Moderate walking on varied surfaces, with some long days and regular ascents / descents.
The season for this holiday is:
15 September 2019 - 10 May 2020
15 September 2020 - 25 December 2020
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If you like Indian food and great hiking, then this is the holiday for you. Like other reviewers, we were somewhat apprehensive about it, but our fears were ungrounded. The walking was well within our capabilities (we are fit 57 and 65), though some of the paths were narrow, steep and occasionally a bit slippery and we were glad to have our walking poles. Negotiating Delhi train station for the early morning train was fine, it was very quiet, though the coolie insisted on 400 rupees for our two rucksacks, which was double the amount we were expecting it to be... There is a lot of food on the train - don't be fooled as we were, in thinking that the first thing you are served is all you are going to get. It comes at intervals through the journey (both ways).
We booked an extra day at Khali Estate to recover from the long journey (someone else's tip). It's a lovely peaceful place with fabulous views, but don't expect luxury.
The weather was warm dry for all our walking, but we had thunder storms with heavy rain and even hail on several evenings. Be warned - it really does get very cold as soon as the sun has gone down (we were there late Feb/early March), but once in bed with a hot water bottle it was very cosy. We stayed in all the villages except Matkanya, which was having repairs done. This meant a very long, slow and winding 55k drive to see the temples at Jageshwar - not really our 'thing' - and not worth the hours in the car. We didn't know it was so far away.
Tips:
Take soap (again, a previous reviewer's tip) as there wasn't always some in the guest houses.
Travel cutlery could be useful for the picnics if you aren't handy with a chapatti (we weren't...).
A head torch - most of the time there was electricity, but the lights are a bit dim for reading and not always in the right place.
Plenty of reading matter or other things to do - supper is early evening and everyone goes to bed around 8/8.30!
Don't get an Indian sim card for your phone - it was bliss being out of contact and free from the tyranny of the mobile! The guides have mobiles.
This was a great holiday, we loved almost everything about it. Thank you Inntravel and Village Ways.
This was first and foremost definitely the “Holiday of a Lifetime”! It was not without some trepidation that we left for a 5wk stay in various parts of the subcontinent especially, from my point of view the first 10-day section, walking from village to village in Binsar. Considering my age (68), a rather dodgy right knee, slight breathlessness due to altitude and being quite a bit less fit than my husband, I managed pretty well. I would, however, strongly recommend walking poles if you do have any knee issues etc, they helped enormously.
Before leaving for India I had become anxious that I might have bitten off more than I could chew but, as it happened, that was far from the case and I really enjoyed this mini-adventure. I was travelling solo. Booking with Inntravel was easy and friendly. The accommodation in Delhi was fine - with good rooftop dinners at the Colonel's Retreat 2 - and the train ride and subsequent 4 hour car ride were both interesting and exciting. The walking was just about right for me - a 66 year old; not too easy and not too tough. Most days we would leave around 10am and would arrive at our destination around 3pm. The accommodation in the villages was basic but fine - all the guest houses are of a similar design. It is worth emphasing that the toilet and shower facilities are not en suite so a torch is essential and travelling with a spare bar of soap is advisable. The only hiccup was the failure of the Village Ways car to arrive on time to take me from my Delhi hotel to the airport on my way home. It arrived over an hour late by which time I had oredered - and subsequently took - a taxi, at my own expense. This was a frustrating and unwelcome way to end an otherwise most enjoyable holiday, which I would gladly recommend.
If you like Indian food and great hiking, then this is the holiday for you. Like other reviewers, we were somewhat apprehensive about it, but our fears were ungrounded. The walking was well within our capabilities (we are fit 57 and 65), though some of the paths were narrow, steep and occasionally a bit slippery and we were glad to have our walking poles. Negotiating Delhi train station for the early morning train was fine, it was very quiet, though the coolie insisted on 400 rupees for our two rucksacks, which was double the amount we were expecting it to be... There is a lot of food on the train - don't be fooled as we were, in thinking that the first thing you are served is all you are going to get. It comes at intervals through the journey (both ways).
We booked an extra day at Khali Estate to recover from the long journey (someone else's tip). It's a lovely peaceful place with fabulous views, but don't expect luxury.
The weather was warm dry for all our walking, but we had thunder storms with heavy rain and even hail on several evenings. Be warned - it really does get very cold as soon as the sun has gone down (we were there late Feb/early March), but once in bed with a hot water bottle it was very cosy. We stayed in all the villages except Matkanya, which was having repairs done. This meant a very long, slow and winding 55k drive to see the temples at Jageshwar - not really our 'thing' - and not worth the hours in the car. We didn't know it was so far away.
Tips:
Take soap (again, a previous reviewer's tip) as there wasn't always some in the guest houses.
Travel cutlery could be useful for the picnics if you aren't handy with a chapatti (we weren't...).
A head torch - most of the time there was electricity, but the lights are a bit dim for reading and not always in the right place.
Plenty of reading matter or other things to do - supper is early evening and everyone goes to bed around 8/8.30!
Don't get an Indian sim card for your phone - it was bliss being out of contact and free from the tyranny of the mobile! The guides have mobiles.
This was a great holiday, we loved almost everything about it. Thank you Inntravel and Village Ways.
This was first and foremost definitely the “Holiday of a Lifetime”! It was not without some trepidation that we left for a 5wk stay in various parts of the subcontinent especially, from my point of view the first 10-day section, walking from village to village in Binsar. Considering my age (68), a rather dodgy right knee, slight breathlessness due to altitude and being quite a bit less fit than my husband, I managed pretty well. I would, however, strongly recommend walking poles if you do have any knee issues etc, they helped enormously.
