betty, USA

Vanessa, USA

Andrew and Chee, USA

Google Reviews

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 45 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
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 Rachel Kelly 
 
 
 
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Given it was our first time to India, with a short timeline, we wanted an experience that gave a taste into Indian culture, while still feeling safe as two women travelling together. The team was responsive, innovative with our schedule (and re-scheduling), and gave us the assurance and details needed to make our trip one of a lifetime! I would definitely recommend India for Beginners to anyone looking for a short or long trip to India. Our time was incredible!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 CL Designs 
 
 
 
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Mariellen, Ujjwal and the whole team were really responsive and supportive throughout the entire process. In just a short time, we got to experience so many different sides of India — from the vibrant colours to the delicious food and rich culture. It truly felt like a little glimpse into the heart of the country. Can’t wait to come back and explore even more!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Maxine Louie 
 
 
 
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We were in New Delhi Agra Jaipur with India for Beginners, our very first custom tour.  We were taken care of so nicely from pick up at the airport to return 5 days later.  Our accommodations were budget but all wonderful.  The driver was exceptional,  despite the very scary driving of India.  all our guides were excellent in taking care of us and educating us.  Mariellen had excellent information for us to study before coming,  and she was so helpful in supporting us for doing the visa, which was was quite technical for me.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Abigail Myers 
 
 
 
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We loved our trip to India with India For Beginners! We took our daughter to celebrate her 16th birthday and could not have asked for a better trip. Mariellen and her team worked with us from the very beginning to help plan the perfect itinerary that allowed us to see everything we wanted and more. This was our first trip to India and while we had initially thought about trying to figure it out on our own, we eventually decided to work with India for Beginners and after one day in India we were so glad we did. The trip was so much more enjoyable knowing that all our travel arrangements were set and taken care of for us and we could spend all of our energy taking in the sights and sounds of India. The India for Beginners team gave us peace of mind knowing that they were only a text message away to assist us or adjust our itinerary when needed. They also set us up with an excellent driver who became a dear friend for life. Our tour guides were all very kind and knowledgeable and were open to answering any questions that we had about life in India.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Catherine Hamlin 
 
 
 
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India for Beginners provided a great service to me for my first trip to India. While I have travelled alone before, it has been decades since my last solo trip. And, as a woman, I was admittedly nervous. From beginning : being picked up at the airport by the driver and local tour manager who were waiting for me holding a sign with my name, to middle : being accompanied onto my train and helped to find the correct seat, to the end : being dropped off at the airport late at night for an early morning departure; I received the help and support I needed. This helped reassure my loved ones at home that I really was OK travelling internationally by myself. I was well-prepared for the trip by reading blog posts on India for Beginners website and having a pre-departure Zoom consult with Mariellen herself. When problems did arise during the trip, I had multiple support people available to message who responded in a timely manner and supported me in addressing issues that cropped up. One example was a hotel that was disappointing. I was able to switch to a better hotel on short notice with the help of India for Beginners. All the individuals who I interacted with were friendly and helpful at all stages of my trip - from help creating my itinerary, to drivers and guides who helped me with issues that arose such as needing cash from an ATM or needing to add data to my Indian phone plan. I would also like to comment on the uniqueness of my itinerary. I started off with a stay at an eco resort that I heard Mariellen describe on a podcast about Kerala India. It was this podcast that prompted me to contact India for Beginners. I also spent several days near Periyar Tiger Preserve and enjoyed local activities including a 1/2 day trek through the Preserve. I then travelled by train for 11 hours from the India Ocean coast to the Bay of Bengal coast. With a base in Chennai, I took a side trip to Nellore where I was able to visit a Catholic charity through which I have been sponsoring a local child. It was an amazing trip from beginning to end! I can’t emphasize enough how happy I am with the service I received from India for Beginners. India exceeded my expectations. When, not if, I return; I will be using India for Beginners again.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Dawn Elliott 
 
 
 
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I was travelling to India from New Zealand to join a tour but wanted to spend a couple of days getting over jet lag before I joined up with the group.  I had heard about India for Beginners from a Facebook group and contacted them to see if it was possible for them to look after me for just a couple of days when I arrived in India.  This was absolutely no problem and communication was excellent from my very first enquiry email to being dropped off to join my tour group.  In fact, even after that I was contacted to make sure all was well. India for Beginners organized my pick up from Delhi Airport and I was able to contact them at any time until I was dropped off to meet my group.  It meant I could look forward to India as I felt completely reassured that I would be well looked after from the moment I walked out of the airport (which was around 1.30am)!  My driver was easy to find and I had a smooth drop off to the lovely Homestay organised by India for Beginners. The Homestay was in a lovely part of Delhi and run by a lovely family.  I would happily have stayed there for a whole week!  The included breakfast was amazing and catering to my gluten free requirements was no problem at all. I had a guide and driver collect me for a few hours for each day which was great.  My tour included a day in Delhi so I let India for Beginners know what my group tour included and they tailored the activities I did with the guide around that.  I also had spare time to wander around the neighbour and sampled local coffee shops. I also visited a local spa recommended by the homestay owners. I absolutely loved India and would definitely like to return and would absolutely not hesitate to contact India for Beginners again.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Noortje van Mierlo 
 
