14 days - meant to be a Tiger Safari..............with a bit of culture
Jul 2nd, 2009, 10:21 AM
#21
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I have a quote in March from AndBeyond for the exact same trip. They quoted 14,400 per night at all 4 lodges and a staggering 49,800 rupees for transfers between them. Pick up Khajuraho - drop Nagpur.
Like you Marija, I can't work the 6,000 out. If that's what it was you got a good deal.Were the transfers between the last 4 proprties handled by the properties themselves?
Like you Marija, I can't work the 6,000 out. If that's what it was you got a good deal.Were the transfers between the last 4 proprties handled by the properties themselves?
Jul 2nd, 2009, 11:59 AM
#22
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Marija
I have not clue what the fuel is in India. Maybe we got a really good rate...
dogster
No, the transfers were done separately. Not organised/booked by andBeyond.
Regarding the rate for the camp/s:
That's absolutely a bargain!
The exchange rate to the US today means roughly 300US compared to their website rate of almost 700 in March - peak season.
I would jump on to that offer immediately and book the transfers myself.
SV
I have not clue what the fuel is in India. Maybe we got a really good rate...
dogster
No, the transfers were done separately. Not organised/booked by andBeyond.
Regarding the rate for the camp/s:
That's absolutely a bargain!
The exchange rate to the US today means roughly 300US compared to their website rate of almost 700 in March - peak season.
I would jump on to that offer immediately and book the transfers myself.
SV
Jul 12th, 2009, 03:12 PM
#24
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Just getting from one hotel to another, indiana. If you are going to these jungly kinda places, you don't need a car and driver standing by. So you 'transfer' from A - B, stay a few days, then grab another transfer.
Generally people like to have their own exclusive car and driver but that's not necessary in these self-contained places.
Like spass: I'm a fan of CCAfrica [now andBeyond] - but I'm NOT a fan of Indian wildlife parks. I don't want to see ANYTHING surrounded by 30 or 40 other cars and bus-fulls of over-excited Indian tourists. I've done it. It's crap.
Generally people like to have their own exclusive car and driver but that's not necessary in these self-contained places.
Like spass: I'm a fan of CCAfrica [now andBeyond] - but I'm NOT a fan of Indian wildlife parks. I don't want to see ANYTHING surrounded by 30 or 40 other cars and bus-fulls of over-excited Indian tourists. I've done it. It's crap.
Jul 13th, 2009, 05:06 AM
#25
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That's what I thought. I've booked a car and driver, but didn't know if I needed to book someone sort of like a footman to take our luggage in and out of hotels. I expect there's a hotel staff person to do that as in other parts of the world. I plan to get guides on as as needed basis.
Jul 13th, 2009, 06:49 AM
#26
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I love the report! Would anyone like to give advice/criticism (constructive or otherwise) on our itinerary:
Day 1 Arrive Dehli stay at Tara Palace (need driver from Airport to hotel - any suggestions?)
Day 2 See Dehli
Day 1 Arrive Dehli stay at Tara Palace (need driver from Airport to hotel - any suggestions?)
Day 2 See Dehli
Jul 13th, 2009, 09:08 AM
#28
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Pull itinerary to bits, suggestions please. 2 adults and 2 kids aged 10 & 5.
Day 1 Arrive Dehli - Tara Palace Hotel. Need driver from Airport to Hotel; any suggestions.
Day 2 See Dehli ourselves on foot mainly/rickshaw maybe.
Day 3 Get bus to Jaipur - where to stay? elephant ride
Day 4 Leave Jaipur by train to Ranthambore NP arrive 4pm see Fort there. Not sure where to stay?
Day 5 Ranthambhore am & pm safari
Day 6 Ranthambhore as above
Day 7 Ranthambhore am safari leave for Agra via Fatepur Sikri
train - or car - how to plan - where to stay
Day 8 See Taj - in and out of Agra.Overnight train to Varanasi
Day 9 Varanasi, where to stay.
