Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved Jaipur with the pink buildings, and especially enjoyed the walk though the flower market, visit to a temple and eating samosas and drinking chia tea on the street. The cookery lesson and meal at a locals house one evening was also very good. The early morning safari ride at Ranthambore was also a highlight, when we saw a tiger cross the road, but even if you're not lucky enough to see tigers, there is plenty of other wildlife and birdlife to see.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ajay was excellent, organised and informative with a good sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Depending on the time of year you go, I would pack light, even though we didn't take loads we could have cut down. It was easy to wash things out and get them dry overnight, also you need to be able to carry your bag through the train stations. We found the people to be friendly , and interested in asking us questions. With the ATMs you can only draw out 10,000 rupees at a time, but this was fine as they were relatively easy to find along the way.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Taj Mahal was impressive, it really is as beautiful as it looks in pictures but is so iconic you can't believe you are there! The chance to cook an Indian meal with a family was really special, the couple were so warm and welcoming and we made great food that we all got to eat together after. The visit to a Hindu Temple to watch a devotional ceremony was so uplifting and will stay with me forever. My favourite place was Varanasi, there is such a great buzz of energy here, watching the world go by on the Ganges was extra special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Have to say a great big thank you to our Group Leader Manu who was absolutely excellent at his job. He took great care of us all on this trip. He was always warm, friendly, approachable, happy to answer any questions and help with anything at all during the trip. He was great at keeping us all together and getting us everywhere in good time, which everyone appreciated and he really listened well to meet the needs of the group. Communication was excellent, we were always told what was happening and what to expect next and how to prepare for things we were going to do in advance.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I felt totally safe on this trip, and really well looked after, the group tour makes sightseeing so much easier, especially when trying to do shopping or visiting really busy places. I would definitely travel again with exodus, and after seeing many solo travellers in our group, I would have no problem travelling solo with exodus either.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many highlights during this trip. The people, the places, the sights, the smells, everything!! You really did feel like you were in a special place in India. If I had to pick one of the main highlights it would be experiencing the Ganges at Varanassi. An incredible, amazing and humbling experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krishna was absolutely amazing!! Right from the start he made us feel hugely welcome! A very intelligent guy with a huge amount of enthusiasm, knowledge and passion not only for his country but also his job which as a result made our trip to India even more incredible. A really good people person with a great sense of humor. Krishna was the perfect guide and I can't thank him enough for making my first visit to India so special.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the National Park in Ranthambore and the Taj Mahal in Agra

Thoughts on Group Leader

Naveen is obviously very proud of his home country but also aware of some of the challenges it poses to visitors. His knowledge regarding the various religions and cultures is excellent which meant that I gained a deeper insight into India as a whole.

Most Inspirational Moment

Markets, temples, Varanasi boat trips, group dinners..... Without a doubt our leader Mayank set the tone for the trip- Joyful!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mayank "Moon" Khamesra was the exemplary leader of our "Highlights of Northern India" tour. Moon profoundly enhanced my experience through his exceptional warmth, professionalism, and palpable passion for his work and country. He effortlessly connected with each member of our 16-person group, demonstrating a natural ability to make everyone feel seen and valued.

Most Inspirational Moment

Obviously the Taj Mahal but I also really enjoyed the street walking elements in Jaipur, Delhi and Varanasi. Above all though, the camaraderie created by our leader and the great group of people was probably the best bit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ajay was amazing! A really credit to Exodus India. He was professional yet friendly and has a great sense of fun. He made us feel safe and well looked after. Nothing was too much trouble and he has offered continued support in the future if needed. He worked so hard to ensure we had a good time and that everything went smoothly. He also did an excellent job of bonding the group early on so we all felt relaxed and comfortable in each others company.

Most Inspirational Moment

fulfilling a lifelong wish to see the beautiful Taj Mahal at sunrise seeing first hand all the wonderful stones that are laid into the marble inside the mausoleum, spotting the elusive tigers at Ranthambore and the most spiritual place for me was Varanasi watching daily life and being blessed there was magical, also having the most amazing lassi in The Blue lassi shop while watching the funeral processions go past was a great contrast. I could have stayed longer in this area which is full of wonder. I loved walking through the old streets of dehli and in Varanasi where we spotted a new bride in her finery being led to the Ganges for a blessing. hearing the noise that surrounds daily life and the warm smiles of everyone we met will stay with me forever. As this was the 50th anniversary trip we also had a fun night the started with laughing yoga and a very interesting cooking/ eating session only then to be dressed in beautiful saris and be decorated with henna, the men in the group also got dressed up like maharajas which made us feel like family with the lovely family that hosted us for the night.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Naveen was always giving us the best food advice and took us all to some amazing places for lunch and dinner, we had the most amazing butter chicken in dehli and molecule in Agra where we all could have danced the night away to some amazing Indian hits. he also arranged some diyas for us to make a wish on when we were on the sunset trip on the Ganges. he even got a group members bag mended when it broke on the last night there he was brilliant fun at our dinners talking with us all after getting to know us all, I feel I have made a friend for life in Naveen.

Advice for Potential Travellers

its fast and a whistle stop trip that will leave you breathless and wanting to see more of this vibrant country, I know I will be returning to see more. don't hesitate to explore this wonderful country you will be in safe hands with Naveen.

Most Inspirational Moment

Varanasi is magical, the half hour of free time to worder through the crowds taking pictures of day to day life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ronit was brilliant, very organised and such a friendly chap

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take a huge suitcase like some did on my trip, you have to lug it through the train station yourself and if the escalator is broken, you're getting it up those stairs as well. Take shoe covers for the train, you don't want to get back in bed with what ever you've been wading though., and ear plugs. All in all a great trip European plugs. Take coffee bags, the coffee is vile.

Most Inspirational Moment

The boat rides at Varanasi to see the crematorium evening rituals and bathing ghats. Very spiritual experience. Seeing three tigers up close was also a highlight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ronit was an exceptional leader. Nothing was too much trouble and he remained calm and unflappable at all times. He quietly and successfully organised everything to ensure a seamless holiday experience for us. He knew how to problem solve and use his contacts to make things work. I cannot speak highly enough of him. He was friendly and utterly professional at all times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The overnight sleeper train can be a shock to the system. Take disposable shoe covers for the bathroom, you'll need them. The itinerary on this trip is packed and busy with very little downtime to relax so be prepared. The levels of smog and air pollution are very high so I'd recommend a mask at times. Also in early November it was very humid

Most Inspirational Moment

Of course Taj Mahal, but getting to see tigers in the wild in Ranthambore was incredible

Thoughts on Group Leader

Naveen was outstanding. India is not an easy country to navigate but he made it all work and got us safely to all the sights we were supposed to see

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for several very early wake ups to catch sunset at the Taj Mahal, game drive and Varanasi. The overnight train is not comfortable, but it's an experience, just may not get that much sleep.