 
 
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Mariellen en haar team hebben ons heel goed geholpen. Ze zijn erg behulpzaam en denken goed mee met alle wensen. De communicatie loopt super! Ga je voor het eerst naar India en vind je het fijn om hulp te krijgen, dan raad ik Indiaforbeginners aan!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 kathryn kutzer 
 
 
 
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We had the most wonderful trip to India. The team at IndiaforBeginners.com were just amazing - they were patient and responsive to all of our questions and concerns before we left, and it was wonderful to have a dedicated team to answer any questions that arose while we were in India. We spent 18 days in India, traveling from Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore for a safari (and yes, we got close to a huge tiger!), then Jaipur and down to Kerala, where we did a boat safari, spent a night on a houseboat, visited a spice plantation and spent a couple of days at a resort. At every location we were met by great drivers and amazing tour guides. We visited temples, forts, and palaces and learned so much about the history and culture of India! I wholeheartedly recommend this company for first timers and experienced travellers.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Florence Charau 
 
 
 
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I travelled with my daughter in India with India for Beginners late February and early March 2025. It was a custom two-week tour based on what we wanted to see and experience in North India. The organisation of the trip by India for Beginners was really perfect. We mainly travelled by train and there was always a driver and another person waiting for us on the platform or dropping us off at the station and sometimes staying with us until our train arrives. On top of this a tour manager was always available on WhatsApp. All this allowed us to travel very safely with peace of mind without worrying about transfers from one place to another. This organisation saved us a lot of time too. We loved the accommodations chosen by India for Beginners, particularly the ashram and the lovely homestays where the meals were delicious. We could experience the life in a family in India and learn about the culture, customs and traditions. The people we met were extremely kind and we always felt very welcome. The meetings with the local guides were well organised too. It was extremely interesting to visit places and speak with them. They were very skilled and adapted to what we wanted to see and experience. We learned a lot from them. We are very grateful that we have been able to experience India that way. A big thank you to the team of India for Beginners!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Linda Tippett 
 
 
 
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I highly recommend India for Beginners. I was in India in December 2024. I am an experienced traveler, however because I am 78, my large family was very concerned that I would be traveling solo for 10 days. Mariellen, Anjani and Ujjwal, who are so knowledgeable, professional, warm and caring provided me with everything I needed for an amazing tour. I provided information of where I wanted to visit. I received a detailed itinerary with arrangements such as drivers, lodgings and guides. I wanted a grand adventure and with the help of India for Beginners, I was able to focus on my adventure and not worry about the details.
  
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
 

Colleen P., Canada

Prior to finding India for Beginners, I’d almost given up hope of ever going to India. The 4-week trip they arranged for me not only provided me with an itinerary based on my interests, but it was also designed to address any underlying concerns I had (i.e., getting lost at the airport, in Delhi, at the train station etc.). They arranged everything minimizing my fears and allowing me to see and do everything I wanted. Some of the many highlights of the services they provide and which I appreciated:
• Upon arriving in Delhi, a homestay with a family that made the transition to India much less overwhelming then it might have been otherwise
• Personal, one-to-one communications with Mariellen who has years of experience travelling and living in India. Her helpful hints and recommendations based on personal experience were priceless
• Passionate, informative local guides; and
• Most importantly, a tour manager who was available 24/7 to catch me if I fell. If it weren’t for having found India for Beginners, I probably would not have traveled to India. I was able to though, thanks to Mariellen and her team and their willingness to help make my dream become a reality.

Leslie H., USA

I just returned from a five week tour of India—all planned through India for Beginners. I wanted to be in India for Holi and then visit up around Rishikesh and throughout Rajasthan. I felt that it would be better if I had an experienced team to help me develop and fine tune my itinerary  and take care of the logistics. I am an experienced traveler, but as a solo woman,  I felt that the trip would be richer and more hassle free with local, on-the-ground support behind me. It was the best decision I could have made. I feel that because of this planning and  support, I was able to fully experience and enjoy India.

Honestly, this is the best trip I have ever taken and everyone who has seen my pictures and has seen me afterwards has said that they have never seen me happier and can’t believe all the places I went and things I did.  I can’t thank Mariellen, Anjani and Ujjwal enough!

I highly recommend India For Beginners! As a woman traveling solo in India for the first time, I did extensive research, and from the first conversation with India for Beginners, I knew they were a different kind of tour company. The team spent time getting to know me and explaining everything that I might encounter on the trip while planning an itinerary that was perfectly tailored to my interests! It’s like they knew me!

India for Beginners provided peace of mind and sense of organization in a chaotic place. The driver and tour guides were always on time, there were no hiccups and the India for Beginners team frequently checked in on us to make sure everything was going smoothly. The team were so accommodating when a friend was able to join last minute, and we had the absolute BEST trip and learned so much about the country and the culture. I’m already looking to visit again and will definitely work with India for Beginners again. To Mariellen, Anjani, and Ujjwal … THANK YOU for a magical trip.

