Mystical India Discovery

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Cecilia R & Christian B

Everything was well organised,the hotels were all good (some really good, others just good, as one expects making such a long tour). Just at Badami Court it didn't work out as foreseen, because the hotel was overbooked and Christian was sent to very poor premises. But to excuse themselves they offered compensations, so it was no tragedy. The Hotel Dewachen in Buthan was lovely in it simplicity, but the nice people who manage it still have to learn a lot about receiving guests; when we arrived every place was very cold, both dining room and bedroom (and temperature outside was very cold!). They started heating after our arrival, which resulted in freezing for at least an hour in the dining room and far more in the bedroom, where the stove was small and heathing for no longer than an hour without being fed new logs!! We washed ourselves very little that evening/morning, too cold to undress!! On top of that, it seemed very evident to me that the bed sheets had already been used by other people: inside the bed I found several body hairs,which presence I can't explain in any other way. But finally we took the whole thing as a new experience, laughed about it and made no problems. I'm just telling you because I think you should be aware of these disfunctions. The other hotels in Buthan were all very good, we can only recommend them. The Amankora was extremely nice, but overpriced, it's true. Anyway Christian wanted to see it, a study visit, so we were happy to be there one night. Also in Karnataka the hotels were fine. The Aiswara Fort Hotel was at the limit, but probably in this town they have nothing better to offer. On Havelock Island we had a very nice time, nature is do beautiful and the coral barrier so beautiful. We so a lot just by snorkelling. The Silver Sand was ok, but surely the Barefoot Resort would have been better for us, especially for the food (in our resort it was too indian for our bellys!). We went to Barefoot for dinner once and we can only recommend it. The only little problem we had on Havelock was that we had understood from the program that we would be met by somebody both at Port Blair Airport and at Havelock's harbour. So we waited quite a bit, before organising ourselves on our own. If we had known that from the beginning, it would have made it easier. In reality it's nothing complicated, just take a taxi. The guides and drivers were all very good: Tandin Tshering, a specialist of Buddhism, and Gudu, perfect driver, in Buthan, Sridhar in Karnataka, very nice, competent and helpfull people. We remember them with a lot of pleasure. The one-day guide in Kolkata, Mr. Samik Kumar Ray, was extremely competent, it was really interesting to spend some time with him. We wish to thank you for having arranged so well this tour for us, which will leave a strong print in our memories and hearts. Please,extend our thanks to all the guides and drivers, who made all what they could to make us happy.Friendly regards, Actually I hadn't thought you would want to put our comments on your website, we had meant them for your business only, especially the critics. But if you wish I'll rearrange the text so it will be suitable for the website.I think I forgot to underline how perfect the agent's representatives were both in Kolkata and in Bangalore. When I suddenly had to go back to Italy, the representative of the local agency insisted to accompany me to the airport, find the flight, find a hotel where to spend the waiting time, he was really great. Although I'm used to travel a lot on my own, I realized how things in that occasion would have been much more diificult without his help. And all that was not included in the package !! - Cecilia and Christian Bauer

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Linda and Mark Luftig

Rajasthan and north India Tour ( 10 Feb- 04 March 2009) Dear Amit, Things have been very busy since we have returned. Today is really the first change I've had to write to you. I promised to provide you with feedback about our trip. In short, the trip was sensational! Every detail was planned and executed to perfection. Windhorse: Windhorse Tours did an outstanding job of planning our trip every step of the way. We travel internationally annually. This was the best planned of any trip we have ever taken. Ugen Tshering was a wonderful help to us as we began putting the details for the trip together. It certainly was an asset for us to be able to deal with someone in the US who we could talk to on the phone. Our hotels: All 13 of our hotels were pleasant, clean and well appointed. Check-in and check-out was always smooth and obviously well planned. We do have some favorites - The Lalit in Delhi was a beautiful and welcoming spot after a grueling trip. It refreshed us and was very beautiful. The Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bikaner is fantastic. Our room was out of a fairy tale. Khimsar Fort was probably our favorite. The setting is so fantastic and every detail makes you believe you are living the life of a maharajah. Shiv Niwas Palace in Udaipur was fabulous. Our room was very large, well located and lovely. Taj Hai Mahal in Jodpur. Thank you for recommending this change to our plan. We thought the hotel was first rate. Transfers and and city guides: Flawless. We never had a moment's concern. We were always aware that Windhorse was looking after us. Vikas Chauhan. Vikas had been recommended to us by our friends Dick and Joan Keiser who had traveled with Windhores in September 2007. Vikas was our guide and companion for 17 wonderful days. He enriched the trip immeasurably. He provided us with so much incredible information, not only about the sites, but also about Indian history, society and culture. Every long car ride was an opportunity for learning. Each day had a specific theme. One day the caste system; another marriage customs; Hindu deities; Jainism.... I could go on and on. We enjoyed every day we spent with Vikas. He took extremely good care of us. He also surprised us with several unanticipated and interesting stops along the way such as the Karni Mata Temple, Osian, Chittorgarh Fort, Akbrar's Tomb and Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb among others. We were surprised and delighted when Vikas picked us up at the airport upon our return from Varanasi and had more treats in store for us as we awaited our late night flight home. We feel extremely lucky to have had him as our guide and would recommend him highly to anyone interested in travel in India. Our driver for the Rajasthan portion, Budh Ram, was very accomplished and professional. We knew we were in good hands. Dr. Shailesh Tripalthi was our guide in Varanasi. Also recommended to us by the Keisers. We appreciate your efforts in arranging for him to guide us. He is an archaeologist, a priest, a palm reader and an astrologer. A very interesting character who has guided celebrities in the past. He enriched our trip to Varanasi a great deal. Thanks again for your wonderful work. Please feel free to use our names as references. We'd be happy to talk to anyone who has an interest.

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Chham and Susan Sekhon

Dear Santosh We just wanted to say a very big 'thank you' on behalf of ourselves and the other intrepid explorers. We really had a fantastic trip and everyone said that it really has been an experience of a life time. You did an excellent job putting it all together and everything just ran like clockwork.

What can we say about our Tour Director except that he was just wonderful. He did a first class job, under difficult circumstances sometimes. One of our travellers was not the easiest to deal with. Good hearted but almost always cantankerous, in America never mind India. You did a good job for your company when you found him and I am sure he will promote and enhance your business in the years ahead Nothing was ever too much trouble and whatever anyone needed he dealt with it, no matter what it was. He has a great sense of humour and we all felt a little sad at having to say goodbye to him.

If we had any complaints at all, it was the bus .The seating was not really wide enough for two to sit comfortably and its suspension left a great deal to be desired. Having said that the driver and co-driver were just excellent and took great care of us all.

Santosh, if you do as good a job for everyone travelling with you, then the future success of your business is assured. Many thanks again and if you need any testimonials, just let us know. We will pass your card to our travel consultant here and if she has anyone wanting to travel to India she can make contact with you.

We will be back again in October/November and we are not sure at the moment whether we will just come for the wedding or stay a while and see the South. Maybe take a driver and just have a general look around or arrange with you a tour. Either way, we will see you in Delhi on our way through.

Oh, I must remember to thank you for the wonderful accommodation you provided in the Oberoi. It was truly magnificent and really made our anniversary one never to be forgotten. It is in my future calendar to make a another visit to the Oberoi and of course the Taj Mahal. I expected it to be beautiful but I think you have to see it to believe it. Photographs are one thing but they can't even begin to match the spectacle of seeing it with your own eyes.

We will stay in touch and let you know our travel arrangements when we have a firm date for the wedding. Our very best wishes to you and to your family