Tales of Survival

A few thoughts from some of  the travellers that have joined us over the years,

An Unforgetable Experience
We had an amazing time travelling to many citys and towns in India with
Hello India Tours.
The service provided by our knowledgleable guide Sam was simply outstanding.
The hotel and restaurant selections were superb, affording us comfort and at the same time allowing us to experience the real India.
Highly recommended!
Alan and Frances, August 2018

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India is a country of massive contradictions and extremes. One moment you are driving through the chaos of cities and the next you are sitting in the desert watching the sun set, seeing a caravan of camels against the horizon. So many beautiful memories and special moments. 

Thanks Sam for such a life changing experience in India. I cannot imagine this trip without your expertise and guidance. A huge array of daily activities and sights that were so foreign to us but you always made us feel comfortable about the whole experience. I would not have had the understanding or appreciation of so many sites without your guidance.

Luke, November 2017

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Cows in India

The 2017 Hello India tour was excellent. Bravo!
There was little to worry about from the beginning. Visas to vaccines, travel itineraries to toiletries…… …the information was clearly presented in a timely manner.
The journey itself is hard to describe, I guess that is why you go. I’m sure everybody takes away something from each moment, each day and each week. A sensory overload? A sensory explosion? I’m still reeling from these interactions. I still can’t seem to define such an amazing place.
What I do know is the tour was superbly organized. The varied daily activities were always in place, the small group was informed and readied from breakfast to dinner. Sam was ready to go! I loved this aspect. The locals were so very friendly. I never felt threatened and the group I travelled with are now friends for life. Silks, spices, jewellery, clothes and amazing food are all on the list as well!
This was a fantastic and authentic hands on experience………. intense at times but well worth the effort!

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever”. Mahatma Gandhi.

Pedro, November 2017

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People burning oil lamps as religious ritual in Hindu temple. InGangaur Festival-Jaipur

Phil and I would like to say a big thank you to Sam from Hello India Tours for organising and planning an extensive and thorough itinerary of India for us. From the North to the South of India, no detail was left behind.

Sam organised flights, excellent and affordable accommodation, local guides and drivers. Sam made excellent suggestions of fantastic places to eat to avoid the dreaded Delhi Belly. Sam was available to us the whole time we were on tour. We felt very supported and knew if we had any concerns Sam was there for us. Thank you. We had a fabulous time in crazy India.

Jo and Phil – March 2017

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Hello India’s “blended” experience plays out like it reads on the box. As I write this review from a villa in Bali where 20 staff attend to the 17 guests on a by the minute basis I’m compelled to reflect on what’s missing, and here it is – Soul. The dizzying highs and epic lows of Hello India’s blended tour is what makes them the Beyoncé of authentic travel. Chief guide Sam’s passion and knowledge of India ensure you will happily tick an item off the bucket list but more than likely be keen for another adventure.  

Hot tip: Collect as much toilet paper as possible including stealing it from the air plane. It is under subscribed even in the best places and should you not need it for personal use it can also act as a premium barter product with fellow travellers.

Mr Scott, March 2016

GetAttachment[1]Palm tree tropical forest in backwater of Kochin, Kerala, India
I travelled with three girlfriends to India in November 2013. Sam helped us to plan our trip and was so helpful! Over a bottle of red wine and a giant map of India we explored what kind of experience we were hoping to have, what our options and travel times would be like and what to avoid. Sam was so knowledgable and accommodating – it made planning our trip a breeze. Sam is the Guru of Australia meets India travel!
 
Jenna, April 2014
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We had a fantastic time over there in 2014. Sam really showed us the real India. Whether you want to slum it or 5 star it around India Sam will guide you the whole way and make it the most enjoyable and intriguing holiday you’ll ever have.
I enjoyed it so much I’m going back next year for the Twenty 20 Cricket World Cup with him.
Damien, October 2014
varanasi in indiaIndigenous Indian Man Herding The SheepDelhi Driver
Our tour was a fantastic experience. We went from Mumbai down to Kerala and enjoyed it all. The food, hotels and tours were all excellent. Our best experiences were those where we met and connected with some of the beautiful Indian people along the way. We are looking forward to taking on the North of India in the future. I strongly recommend that you use Hello India Tours, they know what they are doing and sometimes in India you need a little help from someone you can trust!
Libby, November 2013
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Some thoughts on India
Early one morning in Udaipur I walked past my travelling companions at breakfast to visit the Ambrai Ghat – the stairs leading down into the Pichola, closest to the Amet Haveli.
After the frenetic pace of Delhi, Udaipur was a welcome rest and this particular moment was peaceful in the cool morning. The only people around me were the local religious men bathing on the ghat steps in their lungis.
Whilst standing near the water’s edge taking photos of the wonderful Taj Lake Palace (made famous in Bond movie Octopussy) and the Rajisthani hills, I was joined by a young lady taking pictures as well.  She was very careful to wait until the men had finished bathing as propriety insists.
Much to my surprise one of the men spoke to us but as I didn’t understand I tried to smile and started to turn and leave. However, the lady called out after me and said, “Hi, he says if we want to take pictures from the top of the temple we can – the view is much better there. Do you want to go?”
“Sure”, I said and smiled back at the man who collected his clothes and led us to the temple entrance.
Making our way through the holy place we climb the well-trodden stairs and walk through a rickety makeshift door onto the roof.
We were the only ones there besides a few pigeons, and the view from the roof was fantastic.
However, it wasn’t the view or the photos that I took that made this memorable.  It was the kindness and openness of India and it’s people that sticks with me.  I was pensive on the roof.  Being mindful of the moment and forgetting about the future.
That is India.
My Tips for Survival:
  1. It’s not your country or way of life when you’re in someone else’s country.  It’s not wrong…it’s different – so open your mind.
  2. Don’t take a watch.  It’s not worth worrying about time.
  3. Take paper copies of everything.
  4. Learn to barter
  5. Don’t take much…you won’t need it.  If you do need something you’ll buy it there.
  6. Smile at everyone.  It doesn’t cost you anything unless it’s at beggars in which case you’ll probably lose your shirt.

Mr T, March 2016