Colours of Rajasthan
Experience Overview
Immerse yourself in Rajasthan, known as the Land of Kings for its countless palaces, forts and monuments to warriors past. On this culture-packed adventure, we visit the imposing forts of Jodhpur and Jaipur, which bear testament to the battles that once raged here, visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, and search Ranthambore National Park for another regal resident: the elusive Bengal tiger.
The departure starting in Delhi on 26 October 2025 includes a visit to the Pushkar Fair. See the itinerary here.
Profile
— Accommodation: 12 Classic nights (hotels) — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Travel by air-conditioned private bus and train — Holi, Diwali and Pushkar festival departures available
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 12 Classic nights (hotels) — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Travel by air-conditioned private bus and train — Holi, Diwali and Pushkar festival departures available
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Pace: This is a fast-paced cultural trip, jam-packed with the highlights of Rajasthan. It is not overly demanding, but some days can be busy and long, particularly where travelling is combined with sightseeing.
Journeys: The roads are generally pretty good, but traffic and/or road damage after the monsoon can sometimes slow us down. We travel mainly on comparatively quiet roads for at least half the journey. Longer distances are covered by private bus and should take around six to seven hours; however, delays are possible and journey times can increase. This trip does involve a lot of time on the road; however, this gives you the perfect opportunity to see the diversity of one of India’s most colourful states.
Weather: It can be quite hot and dusty (except December to February) and the bustle of the Indian cities can be tiring.
Monuments: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India, including the Taj Mahal, and very occasionally this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI schedule is never published so it is not possible to forewarn when work is taking place.
Festivals – Holi and Diwali: Some departures coincide with the festivals of Holi and Diwali. These can be quite local celebrations within communities and families and are not necessarily marked to the same extent throughout the country. We seek opportunities to see the festivities; however, we cannot guarantee what may or may not be going on in the area visited during the trip.
Holi celebrations typically involve people throwing coloured powders and water at each other and smearing powder on each other’s faces. This tends to be done in local communities and families so it is not always possible to be involved though you may see the colourful results of this boisterous festival left on the streets. During Holi, local monuments and markets close, so departures over Holi have a slight adjustment to the itinerary. Where possible, you will be offered a cultural experience with local musicians and dancers performing plus an opportunity to play with colours, dance, and enjoy food and drinks. You can also purchase locally the traditional white kurta outfit to look the part and avoid getting your own clothes covered in the coloured powders.
During Diwali, the festival of lights to mark the start of the Hindu New Year, people may illuminate their houses and shops and sometimes celebrate on the streets with fireworks. Lasting up to five days, it is difficult for us to predict what may be going on in the areas visited on our trips during Diwali. Where something is happening, we will endeavour to see how our groups can witness the festivities.
Pushkar Fair: Some departures are in Pushkar during the fair. These have a slightly amended itinerary. You have two nights in Pushkar (one night replacing a stay in Jodhpur). See the itinerary here.
Group Description
Our Indian team of leaders has proved very popular with their incredible knowledge, passion and hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is no better way to experience Indian culture than letting an Indian guide show you around their country.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts are included on this trip.
Where meals are not supplied, our tour leaders always encourage people to try local restaurants and street-food vendors − allow at least 1,400-2,400 Indian rupees (approximately US$20-US$35) per day for lunch and dinner. In Jaipur, Udaipur and Delhi, you can even see how food and drink, such as samosa (mashed potato snacks), jalebe (Indian doughnuts) and lassi (yoghurt drink), are made. In most towns, there is a good selection of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western-style food. If you are vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to visit. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large) bottle of beer is approximately 300-400 rupees (approximately US$4-US$5). Mineral water is available in the bus in large containers. Please bring a water bottle with you to refill. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow.
Transportation
We use a private air-conditioned bus for our journey. For the train trip from Jaipur to Delhi, we use air-conditioned chair class.
Game drives in Ranthambore National Park: Tiger spotting is from a large open truck called a canter that seats a maximum of 22. The canters are licenced and usually allocated by the National Park authorities; while our local contacts do their best to secure the most appropriate vehicles, we are unable to guarantee vehicle standards, maintenance or that seatbelts are fitted across all vehicles.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Bloom Hotel CR Park, A, 2 & 3, Chittranjan Park Rd, Block A, Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi, Delhi 110019, India
Phone: +91 11 4122 5666
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately.
Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) from the end hotel. Please ensure you provide your flight details at least two weeks prior to arrival to secure your airport transfer.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Weather Information
During October/November and February/March/April, the days are normally warm to hot and nights cool or mild. Humidity is very low with little or no rain. Evenings in Delhi can be surprisingly cool. It gets very cold in the early mornings and evenings in December and January and warm clothes are essential. Fog is also a real possibility during this period. Please note, night-time temperatures in Delhi can be very cold and only a little above freezing in December and January.
Spending Money
Many sites now charge a small fee for video cameras and you should allow another 650 rupees (approximately US$8) for these. Also allow at least 650 rupees per day for personal expenditure, such as soft drinks. Shopping opportunities throughout this tour are endless and we suggest you take money for souvenirs.
India has very good opportunities for shopping, especially for locally made goods, and during your trip it is highly likely your local guides will take you to emporiums as well as workshops where these goods are made. Many people find this a great opportunity to buy local handicrafts, silk and carpets. Guides often assume visitors want to shop, it is very much part of the culture, but if you do not wish to go, please make this clear to your local guide at the time.
Optional excursions
Sometimes it is possible to do the following:
— Bollywood movie: Approximately 170-300 rupees (US$2-US$4) per person — Cooking class: Approximately 2,200-2,500 rupees (US$25-US$30) per person — Afternoon boat ride in Udaipur: Approximately 500 rupees (US$6) per person — Sunset boat ride in Udaipur: Approximately 800 rupees (US$10) per person
Tipping
Tipping is part of the culture in India and is usually expected. Tipping can often be an awkward affair, especially when in an unfamiliar country where you are not sure when or how much to tip. As such, your tour leader will offer to arrange and look after a group tipping kitty, which will be used to tip hotel staff, local sightseeing guides, bus drivers as well as any other support staff used throughout your trip. Your leader will suggest how much to contribute, depending on group size, but it is usually in the region of 2,200-2,500 rupees (approximately US$35-US$40) per person based on the maximum group size of 16 passengers. For smaller groups, the leader may ask to collect more than the suggested amount relative to the group size, this is to assist with covering the standard tipping expectations for things like the local guides, drivers, and hotel staff (which, are generally fixed amounts no matter the group size).
