Amongst the Maharajahs - 2009/10 departures

from USD 2654 for 21 days

Reviews

Review 1

What was the most memorable part of your tour?

The whole tour was a wonderful experience and to be honest there were so many memorable moments it is hard to choose, but if I really had to choose it would be the train 'safari' which we went on from Jojawar. We rode in an open top `1949 Chevrolet to the station and then after much negotiating managed to squeeze our way on to share a very crowded train with hundreds of returning, and exhilarated pilgrims, the atmosphere was amazing.

How would you rate the tour leaders?

We were lucky enough to have Sameer Rathore as our tour leader. He is an intelligent, challenging, ethical, warm and amusing ambassador for his country and made us all feel special and cared for, nothing seemed too much trouble. All the local guides were excellent too and seemed to have been well chose. Sameer always seemed to know them and brought out the best in what they had to offer.

Do you feel your holiday benefited local people?

Yes I do and although the accommodation was very comfortable, which sometimes made me feel awkward about the poverty we saw, I liked the fact that you could see first hand how many locals were benefiting from us being there, from the hotel staff to the local guides and village home visits.

Do you feel that you got under the skin of a country?

Yes I did, partly because of our wonderful guide who was quite challenging and controversial when situations required but also because we traveled over such a variety of terrains and deep in to the rural areas. I also felt very honoured to be able to experience village life first hand, for example in Chandeleo where we sat with the women in the craft centre and 'chatted'and when all the children in the same village came in and watched the dancers in the evening. Also visiting the school in Pechewar.

What advice would you give to other travellers?

I have no advice to give to other travelers regarding this tour, however this is the first time we have traveled in a small group tour, having always done it on our own before, but I felt doing it this way enabled us to do more and to do things that we would never have been able to do on our own. We will certainly be doing this again.

Reviewed by Diane Robinson who travelled in September 2008

Review 2

What was the most memorable part of your tour?

foggy christmas morning 6am stumbling through Delhi train station. being sober and freezing cold (although fully dressed) in bed in a castle on christmas day evening! flying a homemade kite with the prince on boxing day. drinking opium in the desert after the terrible camel ride. new years eve overlooking the lake palace, dancing whilst the fireworks were lit in a dustbin - how did we live through it? and many many more fantastic memories

How would you rate the tour leaders?

our tour leader Nikki was the best part of our holiday, everyone fell in love with him and nearly all of us (including Nikki) cried when we parted.

Do you feel that you got under the skin of a country?

definately especially with the help of Nikki

What advice would you give to other travellers?

take more warm clothes in the winter

Reviewed by Cathryn Carpenter who travelled in December 2005

Forum Feedback

CUSTOMIZE YOUR OWN DATES

We are hoping to "gather" a group of fellow travellers to travel to India in early November 2009. HTAM availability currently shown on the net does not show after September 2009 although when I click to the right and enter dates beyond this in the customize area it shows availability to December 4th. As we want to contact our friends that live all over the world to join us in India, we need to know when your new 09/10 Brochure will come out to confirm that you have a trip going the beginning of November 2009 so we can forward the itinerary and gather these folks. Thank you.

CLOTHING QUESTIONS

I am planning to go in "winter" Oct/Nov on HTAM and I'm wondering if you would be so kind to answer a couple of clothing questions. 1. Would sandals such as tevas be appropriate? 2. For the evening do travellers bring a skirt? 3. Were there facilities to do laundry (in your room) or do you send your laundry out? 4. Is there restrictions to bare shoulders and knees showing? 5. Are runners/sneakers appropriate for walking? I was unable to tell from photos for this trip as to what people were wearing but noted that a lot of locals were barefoot. Thank you and looking forward to your response