Luxury Golden Triangle with Ranthambore Tigers - Taj Mahal at Sunrise/Sunset 5 Day

Customer Reviews

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  Michael

  · October 3rd, 2025
  Joyful Holidays, headed by Sonia Handa, was wonderful to work with. The communication prior to the tour was complete and prompt. We wanted to arrive a few days early and when the hotel she recommended was unavailable, she directly booked it for us. She also aided me in booking a one-day tour in Chennai shortly after the golden triangle trip. She provided information about Indian visas before the trip. She worked with me so that I could prepay monument fee costs as well as customizing the tour. Additionally, she provided us with a proper protocol for tipping guides, the driver, and porters. Two days before the tour she provided me with a ‘final’ itinerary (guides could change if circumstances called for). I would not hesitate to use Joyful Holidays again. Hotels: We stayed at four 3-star hotels as part of this trip – Hotel Southgate in Delhi, Hotel Paradise in Agra, Ranthambore Nature Camp & Traditional Heritage Haveli in Jaipur. All were excellent and had a reasonable choice for breakfast, but the Southgate was the best. Driver: Mr. Gulab was our driver. He joined us at the start of the tour and stayed with us until he dropped us at the airport in Delhi. He kept us well supplied with water and he made rest stops as needed. If we wished to talk, he would converse with us and if we wanted quiet, he would drive. When there was not a guide, he brought us to a suitable restaurant for lunch. He made the trip very pleasant. Guides: Our guides in Delhi (Shikha), Agra (Dilib), and Jaipur (Madan) were excellent. All were knowledgeable about their cities, but Madan had an especially deep knowledge about Agra. As a note, all brought to good commercial establishments specializing in the crafts of India. They also brought us to restaurants that were able to serve us a broad choice of milder foods (they did have spicier foods as well). In Ranthambore, we saw lots of wildlife but since we were at the end of the rainy season, the tigers were not seen.
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  Joyful Holidays commented on this review

  Dear Michael DuBois, Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review of your experience with Joyful Holidays! We’re truly grateful for your kind words about Sonia’s support and attention to detail—from customizing your itinerary... Show more
  Trip date: September 2025
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  Daniel

  · September 30th, 2025
  Booking process with Ms Sonia, was a dream. Very easy to deal with and good communication. Upon arriving in New Delhi, we were contacted and greeted by our fantastic driver Rampal. Not only was he a very skilful and professional driver, navigating the chaotic streets with calm and ease, but he was also so very friendly and incredibly knowledgeable about his country. We had a wonderful 5 days being driven by and learning from Rampal who always made us feel comfortable, safe, and most welcome! Our first day in New Delhi was amazing. We were blown away by all the new sights, sounds, and smells! It is a very impressive city that we were glad to have explored. The rickshaw ride through Old Delhi was a highlight of the day and an experience we will never forget. Our tour guide Sunny was so helpful and informative. He knew so much history and information about each location and really helped us understand this new country, giving us excellent advice, tips, and recommendations that served us very well for the rest of the trip! Onward to the breathtaking Agra, which was truly the experience of a lifetime. The majesty of the Taj Mahal by sunrise can not be sufficiently expressed in words and the Red Fort was a jaw dropping, eye opening wonder that has us in awe around every turn!! Our tour guide in Agra was Vijay who was so passionate about this city and the locations he took us to. He was a wealth of knowledge and really helped us to understand the depth of history in this incredible city. He also led us safely around the very crowded locations and took many exceptional photographs of us, leaving us with some outstanding tangible memories of this mesmerising city. The hotel in Agra was lovely and comfortable and breakfast was delicious!! On the way to our next stop, we stopped at the epic Fatehpur Sikri which was surprising in its impressive scale, history and beauty. Our charming guide Bunty took us around this striking moment, giving us rich historical details and sharing a joke or two! It was wonderful addition to our journey. Our next stop was Ranthambore and despite arriving quite late, the hotel staff were very accommodating and the hotel itself was just gorgeous! Our tiger safari was early the next morning, and whilst we didn't see any tigers, we saw an abundance of other delightful animals in the lush jungle, and many interesting and unexpected sights on our way there and back through the town. Our guide and driver did their very best to make this lovely experience a memorable one. Our final destination of the tour was the spectacular Jaipur. After a small glitch with the accommodation booking, that was quickly remedied, our hotel was wonderful and welcome. The next day we spent sightseeing in Jaipur and was one of the most awe-inspiring of our lives! There is just so much to take in, from the astounding forts and palaces, the mind blowing observatory, to the resplendent Pink City, the sumptuous palace museum, and even to the bustling streets of the city itself! Everything about this stop was fascinating and fantastic! Our guide Rajesh truly helped us to get the most out of this day. He had such a great understanding of the city and it's history, was able to clearly explain to us every aspect of each location and did so with such depth and joy that we couldn't help but be captivated at every turn! Jaipur really was a fabulous way to end what had been a truly magical and memorable holiday! At each of the locations, there are stops to various factories and workshops that give a bit of insight into how the iconic crafts of India are created. Whilst it is very clearly an opportunity to sell these items, it is also incredibly interesting and, for the most part, time we found well spent. We were also met at almost all of the locations by local people, either selling their wares or asking for money. At times this was a little confronting and whilst it didn't sour our experience at all, it is something I recommended anyone taking this trip needs to prepare themselves for. Overall, we had a wonderful time and we highly recommend this trip to anyone who is limited for time and wants to explore a little of this extraordinary country!!
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  Joyful Holidays commented on this review