For departures that travel during Holi Festival (14 March 2025) your tour leader will look to arrange some activities for you to enjoy and join in with the festivities. There will be a small supplement between 600-1,600 rupees (approximately US$7-US$20) per person which is usually deducted from the kitty. Price depends upon the location and festival inclusions for Holi celebration.
At any time during the trip, your leader will happily show you an account of how the kitty is being distributed. Please note, for smaller groups the leader may have to collect more than the above amount.
Tipping of leaders is not included in the kitty and is at your own discretion. If you wish to show your appreciation, a tip around 410-500 rupees (US$5-US$6) per person per day would be appreciated.
Highlights
— Explore the majestic state of Rajasthan with a small group and expert tour leader — See the unforgettable Taj Mahal at sunrise, the most beautiful time to visit — Maximize your chances of spotting a tiger in Ranthambore National Park with two game drives — Discover the lesser-known Bundi, a fairytale town on the Aravali foothills — Explore the lakeside city of Udaipur, nicknamed the Venice of the East
Trip Details
Product Code: 4329
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: vehicles.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: AIK
Starts: Delhi, India
Finishes: Delhi, India
Duration: 13 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
— All breakfasts included — All accommodation — All transport — Entrances fees to monuments (as per itinerary) — Jungle safari (as per itinerary) — Tour leader throughout — Free arrival and departure transfers for everyoneAccommodation
A selection of hotelsOn this adventure through Rajasthan, we spend 12 nights in hotels. The accommodations typically used can be found on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable hotels on this trip. Delhi: Bloom Hotel CR Park (night 1 and 12) In the affluent Chittaranjan Park neighborhood, Bloom Hotel CR Park provides a seamless stay in lively Delhi. Strategically situated in the south of the city, it has convenient access to the bustling business districts and cultural attractions. Bundi: Ishwari Niwas Hotel (night 4) Stay in a haveli (mansion) turned heritage hotel. It provides 24 rooms with traditional Bundi décor around an open courtyard with seating. There’s also a multi-cuisine restaurant, which specialises in Rajasthani dishes. The 100-year-old building, constructed during the reign of Maharao Raja Ishwari Singh, is close to the Bundi Palace and other historic attractions. Udaipur: Paras Mahal Hotel (nights 5-6) Relax in green gardens overlooking the Aravalli Hills when you stay at the Paras Mahal. Find further chilled moments at the Urvashi Bar, an ideal gathering spot for the group, or with a splash in the pool. It’s also close to the main attractions in Udaipur: the City Palace and Lake Pichola. Jodhpur: Shree Ram International Hotel (night 7) There’s plenty to recommend the Shree Ram, most notably a sprawling green garden with plenty of space to wander and relax. There’s also an outdoor pool for a quick dip plus a café-bar stocked with wines, cocktails and more. Elsewhere, there’s The Basil restaurant, serving a variety of cuisines. Worth knowing Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are really only a couple of months in the year when the weather can get rather cold. You can request more blankets or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,565 ($197 /day)
Itinerary
The adventure begins in Delhi. There is a welcome briefing in the evening – the time and location will be posted in the hotel lobby. The rest of the day has been left free, allowing you time to settle into the trip. Accommodation: Bloom Hotel CR Park (or similar)
Visit the walled city of Old Delhi this morning. It’s crowded, full of activities and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort. Navigating the city, we visit the 17th-century Jama Mosque, the largest mosque in India; Rajghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; India Gate; and vast colonial buildings. In the afternoon, we transfer (approximately six hours) to Ranthambore National Park. Accommodation: Raj Palace Resort (or similar)
Today we take two game drives in Ranthambore National Park. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 became part of Project Tiger. After initial success, poaching has drastically reduced the tiger population. However, Ranthambore is still considered one of the best places to spot wild tigers and many of our groups over the last few years have seen the elusive predator. Ranthambore is also home to a great variety of other wildlife, including several species of monkey, deer, crocodile and birdlife. During the game drives, each vehicle is joined by a Forest Guard, a requirement by the local authorities. The Forest Guards are part of a national park initiative to generate employment for the nearby villages. They are skilled spotters and trackers so, though their English is sometimes very limited, they greatly improve the experience. Accommodation: Raj Palace Resort (or similar)
Leave Ranthambore and drive (approximately four hours) to Bundi, a delightful town on the Aravali foothills. It is best known for its palaces and the beautifully decorated stepwells that were used to collect water during the monsoon centuries ago. Visit Bundi Fort in the afternoon, one of the most beautiful palaces in India and home to outstanding miniature paintings portraying the history of the palace and its royal family. The fort is high on a hill overlooking Bundi and its Krishna blue stonewashed houses. Accommodation: Ishwari Niwas Hotel (or similar)
Set off on our five-hour (145mi/235km) journey to the lakeside city of Udaipur. Known as the Pearl of Rajasthan, the City of Sunrise and Venice of the East, Udaipur is a beautiful place regarded by both Indians and visitors as the most romantic city in India. Accommodation: Paras Mahal Hotel (or similar)
On the east side of Lake Pichola, the main palace commands an unsurpassed view across the shimmering lake to the dusty Aravalli Hills. The lake has two islands, each with a palace to rival that on the mainland. Jag Mandir and Jag Nivas (the latter is now the Lake Palace Hotel) rise out of their own reflections in the lake waters. Udaipur is surrounded by a massive bastion with five gates and dominating the town is the City Palace of the Maharana. The sumptuous apartments are decorated with multi-coloured mosaics, elaborate mirror work and inlaid tiles; half of these can be visited as the current Maharaja still occupies the rest of the palace. Spend the morning visiting the City Palace and Jagdish Temple, with a huge black-stone image of Jagannath, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. If time allows, it may be possible to visit the gardens of Gulab Bag or take a boat trip on the lake. The afternoon is free to enjoy this evocative city. Accommodation: Paras Mahal Hotel (or similar)
Taking the scenic road out of Udaipur, we head to Jodhpur. It’s a seven-hour drive, but to break up the journey we visit the 15th-century Jain temple at Ranakpur. The main temple, beautifully carved from marble, is dedicated to Adinath and has 29 halls supported by 1,444 pillars, each delicately carved with a different design. Jodhpur was founded by the Rajput chief Roa Jodha and was formerly the capital of the state of Marwar. The city is surrounded by a wall almost 6mi (10km) in circumference and is dominated by the massive fort that stands on a rocky hill commanding the surrounding desert. Accommodation: Shree Ram International Hotel (or similar)
