Clients’ comments

“As you know all too well, this trip had a long and painful gestation! The first thing to say is how much we appreciated all your help and support not only in the original planning of the trip but also even more in the complex business of repeatedly rescheduling the arrangements at a time which must have been a nightmare for anyone working in the travel industry. Secondly we were repeatedly impressed by the faultless way in which all the complex logistics of the trip worked seamlessly throughout our travels. This certainly did not happen by accident or good luck and we know a lot of hard work by you and your in-country representatives lay behind this – one very good reason for drawing on the expertise of seasoned professionals like you when planning a trip of this nature. We were also greatly impressed by the fact that the bespoke itinerary you devised for us accurately reflected our tastes and wishes, rather than trying to shoehorn us into some off-the-peg package. As for the destinations, Glenburn Tea Estate was an absolute delight and perfect for relaxing. In Bhutan, the planned trekking and cycling activities were challenging but tremendously rewarding. Passang was excellent company. Finally Diphlu River Lodge suited us down to the ground. With thanks for all you did to make this trip happen, at last!”
Dr Andrew Mounstephen & Dr Suzanne Waterer, Bhutan and India

“We had an awesome time. Maldives very chilled and friendly. Amazing. Great snorkelling and turtles. The dive centre is well run – would definitely go back.”
 Mr and Mrs David Manning, Makunudu, Maldives and Oman

“A wonderful trip to Assam. We could not fault the care and attention to detail on the boat. Thank you very much for your help and patience in arranging this trip.”
Phil and Helen Soward, MV Rudra Singha – private houseboat journey in Assam

“Great holiday: ten close, ten good and five distant tiger sightings, exceeding our expectations.”
Mr and Mrs Ken Miles, India wildlife

“Ladakh is gorgeous, stunning scenery with a warm welcome from everyone including the weather. Quality of camp staff and food both of the highest standard with nothing too much trouble.”
Hugh and Janet Dampney , Ladakh

“First it was Antarctica, then Argentina, and this time India… Another excellent trip organised for me by Fiona, taking in all that I wanted to do and more. The itinerary was a good cross-section of the old and the new, countryside and city – a jeep safari in Ranthambore, riding an elephant to the City Palace in Jaipur, the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur and the Taj Mahal. It was amazing to be in India for Diwali, the festival of lights.”
Judi Smith and Claire Macleod Ash, India

“Eye-opening, exciting, enlightening, challenging, wonderful! A real adventure for the two of us, with some unexpected extras thrown in, like meeting the King and Queen of Bhutan! Everything worked like clockwork. All the right people were there at the right time to meet us, move us on, or take us somewhere – a great relief in strange countries.”
Mr and Mrs Richard Watson, Bhutan and India

“The trip was superbly organised and the ground operators excellent. In particular the drivers were of the highest standard and made our trip all the more enjoyable.”
Glen Lorentzen and Jane Ellis, Northern India

“A very big thank you for organising our wonderful trip to Sri Lanka. You took great pains to accommodate our many exacting requests and the result was a huge success. Everything worked seamlessly and we loved it.”
Mr and Mrs John Milton and friends, Sri Lanka

“Everything went very well thank you. The Windflower at Coorg was very nice – lovely setting in a coffee plantation with lots of mature trees. On the return trip the driver allowed us a couple hours in Mysore so that Cath and Karen could visit the market and palace. They were very impressed by everything.”
Geoffrey Dart, Earthchild charity trip to India

“We had a wonderful time in Sri Lanka thanks to Far Frontiers Travel/Fiona’s careful forward planning, arranged after our somewhat spontaneous whim to holiday in January/February. Queries we had whilst there were speedily and effectively dealt with and we enjoyed every minute of the winter sunshine.”
Dr and Mrs Robin Ashworth, Sri Lanka

“Fiona helped us prepare the itinerary and organised the entire trip through Rajasthan. Her in depth knowledge of the country and the impeccable organisation at the other end helped ensure that we had great and memorable trip. Her selection of Palace Hotels and the guides and company representatives that met us at every destination, as well as our ever-present air-conditioned car with driver, made it not only very comfortable, but also enabled us to see all the sights we wanted to see and gave us complete freedom in whatever else we chose to do on any given day. This was definitely a 5 star experience!”
Henk and Gay van Baaren, India

