We loved this trip, lots of amazing scenery, great hikes, beautiful temples, stunning views & friendly knowledgeable guides with us. We particularly loved the Nordic Inn; it was cosy & warm, with great food & the staff were so so helpful. There were a few changes during the trip (a train instead of a car, one walk was different due to the previous monsoon) which worked out great & in my experience of travelling India is to be anticipated - things are always very fluid!!

Manu looked after the group well & did his very best to assist us all, and he did this with a smile! Vasu & Sunjay were really knowledgeable about the areas we hiked around.

All in all it was great! India is an amazing country (if not a little crazy) & this was another fabulous experience - thanks!

Overall, the hiking was enjoyable -strenuous, but not too much and we had beautiful blue skies. It’s hard to get used to the amount of trash on the trails though. As other reviews mentioned, it is a lot of time in a van on some really windy roads so that would be a caution for people prone to motion sickness.

The time in Shimla had proportionally more time driving than in Dharmsala-some of that is just the crowded touristic nature of the town. In general, the Shimla accommodation seemed fairly remote and it might have been more fun to stay closer in town. In contrast, the accommodation in Dharmsala was great because you could go and wander the town on your own. The staff of the nomad Inn were also very nice. The rooms in Shimla were kind of cold, but I’m not sure that can be readily fixed.

Drivers were great- yoga was fun and the leader accommodated different levels

The toy train is problematic. It’s historic and kind of cool but the amount of time it takes to drive there and back negates some of the pleasure . Not sure if maybe we could have taken the train up to Shimla on our initial day of arrival and not have had to backtrack?

Had a fantastic trip, mainly down to the group. Scenery was wonderful, the people and colours surpassed all expectations. The itinerary looked great, but sadly there were a few blips which mates the overall experience.

It was a great trip to northern India. The group was interesting and I enjoyed getting to know everyone, our guide Manu was exceptional and the fount of all knowledge.

The walking trails were sometimes challenging for me, but I never felt under pressure and there was always a guide at the back as well as the front. The food was excellent, especially at the hotel at Shimla where we enjoyed several fantastic buffet meals. However this hotel was cold and also a bit damp in early November. The hotel in Delhi was functional but the staff were really helpful and the hotel in Mcloud Ganj was very comfortable.

I'd strongly recommend, I'd never travelled as a solo traveller on an organised trip but it was very friendly and really fun. The yoga was a nice way to stretch in the morning.

Overall, an enjoyable trip - highlights were the treks but be warned, although the notes say moderate fitness, you do need a good level of fitness and be used to hiking in tough terrain as some of the treks were really challenging. . . . Two walks had 1000m of ascent! I loved McLeod Ganj and the amazing Nomadic Hotel and the wonderful staff there. There are three full days of travel - easier sections on train and more challenging, winding roads by car. The drivers were with us throughout the trip and were fantastic but the winding roads and crazy traffic are not to be under-estimated. It was much colder in the evenings than any of us expected - especially in Shimla and the hotel was very cold so bring layers and woolly socks. I found the activities pace a bit much - yoga started at 0645 every day and the programme went on all day but you could easily dip out and most of us did for one or two activites. I did generally really enjoy the whole experience but hope that the hotel in Delhi is changed as it was poor and there must be better options. We had a lovely group and a very caring guide, Manu who always tried hard to make everyone happy.

Great trip with a lovely group of people. Landing in Delhi is an experience in itself. So much to see and do! We didn’t know what to expect and if you have never travelled to India before be prepared for a pleasant chaos where you can get anything done. The travel days are long on this trip but we were pleasantly surprised by Indian rail which was comfortable. We had 3 good quality cars and drivers for our group who were invaluable and always there waiting for us or dropping us off. Be prepared for early starts to the day with yoga - you can skip a few sessions if you want a lie in! The food was great in all locations and plentiful and very cheap by British standards. Hiking for me was the best part. Be prepared for hilly hikes in the mountains with great stops for lunch, tremendous views and plenty of chai tea. Our group had a good pace with 2 guides one at the front and one at the back so all levels of walker covered. The hikes are demanding as usually 3 hr ascent then lunch and then quicker descent. I would recommend strong trail shoes or lightweight walking boots. Lots of rocks and steps, similar to the Cornish coast path. The highlight for me was McLeod Ganj - this was the best hotel by far and a calmer location with a great roof terrace. Prepare yourself for mini Tibet and the Dalai Lama. Roads are winding so take some travel pills if you get car sick. The yoga sessions are good but more suited to beginners/ intermediates. If you’re a yoga instructor then it might not be enough for you. The time and focus is more hiking. It’s cold in the mountains so you need to pack for 25C in the day and 5C at night. Take a down jacket especially in the cooler seasons. We all bought local blankets for £4 which were brilliant. Recommended essentials to take: pack of tissues, slip off sandals for yoga and hotels, warm socks to wear with sandals! Down jacket, alcohol hand gel, small waist pack for money, sunglasses, toilet tissues when you go sightseeing. Personally we added a few extra days in Delhi which I highly recommend. Others added on even more days seeing the golden triangle.