Rita

Traveling to India was a dream of mine for many years. Even though I had been on many self planned and guided trips around the world I just didn’t know where to start. Luckily somehow I stumbled across the India for beginners page on Facebook. From first contact Mariellen and her team really listened to my desires interests and needs.

They made the trip easy to navigate and plan. I had seamless interaction from planning with Anjani who help me design a trip that suited me to Ujjwal the daily logistics coordinator who helped me change minor things around when needed while on tour or any questions. Mariellen gave great tips before Departure to ensure any doubts were put to rest. India is a beautiful chaotic place filled with the most kind people. Everything you can imagine is there. Such an incredible place. India for beginners is a team of such wonderful people. I can’t wait to return one day. And will entrust my trip to them again

Ceatta B.

All went great, thank you so much for arranging the trip and helping me along the way with all the extra help and attention. You truly made the adventure very easy. I am very grateful that I stumbled across India for Beginners, it’s exactly what I needed. India is often overwhelming and it would not be as enjoyable navigating it alone. As a solo adventurer, it was exactly what I needed, thank you! Traveling to India was a dream of mine for many years. Even though I had been on many self planned and guided trips around the world I just didn’t know where to start. Luckily somehow I stumbled across the India for beginners page on Facebook. From first contact Mariellen and her team really listened to my desires interests and needs.

Ziggy

After we decided to go to India on the spur of the moment we reached out to Mariellen who helped build the perfect package for us. Working with her India for Beginners partner Anjani, we received a customized tour — Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore Tiger Safari-Jaipur —  that exceeded our expectations. Their tour offered a private driver for the entire trip. The car was spotless, the driver professional and polished and very kind. In each city a local guide hopped in the car and escorted us through the major attractions. The driver and guide combination made sure we maximized time at each location and could avoid the inevitable ‘hassling of the tourists’. Not only would they share the secrets of the sites, but they gave us glimpses into the real world of India, telling stories of arranged marriages and how they were brought up. Hotels didn’t disappoint either; perhaps the best part was the full western/Indian buffet breakfast. To top it all off we had a contact 24/7 to address questions should any issues arise. And lastly, before I forget to mention it, they knew I had an interest in photography and shopping and were only too happy to let me stop to take pictures and escort me into some fabulous markets. We loved every minute of his vacation and could not have imagined doing it without the help of Mariellen and Anjani. 

Amber K., USA

I’d like to give a shout-out to Mariellen Ward because her India For Beginners Tour email made its way into my inbox at the perfect moment.  She and her partner Anjani Nandan gave me an experience of a lifetime!  The tour guides and drivers they hired to haul me around Delhi, Barsana, Agra, and Jaipur were professional, extremely knowledgeable, a ton of fun, and I felt very safe.  The homestays, hotel, and Ashram were wonderful and Mariellen even spent extra time with me in Rishikesh as I settled in and took me to her fav restaurant for some incredible gluten-free pasta!  I hope you both know how grateful I am to have had this unforgettable experience and I will recommend India for Beginners any day with flying colours and fanfare! 

Charlene M., USA

Intrepid female travellers! Do NOT hesitate to follow your dreams to explore India! Book your trip with India for Beginners. Whether SINGLE or with friends, this is definitely the way to go. Our trip to India with India for Beginners started with superb communication. The interactions during the planning phase were hand-in-glove. The responsive staff acted as the “foil” to rein in our ambitious, broad-reaching plans and tailor a reality-based package. Desires were satisfied and streamlined to maximize time, meet scheduling needs, and actualize our dreams!  

Everything came together: Safe (with a capital “S”), seamless itinerary, competent drivers, educated, experienced, and expert tour guides versed in their particular historical region – leaving us to comfortably sit back and truly enjoy every facet of the trip. The tour guides listened and responded to personal desires and worked to incorporate every last detail to make this a one-of-a-kind adventure.

Let India for Beginners point you in the right direction and help you paint YOUR picture.  Whether you are just getting started or have advanced Indian travelling experience, India for Beginners will make it happen and you will not be disappointed. 

Andrew and Chee, USA

As beginners, navigating India seemed daunting, but with the right guidance from India for Beginners we had a journey that was unforgettable and life changing. India is such a big country with regions that are culturally different that it would have been overwhelming if we were to plan the trip ourselves. Instead, Mariellen and her team curated an itinerary that was designed with our preferences and interests in mind. And during our trip, India for Beginners were there to answer any questions that we may have had.

One of the highlights of our tours was the presence of knowledgeable local guides who accompanied us on every excursion. These guides were not just experts in the history and culture of the regions we explored, but they were also passionate storytellers who brought India’s vibrant past and present to life. I also can’t say enough about our full-time driver. He was so personable and fun that long drives flew by and introduced us to hidden gems and local experiences that we would have otherwise missed.