4 independent reviews for Wildlife and cultural holiday in India

Reviews for Wildlife and cultural holiday in India

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review 7 Apr 2026

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Hard to choose. We loved Taj Mahal and the Ranthambore National Park as we managed to see 3 tigers. But also loved to visit Old Delhi and Jaipur and get to see how local people live. It was really enriching and really can’t decide what was the most memorable part.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

I really recommend booking with this operator. We had a great time, Gaurav and his team are adorable, super professional and always available. We never felt alone and they tried always to accommodate our desires, we truly recommend them!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes, absolutely. For example in Old Delhi Gaurav had some girls conducting the tour, they were coming maybe from difficult situations and he is helping then in becoming tour guides. Also the Elephant Center was amazing and it’s nice to know that there are people fighting for animals rights. All the guides we had were always super competent and kind to us and our driver too.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

We had a great time! So many different experiences from visiting old cities to the nature. Gaurav did a great job as he adjusted always the tour plan on our desires, so it was just perfect! Again I truly recommend him and his team, we always felt treated as human beings and not just tourists and this made us feel comfortable and could enjoy until the end our holiday!

review 4 Nov 2025

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

We visited many amazing places and met a host of fascinating people. One hightlight was our visit to Varanasi, one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. One morning, we were taken on a dawn boat trip where we watched the sun rise over the river Ganges and were present at a sunrise aarti ceremony beside the river, where a group of brightly dressed priests chant prayers and hold up flaming torches. We were in Varanasi during Diwali: many visitors from all over India were there to take part in the celebrations which included fireworks and an evening fire ceremony with music and prayers beside the river. Cremations are carried out on the banks of the river Ganges at Varanasi, and we saw this taking place, as well as a number of funeral processions through the streets of the town - it sounds a bit macabre and indeed it was unsettling, but was part of a varied, colourful, noisy city, at the same time full of vibrant, visceral life overlaid by religious mysticism and the awareness of and proximity to death.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Most of the places where we stayed were homestays or small hotels: it's worth making the most of the opportunity to talk to your hosts and the other people you meet to find out more about their lives and their ideas. Having a guide is an excellent way of learning more about the places you visit and getting some local insight; it was especially useful when looking at cities as they took us to places we might not have found - for example, in Jodhpur, the guide took us to a friend's house with a roof terrace looking right across the city. That said, don't be afraid to spend some time exploring by yourself - this is also an interesting experience. While there is a bit of hustle from would-be guides, rickshaw drivers and street sellers, we didn't experience any crime or hostility and there was a lot of friendliness and help offered by the people we met. In Delhi, the metro is new and efficient, so it's a good way to see different parts of the city. Travelling long-distance by train a couple of times was fun and also gave us a different view of the country and the people.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Several of the visits were to animal sanctuaries and to visit community projects who received donations when the visits were arranged. There was also an opportunity to support them further by buying products in their shops. The organisations we visited were led by local people: it felt like a priveledge to meet them and find out their shared histories and how they were looking to strengthen their communities, protect wildlife and the environment. Examples included a visit to a sanctuary for elephants who have been rescued from exploitative captivity and are now being cared for in a loving and natural environment; we also visited a group of nomadic herdsmen whose way of life depends on camels - they drink the camels' milk and use their wool but don't kill the camels for meat: their way of life is threatened and the visits help to raise awareness as well as funds for their campaign to preserve their traditions and their livelihoods.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

We had a brilliant trip. Having it organised in advance meant that we got the most out of a visit of just over two weeks, managing to fit in many different places - and several experiences every day - without seeming too hurried. It was the most interesting, interactive and exciting holiday we have had for many years.

review 3 May 2025

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Being able to see some tigers in Ranthambore national park.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Don't hesitate to contact this operator.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

It's a 10/10. Amazing experience!

review 15 Mar 2025

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

We loved every place we went to. We did both archaeological sites and national parks. The stay at the national parks was gorgeous and we saw tigers and beautiful birds. We loved also going to some places that were a bit outside the main tourist circuits.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

The itinerary was entirely tailored to the places we wanted to see. All I would say is to give as many information as possible to what you like, what pulls your strings from hotels to the kind of tours you like (vibe, level), the sort of sites that inspire you.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes we could see that the local operator work with social enterprises as well as with hotels and lodges that aim to reduce their environmental footprint.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

The holiday was a really rich and memorable experience. Also the guys at the local operator are really responsive and attentive to the client.

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