Beyond The Brochure

Bindu at Breakaway helped us plan a great 9-day itinerary in Ladakh. We had 4 nights in Leh, and 1 night at Pangong. The hotels and homestays in Leh were very good and the food was always good too. The drivers organised for us (2 cars for 7 people) were courteous and safe. But the best part of it was a 3N/4D trek (35 -40km) with outdoor camping. On the trek, everything went like clockwork, and even the meals cooked by the traveling crew in makeshift kitchens was delicious. The main guide for the trek was excellent and as a wildlife expert he also entertained us with many stories of spotting snow leopards!

We had a terrific time in general and Mary Anne specifically enjoyed interacting with local weavers observing and learning some techniques different from what she already knew. We will have no hesitation in recommending one of your tours to our family and friends. Some specifics: We were extremely happy with our driver Mohan. He was prompt and courteous and a very safe driver. When there was no guide with us he proved to be extremely knowledgeable in his own right and very protective of us when he drove us to restaurants for lunch (on days with no guide) and in the evening. (When there was a guide in the car he tended not to speak too much.) In general the guides were good. I would say highlights of the tour included the walk down the street in the village where everyone is a weaver (on the way to Pondicherry), the half day tour in Karaikudi with the guide from the Bangala that included the mansion houses and weaving center, the Meenakshi Temple and Chungadi saris in Madurai (your guide there was particularly good) and the next day with the same guide at the Gandhigram Center dying and weaving centers. I want to thank you again for everything you did before and during the tour to make our visit so successful. We had a lot of fun.

We had a fabulous week under the guidance of Bindu Breakaway. From the minute our driver Satypal collected us to moment he dropped us at Delhi airport on our way back to the UK a week later, everything went like clockwork. We requested a tailor-made trip around the various fabric making techniques and producers in region (mostly Rajasthan). We saw block printing and tie-dying, embroidery and perhaps best of all visited a collective deep in the back of beyond that specialises in helping women who had been abandoned by their husbands, back into the work place. We arrived in India with half empty suitcases but returned with them crammed with wonderful fabrics that we had seen being created. Everywhere we stayed was delightful and characterful. Particularly outstanding was our Hotel in Churu a lovingly reconstructed Haveli with original frescoes on our bedroom wall. Thanks very much to Bindu and Satypal. We will be back!

Travelling with Breakaway was a thoroughly professional experience. Their bespoke itineraries give access to aspects of India that are off the beaten path and fit my interests perfectly. Most important, as a woman traveling alone, I felt safe and in good hands every second of the way.

I traveled to India recently for book research, and I am so glad I was introduced to Shilpa! First, about our tour with Breakaway: Shilpa and Bindu customised a tour of the golden triangle. All three tour guides were great in their own way. Bindu was lovely to deal with and super responsive at all hours. She facilitated a wonderful five days in Agra, Jaipur, and Delhi. Now, about Shilpa: This woman is a powerhouse. She proved to be an invaluable resource for my research, connecting me with anyone she thought might be helpful. I am incredibly grateful that our paths crossed and for her tireless work. If you’re looking for a unique experience in India and are willing to splurge, Breakaway is the place for you. Don’t sleep on it.

Had such an amazing travel experience with Breakaway. Shilpa and Bindu worked with us over a few weeks to create the perfect itinerary throughout Rajasthan, and as high as our expectations were, everything was even more perfect than we’d imagined. The hotels, the activities, and the destinations all exceeded expectations. We elected to go off the beaten path a little bit, and we truly felt like that’s the experience we got — not a touristy approximation of it. Bindu was so helpful with mid-trip questions and requests, and we ended the trip so excited to return. Can’t recommend Breakaway highly enough.

We really enjoyed our trip to Hampi, Kochi, and Munnar areas with Breakaway. We had some ideas in mind, and Breakaway took them and created a custom itinerary. They accommodated our travel constraints and suggested the best options for flights, hotels, and accommodations. It worked out very smoothly. I'll never forget the beauty of Kerala's nature, and the spectacular landscapes of Hampi. This was our second time with Breakaway, and we hope to be back again 🙂