This was our best holiday adventure ever. Although it was a long journey, from north to south... David Howlett, 2018 See more reviews
Fantastic holiday with a great bunch of people Definitely not for the faint hearted accommodation... Kate Smith, 2018 See more reviews
This was an excellent trip. The places and sites visited were fantastic and had a great variety... John Pearce, 2017 See more reviews
Another wonderful trip with Exodus. A great overview of India inevitably means a lot of long... Lorraine Quinn, 2017 See more reviews
A truly amazing trip, well organised with some amazing sights, some of which were a wonderful... Steven Toon, 2017 See more reviews
I've just returned from this trip which was long awaited and my second trip to India. ... Steven Toon, 2017 See more reviews
This is an amazing trip for experiencing different parts of India. The trip was very well... Chaya Parmessur, 2017 See more reviews
This is a trip that does what it says; takes you on a month long journey through India taking in... Janet Hoare, 2016 See more reviews
A truly amazing introduction of this incredible country. From the crowded backstreets of New... Paul Emery, 2015 See more reviews
Arriving in Delhi and travelling gradually South, the tour climaxes gently in a day and night on... Kevin McGee, 2015 See more reviews
Itinerary Include flights Expand all London to London Day 1 Depart London. Flights usually depart London in the evening. Day 2 Arrive Delhi; afternoon free. The group flight will arrive into Delhi in the morning and we will transfer to our hotel. Those who have made their own flight arrangements will join us at the hotel during the day (rooms may not be available until noon but it is often earlier than this). The rest of the day is free to relax or explore Delhi.Comfortable Hotel Day 3 Morning sightseeing; overnight train to Varanasi. Today we have a morning sightseeing in Old Delhi including the famous Red Fort and Jama Masjid (India's largest mosque). In New Delhi we see the fine colonial buildings, as we drive through the area, built by the British Raj in the early years of the 20th century and set in spacious tree-lined boulevards; these now house various Indian governmental departments. We then board our overnight sleeper train to Varanasi, India's most sacred city.Sleeper Train Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Morning arrival; free to explore temples and markets. We arrive at Varanasi in the morning and transfer to our hotel. Varanasi, located on the river Ganges, is one of the holiest cities in India and stands at the centre of the Hindu universe. As such, the city lives and breathes Hinduism: there are thousands of pilgrims, wandering holy men (Sadhus), religious leaders and casual visitors. It is a city to get immersed in by exploring its maze of narrow lanes, ghats, the many temples and watch the Hindu ceremonies that occur around the clock. There is time to explore the emporiums specialising in silks and brocades or maybe take a massage by the banks of the Ganges.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Boat ride on the spiritual Ganges; sightseeing; overnight train to Agra. Just before dawn, we take a boat out on the Ganges to witness the extraordinary spectacle on the ghats, the steps leading down to the river. Every day thousands of Hindu pilgrims come to these three miles of riverbank to immerse themselves in the waters of the holy Ganges. The rest of the day is free to continue exploring the city or relax at the hotel. In the late afternoon we board the overnight train to Agra.Sleeper Train Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Arrive Agra; visit the Red Fort. After arriving in Agra and checking in at our hotel we visit the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, third of the Moghul Emperors, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal; to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri. At sunrise we visit the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal, built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor. A few miles outside Agra is Fatehpur Sikri, the emperor Akbar's deserted royal city. The mosque, designed to hold ten thousand worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience are all made of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years, as in 1584 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today - in perfect condition. Continue journey to Jaipur. Total driving time approx. 7 hrs.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Visit City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Amber Fort. Jaipur was built in the early 18th century and is a planned city of broad avenues built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage. In the centre of Jaipur is the City Palace, formerly the residence of the Maharaja it is now a fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights of India, the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We will also see Jaipur's impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. A few miles from the main city is the splendid Amber Palace; the imposing hilltop fort contains large courtyards and interiors with fine decorations including inlaid alabaster panels and a Chamber of Mirrors. We walk up the hill and through the massive gateway to the courtyard. Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones, leatherwear etc. It will be difficult to leave a workshop without buying anything!Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 Drive to Ranthambore N.P. We make an early start and drive about 180 kms (approx. 5 hours) to Ranthambore National Park. We stay in a lodge not far from the park entrance.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 10 Morning and evening game drives. Ranthambore is one of India's tiger reserves under Project Tiger. After initial success, poaching has reduced the tiger population and seeing a tiger is by no means guranteed, however, a number of Exodus groups have seen them over the last few years. We make our first game drive today early in the morning and a second drive in the evening to increase our chances of seeing tiger. There is a huge array of other wildlife, such as several species of monkey, deer, crocodiles and bird life, which together with the scenery, make for a fascinating and exciting day. Game drives are undertaken in a large open truck (called a canter) from which we have unobstructed views of the park and the animals.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 11 Morning game drive; optional visit to ancient forts and villages; overnight train to Mumbai. In the morning we head back into the Park for our 3rd game drive. We board the overnight train to Mumbai in the late afternoon/early evening.Sleeper Train Meals included: Breakfast Day 12 Free day. We arrive in Mumbai and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore. Mumbai is a fascinating city to visit. It is the country's most cosmopolitan city yet some of Asia's biggest slums are found here. It is India's financial powerhouse, where businessman walk amidst skyscrapers, and it is home to the most prolific film industry in the world, Bollywood. A playground for the country's rich and famous, with large shopping centres, bustling bazaars, hip restaurants and a trendy nightlife. Alongside this, half of the residents live in slums. There is lots to do in this city, from shopping in the bazaars to taking an evening stroll at Chowpatty beach.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 13 Optional trip to Elephanta Caves; afternoon free. This morning you may wish to make an optional trip to Elephanta Island, (the return boat trip is about £3 (approx. US$5) for 3 hours and the entrance is about £4 (approx. US$7) per person). The main attraction is the rock-cut temples, carved between 450-740AD. The afternoon is free to explore this city including the Gateway of India Arch and the eerie Towers of Silence, on top of which the Parsees expose their dead to be devoured by the ever-present vultures.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 14 To Aurangabad; visit Ellora Caves. We will take the early morning train to Aurangabad and then have a short drive to the cave temple complex at Ellora, a World Heritage site. The caves date from the 6th to the 8th century AD and have been painstakingly hewn out of the hillside. There are more than 30 Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples, crowded with finely carved images. It is thought that the caves were carved by priests and pilgrims who used this ancient trade route. The highlight of the complex is the amazing Kailasa Temple, a replica of the mountain abode of Shiva and probably the world's largest monolithic structure. Carved out of solid rock it measures 33m. In spite of its massive proportions, the temple is carved all over in the most intricate detail. Later we drive back to Aurangabad.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 15 Explore Aurangabad; visit Ajanta Caves. We drive to the caves at Ajanta (approx. 2 hrs). The 29 caves are spectacularly located in a pass in the Vindhya Hills and were only discovered in 1819 by a company of British soldiers on a tiger hunt. The caves were created between the 2nd century BC and the 7th century AD. They were cut from volcanic lavas in a forested ravine. They contain many carvings and beautiful wall paintings, depicting scenes from Buddhist legends. In the afternoon we drive back to Aurangabad. Later, if we have time, we can visit the Bibi-ka-Maqbara (optional) an imitation of the Taj Mahal which was built by the Moghul Emperor Azam Shah, son of Aurangzeb, as a mausoleum for his mother Rabia Ul Durani in the late 17th century.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 16 To Bijapur. Today is a long drive to Bijapur (approx.9-10 hrs.). Bijapur is a small and pleasant Muslim town with fine old buildings dating back to the 14th century, when the Muslim rulers of Delhi conquered the area. The city is dominated by the magnificent Gol Gumbaz, the huge mausoleum of its 17th century ruler Mohammed Adil Shah. The Jama Masjid Mosque is one of the finest in India, with its graceful, slender minarets.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 17 Sightseeing of Bijapur; afternoon drive to Hospet. Morning sightseeing visiting Gol Gumbaz and Jama Masjid. In the afternoon we drive to Hospet (approx. 3.5 hours), which is our base for the next two nights. The evening is free.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 18 Full day exploring ruins at Hampi. Today we have a full day-visit to the beautiful ruined city of Hampi. Hampi is the site of the old capital of the Vijaynagar Kings, who ruled from the 14th to 16th centuries. Once the largest Hindu empire in India the city was destroyed in a battle in 1565 by the Deccan Sultans when Islam was spreading to South India. The ruins are almost ethereal and amid the boulder-strewn landscape we can see the finely carved pillars of the Ramachandra Shrine, the old market place, plus many other temples and monuments in the South Indian Dravidian architectural style. In the evening we return to our hotel in Hospet.