5 independent reviews for Rajasthan and Golden Triangle tour by train
Reviews for Rajasthan and Golden Triangle tour by train
Nicky Parsons review 14 Aug 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The feeling that we saw the real India, having a wonderful guide who knew the area well and took us to places and restaurants that we wouldn't have visited by ourselves, having so many diverse experiences as well as seeing the sights, bike-riding, camel trekking, train travel, rickshaw travel (4 people plus our luggage in 1 rickshaw is still very memorable!), seeing a Bollywood film in an amazing cinema, eating with local families in their homes and immersing ourselves in the sights and sounds of Rajasthan.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for a busy 2 weeks as there are so many things to see and try and take in. Pack light as the hotel laundry system is excellent. If travelling in the rainy season, take a small towel/cloth to be able to mop your face as you cope with the humidity - all the locals have one!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - 80% of the profit was given to NGO Reality Gives and we saw the work they were doing when we visited Dharavi. Also we used local transport, local guides and took train journeys rather than cars.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent -Krishna, our guide, was brilliant, the holiday contained so many different things and travelling with a small group made us very flexible in our timings, eating when we were hungry and having as long as we wanted at each sight.Judy Ainger review 28 Dec 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We had really memorable moments and sights in each place we visited, but our side trip to Bharatpur Wildlife Sancturary, and the birdwatching was a wonderful experience. The ancient forts and palaces and tombs and temples were amazing to see (but can you have too many?), but it was the more intensive personal experiences of 'life today' that we remember most - meals with the families near Udaipur and Jodhpur, Hindu temple visits in Udaipur and Varanasi, the Sufi shrine in the mosque at Fatepur Sikri,and the arti puja in Varanasi. The Dharavi slum tour in Mumbai was eye=opening, and very well worth doing. We had seen Taj Mahal before, but it again lived up to expectations. One big factor we enjoyed was the character and variety of the hotels or B&Bs that were in the heart of each city, so you could walk out directly into its experience - even if that made it exciting to find your way there on arrival!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The tour description of what to expect is accurate, in terms of sights, experiences and accommodation - it 'does what it says on the tin' - and their advice on luggage etc is important - you are moving every two days. If you are particular about food, take your own on the long car and train trips, particularly the overnight train from Agra to Varanasi. Mobile phone and WiFi coverage is good, and we managed to stay in contact with home throughout the trip.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes; the main benefit is social - to the slum communities supported by the operator ' '80% of profits' contribution. This non-charity form of support seems to us very effective and worth supporting. Also the Udaipur and Jodhpur village visits and camel ride clearly benefit the local people directly. We hope our visit [optional] to the bird sanctuary assists its conservation. We agree with the idea of using the train, and not flying - but see 4 below.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We wanted to see the heart of Rajasthan, and we did - we really enjoyed it. The mix of historic sights and real 'local people' experiences was vital; otherwise we feel you can get to a 'oh not another fort' mindset. We think a train from Mumbai to Udaipur might be better than flying - interesting countryside to go through. We found our very long [20 hour], and fog-delayed Agra to Varanasi train put us in a bad frame of mind to appreciate Varanasi; and we opted to fly back to Delhi, to give us more time. We can see the notional attraction of including Varanasi, but it is not really part of Rajasthan, is a very long way away from Delhi/Agra, with little time, and the fog delays trains at this popular time of year, For an intense Hindu experience , it might be better to go to Hardwar, or Pushkar? The day side trip from Agra to Bharatpur sanctuary [and Fatepur Sikri, if you want] was a very good choice - offer it to others too?Pauline Hughes review 4 Mar 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Being with a tour company that were able to take us off the tourist track to visit ordinary Indian families living in villages or edges of cities. The knowledgable and local guide, Krishna, was able to give us insights into Indian culture and life that was irreplaceable. Of course, too, visiting the great sites such as Taj Mahal or the ancient forts and castles was memorable too.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring less lugagge! Every hotel had clothes washing arrangments so you don't really need that much stuff. Bring comfortable shoes for walking as the forts and castles are often high up the hills.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The tour company is involved in several community projects, one of which we visited in Darahvi Slum in Mumbai, I feel that there is added value in buying a tour from this company. Their enthusiasm for this side of their work was infectious. By eating with local families outside of cities we were also able to contribute to their income.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A fantastic experience. I feel I learned so much about India. I may not be able to do a trip like this again, given my age and depleting income! But this was the best possible experience I could have had.terry matthews review 18 Apr 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It's so difficult to pick one thing but sharing meals and time with local families. In their homes and on a camel trek were certainly two of the highlights. Having Krishna as a guide added a special dimension to the trip.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take little luggage. And lots of pictures!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Clearly, this trip did all three. You were part of the families that benefitted so you could see and feel how much it meant. Travel by camel and rickshaw was a wonderful local treat .4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Outstanding in every aspect. Krishna was amazing...tirelessly working to ensure we all were well looked after. Highly recommend.susan richards review 18 Apr 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
This was more than a holiday, it was an experience, much of which I will not forget, as it was so thought provoking. Unless you have been to this part of the world, it is difficult to describe in words the sights, smells and sounds that you encounter. Krishna was a fantastic guide with the patience of a saint. His knowledge, insights and the friendships he makes with all around him must make him one of the best people to show you the 'real' India. I felt privelidged to have seen the slums in Mumbai, we were made welcome by some of the poorest people and the ways in which livings were being made was humbling. It is good to know that they are financing education and working with the people to try and improve the lives of people living here. There were so many highlights, sharing a meal with a lovely indian family in their home, seeing the Bollywood movie in an Indian cinema and watching one being made from a rooftop in Agra! If you relish the thought of the unexpected and want to see some authentic indian life, this tour is for you.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared to push yourself a little and go with the flow!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, this tour benefited people as the company gives back some of the profit from there tours to projects in the communities that they take people to, Dharavi for instance. Krishna always organised local transport, rickshaws, bicycle rickshaws, taxis and even hired pedal bikes for one outing! We stayed in local guest houses and ate in local restaurants. This all benifited the local economy.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was an amazing experience, made all the more interesting by Krishna and his wealth of knowledge and his ability to always find something of interest. I would not hesitate to recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see this part of India.Holiday Reviews
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