Highlights of Northern India Discovery Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

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Average Review Rating: from 113 reviews.

Shona Tudor

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written January 2012
A whistle stop tour of the amazing sights of Northern India. Every place we visited was world heritage standard. After one day I felt like I had been in India for a month as Rajasthan is an assault on the senses but in a good way and I was really glad a booked the tour. Of the 8 nights of the tour 5 were in great hotels, palaces even, 1 dodgy hotel and 2 on the train. So for the price I thought it was good value.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Just happened to be there for the Kite festival and came across local dance displays just by accident and every person in Jaipur was flying these little kites and trying to attack the other kites to bring them to the ground.

I thought Sarnath was amazing. It was full of pilgrims not just tourists from Nepal and Japan and it was really serene. Nobody asked to take our photos. It was really moving, with that and Varanasi it was a spiritual trip without any lecturing.
What did you think of your group leader?
Sunil was great, he had spent alot of time studying tourism. He came from a traditional Hindu family and was really enthusiasic to tell us all about Indian culture. He knew alot about the history of the sites and spent an enormous amount of time answering our questions as Indian culture is really complicated, or at least it is to me. He was also quite funny which helped on the long days. He took us to the cinema and kite festival which were extras just because he wanted to show us everything. We were a small group just 5 of us, one couple and 3 women and I did feel very well taken care of. The trip is so busy that we were hardly ever on our own.


Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We went on the 12th January in their Winter.
Here is a random list of everything I can think of:
I thought this was a great time to go as I would rather be cold and put on a jumper than be too hot. Weather in January, warm/hot in the daytime but recommend several jumpers for Taj Mahal and Varanasi and game drives which take place early morning and late afternoon. Also take a hat that stays on very well for the game drive.
The most important thing to take is ear plugs.

Although the tour guide is knowledgeable about India you can't expect him to understand the British idea of shopping as "lets find a bargain"! Our guide took us to traditional cottage industries like marble and silk. If you really want to find bargains then you will need to go off on your own. The cottage industries were interesting though if you have the patience, and at least I know what to look out for in charity shops now as I couldn't afford some of the products on offer. If you aren't interested in expensive shopping then just say so but you need to be quite decisive. Every area is famous for a special product like Jaipur is famous for gems so if you don't go the next day will be a different product.
Train is okay but take snacks like peanuts with you, our train was 6 hours late to delhi because of the fog. Take a lock and chain or even two with you for the train. A suitcase is better than a holdall as it fits under the beds in the train better.

Toilets seemed fine everywhere as Sunil was always quite fussy about where we stopped, so don't worry about them, tipping is required of course. I didn't get ill but I think I might have put on weight with all the rich curries!
I was really disappointed we couldn't go on the Elephants up to Jaipur fort but Sunil was sure the Elephants weren't well cared for so we avoided it.
If you are over 35 then you will need to do some exercies as there really is NO exercise on this trip.
Learn how to turn the flash off on your camera before Ranthambore game drive! Everyone seemed to have a problem with this! If you want to see tigers (and we saw 2, one on each game drive) then don't stop for the spotted deer, there are millions of them! The time in the park is seriously restricted and the driver will get a heavy fine if he exceeds it.

We were advised not to tip the beggars or children or mothers as it only makes the problem worse. This was one thing I was worried about before going to India and I did see some unpleasant sights but not nearly as many as I feared.

tipping is an way of life in India. Service and tax is not included on the restaurant bill and even though a price is agreed for tuk-tuks and taxis you always have to pay a tip.

With the free time in Varanasi go to Sarnath is is truely amazing.

What other people said about this trip is just about spot on, we got to see some of the best sights in the world for only 6 days off work. Every single day is an early morning though so if you suffer from insomnia or jet lag then it will be hard work.

