Add us to those who thought this tour was excellent! We had some wonderful sightings of tigers as so well described by John and Joan. Before we decided to use Explore in our quest for tigers we had investigated taking a "private" trip through the tiger parks. We do not think it could have been any better or more successful (in tiger sightings) than this Explore tour. Now having said that anyone contemplating this tour must remember that tiger sightings depend upon the skill of guides but even more so, on just sheer "luck"...being in the right place at the right time and there is a chance that this may not come to be. Just be prepared for this eventuality. The National Parks were wonderful with lots of wildlife and great photo ops. Be prepared for very early starts to enter the parks. We had not anticipated just how cold it was in the mornings and evenings; we should have taken more warm clothing. The "roads" on the game drives can be rough; be ready to be bounced around a bit. Apart from those magnificent tigers and other wildlife the tour included many oportunities to see and participate in the cultural side of India. We highly recommend this very well rounded experience of India.

This was a truly memorable holiday.The people of India are very friendly and make you feel very welcome.The temples were very impressive and steeped in history.The promise of varied wildlife were the main reasons for choosing this holiday, and we were not disapointed, with many spicies of birds, also deer langur gaur and crocodiles. Seeing all of these were special,but the tiger sightings were beyond our expectations,it was brilliant,after two really good tiger sightings made possible by the expert knowledgeof the safari guide and driver, we had the added bonus of our tour leader also being an expert on understanding animal signs and alarm calls.Our trip highlight being, under guidence of our tour leader we drove a long way into the jungle in Kanah N.P. and were eventually rewarded with a 20 minute encounter with a male tiger at close quaters.Our tour leader said you wont get better than this,he was so right his efforts throughout this holliday made this a brilliant holiday

The review by TJT - 10 Mar 2011 is excellent.  We would fully endorse it and couldn't hope to phrase it better.  But we would like to add a few comments.    A large part of our pleasure and memories have come from interaction with the local communities.  We visited a local village, watched a potter, intermingled with travelling Rajasthani people, stopped at a small religious community and joined in with local dancers amongst other things.    India is a large and varied country and its people are as exciting and colourful as the birds and animals that live there too. (WS - 8th April 2011)

A lovely trip for wildlife.  There is such a wide variety of easy-to-see birds and animals.  They'd probably seem common to Indians, but for me they were exotic,  and it starts right in Delhi with numerous Black Kites circling over the parks.  Getting some close-up pictures of tigers was obviously a bonus over merely seeing them, but that's down to luck as well as the skill of your drivers and guides, as with all wildlife.  There are plenty of other treats such as Barasingha and other deer, Gaur, Langur, crocodiles, hawks, owls, TreePies, kingfishers, Orioles, butterflies and dragonflies; and if you're very,  very lucky, wild cats and Baloo.  Try not to concentrate so much on seeing a tiger that you don't appreciate all the rest that's around you.  You have to like spectacular ancient temples and palaces with magnificent views too.  The Laxmi temple above Orchha is worth the walk to see it's murals.  The less well known but excellent Kanha is a more relaxed reserve, and its shop (only visited at breakfast time) is also good value for those late presents.  Don't expect luxury in the wilds of rural India, but it's comfortable enough, there is plenty of variety of Indian food, and the train journeys are also an important part of the Indian experience. (WS 26th November - 2010).

Seeing a tiger in the wild, just  sat in the road watching all the people take her photo at Ranthambore was the highlight of the trip, and that was only the first of our tiger safari's.  The Western Temples were amazing, and the guide was brilliant at pointing out the unusual carvings.  You need to understand that India is not as developed as the UK, and some of the sights in the countryside are a bit of a shock.  It would be good if the government could work on the conditions for the poorer people of India. (WS - 7th January 2011)

Highlights was obviously seeing 11 tiger siteings. How hard it was to find the tigers. Advice be prepared for long rought journeys between reserves and do not be too disappointed if you do not see the tigers as the trip before us did not see any. (WS - 26th November 2010)

The highlights were spotting and seeing at close quarters a tiger. Just magnificient animals. The friendliness of Indian people and their support for tourists. A nice sized group of 12 persons and a terrific leader who went out of his way to help all of us whether it be illness or alteration in tour stops etc. All in all a great experience with Explore. (WS - 22nd October 2010)

Seeing a tiger - wow. Husband was lucky to have seen 2 tigers!!! (WS- 24th December 2009)