First thing in the morning, we visit the Meherangarh Fort for a great view of the blue houses, painted to distinguish them as those of Brahmins. The fort itself looks massive from the outside but inside there is an impressive collection of finely carved sandstone screens and lattice windows, and the palaces themselves are very finely decorated. We then head to Pushkar, pilgrimage town and home to the annual Pushkar Fair. Steeped in mysticism and surrounded by the desert, this little town is a holy site on the fringes of a lake and a great place to relax and soak up the atmosphere. Today’s total drive time is approximately six hours. Accommodation: Hotel Dera Masuda (or similar) Pushkar Fair departures: 5 November 2024 and 26 October 2025 The itinerary for these departures is slightly amended to spend two nights in Pushkar (days 8 and 9) and removing the night in Jodhpur, this is done to maximise time at the fair. Accommodation is provided in Swiss cottage tents (canvas tents designed to emulate Swiss cottages) with attached bathroom. The facilities are basic and hot water and electricity can be limited occasionally but your tour leader will assist with any issues if they occur. All meals will be included.
Enjoy sightseeing this morning. In the centre of town is the holy Pushkar Lake surrounded by several temples, including a Bramha temple said to be the only temple in the world dedicated to this deity. A dip in the lake waters and worship at the Bramha temple ensure salvation. In the afternoon, we drive (approximately three hours) to Jaipur. Accommodation: 7 Apple Hotel – Jalmahal (or similar) Holi Festival Departure: 14 March 2025 For the 2025 Holi Festival departure, you will be given the opportunity in Pushkar to join the colourful celebrations at your hotel and purchase the traditional white kurta outfit to look the part and avoid getting your own clothes covered in the coloured powders.
Enjoy a day of sightseeing in the Pink City of Jaipur, one of the most attractive and colourful cities in India. Rajah Jai Singh abandoned his nearby fortress and palace at Amber in 1727 and laid out 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 in 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 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, rising above a lake. The imposing hilltop fort contains large courtyards and interiors with fine decorations including inlaid alabaster panels and a Chamber of Mirrors. Additionally, Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones and leatherwear. Accommodation: 7 Apple Hotel – Jalmahal (or similar)
Transfer to Agra (approximately 4hr 30min), visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted royal city of Emperor Akbar, on the way. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son, his successor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold 10,000 worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience, are constructed of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years; Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri in 1584 to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today. This afternoon, we visit the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, 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. Accommodation: Avalon Palms (or similar)
Wake very early start to see the incredible spectacle of the sun rising over the Taj Mahal. The Moghul emperor Shah Jahan built the beautiful white-marble building in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. This experience is often the highlight of the trip. Later, we take the train from Agra to Delhi, arriving early afternoon or early evening, depending on the train schedule. It’s your last night together so the tour leader will help arrange a group for dinner if you would like to attend. Accommodation: Bloom Hotel CR Park (or similar)
The adventure ends after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home. Alternatively, if you’d like to spend a bit more time exploring this magnificent city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Melissa Hammond - Traveled, April 2024
Architecture Trip and Success with the Tigers Firstly we had one of the best tiger viewings our guide had seen in awhile. It carried a fresh kill right infront of our truck in the morning and in the afternoon we found a small family of tigers and we watched them Eat and play just a stones throw away from us. This trip takes in so much Beautiful Architecture. Of course there is the Taj Mahal but other less known forts are very impressive, very detailed and much more preserved than I was expecting. I do wish it had more time inside the cities to see more ‘real life’ india. We were bused from hotel door to fort entrance a lot which is the easiest way and probably the best in the heat but you do feel like you miss whats going on around. I would have liked more time to weave the small streets of Jodhpur with the Blue houses and to experience ‘markets’ rather than rest-stop giftshops. This trip was very busy but we covered a lot of areas and you cant help the distance required to get to each one. Bus journeys were long but roads are improving and times are getting quicker. There are plenty of stops, if you are someone who doesnt need to stop these can feel frustrating or like the journeys are longer than necessary but its a group tour and there are always others that appreciate the rest stop – and you have to think of the driver. Meals in hotels were reasonable but restaurants and especially some lunch stops were more expensive than you would expect for India as they were touristy but its probably better than getting unwell, this trip is too busy to be risking that. Most Inspirational Moment The tiger viewing in Ranthambore has to be the best thing, it was so special and knowing that sightings are not guaranteed made it even more a highlight. The Taj Mahal, i had always been keen to see it but I struggled to peel myself away from it - it was stunning - not just the building but just how its presented and there is something about it that does feel so special when you are there - we had fab weather too! Thoughts on Group Leader Our Guide Manoj was so knowledgeable, extremally passionate about working for Exodus and being a guide. Had a good sense of humour. There is a lot of information to take in and it can be difficult to understand some things but he was very patient and happy to re-explain. Very organised and professional but he did walk quick, if you want to keep taking photos you will be doing a lot of catching up! Advice for Potential Travellers You have to go on this expecting the unexpected otherwise you wont enjoy. You have to go with the flow and just accept the country you are in is probably like nowhere you have been before. Be flexible. Expect things in the hotels to not always work - wifi, hairdryer etc. You are not in hotels long enough to worry about its facilities just take them for what they are otherwise its not the right tour for you and you will let little details ruin your holiday. Binoculars for Ranthambore or a camera with a good zoom! Also there are so many different birds in India! Atm withdrawals are the best for cash, most places take card but not everywhere and sometimes the guide will arrange things and you pay him so some cash is needed. Places of worship are only the official places you need to have shoulders and knees covered but it was more comfortable as a women to just have trousers/long skirts on everywhere. Easy shoes to get on and off at temples and socks if you dont want to be bare foot. Take cards/books/download movies - there is a lot of bus time Suggestions If internet access regularly is important to you , get an indian sim card at the airport arrivals hall. Expect queues and a long process though and if the transfer bus cant wait for you it might resolve in you getting a taxi to the hotel. I think outside airport its hard if you are not a resident. Wifi is available but cannot be relied on/can be weak/not everyone could connect.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/12/2024