  Dear Daniel Dainty, Thank you so much for sharing such a beautifully detailed and heartfelt review of your journey with Joyful Holidays! We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that the booking process with Sonia was smooth and reassuring and that Rampal... Show more
  
  Trip date: September 2025
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  Paul

  · February 2nd, 2025
  We had a great time.
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  Joyful Holidays commented on this review

  Dear Paul Rysdahl Sir, Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you had a great time on your tour. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we're thrilled that you enjoyed your experience. We look forward to welcoming you... Show more
  Trip date: January 2025
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  Shirley

  · January 20th, 2025
  This was the tour of a lifetime. A must for anyone but especially if you are a solo woman. They made sure I had woman tour guides who were outstanding. I had one driver with me the whole 4 days. Poornan was a model of patience and kindness. He drove thru congested traffic with grace. He was always prompt in picking me up and exactly where we needed him to be after each attraction. During the long drives he made sure to stop for rest and bathroom. He even arranged for flowers and cake on my birthday. He made me feel very special far away from home. I could not have been safer and more care for. He also shared his tiger photos with since I didn't see one in Rathambore. Siddhi did the tour in Jaipur. So knowledgeable. She was a font of information on astrology and Indian Life as well as the attractions we saw. She personally helped me when I couldn't get money from my card because the bank had frozen it. I will never forget her kindness and generosity. Every time I look at my garnet ring I will remember her great kindness. Naval did the tour in Delhi. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of the city and it's history old and new. She was so easy to be around and took better photographs than mine. A very humble and loving person. I always felt so much good auras from each of the women. Lastly Alka showed me the Taj Mahal. Such a beautiful soul. She patient re-wrapped my sari for me because I'd done such a poor job. She knew every fact about the Taj Mahal down to every small detail. She helped me at every turn. Her photographs with all of the angles and special places she knew were better than the professional photographers. As I cried at my first sight of the Taj Mahal she rubbed my back. She stopped to show me seemingly small things that I will remember long after this. She is truly a caring and loving person. She helped to arrange the fowers and cake for me with Mr. Singh for my birthday and they all sang to me. Her photographs are professional quality and those are the ones going on Instagram ? It was the simple kindness she showed when helping to arrange my hair or fix my sari for photos. It all made this a wonderful tour. One of the best I've ever had. Thank you so much! Ms Handa I would recommend your company to everyone. It is run so professionally but with the truly human touch that only women can bring. This made this experience so meaningful to me that I feel like I have new sisters on the other side of the world.
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  Joyful Holidays commented on this review

  Dear Shirley Reese, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing such a deeply moving and beautifully written reflection. Your words truly touched us, and we’re honored to have been part of a journey that meant so much to you. We’re thrilled... Show more
  
  Trip date: January 2025
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  Shirley

  · January 20th, 2025
  This was the tour of a lifetime. A must for anyone but especially if you are a solo woman. They made sure I had woman tour guides who were outstanding. I had one driver with me the whole 4 days. Poornan was a model of patience and kindness. He drove thru congested traffic with grace. He was always prompt in picking me up and exactly where we needed him to be after each attraction. During the long drives he made sure to stop for rest and bathroom. He even arranged for flowers and cake on my birthday. He made me feel very special far away from home. I could not have been safer and more care for. He also shared his tiger photos with since I didn't see one in Rathambore. Siddhi did the tour in Jaipur. So knowledgeable. She was a font of information on astrology and Indian Life as well as the attractions we saw. She personally helped me when I couldn't get money from my card because the bank had frozen it. I will never forget her kindness and generosity. Every time I look at my garnet ring I will remember her great kindness. Naval did the tour in Delhi. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of the city and it's history old and new. She was so easy to be around and took better photographs than mine. A very humble and loving person. I always felt so much good auras from each of the women. Lastly Alka showed me the Taj Mahal. Such a beautiful soul. She patient re-wrapped my sari for me because I'd done such a poor job. She knew every fact about the Taj Mahal down to every small detail. She helped me at every turn. Her photographs with all of the angles and special places she knew were better than the professional photographers. As I cried at my first sight of the Taj Mahal she rubbed my back. She stopped to show me seemingly small things that I will remember long after this. She is truly a caring and loving person. She helped to arrange the fowers and cake for me with Mr. Singh for my birthday and they all sang to me. Her photographs are professional quality and those are the ones going on Instagram ? It was the simple kindness she showed when helping to arrange my hair or fix my sari for photos. It all made this a wonderful tour. One of the best I've ever had. Thank you so much! Ms Handa I would recommend your company to everyone. It is run so professionally but with the truly human touch that only women can bring. This made this experience so meaningful to me that I feel like I have new sisters on the other side of the world.
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  Joyful Holidays commented on this review

