We have helped many people travel happily in India.
Vanessa from California
Betty Fox from USA
Ceatta B.
USA
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! .
Ziggy M.
Canada
After we decided to go to India on the spur of the moment from Sri Lanka, we did some fast research on options. We knew we wanted to see the Golden Triangle and spotting a tiger had always been on our bucket list. We also knew that they were hundreds and hundreds of companies offering Golden Triangle tours. Referred by a friend, I was already familiar with Mariellen’s amazing blog Breathedreamgo.com. 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.
Jayne H. from Australia
My tour with Breathedreamgo completely blew my mind. They planned my trip with many emails prior to my Melbourne departure. They listened, picked out my interests, and made relevant suggestions. Mariellen chatted with me on the phone to answer all my travel queries, and planned a truly magical tour — tailored to me. I toured India alone and was so pleased to be met at the airport by a company manager, who introduced me to a wonderful, pleasant, calm, and extremely helpful driver.
At each city, I was met by a very knowledgeable local guide, who opened my eyes to the wonder of the city — the amazing forts, monuments, palaces, and history. I loved every moment — and I have travelled a lot, and I’m very particular. If you’re a woman who would love to see India, and you are hesitant — a little nervous and unsure — don’t be. If the idea of India fascinates you, just go. My only problem is that I don’t want to leave. I put my trust in the India for Beginners team and they delivered. Showed me a jewel on earth. I give them 10 out of 10 stars.
Amber Kleid from USA
India was a vacation, and it was so much more than JUST a vacation. On my first day, I wandered through the markets alone and felt safe. I was just as curious of the locals as they were of me. I would smile and say, “Namaste” and they’d get a surprised look and a big smile on their face, place their hands at their hearts, give a teeny bow, and say it back to me. I miss that act of honor so much.
I went to Rishikesh thinking I was going to take this deep dive into my yoga practice but India had other plans. Mostly I spent my time watching the world go by in cafes, enjoying coconut lattes while having worthwhile conversations with strangers, and getting my photo taken with families like I was a movie star!
I wandered the markets, bartered (won some, lost some), ate the most amazing FRESH foods, photographed the world as I saw it, had a tiny part to play in a wedding, got lots of henna, and had a visit with an ayurvedic doctor who helped me understand why my brain functions like it does – no US doctor ever took the time to explain.
Despite the chaos with the traffic, the huge amounts of people, and the dust that is there no matter how hard you clean or bathe, there is a softness in India and I will miss that so very much too. I want to hold onto that most of all.
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 colors and fanfare!
India is far, far away but I WILL visit again, I have to. I left a little piece of my heart there.
Amber Kleid, March 2022
Beverly J. from USA
I loved that our tour was customized by Mariellen of Breathedreamgo, and Anna of Open Eyes to include so much of a focus on women from the Days for Girls Kit distributions, to most of our guides being female, to visiting the young female taxi driver’s home, and to visiting the Sheroes’ Cafe in Agra. It was a nice balance between tourism, and “bringing change for the better.” Experiencing the Holi Festival in Jaipur was an over-the-top WOW moment … way out of my comfort zone, but it was an amazing time to share in such a sacred, cultural experience. I will never forget it!