Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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49 Reviews

4.3 out of 5

Reviewed April 2012

CYCLING THROUGH RAJASTHAN

A brilliant combination of cycling and sight-seeing through a fascinating corner of India

Most Inspirational Moment

For an apparently unmoveable atheist, I found the deity 'dressing' ceremony at the Jagdish temple in Udaipur astonishingly moving. The sheer number of waves and smiles from local kids (and their parents / grandparents - some of whom might have looked glum, but a smile, wave and 'namaste' almost always broke through the facade of indifference) was fantastic. As was the sighting of Sarus Cranes just before dusk in the Keoladeo National Park, and the tiger in Sariska National Park, and the carving in the main Jain temple at Ranakpur, and arriving in Pushkar to a brilliant orange sunset... etc etc etc

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pramod and Sanjay did a fantastic job, and the trip wouldn't have been the same if one or the other had been missing. Pramod's quiet approach perfectly balanced Sanjay's frequent aspirations for everyone to have a go at 'Indian' dancing... On the bus... After rum and coke. Brilliant! To see them at their most competitive, put them on opposing sides during a 'friendly' cricket match...

Advice for Potential Travellers

The first afternoon in Delhi can feel like wasted down time, but bear in mind that you'll be up at 6am on many of the subsequent days and have probably just endured a tedious night flight - relaxing by the pool is acceptable! Not having visited India before, I was rather unsure of myself and wish (in hindsight) that I had taken myself off to the Qutab Minar complex, which wasn't too far from the hotel. If in doubt, negotiate a price with the tuk-tuk driver and crack on. Whilst it's possible to eat incredibly cheaply in India, we tended to adjourn en masse to local restaurants in the evenings, where you could expect to pay in the region of 600INR (including beer) for a decent veggie meal. Don't worry if you can't get hold of small money from the FOREX places in the airport - I found that I soon had a stack of 10, 20 & 100INR notes after meals (10INR notes proved invaluable for 'toilet tipping'!), and there are ATM stops en route if you need to top up supplies of cash.This was my first ever group holiday, and I was nervous about booking it beforehand (it was a birthday treat and I didn't want to have a miserable time!). I can honestly say that I had a blast and would do the whole thing again tomorrow.

Reviewed April 2012

CYCLING THROUGH RAJASTHAN

I took my 23 year old daughter and we both had a wonderful holiday. You need to have an open mind, willingness to accept what India has to offer rather than a critical eye, ability to get on in a group and reasonable fitness plus tolerance of the heat if going in March. If you have all these you won’t regret this trip. Organistaion was excellent and group leaders could not have been better. Quite a lot of time in the bus but this is necessary to get around the area.

Most Inspirational Moment

No one inspirational moment but generally loved the madness of place. There may be a lot of poverty, little sanitation, no rubbish collection and insane driving but it all seems to work and most people are genuinely happy and pleased to see you. It was great to be free of some of the ever increasing restrictions that western governments put on their citizens. Loved the immense size and remoteness of Kumbhalgarh fort; the beauty of the Taj Mahal; the birds at Bharatpur; the bazaar at Jodhpur; the countryside in general.

Thoughts on Group Leader

2 leaders. Both excellent. Could not have been more friendly or helpful. Well informed and willing to give of their knowledge. Also should mention the rest of the team - bus driver; bike mechanic; general helper. All were good at what they did and genuinely friendly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Carry Immodium! Take strong sun cream in March. Go for it.

Reviewed January 2012

CYCLING THROUGH RAJASTHAN

Cycling through the countryside gives you a wonderful insight into rural life in India whilst visits to the cultural highlights of the region make this a very interesting and active itinerary.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the Taj Mahal which is amazing. The Forts at Agra and Jaipur were also really impressive and I enjoyed cycling through the countryside too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The two leaders, Sajay and Pramod were excellent leaders who not only guided the cycling but also kept us entertained. They worked hard in the background to ensure that the trip ran smoothly. The bike mechanic, bus driver and his assistant were also a good team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for quite a few consecutive days cycling 40miles+ and consider taking your own saddle rather than a gel cover. If you take your own bike remember that supplies of spare parts such as chains and rear mechanism hangars are aimed at the local bike market and so you would be advised to take a few extra bike bits just in case. The road surfaces can be rough in places and don't be surprised if the locals want to chat to you from their motorbikes whilst you negotiate pot holes, camels, cows etc in front of you. This means that you should be confident of cycling in traffic and some experience of cycling on rough terrain would be advantageous. It is best to cycle with at least one other person as, although almost everyone is friendly, sometimes the children like to jump out in front of you or throw stones. A supply of hand gel is also a good idea.

Reviewed January 2012

CYCLING THROUGH RAJASTHAN

Fascinating country, impressed by the resourcefulness and friendliness of the people. Cycling always interesting, so much to see.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through that arch and seeing the Taj Mahal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

OK, friendly and polite, perhaps could have been a bit more proactive in explaining things.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in December don't forget your fleeces. It gets cold at nights and many of the hotels don't have heating.

