How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Superb, in every way.  Highly intelligent, extremely knowledgable about India's history, culture and religion.  Nothing was too much trouble.  He's a real foodie, so we ate fantastic food during the whole tour.  He had a great sense of humour too and paid great attention to making sure our trip went as smoothly as possible.  He was well organised and efficient and really good company.  

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Take the usual precautions when visiting this part of the world in terms of eating sensibly, keeping hydrated and using lots of sun screen.  Don't pack too much either as you will have to carry your bags on to several day and overnight trains.  

Do you have anything else to add?

It was fantastic.  I always enjoy Explore trips and this one was no exception.  I came away feeling I'd been completely immersed in another culture and am enriched for it.   Everything about it was so positive and enjoyable.  The trip was well put together and captured the diversity of this great country - the people, the landscape, the Hindu religion and the food.  Thank you for a wonderful experience.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

He shepherded us safely from Mamallapuram to Goa, stalked tardy waiters when our meals were late, refused to eat till we'd all been fed, possibly threw Ed's errant chicken sizzler onto the barbeque with his own hands (we shall never know), sought out the best thalis in every city, served as a personal shopper to those who were daunted by the notion of haggling, played storyteller in Hampi, commandeered all our cameras 'cause he framed a better photo than any of us and told endless amusing fibs about the quality of the transport we'd be taking. He was completely fabulous.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Do research the climate and bear in mind the long travelling days and frequent short stops: while I personally think it's a bonus to cover to much ground in the time given, it can be something of an endurance test in that heat and humidity, and not everyone was entirely prepared for it.

Do you have anything else to add?

I was really impressed with the standard of accommodation: no frills but vastly better than the word 'budget' generally brings to mind. Great value for the money.

This is a new trip and we were the second trip out. It was brilliant, thanks in no small part to the group and tour leader Ranjeet Singh. For me the highlight was exploring the ruins near Hampi - I had no idea they were there - absolutely fantastic and reminisent of Angkor Wat. Another highlight was visiting the Hope foundation school and the Ooty toytrain was great fun (although it would have been better to transport the luggage by truck!). The overnight trains were fine and great for interacting with locals, although maybe a bit daunting if your very first adventure trip. There was a good mixture of historical/religious sites along with relaxing days. Shopping is probably best at Kochi although Mysore has excellent silk shops. The food is largely vegetarian and good value - thali's and lassi's abound !!  There were two hotels we used which where basically stopovers in small towns, the hotels where OK but not great. I can honestly say I did not really notice a drop in hotel standard from other trips I've taken with Explore despite this being a "budget" trip. Some hotels where great and most close to the centre of actvity. I've done several trips with Explore (double figures no less!) and this rated along with the best. Don't let the "budget" tab concern you, it was a brilliant trip and I can't recommend it enough. (QDS - 13th November 2011)