Highlights of Northern India Discovery Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 113 reviews.

Cathy Marsters

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written October 2011
This was my first trip to India and was an extremely good introduction to the main highlights in north India. It was busy and fast paced which was exactly what I expected, but it allows you to see and experience a huge amount in a short space of time. I would definitely like to return to see other parts of this fantastic country.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
So many to choose from, but my top three were -

1. Seeing a tiger at Ranthambore.

2. Experiencing the real India – meeting families in local villages, visiting street markets and bazaars, manic rickshaw rides around Jaipur at dusk and the train journeys to and from Varanasi.

3. Evening prayers on the Ganges in Varanasi, especially as it was Diwali with fireworks going off in the distance and sparklers on the boats. Extremely atmospheric and very moving.
What did you think of your group leader?
Avtar was an absolutely superb leader. He had a huge volume of information and stories which kept the group entertained for hours. He was extremely passionate about his country and keen for us to experience the real India. His humour, boundless energy and enthusiasm were infectious.
Avtar organised restaurants, porters, rickshaw rides, guides, boat trips, tuktuk rides, visits to local villages, street markets, bazaars and money changing facilities and he negotiated good deals and made sure that we were well looked after everywhere we went. He was able to adapt the itinerary to suit better light conditions for the keen photographers in the group and changing plans when we were running late for various reasons.
He made time to talk to and get to know every single member of the group and kept us happy at all times, catering for people's differing interests extremely well.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
On reflection I would have travelled out a day early rather than booking on to the group flight - to allow myself an extra day and night in Delhi at the start of the trip to get some sleep before the itinerary started. I didn't sleep at all on the overnight flight and you go straight from that into a long bus ride to Jaipur and late night, followed by very early starts from then onwards...so it was pretty tiring right from the word go. Our train was also delayed coming back to Delhi so we didn't have so much time for sightseeing on the last day - an extra day at the start would have allowed this.
Having said that, the amazing sites and experiences, as well as our guide Avtar's energy and enthusiasm, keep us all going however tired we were!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Go with an open mind, patience ("Indian Stretchable Time") and be prepared for a real experience!
Kathleen Gunn

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written October 2011
A packed full-on holiday- but at the same time manages to give you time to stop and look, even if it is from a train 5 hours late! Our group jelled, due in part to our great guide, Sanjay, whose enthusiasm for his country and commitment to making our experience the best it could be, made our holiday truely memorable. We also had a great driver for the first part- he had such a hard task after the monsoon.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Like many, Varanassi was amazing- both am and evening trips- enhanced by the walk through the street, samosa and chai from a stall and our guide's thoughtful commentary. Close 2nd was the first trip of the tour to the Amber Fort- so unexpectedly beautiful and peaceful inside and again brought to life as it was explained to us.
What did you think of your group leader?
Sanjay's knowledge, enthusiasm and love of his counrty enhanced our experience immeasurably. His organisation was efficient and unobtrusive, choice of restaurants/cafes was very good and he took a lot of the potential stress of such a holiday off our shoulders, ensuring we were all happy. He really seemed to enjoy his job and it showed!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make the most of the co-operatives for souvenirs- They were quite regional so if you see something you like, don't assume you'll see it elsewhere.
We bought nearly all our water from the bus- safe cold a good price and easy.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I think having a local guide as your tour leader enhances the trip immeasurably. We have used another similar tour operator and feel it is much better this way. You get more casual interaction and information, and learn more about India and the life of its people. It must be hard going for the guides though!
Janice Millward

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written October 2011
It was the most amazing experience, enjoyed every moment of each day.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Everything was fantastic the forts the palaces, seeing a tiger in the wild, the rides in mad traffic in rickshaws and tuck tucks. However, for me nothing compares to the sunset on the Ganges watching the Diwali festival unfold. It just took my breath away! The memory will stay with me forever
What did you think of your group leader?
Atvar was ace, he was so organised and helpful he made it such a joy for us, he took away all of the hassle of touring. He did all of the hard work, no way could we have done and seen so much had we done this trip alone
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
travel light, you dont need much. To see everything is exhausting BUT so worth it, you can catch up on sleep the rest of your life!.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Fantastic trip of a life time, its fun, its exhausting, its educational, its cultural, its everything you can want all rolled in together!!!!
Linda Bainbridge

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written October 2011
A great introduction to India - but exhausting. This is a non stop tour full of incredible sights and wonderful experiences.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Sitting on the Ganges in a small rowing boat watching the evening funeral rites was truly memorable experience.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader, Avtar went the extra mile to ensure everyone enjoyed their holiday. His knowledge of customs, religions, history of places and people was exceptional.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for lots of travelling, especially the late arrivals of the trains -explained as running on Indian time.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Recommend arriving a day or two earlier. Its a long journey to Jaipur, especially after the long overnight flight from London.
Carolyn Sampson

