My First India Trip
Jun 19th, 2015, 08:56 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My First India Trip
A couple of years ago, I thought India as just another developing country, which was famous for Bollywood, Tea and above all Slum Dog Millionaire. My first trip there completely changed my impression of this country and also changed my attitude towards it. Like every year, I was surfing through internet to decide the next destination for our year end trip when I reached this website promoting India. As I read further, I realized that every single place in this country has its own charm - a village, a city, a palace or a fort, everything sounded very interesting. I had no other option than to go and see this country by myself and experience its cultural heritage. So we contacted this online agency called Indus Explorers and with their help we booked this trip
We had only 8 days for this trip, and I don’t want to make it an exhausting journey. So, I decided to visit only Rajasthan. I picked up some famous cities like Jaipur – “Pink” city with its magnificent Amber Fort and other beautiful monuments, Jodhpur – known as “blue” city, very calm and quite, which turned out to be unusual and unexpected, but very pleasant and Udaipur, known as eastern Venice, due to its location on the lakes. The city is incredibly charming and extremely romantic. I would consider it as an ideal place for a honeymoon. All the cities have some beautiful palaces and magnificent forts, which are well preserved and give you an idea of lavish and luxury life of their former inhabitants.
I would also like to mention about Delhi which is considered just as a gateway city. But it’s not; Delhi appeared to me as the city of contrasts. With its more than fourteen million population and 3000 years of existence, it has striking mixture of ancient and modern culture.
We were pretty impressed with the Indian hotels. The service standards are quite good and sometimes even exceed the international standards. The rooms are large, with quality wooden furniture, elegantly decorated in Indian style that helps you aware yourself staying in the unique and exotic country. Bed linen is snow-white and changed daily. Housekeeping and room cleaning are without any advance request and the best thing is the reasonable price you pay for it. Or I think credit goes to the travel agency that the provided the best hotels within our budget. I doubt that every hotel maintain this kind of standards.
Another highlight of our trip was the sumptuous Indian cuisines. In each city, there was something new on offer. The food was tasty, enriched with diverse flavors and spices, at the same time rather light and healthy. Infact, we’ve been visiting Indian restaurants here since our return.
Unfortunately, I did not have much time for my trip and it passed very quickly. I didn’t visit some main attractions i.e Taj Mahal in Agra, Sacred River Ganga in Varanasi, Desert city Jaisalmer and many other interesting places. Departing from Delhi airport, I was feeling bad to leave India so soon but at the same time I was thinking of new trips to this amazing piece of land. I will definitely recommend India to every traveler.
We had only 8 days for this trip, and I don’t want to make it an exhausting journey. So, I decided to visit only Rajasthan. I picked up some famous cities like Jaipur – “Pink” city with its magnificent Amber Fort and other beautiful monuments, Jodhpur – known as “blue” city, very calm and quite, which turned out to be unusual and unexpected, but very pleasant and Udaipur, known as eastern Venice, due to its location on the lakes. The city is incredibly charming and extremely romantic. I would consider it as an ideal place for a honeymoon. All the cities have some beautiful palaces and magnificent forts, which are well preserved and give you an idea of lavish and luxury life of their former inhabitants.
I would also like to mention about Delhi which is considered just as a gateway city. But it’s not; Delhi appeared to me as the city of contrasts. With its more than fourteen million population and 3000 years of existence, it has striking mixture of ancient and modern culture.
We were pretty impressed with the Indian hotels. The service standards are quite good and sometimes even exceed the international standards. The rooms are large, with quality wooden furniture, elegantly decorated in Indian style that helps you aware yourself staying in the unique and exotic country. Bed linen is snow-white and changed daily. Housekeeping and room cleaning are without any advance request and the best thing is the reasonable price you pay for it. Or I think credit goes to the travel agency that the provided the best hotels within our budget. I doubt that every hotel maintain this kind of standards.
Another highlight of our trip was the sumptuous Indian cuisines. In each city, there was something new on offer. The food was tasty, enriched with diverse flavors and spices, at the same time rather light and healthy. Infact, we’ve been visiting Indian restaurants here since our return.
Unfortunately, I did not have much time for my trip and it passed very quickly. I didn’t visit some main attractions i.e Taj Mahal in Agra, Sacred River Ganga in Varanasi, Desert city Jaisalmer and many other interesting places. Departing from Delhi airport, I was feeling bad to leave India so soon but at the same time I was thinking of new trips to this amazing piece of land. I will definitely recommend India to every traveler.
