Ganges Explorer

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...

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  Penny Broomhall

  GANGES EXPLORER

  

  Written February 2013

  This was my fifth trip to India (fourth with Exodus) and feel merit’s the “moderate” rating. In some respects it is more sedentary than usual but 3 overnight train journeys and 2 nights camping combined with 30 million people heading for/leaving the Kumbh Mela puts a different aspect on the normal 2 week trip. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  • Rishikesh evening ceremony - arrived in good time thanks to tour leader with resulting ace position for photographs.
  • Watching country women come to bathe in  the Ganges on "auspicious" bathing days.
  • Arriving in Varanasi by country boat.
  • The amazing feeling that you are at the largest festival in the world yet don't feel threatened/vulnerable.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The excellent tour leader Ajay kept the group of 16 fully informed of the inevitable delays and was a mine of information on so many subjects and his cheerful disposition was a great boon.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Heed the advice with regard to jacket and wet weather gear if travelling in February and possibly March.  Also suggestion re sleeping bag - nights are v cold.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The real disappointment proved to be the Sunderbans: our full day out did not commence until we left the jetty at about 09.15 and by the time we had motored to the main reserve the sun was well up and unfortunately for us the tide was rising to full so there was little chance of sighting any wildlife other than a few rhesus macaque, red shanks, one green bee eater, couple of varieties of kingfisher. No deer (some had been seen on the earlier boat trip). The “tranquillity” was violated by extra loud music emanating from parties in other boats.

  If the tour still exists in 12 years’ time then I would recommend amendments to the itinerary be considered to allow more time to be spent at the Festival in Allahabad and for photographers local information as to viewpoints would not go amiss. My criticism concerning camping relates to the unfortunate location of the first site - the opposite bank to a main railway line - surely somewhere quieter is available?

  Overall a great trip achieved by a great crowd of people and tour leader.

   
• 

  Linda Cassidy

  GANGES EXPLORER

  

  Written February 2013

  This was our fourth trip to India and we found it  really enjoyable, a trip with a difference  complimented by  a great group of fellow travellers. However it was unexpectedly  tiring because  we were on the move so much - three overnight train journeys were a great experience and wonderful for people watching but not very restful.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  For me it was the evening puja at Varanasi but the whole experience of being in Varanasi was brilliant. It is a truly remarkable place and sailing in on our country boats past the ghats was  fantastic.

  The cultural performance by the children at the Sunderbans was very touching despite the language barrier.

  For my husband, being at the Kumbh Mela was the highlight - it was something that we had never expected to experience. So many people, so much colour -it was a photographer's dream.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Ajay was an excellent guide. He had a good sense of humour, kept everyone to time and mixed well with the group being prepared to discuss openly all aspects of his life and of life in modern India.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go prepared for anything - a four hour train delay gives plenty of time for people ( and cow and monkey) watching at the station and the basic camping really allows the group to gel together in adversity. This is very basic camping but the boat crews were wonderfully efficient and cooked up some scrumptious  meals.

  Take lots of spare camera equplment - cards, batteries, chargers etc. The opportunites for photographs are endless

   Don't expect to see much wild life on the Sunderbans - that was the only disappointment of the trip.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

   Perhaps the stay in Sunderbans could be trimmed to one night with the extra night  being spent in Calcutta of which we had only a very brief glimpse. 

   It would be wise to enquire whether people can swim before setting off for two days on the Ganges.

   
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  Jim Fewell

  GANGES EXPLORER

  

  Written February 2013

  Truly the experience of a lifetime, packed with contrasting and profound experiences.   

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Very difficult!  Witnessing the Kumb Mella in Allahabad?  Visiting Sikh temple in Delhi?  Visiting Mother's Theresa's lepper hospital the Calcutta?

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Ajay was unfailingly professional, articulate, and thoughtful.  The responsibility and stress was palpable, that night he was caring for we 14 helpless European tourists, at a very crowded Varanassi station whilst he train was repeatedly delayed - perhaps to be cancelled.  We could so easily have been stranded at the station overnight - but Ajay would have found a way to keep us safe!  KVT is first class. Thank you very much Ajay

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you can't get through breakfast without cream on your coffee, don't book an adventure holiday in a developing country!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Sorry, there was an anti-climax, sorry.  Two long boat trips in the Sundarbans was pleasant enough, but we saw very little wild-life, and not even the paw-print of a tiger.  (By contrast, my experience of Ranthambore National Park, was that there was plenty to see at dawn and dusk - perhaps not tigers, but plenty of other animals and birds - even a crocodile.)

