kimwhits

I was able to arrange a date where my daughter could accompany me to India, and therefore didn't have to take a group tour. Am I glad! After looking at the prices of high end tours like Asian Pacific, Wilderness and Mountain, I am amazed at the good price I got from a private agency in India. Compared to 14 days on these group tours for the usual spots on a first tour, I am going for 22 days, staying at first choice high end spots complete with elephants, camels and horses.

I emailed only 2 recommended agencies in India and only one responded. In fact the one most recommended on this board didn't even bother to respond! I have been very happy with my agent who has been in constant contact, including a phone call from India. In keeping with no advertising, anyone interested can contact me via email. My only disappointment is lack of frequent flier tickets and the inflated cost of going to India during the Xmas holidays!

I will let the board know how it goes when I get back. I am most looking forward to this trip!

Kim
[email protected]

Jaya

I hope it's a great trip for the both of you and to have 22 days is nice.

I feel your pain with the inflated December airline prices to India!!! It's the only time we all have a break from school/work to go there.

nilouc

Hi Kim
can you please give me the name of your agent that you are so happy with him?

Leburta

I understand that November and December are the best times to visit India, so the high season explains the lack of frequent flyer availability and higher prices. In trying to book a hotel for November, we have had some difficulty even for high end hotels.

rhkkmk

its not a problem to post a companies name here....its just when they post here that it is not allowed....

help us all with the good and the bad..

kimwhits

It is Legends and Palaces with VP Singh. I have found him to be an excellent emailer and always prompt when answering questions and changing things. Castles and Kings did not even answer. So all these wonderful critiques on that owner did not hold true. So they missed out on a pretty long and expensive itinerary!

Again, I have reviewed all the trip posts and looked at all the group trips and find that his price was amazing and since we are two females I have qualified that there will always be someone to be with us if we desire. I have never traveled to India and don't know the customs yet, although when I have been in Africa we have no trouble going around on our own.

One never knows whether the reason you are using a particular hotel is because the commission is better or it is truly a better property until you get there. I did change a few hotels with no problem.

I will certainly post when I return to reveal whether this trip has been as good as it sounds. I can't wait!!

Kim

lcuy

I think the reviews of Arvind have been based on his performance... not whether he gets or responds to all his emails. If that was a requirement for being recommended on the Asia board, I don't think we could recommend anyone!

I've never used Arvind or Mr Singh, but do enjoy reading the various reviews. I hope you have a great trip and come back to let us know how your's works out.

vp_singh

Chanakya, the doyen of Indian politics, wrote in his book, “Ardha Shastra”, a good 2500 years ago, on the proverbial short memory of the public. This book has been quoted times and again in the Indian parliament and to my knowledge, in the House of Lords, as well!
Fortunately, this wonderful forum preserves the record of trip reports / general comments, in it’s archives. These may be consulted at any time. Several of these trip reports/comments, by independent travelers, have appeared on Fodors / Trip Advisor & other international travel forums like the ITN. If anyone wishes to read some specific report, yours truly will be very happy to supply the dates of these reviews.
Happy Travels to India!