Foothills of the Himalaya

Traveler Reviews

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  Barbara

  December 14th, 2011
  4.0
  A really packed holiday full of interest and new experiences. Made us want to visit other parts of India too. What...
  A really packed holiday full of interest and new experiences. Made us want to visit other parts of India too. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were so many .... visiting the Golden Temple at night and the Taj Mahal at dawn, visiting the clinic where Phillipa, our guide, works, visiting the Tibetan Parliament What did you think of your group leader? Phillipa was amazing - she was enormously knowledgeable, coped well with the disparate personalities in the group, was always good humoured, despite having fallen and hurt herself at the start of the trip.  The organisation was very good and everything ran to time. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If going in the colder months take warm clothes for the nights, and to sleep in, be prepared for one or two quite long travelling days on less good roads. Is there anything else you would like to add? Our first trip to India and definitely won't be the last. Show more
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  Richard

  December 7th, 2011
  2.0
  Trip spoilt by the group being split into 2 vehicles, a major amount of the time is spent travelling and no intransit...
  Trip spoilt by the group being split into 2 vehicles, a major amount of the time is spent travelling and no intransit info possible due to this. Vehicles were very poor with broken seat backs and no room for day packs in vehicle. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Shimla.But the local people in the whole of India are so friendly & helpful. What did you think of your group leader? Poor.In fairness she was knowledgeable, although it was always given without asking & when eating as a group bill shouldn't just be split. Trip from Dharamsala to McLeod Ganj was in local taxis but only 5 vehicles of Fiat Punto size used for entire group plus their luggage was not sufficient, taxis cost so little, it seemed penny pinching & was uncomfortable & dangerous. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take a kettle, noodles & chewy bars, that way you can be independant.Some hotels only offer buffet at 500 ruppees where it is possible to get al-la-cart for 250ruppees in cities. Is there anything else you would like to add? All hotels give fixed price buffet which is expensive & caused stomuch upsets, probably sat there warm for a long time.Show more
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  Peter

  October 16th, 2011
  5.0
  My wife and I chose to do this tour with leader Philippa Russell, purely on the basis that we had so much enjoyed our...
  My wife and I chose to do this tour with leader Philippa Russell, purely on the basis that we had so much enjoyed our trek (Himalayan Mountains and Wildflowers) with her in 2010. We were not disappointed! Philippa has devised a trip which totally immerses the traveller in the true nature of life in these regions of Northern India. Mesmerising, fascinating, at times frenetic, but totally satisfying. Different but delightful! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? It is almost impossible to choose from so many varied and eye-opening experiences that this tour provides, but probably our intimate visit to the Tibetan Children's Village (Orphanage and School) in Dharamsala was the most inspirational. Visits to such institutions can be so depressing, but our visit to this amazing village was truly heart-warming. What did you think of your group leader? Philippa Russell is one in a million! She has extraordinary organisational ability; her knowledge of all things Indian/Tibetan is boundless; she communicates that knowledge so clearly, and with such humour; she exudes warmth yet firm control, always ensuring the comfort and safety of the tour members; she is passionate about her adopted community; she is equally passionate about imbuing her clients with a true understanding of those features of Indian/Tibetan life which make her so committed to it. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Approach this tour with an open mind, and be prepared to be swept along a truly fascinating and joyous path into a very INDIAN (and Tibetan) experience with a difference. Just "go with the flow" and revel in the many and varied experiences on offer. It is not always pretty, but it is very enlightening. Is there anything else you would like to add? Do not expect to lose weight on this trip. It might well be advertised as "a gourmet's delight"!Show more
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  Torsten

  November 26th, 2010
  4.0
  I had a fantastic time on this trip. The vast and varying number of experiences will stay with me for a long time....
  I had a fantastic time on this trip. The vast and varying number of experiences will stay with me for a long time. Especially the variety of impressions and changing sceneries were an unexpected bonus - from the Golden Temple of the Sikh in Amritsar to Dharamsalla and McClead Ganj - were you'll feel a bit like you are in 'Little Tibet' - to Shimla and then back to the heart of India in Agra with the Taj Mahal. Highly recommended. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The toy train (narrow gauge) ride from Shimla to Kalka. Crossing more than two hundret bridges, viaducts and tunnels, this ride impressed me with its astonishing views and historic character. A dream for any train fan and/or photographer.  What did you think of your group leader? Phillipa, our group leader was simply fantastic. In addition to her insight and local knowledge, she convinced through her organisational skills (something that's - unfortunately - awfully important when travelling in India) and the effort to always provie a little bit of extra. Seeing the Tibetan Parliament, getting some insights into development and aid efforts in India - just to mention two things she organsied for us - gave us a bit of extra insights into the region we visited. A job well done. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? In Shimla it got very cold over night, so pack some extra thermo underwear. In McLoad Ganj, we had the chance to trek a nearby mountain. Definetely go for that, the views were astonishing.   Is there anything else you would like to add? If you're into photography, pack a long telezoom lens (birds) and a tripod (sunsets, night photography) and bring loads of memory cards, or better, a HD with a card reader. You'll be overwhelmed by the number of photo opportunities. Show more
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  Hilary