   

  Therefore I recommend you re-time the boat trips, or else re-structure the trip to make Calcutta the highlight - it was quite astonishing.

   
• 

  Mark Robertson

  GANGES EXPLORER

  

  Written February 2013

  A fine way to get up close and personal with the world’s largest democracy and to observe at first hand the rapidly changing face of modern India   

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  1.    Being part of the swirling mass of saffron robed humanity at the Khumb Mela festival

  2.    Calcutta’s beautiful Victorian architecture and green spaces

  3.    Watching devout Hindus taking a “Holy Dip” in the Ganges at Haridwar

   

  What did you think of your group leader?

  
  

   Patient, resourceful, supportive, understanding and informative

   

   

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  It can get cold at night sleeping on the sandbanks of the Ganges so you may want to bring a sleeping bag and a lightweight down jacket. A head torch, ear plugs, anti bacterial hand gel, non DEET anti malarial spray such as “Smidge” and photocopied articles of the main attractions to read up on prior to arrival. Travel light as baggage space is limited on Indian trains and be prepared for some long journeys. Watch out for expert food thieving monkeys on railway platforms!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  It’s easy to lose contact with your group leader while out and about in busy urban locations so try and stay relatively close to the group to avoid getting lost. Carry with you the group leader’s contact details, business cards for the hotels and your mobile ‘phone with for emergencies.

  Try to get fit before you leave as this can be an energy sapping trip and you will recover quicker.

   I would recommend introducing optional alternatives to Sundarbans Tiger Reserve for those who want to stay on in Calcutta.

   

   
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  Dave Carter

  GANGES EXPLORER

  

  Written October 2012

  Overall, an excellent trip which gives one a taste of the "real" India. However, it involves a LOT of travelling including three long and potentially uncomfortable train journeys. One star taken off for this. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Varanasi is a real attack on the senses from the crazy rickshaw ride through the streets to the almost surreal atmosphere of the Puja ceremony.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The group leader (Mr Arvind Tickoo), unfortunately, wasn't very good. He was not as engaging or as helpful as he could have been and, at one point, he upset a couple of ladies on the trip. Another star taken off for this.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for long periods of travel. Hence, DO NOT take too much luggage as you'll be spending more time than you want packing and unpacking.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A good trip but needs some improvements.

   
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  Anne Round

  GANGES EXPLORER

  

  Written October 2012

  A great trip, especially for those wishing to extend their understanding of India and all it's complexities. This takes in tranquil rural scenes and riotous urban experiences both. Landscape,history,religion,wildlife and the enormous contrasts that characterise India in the 21st centuary leave the traveller with many rich memories., 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  2 days drifting down the Ganges without an engine to disturb the peace ! Our boatmen were wonderful.

  The evening aarti on the ghats at Varanesi 

  Also the Sunderbans village where we stayed ,(sadly for too brief a time.)

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Not the best we've ever had in all the trips we've made with you

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for a lot of moving on, maybe tiring but well worth it, and night trains are fun.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Can you offer a trip to Kasmir ? !!

   
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  Leena Malde

  GANGES EXPLORER

  

  Written February 2012

  A superb experience encompassing India's spiritual essence and away from the regular tourist spots 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Rishikesh is a beautiful, peaceful town and the evening puja ceremony was the most moving experience of the whole trip - definitely not to be missed and a place well worth visiting. The couple of days sailing down the Ganges and away from the traffic chaos that is Indian roads was also superb and camping on the banks of the Ganges was definitely a highlight for me.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader, Ajay, was superb. He was so honest and open about everything and did not seek to deceive us in any way with regards to the real India. Also nobody got sick and that's down to Ajay taking us to good places to eat without spending a fortune - 5*.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Not really a trip for first timers to India! If you haven't seen India before then this trip would be overwhelming as it really gets to grips with the spirit of India, not the forts and palaces, so it would be something of a culture shock/challenge for a first timer. Be prepared to have a few wet wipe washes, take a sleeping bag liner and plenty of toilet roll!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A superb trip and thoroughly recommended. The contrast between the hustle and bustle of Delhi and Calcutta, contrasted with the tranquility of Rishikesh and Sunderbans all in one trip is incredible. The evening prayer service at Rishikesh is not to be missed and I would also recommend the short afternoon trip to Sarnath during your free time in Varanasi.

   

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