Please I need help with North India trip!
Nov 16th, 2008, 05:44 PM
#21
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But my plan doesn't reduce the number of places. You can do Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Delhi perfectly easy if you fly/train/car. Jaya is correct, Delhi is cool too, but, bang for your buck, Varanasi is the best of all.
afterall hits it on the head: you have such a limited time, you can't wing it. India won't let you. Also, it's about your stress levels on the road. Trust me, it's stressful enough without adding to your worries. The more you have lined up, the better your trip. The stress points are train stations, airports and transfers.
Remember the financial benefits of having four people. The cost of a limo divided by four is nuttin'. Or you can cast yourselves to the wolves outside the station/ airport/etc. If you're the travel boss and co-ordinator then cover your little A and book it all in advance. Otherwise you'll cop the stress on the road. That's where I'm coming from.
There are fifty ways to skin a cat. I like to do it with kindness. You're gonna get skinned, regardless.
lol lol lol
afterall hits it on the head: you have such a limited time, you can't wing it. India won't let you. Also, it's about your stress levels on the road. Trust me, it's stressful enough without adding to your worries. The more you have lined up, the better your trip. The stress points are train stations, airports and transfers.
Remember the financial benefits of having four people. The cost of a limo divided by four is nuttin'. Or you can cast yourselves to the wolves outside the station/ airport/etc. If you're the travel boss and co-ordinator then cover your little A and book it all in advance. Otherwise you'll cop the stress on the road. That's where I'm coming from.
There are fifty ways to skin a cat. I like to do it with kindness. You're gonna get skinned, regardless.
lol lol lol
Nov 16th, 2008, 06:14 PM
#23
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Joanne, harsh as it may sound, Dogster speaks the truth. He knows India and getting around India better than I do.
It was just your lucky day to get him as your travel advisor.
But all told, please reply if you have any questions. We'll do our best to get you through this and leave it to you to shake-down the friend who got you into this mess.
It was just your lucky day to get him as your travel advisor.
But all told, please reply if you have any questions. We'll do our best to get you through this and leave it to you to shake-down the friend who got you into this mess.
Nov 16th, 2008, 06:20 PM
#24
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rhk's plan is go-o-o-od. One less hassle. Car Delhi/Agra/Jaipur
fly Jaipur/Vns/Delhi. Very cool.
Could drive Jaipur to Delhi then fly but I'm trying to save them time. Fly from Jaipur [early yeah,] you're in Varanasi by 10.30 A.M. Hey - sounds cool to me.
fly Jaipur/Vns/Delhi. Very cool.
Could drive Jaipur to Delhi then fly but I'm trying to save them time. Fly from Jaipur [early yeah,] you're in Varanasi by 10.30 A.M. Hey - sounds cool to me.
Nov 16th, 2008, 07:10 PM
#26
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You always get a driver as well. There are good reasons for that. The most important one is that you'll die otherwise. Lol.
http://www.delhirentacar.com/
http://www.carrental-india.com/delhi...l-charges.html
picked at random just to give you an idea of prices.
The reality is that if you got a car in Delhi with your driver, you could keep him till you fly out of Jaipur. Then you tell him where you want to go at each place. If you have a guide need you can pick 'em up at the different locations.
Again: in one move you've sorted the first four, five days. Look for reccos in here for companies and drivers. Easy. Rhk has one. You'll have to pay for the driver to return to Delhi, I reckon.
AND you're much, much more in control. I think it's the go.
But answer about accomodation eh? While you have our attention. Can't help without that.
http://www.delhirentacar.com/
http://www.carrental-india.com/delhi...l-charges.html
picked at random just to give you an idea of prices.
The reality is that if you got a car in Delhi with your driver, you could keep him till you fly out of Jaipur. Then you tell him where you want to go at each place. If you have a guide need you can pick 'em up at the different locations.
Again: in one move you've sorted the first four, five days. Look for reccos in here for companies and drivers. Easy. Rhk has one. You'll have to pay for the driver to return to Delhi, I reckon.
AND you're much, much more in control. I think it's the go.
But answer about accomodation eh? While you have our attention. Can't help without that.
