I am starting to plan a trip to India for some time next year. Will be going for 2 weeks and will start out in Dehli. Would like to do the Golden Triangle and one other area that would be quieter than the big cities but still have access to good hotels, shopping and restaurants etc. Is domestic airfare in India expensive? Any suggestions wuld be greatly appreciated.

Hi,

Please look at my post
"Had a great time in Rajasthan". You will find a description of my trip, which will answer some of your questions.

I will be happy to reply to any further queries!

I have been researching a similar 2 week trip for several months. Two weeks is not a lot of time in India. We are doing Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Jaipur and Ranthambore National Park - that's all we really have time for. We will not be flying anywhere. I am sure you will hear from some of this site's regular posters with a suggestion or two.

Hi, Austine!

When I inquired through a travel agent in Australia about Indian domestic air fares as an add-on to my international fare, I was rather shocked at the high prices -- I guess I had preconceived notions of what a third-world airline should cost -- but then, thanks to this forum, I found the airpasses offered by Indian Airlines and Jet Airways. We found the Jet Airways schedule very suitable for our requirements, and have heard many good reports about their standard of service. We bought a fifteen-day airpass (which they actually allow you to use over sixteen days) for $US750 each, which equated with around $US80 a flight. Perhaps, if you are concentrating on a small section of the continent, this would still not work out economically for you, but I imagine it would still pay you to peruse their websites to see if they had anything to offer you. The third airline, Sahara, also has special offers on four flights and six flights.

Before selecting your "one other area" it might be worth telling the experts on this forum -- jacketwatch, Daneille, cicerone, SamirAnand, and a couple of others -- the time of year you are visiting, because it seems that choosing the right area at the right time is crucial in visiting India (for instance, their advice to me, for an October-November trip, was "forget about Chennai&quot.

Don;t try to do too much. Do a small section of the country and really see it. I would absolutely recommend Rajasthan. It has everything. Gorgeous scenery, fascinating historic and religious sights, wonderful art and terrific restaurants. I spend 3 1/2 weeks there and wish I had spent more time. Think about getting to some of the smaller cities there like Mt. Abu.

On the question of air fares there's also Sahara Air that offers a (sixer)pass of 6 legs that can be shared by 2 people for $600 US.

Additionally there also a low cost airline called Air Deccan that offers very cheap airfares through the south.

I haven't used any of these but came across them while researching a Nov trip to India.

First of all, I am envious of those of you who have 2, 3 or even more weeks to spend. And while there is never enough time to see all of India, I took a whirlwiind tour and in 9 days went to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Veranasi. So, it can be done. This was all possible through a 7-day pass on Jet Airways, which has terrific service and flies on time. (All our 5 flights did.)

Anyway, as for itinerary suggestions. Our favorite cities were Udaipur and Veranasi. So, I hope you can include them on your itinerary. And if possible, I recommend that you stay at the Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur, which made our stay there even better.

Have a fun time.

Thanks for all the good information. I plan on doing this trip in March.

Mar is a bad time to visit India, I'm told. India can be so hot and Mar/April are really hot! My Indian friend who I met in Laos told me absolutely forget India Mar/Apr and try to go Dec/Feb (like everyone else!). I suggest you do a little more research as the weather may impede your travel and diminish your enjoyment of India.

Austine,

Here is my dream itinerary to India, hopefully for next February.

Day 1 - Arrive Delhi. Transfer directly to Agra. I would rather be a little tired and spend two nights in Agra, than have to rush back to Delhi at the end of my trip. Therefore, I am saving Delhi until the end.

Amar Vilas (an Oberoi Hotel), luxury room with balcony facing Taj Mahal.

Day 2 - Agra, Amar Vilas.

Day 3 - Bharatpur, Laxmi Vilas Palace. There is a bird sanctuary here, and this will ease the long drive to the next destination since it is on the way.

Day 4 - Ranthambhore, Vanya Vilas (Oberoi). This is a national park with wildlife viewing, famous especially for its tigers. Twice daily guests are provided with game drives. The rooms are about 1,000 sq. ft. luxury tents.

Day 5 - Ranthambhore, Vanya Vilas

Day 6 - Ranthambhore, Vanya Vilas

Day 7 - Transfer to Jaipur, 3 nights at Samode Haveli. Although the Raj Vilas looks nice, I have been told that the Samode Haveli is in a better location and closer to Jaipur attractions. The Samode Haveli looks like a great heritage hotel with only 22 rooms, each individually decorated. The Samode Haveli should not be confused with the Samode Palace, which doesn't appear nearly as attractive.

Day 8 - Jaipur, Samode Haveli.

Day 9 - Jaipur, Samode Haveli.

Day 10 - New Delhi, Imperial Hotel, 3 nights.

Day 11 - New Delhi, Imperial Hotel.

Day 12 - New Delhi, Imperial Hotel.

Day 13 - Transfer to Delhi Airport. END.

--While Udaipur and Nepal both look very interesting, I like this itinerary because it does not include a single flight until my time in India is over. I will be provided with a car and driver/guide throughout the whole stay, and even with the best rooms at these places, my cost will be about $2,125 USD per person. That is CHEAP for the places I am staying and for having a private car and driver/guide throughout the 13 days.

I do not know if you are dealing with a tour operator yet, but Erco Travels gave me really good pricing and is really good with their follow up. I haven't booked yet, but hopefully I will book in the next 90 days. In case you're interested, Erco Travels is on the web at www.ercotravels.com

Good luck.

All the hotels are first rate but let us look at the prices again.

You have been offered a 12 night /13 day tour. For this you pay USD 4250/- for two persons.

The car will be at your disposal for 13 days, which will cost about USD 500/-. Assuming another USD 200/- for miscellaneous expenses, you have to pay about USD 300/- per night for a double room. This is lot of money to pay for the hotels, with the possible exception of Vanya Vilas.

Suggestions

Ask Erco to send you another quote

Try the Oberoi travel desk

While this an excellent itinerary for the very rich, and, as I said before, the hotels are all very good properties, if you are the usual traveler paying for your own vacation, I recommend that you take a look at family hotels, specially in Rajasthan.

Rajhelp,

Thanks for the suggestion. It is worth noting that whenever available, the rooms are not standard rooms, but instead upgraded rooms (junior suite, etc.).

The price also includes all my tours along the way.

As expensive as my itinerary may seem, it is a relative bargain compared to some countries. I have been to Southern Africa for the last three years and the Indian prices are a lot less expensive than similar places would be in South Africa, for example.

My wife and I do prefer the very best hotels/resorts possible, so I do not mind paying double the price for the very top places. Who knows when we will visit India again, as the world is a very big place and there are so many places that I look forward to visiting in the future.

Thanks again.

Rococo, at the end of your trip consider The Oberoi in Delhi. I understand that the Imperial has charm but I surmise it won't be able to beat the overall high standards of The Oberoi.

Since your itinerary is still not final, there are two more hotels in Jaipur that merit attention:

The Rambagh

The Raj Mahal. This is where the Queen and Mrs. Kennedy stayed as the guest of the Maharajah when it was not a hotel. You are not likely to find rooms with more character than the Maharajah and Maharani suites in this hotel.

The Oberoi has high standards, true, but the Imperial has the charm which comes from being part of another era. I would choose the Imperial over any other hotel in Delhi.