Surinder Mason - Traveled, March 2024
Lots to see but definitely not leisurely! Fitting in an impressive amount of places, although it is a lot of driving we had a fantastic driver. Really enjoyed the sites, and finished off with the breathtaking Taj Mahal. Most Inspirational Moment Aside from the Taj Mahal…the lakes of Udaipur at sunset are absolutely stunning. As well as experiencing Holi festival in Jaipur was a really great experience. Thoughts on Group Leader Got us through the trip, however other members of our group had to look out for slower members of the group. Sent my sister and I to a jewellery shop that didn’t stock the item we had asked him where the best place to buy it was. Although we appreciated the help he seemed disinterested when members of the tour asked questions. It also felt like he had a very close relationship with the owners of the restaurants we ate at and many were low quality with poor service which led to us walking out of one much to his discomfort. Advice for Potential Travellers Requires meticulous packing and organisation due to the amount of moving around. Be aware of what prices you are paying as were paying 2x to as much as x6 local rates and on at least one occasion were given a different tourist menu with English pricing. I would also recommend getting a SIM card although advised we didn’t need one by our tour leader, the long bus journeys and non or low - quality wifi at the hotels certainly warranted one. Suggestions Would have been nice to try traditional street food and perhaps see how it is made. Unfortunately, I feel we saw a watered down version of Indian culture and we were “protected” from the local economy. We were taken to a high priced marble artisan and a rug store but got very little free time to explore for ourselves. Colours of Rajasthan Reply from Exodus We really appreciate Surinder’s review, and are glad she enjoyed the sites she visited on her trip to India with us. We’re sorry that a couple of aspects gave her cause for disappointment, though. Many restaurants in India have different rates for local Indian people than they do for foreign tourists, particularly tour groups. This is particular true for restaurants which cater towards tourists, which are generally those recommended by our tour leaders, as they have good hygiene ratings. This is similarly why we don’t include trying local street food, as while our clients are free to do this in their own time, it is simply not something we would recommend given that it could lead to a very upset stomach. We are, however, sorry that some of the establishments Surinder’s group ate at were not to her liking. Surinder’s tour leader has explained that he recommended a jewellery shop that he was sure was reputable, and regrets that it didn’t stock the item she wanted; he didn’t, however, feel comfortable recommending other nearby stores which he was aware may have stocked fake items. Surinder’s leader receives very positive feedback from clients overall, so we were regretful to learn that she didn’t have a similar experience with him on this departure. We would mention that clients in Surinder’s group rated her leader at 4.33 out of 5 overall, which is a very good score; however, we have spoken to him about aspects of his performance which could be improved in the future. We’d like to thank Surinder for detailing her experience, and hope to be able to welcome her back on another Exodus trip when she travels again. – Sarah Puttnam, Exodus Product Manager
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/12/2024
Sarah Vaughan - Traveled, March 2024
Holi Festival in India An unforgettable and once in a lifetime experience Most Inspirational Moment Holi Festival and visiting the amazing marble Jain temple but also tiger spotting and Rathambore safari plus all of the other amazing site visits - too many to mention... Thoughts on Group Leader Gaj was fantastic and looked after all of us very well. Loads of knowledge and a great leader. Advice for Potential Travellers A lot of minibus travelling between sites so take your ipad or a book.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/02/2024
John mason - Traveled, March 2024
A frenetic Kaleidoscope-Delivering some amazing sights. Travelled with my daughters and partner, largely repeating a backpacking trip of more than a quarter of a century ago ( the roads have dramatically improved) this trip delivers the highlights of Rajasthan plus Agra and (briefly) Delhi in a compact timescale leaving you planning return visits to your favourite sites. The driver and helper were tremendous. unfortunately there were question marks over the quality of a couple of hotels ( Pushkar Jaipur) and the pace of the itinary leaves little time for snagging if a room change is required. The main downside, having experienced previous Exodus trips, was the failure to deliver on engagement with local traders, food providers, food producers, charities outside of the mainstreem tourist economy and the seemingly non optional arrangements for food and additional activities at additional cost. Group visits were to high end carpet, spice and marble suppliers. The train trip form agra to Delhi was somewhat chaotic – porters were hired at Agra but not Delhi leading to a long walk through traffic with cases to our transport. Most Inspirational Moment Of course the Taj Mahal (excellent local guide), Udaipur from the water did not disappoint and Bundi was a great surprise package -but the top award has to go to the good natured paint throwing mayhem of the Holi festival in Jaipur! Thoughts on Group Leader Opinions varied. IMO did little to promote group cohesion ( group member supported slower members of the party) and he tended to blame his local admin back up for problems. The first night group meal was curiously expensive and It was unclear what the tipping budget covered. Local specialist guides (Bundi Fort , The Taj) however were well informed and added value. Advice for Potential Travellers The 1 night stays leave almost no time in which to open and close a suitcase so fanatical attention to packing detail required. Also Insist on interaction with local traders, not just the tourist economy. Suggestions Hotel Wi-Fi availability is variable and with the number of hours on the road it's probably worth considering purchasing a local SIM card. Colours of Rajasthan Reply from Exodus We’re delighted to read that John enjoyed many aspects of his return trip to India after a long time away, and that he found some of the sights covered on the tour to be amazing. We regret, though, that he was somewhat disappointed with some areas of the holiday. Regarding the hotels in Pushkar and Jaipur, we have recently changed the hotel in Pushkar