Mary-Laure Bollini review 1 Jan 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
To see the tiger and the sloth bear.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take warm clothes, the morning drives were so cold in December!!! and ask for 2 blankets each (one for the shoulders, one for the legs) be flexible and patient, the trains were delayed because of the fog, there are a few long drives on bumpy roads, but it was a wonderful experience and the guide did everything to make us comfortable.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the parks employ local guides and drivers, they have fixed number of cars for each section of the park.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I had a wonderful time, it is a good mix of wildlife/culture, the food was great and the group ambiance was perfect. Ved, our guide, made us feel special and managed to make all our wishes come true. He shared his knowledge on the animals and birds but also on Indian culture, contractidations, wonders and his own family life.
Christine Payne review 27 Mar 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing 3 tigers & a leopard at Ranthambore National Park.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It is a brilliant tour but involves a great deal of travelling - not all of it comfortable!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not sure.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic.
Michael Ho review 8 Dec 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the Bengal Tigers and other wildlife.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do it. Leave your Western expectations and standards back home and have a
great time.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Some what.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A very nice and memorable vacation made especially good by our EXCELLENT
guide, Kamaal Uddin. He is simply an all around good and funny guy.
Jane Munro review 3 Jan 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Dawn in the National Parks, Kahna especially.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for early starts EVERY day (not just the few suggested on tour operator’s website); we began after 8.30 on only 2 of the 15 days. Also, frequent long journeys by SUV and trains (generally delayed). Your guide will tell you on arrival that you have come on a 'bootcamp': he is not kidding (though it would have been good if the tour operator had believed him, and made it clear in its information about the tour).
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Inevitably, tourism brings funding to any region. Hard to see that travelling by jeep/SUV minimized impact to the already horrific problems of pollution in the country (Delhi and Agra, especially).
Read the operator's response here:
The trip has a full itinerary with many early starts, designed to make the most of the days. Early starts are essential to avoid the heat later in the day and to maximise chances of viewing wildlife. Although we advertise this as a busy trip, we regret if the early starts were not made clear on the trip notes.
We would agree that pollution is on the increase in India due to rapid development in the cities. We include rail journeys on our itineraries where possible, however, the use of road vehicles is unavoidable for a good part of this particular itinerary.
Clare Douglas review 8 Nov 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Visiting the Taj Mahal and seeing the contrast of Indian cities, villages, coasts and wildlife.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Women need to think about wearing 3/4 or full length trousers and tops that cover their shoulders. Also, when changing money ask for some 10 or 20 rupees notes/coins as 500 rupee notes are difficult to spend. Don't forget high factor sun screen, especially for children. Use local guides as their knowledge can really help your holiday experience.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, we used local restaurants and visited local shops. Train journeys helped reduce petrol use.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An excellent holiday which we'll remember for a long time.