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 19 Drive through hills to Goa. Today we drive (approx. 10 hrs.) over the Western Ghats to Goa. The state of Goa was a Portuguese colony from 1510 until it was returned to India in 1961. The great Catholic missionary St Francis Xavier came to Goa in the 16th century and his body, perfectly preserved, lies in the Bom Jesus Basilica and a large part of the Goan population is still Christian. Goa became a meeting place of east and west, where merchants could buy and sell pearls, rubies, coral, silks, Chinese porcelain and exotic spices. These days Goa is an idyllic place with tropical white sandy beaches and palm fringed shorelines. The next 2 days are free for individual exploration of Goa.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 20 Free day or optional excursions You may like to visit Old Goa, the spiritual heart of Portuguese Goa. Goa was famous for its spice trading and there is a chance to visit one of the spice farms dotted around the wetter, hilly, inland areas of Goa. Another recommended trip is to the Menezes Braganza House at Chandor, a fine Portuguese mansion, which shows the opulent lifestyle of the Old Portuguese families who established great plantation estates. Or you may just want to relax and explore the golden beaches dotted along the coast.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 21 Free day or optional excursions. A day free for further exploration of the area or relaxation. Your leader will be able to suggest, and help organise, various optional activities.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 22 To Udupi, pilgrimage site of Shri Krishna; continue to Mangalore. We drive to Udupi (approx. 8-9 hrs.), an important Teerthasthal (pilgrimage place) with its historical Krishna Temple. It is the cultural centre of Karnataka and has its own identity in the field of art and culture. Proceed towards Mangalore where we will spend the night.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 23 Drive to Mysore. In the morning we drive to Mysore (approx. 8 hrs.), the city of royal places and spend two nights here.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 24 Guided city tour of Mysore; afternoon visit Maharajah's Palace. Mysore is the city known for its sandalwood and the manufacture of incense sticks. It is Karnataka's second largest city. We have a sightseeing tour of Mysore and its surroundings. Just outside of Mysore is Srirangapatnam. Tipus' famous battles against both the French and the British are depicted here in the murals on the walls of his delightful summer palace. Ruins of the Fort and the Gumbaz, the family mausoleums are also here. Returning to Mysore we spend the afternoon exploring the beautifully restored City Palace. Designed by Henry Irwin and built in 1897 it is one of the largest palaces in the country and has been beautifully restored and maintained. The stained glass, wall paintings, ivory inlaid doors and ornate golden throne are all remarkable. The rest of the day is free to wander round the bazaar and maybe visit an incense making shop.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 25 To Ootacamund hill station. It's a beautiful drive of about six hours as we cross the border from Karnataka into Tamil Nadu. We drive through the Mudumalai and Bandipur National Parks where we may spot deer, elephant and monkeys as we drive along and leave the plains for the Niligiri Hills arriving at Ootacamund hill station where we will spend two nights.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 26 Relax, walk or ride the miniature steam railway. Ootacamund is queen of the southern hill stations and was a refuge for British Officials and tea planters in Southern India. At 2286m the climate is much cooler here and evenings in winter can be quite chilly. In the morning we will drive to Dodabetta Peak. At 2638m it is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills. From the top on a clear day we can see as far as the Mysore Plateau. For those who want, there is a pleasant walk through a variety of woodland (eucalyptus, conifer, shola) to Snowdon Peak (2450m) after which we walk back to the Botanical Gardens in town. The Botanical Gardens contain over 1000 varieties of plants, shrubs and trees including orchids, set amidst beautiful lawns. In the afternoon, if there is time and the narrow gauge Blue Mountain Railway is open, we will take the delightful one-hour train journey up to Conoor.Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 27 Descend the Nilgiri Hills to Cochin; evening free. A fairly long drive today (approx. 9 hrs.) as we leave the Niligiri Hills and head to the coast winding our way through lush tea and coffee plantations. We leave Tamil Nadu and enter Kerala as the road winds through forested hillsides. The ghat journey from Coonoor is one of the most scenic in South India giving superb views of the plains below. Magnificent groves of the slender areca nut palm trees line the road en route to Cochin.