Recommendation - Outbound Travels - Plus Trip Comments
Jan 20th, 2011, 07:56 AM
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Recommendation - Outbound Travels - Plus Trip Comments
In October I realized that I had two wonderfully free weeks in January, and a load of frequent flyer miles, so I decided to travel in India to see places that I had not visited in the past. In my past trips I had played a very active role in the planning, deciding on hotels, drivers, buying my own tickets, and such. But I was teaching an emotionally and intellectually demanding course on the Holocaust, so I decided to find an Indian agency to plan my trip. I looked in Fodor’s and found a brief recommendation of Outbound Travels in New Delhi. http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/ind...p_2167450.html
This turned out to be a great recommendation. The guy who has run Outbound Travels for many years is Prateek Chawla. He and his agency are what my family in New York would call “a real find.” Fodor’s did well to recommend him, but I think he deserves an even more glowing report.
I was traveling alone and decided to fly from New Delhi to Varanasi and then fly to Khajuraho, from Khajuraho I had a driver for three days who took me to Orccha, Gwalior, and then the railroad for my trip back to New Delhi.
Prateek Chawla at Outbound Travels handled all of the details except the two flights, and in retrospect I should have let him buy the air tickets along with everything else. Prateek’s suggestions worked out brilliantly. I wanted to stay at the Palace on the Ganges in Varanasi (four nights) and I wanted a room with a view of the Ganges. Prateek’s associate called the hotel several times and when I arrived I had a room at the top of the hotel with a great view. I would not recommend this room in the summer since it is above the roof top dining room and would probably be noisy. But in January it was great. After two nights the hotel moved me to an “upgraded” room that was really lovely, bigger, much nicer décor, modern bathroom, but with a view of kids on the roofs flying kites. They assumed they were doing me a big favor. I kept my mouth shut since they were trying hard to be helpful.
The airport pick-ups at New Delhi and Varanasi that had been arranged by Prateek went well. The drivers were on time, they had signs with my name. The driver that I had for three days from Khajuraho to Gwalior and then the RR to New Delhi was very good. He even played mother-hen making sure I go on the right couch at the Gwalior train station.
I got a phone call the night before the car was scheduled from the head of the company telling me the driver would be there at 8 am, as requested, and they were upgrading me for free from a Tata Indica to the much preferable Toyota Innova. This was my second India trip with an Innova. I recommend it since it has a better suspension system. It was pure luck that the driver had worked at one of the nature preserves for ten years and pointed out the different birds and even wild animals (antelopes) that we passed on the road. Wish I had my binos for birding.
When I was arranging the car I asked Prateek if I could get it cheaper if I made the arrangements myself. He said most probably, but he knows which companies are reliable, with safe drivers, clean cars, and a good record for punctuality. I can only say that he lived up to his claim in every way, and the Innova was a joy compared to spending long miles in the Tata Indica navigating roads that were being rebuilt.
Prateek’s hotel suggestions were excellent. In several cases I suggested less expensive hotels and I would, I think, have been wise to listen to Prateek. I stayed in the Hotel Central Park (my selection) in Gwalior. It is basically a businessman’s hotel, clean but basic, you can use the internet connected computer in the lobby for free, and the restaurant makes very good pulaos and biryanis. If you book try to get the fifth floor – it is one of the two floors with free wi-fi. I also ate at the Taj Usha Kiran and thought it was both overrated, expensive, with mediocre service.
On the other hand the Taj Chandela in Khajuraho – one of Prateek’s choices – was great. If you stay there and are in the mood they will make you a dosa or “mini-dosa” (which is not so mini) for breakfast. The room was great, the staff was superb in every way, and the only let down was the restaurant for dinner, but that might have been due to what I ordered. I would most certainly go back.
So, Prateek’s recommendations were excellent, his planning was superbly helpful and efficient, his price was very reasonable, his English is great -- (I’m from the Bronx so maybe I shouldn’t be the one to judge accents) – and he is most certainly trustworthy and honest. He even provided advice about how and where to get an India sim card for my phone.
I paid him my first day in New Delhi and also used his services to exchange money for my trip. He gave me the best exchange rate I got in India. He even included the bank statement showing that I was getting what he had gotten from the bank. The rate he got from the bank was better than the rate I got from the ATM a few days later.
Truth in advertising: In my three months of communicating with Prateek we became friends and I saw him twice in New Delhi. However I am the furthest thing from a “tout” and everything I write here about Prateek – and more! – is scrupulously accurate. I expect to have an academic grant to be in India this July, and if I can fit in any travel I will most certainly turn to Prateek to make the arrangements.