Jun 19th, 2015, 10:50 PM
#2
Hi Jenny, welcome to Fodor's. Sounds like you had an interesting trip. Four cities in 8 days must have kept you moving very fast! But how nice that you found hotels where housekeeping and room cleaning are without any advance request. That must have been a real delight!
Jun 20th, 2015, 09:54 AM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello Lcuy & Annhig,
It was really amazing, the memories will always stay. Initially I too thought it’ll b really hectic, but then we had limited period (it was along with a business trip to Dubai). So we booked everything through a tour company in India, who suggested that 2 nights at each destination would be perfect. It was all pre-arranged and went very smooth, driving from one place to another and hotels were already aware of our coming. I too wud say that 2 days are sufficient to explore, experience and indulge in the local life at these cities. From my first hand experience, India can sometimes be overwhelming, but I really enjoyed every bit!
It was really amazing, the memories will always stay. Initially I too thought it’ll b really hectic, but then we had limited period (it was along with a business trip to Dubai). So we booked everything through a tour company in India, who suggested that 2 nights at each destination would be perfect. It was all pre-arranged and went very smooth, driving from one place to another and hotels were already aware of our coming. I too wud say that 2 days are sufficient to explore, experience and indulge in the local life at these cities. From my first hand experience, India can sometimes be overwhelming, but I really enjoyed every bit!
Jul 3rd, 2015, 05:06 PM
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jennie, you are wise to limit the number of places you visited! there are people who try to do 6 places in that small amount of time! I agree with your impression of Delhi!!
You can hopefully return! And the nice thing is there are many local airports in India, so if you have limited time, but want to visit a variety of places, it is do-able. (In fact, for my next trip to India, I am considering four days in just one particular village homestay place in Kerala, followed by four days at a village homestay south of Kolkata.)
Our modern busy lives sometimes don't allow enough time for trips...but luckily, transport is also modern,for those 8-10 day trips.
You can hopefully return! And the nice thing is there are many local airports in India, so if you have limited time, but want to visit a variety of places, it is do-able. (In fact, for my next trip to India, I am considering four days in just one particular village homestay place in Kerala, followed by four days at a village homestay south of Kolkata.)
Our modern busy lives sometimes don't allow enough time for trips...but luckily, transport is also modern,for those 8-10 day trips.
Jul 4th, 2015, 09:49 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Cali,
Yup, pretty happy I went ahead with the tour company's suggestion. And yes, I totally agree with you that traveling anywhere across the world is quite convenient now a days.
But tell you what, all of a sudden, I'm really excited after hearing your plan, never heard of a village homestay experience! - it sounds really good. What is it all bout and when are you planning to go there? I'll be waiting to hear on your experience, and maybe, can add it for the next trip.
Thanks,
Jennie
Yup, pretty happy I went ahead with the tour company's suggestion. And yes, I totally agree with you that traveling anywhere across the world is quite convenient now a days.
But tell you what, all of a sudden, I'm really excited after hearing your plan, never heard of a village homestay experience! - it sounds really good. What is it all bout and when are you planning to go there? I'll be waiting to hear on your experience, and maybe, can add it for the next trip.
Thanks,
Jennie
Jul 4th, 2015, 12:59 PM
#8
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Jennie,
The one in Kerala is
Dewalokam.com
The other is in Orisds a state, which I'd likely travel to after a few days in Kolkata. I can't recall the name. Will contact my (totally fantastic) Indian Travel Agency and find out, and post it here.
The one in Kerala is
Dewalokam.com
The other is in Orisds a state, which I'd likely travel to after a few days in Kolkata. I can't recall the name. Will contact my (totally fantastic) Indian Travel Agency and find out, and post it here.
Jul 6th, 2015, 04:31 AM
#10
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Jenny,
It was lovely reading your blog. I am glad you liked my country and also my state, Delhi, where i live. I hope you have make many more trips to India in Future. Every place in India is unique and worth exploring.
It was lovely reading your blog. I am glad you liked my country and also my state, Delhi, where i live. I hope you have make many more trips to India in Future. Every place in India is unique and worth exploring.