and are looking for an alternative to the property in Jaipur, which we’ll be using from October of this year onwards. We understand that John would have appreciated more interaction with local people and small, local businesses. We would mention that the visits to carpet, spice, and marble vendors John comments on are only offered to clients as optional visits; however, we take John’s point and have raised his suggestion to include more engagement with local people on this tour with our team in India. Similarly, we get John’s disappointment with the cost of food at times. Our leaders arrange group meals and, especially early on in the trip when clients are getting used to the food in India, our groups are taken to restaurants with high hygiene ratings, which do tend to not be local establishments and can cater for tourists. Customers are, however, always free to opt out of group meals if they wish, or organise them amongst the group members themselves. Regarding the tipping budget, this is outlined in our trip notes, and our leaders carry a tip sheet which lists all the tips they give throughout the trip, and which clients can ask to see at any point during the holiday. Finally, we were disappointed to note John’s mixed feelings about his tour leader. This is not at all common feedback for us to receive about our leaders in India, and we will follow John’s comments up with our local manager to ensure that all our leaders are providing conscientious, personable support to all members of our groups. We’re grateful for John for taking the time to leave a review, and hope we’ll be able to welcome him back on another Exodus trip at some point in the future. – Sarah Puttnam, Exodus Product Manager
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2024
Fiona Allan - Traveled, March 2024
Holi and the Taj This is a fast pace trip, long days travelling but there is a lot to see. Most Inspirational Moment The first glimpse of the Taj Mahal was breathtaking, it is jaw dropping beautiful. However I think joining in with the Holi celebrations especially being at the Krishna temple In Jaipur is a memory that will stay with me. Thoughts on Group Leader Gaj was an excellent tour guide. Loved that on our travel days he would pick a subject about India ie education, caste system and explain to us how it works in India. Explained clearly with out any information overload as can be the case on some trips. Advice for Potential Travellers Good to go with a bit of knowledge on the indian culture. It is a full on fast pace trip, a lot of travelling. some found the climbs at the forts hard going especially in the heat. Get used to the sound of car horns!! Suggestions On the whole a good trip, a lot to see. I think trip could benefit from another day/night in Jodhpur. Personally I think of all the exodus trips I have done the accommodation on this one was below average especially in Delhi, Bundi, Jaipur and Pushkar. I seemed to repeatedly get rooms with either no window or frosted out glass. Wish exodus would put a stop to the visits to the factory outlets they are overpriced and unnecessary. Maybe spend more time on less touristy visits, enjoy some street food etc I also felt the trip to the Taj Mahal was too rushed, 10 minutes to wander round ourselves was not enough time, we were only going back to the hotel to hang around for 3 hours so loads of time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/27/2024
Colin Ford - Traveled, February 2024
Superb Tour Interesting and varied trip. Most Inspirational Moment seeing a tiger as close as we did. Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent - very good English that wasn’t too accented. Able to impart overviews/ info without lecturing . Well organised. Advice for Potential Travellers Beware of LOTS of time in the coach and little other free time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/21/2024
Lucy Smith - Traveled, February 2024
India Fantastic trip Most Inspirational Moment Tai Mahal Thoughts on Group Leader Absolutely superb. Knowledgeable, loved and so proud of his country and nothing was too much trouble. Advice for Potential Travellers Look at Activity Level very carefully Suggestions The level on this trip was leisurely but lots of steps and hilly entrances to buildings. Two of our group really struggled. Needs to be clearer in the Activity Level description. Hotels in Dehli and Puska poor. These need to be improved. Bus - some seat belts and air conditioning vents didn’t work.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/25/2024
Alison Parkinson - Traveled, February 2024
Fascinating but exhausting Trip was good but not leisurely as described a lot of sitting on bus driving no leisure time unless took time out of the schedule Most Inspirational Moment Taj Mahal Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent took lots of care could not have been better Advice for Potential Travellers Study details to make sure not too much involved Suggestions Most basics very good food hotels etc but poor planning Colours of Rajasthan Reply from Exodus Thank you for your review Alison, although we’re sorry you didn’t find the trip to be as leisurely as you had expected While we do mention in our trip notes that this is a busy itinerary, mainly because this region of India offers so much to see and experience in the time frame, we generally note our customers find the pace to be appropriate as shown in the very positive feedback we receive, but do appreciate some customers may prefer more guidance on this aspect of our trips. Should you wish to travel with us again, please don’t hesitate to ask our sales team if you have any specific questions about the tour that are not covered in the trip notes, and we will be more than happy to help. Sarah Puttnam – Product Manager
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/26/2024
M B - Traveled, September 2023
Colours of rajasthan trip Very busy trip with some days of long travel between venues , but plenty of comfort stops / lunch stops along the way Saw many major cultural sites and so much history with associated information provided by Gaj ( leader) or local guides at venues. Some hotels had swimming pools so worth taking your swim gear. A cool down after the day spent in bright sunshine and 40 degree heat was most welcome . Most Inspirational Moment Difficult to pick one , obviously the Taj Mahal hugely impressive but then again the history of some forts/ temples/ towns also impressive. Thoughts on Group Leader Gaj dealt very well with a challenging individual in the group , whose behaviour ranged from hysterical meltdown ( matching a level usually only seen in a toddler) , general passive /aggressive attitude and comments , who also had an inability to follow simple instructions regarding timekeeping and not wandering off alone - something the rest of the group complied with which then meant we spent ages hanging around waiting for said individual to be retrieved from a cultural building in order for us all to move on . Gaj remained professional , courteous , diplomatic and polite at all times despite some obvious provocation from aforementioned person. Gaj was more than happy to discuss his home nation , culture , history and current problems. Advice for Potential Travellers Take some sweets/snacks for the minibus. Lunch en route may not happen at specific times so wise to have own supply if peckish. Take swim gear , sun screen and a hat. Go with the flow , enjoy the experiences and food .
