India Grand Tour

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...

1 | 2 | 3

• 

  Jemma Bartholomew

  INDIA GRAND TOUR

  

  Written December 2012

  This is a great trip and gives an excellent overview of India - a crazy colourful chaotic country! It really is a non-stop whirlwind tour, so as long as you are expecting that you will have a great time. Some advice: bring sleeping tablets for the overnight train journeys; if you can, arrive in Delhi a couple of days early as the first week is VERY full on; for the ladies - bring 3/4 length trousers as the toilets (outside of the hotels) are mainly 'squat' and rarely clean or dry; note that in the second half you spend a LOT of time in the minibus and the Trip Notes don't really make this clear; relax, enjoy, and let India wash over you! 

  Read full review

   
• 

  Edward Bird

  INDIA GRAND TOUR

  

  Written December 2012

  A long and at times exhausting tour - but great fun too! 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  A visit (added to the tour by our leader) to a large step well, something I'd never seen or heard of before - stunning!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Have to say he was great (10 out of 10 for him), he was always helpful added extras to the tour and kept everything rolling along (not always easy).

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be warned, this tour involves long trips by road on coaches on mini-buses. Some of the roads in India are poor, especially south of Goa. It can be tiring and try your patience, but that said looking back all I remember is the great experience of travelling and visiting places in India.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Don't be afraid to go, our leader Bhupesh always found places for us to eat and took care of us. Do be prepared for some fairly basic facilities, also on the sleeper trains you may end up sharing - there's 6 to a compartment (depending on booking arrangements). If it bothers you then India isn't the place for you. Hotels were generally of a high standard (some basic but clean - some also very comfortable).

   
• 

  Adrian Norris

  INDIA GRAND TOUR

  

  Written April 2012

  If we had thought that India might have changed such that it was no longer a daily assault on all your senses then we would have been wrong. Virtually everyday brought a fresh round of surprise, delight and confirmation that this was a 'must do' trip. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Any ride in a tuk-tuk is going to be fun but nothing can prepare you for either a tuk-tuk ride in Varanasi on Holi Day or a night time ride in Jaipur. The former felt like cartoon travel in a war zone and the latter, at the end of the ride, gave a whole new meaning to the feeling 'good to be alive'!

  High on any list would also be the evening boat ride on the Ganges, Varanasi and watching, early in the morning, some 40 chanting men hauling in the nets on Kovalam beach 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Uttam was the ultimate professional. He had a knack for sensing the mood of the group at any time and kept the ideal balance of giving information at the right time - and holding back at the right time too! He had the patience of Job and a real desire to please - constantly, over 31 days. He made a major contribution to the overall success of the trip - especially as he had some special challenges to rise to (cancelled trains, broken buses etc)

  He is clearly capable of doing a bigger job for Exodus!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  It's so obvious but read the itinerary carefully! India is a huge country and this trip is all overland. That means some long days in buses. It's the only way to see 'real' India gradually change as you head south but it's wearing too. Make sure your group rotates who sits on / behind the rear wheels as Indian roads have to be experienced to be believed!

  Don't expect western standards at every turn. In some places you do have to rough it a bit - but would you be thinking of such a trip if you were expecting all mod cons and western style food and service throughout rural India...? 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Given the standard of most of the accomodation, the length of the trip and what is included it is remarkable value for money. A major reason for that is that rural India is wracked by poverty and prices are low. This trip reveals little of the 'Indian economic powerhouse' but reveals much of the subsistance living and life styles that have not changed for generations. This is sometimes shocking and often humbling but certainly not a reason not to go. Expect to be strangely bewitched and GO!

   
• 

  Tony Tyrrell

  INDIA GRAND TOUR

  

  Written January 2012

  I believe that we were able to experience Incredible India not only due to the length of the trip but due to the organization of Exodus and the leadership of the group.  

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The most inspirational moment of the trip were many but the caves at Arangabad were unbelievable. The boat trip on the Ganges river with Sitar players and with the burning crypts in the background was a unique experience. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The tour was lead by an excellent guide who was attentive, looked after people's needs, and basically spent 24/7 with us ,well beyond the call of duty. There were a few repeat travellers who used Exodus in the past on other trips which speaks for itself.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  We did not pay enough attention to the temperatures prior to leaving. The trip was in January and relatively cold notably at 7000 feet. We would highly recommend the trip but be prepared for 3 overnite train rides that are not comfortable and therefore tiring. There are long bus rides which also take a toll on your body. Whis is part of the experience going thru villages, it is taxing. At the end in the South you have time to catch up and relax .

  The other disappointment was that we expected to lose 10 Lbs. because of the spicey food, unfortunately we gained 10 Lbs.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I woud say that if you could reduce the overnite train rides, at least schedule them at a better hour the trip would be less gruelling. Maybe even cut out part of what you see to make it easier. Out of the 10 people on the trip there were only a couple who did not have issues. 

