Travel Review: India Vacation, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, Ranthambore Tiger Safari, Taj Mahal, Ellora & Ajanta Caves, Holi Festival

 This is the subject of much discussion in our group.   Highlights kept piling up as the days progressed.  

Bike tour of Jaipur. We would NEVER have braved biking in THAT traffic had it not been for our travel company's suggestion.  In addition to the fun of biking through the spice markets, we also shared breakfast in the private home of our tour guide’s parents.  We got to share the India experience with real Indians from the inside of one of those ancient pink buildings.  

Holi celebration in Jaipur. Despite being foreigners, we were so warmly welcomed and included in the pre-Holi celebration at the temple at the end of our bicycle tour.   And the next day, our hotel’s Holi party on the lawn was insane fun, and what a photo op!  But fortunately not as insane as Holi in the streets outside our hotels gates.  That might have been too much for us first timers. 

The wild tigers at Ranthambhore.  So many feelings... the serenity of seeing so many wild animals in their natural environment.   My appreciation that India set aside all this land to care for these magnificent creatures. Moments of excitement and actual fear!  When I think back on tracking tigers for hours, then suddenly being surprised by their nearness, I get emotional with the power of that amazing moment.  

How is it possible that the Taj Mahal can live up to all the hyperbole?  But it does!  It is indeed the most beautiful building on Earth. 

The children of India are so sweet and friendly, particularly those in the village program we toured en route from Delhi to jaipur.  I will always remember their happiness and joy, despite living in such poverty.   

The caves of Ajanta and Ellora were stunning.  How is it nobody’s ever heard of them in America? We need to invent a better word than “cave” to describe them.  

I’d like to call our a few individuals who really went above and beyond the already excellent standards of your staff.  Our first driver took excellent care of us, and kept the van stocked with bottled water, snacks, Kleenex, hand wipes, TP,  anything we might need.  He made our van a sanctuary from the crazy crowded unknown.  The Delhi rep who got our passports personally couriered to us in Jaipur. Our Ranthambhore tiger guide. We saw 3 tigers, and some groups saw none. He is the Tiger Whisperer.   All our our guides were very excellent, educated, and accommodating.  We particularly enjoyed the guides in Delhi,   Agra,  and aurangabad.