India: couple want to go there but...
 

We have just been told by our customary group travel agency that they are sold out..."so sorry, we are full." The tour we had wanted would come in November: Delhi, Jaipur, Pushkar Fair, Ranthambore National Park, Agra, Varanasi, etc. In all, about three weeks or so. Since we are retired, our time is very flexible.

We want to stay in *** or **** places -- old palaces, tented camps, interesting but not necessarily ultra de luxes -- that's not our style. Most if not all meals included. Interested in culture, not in the fancy trappings of life.

Is there another group we could join? Car, driver, and guide arranged by an India-based firm? Help us get into direct contact with an expert in India, please. Thanks for all help.

Try Durjay, e-mail - [email protected]. He has been pretty helpful in planning for our India trip next February and has been recommended elsewhere on this site.

I would also hight recommenc Durjay, (Compass Tours) I know though that in november a lot of nice hotels are fully booked, but give it a try

Hi, we are going on a tour to India leaving on October 14th, but there are other dates to choose from...

Try imaginative-traveller.com

The one we are going on is called Delhi to Kathmandu...See below, I think it sounds great..Have used this company before to Egypt and they are excellent..Check it out anyhow..


Day 1, DELHI Afternoon tour of Delhi.
Day 2, SHEKHAVATI Drive to the Shekhavati area of Rajasthan, renowned for its painted frescoes and ornate havelis (merchant's houses). We spend the night in a heritage hotel. (B)
Day 3, SHEKHAVATI Walking tour of one of Shekhavati's small towns followed by a camel ride to surrounding villages. Overnight in the desert resort, in beautiful and luxurious mud huts! (B)
Day 4, JAIPUR Drive to Jaipur. Afternoon elephant ride to the splendid Amber Fort. (B)
Day 5, JAIPUR Morning Jaipur city tour. Remainder of the day at leisure. (B)
Day 6, RANTHAMBORE Drive to Ranthambore National Park where we take an afternoon game ride. (BD)
Days 7-8, KARAULI Visit Ranthambore Fort then drive to Karauli where we stay in a Maharaja's residence. There is the chance to visit the ramshackle Karauli city palace and the local bazaar.(B)
Day 9, BHARATPUR - AGRA Drive via the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur to the abandoned Moghul capital at Fatehpur Sikri. (B)
Day 10, AGRA Visit the awe inspiring Taj Mahal. Overnight sleeper train to Varanasi. (B)
Day 11, VARANASI Afternoon excursion to Sarnath.
Day 12, VARANASI- KATHMANDU Transfer to the airport for flight to Kathmandu. (B)
Day 13-14, KATHMANDU Free days for exploring Kathmandu. (B)
Day 15, KATHMANDU Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

Hi USNR - we're adding 2 weeks in India to our Thailand trip in December and are dealing with www.world-wide-safaris.com; so far they have been very efficient and were recommended by several posters on lonely planet's thorntree bulletin board. A car/driver/taxes & tolls for 13 days is US375 plus our accom & food. They can book any level of hotel depending on budget. We liked the idea of being picked up from hotels, driven to various sites, eating at well-known local restaurants, having someone who knew the Rajasthan area well and had a good reputation, rather than arriving by air or train and needing to book local tours at each destination. You could ask them for a quote and testimonials. Good luck.

Sorry to hear that sir. Hope things work out. Larry