   
• 

  Sonya Timms

  INDIA GRAND TOUR

  

  Written January 2012

  If you want to get a real insight and feel for India, this is the trip for you. Be prepared to have your senses awakened and to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, colour, light, energy, chaos, culture and history of India. This trip will take you from north to south and you'll see the touristy highlights as well as going off the beaten track and experiencing how locals live in this intoxicating country of contradictions. India stirs the soul like nowhere else I've ever been and I can't wait to return.  

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were so many for me....the culture shock of arriving in Delhi, the overnight train journey adventures, the peaceful calm of the sunset and sunrise boat trips on the spiritual river Ganges at Varanasi, a rooftop view of the kite festival and fireworks in Jaipur, seeing a tiger on safari at Ranthambore, exploring crazy Mumbai and sampling the best masala dosa, the stunning ruins at Hampi, the remote jungle retreat in the Niligiri Hills, the cooler mountains at Ooty, cookery lesson in Cochin, backwater cruise on a houseboat and the beautiful beaches of Kerala. The people were so friendly, welcoming and interested in us and meeting locals and children in villages was a great insight into the real India. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Pravar made the trip for the group. He went above and beyond what is required of a group leader 24/7 for us. His passion and pride for his country shone throughout this trip and he did everything in his power to ensure that we experienced the real India, not just the tourist trail. This, combined with his sense of humour, and occasional crisis management, was so impressive and the group could not have had a better group leader. 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Ease yourself into spicy foods, only drink bottled water, use antibacterial hand gel, keep your personal possessions with you at all times, take a padlock chain to secure your rucksack or suitcase on the overnight trains. Be prepared for some very long coach journeys on bumpy roads. This isn't the most active of trips as you cover so much of the country by train or coach so make the most of the time available to explore and walk. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I'd go as far as saying that this trip was life changing for me and I'm about to start a new job working for a small, sustainable, international development charity working directly with children, young people and communities in India to enable them to change their lives and take control of their future. 

   
• 

  Alan Staniforth

  INDIA GRAND TOUR

  

  Written January 2012

  It's a shame I can only give this trip a maximum of five stars. It defornatly opens your eyes and senses. So much that I'm returning to exploure Himalayan villages. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  To many to chose from except everything from day one to day 31. Meating the people on the trip (especialy my roomy A.K.A. Big boss) and the locals.Feeling like a celebrity with all the locals wanting to have there photo taken with you. Seeing tigers, caves. Celebrating my birthday. Opening the train doors to have a cigarette. Unexpected visit to exray shop/museum/department. Cheap and very enjoyable food and large beers. Being invited to someones home for the kite festival. Take your life in your own hands tuk tuk rides. Cookery lesson. The bumpy coach journeys. Laughter.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Pravar was a good chap very knowledgable about his country. Very good during medical emergencies. Was with the group 24/7 always consulted with the group when choosing optunal extras.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Not wanting to repeat advice by other reviewers about trains and coaches etc. Go with a very open mind and be prepared to be amazed.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Make sure you read the itinery and advice. It's not a phisicaly taxing trip unless you have travel dificulties. And be prepared for anything. View any crisis that may arise as all part of the journey, that way you'll allways enjoy and smile lots :)

   
• 

  paul stevens

  INDIA GRAND TOUR

  

  Written December 2011

  First half of the trip is fantastic - Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur, Agra all amazing. I very much enjoyed the overnight trains - i slept ok on them and its a great way to cover the distances. However some members of the group struggled to sleep and them found the sightseeing the days after the trains hard going. The reason i'm not putting 4 stars or more is bceause the second half of the trip didn't quite live up to the first half. Going from Mumbai to Ellora, Ajanta and Hampi involved some fair travelling on buses and the roads are not good. Still these sites were great and worth seeing. The last week of the trip was far less fun. Very long road trips on bad roads and in a bus with poor suspension. Made worse by the fact that our hotel in Goa was truly terrible. I'd been very impressed generally with the hotels prior to this. All the group mentioned this to the guide and i'm told Exodus will not use it again. However a bad experience in Goa meant that the following two longs days on the bus were hard going. Overall the last week has 4 days on a bus for only 3 days of sightseeing and wasn't really worth it in my opinion.In summary:First 2 weeks - incredible, 3rd week - good, 4th week -poor.Still you do see a vast amount in a vast country in a relatively short space of time all considered.Our guide was very good too.  

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The Taj Mahal is one of the few places i've been that can live up to it's own hype. 

  Varansasi was fantastic and were very lucky to be there during a large festival. 

  I very much enjoyed the overnight trains, although not all the group found them as pleasant. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Brilliant. Very organised, reliable, made everything run smoothly.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Do not underestimate the travelling, especially in the second half of the trip when you have long days on the bus on poor roads. All the buses seem to be made by Tata who appear to have used the same suspension on these that they use on their lorries, which doesn't give a very smooth ride.

   

1 | 2 | 3