Jul 6th, 2015, 08:36 AM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Cali,
Thanks a ton for sharing the details. It looks great (especially Dewalokam - the location is awesome), i'm surely going to one of these on my next trip. I'll also look forward to your tour report on this experience.
Thanks again, Jennie
Thanks a ton for sharing the details. It looks great (especially Dewalokam - the location is awesome), i'm surely going to one of these on my next trip. I'll also look forward to your tour report on this experience.
Thanks again, Jennie
Surely gonna return soon. Thanks for reading my tour report.
Aug 5th, 2015, 08:00 AM
#13
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jennie_Pert,
I too have been dreaming of India for a loooooong time. I first heard about the Pushkar Camel Fair back in 2003 and have wanted to go more and more ever since.
When I got to be an intimate part of an Indian wedding in 2010, it became an obsession. Being painted with the henna and wearing a sari to the wedding just push me over the edge.
After a lot of pushing and maybe some whining too I finally convinced my reluctant husband to go.
We are going to India in Nov!!!! I am so excited I can hardly wait. I have only one fear...that I will want to return as often as possible which will conflict with my love for returning time and again to Africa!!
My oh my...decisions, decisions!!!
I too have been dreaming of India for a loooooong time. I first heard about the Pushkar Camel Fair back in 2003 and have wanted to go more and more ever since.
When I got to be an intimate part of an Indian wedding in 2010, it became an obsession. Being painted with the henna and wearing a sari to the wedding just push me over the edge.
After a lot of pushing and maybe some whining too I finally convinced my reluctant husband to go.
We are going to India in Nov!!!! I am so excited I can hardly wait. I have only one fear...that I will want to return as often as possible which will conflict with my love for returning time and again to Africa!!
My oh my...decisions, decisions!!!
Aug 5th, 2015, 04:27 PM
#14
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jenny_pert - so glad you enjoyed India as many of us here have. We just booked our second four week trip for this coming February and are in the planning stages.
Neuman605 - it took a lot of convincing to get my husband to India after endless years of saying he'd never go, but he is now hooked. You will have a terrific time.
Calinurse - when will you be in India? I will look at your home stay links, but I'm curious if you worry about the food and hygeine? Also, are the home stays generally air conditioned? On our last trip, if you recall, I got sick on my final day and was sick for a week. Thankfully it didn't ruin my trip or my desire to return!
Neuman605 - it took a lot of convincing to get my husband to India after endless years of saying he'd never go, but he is now hooked. You will have a terrific time.
Calinurse - when will you be in India? I will look at your home stay links, but I'm curious if you worry about the food and hygeine? Also, are the home stays generally air conditioned? On our last trip, if you recall, I got sick on my final day and was sick for a week. Thankfully it didn't ruin my trip or my desire to return!
Aug 5th, 2015, 04:40 PM
#15
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dgunbug--of course i worry about hygiene! Knock wood, in six trips to India, including all sorts of accommodation, I've never been sick!! But...stuff happens anywhere so I remain cautious and vigilant about what and where I eat, use of water, etc.
Per two experienced folks I trust who've been, i totally would not hesitate to chow down at Dewalokam!
No imminent India plans for me. I'm planning for VN first trip now, and wondering if i should have just returned to India!
Per two experienced folks I trust who've been, i totally would not hesitate to chow down at Dewalokam!
No imminent India plans for me. I'm planning for VN first trip now, and wondering if i should have just returned to India!
Aug 5th, 2015, 06:53 PM
#16
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jennie, I really appreciated your report, and your candor about your initial feelings about India. I've been following a lot of India trip reports lately, and while I don't know if I'll get there in 2016, India has vaulted onto my shortlist, so I'm taking in everything I can get about people's perspectives before and after.
It's not a place I particularly want to go solo, though most of my trips are, so that might push it out. But I am so intrigued, especially with Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Varanasi, and Udaipur, plus maybe a detour to Kanha or Pench. So I'd also need significant time, in addition to a companion.
Thanks for your thoughts and for encouraging India in my imagination!
It's not a place I particularly want to go solo, though most of my trips are, so that might push it out. But I am so intrigued, especially with Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Varanasi, and Udaipur, plus maybe a detour to Kanha or Pench. So I'd also need significant time, in addition to a companion.
Thanks for your thoughts and for encouraging India in my imagination!