Day 10 Varanasi
Day 11 Leave Varanasi Overnight train to Kolkata
Day 12 where to stay in Kolkata
Day 13 Fly to Port Blair - ferry to Neil or Havelock
Days 14 to 25 November stay in Andamans not sure where we will stay. TA is not always the best is it?
Day 26 Return to Blighty.
We are not using agents. Tried Namaste Tours but they recommended we did not take kids to Varanasi. Our kids holiday with us; not us with them. Kids are resiliant and will have to get used to India - bet they love it.
Anyway, can anyone give some advice. Are we leaving enough time between places for travel?
I will do a full report on our return. Just applying for Visa's, flights already booked. Can't wait; just hope we get pig flu now rather than just before we go.
Day 1 Arrive Dehli - Tara Palace Hotel. Need driver from Airport to Hotel; any suggestions.
Day 2 See Dehli ourselves on foot mainly/rickshaw maybe.
Day 3 Get bus to Jaipur - where to stay? elephant ride
Day 4 Leave Jaipur by train to Ranthambore NP arrive 4pm see Fort there. Not sure where to stay?
Day 5 Ranthambhore am & pm safari
Day 6 Ranthambhore as above
Day 7 Ranthambhore am safari leave for Agra via Fatepur Sikri
train - or car - how to plan - where to stay
Day 8 See Taj - in and out of Agra.Overnight train to Varanasi
Day 9 Varanasi, where to stay.
Day 10 Varanasi
Day 11 Leave Varanasi Overnight train to Kolkata
Day 12 where to stay in Kolkata
Day 13 Fly to Port Blair - ferry to Neil or Havelock
Days 14 to 25 November stay in Andamans not sure where we will stay. TA is not always the best is it?
Day 26 Return to Blighty.
We are not using agents. Tried Namaste Tours but they recommended we did not take kids to Varanasi. Our kids holiday with us; not us with them. Kids are resiliant and will have to get used to India - bet they love it.
Anyway, can anyone give some advice. Are we leaving enough time between places for travel?
I will do a full report on our return. Just applying for Visa's, flights already booked. Can't wait; just hope we get pig flu now rather than just before we go.
Jul 13th, 2009, 03:21 PM
#29
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Dogster: Where to get 10 rupee notes??? I've read that the ATMs are often empty. I'll scout around here in the wilds of darkest southern Indiana to see if I can find some before we leave. If we give them a 100 rupee note the first time, that's not the worst mistake, eh??
Jul 13th, 2009, 04:13 PM
#31
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Indiana: don't fuss about 10 rupee notes before you get there. lol lol lol. I want you to say this after me:
India is not America.
The tipping rules are different.
Spassvogel's tips are ridiculous.
I am overpaying for services anyway, so when I'm at a swizz hotel I really don't need to tip everything that moves.
Heya Mrs. Marge: I reckon you'd get a better response if you opened up your OWN post and put your questions there. More people will see ya. So I'll answer your questions when you do that.
India is not America.
The tipping rules are different.
Spassvogel's tips are ridiculous.
I am overpaying for services anyway, so when I'm at a swizz hotel I really don't need to tip everything that moves.
Heya Mrs. Marge: I reckon you'd get a better response if you opened up your OWN post and put your questions there. More people will see ya. So I'll answer your questions when you do that.
Jul 14th, 2009, 10:04 AM
#32
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India is not America . . .
India is not America . . .
But with an 11:00 p.m. arrival time, I'm afraid the airport ATMs will be empty and we'll a scene in the middle of the night with the touts. We try so hard not be Ugly Americans, but if we have a scene, so be it.
And there actually are a fair number of Indians in the community. I'll ask around.
India is not America . . .
But with an 11:00 p.m. arrival time, I'm afraid the airport ATMs will be empty and we'll a scene in the middle of the night with the touts. We try so hard not be Ugly Americans, but if we have a scene, so be it.
And there actually are a fair number of Indians in the community. I'll ask around.
