i am interested in hiring a driver and english speaking guide for a day while in delhi
can anyone recommend someone they have used?
also, i would like a clear idea on what i should expect to pay
thanks very much.

Start here d, just to get an idea of car prices for a day's hire.

http://savaari.com/user/step1.php
or here:
http://www.ezeego1.co.in/live/carsea...hdClientId=499

Or, you can easily get a car and driver from your hotel. Then not much will go wrong. Depends how much actual guiding you want. Depending how you set it up, you'll pay anything from 800 rupees to 5,000 rupees.

You could go here:
http://www.delhimagic.com/

and do this kind of thing. Expensive, but really good - no stress, quality private tours. There are a million variations on this theme.

thanks, i will email delhi magic for a rate
ihave an itinerary for the day in mind...

we,, the price from Delhi magic was 10,000 rupees per day, for a single traveler. that is too expensive for me.
can anyone else suggest a guide/driver they've used??
thanks.

Mostly d, in India, a driver is a driver and a guide is a guide - they aren't the same person. If you want your hand held and someone to walk with you and explain, that's a very different deal from a driver who will get you from A,B to C, dump you at the door, wait and leave when you're ready. If you find a good recco he'll be a nice guy and chat, but as for actual knowledge, forget it.

So, what are you expecting here? What do you want? A personal guide will cost you $100 a day. A car will cost you $15 a day.

If you look in those sites which you haven't, you'd notice there are cars and drivers who will take you on a set circuit for 8 hours - no guiding - for 800 - 1000. Why don't you get a guidebook and do that?

Hey DP,
Lemme know when u r planning to visit, I know of a brilliant, honest driver (in nu aircon car) cum v knowledgeable guide cum photographer, it'll cost you INR 5 K, excluding entry tickets n food, Cheers

i have been in communication with this company (rec. on indiamike) and will probably use them. very prompt and thorough in their reply, and a good price.

dogster- i see i was NOT clear in my earlier message. i want a driver and a guide. i am a female and often travel alone. sometimes i just get a driver (depending on where i am)sometimes i like a guide as a 'buffer' between the touts and unwanted attention. plus, if i'm in a place for a short time i find a guide helpful. thanks very much for your input.
(btw, your thailand post re; blood donation was hysterical!)

Ahhh - why didn't I think you were a woman? I wonder if that's unconscious sexism on my part? Probably. I apologise to all the women in the world.

Don't get me wrong BTW.. a guide is good. Totally understand using them as a buffer. Pity Delhi magic was so expensive - they would have been a different spin on that. You'll sort it, and if you don't like the guide, ring up the company and get another one.

Are you still looking for a driver cum guide ? Do let me know

no, i found one
thanks