Odysseys Unlimited winter tour called Mystical India

Hi Karen,

My husband and I will be doing this tour with the extension to Nepal in November. Our trip will coincide with the Pushkar Camel Fair. We are very excited about this trip. The itinerary for this tour seems very well rounded and will give us a varied experience. While I can’t comment on this tour in particular as we haven’t been yet, we have traveled with Odysseys several times. They are an excellent tour company and we have had zero complaints. Most of the participants on the tours we have been on with Odysseys skew from their fifties to seventies. They are usually very well traveled and educated. When were you planning on going?

Replying to Mary: It would be January 12-28 with Tufts University's alumni Travel-Learn program. 25 people, which seems a lot to me, but that seems typical. I would expect this group to also be well-educated, well-travelled, and on the older side. I don't think I would try visiting India on our own. Considering the extension to Nepal since it takes so long to get there in the first place, but that makes it a pretty long trip overall. Are you using their air arrangements? I read that it might be better to arrange to get to/from Delhi on our own, especially since we will try to fly as much of the trip as possible in premium economy instead of economy. I'd be happy to hear anything more you have learned about the trip overall. Thanks for your first reply.

Tom, I just looked at the brochure again and, yes, getting to/from Varanasi is by plane. All the rest seems to be by private motorcoach. I agree with your point about the high-end hotels and about the obvious advantages. Same thing about not experiencing the trains, with advantages of private bus. I've read that the trains are quite a rich cultural experience! Happy to hear an more input.

Hi Karen,

Our group will be limited to 12 people. We have booked our own air as Odysseys only does economy or business and we wanted premium economy. My husband is becoming the expert on this trip right now so I will have to get caught up to him. We are watching a lot of YouTube videos together to learn about the street food in India and Nepal which looks amazing. I am excited about this trip and hope to be able to see the Himalayas while we are in Nagarkot, Nepal. I can tell you that you will be in very good hands with Odysseys. They really are concerned about your health and well being on tour and I have personally witnessed this on their tours. I wish I could tell you more about the India trip. I hope someone else will chime in who has been to India with Odysseys.

Good to hear about Odysseys. And your 12 sounds better than my 25. I may have to inquire about alternatives for us. The Tufts Alumni trip has the additional feature of an accompanying faculty member with relevant personal experience and academic expertise.
Agreed about premium economy for getting to/from Delhi. Not yet sure what our options are since we are originating in New Mexico. Thanks again.

Hi Karen,

I apologize. I misspoke about the number of tour participants on our trip. It is 12-24. I am currently working on the details and preparations for two tours with Odysseys (Kenya/Tanzania in August and India/Nepal in November). Our trip to Africa is 12 tour members. Plus I am also recovering from total knee replacement (6+ weeks now) so my plate is pretty full right now trying to keep things straight what with my rehab, arranging visas to Kenya, flights to India, what meds and immunizations do we need, etc.

Our tour to India/Nepal is currently full so I am assuming it will be 24 participants. I don’t find that to be too many and sometimes it is better than a smaller number as there can sometimes be a disagreeable person on tour and it is easier to lose them in a larger group. It doesn’t happen often but can.

If you do book your own airfare, Odysseys does not guarantee that they will meet you at the airport and you will have to make your own way to the tour hotel. If your arrival is the same as the other tour participants who have booked their air with Odysseys, Odysseys may accommodate you on arrival for transport to your hotel if there is room on the transport. If you want to book your own air, ask Odysseys for the land only price for your tour and, of course, let them know if you book your own air so that they can adjust your final invoice. Our airfare to India in premium economy is currently about twice the price as economy.

Odysseys recommends a certain visa service for tours that require visas. I found that service difficult to use and ended up getting our visas to Kenya on my own.

I have found Odysseys to be very customer oriented and they bend over backwards to please.

When traveling to countries other than Europe, I prefer a more upscale company as I have heard of horror stories of tour participants being abandoned by the tour company if they get sick on tour. I am not mentioning any names.

I hope this helps in making your decision.

Thanks for the video, Tom, and the caution. The video was very entertaining. Trying not to be too judgmental here but that guy was an idiot. He was shaking hands with everybody and their brother and not cleaning his hands before eating with his hands. He took a drag on a cigarette that was just in someone else’s mouth. He also mentioned eating something that was in “sketchy” water. We will be very careful, of course, and take precautions and not just eating willy nilly like this guy.

Edited to add, he also ate crushed ice (presumably from local water) with mint as a palate cleanser. There are numerous articles on safe/unsafe foods in India and Nepal. I am sure our guide will point these things out.