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 28 Morning tour of Cochin; evening Kathakali dance show (optional). Cochin is situated on the Malabar, or 'Pepper Coast', and is one of South India's most interesting towns, believed to have been the first European settlement in India. Rich in history it retains a relaxed, quiet atmosphere. We have a sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin where most of the historic buildings are located amongst the narrow streets. The Portuguese Vasco de Gama landed here in 1500 and began trading with the Raja of Cochin. The Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in the mid 1500's and then was largely rebuilt by its second occupants, the Dutch. Built in traditional Kerala style the wooden architecture and wall paintings are still well preserved. St Francis Church is where Vasco de Gama died in 1524 and the building reflects the new European influence in the area. The Santa Cruz Cathedral is close by and was originally used as a warehouse by the British. The Chinese fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour and were introduced by the Chinese in the late 14th century. There is also time to wander round the tiny back streets hunting for souvenirs in the many antique shops and warehouses. In the evening there is the option to see the traditional beautiful dancing of Kathakali.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 29 To Alleppey; board houseboat for backwater cruise. We drive to Alleppey (approx. 2 hrs.) where we board our houseboats and begin our cruise around the backwaters of Alleppey. The houseboat cruise is one of the highlights of the trip - these enchanting houseboats; built of Anjili wood and bamboo were the traditional method of transport of goods for hundreds of years. Now they have been decorated and made into comfortable cruise boats. As our boat meanders through areas of lush tropical vegetation we have the opportunity to view not only the prolific bird life but also gain a differing perspective on village life. The cruise takes us along shallow, palm-fringed canals where coconut fibre, copia (coconut meat) and cashews are loaded on to dugouts. In the evening the boat is anchored in the backwaters and we can watch the sunset over the rice paddies. All the houseboats are comfortably equipped and have twin bedded rooms with bathroom. There is a cook, boat driver and assistants for each boat and the food served is traditional Keralan fare using local produce. No trip to Kerala would be complete without the wonderful experience of the backwaters aboard these traditional houseboats.Houseboat Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 30 To tropical beaches of Kovalam. In the morning we drive to the coastal town of Kovalam (approx. 5 hrs.). Once a relaxing hideaway on the old hippie trail, this beachside town has now been discovered, but the influx of tourism has not diminished this beautiful setting.Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 31 Fly to London. If you are travelling on Land Only arrangements then your trip will finish this morning after checkout. If you are travelling on the group flight we transfer to Trivandrum airport in the early hours of the morning for our flight back to London. Meals included: Breakfast
India Visas are required if you are British and for most other nationalities. For UK residents full details of the visa process can be found here. Other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. If your trip visits Ladakh, in the very north of India, or Sikkim in the northeast, do not mention this on your Indian visa application. This can sometimes slow down or even cause the embassy to reject your visa. When you reach immigration, you are required to pick up an immigration form. If you have an e-visa, ensure you stand in the correct queue - please follow the signs to the e-visa booth (in Delhi this is at the back of the immigration hall). You will need to fill out an additional form at the booth - please make sure that you have the details of your start hotel ready (these details can be found on your Final Joining Instructions).
India There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Some of our India trips spend time at altitude. In regions over approx. 2000m, there is low to no risk of mosquito-borne diseases. For trips going to altitudes of over 3000m there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please see the TRIP NOTES for further information.
Hotels, Houseboat & Sleeper Trains 25 nights hotels, 1 night houseboat, 3 nights sleeper trains. There is a variety of accommodation throughout this trip. Hotels vary from higher standard to a more standard property. On this trip we do our best to secure comfortable rooms for you even in the more remote areas. Overnight trains The overnight trains will be booked in 2-tier (or 3-tier depending on availability) sleeper A/C. Please note that the single supplement excludes overnight trains. There are many excellent trains in India however the standard of seating and sleeping is not in line with European standards. All seats are pre-allocated at the time the tickets are issued, meaning that we are not able to guarantee the whole group are together on the train, your leader will manage this as best as possible and will always check on you during the journey. Indian trains are safe to travel on however we would recommended that you keep any valuables with you at all times. Snacks are often offered on board (at an additional cost) but you may wish to purchase your own food prior to the journey. Whilst some trains have western-style facilities, the majority of services are equipped with squat toilets. When arriving in a city, after an overnight train, your hotel room may not be available immediately however your leader will try and get your rooms as quickly as possible or a room to freshen up in.
