Ainhoa

I am thinking of going to India for the first time, sometime in the Autumn. I have been researching Rajasthan and am getting somewhat disillusioned by descriptions of touts and other unscrupulous persons descending on tourists at the famous sites, of queues, of dusty heritage hotels. I'm not really a "buildings person" being more interested in the way people live. Also, I'm not sure I would like the usual tour - up every morning early and in a new hotel every night. I am wondering if southern India is more relaxing and laid back. I would appreciate input from anyone who has been there.

rhkkmk

we just had our first visit to india...we chose to do the normal tourist route thing in the so called golden triangle: delhi, agra and jaipur...

we very much liked the experience overall...this is a fairly small area, although getting from one place to another envolves long rides....we loved having a car and driver (very inexpensive) all the time and it allowed for just what you want: seeing the people and how they live today...

in india you cannot avoid the buildings altogether as they are so much a part of the culture, both then and now...but you can combine them with keen observations of the people and their lives today, if you make an effort to do so...

i would never take a "tour" of india personally...i just find those too canned and too 'fly by' and mostly concentrating on just what you wish to avoid: buildings and "shopping opportunities"...i.e. commissioned shopping at "authorized shops"---rip-offs....

consider doing a tour by yourself...contact a delhi agent and ask him to arrange a custom tour for you...i used castle and king agency in delhi and set up a total custom package with him for less money than what a standard tour would cost...

hotels are the single most expensive item, but that can be managed too if you choose to stay at lesser places...we chose 4 star and it was manageable....3 star is an option also...any less would be sketchy i feel...

touts were never a problem for us...there are some, but not tooooo many....we just ignor them and keep walking, as you would in any other country....the only thing we did not care for was the women with babies who will appear at your car window while stopped in traffic...this too you get used to and you just look straight ahead....it helps to know that this is not honest begging, but rather a "business" with these people and the children and mothers are often not that mother and child, but rather a borrowed child with a "tout" mother..

we felt that this tour area was far easier for a first visit, both before and after our visit...

FanofIndia

Wherever in the World these days, people will decend on tourist areas, but if you plan an independent itinerary, at the pace you would like to go, most of the hassle will have been avoided. I think that a first-time visitor should see the Taj Mahal, which is extremely more than 'just a building', it is magic
email me if you want some ideas. I want you to return after your trip full of praise for India.

jacketwatch

I agree about the Taj. I have seen it 4 times and each time I am more in awe. If you to India its a must see. After that its too hard for me to say what to see. You simpl;y can't do it all in one trip unless you plan to stay there for an extended period. Having seen a bit of Rajasthan (my wife was born there) we really want to see the south, esp. Kerala. Good luck

Taia

Hi Ainhoa, I've travelled to both Rajastan & the South (Kerala & Madras areas). While both are beautiful and unique in their own way, if you are looking for the non-tourist route, stick to the South. I found the sites of Rajastan were fantastic, but the number of tour buses at each were mind blowing. It has changed so much (from a tourist perspective) over the past few years. Kerala on the other hand is much different --- at times it feels like you're not in typical India, no loud buses/cars, not as crowded and far less touristy. Make sure to do the backwaters tour boat, it was an experience unlike any other. We stayed at the Kumarakom Lake Resort, and if its within you budget, I'd highly recommend. I would go back to Kerala in a heartbeat!
Whatever you decide, have a fab trip and let us know how it went!

Heath

We just returned from our 1st trip to India. We toured the south and loved it. We toured through Tamil Nadu - temple cities, stayed in hill stations Ooty and Munnar, one night in wildlife reserve and one night on a houseboat in the backwaters, Mysore, Hassn Hampi and Goa then flew to see caves at Ellora and Ajunta and flew home from Mumbai. Beautiful sights. Most tourists we saw were Indian vacationing with family. if it helps, we used a family run travel company found on India Mike website. Jenny arranged accomodation and car and driver. She is in Cochin. We were so pleased with everything during our 1 month trip. Have fun planning! You might want to check when monsoon starts and finishes - that helped us make our original decision as to where to go.

Heath

I forgot to mention the travel company name in my previous reply - it is Fourens Travel. Very reasonable and like family to us now.

pancho_cisco

We just got back from a three week trip, and while Rajasthan is fabulous (and what you see in all the brochures) it is very expensive, although I would break the budget, personally, and stay at the Taj Lake Palace (book through Amex Platinum, for a middling room, either the deluxe or luxury, I forget, and maybe you'll score a suite, or ask for upgrade possibility at check in) even though the price is high -- US$550 for the cheapest room, plus 20% tax, etc.

Alternatively, as suggested, Kerala is great althoug we spent only four days there. Check out Munnar and places north, so you have to alot at least a week, and preferably longer, as all transport is by driving.

A local agent is a good thing to look into. We booked with Travel Corporatin of India which has a NYC office and is a [privately owned (as contrasted to governmetn) agency, and they were supberb, particularly at they just bought out Thos. Cooke in India and hence have a national presence.

Buy air passes prior to deparute as the prices are better than on a single ticket basis, and I suggest you look into business class as there is generally more empty seating available. We booked Jet Airways @US$1,000+- and it was worthwhile for a seven segment trip which allowed easy changes for no additional cost.

Another hint: get a GSM cell phone while in the U.S. and then buy a sim card when you get to India. About 2,000 Rupee should be more than enough, and you will need two passport sized photos, as well as photocopy of passport and visa plus processing charge. A life saver.