Reviews

Hassle free and very efficient

I loved India, fascinating country despite the poverty & pollution. Such an interesting culture & people, welcomed everywhere we went with big smiles. The people dress in such fabulous colours & styles, it’s wonderful to see.
Our guide, driver & co pilot were excellent I couldn’t fault their attention to detail. They went the extra mile to make our Xmas experience the best. Our visit to Rathambore National Park was one of the highlights, when we got to see two female Bengal Tigers. Also loved Bundi which is off the main tourist route, so for me it was authentic & few tourists there.
All in all, a great way to spend Christmas.
I was ready for vegetables, when I got home & a while before I eat curry. However I go away to experience another culture not what I have at home.

Absolutely wonderful. Every meal was a banquet and busses were on time for every outing. The hotels were great Loved the itinerary and all our outings Really well organised. Better than I had expected in every way. Our tour director was extremely efficient and thought of every eventuality, sorting out a few errors which we, the group, created. He looked after one of our less mobile members of the group above and beyond the call of duty.

An extraordinary glimpse of this huge country. I’ll remember the chaos and noise; the colours and smiles; the Mughals and their artistry shown in their palaces and forts; the tigers and bears of Rathnambore NP and the exquisite Taj Mahal. It was a true assault on all the senses.

Extremely well organised. Tour guide not just very knowledgeable but also read the group dynamics and needs very well. Would definitely recommend this tour but be aware that it is very “full on” with busy schedules each day.

An excellent trip, very enjoyable! Our guides were very knowledgeable both in India and Bhutan. All of us thoroughly enjoyed the adventure!

We enjoyed the tour which was interesting and gave a quick view of life in that part of India.The tour was well organised and all the hotels were fine .We would criticise the food which became monotonous as all hotels and lunch places offered the same dishes ,some variety in the dishes would have been good .Also given the age of the group a chance to look at small gifts for grand children would have been good rather than higher end goods .The tour group moved well .

Great tour for first time visitors to India. Ample time spend at all the major sights and tour guide was very informative. Bus not of the same standard as what European travellers may be used to but still comfortable. Accommodation by and large average to good but meals very average at best with very little variation. Regardless we had a great time and can definitely recommend this tour.

Lovely adviser Matt

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.

We saw some wonderful sights and enjoyed our adventure. You have to “embrace” India, it is very, very busy and lots of honking of horns!

We would rate the physical aspect of the tour higher than 2, at Jama Masjid in Delhi there were over 20 very steep steps to get into the Mosque, at Varansi the steps at the ghat again are very steep and you have to be able to get on and off a small boat onto mud banks, there is also a lot of walking. In addition you have to be able to get on and off very busy trains with your luggage that only stops at the station for a few minutes. Hemal our guide was brilliant with some less physically able guests and on two occasions sorted out for our luggage to be driven to the next hotel.

It is a non stop tour, lots of very early starts and late back to the hotel in the evening but we booked this tour as we wanted to see a lot of India and it didn’t disappoint.

Fab holiday except for trains number two and three. Dirty and very shabby ..
first and last train on itinerary were clean and comfortable .

This is my third trip to India and have done trains before but this was a different experience .

Toy train in Shimla is tiny and cramped .
Two seater seats suitable for two slim sized people .
Shabby interior .
Myself and four others from my group were put in a carriage with locals . they had luggage piled in every available bit of space . It was cramped , no room to move .
Man opposite me kept scratching his nether regions , I chose to stand !
No room in other carriages .
Other group members had a more enjoyable trip as they weren’t in a crammed carriage .
Train journeys are not romantic if that’s what you’re hoping for .

Taken to train Station at 6am for an 8am train .some stations are dirty with disgusting toilets ., very few seats .
26 people in tour group , far too big , tour guide could t cope .
Lack of porters . Had to cross and walk down railway lines with our luggage .
Not for elderly or unfit .

Horrendous early starts .and late arrival back at hotel in the evening ., 7pm ish .
Only had time to wash hands then go for dinner
. No socialising due to next morning early starts , usually around 6am .

Hotels were all really good with good Indian food . Don’t expect an English Breakfast .

Some wonderful restaurants for lunch , most memorable one in Shimla .

Jam packed itinerary , no free time for anything which was a shame , but what we got to see and do was superb .

Had a fantastic time but it’s full on .

I’d recommend this holiday 100% if the train was ditched .