Nov 16th, 2008, 07:28 PM
#28
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oh dogster....you have won my heart...after breaking it! i really appreciate you. we are busy right now looking at flights...
i wrote to a guest house in delhi who didn't respond yet...
our budget is pretty slim....and if we could stomach a cheap hotel it would be nice if the the three girls could have a room and the boy could have his own....a friend said she knows of a place in agra which is only 30$...i bet you have some pretty fabulous ideas...am going to check out the one you gave me earlier...
thank you!
i really appreciate you. we are busy right now looking at flights...i wrote to a guest house in delhi who didn't respond yet...
our budget is pretty slim....and if we could stomach a cheap hotel it would be nice if the the three girls could have a room and the boy could have his own....a friend said she knows of a place in agra which is only 30$...i bet you have some pretty fabulous ideas...am going to check out the one you gave me earlier...
thank you!
Nov 16th, 2008, 07:40 PM
#30
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You don't have to look far for flights. Kingfisher. Just do it. Trust me. They eliminate another stress point. The 'outside the airport' stress point. Young men in red T shirts leap out and look after you. Just do it.
Now on hotels for $30 a nite you're outta my zone - big time. That Varanasi one will be outta yours.
If you can find a free phone - ring the hotels up. You'll spend days you don't have waiting for them to screw you around.
But gawd, you're in serious backpacker territory here. Gawd. Jaw drops. O.K. you need to go to India Mike.
www.indiamike.com
then
www.tripadvisor.com
Man, you guys are gluttons for punishment. lol. O.K. Why not?
Rerality is that hotels for $30 a nite don't exactly have websites often. You might be better to cast yourselves to the commission wolves. I assume you have a Lonely Planet guide. Read up about hotel commission racket. But DON'T - just don't arrive in Delhi without a hotel booked. I can't advise on the others.
Varanasi has a well established hotel scam too. Do you really want that grief?
Now on hotels for $30 a nite you're outta my zone - big time. That Varanasi one will be outta yours.
If you can find a free phone - ring the hotels up. You'll spend days you don't have waiting for them to screw you around.
But gawd, you're in serious backpacker territory here. Gawd. Jaw drops. O.K. you need to go to India Mike.
www.indiamike.com
then
www.tripadvisor.com
Man, you guys are gluttons for punishment. lol. O.K. Why not?
Rerality is that hotels for $30 a nite don't exactly have websites often. You might be better to cast yourselves to the commission wolves. I assume you have a Lonely Planet guide. Read up about hotel commission racket. But DON'T - just don't arrive in Delhi without a hotel booked. I can't advise on the others.
Varanasi has a well established hotel scam too. Do you really want that grief?
Nov 16th, 2008, 08:25 PM
#32
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Hi Doggie. I TELEPHONED (can you believe it?) the place you reccomended in varanasi and they only have nonview standard rooms left and they insist that we need two rooms, so $84 per night, and we are going to spend the last three nights in veranasi...so woohoo...we are going to splurge! ( i am making the executive decision!). They asked me to email my request...and I hope all goes well....I am feeling SO MUCH BETTER.....
Nov 16th, 2008, 08:38 PM
#33
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Great work. Little by little . But you better book those flights first, eh? I think you're fine, but go do it. Then you can relax totally on the last 3 days.
It's so much better when you're stressed to just ring 'em up if you can, eh? Otherwise everything gets slowed down. Plus you get a person to talk to. They're great there. Go search for Dogster: Stumbling in Varanasi. Use the search box up above.
It's so much better when you're stressed to just ring 'em up if you can, eh? Otherwise everything gets slowed down. Plus you get a person to talk to. They're great there. Go search for Dogster: Stumbling in Varanasi. Use the search box up above.
Nov 17th, 2008, 01:16 AM
#34
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A very illuminating thread. Hope it's coming together for you, maltesa. But it all goes to reinforce my impression that people in general don't want to really experience India.
"With your limited time why not hire a car and driver". That way you will slide through, never taking a train; never taking a bus. Not touching the sides really (what I see as the Rhkkmk way).
But with your time frame that may be the way to go. So sad. But you need to do what your friends require.
Just wondering what you would do if you could please yourself.
"With your limited time why not hire a car and driver". That way you will slide through, never taking a train; never taking a bus. Not touching the sides really (what I see as the Rhkkmk way).
But with your time frame that may be the way to go. So sad. But you need to do what your friends require.
Just wondering what you would do if you could please yourself.
Nov 17th, 2008, 01:18 AM
#35
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So: let's have a check here - if I'm understanding you you're on
KINGFISHER IT 2301 JAIPUR/DELHI/VARANASI on 19th DEC.
PALACE ON RIVER 19/20/21
KINGFISHER IT 334
VARANASI/DELHI on 22nd. DEC
If you are - all you have to do is arrange Palace to pick you up and drop at the airport and you're done. Everything else in Varanasi you can sort on the spot. Done.
