6 independent reviews for Central India vacation, culture and wildlife
Reviews for Central India vacation, culture and wildlife
Rossol Bourisli review 9 Mar 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The hotels.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take light snacks the Indian food was heavy for us all.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent.Barry Hunter review 13 Mar 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing tigers at Bandhavgarh and staying in some wonderful accommodation.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Avoid the cities as much as possible (very difficult though as that's essential to get flights etc!!) Be prepared for the early morning starts for the game drives3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, produce bought from local villagers and people employed from the villages at the various places we stayed. Green/Eco approaches in the rural areas.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was terrific!!Louise Knop review 16 Jan 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It was the first time we had travelled to India and we were on a mission to see see the wildside of India. Our first tiger encounter is something we will never forget It was amazing2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
For people traveling to national parks and safaris to always have a packet of antibacterial wipes and tissues/toliet paper if female!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes we did as the operators are very considerate of using local when they can and of reducing the impact of the guests traveling with them even through small things like recycled packing for packed lunches etc Also their coice of accomodation was always with both conservation and low enviromental impact in mind4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a great vacation and nothing was too much for Saurabh. The operator managed to fulfill our wishlist of wildlife experiences in Central India in our limited timeframeClaire Martin review 29 Apr 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Satpura National Park was really beautiful and, although less chance of seeing a tiger than at Khana, the wildlife was abundant and less visitors made the experience more personal. Seeing a sloth bear was a real highlight! It was also really special to be able to learn more about the Baiga people and be welcomed into their homes... from chatting with the children to being shown how to make garlic leaf pancakes. We were accompanied by Saurabh who was a fantastic naturalist & guide, answering all sorts of queries from birds to rock art and ensuring that all the arrangements went smoothly. All of the lodge owners were very welcoming and provided the best hospitality, introducing us to the local villagers and ensuring we were well fed and watered. Don’t even get me started on the delicious food!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don’t be put off by flight prices. If you can’t get a cheap through ticket to these destinations then there are plenty of low cost airlines that you can use for the internal flights. This means you can easily have some time in Delhi, Calcutta or Mumbai as well if you want. We had a few days in Mumbai which provided a fascinating contrast to Central India. My friend had never been to India before but this area is a great introduction as the traveling is easy and hassle free. Similarly, if you’ve travelled quite a bit in India, this area is very unique so well worth a visit. We had to do a bit of a whislestop tour due to time constraints but try to spend a good few days in each area, particularly the national parks to maximize your sightings and so you can try some different game experiences .. canoeing, walking etc. Try to allow some time for walking in the Maikal hills & cycling too. Oh... and the usual stuff, mozzie repellant, hat, sunblock etc but top tip is to book it!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the tour was designed to benefit the local people as much as possible and responsible tourism is at the heart of the operators ethos. Since tourism is not well developed in this area they are passionate about doing it properly. Lodges were carefully selected for their eco credentials and two of the three lodges even employed / paid their staff off season to keep families together in the villages. Festivities and birthdays were celebrated in the villages so everyone could enjoy them with dancing and cake and advice was given on cultural etiquette, tips etc, when needed which was handy. There is still very little tourism here and, since we were always visiting locally owned accommodations, stalls etc you could see how visiting in this way provided direct benefit. Likewise visiting the national parks helps keep them open and support the conservation of tigers and the endangered wildlife.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
5 stars all round. The vacation was so unique .......... busy, relaxing, fun, massively interesting and a huge privilege.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for the review and giving us an opportunity to show you our part of the world. We hope to see you again in central India soon.
Thanks again.
Chinkara Team
Rosy Everitt review 11 Apr 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Where to start!?! Highlights have to be the Puri ceremony at the temple at Bhoramdeo (not for the feint hearted). The abundance of amazing home cooked, freshly prepared, organic food. The local market at Neur, which was beautifully vibrant and colourful. The train ride was a great experience...it was all fabulous!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Go. Central India doesn't get as much hype as other more well know areas such as the Agra (Taj Mahal) and Goa but if you are looking for a taste of true India away from the tourist trail, you want to eat (lots of) amazing food and meet some wonderful people this is the place to go.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely. Every care has been taken to ensure that the local communities benefit. The accommodations we used all employ local people and have really strong relationships with the staff and their families. We used all local transport, spent money in local shops, stalls and restaurants. We met and interacted with people. The parks are there purely for conservation purposes and the accommodations in the park respect and work in harmony with the environment. There was not one moment where I thought what we were doing was damaging to people or the land.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Brilliant!!! A perfect introduction to India.Anita Hooper review 11 Nov 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We spent 2 weeks in India, with a 4 day trip to Kanha National Park which was organised by the provider. The companies owners went completely out of their way to organise the trip, and to ensure that they met us. The organisation and their communication with us was seamless. Our 3 night stay in Kanha was amazing - Jehan & Katie were wonderful hosts & even managed to contact their Dr in Mumbai, and organise antibiotics for me when I developed a severe ear infection/ perforated ear-drum (not related to my stay with them)! Raj the resident naturalist took us on 4 safari trips - his knowledge & passion about wildlife was infectious - we also saw 4 tigers: quite something considering it was October, when tigers are probably hardest to spot. We briefly visited a jungle retreat in the Maikkal Hills where Sunny laid on a wonderful lunch. I can’t possibly chose one aspect of this - the whole package was amazing2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Please do speak to the tour operator about options for your trip. They will tailor your stay to your requirements & organise both travel & accomodation. They are incredibly helpful & will ensure that you have the most amazing vacation3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, this was made clear to us when we booked our stay. I know that our operator, and where we stayed all ensuure that they support and sponsor local people. The accomodation is envirnonmentally-friendly & they only promote eco-tourism/ conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Absolutely amazing in all respects. Not only would I recommend this to my friends, but would love to re-visit for a longer period of time/ visit other places. Thank you so much to everyone involved in making our vacation so memorable :)Holiday Reviews
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