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2023
Debbie P - Traveled, October 2022
Oct 22 A great introduction to Rajasthan, from city to rural and on the edge of desert. A lot of travelling necessary to experience everything, we were well looked after by our guide Chandresh and our driver who managed amazingly through Delhi jams and tricky rural roads. A good range of hotels, some standard could be categorised as comfortable, the on in Delhi was the only let down. Showers were variable and not always hot water but it goes with the territory. We were a small group, just 4, we all got on well and had a good holiday. Most Inspirational Moment The Taj without doubt, it cannot fail to impress, beautiful and well worth getting up very early for. Thoughts on Group Leader Chandresh was a good leader, kept us informed and safe especially when crossing roads in cities. He was very easy going and ready to help with whatever we needed, he took us on extra trips when we wanted to explore more. Chandresh introduced us to some lovely restaurants, arranged a cookery class when asked and looked after me very well when I was unwell. He as concerned for all of our well-being throughout. Advice for Potential Travellers It’s a wonderful trip, be prepared to adapt to Indian ways and customers, tipping can be a bit complicated. Be ready for some long travelling days and lots of curry, there are always regular breaks as well and you eat in some great places. Suggestions Thank you to Chandresh and our driver for looking after us throughout. Thanks to our fellow travellers for their good humour and company. Thanks to India for the extraordinary colourna d friendliness we found everywhere.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/30/2022
David and Judith Pelham - Traveled, October 2022
Forts, mausoleums, palaces, temples, mosques, dinner at rooftop restaurants overlooking lakes and palaces A fast moving trip round several of the amazing sights of Rajasthan. Tiring but very interesting. Saw the “classic” sights of the area, plus some unexpected gems; forts, mausoleums, palaces, temples, mosques, dinner at rooftop restaurants overlooking lakes and palaces, shy sloth bears (no tigers this time). Most Inspirational Moment At Bundi we stayed in the king's heritage hotel, which was round a courtyard with the royal family occupying one wing. The king (Maharao Raja Vanshvardhan Singh, and later his wife came and chatted too) came and talked to us before a lovely meal in his hotel restaurant. He was a charming young man, and spoke about his plans to renovate the huge palace halfway up the steep hill side and how as he ran farms himself that he acted as spokesperson for the farmers to his political contacts. He was very keen on promoting tourism to get money into the area to improve the infrastructure for the local people. The next day the king's assistant took us on a tour of the old palace (some has been renovated enough to visit), including accessing rooms usually closed to the public containing marvellous paintings. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader, Raj Sharma, was fantastic. He was an expert in India's history and knew a lot about all the places we visited, the land we travelled through, and the peoples who lived there. He had excellent suggestions for places to eat, and what food to try. He liaised with hotels over any issues (nothing major). For example, in one of the first hotels the hot water supply was not sufficient - Raj then ensured he phoned the hotels in advance for them to check the supply in the rooms we were to occupy. Raj thoroughly enjoyed being back tour leading following the Covid break, and his desire to show us Rajasthan (warts and all at times) was evident. Raj was approachable, diplomatic, sensitive, amusing, and could "read the room" and make tweaks to the itinerary to suit our needs. Advice for Potential Travellers Advice : Mini-bus: There is a lot of time spent travelling in the mini-bus between sightseeing stops. Raj ensured the bus stopped every few hours, for a coffee, lunch or tea break plus use of washrooms. The locations for breaks were well chosen. Despite the totally mad (to us) traffic (it is the norm to drive the wrong way along a carriageway) we never felt unsafe on the bus - our driver was superb. Fitness: Although there are no really long hikes, there is a lot of up and down steps at times. This can seem like hard work, especially in the sun (it does get hot particularly when walking across stone floors). Money: We found some ATMs (including the airport one) refused to cooperate with our cards - Raj was very helpful getting the bus to stop at alternatives. Those who brought sterling or US dollars found it easier changing their money - there are a lot of money changing places. Hotels: We found the beds reasonably comfortable, clean sheets. Bathrooms varied from very good to ok and in one we couldn't get hot water. Not the end of the world. Several hotels had nice swimming pools - worth packing a swimming costume. Where there are two night stays it is possible to get clothing laundered (we paid about £10 for six days worth of shirts, a dress and underwear for two of us. Socks were quite pricey so we washed then in the sink!) Food: Breakfast at the hotels usually included a boiled egg or omelette, and toast, alongside a variety of rice and other more local breakfast type items. Coffee generally was instant. Eating lunch or dinner we found (with Raj's help) some really good restaurants and meals. Portions were generous, and we usually could share one rice between three people, especially if having naan as well. At lunchtime don't be worried about asking to share one meal between two if you don't feel that hungry. Per person, lunch was about R500, and dinner R750 plus beers (other beverages are available, apparently!) at about R350 (Autumn 2022 prices). Of course these vary between establishments. Sim Card: I bought an airtel SIM card at the airport (about £6) which gave pretty much unlimited calls/texts and 1GB data per day, for a month. After phoning to register it, it started working within an hour. It could have been useful in case we needed to contact Raj, but in fact I only used it for browsing the internet while on the bus! Toilets: At every stop western style toilets were available and were acceptably clean (there was a variation in this). Even when walking through a market there was a toilet block which had western style facilities and was reasonably clean (there was a small fee). You may need your own loo roll, and sometimes a small denomination note for the attendant handing out paper towels. Begging: We encountered relatively few beggars, and none were aggressive or pushy. There are a lot of sellers of (eg) fridge magnets and trinkets - some of these would make quite good small gifts. It is obvious there is poverty, and we felt a donation to a charity working to improve water supply and sanitation would be an appropriate response. (Incidently I was impressed by the number of "improved water" pumps everywhere including the countryside).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2022
Dave Farmer - Traveled, April 2023