Delhi hotels:
Haven't stayed here - it gets good reccos in here and TripA and on Sawdays site.
www.delhibedandbreakfast.com
I dunno when your flights are in and out so its difficult to advise. But remember, stress once again. Arriving in India can be very stressful, so, get your hotel to do a transfer when you arrive. Please.
Taxis out of Delhi international airport is a major, major stress point. Stuff can go seriously wrong right here. It sure has to me, and I'm no innocent. Cover that A again.
OR arrange your lovely car and driver to meet you.
Sorting out that car and driver is your next big thing.
KINGFISHER IT 2301 JAIPUR/DELHI/VARANASI on 19th DEC.
PALACE ON RIVER 19/20/21
KINGFISHER IT 334
VARANASI/DELHI on 22nd. DEC
If you are - all you have to do is arrange Palace to pick you up and drop at the airport and you're done. Everything else in Varanasi you can sort on the spot. Done.
Delhi hotels:
Haven't stayed here - it gets good reccos in here and TripA and on Sawdays site.
www.delhibedandbreakfast.com
I dunno when your flights are in and out so its difficult to advise. But remember, stress once again. Arriving in India can be very stressful, so, get your hotel to do a transfer when you arrive. Please.
Taxis out of Delhi international airport is a major, major stress point. Stuff can go seriously wrong right here. It sure has to me, and I'm no innocent. Cover that A again.
OR arrange your lovely car and driver to meet you.
Sorting out that car and driver is your next big thing.
Nov 17th, 2008, 01:24 AM
#36
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Yup, afterall - I'm sorting it this way 'cos there ain't no time to do it any other way. Either on the ground - or in advance. Remember, first time in India, whatever you do, is a total blast. So, if that's the best they can do - well, hey, it's a beginning - AND a great [if totally stupid lol] adventure.
AND at least they got three whole days in Varanasi staying on the ghats. They can get pretty down and dirty in Varanasi if they want. So it ain't exactly the Oberoi circuit. heh. But yup, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur - just in the tourist zone. That's O.K. It's a taster.
AND at least they got three whole days in Varanasi staying on the ghats. They can get pretty down and dirty in Varanasi if they want. So it ain't exactly the Oberoi circuit. heh. But yup, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur - just in the tourist zone. That's O.K. It's a taster.
Nov 17th, 2008, 01:51 AM
#37
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Hi, maltesa! My first trip to India was this past summer, and I did stay at the Delhi B&B; quite nice for a decent price (in Delhi.)
In Agra, I stayed at Hotel Sheela right at the east gate for $20 a night; it was fine for the one night, and there are even cheaper rooms than that available.
As you'll see if you'd like to read my trip report, I used a mix of transportation; the planes certainly made things easier.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35147706
Have a great time!
In Agra, I stayed at Hotel Sheela right at the east gate for $20 a night; it was fine for the one night, and there are even cheaper rooms than that available.
As you'll see if you'd like to read my trip report, I used a mix of transportation; the planes certainly made things easier.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35147706
Have a great time!
Nov 17th, 2008, 06:51 AM
#38
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Hello my wonderful trip advisors!
Just got notice that two of our party have decided to run off and get married and forego the trip. I am serious! I just have to laugh...so it is down to my dear friend (whom i have travelled with before and is a great sport)..but it means i have some room cancelling to do.
Afterall, I do feel sad about not booking any trains as of yet...i do like to get really down and dirty with the locals (I am pretty fearless, I love people and am not scared of differences in culture and living standards, no matter how extreme). But I just couldn't figure out that train system and Dogsters good advice on saving time flying makes so much sense. And guess what! Our trip doesn't end there! This thread was started to plan the first half of the trip which included the love birds...
my friend and i have another week in which we are planning to go to south india! we don't catch our plane to go home until jan 3.
(but should the south india be another thread?
so far here is how i am doing:
Dec 14, late: a driver from Metropolis Tourist Home picks up my friend from Delhi airport and whisks her to our room.
Dec15 3:30 am driver picks me up and does same.
Dec 16 get to Agra...maybe train, maybe bus, not arranged yet. Spend the night at Hotel Sheela (just like amy ) and then have Dec 17 arranged a driver to take us to Jaipur, stopping at bird sanctuary along the way, and maybe another stop. Want to squeeze jodpur in somehow.
Dec 17 spend night in Jaipur. (any ideas anyone)?