  May 1st, 2010
  4.0
  A wonderful introduction to the country which was long overdue. So much variety from the the Punjab to the foothills...
  A wonderful introduction to the country which was long overdue. So much variety from the the Punjab to the foothills of the Himalayas then onto the plains of Rajastan all in just a fortnight. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Impossible to select just one experience. The two visits to the Golden temple were such a special start to the trip. The days trek from McLeod Ganj was both exhilerating and left me wanting to return and do a longer trekking holiday. I have always wanted to visit Simla ,which more than matched my expectations . We hired some horses and rode up to Jakkos having great fun. Must also make special mention of  the train back down. What did you think of your group leader? Phillipa was simply the best. Her insight into the country certainly enriched my experience. She imparted her information with modesty and humour. Dealing with such a mixed group ,both in age and expectation , was managed very professionally. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go with the flow and enjoy the experience. The food was always tasty and sometimes exceptionally scrumptious.Following basic rules of hygiene should prevent any real problems though you will need some stand by medicines. Everywhere we went we were welcomed and met with smiles. The service provided by the hotels was always good. Is there anything else you would like to add? My only slight criticism was that the mini bus and car provided very cramped conditions on some of the rather long journeys . A couple or so extra spaces would have made the travelling more comfortable all round.Some of the accomodation was charmingly Indian ,but a couple of the hotels were VERY basic !Show more
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  Caroline

  January 8th, 2013
  5.0
  An interesting tour to Northern India which takes in some key sites, but feels off the tourist trail. A great chance...
  An interesting tour to Northern India which takes in some key sites, but feels off the tourist trail. A great chance to see the himalayas, eat fantastic indian food and explore. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were a few:the golden temple at Amritsar is stunningbeing asked to pose for photos with the localsthe toy train from Shimla was something I'd always wanted to do, loved the spectacular scenery and getting off at the stops at the stationsseeing the Dalai Lama in Mcleod Ganj - we were incredibly luckythe mini taj and Akbar's tomb in Agra were real surprises, what fabulous buildingsthe India/Pakistan border ceremony - this isn't part of the itinerary (perhaps it should be) but it's quite possible to go the afternoon you arrivetaking the optional hike in Mcleod Ganj, the views were tremendous What did you think of your group leader? Phillippa was fantastic, everything you want from a leader - organised, helpful, gracious and fun.  She also likes good food, so she always makes sure you eat somewhere that servces good food without it breaking the bank.If I'm being honest, I was a bit nervous of havng a British guide being used ot having local  guides. But I needn't have worried, she's lived there for many years and is the only guide I've met who can help explain India in way that Brits would understand, she gets why some little things are so strange to us. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you go in the winter, believe the trip notes when it says it's cold at night - it is!  Also bear in mind that the hotels and restaurants aren't centrally heated so you need warm clothes for inside too.If you like walking, take the optional hike from Mcleod Ganj.  I'd recommend taking the jeep for the first part as it cuuts out a significant stretch walking through trees (with no views) and you can start straight away on the scenic part. Is there anything else you would like to add? Go for it! We thoroughly enjoyed it, all made even more special by some fab people in our group.Show more
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  Lynne

