. The driver was amazing - there is a lot of traffic on the roads and he must have been really tired at times, but he did a great job, and his assistant was also really kind.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Really think about how long you want to spend on a bus in a relatively short holiday, and be prepared for having a fair number of cold showers.

Suggestions

Really a nice group of people, hotels quite nice, and some great things to see - I just think the itinerary could benefit from being less ambitious or having more days.

Most Inspirational Moment

Oh now I loved the Taj mahal of course.  Other than that I enjoyed Udaipur, Bundi and Puskha.  I loved the palaces and forts but the markets were especially fascinating.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Avtar has an amazing energy and excellent knowledge of his country.  He was also very helpful, kind and caring.  He is inclinded to talk too much :-) 

Advice for Potential Travellers

 Take hand gel.In December/January the rooms in the hotels are a bit cold so ask for a blanket.In december/january take a fleeceGet an early night so that you can keep on going - this is a hectic trip.  

Suggestions

If you want to see lots of sights in a whirlwind tour then this is the trip for you.  If not, book something else.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Tigers in Ranthambore, the Taj Mahal at dawn and seeing it change colour, dinner in Udaipur overlooking the lake  and city palace.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Got us safely round, and took care of everything. A bit of a lack of understanding as to what appeals to his clients but nothing serious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are lots of India trips out there so think carefully about which one you book. This in my opinion is a full 14 day trip condensed down. There is no time for relaxing, casual shopping or sitting in a cafe and watching the world go by. You go as a group everywhere and everything is pre-arranged. The group had a (minor) mutiny twice and slipped the leash to go out to dinner in Udaipur (as opposed to stay in the hotel for dinner) and to hit the bazaars in Jaipur for some shopping. It's hard to be too down on this trip as you see and experience some amazing things but just book it with your eyes open. If you are well travelled or have been travelling on your own you may just go a little stir crazy in such an controlled environment.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is nearly impossible to seperate out inspirational moments; my girlfriend and I got engaged at the Taj Mahal which was an amazing experience at a truly magical monument. Seeing four tigers on a game drive was unbelievable, but sites like Mehrangarth fort at Jodhpur, the palaces at Udiapur or the Jain temple in Ranakpur were incredble as well.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Arvind Tikoo made the whole adventure for me. He was excellent during all aspects of the trip, from organising celebration cakes, dealing with tour guides, local merchants and hotels to arranging visits to schools, farms, and brick factorys to break up some of the travelling. Arvind was also excellent at explaining the political, historical and religious influences that have shaped the areas we visited a true treasure and lynch pin to the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just make sure to savour every aspect of the trip there is so much to enjoy and experience. Also dont watch the indian driving too much it's crazy!

Suggestions

A big thanks to everyone for making this the trip of a lifetime; from the tour guides, Arvind JP our driver to all the staff at Exodus responsible for developing and booking the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

It would have been difficult to identify a single highlight - it was all brilliant from the Taj through to driving through the villages. However, we saw a tiger (twice) and not just a fleeting glimpse but a full 45 minutes showing many aspects of his behaviour.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arvin was etremely organised and efficient - a credit to his Country

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to hit the ground running and keep running till you get on the plane home.

Most Inspirational Moment

To see the economical development is a bonus on top of seeing all the fantastical historc sites.   

Thoughts on Group Leader

The best we could have wished for. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to incredible India and spend your money there directly, benefitting to locals rather than giving it to aid organisations who loose so much money before it reaches the locals.   

Suggestions

Do not miss India and Rajastan during your life time.