eh... we've been there before, so usually you can just hire a guide right at the monuments/sites. Where are your staying? I am sure the hotel can arrange a guide for the whole day but it may be pricey. Assume a "guide on the spot" price of $4-10 per site. The guide at the Taj was $10 and the guide at things like Humayan's Tomb, etc. was $4.

We visited FS (the UNESCO world heritage site)in Feb. and the site was very clean and well cared for. It takes about 1-2 hours to leisurely walk through the complex of many medieval buildings. The carvings on and in the buildings are very fine and detailed. I thought it was a very worthwhile stop. I did not visit the shrine alluded to in the trip report. I do not think it was on the grounds of the area I visited.

riversair,
I too am curious (like Drebby) where you got such good prices for Oberoi Amar & Raj villas.
I will be traveling next March and the prices I am getting through a TA in India are higher (though much less than Oberoi's web site). Is it because it was during summer?

Paulchili -

It's because it is the monsoon season. You know, I was so afraid to go during monsoon season, everything was discounted. It hardly rained and when it did it only rained for an hour or two at a time. No inconvenience at all, and still plenty of pool time. The reps at Oberoi told me during the months of May through end of September they (Amarvilas and Raj Vilas) are only at 20-25% capacity. The rest of the year they are sold out. You know, as some who has been to all these places many times, I would definitely splurge for the Amarvilas. It offers a few things that are unique that can't be had elsewhere, such as the closest Taj view, a staff that will take you via Golf Cart and wait for you, etc. Raj Vilas was definitely great, don't get me wrong. HOWEVER, if you did not want to splurge at both hotels (Raj, Amar) the entire time I would go to the Rambaugh Palace in Jaipur instead. The hotel is great, ask for a renovated room on the first floor, restaurants, pool and service is wonderful. Plus the Taj hotels will upgrade you if you ask and if there is room - the Oberoi by policy will not.

Frankly, I don't think I will ever travel to India during the on-season again. The prices for 5 star are way too high. I was able to stay at all those hotels and get my business class airfare at more than 50% off.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.

Riversair, thanks for your post! I want to go to the North of India next year and was dreaming of staying at the Oberoi hotels. I noticed their prices go down 50% but I was afraid about the weather in off season. Now your post encouraged me to maybe book my trip then.
Which month did you travel?

riversair,
Thank you for your answers.
We will be staying at Amarvilas (in April - a little better price) and will stay at Rambagh Palace in Jaipur. I will ask for a renovated room on first floor - thanks!

Paulchili - if you want to another unique experience take a look at Vanyavilas, the Oberoi hotel in Ranthambhore...It is the tented Safari camp. That was definitely unique hotel, all tents, tiger watch tower, hotel tiger safaris, etc. etc. That was worth the splurge more so than Raj Vilas. I went from July 25 through August 4th. It never rained in the morning, only in the afternoons for an hour or two and only twice out of my 5 days in Delhi and once in my three days in Jaipur and it not rain in Agra when I was there. So, the point is get all our outdoor sightseeing done in the morning! This is a good site to check out: http://www.worldweather.org/

My advice does not apply to south India, I remember I was in Goa in July 1997 and it rained for 5 days straight. :) Certainly North India gets a lot less rain.