This visit was part of our third private tour with 5 Senses (first tour, So. India for a month; second No. India for 5.5 weeks; third East and South India, one month). You might have guessed that we are very happy with the company. All three tours were fantastic, this one no exception. There is not a lot to see in Hyderabad, but it's still worth a tour (especially if you're there for work and have a free weekend). John, our 5 Senses local guide, was very good. Don't miss his "tea stall visit" in the market--you won't forget it! The primary strength of 5 Senses is its people. The owner, Mr. Narayanan, is a great travel planning partner (he’ll work with you to craft exactly the trip you want) and he is super-responsive during trips if any problems arise. I am confident that Narayanan will fix it if it needs fixing—he has helped us several times in that way, and he has done it quickly. The state-based “cultural ambassadors” he has recruited (the guides who accompany you for days, across multiple sites) are excellent and soon become friends. For this month-long tour, I’d particularly like to call out Kannan (Tamil Nadu) and Mohan, and Chandra Shekar (Karnataka). If you are touring other parts of the country, we highly recommend Balwinder (Punjab and Rajasthan) and Vivek and Ram Sewak (Varanasi, Khajuraho and environs). It is basically a fool’s errand to try to price shop local tour operators—there are too many variables, including the type of accommodation, the quality of guides and the quality of transport (both of which can’t be assessed ahead of time). That said, over the course of the three tours, we feel that 5 Senses has been very good value for money. And I can say for certain that you would pay three times as much for the same Smithsonian or Nat Geo or other corporate tour, plus you’d be on a bus with many other folks and stuck with the group schedule. With 5 Senses you’re in your own car deciding where and when you want to go, where you want to eat, and when you want to take it easy. My advice to friends looking for a private tour in India is “don’t bother contacting other companies, just talk to 5 Senses. You won’t regret it.”

The tour with our tour guide John was not only interesting but also very entertaining. John tells the history with a lot of stories so we had fun and laughed a lot while learning about Hyderabad and the Nizam dynasties. I will never forget the visit in the bakery with mouthwatering biscuits hot from the oven. I can really recommend this tour.

The walking tour was excellent and time well spent to learn the local culture. Thanks to our knowledgeable guide John. He was extremely hospitable and made the tour fun for all. Thank you for the wonderful experinece.

Amazing tour with Mohan. He was extremely knowledgeable and planned the tour very well. Highly recommend, especially if you are in Hyderabad for a limited amount of time.

Mohan was a great tour guide! He is very knowledgeable, friendly and a great story teller! We got to see all of the main sights in one day and highly recommend visitors to do it through a tour- you learn so much more!

Fantastic walking tour of the old city of Hyderabad. My tour guide John was very knowledgeable and helpful. He made me feel at home as a tourist visiting India for the first time. We did an in-depth tour of Chowmahalla palace, Charminar, and the Mecca Masjid. We finished with delicious tea and cookies in the Laad Bazaar. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking to explore the old city.

Hyderabad has beautiful landmarks. John, the tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable, easy going and he catered the tour to my pace.

My solo tour of Hyderabad was absolutely fantastic, and a huge part of that was thanks to my incredible guide, John! From the moment we met, John's enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the city were evident. He brought the magnificent Golconda Fort and the opulent palaces to life with captivating stories and historical context. I truly felt transported back in time. What made this tour extra special was that John didn't just show me the famous landmarks; he also shared the hidden gems and local favorites that most tourists miss. We explored bustling markets, visited serene temples, and I got a real feel for the heart of Hyderabad. And the food! John took me to a local spot for lunch, and it was a very delicious and authentic Indian meal. It was such a treat to experience the vibrant culture and rich history of Hyderabad with such a knowledgeable and personable guide. I highly recommend John and this tour to anyone visiting Hyderabad – you won't be disappointed! It was an unforgettable experience.

Great walking tour of Hyderabad old city! John was an awesome guide. He was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of historical facts and insights.

Be ready to climb like a mountain goat but the views are amazing and well worth it. Suresh made sure I had good photos of myself at the different locations. Eating with my hand was fun. The Iranian chai was delicious. I learned a lot about the city that I did not know before. Be ready to pay attention of your surroundings so you do not get run over by the crazy traffic. I had a lot of fun and was tired when I finished. Highly recommended.

5senses managed every aspect for our trip, from hotel booking to driver for car transfers. The accommodations suggested were wonderful. The driver and accompanying person were attentive. 100% recommended, we feel safe all the time with them and enjoyed a unique experience. Overall we were delighted with 5senses

I had an amazing time on the walking tour! John was the perfect guide - he was fun, funny and provided an amazing history of India and the places we visited. Looking forward to the next time I’ll be sure to book again!

Very knowledgeable & friendly guide and driver. Local lunch cuisine experience was fantastic. Lots of culture. Full day, get ready to be exhausted!

Amazing great trip informative guide who was v friendly. Great lunch. Good value for money tired at end of day. Thank you

This tour was everything I could have asked for and more. I am from the US and went with a friend who is local to Hyderabad. She was also was impressed by the amount of knowledge our guide had and learned many new things throughout our tour. I would HIGHLY recommend this agency and specifically, John, our tour guide! He made us feel safe throughout our tour in a very crowded area!! Thanks to John for making this trip one to remember for a lifetime!