India in Oct
Apr 29th, 2003, 07:03 AM
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India in Oct
I will be traveling to India (Delhi) in mid-October for three weeks for work. My mother will be joining me during this time and will be on her own during the week. Any suggestions on where she can visit on her own during the week and also any suggestions on where she and I can travel in and around Delhi during the weekend? Any recommendations on reputable tours in Delhi and other regions in India? Any comments on the "Palace on Wheels" tour?
Apr 29th, 2003, 08:02 AM
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Congratulations! I think you will really enjoy the experience of working and living in India, even briefly. As you will be in India for so long, you should get at least one guidebook, maybe two. Fodor's has a good one on Delhi, and I like the Insight Guides for India generally.
For weekend trips, Agra (Taj Mahal) would be a good weekend trip. You can take a train in about 2 hours. In addition to the Taj, there is the fort down the river, and the beautifully preserved city and palace at Fatephur Sikri about an hour's drive out. Try to see the Taj at sunset, during the day and sunrise, as the sun really changes the color of the marble. The town of Agra itself has lots of shopping, some people find it uncharming, but I really like the town. There is a Sheraton that is nice, and if budget permits, you might consider staying at the Amarvilas, right next to the Taj. (If budget permits generally in India, all the "vila" brand hotels run by the Oberoi group are wonderful, go to oberoihotels.com to see what they offer.
Places like Varansi/Bernares and Khajuraho are doable for the weekend provided you fly. Varanasi is a fascinating little city and worth a longer trip than a weekend if you can fit it in, but the best bits could be seen in 2 days.
I have not traveled around the environs of Delhi very much, as I tend to be in Delhi and then leave for further places. The hill stations like Shimla or Darjeeling would be interesting to visit, and the weather would be quite a change from October in Delhi.
As for your mother, there is a lot to do and see in Delhi itself which should keep your mother entertained. Get a good guidebook. There are numerous museums and temples, as well as the houses of Nehru, Indira Ghandi and Mahatma Ghandi which you can visit. Shopping is very good for things like fabrics and handicrafts. She could literally spend days in the Rajasthan Handicrafts Emporium on Janpath buying everything from table linens to furniture at incredibly cheap prices. As she will be on her own, she may want to hire her own tour guide and driver or join daily bus tours. The only problem with the latter is that you often stop off for some shopping as part of the deal. I donyt have any recommendations for individual guides, but people in you office may, people on this site may, or if you are staying in a hotel during your 3-weeks, they may have suggestions as well. I will say that there are not really any walking tours of Delhi as the city is very spread out and does not lend itself to that. The area of New Delhi around the Parliament buildings and Rajpath is pretty and good for walking, there are some museums in the area as well.
You might want to check the website for the US embassy in Delhi to see if they are offering any activities or have links to sites with activities. The website is usembassy.state.gov/delhi. Also, your mother will need to obtain a tourist visa prior to her arrival, check the website for the Indian embassy in Washington DC at www.indiagov.org. I assume your visa is being sorted by your employer.
Palace on Wheels gets uneven reviews here and from friends of mine who have take in. The train is small and the quarters a bit cramped and I don't think they have redone the cars in a while. You can see much the same on your own.
With a little bit of work and patience, there is no reason why you need to join an organized tour of other regions of India. All you need to do is organize flights/trains and hotels. Much of the rest can be done when you arrive. Hiring a driver and guide for the day is very inexpensive in US terms and definitely worth it. You can make your own schedule and not be tied to a bus and a group. Hotels can usually recommend a guide, and I have generally been happy with guides recommended by hotels. However, if you really want to do a tour, Cox & Kings is a UK company which is very reputable and has long experience with tours in India. They generally do a package with airfare, but I am pretty sure they would do a land only package for you. Their website is www.coxandkings.com.
In preparation for your own trip, you might want to get a copy of "Culture Shock! India" which gives very good information on customs and culture in India. It is part of the Culture Shock Series of books printed by Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company. You can find them on the web or your local bookstore may have it or can order it for you.
I will stop writing now, and will write back if I get any more ideas for local trips in the Delhi area. Good luck and have a great time!
For weekend trips, Agra (Taj Mahal) would be a good weekend trip. You can take a train in about 2 hours. In addition to the Taj, there is the fort down the river, and the beautifully preserved city and palace at Fatephur Sikri about an hour's drive out. Try to see the Taj at sunset, during the day and sunrise, as the sun really changes the color of the marble. The town of Agra itself has lots of shopping, some people find it uncharming, but I really like the town. There is a Sheraton that is nice, and if budget permits, you might consider staying at the Amarvilas, right next to the Taj. (If budget permits generally in India, all the "vila" brand hotels run by the Oberoi group are wonderful, go to oberoihotels.com to see what they offer.
Places like Varansi/Bernares and Khajuraho are doable for the weekend provided you fly. Varanasi is a fascinating little city and worth a longer trip than a weekend if you can fit it in, but the best bits could be seen in 2 days.
