Train Travel in India: A First-Timer’s Guide

A very interesting journey. We gained many insights into the culture and daily life of this vast nation. The overland trips through the national parks were also impressive. A big thank you to our guide Sultan Singh Deol! Josef Müller

All in all, a 5-star trip, although the extremely confusing questions regarding arrival (flight schedule, flight times) beforehand somewhat dampened the anticipation. But fortunately, in the end, everything worked out perfectly!

This trip to India has captured my heart—and far exceeded my expectations. Twelve incredibly varied days are behind me—so full of intense impressions, moving encounters, and unforgettable moments that on some evenings I could hardly remember everything we had experienced in just a single day. Village life in Nauhjel, with its warm-hearted people, will always hold a special place in my heart. That closeness, that openness—that was real, vibrant India. Experiencing the Taj Mahal in our beautiful saris was magical and deeply moving. And the café of the acid attack survivors—a place that touched me to my core. So much dignity, strength, and hope—this visit was not just a program item, but an encounter that will stay with me. Varanasi, with its rituals on the Ganges, was another highlight. That spiritual atmosphere, the lights, the chants—pure goosebumps. And right in the middle of it all, Lucy with her wonderful yoga mission and her joyful students—so much warmth, so much dedication. I could rave for hours. Over 2,000 photos speak for themselves—and each one touches me anew, even at home. A very special thanks goes to our tour guide Nitin. He didn’t just show us India—he made us feel it. Thanks to him, we weren’t just tourists, but right in the midst of vibrant Indian everyday life. He was attentive, forward-thinking, and incredibly caring in every respect. He immediately noticed if someone preferred milder food—even before it was mentioned. Whether special requests, spontaneous shopping, culinary discoveries, or additional sights: Nitin had everything in view and could practically read our wishes from our eyes. When I forgot my spices at the shop on the last day, he arranged for the most important ones to be delivered to me by courier that evening. I was moved to tears. I will never forget this gesture. Our driver also deserves the highest recognition. With great care and calm, he guided us safely through the chaos of Indian traffic—we felt well taken care of at all times. This trip was more than a vacation. It was a gift. An experience for life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for these unforgettable days.

Our 14-day trip in India was unforgettable. We were especially moved by the courageous women at the Sheroes Hangout Cafe in Agra. The Taj Mahal, as well as the palaces, temples, and stepwells, impressed us greatly. The many cows everywhere were unusual! We were lucky enough to see a tiger in Ranthambore National Park. That was amazing. The people in the small towns are very warm, and the children are curious and cheerful. Our time in Varanasi—with a boat ride on the Ganges, traditions and rituals, the old city, the priests’ ceremony, and also the monastery school—was spectacular. The rides by rickshaw, tuk tuk, and bicycle were exciting. We could not have wished for a better tour guide than Nitin Pareek. With incredible passion, knowledge, and dedication, he not only showed us his country but also made this trip so special for us with little stories. He was always attentive and flexible, always concerned for our well-being, and his enthusiasm for his country was infectious. Anyone who truly wants to understand and feel India should definitely travel with Nitin. Thank you again, dear Nitin, for accompanying us on this breathtaking journey. Maybe we will come again. Burkhard and Andrea

We saw a lot. I would have preferred to see more buildings than slums. We were very lucky with our tour guide Nitin. Since almost all tours were in English, it was not ideal for me, as I understand very little English. I found the workshops very good. This is my third time traveling with Ventura. I can recommend it to everyone.

- Train travel is, for me, an essential part of a trip to India. - Conduct the tiger safari early in the morning to increase the chances of seeing a tiger. I was in the group that did not see one; the other group spotted one from a distance. - Hotel Raj Mahal Palace was not particularly special (no windows facing outside in the rooms, the bathroom was very cramped, and it was not possible to shower without flooding the entire floor, as the shower had no separation on the floor and the drain did not work). - I missed seeing on the invoice which portion is allocated to social services, especially since four social projects were visited on this trip. This information was included on all previous invoices; this is the first time I have missed it. - Additional activities were not clearly indicated in the booking. - Otherwise, this trip was excellent, very comprehensive, and Nitin was an especially great tour guide.

It was a great tour through India. Every day there was a new highlight.

In January 2026, we experienced the “India Round Trip – 3 Weeks.” India is a very special travel destination, which is why we consciously chose an organized small group tour and were not disappointed. The packed itinerary included a mix of nature experiences, famous sights, workshops, and also interactions with the local population. This also included a guided tour through Sanjay Colony, one of the slums of New Delhi. There, we were guided through the district by a woman and two men and were thoroughly informed about the local living conditions. On my own, I would never have thought to take a tour there, but it was a very special experience and put some of my prejudices in a new light. I am truly grateful for that now. The food and accommodations were all very good and authentic to the country. Historic hotels, a private haveli, a simple hut in the semi-desert, a royal villa by the river, and even a modern city hotel in Agra with a view of the Taj Mahal—everything was included. India is a vast country, so we also had to spend quite a bit of time on the roads, which can be quite exhausting because you cannot compare the roads and traffic to any other country. Where else do you see cows grazing on the median strip of the highway? But the bus driver and his assistant drove us safely with great care, composure, and calm. The short rides in tuk-tuks through the narrow inner cities are a spectacle in themselves—somewhere between a roller coaster and bumper cars, but also Indian reality, something you have to experience. We would especially like to highlight the excellent support from the German-speaking (Indian) tour guide. He was truly friendly, attentive, calm, helpful, always approachable, able to answer every question, solve every problem, and arrange everything. He shared a lot about himself, his country, and Indian life, which helped prepare us for unexpected encounters. Indians like to approach strangers out of interest and curiosity, often wanting a selfie with foreigners, and all without any ulterior motives. Knowing this, you can have some interesting little conversations. Overall, everything on the trip worked well and we always felt safe. It was also good that the big cities came at the end of the trip, as the metropolises are always a few notches more intense. We were even extremely lucky to see leopards and tigers in the wild, from just 10 meters away—those were truly special moments. We deliberately wanted to learn about both the country and its people, and for that, we found the right tour operator. Our individual arrival was seamlessly integrated, and support, advice, and information from the office went smoothly. Shortly before the trip, there was a video conference with all participants to get to know each other. Overall, we are completely satisfied.

Top hotels and restaurants. Amazing safaris. A guide who could tell stories well, explain things, and always had tips ready. The driver and his companion also knew how to drive. What was not good was that a WhatsApp group was set up for all participants. Since I was not integrated, as I do not have the WhatsApp app, I was excluded from the group. Also, at the first stop, the room key (lock) took a while to arrive. I used my own lock. The 3-week India product is a cool trip off the mainstream.

Mega cool and varied trip. Lots of highlights and a colorful surprise every day. Very well organized, great tour guide, and a fantastic atmosphere thanks to the small travel groups.