TESTIMONIALS

Merge provided us with the trip of a lifetime to India.

The owner, Mona Contractor, planned a 3 week adventure that was personalized to suit two slightly above middle aged sisters from NYC. We saw off the beaten path locations, such as Mount Abu, the caves at Ajanta and Ellora, and the camp at Chhatra Sagar as well as visiting the ‘not to be missed’ sites such as the Dhobi Ghat in Mumbai, the Taj Mahal and Varanasi. We had guides who shared not only their knowledge of the site, but what their day to day lives were like. We had drivers, including one for 12 days, who kept us comfortable, even when driving on a ‘highway’ on the wrong side of the road with farm animals having the right of way. Mona booked us into extraordinary, palatial hotels. She communicated our quirks to the staff ahead of our arrival so they knew we are not adventurous eaters and were willing to provide simple fare. We had soft handoffs during several internal flights, were escorted on a train and had the most attentive customer service one could expect. In fact, Mona personally greeted us on our first day to introduce us to our guide. As a result, the exotic became quite comfortable. In summary, Mona provided an individualized, well planned trip, staffed by personable, knowledgeable guides and drivers. The itinerary was active, but permitted us a couple of afternoons to recover in the Spa. We met interesting people, saw fascinating sites and learned about a culture that is very different from our own. We will be eternally grateful for the care and attention that went into the planning and execution of this trip. Merge and Mona are the best you could ask for!

– Bonnie Cantor & Marcia Holman, Manhattan, New York

The arrangements were top-notch and we all had a fantastic time

Merge is an amazing travel company who would listen to my needs and then make the perfect recommendations for myself and my friends. Whether a 17-day train-and-car expedition through Gujarat, a luxurious beachside getaway in Goa, or a tour of centuries-old ruins in Karnataka, the arrangements were top-notch and we all had a fantastic time. They were able to work within our budget and knew all the local hotspots as well as the specific (ok, picky!) expectations and standards of expats. The English-speaking guides and drivers arranged were also perfect for us. The passion for helping people to explore India which shows up in the details and professionalism of their work. Go with them and you can’t go wrong.

– Minal Hajratwala  Author – Leaving India, My family’s journey through five villages

We have nothing but the highest praise

Merge arranged two long trips for us, one in North India and one in the South, and we have nothing but the highest praise. Rather than trying to fit us into a pre-packaged itinerary, like many other operators, they listened and came up with ideas that made both vacations super-special – great little hotels and side-trips that no one else would have thought of. Plus the prices were competitive, perhaps even cheaper than an ordinary operator. But the real proof was that nothing went wrong. Six weeks in India and everything was perfect. The guides and drivers were always on time, always fluent in English and always of the highest quality. We trusted their people completely and were never disappointed. For years we had put off traveling to India, thinking it would be too chaotic. But Merge took the chaos out of it.

– Hy Conrad and Jeff Johanson, New York

Merge offers exquisite experiences

I can’t say enough about how much I enjoy and appreciate the work that Merge has done for me in arranging travel experiences in India. Merge offers exquisite experiences – with the connections to knowledgeable guides, excellent hotels and they know the transportation system (with all of the glitches). They have a sense of my preferences so they set up the trips in a manner that meets my needs. I wish that I had access to someone like Merge here in the US. Merge is an excellent provider who I look forward to working with each year that I visit India. And I have recommended their services to a great many friends–all of whom say they also have had great experiences.

– Stacy Blake Beard – Professor at Simmons College, Boston

Excellent personalized travel services

Mona provides excellent personalized travel services, paying special attention to the preferences of Americans traveling in India. Personally visiting all of the locations of recommendation and has great relationships with local tour guides in each city and the best hotels. Although we have traveled with only once, we plan to utilize her services again. Also, my brother has traveled with her twice, and we have recommended her to many friends.

– Gail Hauptfuhrer, Philadelphia

Merge will take very good care of you

I was looking for the words that will eloquently paint a picture of the beauty of India. I kept asking myself how can I express to the reader/s how beautiful and majestic India is. Then I realized the people who may read this, are people like my husband and I, who were, before going to India, skeptics. So all I need to tell you is, if you are worry about your safety, your experience, or whether you will get your money’s worth, then my only advise to you take services of Merge Experiences. Merge was recommended to me by a colleague, whom I went to crying as I spent many months planning my trip. My friend shared with me that I would have an epic vacation. This trip was for my husband’s 40th birthday and I wanted it to be beyond epic, I wanted it to be memorable, I wanted him to leave India in amazement, and Merge made it happen. We were greeted at the airport, we didn’t need to look or wait for anyone at all times we had a tour guide and a driver. We always had someone to assist us, the hotels chosen have majestic views and were all comfortable. Our driver was fun to talk to and all our tour guides were English speakers. We left India new. We saw the beauty (rich) and some of the beast (poverty) of India but most of all we experienced India’s riches resources, the locals. The people are friendly, kind, and welcoming. Their culture, their clothing, their food, all rich and unique. Their love is strong and genuine. I enjoyed my 9 days in India and if you plan your trip with Merge, I promise you, you will enjoy it too. Trust me, if you are a skeptic, Merge will take very good care of you.

– Veronica and Marlon Sullivan – Lake Villa, Illinois