Reviewed January 2012

CYCLING THROUGH RAJASTHAN

An enjoyable trip that provides a varied flavour of all the sights and sounds that India has to offer. It is a mix of fairly easy cycling combined with some longish coach transfers to be able to cover the distances required. One note of caution is to check the weather as traveling over Christmas means you are subjected to very cold nights and often foggy mornings.

Most Inspirational Moment

India. Its a country of such contrasts, history, friendly people, sights, poverty, the contriductions of modern New Delhi versus Old Delhi. The Amber Fort, Jaipur and the Taj Mahal are obvious highlights.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The organisation was very effectifient and able to cope with the minor mishaps you expect on these trips.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check the temperature averages for time of year you are travelling, December and January is close to freezing overnight in Rajasthan and therefore the unheated hotels are very cold at night. Also some mornings when the majority of the cycling is done were foggy.

Reviewed January 2012

CYCLING THROUGH RAJASTHAN

We travelled by bicycle and bus through villages and the countryside. Cycling through the city’s was quiet an experience, all traffic blowing their horns and animals slowly crossing the streets. Most people along the streets were very kind and the children sheered. Few people thought it nice to endanger you by pouting a stick in front of your bike.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were more than one inspiring moments, driving over the countryside, the visit to the tiger park, where we did not see any of the 5 tigers that are left there. The evenings at some of the reataurants we went to for our dinner.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders were very kind and helpful. In order to e clear as they were explaining the goings on of the day they repeated themselves in a way that you sometimes got lost in what they had to tell.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring a horn with you for your bike so you can make as much nois as they do. Be patient. Food is rather spicy and a lot is vegetarian.

Reviewed December 2011

CYCLING THROUGH RAJASTHAN

Very enjoyable – covered a lot of ground, saw some amazing (and humbling) sights and had superb support from guides and crew who worked really hard to make this a trip to remember.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the whole trip was about seeing the Taj Mahal and it did not disappoint. We went in the morning (though missed sunrise as it was rather misty) and it really did take my breath away. We had plenty time to wander at our own pace and take it all in.Also thoroughly enjoyed cycling out in the countryside. We took a walk to a local village from the Tiger Reserve and loads of children led us across the fields to explore where they lived, posing for photos, playing with our hair and chatting away though we did not understand a word. It was a lovely experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Harish and Pramod worked really hard to make sure everyone was happy though we all had different requirements (and demands). They are enthusiastic and knowledgable as well as striking a respectful balance with the locals who were interested in us every time we stopped.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It got chilly in the evenings in December (especially in the Tiger Reserve, though also in some hotels) - I wished I had more warm clothes. Try to stick with at least one other person when cycling through the villages - we sometimes had youngsters throwing rocks and sticks at us (though I have to say that most of the locals were very friendly!)You won't get much chance for shopping - there are some organised trips to carpet/ marble/ jewellery places but limited opportunities to go round local markets - ask early if this is something you really want to do.We got a better exchange rate for our £ at money-changers in town than at the airport. You won't find ATMs every day and some people struggled to use their cards.

Reviewed November 2011

CYCLING THROUGH RAJASTHAN

Really enjoyable trip. Exceeded my expectations both from the trip and the country perspective.

Most Inspirational Moment

I have lots of great memories ranging from cycling in rush hour traffic in Delhi which was akin to cycling round the north circular but somehow safer (The Indians seem to be less agressive than us Brits), to following a scooter round Udaipur with 16 of us in a conga type of Peleton to hoping to find one of five Tigers in 400+ sq miles of National park at 6am!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both the leader and his deputy were great. They have a lot to cope with. 16 clients all wanting varying degrees of looking after and following the Trip Notes. The other 3 team members were excellent also - bus driver. bike mechanic and the guy who did everyting else.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a cycling holiday - the more used to cycling the more you'll enjoy it but if you are a cycling nut and want to get your head down, think twice. For safety reasons you'll only get about 90mins at a time without an enforced stop. Given the heat and things to see/photograph it shouldn't be a problem (or go and cycle the Alpine passess)! We were a mixed group and fairly typical I would think and we all seemed to cope.There is also lots of sightseeing - more than I expected (and in my case more than I needed). But it is well organised and virtually always with an expert, English speaking guide.There are some longish bus transfers and forewarned is forearmed. Check the actual distances (and allow for heavy city traffic) between the overnight stops to calculate.

Reviewed January 2011

CYCLING THROUGH RAJASTHAN

Rajasthan is a beautiful place to visit especially by cycle. Great experience and would recommend to anyone with a sense of adventure and experienceing the unexpected. The food, people and sights are vast and contrasting form place to place. The colours of Rajasthan are magnficient.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Taj Mahal is inspiring and beyond words.

Thoughts on Group Leader

HarishKumar and Pramod are two great leaders who were able to provide guidance whenever required. Their in depth knowledge of the trip was extremely helpful and informing. They were always willing to help whenever it was required. I hope I will get the chance to travel with them again. Harish is a person who you can rely on and depend on making the ride enjoyable and the whole experience fascinating.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring warm clothes as it can get very cold at nite. Sweets, pens for the children you will pass on the roads. Beware of spicy food if you have a fragile stomach. Have a great time.

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