8 independent reviews for Southern India tour, temples & nature
Reviews for Southern India tour, temples & nature
Valsa de Winter review 6 Mar 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Visit to Pudecherry2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you are visiting different areas in India don’t rush stay at least a week at each location.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely benefitted local people4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Indian agent Rajat Kumar was excellent nothing was too much trouble.Esther Oppenheim review 14 Dec 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Our visit to Kabini and Nagarhole,2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Many places don't have plugs in their handbasins, so if you want to wash your smalls, take a universal plug.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All of the places we stayed were consciously trying to be more ecofriendly, especially Evolve Back, who were also contributing to the local community. It is worth taking the walk offered to be told about all their initiatives. The other places may have been doing similar things but we weren't told about it.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was lovely.Adeline Graham review 13 Jul 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The Mysore palace.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Prepare for wet weather in Ooty and some reading for the train.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. Our guides and driver were local, we visited local crafts shop.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a great time. Did many activities. Saw a variety of sceneries and met incredible people!Donna Connell review 25 Feb 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Everything! The homestay with Renu, Ravi & Rajat Kumar was exceptionally warm and comfortable with great food & cultural knowledge shared! Temples/Palaces amazing! Guides, Sachin & Veena very approachable & told us interesting facts/stories of the temple history. We were quite privileged to attend a private classic Indian concert with Manasa Nayana & His amazing Mridanga drummer! Inlaid wood work visit nice as well, we bought several pieces. Driver, Afsal was professional, experienced on the chaotic roads, helped us feel safe & accommodated our requests for stops, waiting and helping us as needed.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Book some down time to adjust to jet lag fatigue, changes in water, food and culture. Bring some melatonin or other meds/treatments for jet lag, stomach issues. Do not drink the water or use it to brush your teeth unless you know it is RO & UV treated. only buy sealed bottled water. Bring toilet paper. Bring some cash, ATM's don't always work. Relax & enjoy the differences, things are not the same as in the West! Recognize the beauty & resilience of the people and animals & land!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the guides & drivers were local, we purchased mainly local items, stayed in more local places as possible, used recycled materials & only used plastic water bottles when absolutely necessary. We brought a Steripen to sterilize the water & used RO & UV water when possible. We supported conservation at the safaris & other places but did drive often, perhaps electric or alternative fuel cars?4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent! In spite of a few glitches as mentioned above, (fatigue, stomach issues, not always sleeping well d/t jet lag, ATM issues) we were treated like royalty everywhere we went (mostly) & we had wonderful interesting experiences & fantastic food!Judy Powell review 13 Feb 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The boat safari in Nagarhoke national park and watching a tiger for 30 minutes.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Book a vacation with our tour operator as exceeded expectations and was stress free. It's hot so forget taking jeans just cotton trousers, dresses and shorts. Stay in home stays as so much better than hotels.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All of these4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent, it was a fantastic vacation. We were well taken care of and the welcome from home stays was brilliant.Alex Silver review 18 Jan 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Orange county - feeling like a queen and wonderful safari.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared to have a lot of hours in the car.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We made sure to give tips and to advertise India to all our friend to come visit.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
5 star.... the only thing i would not recommend is going to Hassan.Jan Baker review 12 Sep 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
All was pretty memorable- perhaps Nagarhole and the Toda tribal village2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Expect the unexpected!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Hopefully the first, less sure in what ways 2 and 3.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentRobyn Nadolny review 4 Feb 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It was all pretty unforgettable - Rajat did great job of combining all of our interests into a varied vacation that was fast-paced but never rushed. We especially enjoyed our time at Nagarhole national park - the safaris were fantastic! - and our hike through the Western Ghats during our stay in Wayanad. It struck a great balance between nature and culture. We say tons of birds, incredible views, learned about many proud traditions and met some amazing people as well.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
This vacation was customized to our budget and interests, so no two vacations through ExplorIndya would be the same. Be up front about your budget and wishes, and you will be very happy with the results. We could easily have spent more than a week traveling, so give yourself plenty of time. And be open to surprises!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We were clearly able to see how our vacation benefited local people, at all three places we stayed. The fanciest of the places we stayed - Orange County, Kabini - partners with local tribes to provide employment and conserve the local traditions and heritage. Our homestay was a delightful bed-and-breakfast style place where we got to get to know local farmers. Our hike through Muddy Boots, involved the expertise of several local guides. Eve our trip through Mysore clearly gave our business to a small company, Royal Mysore Walks. Everyone was so knowledgeable and we were delighted to see our money flowing back to the people of India.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Five stars! We had an incredible adventure for our honeymoon, and hope to go back. Southern India is breathtaking, and we had nothing but good experiences with all of the people and companies we traveled with.Holiday Reviews
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