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Reviewed April 2018 David Howlett Trip: India Grand Tour A Month of Fabulous Contrasts This was our best holiday adventure ever. Although it was a long journey, from north to south India, it was worth it as the 'must do trip' we had prioritised from our retirement bucket list. We were not disappointed. The month in India had so many amazing things to see and experience, including some jaw dropping architecture in palaces, forts, mosques and temples. Even the long minibus journeys were fascinating as we glimpsed rural and urban India passing by our mini coach window. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Above all it was a holiday of contrasts: beauty and litter, poverty and palaces, technology and ox carts, huge palaces and slum shacks, the 'upwardly mobile' 20 and 30-year olds and the not so fortunate cripples and beggars. What did you think of your group leader? Naveen cannot be praised enough he was the fount of all knowledge and advice, caring, resourceful, unflappable, industrious, friendly, professional and the source of all minor first aid remedies, pills and plasters. He also arranged and planned for our luggage to be carried or portered to and from our hotel rooms, the coach or train. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? We were fully aware of what sort of group tour this was going to be from the information supplied by Exodus and our subsequent research. So we were not too phased by the range of accommodation - although the trains were a bit of a unknown quantity - and at the same time a bit of an adventure! The Exodus level of physicality was correctly graded and we were quite happy each day. So our advice is read all the information and do your research. Is there anything else you would like to add? We would like to thank Exodus Travel for the excellent content of this tour, their handling of all queries, paperwork, continuity and ease of the booking process. . The mini coach, its driver and ‘boy’ who wwere with us for most of the time as we travelled through India could not be faulted. The coach was always clean, comfortable, cool and had working seatbelts. The driver and boy were thoughtful. polite and industrious. Thank you Exodus and your employees.
Reviewed March 2018 Kate Smith Trip: India Grand Tour Grand tour of indiaFantastic Fantastic holiday with a great bunch of people Definitely not for the faint hearted accommodation can vary from basic to luxurious and there are some very long drives but absolutely worth any discomfort There are so many amazing things to see and experience in India the colours and the people are wonderful Exodus are very well organised with excellent communication and pre trip advice Our tour guide Naveen was excellent he looked after everyone and made it easy to relax and enjoy the experience Would definitely travel with Exodus again What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? So many highlights the emotion of Varanasi the splendour of the TajMahal the scale of the Amber Fort in Jaipur and the peace and beauty of the houseboat in Kerala What did you think of your group leader? Naveen was a fabulous group leader he went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a great stress free experience It can’t be easy taking 15 people on planes trains and automobiles across India but he managed perfectly and was always smiling and eager to help Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared for long journeys the overnight train journeys can be basic and you may be climbing into top bunk but it is all part of the fun Keep packing to minimum it is very cheap to have clothes laundered in hotels Is there anything else you would like to add? Would have liked a few days in Kovalam at the end of the holiday to relax and reflect on the trip We were all running out of energy by then and some time to rest and relax would have been nice but very impressed with Exodus and their organisation
Reviewed April 2017 John Pearce Trip: India Grand Tour Grand Tour of India This was an excellent trip. The places and sites visited were fantastic and had a great variety of interest - from temples, palaces, forts, places of historical interest, wildlife and a fantastic scenery throughout. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I really enjoyed visiting the temple caves of Ellora and Ajanta near Aurangabad. What an an amazing feat of construction, being carved from the volcanic lava mountains. The intricate and beautiful paintings at Ajanta were especially inspirational. What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader was Naveen Bazaz. At our initial group meeting he said that he wanted our group to think of him as a member of our family and this he undoubtedly achieved. His vast knowledge of everything about India (history, places, religion etc.) was beyond expectation. Any time of day or night he was always there to advise, care and look after our health and welfare requirements. I feel so thankful to have had him as our group leader and I strongly feel that without him the holiday would not have been so memorable. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? The holiday is aimed at seeing and experiencing as much of North and South India as possible in 31 days, which means that there vast distances to travel. Therefore be prepared for this and do not over pack as although hotel porters will help, inevitably a lot of responsibility for your luggage is down to yourself especially on the overnight trains. Is there anything else you would like to add? I would thoroughly recommend this holiday to anyone who loves travel and wants to experience all aspects of India's culture, religion, cuisine etc.
