Dr_Andrea

Wow! What a place! It was totally a senses overload, but we loved it! I came home with so much stuff (pashminas, a 6-carat ruby ring, a print, jewelry, sequined shoes, scarves, etc.). It was definitely the best shopping I have ever done. India is so intense, but worth it. We had a private guide and driver the entire trip. This is an absolute necessity. We totally needed more days in India though. There is so much traveling between cities and the infrastructure is so bad, that an extra night in each hotel would have been great. But it is hard for my husband to take more than 12 nights off from work at one time. We also brought mostly summer clothes and ended up being very surprised how cold it got (especially on the tiger safari).

The Imperial (Dehli)-This hotel was gorgeous. We spent two nights here. The breakfast was delicious and the room was spectacular. I absolutely love marble and this hotel has so much. The British Colonial decor is really wonderful.

Oberoi Amarvilas (Agra)-The Oberoi has just the best service in our opinion. We had the Nehru Suite.....oh my gosh....unbelievable. It had the most amazing bathroom with a 360 degree shower, multiple patios with a telescope so that you could see the Taj Mahal, a dining room/living room, and tons of butler buttons. Unfortunately, were were so jet-lagged that we missed dinner both nights. But the breakfast and lunch was delicious. The Taj Mahal was amazing...way better than I anticipated. There is definitely something magical about it and frankly, I wasn't even that excited to visit it initially.

Oberoi Rajvilas, (Jaipur)-We spent another two nights in Jaipur. This Oberoi was just ranked in the top ten of resorts in Asia. But strangely, we liked the other Oberois better. The food was definitely delicious though. While I was most excited to visit Jaipur, I actually liked it the least of the cities we visited.

Taj Varanasi-Holy! This was by far our favorite city. I was so reluctant to visit because I heard that the accomodations are the least luxurious in Varanasi. Boy, am I glad we went. The ganges river was so cool, the ceremonies amazing, the shopping spectacular, and the people awe-inspiring. The Taj Hotel was above average, but definitely not in the same class as the other hotels. However, it is the best in Varanasi. We had a suite and it was nice (clean, large, etc.), but don't expect too much if you are a discriminating traveler. DO NOT VISIT INDIA WITHOUT GOING TO VARANASI. We only spent one night in Varanasi and we still felt like we saw everything we needed to see.

Oberoi Vanyavilas (Ranthambore/Tiger Safari)-WOW!!! The service is absolutely amazing. They went so above and beyond it was embarassing. After having two unsuccessful game drives (no tigers anywhere), they arranged for the former director (and Bill Clinton's guide when he was India) of the tiger reserve to personally escort us on the afternoon game drive. We were so excited and impressed that they did this. Sure enough, we found the tigers!!! We saw the Lady of the Lake and her three cubs. It was amazing! I would definitely repeat what everyone told me....don't go to Ranthambore expecting to see tigers. It really is luck and nothing like an african safari. Africa is decades ahead in their wildlife preservation. But even if you don't see them, it is still worth the trip. Vanyavilas was our favorite hotel/resort of the trip. The luxury tent is beautiful. The general manager is amazing and is staff is top notch. I can't say anything bad about this place.

I think that covers everything! India is definitely not for everyone. There were points were I was ready to freak out from the overwhelming poverty. It is so amazing how a country so filthy can be so beautiful. We definitely would like to return and do Southern India. But not for some time.

rhkkmk

thanks for the report...our thoughts were about the same as yours....we did have more days in each place than did you, so we were lucky with that

Craig

Good report - seeing a tiger at Ranthambore was a highlight of our trip too. We missed Varanasi but we will be going back. There is now a direct flight on Thai from Bangkok that bypasses Delhi and goes directly to Varanasi.

colern

Dr. Andrea - Thank you for your trip report -- I am always looking to hear perceptions of others. I have a feeling that I will be somewhat overwhelmed myself on our trip to India as well! My husband & I are leaving for India in a few days and are somewhat doing the same route/hotels....A couple of questions -
You mention the food - (my husband is not a big fan of curry) -- are there other possibilites? And did you have any problems with stomach illness? We have done everything shots malaria pills etc. but have not contacted our dr. to get an RX for Cipro as some posts have indicated. Not sure if it is needed. Also, on a more upbeat note -- a 6 ct. ruby --WOW -- can I inquire where you purchased your gem as I am too looking for a ruby....Thanks for your reply.

Dr_Andrea

We were so concerned with getting sick, but thank god...no illness at all! We did not have curry once on the trip. So I don't think you will have a problem there. I got the ruby at the Oberoi gift shop....however, they have Jaipur Gem Palace make them for them. I went to Gem Palace as well, but did not see anything that I liked better.

colern

Thanks Dr. Andrea - Glad to hear that my husband will survive the trip without starving - LOL - Will post a trip report upon our return as well. I am really looking forward to Ranthambore -