  January 4th, 2013
  4.0
  A very varied holiday, full of interesting places and unexpected memorable experiences. The things that don't go...
  A very varied holiday, full of interesting places and unexpected memorable experiences. The things that don't go quite as you expect them...and the things that do! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The Golden Temple at Amritsar was stunning at night, with all the lights and the moon above it. You felt comfortable and welcome to be part of the place. Our guide made sure we saw the ceremony which takes place every night, replacing the garlands of flowers and moving the religious icon. The unexpected tour of the kitchens and eating area next morning, before we went on to see more of the temple, was fascinating. What did you think of your group leader? Philippa was a wonderful tour leader. She was well informed and interesting. She could recommend where to eat and shop. She helped us to buy shalwar kameez and to have them made up to right size to be collected later. I bought metres and metres of silk as she helped me choose colours and to not be afraid of getting the vendor to get more and more off the shelves. I never would have done it on my own. I have beautiful souvenirs of my trip....the items and the memories...thanks to Philippa Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Believe the brochure when it says you will need thermal underwear! The rooms may vary from the palacial to the spartan but once in the foothills they are all really cold and one small convector heater just doesn't make a difference. You may be warm in bed but a shower in a room the same temperature as your fridge is a challenge....but it makes you smile when you look back on it. Breakfast may be in a cavernous room with the door open so that cleansing incense smoke can blow in on the cold wind.  Wear layers....lots of layers!And take hand cleaning spray...not one of us got Delhi Belly  Is there anything else you would like to add? Now we are home we are really missing all the lovely spicey food....and the lovely funny people who were in our group. The "Mountains, Temples, Hill Stations and Beer Tour!Show more
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  Helen

  April 19th, 2012
  4.0
  Really interesting, our guide, Philippa Russell, was very knowledgable and we felt that made the trip particularly...
  Really interesting, our guide, Philippa Russell, was very knowledgable and we felt that made the trip particularly enjoyable and we saw a lot of things that we would not have seen without her experience. Good to go to a lot of places off the beaten track and we packed in a great deal in 2 weeks. A fascinating introduction to India and we look forward to visiting other areas of the country. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Well there were 2 really inspirational moments, naturally one had to be The Taj Mahal, you have really got to see it in the flesh, a million times better than photos, and Philippa managed to get us there so we were at the head of the quee when the gates opened at dawn, so we were able to see it with nobody between us and the musoleum, fantastic.The other great moment was meeting Tenzin Paloma, a wonderful English born Buddhist Nun who founded a nunnery and had previously spent 12 years in a cave, she was amazing.The golden temple, the himalayan scenery, the raja at Mandi, the narrow gauge railway, Shimla, so many memorable experiences What did you think of your group leader? Philippa was extremely patient and very knowlegable and had so many conections in the area that she added a special element to the trip Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Yes - when it says "Leisurely" in relation to other Exodus trips I suppose it was, but it is quite a full on trip, with some early starts and long days, but if it hadn't been that way I guess we wouldn't have seen and done so much, so take the worl "Leisurely" with a pinch of salt!! Is there anything else you would like to add? Some accomodation was rather basic, it was a real mixed bag, although in some places, notablly Mcleodganj, I don't think there was much choice.  Don't do as I did and take too big or heavy a bag, those poor porters, although one did manage to carry my bag and another on his head at Dehli station!Show more
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  Barbara

  December 14th, 2011
  4.0
  A really packed holiday full of interest and new experiences. Made us want to visit other parts of India too. What...
  A really packed holiday full of interest and new experiences. Made us want to visit other parts of India too. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were so many .... visiting the Golden Temple at night and the Taj Mahal at dawn, visiting the clinic where Phillipa, our guide, works, visiting the Tibetan Parliament What did you think of your group leader? Phillipa was amazing - she was enormously knowledgeable, coped well with the disparate personalities in the group, was always good humoured, despite having fallen and hurt herself at the start of the trip. The organisation was very good and everything ran to time. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If going in the colder months take warm clothes for the nights, and to sleep in, be prepared for one or two quite long travelling days on less good roads. Is there anything else you would like to add? Our first trip to India and definitely won't be the last. Show more
• A

  Richard

  December 7th, 2011
  2.0
  Trip spoilt by the group being split into 2 vehicles, a major amount of the time is spent travelling and no intransit...
  Trip spoilt by the group being split into 2 vehicles, a major amount of the time is spent travelling and no intransit info possible due to this. Vehicles were very poor with broken seat backs and no room for day packs in vehicle. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Shimla.But the local people in the whole of India are so friendly & helpful. What did you think of your group leader? Poor.In fairness she was knowledgeable, although it was always given without asking & when eating as a group bill shouldn't just be split. Trip from Dharamsala to McLeod Ganj was in local taxis but only 5 vehicles of Fiat Punto size used for entire group plus their luggage was not sufficient, taxis cost so little, it seemed penny pinching & was uncomfortable & dangerous. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take a kettle, noodles & chewy bars, that way you can be independant.Some hotels only offer buffet at 500 ruppees where it is possible to get al-la-cart for 250ruppees in cities. Is there anything else you would like to add? All hotels give fixed price buffet which is expensive & caused stomuch upsets, probably sat there warm for a long time.Show more