Very Disappointing Experience – Kashi & Kin Tour, Varanasi
We booked with Kashi & Kin Tour well before leaving the UK, having arranged our accommodation, sightseeing, temple visits and other activities in advance. We expected a properly organised and reliable service, but unfortunately our experience was extremely disappointing.
On arrival in Varanasi, we were taken to Kashi Vilaa, the accommodation arranged by the company. We found the property unacceptable due to its cleanliness and surroundings. After a long journey, this was the last thing we expected.
We refused to stay there and were left to make our own alternative accommodation arrangements at around midnight. We booked and paid for another hotel ourselves. This was an extremely stressful and exhausting experience, particularly after travelling.
Despite the arrangements having been made before we left the UK, we ended up having to organise much of our sightseeing, temple visits and local transport independently. A helpful local tuk-tuk driver assisted us with arrangements that we had expected the tour company to manage.
There were also issues concerning our yoga arrangements. We had paid ₹3,400 towards yoga through Kashi & Kin Tour, yet we also ended up paying the yoga instructor a substantial amount separately. The instructor himself was excellent, but the financial arrangements through the tour company were not satisfactorily explained.
Although a settlement and refund were discussed, we never received any refund money from Kashi & Kin Tour.
What made the experience even more disappointing was the lack of meaningful follow-up or concern after we rejected the accommodation. We never heard from the company again.
We travelled all the way from the UK expecting a well-organised and peaceful visit to Varanasi. Instead, we were left dealing with accommodation problems, making alternative arrangements and spending additional money.
Based on our personal experience, I would not recommend Kashi & Kin Tour. I would not trust this company to arrange accommodation, sightseeing or other travel services for me again.
I strongly advise anyone considering booking with this company to think twice before parting with their hard-earned money.