The tour doesn't go to a Hindu temple so if you are interested then you will have to tell the guide so he can arrange something or go on your own.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I hadn't heard of half the sites on this tour before I went to India but they are really amazing so if you are looking for a short trip just go for it.
margaret fittes

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written November 2011
tremendous holiday. Lived up to expectations.Only disapointment was not seeing much of Delhi due to transport problems. The overnight train from Varanasi was 4 hours late arriving in Delhi, then the bus that was to take us sight-seeing was involved in an accident on the way to pick us up. Consequently it was dark before we set off to see the sights. I think the trip would be better extended by one day, and start off in Delhi, so that after a short rest from the long flight, sight seeing could be done in Delhi on the first day.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
seeing the Taj Mahal. it is beautiful.
The dawn boat ride on the Ganges - meditating with the local guide, very moving.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ronit was fabulous. He was very well organised, and looked after us very well. He was very focused - no mean feat considering he was getting married the week after our trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
take plenty of loo roll/paper tissues
my son and i were advised to take grapefruit seed tablets to prevent delly-belly, it certainly worked for me and my son only had mild symptoms.
take penty loo roll / paper tissues
graperuit seed tablets taken during the trip seemed to ward off delly-belly (can't be taken by people with high blood pressure), they worked for me.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
a fabulous trip to get an insight into India
I wish I had taken pens to donate to the school we visited.
Susan Fraser

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written November 2011
I have wanted to visit India for years and it lived up to my expectations. A great insight into Northern India. It was a 'Solo' group which worked very well. A really laid back group with lovely people of all ages that mixed really well.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Of course the Taj Mahal, whatever expectations I had, I was not disappointed. The boat trip on the Ganges at Varanasi was very atmospheric, the tuk tuk ride and even the overnight train ride.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ronit was a lovely man who looked after us very well (not easy looking after fifteen people working on 'India' time and transport!!
From time to time we had local guides who were very interesting with their tales.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't take too many clothes. There were several times when we were in the sames clothes for 48 hours!!!! In Varanasi, ten of us got very ill with Delhi Belly and a doctor was called. I had gone vegetarian the whole time and even cleaned my teath in bottled water but the guide that took us to the airport explained it was probably down to the overnight train than the food. That made a lot of sense so in hindsight I wish we knew that before the train trip so we could have sanitised constantly!!! - and I would have eaten the chicken - it looked good and we were taken to good restaurants.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Its a great fast paced trip - no time is left unspent!! You can always sleep when you get home!! A couple on the trip took grapefruit capsules which seemed to keep them healthy - it wasn't much fun getting Delhi Belly and finishing the rest of the trip and travelling home whilst feeling so ill!
Suzanne Heraghty

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written November 2011
This trip was fantastic, very well organised and we managed to see and do so much more in the space of a week than we could have possibly managed on our own. I would recommend it to anyone considering visiting India for the first time. I travelled on a 'solo departures' date, which put my mind at ease, having never travelled on my own before and I was lucky enough to travel with a great group of people.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Taj Mahal lived up to all expectations, but I also really enjoyed Jaipur and Varanasi.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ronit was a great group leader, very well organised and he remained calm and professional throughout, even when faced with things that were outwith his control such as transport delays and members of the group taking unwell. When the additional Delhi city tour that he had organised for us had to be cancelled due to the bus breaking down, he did his best to arrange something to make sure that we weren't too dissapointed and got to see some of the city in the short time that we had there.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Whatever clothes you have packed, you won't need as many as you think because on a couple of the longer travelling days there is no time to change. Make sure that you take plenty of hand sanitizer and I can also recommend taking one garlic capsule per day before and during the trip. It might be a coincidence, but I did this and was lucky enough not to be badly affected by 'Delhi Belly'.
Most importantly, make sure you have enough memory cards because there are so many different weird and wonderful things to see that you will be scared to put the camera down for a minute in case you miss something!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The main thing that I think could improve the trip is one extra day in Delhi. We missed out on seeing most of the city because of a delay on the overnight train and then our tour bus breaking down, so one more day would have allowed for any unexpected transport problems. Other than that, I really can't fault the itinerary at all and overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable holiday.
Jill Pinington

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written November 2011
I was travelling alone so quite anxiuos but my fears were dispelled before the check in gate because I saw a fellow tripper scrutinising her Exodus paperwork at the airport -instant friednship! A wonderful trip, well organised, with expert leaders. Would highly recommend.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Ganges was amazing and the Taj Mahal was majical. I loved visiting the school. I felt I had seen the real India.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent, knowledgaeble and well informed
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Grapefruit seed tablets! Travel light and take a small torch with you.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I have always wanted to go to India and this was everything I imagined. It is fithy dirty, noisy and smelly but I loved it! The people are so lovely and happy. It is colourful and just full of extraordinary sights just watching from the tour bus window was an exciting, eventful experience!
Julie Butler