Tiger, tiger... A non stop tour of the heart of India; Forts and temples, wildlife and culture. Long days and pleasant evenings. By the third day out of Delhi, we had seen the sunset over the Taj Mahal from the Midnight Garden, walked on the beautiful white marble of that iconic building in the early morning, watched wildlife waking in the Ranthambore National park and spent a privileged hour in the company of Ritthi, a magnificent female tiger. In the days to come we walked through ruined temples, deserted forts, lovely little towns and sampled the cuisine and traditional ceremonies and explored the back streets of Rajasthan. Most Inspirational Moment Two moments stand out for me. The first was spending more than an hour in the company of Ritthi, a large female tiger as she dozed in the sun no more that 30m from me before stalking (and not catching) two spotted deer. And then watching as she stalked and caught a wild boar. The second was when our guide, Naveen, arranged with our hotel manager in Bundi for us to watch the celebrations and ceremonies in honour of Hanuman, the monkey faced god, whose birthday it was. Bundi is one of those rare places that haven’t been adversely affected by tourism and as we watched from the side of the street we were made welcome and then became a focus of attention for those in the procession. I think I appear in more selfies than I took photos. And all the while we felt safe and comfortable. Thoughts on Group Leader Naveen is an excellent guide and leader. His briefings were clear and concise and any questions were quickly answered. He made sure that the group was ok at all times. As we approached each town we had a full explanation of any options and activities. At the historical sites he made sure we understood the restrictions on bags, food, and the dress codes required for respect and tradition in advance. The act that sums up his attention to us happened at the airport when the group flight people were leaving. Having dropped us off, he waited at the barriers to make sure we all got through the initial security checks for entry to the airport before leaving himself. Mention must be made of Vijay, our driver. He was a calm and quiet character who was more than capable of dealing with all the traffic conditions we encountered during the trip. For the longer journeys I was sat at the front of the bus and despite oncoming traffic in our lane, desperate overtaking by cars and trucks and one memorable moment as a lorry rushed towards us in our lane, I had confidence that Vijay could deal with it all. When I return to India, I would choose Naveen as my guide and Vijay as my driver. Advice for Potential Travellers Many of the days are long as there is a lot to do. We travelled in April and temperatures were reaching 35c+. In the forts and temples, there was a lack of breeze and the heat reflected off the stonework. Exodus trip notes are pretty accurate; in those temperatures you need to drink plenty and dress accordingly. In many historical sites bags are either not allowed or are subject to long security checks. Most sites forbid any food to be taken in. Religious sites require you to take off your shoes. Those in our group who weren’t wearing socks regretted it as the stone floors got very, very hot in the afternoon sun. A spare pair of socks would be a good idea for those visits. For the game drives a mobile phone will not do the wildlife justice. If you don’t bring a camera with some kind of telephoto lens, a pair of lightweight binoculars will help with watching the birds and smaller mammals. Expect to be hassled by street vendors. It’s not personal or aggressive and the best way I found of dealing with it was to politely say no/shake the head and then ignore them. It can be hard when they persist, but they soon get the message and move on to the next person. I saw people engage in conversation and regret it as the hassle continued for minutes. I saw very few beggars and the advice is to donate to registered charities rather than someone who approaches you on the street. Walking in the narrow streets can be intimidating but the traffic is not trying to hit you and the horns are there to let you know someone is approaching, not to rebuke you. Be aware of the traffic, watch how the locals deal with it, don’t do anything unexpected and you’ll be fine. Suggestions This is a great trip with a busy itinerary. But there is enough down time to recover from some of the longer days. The hotels outside of Delhi were much better than I was expecting – at Pushkar we all had suites that included a small kitchen and individual outdoor plunge pools. The Delhi hotels are of lower quality but fine to use as a base. Come with realistic expectations and you won’t be disappointed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/22/2023
Stephen Salmon - Traveled, October 2022
Indian adventure A well organised trip giving an excellent insight into Indian history and culture Most Inspirational Moment The Jaipur observatory was amazing - such precision of construction. Thoughts on Group Leader Raj was one of the best we’ve ever had. He was extremely knowledgeable and personable. He was dedicated and passionate in promoting all aspects of Indian history and culture, and nothing was too much trouble for him. He was very perceptive and sensitive to people’s needs. There were issues with one member of the group and Raj worked hard to ensure that the group remained cohesive, and is a huge asset to this trip. Advice for Potential Travellers The trip notes covered most of the essentials. Be prepared for long coach journeys, albeit with adequate stops and interest along the way. Suggestions India seems to be undergoing a lot of infrastructure development, so the roads in general were better than expected. We were fortunate to have an excellent driver who worked well with the guide, so we felt safe and comfortable throughout the holiday.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/28/2022
Irene Sweet - Traveled, October 2022
Colours of Rajasthan Oct 2022 A very full on trip to cover all the main sights in the area. Due to the large distances to be covered, we inevitably spent lots of time on the coach, but our driver was excellent and the guide stopped at some very interesting places en route for either lunch, coffee or just to stretch legs. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the Taj Mahal in 'real life' was really lovely, but I most enjoyed our time in the city of Bundi with its decayed but beautiful palace and the lovely heritage hotel we stayed in. Thoughts on Group Leader We had an excellent guide in Raj Sharma (the best we've ever encountered) who was always willing to answer questions, offer insights and who also knew when we wanted to doze off! His sense of humour was fab and his organisational skills were very good. He was also fun to be around which is not what one can always say about a guide at the end of a tiring 2 weeks! Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared to find it cumulatively tiring as you pack up and move on regularly - but this is necessary if one is to see as much as possible in such a short time. Suggestions A well organised trip, featuring all the main sights of the region. Would recommend to anyone thinking of visiting India - especially if Exodus use our guide for your trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2022
Richard Sweet - Traveled, October 2022
Colours of Rajasthan October 2022 This was a really interesting, well-organised trip around the ‘Golden Triangle’ incorporating Delhi, Agra, Udaipur, Johdpur, Jaipur and lots in between. The focus is on the big sites such as the Taj Mahal (naturally) and the fort at Agra – but also includes Ranthambore national park, local markets and much more besides. Our Group leader was brilliant at adding colour and variety to our trip, and really enhanced the value we took from visiting a marvelous country. Most Inspirational Moment I really enjoyed the visit to Bundi; we stayed and ate in a heritage hotel; had a guided tour around the Palace which is a Hogwarts-style maze of rooms and courtyards climbing up the mountain dominating the town; visited the local tea shop for Masala chai; and dodged the chaos of the market to get home for an excellent dinner... Thoughts on Group Leader Raj Sharma was the best guide that I think I've ever had; knowledgeable, supremely organised, and very focused on making sure the tour group is getting the best from the trip. He was open to any line of questions (arranged marriages? politics? Indian history? the caste system?) and has a great sense of humour. I'd book him again in a heartbeat, and if you get the chance see if he's free for your tour. Advice for Potential Travellers There's a lot of travel! We were a group aged between 61 and 72, and all pretty fit, but you have to have stamina to get through 2 weeks of pretty incessant coach journeys. And take Kindles / headphones / books... Some of the walking requires proper footwear (not boots) as it can be uneven and v dusty. ATMs can be a challenge - those who took Sterling/Dollars and converted it probably had an easier time than those of us relying on cards to withdraw cash - and forget contactless/credit cards Suggestions The trip made me want to visit India again!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/28/2022
