Reviewed 26 Jan 2012 by Rita Gardner
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
This was an outstanding holiday. All of the eight days were different and memorable, which is quite an achievement. The diversity was very attractive, from wildlife - including an excellent leopard sighting - to the heritage and culture of Rajasthan captured in magnificent forts, palaces and temples, to staying in historic houses, notably at Khempur. What made the holiday extra special was the outstanding quality of the guiding - more like travelling companionship - by Ravindra. His knowledge, intellect, humor, honesty and pride in his culture brought it alive in a compelling way.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
My itinerary (and with this company the itinerary is varied to suit individual clients interests) was about getting close to the landscape, history and culture of Rajasthan in some of the less travelled places. If, unlike me on this trip, you seek five star luxury then do discuss your accommodation preferences in detail with the company so that they are clear about your expectations and can balance cost with expectation and perhaps give you some options to consider.
As a single traveller I felt entirely comfortable throughout the holiday and happily recommend it to other single women travellers, as well as to couples and small groups of friends. And, all the logistical arangements worked exceptionally well too.
As ever in rural India, if you like soft pillows to sleep on, take a child's sized down pillow with you from the UK. Next time I will also take an old mobile phone with me and buy a cheap local sim card so that I can easily make local calls, as calls via UK mobiles incur big costs for the local people, and everyone relies on mobiles in India today.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Undoubtedly. It is a local company; all the staff employed are local staff; and all my accommodation was in locally (typically family) owned and run hotels and guest houses. The networks that the company has with unusual local enterprises ensure an out of the ordinary experience.
It's difficult to minimize environmental impact when the only sensible means of travel is by car. Good to see a small, fuel efficient vehicle being used around town.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
One of the best travelling weeks of my life, from a well seasoned traveller and someone who has travelled in India before. It's a five star experience in my book any day - one of the small number of "best" holidays I have ever been on. I cannot define a single best I'm afriad, so in your reminology below I sadly have to give it 4 stars, whereas it really was 5.
Reviewed 24 Jan 2012 by Catherine Miles
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The bustle of the towns, the mixture of people, traffic, animals and colours. We enjoyed our visits to the Amber Fort in Jaipur, the Meherhangarh Fort in Jodhpur and the City Palace in Udaipur. However, we found Fatehpur Sikri a bit disappointing. Very interesting visit to a Poppadom factory where a large proportion of the work is done by hand by outworkers in their homes. Two day safari was also good fun.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be firm about not buying 'stuff' despite the pleading of the shopkeepers. Have in mind what sort of things you would really like and don't be too easily swayed. Take enough warm clothes if you are going in Jan/Feb. Rajasthan is apparently having an exceptionally cold month. Although the middle of the day was warm, nights and early mornings were perishing. Little heating anywhere and many restaurants are outside. The operator does not produce a brochure. Changes we asked for to the original itinerary, although made, did not get written into a revised itinerary. So we only had the original itinerary to print out. As there were no real bits of advice from the operator it is a good idea to get a good guide early in planning a trip.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, we were 'employers' of a number of individuals including guides rather than the audio guide at sites, we spent (maybe rather too lavishly!) in local shops and markets. On our two day safari to the private sanctuary we could see that local village people were employed to cook and clean. We stayed in Havelis and small hotels, which I presume are Indian-owned. As far as minimising impacts on the environment, I'm really not sure as we travelled by car between towns and travelled by air from Udaipur to Delhi.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good. We have recommended the operator to others. Some friends are using them for their holiday in India in March. The personnel are all very pleasant and particular praise goes to Ravindra Singh Chouhan to whose home we were invited.
Reviewed 27 Oct 2011 by Kerry Odonoghue
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most memorable part was the time spent in rural India. Seeing the farmers go about their everyday work, watching the simple aspects of village life and being totally away from the madding crowd was wonderful.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you want the traditional tourist tour with all the luxuries of top quality hotels, then this is not the holiday for you. If you want to see a different perspective on India as well as doing the usual tourist sights - enjoying non-touristy restaurants etc, then this is to be recommended. If you are not willing to take the rough with the smooth - ie the electricity going off or no warm water, then I would reconsider.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Eating in local restaurants and buying supplies at local shops certainly benefited locals. As we were not staying in any major hotel chain but more family run hotels I think it helped local families in many ways. Travelling by car is always a carbon footprint issue, but there is virtually no other option.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Given that we have been to India many times and done many trips around different parts of it, it is not easy to bowl us over. However this was the best trip we have done to date - the flexibility, hospitality and organisation of Shanane and Ravindra was excellent.
Reviewed 21 Nov 2010 by Carolyn Maynes
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We thoroughly enjoyed our two weeks with this operator. The knowledge and hospitality of the tour leaders, Suraj and Ravindra, made this a particularly memorable trip - by the end, we really felt more like we were with friends than on a 'tour'. Not only did we see the major sites in the areas we travelled, but we had an opportunity to do some very unique things as well that appealed to our particular interests. This sort of tailoring and flexibility was superb.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Once you've articulated your personal interests, let the tour company make the recommendations. They are very familiar with Rajasthan and can make sure that you enjoy unique experiences. Do make sure you have adequate time in areas of particular interest. We would have liked more time to visit the desert, as well as in Jaipur - there's just so much to see.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
While driving is not terrific on the environment, it does permit you to see some areas that are not accessible by air or train. We liked that the tour company and the hotels selected were locally owned. We also had the opportunity to visit and support local craftspeople, in many cases directly.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent - can't imagine a better way or with better people to visit Rajasthan. Would highly recommend - you'll not be disappointed.
Reviewed 06 Oct 2009 by Julius Weinberg
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All of it, being in the Sita Mata, Udiapur at night, seeing rural India, dinner in Jodhphur, shopping for bangles, discussing glazes in Jaipur...
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you are interested in Rajasthani art and crafts Shanae is an expert and you can learn an enormous amount. The team are very knowledgeable; discuss what you would like to do with them. They will have some great ideas.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Flying to India and driving around is not the most environmentally friendly thing to do. However Shanane and the team are involved in community development projects and care about the preservation of old crafts and wildlife. They are experts in a number of fields to do with crafts and art and are passionate about it. We did a bit of travel on the train and the team were happy to organise that for us.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The holiday was excellent. Shanane, Suraj and Ravi could not have done more to ensure that we were enjoying ourselves. We felt amongst friends. They were all flexible and willing to change and adapt things at a moments notice. We had to cancel and rebook at a few days notice – the team were really good about reorganising everything and keeping the cost down.
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