raiderjane

I found a trip that includes air, tour, and hotels, on sale for $999 in May. This seems like a superb deal. Am I likely to do any better than this? I'm wondering if I should wait to see if I could find anything cheaper (perhaps more off-seasonal than the above time frame)? Can anyone advise?

Thanks!
raiderjane

raiderjane

time frame doesn't matter as long as really cheap. Could I ever do better than $999 (off season)? And when would be the best time to look/book? Thanks again!

raiderjane

Kathie

If all you are looking for is cheap, go ahead and book it. But if you are interested in experiencing India, ask some more questions:

How large is the group?

How do you get from place to place - bus, train, air?

How much time will you spend seeing the sights as opposed to shopping stops that the company gets commissions for?

How knowledgable are the guies? How good is their English?
Does this toour go to teh areas of India that interest you?

Then, research the tour company. Does it have a history of cancelling trips at the last minute? How well do they coordinate your air and ground transport? What is/is not included in the tour price?

dogster

I've just spent an entertaining few minutes reading thru raiderjane's topics [and those of her doppelganger, reelraiderjane]. None of it makes any sense at all. It is, however, evident that the rules of logic do not apply in this case. Enthusiasm is all, geography a mere blip on the radar.

Just go, raider. Really cheap it is. That's all you need to know. Do you have a travel blog?

raiderjane

Kathie, since your comment is the only one sensible (and not disparaging), I will respond to you.

For me, there is something to be said for booking *on a whim* (if) one comes across a deal that seems exceptional (of course my asking for advice is an attempt to ascertain if others would agree that this *is* an exceptional deal for low season) since I have little experience looking in to prices for India (low season).

This is not to say other aspects of a trip are not important to me or that I don't value them however. I certainly intend to investigate/ research all aspects before booking. But yes, you would be correct in surmising that money (or lack of it in this case, lol) is of primary importance to my trip planning at the moment.

Thanks again!
Best,

raiderjane
reelraiderjane (both are me and are business related monikers btw)

Jaya

It's a superb deal because it's May. All of summer IS the off season for India so you will not get cheaper. $999 for so much is a steal.

CaliNurse

Jane-how long is the trip, and what does it cover? I'm guessing a week in the "Golden Triangle"? Can you send a link to the trip website?

In any case..Holy Cow!! (An expression you'll appreciate in a different way after being in India) $999 is amazing even for just a round trip airfare--assuming this is from USA???

Would the "Raider" in your name have to do with my local football team, the Oakland Raiders?

Kathie

You do know that the Golden Triangle area can be very hot during this time - over 110F.

Jaya

raiderjane, I take it you did not make it to India last year for your friend's wedding?

reelraiderjane

Several of you have guessed that the trip is the Golden Triangle- and only includes 3 cities (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur)and may not be worth the trip expense (for so little coverage)after all.

This is something I realize and need to strongly weigh in the next day and a half. I am leaning against the trip right now.

That said I am not above sharing the link, if others might be interested/ benefit from it:

http://www.smartours.com/india8.shtml
http://www.friendlyplanet.com/taj-mahal-express.html (basically same trip with different company; higher pricing currently)


Thanks again!
raiderjane

(Jaya- never got to India with my friend. The wedding party was immense and I would have imposed on her inlaws.

Calinurse- raiderjane is a nod to tomb raider

Jaya

Delhi-Agra-Jaipur is not a bad trip! I don't find that you mention how long the $999 trip is for or how long you get to spend in each city.

I personally like Delhi a lot. I went to Jaipur many years ago and enjoyed it a lot too.

CaliNurse

Ooo, i would go!!! This deal is just tooooo good to pass up.

dogster

raider hasn't noticed that there's a trip report on this very page that describes virtually the same 7 day tour.

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...h-intrepid.cfm

rhkkmk

ok, i guess it is better than nothing, but you really don't get to have a hands on visit to much while there.... and frankly you rush from one place to another.... i think i would save the $1000+ and put it toward a future trip when you can spend at least 2 weeks there...

just by comparison i booked a flight to india and back today for next fall at a price just below $1200 r.t. in coach....

althom1122

I think it's a great deal. I think Kathie's questions are excellent ones to ask. For me, group size is a key factor (and a primary determinant for me in choosing Intrepid).

As dogster points out, my trip was very similar (but was 10 days and also included Orchha, Khajuraho and Varanasi), so please feel free to peruse my report! (I'm shameless!)

I loved Delhi and Jaipur. And while Agra, the town, is not so great, the Taj Mahal, obviously, is worth the trip.

If price is your number one criterion, I think you're onto something and should give it careful consideration.
Karen

althom1122

Oh, and are you coming from the US? If so, it's an incredible deal. Like Bob, I paid over $1000 just for the airfare.

But I also agree that if you can put together the extra cash, it's worthwhile to find the TRIP you actually want rather than just going for the cheapest one.