Temples and tigers: Adventures through India

Our tour leader was incredible. He accommodated our needs, like if someone wanted to see or do something extra, and answered what felt like every question we asked him - we all wondered how he remembered so much! Having a tour leader who knows what's going on makes all the difference on a small group tour to a new destination.

Everything we ate and drank was really, really delicious. We tucked into authentic, local food for breakfast, lunch and dinner - it's rare to see any Western options. I already liked Indian cuisine so I knew I would love tasting my way through the food and drink in India. Most Indian cuisine is vegetarian and it was clearly pointed out what each dishes were, as it's typically served buffet-style. I'm a vegetarian and I'd recommend India to other vegetarian travellers. Our tour leader also guided us on how to eat the different dishes.

One afternoon in Jaipur, a few of us visited the local market. Jaipur is such a beautiful city anyway, but strolling around the markets and visiting the shops was a really special, authentic moment - it was very joyful.
 

We stayed at a variety of properties, which are chosen based on their location and authenticity. My favourite place we stayed in was the traditional haveli in Jaipur. It's like a palace and felt super luxurious, and all of the staff were really lovely and made us feel at home.

Dynamic. When I first arrived in India it felt a little overwhelming, but once I'd settled in, I got used to the pace and environment. I remember the first day feeling like I didn't know what was happening, but you soon get used to it, and you'll enjoy it much more if you just embrace it!