India is certainly a feast for the senses. I recently returned from a wonderful two week women only India tour that I planned with my tour operator in Delhi. The entire trip was a success and everyone had a unique and unforgettable experience as we were cared for exceptionally well from our landing in Mumbai to our departure from Delhi. Our guides and drivers were knowledgeable and varied in personalities helping us enjoy each place we visited.  We were always met by a local representative who helped us check into hotels and airports. We had so much fun and being all women, we had definitely supported the India economy.  We had bottled water on the van and a second person who helped and was learning the roads. My tour companions were impressed with the relationship I have with my Delhi contacts who called me several times to ensure all was going well. I know from clients that I have sent to India that this was not a special service just for me. Whenever any of my clients go to India, the tour operator in Delhi always contacts them and then me to inform me of their well being.

We arrived in Mumbai and had a short city tour the next morning before flying to Aurangabad where we saw the Ellora and Ajanta caves. Ajanta caves were built between the 2^nd century B.C. and the 6^th century A.D. There are 29 Buddhist caves filled with paintings and sculpture. Ellora was built between the 6^th and 11^th century A.D. There are 34 Buddhist, Jain and Hindu caves with magnificent architecture and sculptures. What is so impressive is that these caves were all hand carved.  It is unimaginable that people could actually do this!  Then we flew to Delhi and did the Golden Triangle that included Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. I have seen the Taj Mahal a few times but every time I see it, I am awed. My memory and pictures do not do it justice. It is quite a magnificent site and depending upon the time of day, the refection of the light makes it even more beautiful. It is really a must see place to visit in one’s lifetime. After Agra, we drove to Jaipur, the pink city, the gateway to the Rajasthan tour part of our trip. The Mughal forts and palaces with their long and interesting histories are fascinating. We also visited Jaisalmer which I found so exotic, Jodhpur, the blue city, and Udaipur, a beautiful city on Lake Picchola. We also spent a night in a tented luxury camp in the Thar Desert surrounded by sand dunes. I loved this place. It was so quiet and peaceful which is so unusual for India. We took a camel ride and saw the village houses nearby. Next time, I would spend more than one night. But of course, there is so much to see and do in India and like most things so little time.

I feel India is a country all westerners should visit. India always touches my soul and has a very special place in my heart. I keep revisiting in my mind what I saw and experienced. It is a country of such contrasts, so rich in many ways yet so poor in other ways. But what is constant is the warmth and hospitality of the Indian people. Visiting India will make you view life differently. If you decide to tour India, I am sure that Geringer Global Travel will provide you with an experience filled with all that is special and fascinating about this wonderful country…….with expertise and great care.