Alan Jordan - Traveled, September 2022
An adventure in cold showers This is a hard going but rewarding trip, provided you have the patience to get through immigration (two and a half hour wait and no signs to help get to the right place). Most days feature an early start and late finish and it is difficult not to flag in the afternoon shift. Sadly the itinerary often pushes the most inspirational visits into this time, (photographers please note the light conditions are poor for these visits and you do not have time to wait). Enroute visits break up the long journeys and feature a good range of sites, you do not feel ‘templed out’ as on other trips. There is a boat trip (Udaipur) listed as optional, it is actually included, just as well because it is really only a trip to a high cost restaurant, time would be better spent simply making an excursion on the lake for the views it gives and moving on, thus reducing the time pressures on the day. The hotels used are all of a reasonable standard but are showing signs of neglect, probably Covid related, dust was thick on switches in a number of establishments and bathrooms were not cleaned to an acceptable standard. This is my only complaint for the tour, I had to wait 4 days to get a warm shower (note warm not hot) and from then on water was either cold or scolding, bit of a pain when the shower fitting falls on ones head! Breakfasts were always basic but adequate and hotel staff mostly up to speed. Most Inspirational Moment The fact that India can clean up its' act if there is a will to do so. for example, on my last visit to the Taj MahaL it was surrounded by hostile beggars making for a poor experience, and the river by the Red Fort at Agra was a rubbish dump. I have seen India grow from my first visit in 1977 to today, progress is slow but it is there! Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent! Probably the best leader I have encountered with Exodus recently and also over nearly 50 years of travel. His age made communication much easier for the current traveler demographic, often young leaders have difficulty with identifying the needs of older groups. Advice for Potential Travellers This trip features lots of steep stair climbing in palaces, many are without any safety support or space for assistance, keep this in mind when booking, maybe test yourself first. This is an 'early to bed early to rise' trip, lots of early starts to avoid heat or traffic, there is not a lot of downtime either so expect to come back tired and ready to plan a relaxing holiday. This is certainly not relaxing! Suggestions A tour like this is expected to be hard going, given the local conditions it is well thought out, but I did wonder if some of the long lunch stops could be reduced to relieve some of the time pressures (it would also stop folks eating to much at lunch and needing extra comfort stops later) It would be nice to build in a little more down time at the end of the day. Has anyone ever seen sunrise over the Taj without fog or smog?
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/25/2022
Engineer AI - Traveled, November 2019
Colourful Rajasthan I went on this trip with my family and we all enjoyed a lot. The trip was amazing and we actually saw different colours of Rajasthan. We enjoyed most in Ranthambore and we are again planning to go Rajasthan in upcoming holi. Most Inspirational Moment Ranthambore
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/22/2020
Janet C - Traveled, March 2019
Temples and Tigers A very interesting trip covering the highlights of Rajasthan. Some very long travel days and a lot of time on the bus, but the sites were worth it. There were a lot of temples including the Taj Mahal and we were incredibly lucky to see 7 tigers at Ranthambore; including a mum and her cubs very close by. Most Inspirational Moment Playing Holi in Jaipur and being covered from head to foot in paint. Thoughts on Group Leader Gaj was a great guide, he added a lot to the trip with the additional information he shared with us about life in India. Gaj made it possible for us to stay longer in Jaipur where we could play Holi with the locals which for many of us was one of the highlight of the trip. Gaj organised a trip to see a Bollywood Movie one evening for those who wanted to go; definitely worth it. Advice for Potential Travellers I traveled on the last trip of the season (March) when the temperatures start of rise and it was very hot some days especially at Pushkar. I had read about the increased risks of being ill when travelling at the end of the season but was fine, however the vast number of people on the trip were ill at some point which impacted the whole trip overall. There is a LOT of time on the bus and it can be very tiring with the bumpy roads, continuous road works and a group of sick travelers. Suggestions Gaj recommended a couple of additional stops for some of the very long traveling days; the advised stops were interesting and broke up the days. There is not much free time on this trip and where we did have time it seemed to be at the wrong places. The bus driver and his assistant were amazing and worked so hard. They had some long days especially if they drove us out to a restaurant for dinner in the evening.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/23/2019
Clare Harding - Traveled, March 2019
Wonderful India A very enjoyable holiday seeing the splenders of Rajasthan. So many wonderful sights and places but for me the highlights must be seeing 7 tigers on the game drives and the Holi festival in Jaipur. I did however find the long bus journies tiring. Most Inspirational Moment Playing Holi in Jaipur Thoughts on Group Leader Gajrat was very kind and supportive. Each day we were on the bus he gave us interesting little talks about Indian culture and history. Advice for Potential Travellers Drink lots of bottled drinks and be prepared for long journeys between destinations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/13/2019
Maya (Maria) Brodzinska - Traveled, October 2023
Overall experience The trip met all my expectations – very well planned and executed. All accommodations were good or very good, choice of eating places excellent, very nice group of people to share the experience with. Most Inspirational Moment The whole experience was interesting and memorable since it was my first visit to India. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader Raj was a great asset to the trip. His passion, impressive knowledge of history, his sense of humour and charm were of great value since we spent so much time together. I admired his gentle and respectful way of “protecting” us from ubiquitous and often intrusive sellers of souvenirs. I admired him also for the tactful and delicate manner he dealt with one difficult member of our group.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/13/2022
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