FAQs
Q. It sounds expensive, how much do you charge and is there a price range or a set fee?
A. We work within your budget and price range. We will always work to meet your budget expectations. However, we will advise you if this is not possible. At times, the drop in AUD, supplier rates may increase, which will naturally reflect in our quotes. Our minimum hotel experiences are boutique B&B’s, 3 Star and Heritage hotels and our prices start from AUD599 per person.
Q. What are the visa requirements?
India has launched Visa on arrival for most countries. This means you can apply online for a 30 day tourist visa. If you are staying longer, we recommend applying in person for your tourist visa.
Visa on Arrival: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
Apply in person: http://www.vfsglobal.com/india/australia/
Q. How can you guarantee a transformational experience?
A. We work with you to find out what is important to you and what you want in your India experience. We spend many months planning and crafting a journey that is just for you. Mother India is a special place, and magic happens (with and without our help!). She also has her own plans for your experience. You will be challenged and tested at times; you will see sights and feel things that will touch your soul. You will fall in love with the people of India and their hospitality. We facilitate the transformation through the unique places we take you to, India does the rest.
Q. Does Reena Tory come with you or are there guides?
A. This is a private experience created just for you. Our representative pick you up from the airport, and guides in each city to visit. You will also have your own trusted driver and vehicle.
Q. Is this group travel?
A. This is a private tour and is not a group travel experience.
Q. What happens if things go ‘wrong’ while in India on your tour?
A. We provide you with an emergency mobile phone number of our Operations Director, Ekta Kapur. You will also have our Delhi office number and 24 hours before you depart, you will receive your representative/driver mobile number.
Travel insurance is mandatory on all of our tours.
Q. Why would I choose you over other tour companies?
A. We are genuinely passionate about India and the networks we have allow you to experience an India that is truly unique, crafted just for you. We are known for peeling back the layers of India, so that you are not travelling like a ‘tourist’, but as an experiential traveller. We focus on 3 aspects: Unique experiences, Handpicked properties and Local Knowledge.
Mantra Wild is a licenced travel agent (ATAS # A10353), we are insured and only work with suppliers that are registered with the Government of India.Mantra Wild is also a member of TOFTigers (Travel Operators for Tigers). A global tourism initiative working with local supplier and communities with tiger conservation. A portion of our profits goes into this campaign.
Q. I’d love to go to India but I don’t like curry.
A. India is a diverse country, especially with respect to food. While there may be a variety of curries, you will learn that there are many different styles of food and you will learn to love the food. Many hotels and the bigger cities have a variety of cuisines available, including Chinese, Italian, and western cuisines.
Q. How much time do you spend with me to figure out what my needs are?
A. After our initial phone conversation, we will either meet in person or skype to discuss your needs. We will ask you detailed discovery questions to help uncover what’s important to you. We may talk a few more times till we get your itinerary right. We will remain in contact with you, up until your time of departure.
Q. What is your experience in this area and how long have you been in travel taking people to India?
A. Reena Tory has personally been visiting, living and travelling extensively in India since 2007. Our ground partners in India have been operating for over 20 years. Mantra Wild has been sending travellers to India since 2010.
Q. Which part of India do you arrange trips?
A. We have experiences for all parts of India from the north to the South. Our most popular destinations are the Himalayan foothills, Tiger Reserves across India, Rajasthan and Kerala.
Q. How do you support me once I am in India and if I need support?
A. We give you emergency contacts and personal mobile details of Operations Director. We may also have mobile phones available for North India trips for added security for solo travellers.
Q. What’s the perfect timeframe to spend in India? Is there a certain amount of time I should spend there?
A. India is a large country and there will never be enough time to see it all. We recommend spending minimum 2 weeks to see one or two parts of India. We do have one month packages that allow our clients to get the full taste of India.
Q. What’s the best time of year to travel to India?
A. The busiest and most popular times to travel to India are from October – March. This time tends to be much cooler.
If you’re planning to trek the Himalayas, from Mid – May/June – September is best.Don’t discount monsoon time for travel in South India from July – September. This will be a totally different experience and pricing is reduced during this off peak season.
Safari season at Tiger Reserves are from Mid-October – June. Many South Indian national parks are still open in monsoon.
Q. Can you organise my travel insurance and flights?
A. Yes, we are licenced travel agents.
Q. What’s included in the cost?
A. We will provide you with your list of inclusions when you receive your itinerary. General inclusions are accommodation, day tours with private guides, daily breakfast and some meals, driver with SUV vehicle.
Q. Have you seen the places you are going to book me into?
A. Our team have visited and hand-picked the properties and places on our itineraries.
Q. I want to experience something no one else has experienced, what can you offer?
A. As we specialise in these 3 aspects, it means your experience will be unique and tailored just for you:
Unique Experiences
Hand picked properties
Local Knowledge
Q. What kind of case studies and testimonials do you have from your past clients?
A. Many of our client testimonials are on our website and can be provide to you on request.
Q. I really want to see tigers; can you guarantee I will see a tiger?
A. As you will be visiting wild animals in their natural setting, we have no control over seeing a tiger. We know which national parks which you may have a better chance of tiger spotting.
We highly recommend not focusing on JUST seeing a tiger, as there are many wonderful animals and landscapes that can be seen in the wilderness of India.
Q. Is it OK to bring my children to India?
A. We have clients that have travelled with children as young as 3 years old. Tailored journeys are a safer option for travelling with children.
Q. I have food requirements, will they be catered for?
A. We have clients with dietary requirements and we do our best to inform the hotels about their needs.
Q. What vaccinations do I need?
A. We suggest visiting your doctor on your vaccination requirements. More information can be found on the Smart Traveller website: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/India
Q. What other services do you offer other than India?
A. We offer tours to other parts of the India Sub-Continent i.e. Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
Mantra Wild Adventures is a registered travel agent and we do provide travel arrangements to other parts of the world for a number of clients. Enquire directly with us for more information.
Q. What spiritual elements can you organise in my tour?
A. We specialise in crafting unique spiritual experiences. We believe that to experience the spirituality of India, it is not often found in the 4 walls of an Ashram. As an ancient land, India’s spirituality is in the land, the rivers, its people. Whether it’s visiting the current home of his Holiness, the Dalai Lama in Dharmsala, the oldest living city in the world, Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges, where Buddha attainment enlightenment in Bodhgaya, or looking into the eyes of a Royal Bengal Tiger.
Q. What contacts do you have in India?
A. Our local networks allow us to connect you with local experiences that are unique. We work with NGO’s, on the ground guides in tiger reserves and properties that many travel companies are not aware of.
Q. I don’t want to travel alone. Can you match me up with someone else that wants to go?
A. We have on occasion matched up solo travellers as travel buddies. When it is requested, we will talk to other travellers that have shown similar interest in a tour. If both parties consent, we will release contact details and leave it with you to connect and determine if you are the right travel buddies. Please note, it is extremely important determine if you will be good travel buddies.
Q. Do I have to pay a single supplement?
A. Single supplement occurs when a single person bares the costs of transportation and accommodation as the costs are not shared between 2 persons.
Q. Why India? Why is India such a good destination to travel to?
A. India is a destination unlike any other. India has something to offer everyone. Beautiful beaches, wilderness, Himalayas, luxury, wellness, cultural diversity and amazing history, local experiences and more. We can customise an experience that is suited to your needs.
