Maharajah Tours Ltd

Positive experience: India - What a place, Maharajah Tours gives a great first time look at this busy, colourfuland eclectic country. Pictured the remains of a funeral pyre on the banks of the Ganges River at Varanasi, India's holiest city.

Positive experience: Great trip. Wide variety of experiences. Craig took the hassle out of traveling in India, and was ever cheerful. Great value for money.

Fantastic experience: Craig loves India, its people and culture and he shared that love with our group on his India North/South trip. His joyful presence enabled his party of 18 to experience this magical country in all its diverse, colourful life. From the great city of Delhi with its history of multi-colonial takeovers, to the peaceful waterways of Kerela in the South, every day was glorious.

Positive experience: It has been a long time coming to join Craig, Maharajah tours and tick off the last biggy to India. Craig had kept me in touch with tours for quite a few years and finally all the ducks were lined up and I joined the October 2024 north and south tour. India was everything I had hoped it would be and Maharajah tours certainly facilitated that expectation. There is a good balance of experiences and accommodation. Just when I thought I couldn’t be more surprised and delighted, it happened cruising the Kerala waterways. I have travelled in groups through different parts of the world. I found the group of all Kiwis and all around my age group to be the best I have travelled with. I appreciated Craig’s experience and support when needed.

Fantastic experience: My experience on this North and South India tour far exceeded my expectations. Craig is a great organiser and communicator. As well as top class hotels and superb food, we had excellent guides for the site visits and plenty of personal time for markets and relaxation. Too many highlights to pick from but the sparkling roof top cooking class in Udaipur was memorable. As well as an informative, well run tour, it was a wonderful luxury holiday. I loved every minute. Thank you.

Positive experience: Great small group tours, everything is taken care of you just relax and enjoy the journey

Negative experience: Perhaps it was your lack of customer service, if it's taken you 2 years to respond, it just confirms terrible communication and a huge big lack of customer service. You proved it by your lack of response to initial contact and late response to my review. Pity the people who travel with you. End of discussion. Namaste

Fantastic experience: Great range in the shop and priced well

Fantastic experience: This trip had been on my bucket list for a while and it covered a big area to travel. I had no expectations for this trip keeping an open mind that this country's diversity and culture had many differences that I would normally be use to. My trip started with a organised transfer to the hotel to meet the guide and other members of the group. Many of us who travel are so conformed to western tradition that travelling in a country like this where the rules are very different can be confronting. Flying in this country I found its best to firstly listen to the guides instructions and check with them about any queries as scheduling is very tight. Travelling by bus had its own complexity such as varied road maintenance in different areas can cause delays. Towns with road changes that weren't there before or have a public procession on the roads that can cause delays for hour's, but all out of the control of the guide or the driver. This can be a stressful on the group but it was also an opportunity to observe what was happening around us which became great topics of discussion, especially with shops and signage. One of the most eye opening discussions is the road rules with traffic driving on the same side back towards you, and load size that almost ran you off the road yo get around them. Accommodation on the trip I found to be a mix of the old and the new, normally a story accompanied with interesting aspects associated with the culture's, food, and history. The hotels ranged from modern with most aspects meeting western expectations to well established hotels being brought into the modern era, and then some more traditional hotels with less modern convenience such as a elevator. All rooms I can confirm were spacious, self contained, and with aircon and even wifi. Food during the trip I found to vary greatly and did look to guidance from the tour guide as I had advised them on allergies and dislikes . This didn't mean that I would try something new as I believe that you don't know if you don't try. I did find that some food with cultural tradition in the western world can taste very different to the area's we visited and had the same dish in that area. I found my taste buds varied from most in the group and asking for the dish to be more spicy did not mean adding more heat. The dishes have a blend of spices for the area so more spices meant more pronounced flavours. I had learnt to ask for a side dish of fresh chillies or sauce or dishes that specifically used chilli. Shopping is very personal and I do advise to check with the guide. There is alot to choose from and in most cases it becomes a business transaction over a drink with staff parading multiple design's and colors. It can be a group discussion or one on one which you would need to be sure about your purchase as it becomes who is the best negotiator . If you are a seasoned negotiator this is for you and again the guide will advise on rules if there's any. Many item's that are oversized or too heavy for luggage can be negotiated to be home delivered with insurance cover. My overall trip meet my expectations with variety, culture, food, and unique experiences.

Fantastic experience: We had an amazing tour through Rajasthan in December 2017 for just shy on 2 weeks. Quite the most impressive trip I have ever taken - stayed in places I could never have found, ate in places I would never have known existed! All up a lifetime notable event!

Fantastic experience: This was the trip of a lifetime. We were so well looked after by our guides who are passionate about sharing their love of India. They made us feel like part of their family while introducing us to the bustling, colourful, often surprising and enchanting, historic but modern, carefully organised chaos that this country is famous for . The accommodation was beautiful and ranged from home stays to palaces. We saw the breathtaking Taj Mahal with the very best local guide. We saw amazing old forts and temples but we did not stay only on the well beaten tourist tracks. We got a taste of village life and witnessed the huge impact the different religions have on everyday life firsthand. The food was unbelievably good and in plentiful supply. We even were shown how to look after ourselves as future more independent tourists with tips on bargaining and the local culture. I highly recommend Marigold tours and I would go again in a heartbeat.

Fantastic experience: A small tour group, staying in amazing authentic places especially in Rajhastan. Local guide very knowledgeable and consistently keeping an eye out for us all..

Fantastic experience: In January 2019 I was part of a group of 12 women who toured India with Craig. The itinerary was great, we saw and experienced a huge amount in the three weeks we were there - from sites, historic areas, beautiful parts of India, shopping, shopping and shopping as well as experienced some of the culture including an evening dressed in Saris with live indian music while we ate in a hotel that just catered for our group. All very special. Craig smoothed the way with his relationships and knowledge of the country and the hotels. At times I was aware he was busy on the phone, but from my end there was never a issue. Cheryl also was a huge support for our personal needs, her services were provided quietly and efficiently - it was great to have her support. They are a great team. India was not my first choice destination, but after the time there with Craig and Cheryl it is right up there - a must see part of the world.