I do hope that Fodor’s decides to say more about Prateek Chawla’s Outbound Travels in their next India edition. He is worth knowing about, and you can save a lot of money by using an Indian agent to arrange your trip. About a year or so ago I planned a trip with the Adventure Center (includes Intrepid and others) with a car and driver for three people for 19 days. The cost was over a $1000 more per person than we ended up paying an Indian company, and the Indian company provided superior heritage hotels, and an Innova rather than the Adventure Center's smaller vehicle. I was very pleased with the company I used, but they did not deal with the area I wanted to travel to this time. Thus I followed up on Fodor’s comment and turned to Prateek.
I would most highly recommend Outbound Travels to any traveler who wants a good trip. I would definitely say that Prateek and his associate, who I also met, offer value for money. You can phone him from the USA at 00919810073626 or use the web site noted above.
A few trip comments. Prateek bought my first class/AC ticket on the Shatabdi express from Gwalior to Delhi with a senior discount. Keep in mind if you qualify that there is a discount and want to save a few rupees. Every seat in the car was taken, so book early. Much to my surprise, - I’m used to traveling on Amtrak from Philadelphia to New York, - you get dinner and free bottled water (!) in the first class A/C couch on the Shatabdi.
It was fine buying the airline tickets myself from Delhi to Varanasi and Varanasi to Khajuraho, but there was a little confusion about shifting from the $ page to the rupees’ page. I think the latter is less expensive, and people outside of India can use it if they can make the page work. I found it easier on Kingfisher than on Jet Air, but this may be my lack of computer literacy.
Khajuraho is wonderful. I’ve been going to India since 1978 and had never been there. It has an enclosed park of wonderful 10th-11th century temples. Really great place.
My first day in New Delhi I decided to take the Ho-Ho-Bus run by the city’s tourist authority. It costs 300 Rs and you can hop on and off all day at selected sites. There were almost no Americans or Europeans on the bus, most of the people seemed to be Indians from other countries. The guy sitting across from me taught computer science at an American university. The staff at the desk where they sell the tickets was very helpful and each bus has a guide to answer questions. A nice Delhi experience.
While on New Delhi I ate in the Chor Bizarre in the Old City in New Delhi. This was my second visit and I love the place. Highly recommended. If you want a less expensive place I have never been disappointed at Karim’s, near the Jama Masjid, but it is a very different dining experience.
So I had a wonderful two weeks in India – many thanks to Fodor’s for recommending Outbound Travels and many thanks to Prateek Chawla for providing first rate, efficient, helpful service. If anyone wants anymore information do write me at [email protected].
This turned out to be a great recommendation. The guy who has run Outbound Travels for many years is Prateek Chawla. He and his agency are what my family in New York would call “a real find.” Fodor’s did well to recommend him, but I think he deserves an even more glowing report.
I was traveling alone and decided to fly from New Delhi to Varanasi and then fly to Khajuraho, from Khajuraho I had a driver for three days who took me to Orccha, Gwalior, and then the railroad for my trip back to New Delhi.
Prateek Chawla at Outbound Travels handled all of the details except the two flights, and in retrospect I should have let him buy the air tickets along with everything else. Prateek’s suggestions worked out brilliantly. I wanted to stay at the Palace on the Ganges in Varanasi (four nights) and I wanted a room with a view of the Ganges. Prateek’s associate called the hotel several times and when I arrived I had a room at the top of the hotel with a great view. I would not recommend this room in the summer since it is above the roof top dining room and would probably be noisy. But in January it was great. After two nights the hotel moved me to an “upgraded” room that was really lovely, bigger, much nicer décor, modern bathroom, but with a view of kids on the roofs flying kites. They assumed they were doing me a big favor. I kept my mouth shut since they were trying hard to be helpful.
The airport pick-ups at New Delhi and Varanasi that had been arranged by Prateek went well. The drivers were on time, they had signs with my name. The driver that I had for three days from Khajuraho to Gwalior and then the RR to New Delhi was very good. He even played mother-hen making sure I go on the right couch at the Gwalior train station.
I got a phone call the night before the car was scheduled from the head of the company telling me the driver would be there at 8 am, as requested, and they were upgrading me for free from a Tata Indica to the much preferable Toyota Innova. This was my second India trip with an Innova. I recommend it since it has a better suspension system. It was pure luck that the driver had worked at one of the nature preserves for ten years and pointed out the different birds and even wild animals (antelopes) that we passed on the road. Wish I had my binos for birding.
When I was arranging the car I asked Prateek if I could get it cheaper if I made the arrangements myself. He said most probably, but he knows which companies are reliable, with safe drivers, clean cars, and a good record for punctuality. I can only say that he lived up to his claim in every way, and the Innova was a joy compared to spending long miles in the Tata Indica navigating roads that were being rebuilt.
