Train Journeys in India

In every respect this holiday exceeded my expectations. Superb hotels, efficient and charming local reps, excellent well informed local guides, and a driver whose skill was matched by his patience and good humour. We had a wonderful holiday and can only express our thanks to all concerned for their care and courtesy.

Hotels visited:
Oberoi New Delhi, Oberoi Amar Vilas, Oberoi Rajvilas & The Oberoi Gurgaon.

Great holiday. Treated very well by our competent guides and drivers. Good standard of hotels and food. Would recommend the holiday to friends.

Dear Nikhil,

I just want to say a big thank you for the fabulous holiday you arranged for us in India. It was fantastically organized and everyone we met from your company was amazing. All our tour guides were very experienced and informative.

Thank you again and I would certainly recommend you to all of my friends.

Best wishes,
Lisa Steele

Hello Nikhil,

To say that we both enjoyed every moment of our holiday adventure in Rajasthan and Kerala is a huge understatement.  To compare these regions is impossible as each has its own magic.  Each leg of the trip was perfectly executed - cars with drivers thoughtfully supplying bottles of cool water and, in Yogi's case, snacks as well.  We felt really cosseted and protected throughout, especially by Mr Biju, whose regular phone calls made us feel the gentle hand of Nikhil from afar.

We adored the Taj Oberoi at Agra with the breathtaking view of the Taj Mahal from our terrace.  We would have been very happy to have stayed there a couple of nights, luxuriating in its splendour.  We also loved the Samode Haveli, such a different venue, linking back to the past with its little courtyards and beautiful pool area.  As for the Lake Palace Hotel - what words can describe it accurately?  Unique, beautiful, gracious and utterly delightful may just do so.

In Kerala, as you planned, the pace of our holiday slowed down.  We adored the Coconut Lagoon and the day on the kettuvallam, with its attending service, our trip by canoe down narrow waterways were especially magical and memorable.  The indulgence of having our own pool at the Marari Beach Resort was such a luxury and we certainly made full use of it.  We also used Tuc Tucs to get us around and found such lovely people and were even invited into one driver's home to meet his family - what a privilege!

All in all we had a ball with only one guide whom we could not understand and that was rectified within hours.  The only problem we had, both ways, was at Dubai as the distances between gates was enormous.  For instance on the return journey from Cochin we arrived at Gate 3 and had to get to gate 230, an impossibility for us to walk.  We did ask for assistance when confirming the flight but this was not available until we did a little bit of foot stamping (which we hate to do) and then transport was provided.  We feel this assistance should be put in writing so all is clear to ground staff.

However, the foregoing paragraph in no way spoilt the huge enjoyment of our holiday, altogether a lovely experience.  We thank you, Nikhil, for your patience with us, your advice on eating (which we followed to the letter), the expert organisation and the clear way in which the itinerary was written.  Need to say we are tempted to take a second peek at Western & Oriental India brochure!

With our very sincere thanks

Mrs Joslin & Mrs Sedley

Dear Nikhil & Colin,

Back to cold, grey Scotland again after another wonderful holiday in India. I don't think we could have chosen a corner of India that was such an enormous contrast to our last holiday in the north east. Sunny, smiling Kerala lived up to all you promised. Just to remind us of home we had one misty wet morning in Thekkady - the day after the horrible accident when 104 people were crushed to death after a religious festival. However, we took to the Periyar Lake for a morning cruise. We were all persuaded to wear enormous orange life jackets which somewhat constricted any movement with binoculars but only the bravest wildlife was emerging from the jungle to the water. 

Your choice of places to stay was just right for us and we were very glad to spend the last week at Marari Beach Resort. I loved swimming in the Arabian Sea and the beach was clean and tranquil. We loved the butterfly farm and the huge vegetable garden and even enjoyed a visit to the Ayuveda centre. There were so many birds in the grounds and the morning chorus was delightful. 

Your staffs in India were efficient, kind and helpful, as usual.

Thank you both for all the trouble you took to ensure our holiday was such a success.

With best wishes,

Sheila Macpherson

Hi Nikhil,

I needed to find time to thank you for helping put together an incredible 19 days of adventure.The choice of hotels and destinations chosen by you exceeded all expectations. We were welcomed by both Indian and Nepalese hospitality which from start to finish made this holiday something special.The sights and diversity and the lovliest of places don`t really exist in our imagination until we go there because pictures and words can only tell so much.

Thank-you so very much for sharing your knowledge with us.

My wife and I just returned from our holiday in India; Mumbai-Taj Exotica–Goa-Mumbai.
We wish to express our sincere thanks to you and all your delightful staff. Every step of the way, we felt cared for in a very personal way almost as if we were family.

We never had to wait and never had to lift a finger. After we learnt that the runway at Goa airport was to be closed on the 26th, rapid and efficient action was taken to allow us to leave a day earlier and to be rebooked at the Taj Lands End on the executive floor; an added bonus. In particular we found Mr Sean D'Souza an excellent guide and an interesting companion. I will recommend "IndianRoutes" to all our friends.

Our only complaint, that was out of your control, was that the restaurants at the Taj Exotica were so over-priced that we chose to go hungry or eat at a beach shack rather than being exploited.

Best wishes,
Mike Baum