We contacted Indian Moments, when we wanted to explore Central India for six weeks in January and February, 2024. From the beginning, Neeraj and his team worked diligently, using, as an outline, our wishes but also suggesting places they knew we should not miss. Every step was carefully planned, and, in the end, we enjoyed the trip of a lifetime. We visited bustling cities (Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Bhopal,) but we also enjoyed the peace and the incredible wildlife of several national parks (Gir, Little Rann, Kanha, and Tadoba.) Encounters with Asiatic Lions, Bengal Tigers, and even the Indian Wild Ass, are indelible in our memories. It wasn’t only the planning that made this trip so memorable. While the two of us were in India, the Indian Moments team communicated with us nearly every day, asking how the experience had been and also giving us the names and phone numbers of our guides for the coming days. We were aware that they were in constant contact with the hotels where we were staying, assuring that we had arrived safely and were being treated well. We celebrated Susan’s birthday during the trip, and each hotel was aware of this; as the date approached, several hotel hosts celebrated with us, providing cake, music, and many good wishes. One of the hotel managers told us that Neeraj “always has great concern for his guests.” Even on the last day of our long trip, we began thinking of where in India we would want to go next, and we have already begun discussions with Nerraj and Indian Moments about our future travel. We had been treated as royalty and, now, we regard these fine people as part of our family. We cannot imagine embarking on a trip to India without the care and guidance of Indian Moments.
Susan and Dennis Carlyle Houston, Texas, USA. 10 April, 2024
Hi Neeraj,
My apologies for not writing this email sooner but things have been a bit busy since I returned to Melbourne.
I enjoyed my trip very much. It was a good match of adventure and relaxation which suited me well. Southern India is beautiful and Donna and Lisa were great company. I very much appreciated the skills of our driver and the local knowledge of our guides.
I especially enjoyed the Kerala Backwaters and Fort Kochi, but the entire trip was well planned and organised. I have even forgiven the ‘road’ to the highest tea plantation.
The hotels you selected had great character and were very comfortable. I was impressed by the kind and helpful staff at every location. The crew of our rice barge were particularly memorable (as was the food they provided).
I hope to return to India and hope it will not be another ten years before I do so.
Kind regards and best wishes
John Feil, Australia (Feb, 2024)
I thank my lucky stars that we found Indian Moments, first in 2013 and used them again in 2024; both trips were over 30 days. They provided excellent service, were professional in every respect and exceeded all expectations. As they like to say, "we treat our guests like gods." First impressions are important. My wife and I appreciated being asked questions about our interests by the tour operator who then crafted an itinerary, which met our wishes – and more. We had our own driver, local guides in every city and stayed in a variety of hotels, as requested, including a homestay. He also gave us a chance to teach English at a rural Kindergarten – 8th grade school for a few days. When a plane was canceled, Indian Moments made all the necessary changes so that we were back on schedule the next day. Now that our second trip has ended, we are already dreaming of returning. There is more to explore.
Jeffrey & Karen Hackler, USA (Feb. 2024)
When I told my wise and well travelled friend Diane that I was thinking about going to India, her immediate response was: you cannot visit India without Indian Moments. Out of respect for our friendship and her experience traveling there I contacted Neeraj. After a number of good conversations with him I decided to go ahead and use them for the first half of our trip and I would take care of arrangements for the remaining time.
Less than 24 hours after leaving the loving care of Indian Moments we spent a miserable night at an Air BnB I booked and I contacted Neeraj begging him for his help. Without fuss and within a few hours he came back with reservations for wonderful hotels, drivers and guides and put us back on track for the vacation of our dreams!
Booking with Indian Moments not only provides fabulous places to stay, polite professional skilled drivers, amazing staff and divine food, you also have access to the wealth of information that Neeraj and Pankaj have accrued over the year and are happy to share with you.
If your itinerary includes Rajasthan be sure to spend a day or two at their Haveli in Mukundgarh. They have rescued and revived an exquisite haveli that was abandoned for years and brought it back to life. The building is saturated with their love of history, India, and nature and best of all, they have restored and decorated it in the most charming way. It is a masterpiece!
There is one problem with staying at Mukund Haveli. Because it is such an extraordinary place, it makes it very difficult to leave it to explore the other nearby sights!
Thank you Neeraj and Pankaj for sharing your amazing knowledge, experience, passion and aesthetic with us!
Olga Charyshyn, USA (Jan. 2024)
Dear Neeraj
We've been back in England for nearly a week now and already missing India !
Thank you so much for your hospitality over my birthday, it was very memorable and lovely to be with you and Pankaj again.
I think Claire & Pedro really enjoyed their first trip to India and I'm sure they will be back at some point and get in touch with you.
I will surely try and return next year !
It was wonderful to see Mukundgarh again and to see what you are doing with next door.
We'll keep in touch as I would like to visit next year with my daughter Alice.
With our very best wishes to all of you at Indian Moments.
Becky, UK. October 2023
Dear Pankaj, Neeraj, families and all IM crew,
Our second trip to India; how could we not return after such a fabulous adventure with IIM in 2019?!
Pankaj, Neeraj and their families and staff are more like valued friends than travel agents. Experiencing their amazing hospitality is an added bonus to enjoying the incredible adventures that they put together for us.
Our travel in the Eastern States exceeded our dreams. From a dance blessing for us on Majuli Island to a village stone pulling ceremony in Kohima district Nagaland; from safaris in Kazirangha National Park to our epic walk to the amazing living root bridges- these adventures will live on in our memories forever!
As will the scents and sights of a wonderful tiny family run perfume factory in Kannauj. Can you imagine pure rose attar distilled from 400kg of pink rose petals? I don’t need to imagine it, I’ve been there!
Our accommodation was fabulous. Colonial era hotels, raj palaces and IM’s own properties which are a wonderful experience in every way, ambiance, beauty, comfort, incredible food, sensitive heritage restoration, and the experience of village life with smiling Tejvir as our guide. Thank you IIM and all crew. We can’t wait to return.
Kate and Jazz, Australia Jan. 2023