Dec 18 Explore Jaipur.
Dec 19 fly to veranasi in am. (flight will be booked tonight!)driver will pick us up.
Dec 19, 20, 21 stay at the Palaceonriver. (i was tempted to stay at schindia guest house....it is so much cheaper!
Dec 22 fly back to delhi...
which will begin part deaux....
chennai, pondicherry, kerala backwaters woo-hoo!
okay now to look at amy's link.
thank you everyone (especially dogster!)
maltesa
Just got notice that two of our party have decided to run off and get married and forego the trip. I am serious! I just have to laugh...so it is down to my dear friend (whom i have travelled with before and is a great sport)..but it means i have some room cancelling to do.
Afterall, I do feel sad about not booking any trains as of yet...i do like to get really down and dirty with the locals (I am pretty fearless, I love people and am not scared of differences in culture and living standards, no matter how extreme). But I just couldn't figure out that train system and Dogsters good advice on saving time flying makes so much sense. And guess what! Our trip doesn't end there! This thread was started to plan the first half of the trip which included the love birds...
my friend and i have another week in which we are planning to go to south india! we don't catch our plane to go home until jan 3.
(but should the south india be another thread?
so far here is how i am doing:
Dec 14, late: a driver from Metropolis Tourist Home picks up my friend from Delhi airport and whisks her to our room.
Dec15 3:30 am driver picks me up and does same.
Dec 16 get to Agra...maybe train, maybe bus, not arranged yet. Spend the night at Hotel Sheela (just like amy
) and then have Dec 17 arranged a driver to take us to Jaipur, stopping at bird sanctuary along the way, and maybe another stop. Want to squeeze jodpur in somehow. Dec 17 spend night in Jaipur. (any ideas anyone)?
Dec 18 Explore Jaipur.
Dec 19 fly to veranasi in am. (flight will be booked tonight!)driver will pick us up.
Dec 19, 20, 21 stay at the Palaceonriver. (i was tempted to stay at schindia guest house....it is so much cheaper!
Dec 22 fly back to delhi...
which will begin part deaux....
chennai, pondicherry, kerala backwaters woo-hoo!
okay now to look at amy's link.
thank you everyone (especially dogster!)
maltesa
Nov 17th, 2008, 11:08 AM
#39
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I can recommend Arya Niwas in Jaipur. We loved this place and thought it was a great value. We payed 750 rupees in Jan 2006. Great staff, clean rooms with private bath, and the cheapest laundry service we found.
We also stayed at the Schindia Guest house and really liked that as well, great views, big rooms, very clean. I loved watching life pass by from our balcony.
I also stayed st Hotel Sheela in Agra. It is a great location to get an early start on the taj but we did have a problem with our reservations. I had reserved (and also reconfirmed the morning of) and when we arrived at the hotel they only had one room left, not the room with hot water we had reserved (this one had bucket hot water). They also wanted to charge me the same price for this room and it took quite a bit of discussion to knock the price down. Besides that, they were super nice, arranged a car for us after the Taj for the day. I have read other complaints of this nature so be forewarned.
I have photos of the hotels at :
http://kellyee21.free.fr/asia/india/india.shtml
There are a ton of photos so it may take a bit to find just the hotels, but they are there if you are interested.
Have fun !
We also stayed at the Schindia Guest house and really liked that as well, great views, big rooms, very clean. I loved watching life pass by from our balcony.
I also stayed st Hotel Sheela in Agra. It is a great location to get an early start on the taj but we did have a problem with our reservations. I had reserved (and also reconfirmed the morning of) and when we arrived at the hotel they only had one room left, not the room with hot water we had reserved (this one had bucket hot water). They also wanted to charge me the same price for this room and it took quite a bit of discussion to knock the price down. Besides that, they were super nice, arranged a car for us after the Taj for the day. I have read other complaints of this nature so be forewarned.
I have photos of the hotels at :
http://kellyee21.free.fr/asia/india/india.shtml
There are a ton of photos so it may take a bit to find just the hotels, but they are there if you are interested.
Have fun !
Nov 17th, 2008, 06:14 PM
#40
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Hi Kellyee!
I just put in a room request at arya niwas in jaipur! thanks for the tip...
i looked at your varanasi pictures...and schindia guest house made me want to give it a try....thanks for sharing!
joanne
I just put in a room request at arya niwas in jaipur! thanks for the tip...
i looked at your varanasi pictures...and schindia guest house made me want to give it a try....thanks for sharing!
joanne
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