Prateek’s hotel suggestions were excellent. In several cases I suggested less expensive hotels and I would, I think, have been wise to listen to Prateek. I stayed in the Hotel Central Park (my selection) in Gwalior. It is basically a businessman’s hotel, clean but basic, you can use the internet connected computer in the lobby for free, and the restaurant makes very good pulaos and biryanis. If you book try to get the fifth floor – it is one of the two floors with free wi-fi. I also ate at the Taj Usha Kiran and thought it was both overrated, expensive, with mediocre service.
On the other hand the Taj Chandela in Khajuraho – one of Prateek’s choices – was great. If you stay there and are in the mood they will make you a dosa or “mini-dosa” (which is not so mini) for breakfast. The room was great, the staff was superb in every way, and the only let down was the restaurant for dinner, but that might have been due to what I ordered. I would most certainly go back.
So, Prateek’s recommendations were excellent, his planning was superbly helpful and efficient, his price was very reasonable, his English is great -- (I’m from the Bronx so maybe I shouldn’t be the one to judge accents) – and he is most certainly trustworthy and honest. He even provided advice about how and where to get an India sim card for my phone.
I paid him my first day in New Delhi and also used his services to exchange money for my trip. He gave me the best exchange rate I got in India. He even included the bank statement showing that I was getting what he had gotten from the bank. The rate he got from the bank was better than the rate I got from the ATM a few days later.
Truth in advertising: In my three months of communicating with Prateek we became friends and I saw him twice in New Delhi. However I am the furthest thing from a “tout” and everything I write here about Prateek – and more! – is scrupulously accurate. I expect to have an academic grant to be in India this July, and if I can fit in any travel I will most certainly turn to Prateek to make the arrangements.
I do hope that Fodor’s decides to say more about Prateek Chawla’s Outbound Travels in their next India edition. He is worth knowing about, and you can save a lot of money by using an Indian agent to arrange your trip. About a year or so ago I planned a trip with the Adventure Center (includes Intrepid and others) with a car and driver for three people for 19 days. The cost was over a $1000 more per person than we ended up paying an Indian company, and the Indian company provided superior heritage hotels, and an Innova rather than the Adventure Center's smaller vehicle. I was very pleased with the company I used, but they did not deal with the area I wanted to travel to this time. Thus I followed up on Fodor’s comment and turned to Prateek.
I would most highly recommend Outbound Travels to any traveler who wants a good trip. I would definitely say that Prateek and his associate, who I also met, offer value for money. You can phone him from the USA at 00919810073626 or use the web site noted above.
A few trip comments. Prateek bought my first class/AC ticket on the Shatabdi express from Gwalior to Delhi with a senior discount. Keep in mind if you qualify that there is a discount and want to save a few rupees. Every seat in the car was taken, so book early. Much to my surprise, - I’m used to traveling on Amtrak from Philadelphia to New York, - you get dinner and free bottled water (!) in the first class A/C couch on the Shatabdi.
It was fine buying the airline tickets myself from Delhi to Varanasi and Varanasi to Khajuraho, but there was a little confusion about shifting from the $ page to the rupees’ page. I think the latter is less expensive, and people outside of India can use it if they can make the page work. I found it easier on Kingfisher than on Jet Air, but this may be my lack of computer literacy.
Khajuraho is wonderful. I’ve been going to India since 1978 and had never been there. It has an enclosed park of wonderful 10th-11th century temples. Really great place.
My first day in New Delhi I decided to take the Ho-Ho-Bus run by the city’s tourist authority. It costs 300 Rs and you can hop on and off all day at selected sites. There were almost no Americans or Europeans on the bus, most of the people seemed to be Indians from other countries. The guy sitting across from me taught computer science at an American university. The staff at the desk where they sell the tickets was very helpful and each bus has a guide to answer questions. A nice Delhi experience.
While on New Delhi I ate in the Chor Bizarre in the Old City in New Delhi. This was my second visit and I love the place. Highly recommended. If you want a less expensive place I have never been disappointed at Karim’s, near the Jama Masjid, but it is a very different dining experience.
So I had a wonderful two weeks in India – many thanks to Fodor’s for recommending Outbound Travels and many thanks to Prateek Chawla for providing first rate, efficient, helpful service. If anyone wants anymore information do write me at [email protected].
Jan 20th, 2011, 10:24 AM
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<b>Incredible.</b> I can't believe that you actually found an agent who could book four hotels, a train <i>with a senior discount</i>, a car and driver for three days, and arrange pick up at the airport. Congratulations! (Since exchange rates fluctuate daily I can't credit him with giving you a better exchange rate than the ATM did several days later.)
Jan 20th, 2011, 12:39 PM
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Hi SBlumm. Thank you for writing, about not just your travel agent, but also your experience on the HOHO bus.
I too use an India -based agent and find her prices lower than others (including other Indian agents)
Can you say how much did your entire two week trip cost (excluding plane flights both in and out of the country) for hotels, car and driver,and any meals that were included with your booked hotels.
I'm originally fro NYC. Where do you teach?? And you have another month soon in India! i am envious!!!