Reviewed January 2017 Lorraine Quinn Trip: India Grand Tour One for the Bucket List! Another wonderful trip with Exodus. A great overview of India inevitably means a lot of long travel days but overall a good balance of historic sights and wonders with relaxing moments and opportunities for exploring by yourself. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Most of the trip really. Varanasi at sunrise of course. The Taj Mahal. I loved Fatepur Sikri and Jaipur’s Amber palace. The Ranthambhore national park, both the park and the hotel we stayed in. The caves at Ellora and Ajanta, also Mumbai, Hampi, Ooty and the Nilgiri railway, Mysore Palace, the backwaters of Kerala and (sorry Steve but I have to disagree) Kovalam was great too – but we did stay a few extra days there afterwards. But also experiences of sizzling Samosa street food, chai and rotis at road side stops in the middle of the night (you won't get that unless your train is cancelled too!). Indian trains. Indian kids. Actually, Indian people! Elephants. Keralan sea food curries at Kovalam. What did you think of your group leader? Ajay Gupta was an excellent tour leader. Perfect English. Great sense of humour. Dedicated to looking after his clients. The demonetisation crisis was in full swing but Ajay appeared with large amounts of cash borrowed from friends and family to help us all out. Brilliant. When the overnight train was cancelled he managed, as if by magic, to get us a luxury bus out of nowhere to take us from Varanasi to Agra. It is always good to have a guide who is a native of the country and who can explain all the cultural and political nuances and Ajay was no exception. We are disappointed with Chaya's comments. I am sorry that she found the rest of us boring. I can live with that but we object to her criticism of Ajay since it was her husband's thoughtless comments that did upset Ajay one day. Please see Steve Toon’s comments on this. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Don't hang all your hopes on seeing tigers at Ranthambhore and just enjoy the wonderful light and the other animals (there are lots). We did see tigers but I think we were lucky. Quite by chance we saw wild elephants too later in the trip. Don't expect the standards you might get elsewhere in, say, SE Asia. Indians don't seem to do maintenance, even in the best hotels and the showers aren’t always hot. Don't expect an uninterrupted night's sleep everywhere – Indians don't do quiet. Don't expect clean streets (except, amazingly, in Mumbai) many Indians don't do litter bins. Don't expect good beer – in many places don't expect any alcohol – prohibition is spreading across India. The wi-fi is not always fast but it has been reasonably good in most hotels. Indian roads are not quite the same as those in the UK, and neither is the style of driving. Don't jump to the immediate conclusion that your bus driver is insane – it’s just how it is! Do expect to be amazed, delighted, to fall in love with the place, to want to come back and to have to question many of your own values. Go with it, be patient, things take time in India ....... and don't forget the universal sink plug. Is there anything else you would like to add? If you can, go a few days before the tour starts to see more of Delhi and stay a bit longer at the end to relax in Kovalam and enjoy the best fish curries you will ever have.
Reviewed January 2017 Steven Toon Trip: India Grand Tour Incredible India A truly amazing trip, well organised with some amazing sights, some of which were a wonderful revisit for me and some spectacular new sights. The trip could have been utterly ruined by the demanding and selfish attitude of two of the group who treated the tour manager as their own personal assistant and simply wanted everything their way and at their time. Some of the hotels were very basic and knowing about this before you go could help prepare you instead of being a shock after a long journey. However these are very minor points on what is an incredible trip through a wonderful country. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Sunrise over the Ganges in Varanasi was wonderful and we were very lucky to see two tiger cubs in Ranthambore. The Taj Mahal is always beautiful as is Ajanta and Hampi. Finishing the trip with a cruise on the backwaters of Kerela was a great ending to a wonderfuly trip. What did you think of your group leader? Ajay Gupta was amazing and great company and helped with everything especially the money. He had a few challenges including a cancelled train but got us from Varanasi to Agra on a bus which took over 12 hours but turned out to be a an adventure in itself. One of my fellow travellers has said he was moody which he wasn't. He was unhappy one day as he tried to help us on the mountain train in Ooty but this still wasn't good enough for one of the travellers and it really upset him. The two demanding people on the trip really pushed him and it is a credit to him that despite their demands he still tried his best even trying to help a resolve a situation of their own making. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go with the flow. If you are lucky enough to get Ajay (he is doing the February trip) he will help every step of the way. A must do is the slum tour of Mumbai it is not what you may think. It was an amazing day and Gitu our local guide was fantastic I can't recommend it enough. If you go with an attitude, are demanding and expect a personal service you are on the wrong trip, this is a group trip not an individual experience so try to be patient and think of others not just yourself. Be prepared for some very long journeys but you do get breaks and at times some of the hotels are pretty basic. On the drives make sure you wear your seatbelt, driving in India is a experience and can be a bit frantic at times. The hotel at Bijapur was poor and Exodus and the local team KVT should try to get a better hotel. Goa and Kovalem are a bit of an anticlimax as they are tourist resorts. Other hotels were wonderful especially Sandesh the Prince at Mysore which truly comliments the visit to Mysore. Is there anything else you would like to add? Pack well and lightly and keep abreast of the money situation. When we left the ATM queues had reduced and the daily withdrawal limit had been raised to 4000 rupees a day, Keep your valuables with you on the train and lock them away. Most of all enjoy the trip and have a great time. There is plently of shopping opportunities if you are inclined but don't let that dominate the trip, see India not just the inside of a shop.