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written October 2011
I wasn't sure what to expect from India. I wondered whether I would be troubled by the dirt and poverty we all know exists, but I couldn't have been more wrong. It turned out to be the most colourful, vibrant, exciting place and it shot straight into my top 3 favourite places in the world. This tour provides a perfect 'first flavour' of India and I will definitely go back to see more.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Since we travelled from place to place, there was almost a different 'highlight' every day. In Jaipur, it was the elephant ride up to the Amber Palace - not many of the group chose to do it, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. In Ranthambore, we had been warned that there was no guarentee we would see any tigers, but my fingers and toes were crossed ... and we did! We found a beautiful lady tiger and she had a bit of a bath in the stream for us before slinking back into the undergrowth. I feel very lucky to have seen her and that was probably the highlight of the entire trip for me. In Agra, it was, of course, the magnificant Taj Mahal at sunrise - it's breath-taking just to be in its presence, but when you get up close the intricate detail is stunning. A photo on the 'Diana' bench is a must! In Varanassi, my favourite bit was the time we spent travelling in rickshaws along the roads and alley ways - it's completely bonkers, jockying for position with other traffic (coaches, cars, tractors, camels, motorbikes carrying entire families), but I never felt unsafe. The spiritual beauty of the ganges is also really something to behold. The overnight train journey from Agra to Varanassi and again from Varanassi to Delhi was an experience not to be missed - not necessarily a pleasant one, but an experience all the same. In Delhi, we visited the site of Gandhi's cremation, which is quite moving if you know anything about that amazing guy.
What did you think of your group leader?
Harish Kumar was our guide, advisor and friend - he couldn't have done any more than he did to accommodate our every need.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
There are certainly some dos and don'ts you pick up along the way. DO opt for the elephant ride - it doesn't cost all that much extra and I really loved it. DO make sure your leader knows that you really really want to see a tiger - some of the safari routes seem better than others for tiger spotting. DO prepare yourself for a lot of travelling and early mornings - we're talking 5am some days. DO prepare yourself for a lot of curry - although Western or Chinese options are available at most restaurants. DO take plenty of camera spares (batteries, charger, memory) - you'll be gutted if you miss anything. DON'T forget that you can't change money until you arrive. DON'T forget to take a sleeping bag liner and pillow case if you want to avoid using the train's sheets etc. DON'T be freaked out by the little cockroaches on the train - the sleeping bag liner pulls right up over your head! DON'T forget to take a chain and padlock with you to secure your luggage on the train. DO lock all your valuables inside your luggage on the train - not in your hand luggage, as it's more easily stolen. DO respect the privacy of locals and take your photos of the fantastic, characteristic faces with a zoom. DON'T be freaked out that the locals are as keen to take photos of you as you are of them. DO consider adding a night at the start of your stay and flying out a day early - we stayed in the Delhi Hilton and were much more refreshed than those greeted by a 5 hour drive to Jaipur.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The only thing I found even mildly negative was that there were a few too many 'retail opportunities' - carpet factory, silk/sari factory, mosaic tables factory, marble factory. They tend to be lovely products but extremely expensive, so you spend a lot of time looking at something you probably can't afford anyway - even if you haggle (which you must). That said, if you are in the market for a quality carpet, you will probably get one here far cheaper than John Lewis, so take your measurements along with you - they will ship them home for you unless they're small enough to get on the plane. I think the lesson is, be clear what the day trips include (I would have happily skipped the Varanassi one) and give the odd one a miss if you're all retailed-out. There aren't many relaxation/sunbathing opportunities, but throw your cozzie in for just such an occasion. Oh, and there's a McDonalds in Varanassi if you're dying for a break from curry!
Helen Caldbeck

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written August 2011
A full on, non stop experience from start to finish. Some beautiful locations, amazing sites, culturally challenging at times, wonderful people, and curries to die for!!! We were welcomed by our guide Jitu as guests to his country of which he had so much love and passion.Thank you Jitu, thank you exodus.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The breathtaking Taj Mahal, the fascinating Ghats of Varanasi, the scary tuk Tuk rides, elephant rides to the Amber Fort ..... I could go on and on and on .....
What did you think of your group leader?
Absolutely fantastic ... Jitu. He welcomed us with open arms, shared his passion for India, looked after us when we needed extra care ... just brilliant !
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for lots of poverty, it can be challenging at times. I found it more expensive than i expected, so ensure you budget well for eating out. You will be taken to some better quality restaurants and these were more than i expected (trip notes about right). Many of the restaurants add a high amount of tax onto your bill.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Altogether a fantastic adventure - well worth doing. I now want to see other parts of the country, as there is much to see and do.
Lucy Timothy

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN INDIA

Written August 2011
Great guide, fun trip, interesting sights, sounds and smells, great people and some amazing photos to remember it.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Being proposed to by my boyfriend at the Taj Mahal - obviously I said yes!
What did you think of your group leader?
Fantastic! He was very knowledgable, had a great sense of humour, able to adjust the itinerary and great fun to chat to.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Enjoy bartering and do the optional elephant ride - it's great fun!