R and K Mackenzie review 20 Dec 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We had many memorable and exciting experiences from this trip. Some of the local villages we visited were fantastic in terms of getting a glimpse of rural life in Rajasthan. We also stayed at some very interesting accommodation.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring supplies of tissues of all kinds - toilet, face, hand and wet wipes - they will come in handy! Pack your suitcase with old clothes that can be donated to charity at the end of the trip.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Possibly some benefits to the local people in terms of spending money there but no long term benefits.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The tour was fantastic - one of our most memorable trips. We had a great tour leader (Veerendra Rathore) who went the extra mile for the group.
Linda Williams review 8 Nov 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Camel Fair at Pushkar. To see so many camels and horses assembled in one spot was awesome.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do take Olbas oil as the fumes from toot toots and cars is unbearable and a few drops on a tissue held to the nose really helps.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Oh definitely. We used local guides, visited small villages and bought goods we saw being made in their homes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic.
Ingrid Jones review 8 May 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most memorable parts of the holiday in Rajasthan were the diversity of the scenery and the people. The colours and the smells and the respect for cows are also etched into my memory. Despite the busy and often scary driving all motorists avoided the cows with skill and care. This level of respect could be used to develop other areas where respect and care does not so readily exist. People were generally very happy and were very welcoming. It was a lovely holiday and one I will remember for a long time.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for a diverse level of accommodation and prices charged for basic commodities such as bottled water. All the hotels provided clean towels and bedding so there is no need to take your own. If possible have a good camera with you as there are sights to see and to capture for the future.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I was led to believe that there was a 'good water provision in place' that would mean the purchase of bottled water was not necessary. This did not turn out to be the case and for the majority of us that meant buying approximately 4 litres of water a day in plastic bottles which amounts to 48 bottles a day! I think the holiday benefited those persons who own the accommodation and certain companies that we visited through the hiring of tuk-tuks or taxis. I think that we could have had a bigger impact on local small retailers if we had been taken or guided to the smaller shops and market stalls that were available in the cities we stayed in.
I think more guidance needs to be provided to the visitors about the potentially negative impact they have on children and families by continually taking their photographs. Although many children already shout 'one photo', the children themselves are not aware of what happens to the photographs they so willing give or provide to long lines of visitors. The one phrase has been learnt from an early age and is in my opinion a form of tourist exploitation; each group building on this as it is seen as 'sweet' that the children want their photos taken.
Guidance was provided by the Group Leader not to give money to the children but he did say it was ok to buy goods off children; this is debatable when the child earns money through this for his family or minder and may not be going to school as he has to work.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The holiday was at times quite tiring, but it was a wonderful experience and one that I hope many others take to see a small glimpse of a truly inspiring and diverse country.
Katherine Atkins review 4 Nov 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole trip was unforgettable-especially loved the rural parts we visited and stayed in and the various transport and accommodation-much fun and very unique! Every day waking up was like Christmas morning, so exciting.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Keep an open mind and be prepared for lots of fun and laughter!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I hope so. The tour company work very hard to make sure this is carried out.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
India is amazing, the country, the people, the food - a very beautiful place. This is my second trip with this tour operator and I love the diversity that it brings. Our leader was fantastic and I would not have wanted to see the country in any other way.
Andrew Brown review 14 Mar 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Perhaps it was playing Holi with the locals in a remote Rajasthan village. But there are many possible answers - including the Taj Mahal, of course.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
- If possible, go early in the season (not long after the Monsoon) when the lakes are less likely to be dry.
- Don't pre-book airport transfers (at least for the return trip), as the operator grossly overcharges for this.
- Pack plenty of Imodium.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - this was much emphasised in the Trip Notes and by the Group Leader.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Sensational - all that I dreamed it could be and more. The itinerary is very well planned to combine historic monuments, town life, village life and wildlife. The Tour Leader was excellent, worked tirelessly on the group's behalf, and soon became a real friend. Accommodation ranged from the fully adequate to the magnificent (converted hilltop palaces at two locations).
Jane Jolly review 6 Aug 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Racing camels down the street in Pushkar!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I found it difficult deciding what to pack due to the Monsoon season. We found that it only rained 3-4 days during the holiday and every day was extremely hot and sticky. Pack cools clothes and don't worry about the rain too much.
Take plenty of insect bite cream.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, although I would have liked to have felt more involved with local initiatives.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good. The trip was exciting and interesting and the leader was great. However there were a couple of disappointing days. The website does tell you that the visit to Ranthambhore National Park is not possible during the Monsoon Season. It doesn't warn you that the camping at the lakeside is also cancelled during this time. Unfortunately no activities were provided as alternatives which lead to a couple of boring days.