Before leaving for India I had become anxious that I might have bitten off more than I could chew but, as it happened, that was far from the case and I really enjoyed this mini-adventure. I was travelling solo. Booking with Inntravel was easy and friendly. The accommodation in Delhi was fine - with good rooftop dinners at the Colonel's Retreat 2 - and the train ride and subsequent 4 hour car ride were both interesting and exciting. The walking was just about right for me - a 66 year old; not too easy and not too tough. Most days we would leave around 10am and would arrive at our destination around 3pm. The accommodation in the villages was basic but fine - all the guest houses are of a similar design. It is worth emphasing that the toilet and shower facilities are not en suite so a torch is essential and travelling with a spare bar of soap is advisable. The only hiccup was the failure of the Village Ways car to arrive on time to take me from my Delhi hotel to the airport on my way home. It arrived over an hour late by which time I had oredered - and subsequently took - a taxi, at my own expense. This was a frustrating and unwelcome way to end an otherwise most enjoyable holiday, which I would gladly recommend.
Wonderful experience but could just do with some attention to detail with regard to advice and information in the booking process.
From our first contact through the whole planning and booking process we felt valued. Our questions were answered promptly and with consideration. During our whole trip we had the impression that we were valued clients and our needs were always met with great care.
To wake up on our first morning to wonderful views of the Himalayas set us up for the whole trek. Then to be welcomed into the villages and shown how they cooked our excellent meals was a real treat. To be included in the Diwalhi celebrations in Kathdhara made us feel like family. The excitement of the feast, singing and fireworks was infectious. The welcome into the home of our guides was humbling and fascinating. We will treasure these experiences with huge affection.
No roads, no cars, no shops, no wi-fi, no tourists (except for us), guides and village hosts that tend to your every need, comfortable accommodation, excellent local food, beautiful walking trails with views of the Himalayas; this was a brilliant stress busting escape from the modern world. We soon fell into a daily routine of rising early to enjoy the early morning sun and tea on our terrace whilst watching the birds and the villagers going about their business. An excellent breakfast to set us up for the day was normally served outside and by 9, we were usually ready to say farewell to our hosts and get back on the trail. The day’s walk was generally between 3 and 5 hours on good forest paths with a few ascents on the way to get the heart pumping but nothing too arduous. A warm welcome awaited us at every village when we arrived in plenty of time to enjoy an afternoon relaxing on the terrace catching up on some reading, diary writing or wondering around taking photographs. Homemade snacks were served at tea time before we took an early evening stroll around the village to meet the locals, often stopping off at houses for tea on the way around. We would be back in time for a shower before a delicious three course dinner served to us in our own dining room. After that there was time for a quick chat with guides about the plan for the next day before settling down for the evening.
Comments in the house guest books indicated there had been quite a few rainy days between December and March. However, we did our trip in late March and it was shorts and tee shirt weather every day except for one when we did catch a rain shower towards the end of our walk which persisted during the afternoon. The temperature did drop significantly if the clouds rolled in and during the evenings and we were grateful for warm and windproof clothes on these occasions. The villagers lit a fire for us in our living area most nights and always offered us hot water bottles to take to bed; just another nice thoughful touch.
We had been thinking about this holiday for over a year before we eventually decided to do it and were really glad that we did. My advice is, if you are thinking about it, do it. It will do you good and it will do the local community good as the income that you bring will help to keep these villages alive and the local people will be really grateful for your visit.
Eight days of peace and bliss stood us in good stead for the return to Delhi and the Golden Triangle add on. We also enjoyed this completely different phase of the holiday very much, mainly because we were very well looked after by an excellent driver who was with us throughout and the very good guides that we had in Agra and Jaipur.
Finally, I must mention the staff of Village Ways who made everything happen in the right place and at the right time and the Colonel’s Retreat in Delhi, where we stayed a total of 4 nights during our various comings and goings. The staff were always there to welcome us back and make sure that we got away on time. We found it extremely comfortable and came to regard it as a little home from home in Delhi.
INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers combined Through Himalayan Foothills with our Agra 7 Jaipur add-on, plus a few nights in Delhi
Late Dec / early Jan. We were prepared for the cold, but not for the very pleasant 15-17 deg C of three days. The sun warms the air quickly when neither cold wind nor clouds are fighting it. The thought of getting out of bed in the morning was worse than the actuality of it. So much to see and enjoy. Our personal highlights were (of course) the view of the Himalaya mountains which were obscured 50% of the time by clouds; and leopard paw prints in the frost on the path between Risal and Satri. The villagers are all very welcoming but Satri will be our favourite. Their new electricity supply was installed in November. Just four households and the men too old to undertake the porterage to Gonap so two (not so young) women carried our bags to Gonap. This was one of the hardest days for climbing which they undertook it in their usual footwear - flipflops. The women always carry everything on their heads, even when the bags have ergonomic straps so please keep your luggage light.
We were 'done' by the coolies at Delhi Station because our driver didn't specifically tell us the fee included loading the bags onto the train. Make sure he has included that in their hearing.
We took 2 days site-seeing in Delhi with a guide and driver. Ruby was superb, taking us to places off the beaten tourist track such as a step-well. We learnt a lot from her. We were very moved by our visit to Mahatma Gandhi's last residence and assassination spot.
All the drivers were very good.
We have asked Village Ways to provide info about places to eat supper when staying at Lutyens Bungalow because the manager did not offer suggestions and the supper there was very bland and over-cooked, although breakfast was good.