RAJASTHAN DESERT ADVENTURE

Our Clients’ Reviews

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  Gareth Taylor

  RAJASTHAN DESERT ADVENTURE

  

  Written December 2008

    I have travelled with Exodus many times over the years, and in fact three times this year.  I have always recommended Exodus to other as the trips have been well thought-out, very well guided and a complete pleasure.  This was not true for this holiday; this included trip notes that did not prepare you for the holiday and flights stopping over in Bahrain using Gulf Air as opposed to direct BA flights which cost £40 more.  The guide constantly had to manage the group’s expectation.  Fortunately we knew to ask about the flights and had them changed to BA.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Taj Mahal

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The leader has a very difficult job due to the trip notes being inaccurate.  This tainted the group’s view of the leader.  He was a nice guy doing a difficult in difficult circumstances. 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Ask a lot of questions about the trip before booking.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The summary says it all.

  Exodus Response

  I am sorry to hear that Mr Taylor does not seem to have had a good experience on this occasion.

  I can assure you that we take feedback of this kind very seriously and I am already looking into the issues that have been raised.

  Although this is a busy itinerary, as it visits many more places than some of the other tours in this area, we do our best to set passenger expectations throughout the trip and through the trip notes.

  Best regards, Katherine Tory (India Trip Manager)

  
  

  - Exodus Staff

   
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  Monica Filkova

  RAJASTHAN DESERT ADVENTURE

  

  Written November 2008

  Rajastan is definately the place to start exploring India. The maharajas did their best to make the forts, palaces and tombs beautiful and majestic, but its walking the streets of Jaisalmer, marvelling at the carved columns of Ranakpur temples or visiting the local workshops that really brings it all to life. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I loved the living, breathing feel of Jaisalmer where people still live within the old city walls and seeing a tiger in Ranthambore, visiting the miniature painting school in Udaipur and the carpet workshop in Jaipur, the blue city of Jodhpur and that moment where you go through the gate and in front of you - in real life - is the Taj Mahal

  What did you think of your group leader?

  I wasn't impressed, as I was expecting someone much more knowledgeable about the itinerary and more open to exploring outside of the "usual". But I was most impressed by our city guides who were very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and freindly. It was like re-living stories from a 1001 nights when you're hearing of the lives and loves of the maharajas and their courts and at the same time seeing the setting right there infront of you

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Choose a trip that involves less travel by bus as the roads are of poor quality and it takes forever to get anywhere - the shortest trip was 6 hours although the trip notes make it sound like one of the longest journeys. Or better yet, select a tour with overnight trains and more free time so you can actually have time to explore a bit on your own

  Beware that at restaurants you would often be pushed to take the pricy buffet and the restaurants all tourists go to, but I found it much better value for money to go ala carte and some of the less popular restaurants. In Jaipur I would definately recommend the rooftop restaurant at the Pearl Palace Guesthouse

   
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  Lucy Hockenhull

  RAJASTHAN DESERT ADVENTURE

  

  Written January 2008

  A fascinating area which we comprehensively visited on this packed itinerary. Despite the opportunity to visit so many interesting sites, I believe this trip involved far too much time on the coach versus the opportunity to absorb the sights and sounds of Rajastan. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Jaisalmer is unique and the chance to see wild tigers at Ranthambore was a very special moment.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Avtar Singh was a very enthusiastic and passionate leader.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Expect long, slow coach journeys to dominate your trip. Overnight in the desert in December is very cold - consider a sleeping bag despite the trip notes advice. And generally pack warm layers as it only warms up during late morning/early afternoon.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  If time and money allows, book a few days at the end of your trip in a resort hotel to relax and refresh!

   
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  Helena Sedmak

  Very good logistics and perfect knowledge of local customs

  

  Written November 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  It was my first time in India. We had a very efficient and knowledgeable tour leader that explained to us:

  - the way ancient astronomers determined the position of various planets, by using instruments displayed in Jaypur's museum of astronomy.

   - the stories of the holy hindu book Bhagadavita, so we could better enter in the spirit of the local celebrations.

  - the history of the mogul empire and various entertaining anecdotes (like the origin and meaning of the name 'Sawai').

  The trip was very well organized.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  A well organized and efficient person that has extensive knowledge of local history and culture.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Bring a small cushion to make yourself confortable during the journey on the bus.

  Do not forget to bring stationery (pens, pencils, note books, erasers..) for the local kids.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  'Rajastani desert adventure' is a perfect way to experience the beauty of Indian heritage.

   
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  Penelope Fletcher

  The Holiday that we sacked out Tour Leader

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  On our final evening we discussed what were the three best memories that we would take home from an utterly amazing holiday.  Mine, in no particular order, were:

   Seeing  tigers in the wild.

  The architecture and especially the Taj Mahal.

  The children.

   

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  A holiday of two halves.  Our initial leader was a nightmare, he would have preferred to have been a Bollywood film star than escorting a group round Rajasthan - alternatively he would have been happy to have been born a Maharajah.  He was loud,  inefficient beyond belief, was unctious to his group, late for everything and rude to all the Indians that we had contact with - in short a total embarassment.  His replacement was fantastic.  Everything one could want from a group leader and more.  Charming, informative, relaxed but completely organized, liked by everyone and fun to be with.  A total contrast.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  India in many areas uses small 3 pin round plugs.  With the amount of re-charging now necessary for cameras it is worth investing in an adaptor of this type (also works in South Africa and New Zealand)

  Perhaps I am getting old but the journeys were long and the seats hard.  Some sort of cushion to sit on was a necessity. 

   

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Fantastic holiday in a vibrant country.