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written October 2011
An absolutely fantastic trip which took in some classic cultural, chaotic and crazy moments. It is a perfectly put together trip to take in the highlights and give you a real experience of India in terms of sights, sounds, flavours.Had an amazing time with our group, such a great bunch of people and our guide Harish was excellent throughout, his enthusiasm and passion for his country was infectious, I can't wait to go back expore further!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
elephant ride to Amber fort, seeing a Tiger whilst on a game drive at Ranthambore, the magnificent Taj Mahal, evening and morning ceremonies on the Ganges and the exilharating rickshaw races, the craziness of Delhi..so many amazing memories
What did you think of your group leader?
Harish was the perfect guide, great sense of humour! from the first night and the old Monk welcoming drink we knew we were in for a great trip. he was knowledgeable about all the sights and also generally about the places we visited, enthusiastic and passionate about ihs country, patient, accommodating.. nothing was too much trouble, just brilliant!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do it! go with an open mind an a sense of adventure and you will love the trip.
I've wanted to visit India for a couple of years and this trip definitely lived up to expectations. It's a chaotic, crazy, colourful place!
Listen to your guide.
Try and drink plenty of bottled water and definitely carry toilet roll, Immodium and hand gel/antiseptic wies everywhere.
Most of the group had had minor tummy upsets but we all carried on, maybe just easing up on the spiciness of the curries and opting for English dinner at times.
The trip is intense with lots of early starts and travelling but was well planned to cover all the essential sights plus we also experienced carpet making and printing in Jaipur, gem making, pottery and visited a school.
There is a lot of travelling to cover the distances often extremely bumpy roads which provide an endless source of entertainment but our driver and his son were brilliant and looked after us well.
The train journeys were a real experience, actually slept quite well, do pay attention to what your leader says, Harish advised us to lock all our valuables into our main cases and chain and padlock them under the seats to safeguard them which was great and reassuring advice, since some tourists in the carriage in front had valuables stolen whilst they were asleep.
carry small notes (10 and 20 rupees) to hand for the toilets and to give to people if you take their photos. be prepared to ignore the hawkers and beggars, they will give up and move on.
Be prepared to become a tourist attraction and for people to ask you to be in THEIR photos its a funny and surreal experience!

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Absolutely awesome holiday, excellent leader in Harish, great group of people on the trip, definitely the best group trip I have done to date, I just want to go back!
If you want a totally different eye-opening trip then I can't recommend it enough.
Tina Snowball

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written October 2011
This trip is a great way to experience India if it is your first visit to the country. It's a whistle-stop tour of Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle, and a great way to get under the skin of this wonderful country and its people.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There are so many inspirational moments on every leg of the trip - almost too many to mention. The Amber Fort at Jaipur, dashing around the city on rickshaws, discovering Fatehpur Sikri, the Taj Mahal at sunrise, seeing a tiger in the wild at Ranthambore, experiencing Varanasi during Diwali, the warm welcome and kindness of the Indian people. My personal favourite was the sunset and sunrise river trips on the Ganges at Varanasi for the Diwali celebrations - moments I will never ever forget.
What did you think of your group leader?
Avtar was a great leader, one of the most passionate and knowledgeable guides I've ever had on an Exodus trip. It was clear he took great pride in showing us 'his India' and his enthusiasm was infectious. He also has endless energy, enough to keep the group on the go when we were tiring. The man is a legend!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The itinerary is very busy and it's a fast paced trip. Don't expect to sleep much or relax. There is a lot of travelling so be prepared. The overnight train accommodaion can also be very basic (with added wildlife) - not for the faint hearted.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would highly recommend the trip as a great introduction to India and a chance to experience the warmth and hospitality the country has to offer. Along with being able to visit the Golden Triangle, it's a trip that will leave you with some great memories and a yearning to return.