Varanasi Holidays

We added an extra day cut out the,night flight which was a big start.
18 days of the best experience of India an a ton packed tour of life and history of this beautiful country.

However not for the faint hearted. A lot of walking and long bus rides so you need to fairly fit as the temperature was also around 33 degrees + most days.
Highlight. Varanasi where my father came from. To "To tread the boards" where he was born was magic.

Twilight. There really was not one in this vibrant land.

Utterly Superb. I've wanted to visit India for many years - was planning on 2020 but we all know what happened then! - so finally got around to booking. I expected India to be a complete assault on the senses and it delivered in spades. Colourful, noisy, fast moving, in your face and unlike any country I've ever visited. It was a little bit crazy in the best possible way - I loved the sights, sounds, colours, the smells (OK not so much those of Indian Train toilets LOL). I don't think I'll ever quite get used to cows ambling along wherever they please ... including the middle of the road but thats just part of the local colour.

This was my second Wendy Wu Tour - I came back as the first was superb in every way and this one delivered again. Thats twice now that WW has knocked it out of the park. Ive just booked another tour for 2025 to Japan.

1) The itinerary was comprehensive and varied - the pace a little relentless at times as we crammed in as much as possible but worth it totally. We visted all the major "bucket list" sights of Northern Indian from New & Old Delhi (such a contrast), to Taj Mahal and Agra (Taj is every bit as magnificent as imagined), Varanasi (the 5 am start to see the sunrise and Ghats on Ganges was well worth it to see such an incredible site), the Khajuraho (with the Kama Sutra carvings) temples, the night, time jeep ride and magnificent sights of Jaipur, the very macho military city of Jodphur complete with jet fighter fly-overs and the magnificent hotel, the lakes and water palaces of Udaipur and the Tigers at Ranthambore and the superb Shergarh Hotel. Wall to wall palaces, forts, temples, rickshaw rides, Tuk Tuk, jeep rides, coaches, flights and train - you name it we did it.
2) The National guide Vishal was an ever smiling guy who sorted out any minor issues along the way and was a fountain of knowledge on his country as well as being very proud of it and eager to share with visitors. The local guides and coach drivers/assistants were also excellent but special mention has to be given to the superb driving of the cool, calm Mr Singh who Id trust to drive me anywhere and the ever smiling assistant Krishna.
3) The Hotels were all of very good quality - two of which where utterly superb in Jodphur and Ranthambore. The Udaipur Hotel had issues - which the hotel did sort out rapidly but they shouldn't have needed to have the issues pointed out... the other hotels didnt.
4) Food was plentiful and good quality. Generally I would have liked it spicier as I like my food hot and flavourful but appreciate that the hotels and restaurants needed to cater for the wide range of palates of the group. Shergarh was very accommodating in making mine spicier when I asked.
5) Excellent value for money - a lot of bang for the buck.
6) An absolutely superb group of people to travel with - 28 of us from various parts of the UK, Ireland, some Aussies and Kiwis. Everyone seemed to get on really well and the WhatsApp group set up by our guide Vishal was great for sharing photos, schedules etc. The group I travelled with made an already amazing holiday into an incredible experience I will never forget.
Absolutely no hesitation in recommending Wendy Wu Tours - Ive already booked my third tour for 2025!

Service rating : First class organisation throughout the trip ensuring a very smooth and super journey around northern India.
Product : Value for money. Good all round variety of experience. Varanasi is a must!

Service rating : Service during tour very good.
Product : Umid very excellent guide. Tour including Varanasi first rate.

Service rating : Excellent service through out the whole experience. we had a fabulous time,
the ******/ guide was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. through out the tour he checked that we were happy with everything he was eager to please.
Product : We totally loved the tour. wonderful places, acceptable hotels. if I had to fault the tour I would say start in Delhi traveling next to Udaipur continuing on route and ending at Varanasi. We finished at Udaipur this was the least impressive city - I think finishing at Varanasi would of been a total high.