Reviewed January 2017 Steven Toon Trip: India Grand Tour India Grand Tour I've just returned from this trip which was long awaited and my second trip to India. The whole trip was amazing, I've revisited some amazing sights and seen some fantastic new ones. A small group of 8 of us made arrangements easy but it was good to be able to do your own thing if you wanted. I will say Goa and Kovalem were slightly disappointing but even then I managed to do something but they are really resorts and not sightseeing areas - take a trip to Old Goa it is really worth it. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were so many moments on this trip not just one. Sunrise on the Ganges is something to experience. We were very fortunate as the morning cloud had cleared in Varanasi this day giving us a beautiful sunrise. The tour of Mumbai including visiting the slum with the fantastic Gitu was truly inspirational. Revisiting the Taj Mahal was amazing and very atmospheric. Ajanta and Hampi are stunning and finishing on the houseboat on the backwaters of Kerela was wonderful. What did you think of your group leader? Ajay Gupta was simply fantastic. He had some real challenges to face including a cancelled train but he resolved this getting us a bus transfer to Agra which lasted over 12 hours overnight but even that turned into an experience. The money situation was seriously tricky at first but Ajay helped us until it all calmed down. He took all the worry away from us leaving us to enjoy the trip and seemed to resolve anything that was thrown at him. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go with the flow and don't stress out about the minor details. if you are lucky enough to get Ajay (he's leading the February trip), he does it all for you. Things in India at times don't happen straight away and sometimes don't happen at all, don't worry about it. The driving in India is something else but you do get used to it and wear your seatbelt! The money sutuation had calmed down when we let but check up before you go. The ATM queues had died down by the time we got to the south and the witdrawal limit had been raised to 4000 rupees a day but the 2000 notes are very tricky to get changed. Is there anything else you would like to add? The hotels we got really varied in quality so much so one hotel was the test bed to compare others, I won't hold back it was in Bijapur and was truly awful although it had the cheapest and some of the nicest food with great internet in reception the rooms were awful and after a long drive not what you wanted. A phrase came into use going forward "at least it's not Bijapur". Other hotels are stunning Sandesh the Prince in Mysore was glorious. You go from hostel to luxury at times but just go with it it's about the trip not the hotels.
Reviewed January 2017 Chaya Parmessur Trip: India Grand Tour The Grand India Tour This is an amazing trip for experiencing different parts of India. The trip was very well organised and totally hassle free ( as compared to my previous trips as independant traveller). It was not the most exciting group we have travelled with, but it mattered as there was only 8 of us. In the end it was a long trip and was happy to go home. For me the great disappointment was the dirty & basic rooms we were given in a resort in Goa, miles away from real Goa. This should be explained in the trip notes. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The most inspirational moment was interacting with local children. For example at Brindavan Gardens in Mysore at the evening fountain show ( one of my highlights although it is never mentioned in trip notes or by leader). I knew it from previous visits. The Kerala backwaters was wonderful & the food at the tiger resort in Ranthampore was divine. What did you think of your group leader? I liked the trip leader and he was very efficient at dealing with the money situation & cancelled trains,etc. However, he was moody & looked pissed off with us many times & it created a bad atmosphere. People were worried to say anything for fear of upsetting him. He was great in Varanasi but places he did not like, eg Goa, he did not have much to say about. He was not great communicator, but that's his personality. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This is 30 days with total strangers...it may work great & you will have friends for life, but on the flip side you could be spending time with people you have nothing in common with! This is the first time after several trips that I will not keep in touch with anyone from the group. Is there anything else you would like to add? Some of the "standard" hotels were well below any standard! Aurangabad, Bijapoor & Goa! Despite some negative feedback above, the trip & India were amazing & my husband & I had a wonderful trip. Thank you exodus for another amazing one!