Jul 14th, 2009, 10:46 AM
#33
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Don't cry, Indiana, touts are not allowed inside the airport. We arrived at midnight and it was dead everywhere. If you've arranged a pickup you'll be fine even without money. We arrived rupeeless and went to Citibank the next morning. I'd send you some leftover rupees but I don't know if Indianapearl in Bloomington Indiana will suffice as an address.
Jul 14th, 2009, 11:55 AM
#34
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I won't cry -- I've learned that doesn't really do any good! I contacted my bank, though, and they can "order" some rupees for us with a minimum of $USD150 purchase + $25 fee. Don't know if it's worth it. Perhaps I'll just make a scene . . .
Jul 19th, 2009, 11:35 AM
#35
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Sorry - I am just returning from a trip and therefore late..
Dogster
I know our tips were absolutely generous. But believe it or not: I asked our tour guide whether 100 rupeehs are sufficient for our rickshaw driver in Delhi. When my husband handed it out (the drive was from the mosque to the market and then to the fort) the driver seemed to be overwhelmingly disappointed.
As you have so much insight - would you please enlighten us all on the tipping rules for India. I would really appreciate your thoughts.
Regarding the 10 rupeeh bills: I asked in all the hotels as soon as we arrived to get the bigger bills changed into samll ones. It worked.
At the airport it seems banks there are more reluctant to give small denominations. The smallest we got there were 50.
We exchanged 1000€ at the airport and got a good rate at Thomas cook: 1000 rupeehs for 14€. A 50000 rupeeh bundle was tacked and we needed a knife to open it
SV
Dogster
I know our tips were absolutely generous. But believe it or not: I asked our tour guide whether 100 rupeehs are sufficient for our rickshaw driver in Delhi. When my husband handed it out (the drive was from the mosque to the market and then to the fort) the driver seemed to be overwhelmingly disappointed.
As you have so much insight - would you please enlighten us all on the tipping rules for India. I would really appreciate your thoughts.
Regarding the 10 rupeeh bills: I asked in all the hotels as soon as we arrived to get the bigger bills changed into samll ones. It worked.
At the airport it seems banks there are more reluctant to give small denominations. The smallest we got there were 50.
We exchanged 1000€ at the airport and got a good rate at Thomas cook: 1000 rupeehs for 14€. A 50000 rupeeh bundle was tacked and we needed a knife to open it
SV
Aug 13th, 2009, 02:48 AM
#36
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re tipping in india:
rikshaw drivers (for single trips) are not tipped at all.
room service and restaurants: between 10% and Rs.50 whichever is lower.
hotel staff: between Rs10 and Rs50 per person depending on whether its a 2 start or 4 star place. we usually get all of them together on the day of departure or night before and give them the total and leave them to split it / find their own change.
car drivers: depends entirely on the quality of the driver. We usually pay for all their meals (even if daily expenses are part of the fare structure) and invite them to join us for tours, meals, entertainment. Plus about Rs.100 per day for a good driver.
rikshaw drivers (for single trips) are not tipped at all.
room service and restaurants: between 10% and Rs.50 whichever is lower.
hotel staff: between Rs10 and Rs50 per person depending on whether its a 2 start or 4 star place. we usually get all of them together on the day of departure or night before and give them the total and leave them to split it / find their own change.
car drivers: depends entirely on the quality of the driver. We usually pay for all their meals (even if daily expenses are part of the fare structure) and invite them to join us for tours, meals, entertainment. Plus about Rs.100 per day for a good driver.
Aug 13th, 2009, 11:00 AM
#38
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ssachida
Thank you very much for your input on the tipping question!
I knew we were rather on the generous side. But still compared to Americans we (Germans in my case) have got the reputation of being mean - that's what the Americans say about us ;-)
Good to have the confirmation we are not
SV.
Thank you very much for your input on the tipping question!
I knew we were rather on the generous side. But still compared to Americans we (Germans in my case) have got the reputation of being mean - that's what the Americans say about us ;-)
Good to have the confirmation we are not
SV.