  Dear Shirley Reese Mam, Thank you for sharing your incredible experience! We're overjoyed to hear that your tour was truly the journey of a lifetime and that our team, especially Pooran, Siddhi, Naval, and Alka, made it so memorable. Their kindness,... Show more
  Trip date: January 2025
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  Chiara

  · December 18th, 2024
  Fantastic Golden Triangle and Ranthambore Tour with Joyful Holidays! Our 5-day tour with Joyful Holidays was truly amazing! Sonja meticulously planned a detailed itinerary and tailored it perfectly to our preferences. She was highly responsive and communicative, ensuring everything ran seamlessly from start to finish. Our driver, Ram, was exceptional—skilled, fun, and attentive. Navigating through India’s bustling traffic with ease, he made us feel completely safe. He also added thoughtful touches to our journey, like treating us to fresh guava and local sweets, which made the experience even more special. The guides at each destination were excellent. They not only shared valuable insights about the sites but also captured stunning photos of us at the most picturesque locations. Overall, this was an unforgettable and well-organized trip. We highly recommend Joyful Holidays to anyone planning to explore India!
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  Joyful Holidays commented on this review

  Dear Chiara, Thank you for your glowing review! We're delighted to hear that your Golden Triangle and Ranthambore tour was such an incredible experience. Sonja’s meticulous planning and responsiveness, combined with Ram’s exceptional driving skills and... Show more
  Trip date: December 2024
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  Karl

  · December 8th, 2024
  Very good tour. Had a really good driver Mr Raju. All the forts were amazing. Tiger safari was not great as very cold this time of year and very little wildlife was seen
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  Joyful Holidays commented on this review

  Dear Karl St George, Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that you had a great tour and enjoyed visiting the incredible forts. It’s wonderful that Mr. Raju made your journey smooth and enjoyable. We’re sorry to hear that the... Show more
  Trip date: December 2024
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  John

  · December 3rd, 2024
  We enjoyed a wonderful Golden Triangle tour, including a Ranthambore safari with Joyous Holidays. Sonia and the team arranged everything in advance with excellent and clear communications. The team of local guides were extremely knowledgeable and charming people. But the most important person was our host/driver Parveen Kumar. He shared the tour with us for all 5 days, ensured we had a great time, was flexible to every request and treated us like kings throughout the tour.
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  Joyful Holidays commented on this review

  Dear John O'Brien, Thank you for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable experience on your Golden Triangle tour with Joyous Holidays. It’s fantastic that Sonia and our team provided seamless arrangements and clear... Show more
  Trip date: December 2024
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  Naomi

  · November 26th, 2024
  I had a brilliant private tour for 5 days across the golden triangle and Ranthambore. Sonia was extremely helpful in designing my trip and adjusting for any preferences very flexibly. She was always very fast to respond and provided excellent communication and information before the trip. Everything ran very smoothly which made it easy for me to relax and enjoy my time. The tour guides were all very friendly and very happy to share their knowledge and colour of personal experiences and assist in any way they could. A special mention must go to my driver, Ajay, who was truly excellent. Making me feel secure on the wild roads of India (!) whilst being very welcoming to his country, always on time, incredibly helpful in all respects and a pleasure to talk to. Thank you! Naomi
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  Joyful Holidays commented on this review

  Dear Naomi Waistell, Thank you for your wonderful review, Naomi! We are absolutely delighted to hear that your private tour across the Golden Triangle and Ranthambore was such a brilliant experience. Sonia takes great pride in ensuring every journey is... Show more
  Trip date: November 2024
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  Ryan

  · November 21st, 2024
  I recently did this trip with a friend and I had an incredible time. The guides in each city were very knowledgeable, making sure that we knew about the history and cultures of each location that we visited. It was also really great that they were accommodating when we wanted to spend time taking photos, even when it started to get crowded. Our driver, Mr Pooran Singh, was incredible. Driving such long distances and being patient with us tourists must be a tough job, but Pooran was professional and helpful at all times. We really felt safe and comfortable with him. I would recommend this tour to anyone that wants to visit the must-do’s in India!
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  Joyful Holidays commented on this review

  Dear Ryan Mcmenamin, Thank you for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had an incredible experience on your trip and that our guides made each city’s history and culture come to life for you. It’s fantastic to know they were... Show more
  Trip date: November 2024