Reviewed March 2016 Janet Hoare Trip: India Grand Tour India very Grand Tour This is a trip that does what it says; takes you on a month long journey through India taking in as many highlights and experiences as it can. The trip is full on, the travelling times can be long and tiring but it's the only way to cover the variety that this itinerary offers inside a month. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There wasn't one inspirational moment for me as each stop offered something special, but the 'surprise' element was the contact with the Indian people. I had underestimated the numbers of local tourists sharing our experiences, so friendly and so keen to photograph us! What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader, Ravi, was excellent. His English language skills even stretched to a 'British' sense of humour. As with other Exodus trips I knew I would be well looked after. He was vigilant and caring, would sort out any issues/requests but still treated us as adults with options! He seriously contributed to the success of our trip. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? As mentioned earlier this trip covers a lot of ground and can be tiring, in the dry season the air is polluted and dusty (especially in the north) we all had a chest cold at one point in the trip, asthma sufferers come prepared. The traffic is chaotic (always look in both directions) but only one of us collided with a motor bike, the rest of us learned quickly! Follow the advice of the tour leader on where to eat. You will survive and have a most brilliant time.
Reviewed December 2015 Paul Emery Trip: India Grand Tour Culture. Colour, Cuisine & Company A truly amazing introduction of this incredible country. From the crowded backstreets of New Delhi to the chilled backwaters of Kerala, this is an adventure that is not to be missed. Led by our attentive and informative leader Mahindra Soni, this is an exceptional tour that provides all the experiences expected of a large and diverse country. With air-conditioned transport and accommodation, we were provided unique and insightful opportunities to view the people, places, wildlife, and buildings for which India is famous. From the eye-opening railway experiences, the tuk tuks and rickshaw races of the cities, to the spiritual boat ride of the Ganges and early morning Taj Mahal visit, this was a brilliantly organised tour from start to finish. Providing a group of 14 strangers to mix and permit their own needs to be incorporated into the schedule, this group tour provided exceptional value for money - one that I would recommend to anyone who possesses a sense of adventure and endurance. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Too many to suggest with everyone inspired by different needs. For example, for some it was the historical buildings/forts/caves, for others the photographic opportunities of the game drives. Others enjoyed a greater religious understanding particularly at Varanasi, and some participants loved the local cuisine and cultural spice insights. For me, experiencing the diversity of both the Indian people and group participants in everyday life, the unanticipated interactions (e.g. a rearing horse; the response of a cow causing a car accident; Indian wedding at Hampi; three guys clearing a bird's nest 20 metres off the ground hanging by just two ropes, and the daily humour created by our tour guide) all produced many 'wow' moments that I will treasure. What did you think of your group leader? He was the 'star' and facilitator to everything that happened. Without him, things just would not have taken place in the punctual and efficient manner in which they did. In essence, we would not have understood or seen the true India without Mahi. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Previous reviews provide very accurate information on what you can expect so please read them. Additionally, I would suggest that for Mid- Southern India you stack up with a few pens, as children are so appreciative of these for schooling purposes. Is there anything else you would like to add? Mosquito's were barely a problem at all. There were 5 single ladies on this trip and most were initially hesitant of what to expect. However, a warm inclusive group culture was established from the outset, and everyone looked after each other. This is a very professional, responsible and caring company that will look after your needs.
Reviewed January 2015 Kevin McGee Trip: India Grand Tour Great tour, well guided Arriving in Delhi and travelling gradually South, the tour climaxes gently in a day and night on a Keralan houseboat. The tour was cleverly designed, so that the early weeks were full of sights, but the pace grew gradually more relaxed as it progressed. There is a lot of travelling, obviously, so it was good to have a comfortable coach. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Inspiration followed inspiration. Sunset on the Ganges, in a boat with a sitar virtuoso. Whale-sized prawns in Kerala. Scent and colours everywhere. The universal friendliness was remarkable. India really seems happy to see you. What did you think of your group leader? It's a long tour in a big country. There is a lot to organise, and Jitu did it smoothly and discreetly. He was invaluable on the few occasions when things went wrong, securing a fresh room when the first one was damp, or locating food in an apparently barren station when the train was delayed. Halfway through the tour I had what could have become a serious medical bother, and Jitu flew calmly into action and organised appropriate and high-quality medical attention. He was invaluable. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Don't be put off by the thought of mosquitos. You soon grow accustomed to slathering on the gunk, and they don't trouble you. Some of the bus trips are all-day affairs, so bring some good books or load an iPad with movies. India can do anything except make a recognisable coffee. If it's important to you, bring your own.
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