Wild Heart of India FAQs
FAQ for Small Group Tours
Q. Will someone pick me up from the airport?
Our tour packages include airport transfers. There will be a Mantra Wild airport representative holding
a placard with your name on it. For Delhi arrivals, you will need to exit OUT of the arrivals hall (exit 6),
please look for your name amongst the sea of drivers and representative placards.
Q. How safe is it to eat the food while on tour?
The lodges and hotels are perfectly fine to eat at. They cater to westerners and the food is always
tasty. Be prepared to put on a few extra kgs! Avoid street food, unless you are with a guide that
recommends the food i.e our Old Delhi Heritage and Food Walking tour.
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 (You must apply and receive approval
BEFORE you depart). Apply in person: http://www.vfs-in- au.net/
Q. Does Reena Tory come with you or are there guides?
A. This is a small group experience and Reena Tory will be your host. In the event she does not
attend, a qualified tour escort will accompany the group. Our January 2017 group will have Michael
Snedic, Australia’s leading Wildlife Photographer and Expedition leader. Michael Snedic,
Professional Photographer and Proprietor of WildNature Photo Expeditions, has been passionate
about the natural world since he was very young. It was inevitable that he would end up
photographing wildlife and nature, which he has done now for twenty years. He is one of Australia’s
most accomplished and published nature photographers, his images having won numerous
awards. Michael’s images have been published across Australia and the world, in hundreds of
publications. He has also written many dozens of magazine articles on nature/photography since
2001, including Australian Geographic, Wildlife Australia, Birdlife Australia, the UK’s BBC
Wildlife and Australian Photography +Digital (Australia’s largest-selling photography magazine) which
he has been a feature writer for since 2006. Michael is honoured to be an Australian
Ambassador for Lowepro, Lenscoat as well as The Nature Conservancy Australia’s Photo
Competition 2015.
Q. Is this group travel?
A. This is a small group tour of average 6- 10 persons. The tour size will not go over 12 persons.
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. 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. Our wildlife lodges are used from personal relationships
with naturalists and lodge owners. We only use TOFT accredited and audited lodges to ensure our
environmental footprint is minimal.
Mantra Wild is an accredited 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 other
western cuisines.
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. You are in safe hands.
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. I would like to add on a tour after or before the tour. Is this possible?
Yes, we can arrange pre and post tour and accommodation all over India. Kindly advise us if you
need a quote.
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. I hear April is the best time to see a tiger in the wild, is this true?
Yes, it is easier to see the big cats in the hotter months from April – June. Reason being is tigers will
spend the hotter part of the day around watering holes. This does take out the thrill of tracking a tiger
i.e. listening to the alarm calls, following pugmarks and sounds of the jungle. Please note that this is
an extremely hot time of the year in excess of 40-45 degrees Celsius, even hotter. We have
personally seen tigers all times of the safari season. We personally recommend visiting the national
parks any time between November – March. This is a much cooler time.
Q. Can you organise my travel insurance and flights?
A. Yes, we are accredited 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, tour escort, daily breakfast and some meals, driver
with SUV vehicle. For Wildlife lodges, all meals are included as well as safaris and park entrance
costs.
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 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 animal
behaviour. We know the 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 areas of India.
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 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. 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. On our group tours, single
supplement is charged for single rooms.
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.