I have not traveled around the environs of Delhi very much, as I tend to be in Delhi and then leave for further places. The hill stations like Shimla or Darjeeling would be interesting to visit, and the weather would be quite a change from October in Delhi.
As for your mother, there is a lot to do and see in Delhi itself which should keep your mother entertained. Get a good guidebook. There are numerous museums and temples, as well as the houses of Nehru, Indira Ghandi and Mahatma Ghandi which you can visit. Shopping is very good for things like fabrics and handicrafts. She could literally spend days in the Rajasthan Handicrafts Emporium on Janpath buying everything from table linens to furniture at incredibly cheap prices. As she will be on her own, she may want to hire her own tour guide and driver or join daily bus tours. The only problem with the latter is that you often stop off for some shopping as part of the deal. I donyt have any recommendations for individual guides, but people in you office may, people on this site may, or if you are staying in a hotel during your 3-weeks, they may have suggestions as well. I will say that there are not really any walking tours of Delhi as the city is very spread out and does not lend itself to that. The area of New Delhi around the Parliament buildings and Rajpath is pretty and good for walking, there are some museums in the area as well.
You might want to check the website for the US embassy in Delhi to see if they are offering any activities or have links to sites with activities. The website is usembassy.state.gov/delhi. Also, your mother will need to obtain a tourist visa prior to her arrival, check the website for the Indian embassy in Washington DC at www.indiagov.org. I assume your visa is being sorted by your employer.
Palace on Wheels gets uneven reviews here and from friends of mine who have take in. The train is small and the quarters a bit cramped and I don't think they have redone the cars in a while. You can see much the same on your own.
With a little bit of work and patience, there is no reason why you need to join an organized tour of other regions of India. All you need to do is organize flights/trains and hotels. Much of the rest can be done when you arrive. Hiring a driver and guide for the day is very inexpensive in US terms and definitely worth it. You can make your own schedule and not be tied to a bus and a group. Hotels can usually recommend a guide, and I have generally been happy with guides recommended by hotels. However, if you really want to do a tour, Cox & Kings is a UK company which is very reputable and has long experience with tours in India. They generally do a package with airfare, but I am pretty sure they would do a land only package for you. Their website is www.coxandkings.com.
In preparation for your own trip, you might want to get a copy of "Culture Shock! India" which gives very good information on customs and culture in India. It is part of the Culture Shock Series of books printed by Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company. You can find them on the web or your local bookstore may have it or can order it for you.
I will stop writing now, and will write back if I get any more ideas for local trips in the Delhi area. Good luck and have a great time!
Apr 29th, 2003, 08:08 AM
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Hi Alma..Good to know you will be going to India(Delhi) in Ocotber-and just to let you know, that is a great month to visit India..I am actually an American woman who lives on/off in Delhi(my second home), and has been traveling to India for about 14 years..About Delhi and your Mother, well, I would first definately reccomend about a two day structured sightseeing tour-to cover all the major historical sights and monuments with car/driver and guide....perhaps one day Old Delhi and the other new Delhi..These being, Two/three days full-on touring would be plenty..The sights in Old Delhi are jama Masid, Red Fort, Chandi chowk, Raj Ghat, etc..In new Delhi you have laxmi Narayan Temple, India Gate, Humayans Tomb, Bahia Temple, Qutab Minor, etc...Then, on the other days, I suggest she keep just a car and driver for full or half day, and visit all the differnt neighborhoods-markets, etc..These include Hauz kauz village, Dilli Hat, Connaugt Place, karol Bargh, Greater kailish, Santusthi market, Khan Market, etc..Plenty to keep busy for the week...Then, come the weekend, well-the obvious...!!..The Golden Triange, Delhi-jaipur-AGRA, and if you have some more free time-set a bit deeper into Rajasthan(options are endless)...I would do this in a private car/driver/guide/etc..it can be done. very easily and at any price level..
Apr 29th, 2003, 08:44 AM
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Hi again Alma..woops..I forgot to answer the second part of your question..Yes, i can make some Tour Operator reccomendations in Delhi-as I personally know alot of them..Ya see, in addition to many other endeavors in India and Nepal, I have been leading/escorting American Tour Groups for alot of U.S. Operators.. So I have had the chance to work with many, many many diff. people.operators in Delhi and all through India, such as Sita, Tci, mercury, etc..Over all-from personal experince, i definately reccomend le Passage To india, lepassagetoindia.com ,they reaaly are good people, honest, reputable, heartfelt, and will also give you excellent service and prob the best prices around.. You can contact one of the Directors and friend, Madhu Sudan Sharma at [email protected] if ya e-mail me I will also give ya phone numbers, etc.. There main office is in Delhi-but hav branches everywhere..Madhu is one of the best in the bizness, a true professionanal and will do anything for you-especially if ya mention my name-as we have a mutual admiration society going on.... I can not say enough good about him or this Company-from real ground experince !!Okay Alma, please feel free to contact me and I can give you much more info on Delhi-woman in India, resturants in Delhi, etc..i luv to help and am happy to see people comming back to India.. by the way, what will you be doing in India?..perhaps we can all meet up someday [email protected]