I too use an India -based agent and find her prices lower than others (including other Indian agents)
Can you say how much did your entire two week trip cost (excluding plane flights both in and out of the country) for hotels, car and driver,and any meals that were included with your booked hotels.
I'm originally fro NYC. Where do you teach?? And you have another month soon in India! i am envious!!!
Jan 20th, 2011, 12:57 PM
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Thanks for the info. I would also be interested in hearing more details on trip costs as CaliNurse requested.
CaliNurse - which India based agent did you use? I may have read it somewhere, but can't recall.
CaliNurse - which India based agent did you use? I may have read it somewhere, but can't recall.
Feb 3rd, 2011, 09:35 PM
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My costs for the internal trip, including two flights, one first class AC train trip, a car (Toyota Innova) and driver for three days plus one day in New Delhi, and good to very good hotels was about $1400, maybe $1450. I was traveling alone.
I was not looking to get the cheapest trip, I've done that in the past. In fact I am sorry in one or maybe two cases (New Delhi and maybe Gwalior) that I did not let Prateek Chawla find me a better hotel, as he had suggested.
I found Prateek Chawla through Fodors and I had the feeling that I was probably dealing with a guy who would cost more since he was in the Fodors' book but I wanted someone I could trust. Chawla was really first rate in every way. I will use him again without hesitation and I will recommend him to anyone I know going to India.
He costs much less than doing it through a U.S. agent and he is reliable, honest, and most helpful.
Re the exchange rate story - I had exchanged money at the airport exchange within the same 24 hour period when Prateek made the exchange. The difference was significant - about 8%. In the past the airport exchange in New Delhi was a much better deal, I guess with the new airport everything costs more.
What impressed me about Prateek Chawla and the exchange rate is that he gave me the bank form and I got what he got. This is an honest guy.
One more point. Did I mention that the Chor Bizarre is a wonderful restaurant? If you are in Delhi book a table and enjoy the place. My wife is going to their London branch next week when she visits her mom. The difference is that my bill in New Delhi - and I ate very well - was about $11. My wife is I think going to pay about £30 for the same dish - the Kashmiri version of a meat thali.
I have not included the cost of my flight to India - I used frequent flyer miles to fly first class which was part of the attraction of making the trip.
I hope I've answered any questions.
On teaching, I teach history, specializing in the Holocaust, at a community college outside of Philadelphia.
Like many who have traveled often to India I love to talk about the place, even though I am far from an expert, so do ask any questions I might be able to help with.
Last, I loved the Ho-Ho Bus. Funny that the travel guys in two Delhi hotels kept telling me that it would soon fail and that I would be better off hiring a car from them!
While going on about India, has anyone been to the Akshardham (sp?) Temple in Delhi? I was rather turned off but I think it is worth a visit given how unique it is - and I do know two people who found it "spiritual" and moving.
Stephen
I was not looking to get the cheapest trip, I've done that in the past. In fact I am sorry in one or maybe two cases (New Delhi and maybe Gwalior) that I did not let Prateek Chawla find me a better hotel, as he had suggested.
I found Prateek Chawla through Fodors and I had the feeling that I was probably dealing with a guy who would cost more since he was in the Fodors' book but I wanted someone I could trust. Chawla was really first rate in every way. I will use him again without hesitation and I will recommend him to anyone I know going to India.
He costs much less than doing it through a U.S. agent and he is reliable, honest, and most helpful.
Re the exchange rate story - I had exchanged money at the airport exchange within the same 24 hour period when Prateek made the exchange. The difference was significant - about 8%. In the past the airport exchange in New Delhi was a much better deal, I guess with the new airport everything costs more.
What impressed me about Prateek Chawla and the exchange rate is that he gave me the bank form and I got what he got. This is an honest guy.
One more point. Did I mention that the Chor Bizarre is a wonderful restaurant? If you are in Delhi book a table and enjoy the place. My wife is going to their London branch next week when she visits her mom. The difference is that my bill in New Delhi - and I ate very well - was about $11. My wife is I think going to pay about £30 for the same dish - the Kashmiri version of a meat thali.
I have not included the cost of my flight to India - I used frequent flyer miles to fly first class which was part of the attraction of making the trip.
I hope I've answered any questions.
On teaching, I teach history, specializing in the Holocaust, at a community college outside of Philadelphia.
Like many who have traveled often to India I love to talk about the place, even though I am far from an expert, so do ask any questions I might be able to help with.
Last, I loved the Ho-Ho Bus. Funny that the travel guys in two Delhi hotels kept telling me that it would soon fail and that I would be better off hiring a car from them!
While going on about India, has anyone been to the Akshardham (sp?) Temple in Delhi? I was rather turned off but I think it is worth a visit given how unique it is - and I do know two people who found it "spiritual" and moving.
Stephen