Fabulous holiday with great group, but 3 very long travelling days. Transfer to SHIMLA should include toy train to avoid trying to transit SHIMLA 4 times, as it often takes nearly 2 hours to do so. Hotel in Delhi not good, and hotel in Shimla very cold. Walking excellent. Drivers superb. Communication between MBA and activity needs improvement.

We loved it so much, the landscape, the culture, the food, the hike and the group. So happy to be able to visit North India in an organised tour, especially for the hiking part. Not to mention our guide, Manu who went above and beyond (as well as our drivers who we call collectively the chiefs). Couldn't ask for a better time and strongly recommend!!

Some thing to be mindful of if you are booking this trip:

• DO NOT book for monsoon season, we have seen damages on the road from the weather and landslide, it will be a killer
• India traffic is somewhat comparable to the British trains, the timing can be very variable; so take the quoted time as a guide only and take motion sickness tablets if your stomach don't like windy roads. . .
• the Yoga instructor can be a little variable, we have one good one and anther slightly questionable. It's all part of the fun, but don't expect a really life transforming class

As my first solo trip, I am amazed at how easy and amazing this entire trip was. The group dynamics were spot on and everything so well organised. Like other reviewers say, quite a lot of time is spent travelling, however that is a "necessary evil" to be able to cover the two key areas the trip focuses. We were also lucky enough to be able to attend a public ceremony with the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, which was so special and such a privilege. The hikes were a little harder than anticipated (didn't mind that though) and Ketan our guide just outstanding in everything he did. It feels like I've met friends for life and I can't wait to book another adventure with MBA. Oh and the food. . . . Simply to die for!

This was my first visit to India and I'm not sure what I expected - but this country blew me away! The walking and yoga is great by itself but also gives you a different way to see the beautiful country and connect with the Indian people. All our guides & drivers were fantastic and Ketan, trip leader, took everything in his stride with patience and good humour. He re-arranged things to fit in with the weather and made special requests come true - we saw His Holiness the Dalai Lama at a special prayer ceremony and that was definitely not on the itinerary! Yes, the weather was not kind and travel days were long but that is all part of exploring India. I loved the people and the country and will be back!

The hiking and yoga on this trip were awesome and the guides were amazing. We were a small group of like-minded women, which made for a fun adventure. It was quite challenging in places and I would advise using poles and avoiding the pre-monsoon period when conditions are damp and paths slippery. Be prepared for a few really long travel days that will challenge even the best passengers. Our driver, Brijesh tackled the tough conditions with a calmness to be admired. The experience, the views and reaching those summits was worth the long drives. Our guides shared their local knowledge and a passion for Indian history and culture - especially tour guide Ketan, who educated and entertained us. While India was never on my bucket list, this trip won me over and I am confident I will return to discover more and will consider MBA in future.

I am not much into yoga or hiking but I still had a fantastic time with Ketan our guide and Bridjish our driver did a great job on the busy winding roads. It was ok to miss some activities and have some me time. Our small group got along well and everything went smoothly. The travel days are long but bearable and the accommodation was good especially the Nomadic Inn. I loved it as my first trip to India and it has inspired me to see more of India and get into Tosha and hiking more.

Well organised trip, fantastic sceneries and great food. The early yoga sessions are welcome to stretch before hiking. Be ready for astonishing views, good company and active holidays. The 3 days travelling between locations were too long to my liking but our amazing drivers, guide and the group made these days more comfortable.