8.5 Days in India - Insane?
Jan 9th, 2012, 10:10 AM
#41
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crosscheck - it's eight days. Stop going round in circles.
Now, given that ALL your itineraries thus far are idiotic, I suggest you look at a map, pick an area and stay there. As you insist on going to Agra - start with that, like everybody else. Then go left - or right. There are rural areas, villages and outdoors anywhere there isn't a city. As you've never been to India, <i>everywhere</i> is interesting.
'<i>Is there a site with more variables, like which planes get delayed and which trains have rats? Or, better yet, a call center...</i>
No.
ALL the airlines can be trusted. They are not going to fall from the sky. I'm just trying to make it easy for you. Every time I do, you make it complicated again.
Amanbagh is $800 - $1000 a night. Go there. If you are happy to spend that much money then you have enough cash to pay somebody to organise this whole trip for you. I suggest you get a travel agent, give them your dates and let <i>them</i> sort it out.
Now, given that ALL your itineraries thus far are idiotic, I suggest you look at a map, pick an area and stay there. As you insist on going to Agra - start with that, like everybody else. Then go left - or right. There are rural areas, villages and outdoors anywhere there isn't a city. As you've never been to India, <i>everywhere</i> is interesting.
'<i>Is there a site with more variables, like which planes get delayed and which trains have rats? Or, better yet, a call center...</i>
No.
ALL the airlines can be trusted. They are not going to fall from the sky. I'm just trying to make it easy for you. Every time I do, you make it complicated again.
Amanbagh is $800 - $1000 a night. Go there. If you are happy to spend that much money then you have enough cash to pay somebody to organise this whole trip for you. I suggest you get a travel agent, give them your dates and let <i>them</i> sort it out.
Jan 9th, 2012, 10:52 AM
#42
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I told you I needed a break from thinking about this! I always start out all over the place, but usually end up doing a less idiotic slow travel thing. The Amex price for Amans wasn't too much different from Ahilya (plus no additional airfare), so that's how I got that idea. As of now, will continue with Idiotic Plan A (Var-Agra-Ahilya).
At least this is happening - your help, and everyone else's, is much appreciated. Why drive a travel agent crazy when I can torture all of you? To be continued in several months when it's a more appropriate time to book.
At least this is happening - your help, and everyone else's, is much appreciated. Why drive a travel agent crazy when I can torture all of you? To be continued in several months when it's a more appropriate time to book.
Jan 9th, 2012, 01:08 PM
#43
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Crosscheck, big congrats on the booking. You will not regreat it, and lthis will whet your appetite for future trips.
"As you've never been to India, everywhere is interesting. " Dogster said it much more politely (surprise) than do I, when thinking of those whose aim is to find "the true India" or "the real India."
The challenge is turning off the "real India" and getting a brief respite from it, once there!
In answer to your question about why you should drive a travel agent crazy
it saves headaches, you'll have source of immediate answers to many questions both before and during the trip; you'll have a 24 hour ph number to call should there be any problems; you'll have a back up advocate should you need one; you'll have drivers who will be protective of your health and safety, etc.
Of course, the plusses are valid only if you have a good , reputable, India-based contact/ agent, but there is no shortage of those listed on this site.)
Dogster, thanks (I think) for the warning about the overnight trains. I've got one booked (Ludhiana to Jaipur) for a couple weeks from now. If i get no sleep, or other probs (too much "real India" haha) you can say, "I TOLD you so!"
"As you've never been to India, everywhere is interesting. " Dogster said it much more politely (surprise) than do I, when thinking of those whose aim is to find "the true India" or "the real India."
The challenge is turning off the "real India" and getting a brief respite from it, once there!
In answer to your question about why you should drive a travel agent crazy
it saves headaches, you'll have source of immediate answers to many questions both before and during the trip; you'll have a 24 hour ph number to call should there be any problems; you'll have a back up advocate should you need one; you'll have drivers who will be protective of your health and safety, etc.
Of course, the plusses are valid only if you have a good , reputable, India-based contact/ agent, but there is no shortage of those listed on this site.)
Dogster, thanks (I think) for the warning about the overnight trains. I've got one booked (Ludhiana to Jaipur) for a couple weeks from now. If i get no sleep, or other probs (too much "real India" haha) you can say, "I TOLD you so!"
Jan 19th, 2012, 04:40 PM
#44
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So...the insanity continues. We had just figured out a workable itinerary (I will spare you), when I found out on flyertalk that, starting in Feb, AA will suspend the nonstop ORD-DEL flight. AA did not let us know, but when we checked our account, the trip status showed "canceled." They are now trying to find us flights on an AA partner, but it's looking doubtful that this will work out. Might have to take a different birthday trip and wait until we have enough time to do India right.
Jan 20th, 2012, 06:28 AM
#47
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Cali, You just squeaked in for your outbound. March 1st is the last flight. You will have to be re-routed on the return. Here's the (heated) discussion thread on flyertalk http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...2012-a-22.html
Dog, my thoughts exactly
Dog, my thoughts exactly
May 27th, 2015, 03:53 PM
#51
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Leafs, read crosscheck's excellent trip report on her India trip for more info on Louise Nicholson's services: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...agra-delhi.cfm
May 27th, 2015, 06:16 PM
#52
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Hi Leaf,
Well, the super efficient Kathie beat me to it. I was going to suggest you read my trip report for more info about Louise, who gets my highest recommendation. She has planned individualized trips for a least a dozen people we know. One couple has just gone on the 4th trip that she planned. Several other friends have gone on her group art and cultural tours, and she also leads trips for museums. We are not "tour people" but after she planned such a stellar trip for us, it is my dream to go on one of her remote tribal tours. She is a true India specialist, knows all the top guides and will gear your trip to your area of interest.
We did not compare costs with other outfitters because a) we knew we wanted to go with Louise and b) our first quote was extremely reasonable because we were going off season and saved as much as 50% on some of the hotels. We also kept costs down by mixing luxury accommodations with inexpensive guest houses.
Happy to answer more Qs.
Well, the super efficient Kathie beat me to it. I was going to suggest you read my trip report for more info about Louise, who gets my highest recommendation. She has planned individualized trips for a least a dozen people we know. One couple has just gone on the 4th trip that she planned. Several other friends have gone on her group art and cultural tours, and she also leads trips for museums. We are not "tour people" but after she planned such a stellar trip for us, it is my dream to go on one of her remote tribal tours. She is a true India specialist, knows all the top guides and will gear your trip to your area of interest.
We did not compare costs with other outfitters because a) we knew we wanted to go with Louise and b) our first quote was extremely reasonable because we were going off season and saved as much as 50% on some of the hotels. We also kept costs down by mixing luxury accommodations with inexpensive guest houses.
Happy to answer more Qs.
May 28th, 2015, 04:01 PM
#55
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Since this thread was pulled up, I wanted it to go on record that we did not go to India for just 8.5 days. After AA canceled the flight I put on hold, we managed to get different flights that allowed up to go for 11 days - much better.