“Very well planned and organised trip – well looked after in Delhi and Leh, excellent drivers and guides, trekking was a big challenge and it went extremely well.”
Katherine Sellon and party, Ladakh

“We did lots of family history things which made us feel we were not just tourists but were also tracing our routes. We seemed to be the only European tourists in many places and that made me feel we were well and truly off the main tourist beat.”
Catherine Baines, India

“It was fabulous – a good mixture of comfort and adventure with lots of unexpected happenings which made it all the more exciting!”
Kate Fraser and friends, India

“Very friendly, informative and enthusiastic service. Fiona’s reactivity to my requests for the trip on short notice and her feedback and suggestions about the itinerary were very much appreciated. All in all, it was enjoyable and my primary goal of seeing Indian wild tigers was achieved, however brief it was. I’m glad that India finally seems to get its act together in protecting its last few wild tigers, in particular in involving the local people in tourism. The naturalists/guides provided by the lodges were excellent and instrumental in promoting the protection of wild tigers.”
Gilles Lafue, National Parks of India

“Thank you so much for the part you played in arranging our wonderful first visit to India. We had an absolutely fantastic time. Punctuality and reliability of your local staff were excellent and it was a treat to have the undivided attention of such well informed and knowledgeable people for whom nothing was too much trouble. Our driver was exemplary and we felt very safe and well cared for with him”.
Roger and Fiona Hennah, India

“We had the most wonderful trip! Thank you so much for organising it so well – all the travel arrangements and transfers worked seamlessly. The guides were all excellent and one or two were really outstanding, with a good knowledge of English history too, which gave an extra perspective to the places we visited, particularly Delhi. I loved riding at dawn from Rohet Gargh, and by amazing co-incidence discovered that my god-daughter’s beautiful Marwari horse was stabled there, so I was able to send her photos!”.
David and Diana Fisher, Northern India

“Wow, quite a day — we thought we’d seen everything but then we met Raj, another fantastic local guide. He found places we didn’t even know existed. The newly qualifying World Heritage Site, the Observatory in Jaipur was nothing short of incredible… All the local representatives we met were helpful, informed, very punctual and a real pleasure to be with. The tour was very well arranged and the choice of hotels was exemplary. What a wonderful holiday, thank you so much. We will be returning to Far Frontiers Travel at the first opportunity and recommending you to our friends and family”.
Charles and Elizabeth Godfrey, Rajasthan

“We left from Delhi today which was very sad. The trip you planned for us was faultless and we were so grateful for all your help. Having all our trains booked was amazing and we would both like to say a huge thank you! We are both in love with India and I’m sure we will be asking you to plan another trip in the near future”.
Ginny Neill and Molly Williams, India

“It is a testament to Far Frontiers Travel that as soon as we got home, we went to look for your brochure to see where else we could go with you!”
Gaskell and Jennifer Jacobs, India

Fiona’s travel tips

BEST TIME TO GO: Most of India is at its best from October to March, except Ladakh which is a summer destination. Visit Sri Lanka from September to April and the Maldives from December to April.

DON’T MISS: Ladakh’s festival season in July and August when the colourful gompas are especially vibrant.

FESTIVAL FACT: Maha Kumbh Mela or the Great Festival of Urn, is the biggest religious ceremony in the world and takes place four times every 12 years.

FROM DELHI: The great British hill station of Shimla makes a superb extension from Delhi.

GETTING AROUND: I love to travel by Indian trains. It’s a great way to meet the locals and I’ve often been invited to share food or conversation with ordinary families sharing my compartment. Also you can’t beat simply looking out of the window for a snapshot of daily life in the rural villages.

FOR THE ACTIVE: India combines well with Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal for great trekking.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE: We have a great in-country team who will be there to meet you at each airport, hotel, border or train station, so the first-time visitor will never feel overwhelmed.

READ: William Dalrymple’s City of Djinns, City of Joy by Dominique Lapierre and Liberty or Death by Patrick French.

JOURNEY TIME:
India: 9 hours (direct)
The Maldives: 14 ½ hours (indirect)
Sri Lanka: 13 hours (indirect)