All

Trying to plan a crazy quick trip to India. Right now, my research and work is focused on finding a good, reliable driver to help us get around. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.
Taitai

i booked mine through castle and king in delhi....google them...

Here is the contact info for the drivers both rhkkmk and I used.

Bob used Anoop; I had his cousin Narender on two different trips. Excellent and caring driver. he can arrange a guide if you need one.

Use the anoop email in the link:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35090327

Google for "Rajasthan Four Wheel Drive" or "Rajasthan 4-Wheel Drive". I used this company in Jaipiur and between Agra and Jaipur. Very reliable, very reasonable and excellent cars. Drivers are also very safe.

Thanks for the advice. I have emailed Anoop and will google the 4 wheel drive people as well. A bit more research also uncovered the name of Bobby Thakur and his cars. Any personal experience?

Taitai

taitai, I discovered Rajasthan 4-wheel drive by accident. Was staying in Agra and wanted to go to Jaipur. The Oberoi quoted $350US orthe trip. A guest told me about bthe other outfit, so I rang 4-wheel drive on a cell phone (normal land lines were out of action for 2 days) and Anil, the owner, told me a car would be at the Oberoi next day at 8.30. Anil's quoted cost was $95.

Next morning, the driver was there, complete with bottled water, first aid kit, and a car with sat belts!

The trip was wonderful, including a delicious lunch stop (extra - but about $20 for two).

We arrived OK, and on the basis of the driver being outstanding, we booked him for the next 3 days in Jaipur (cost was $25 per day) and he took us to great places inclouding the Monkey Temple and Amber Fort.

On our final day he took us to 4-wheel drive's HQ where we met Anil, who gave us a small gift. Then he drove us to the airport for our flight to Delhi.

I can only say that a highly recommend Anil and his organisation.

More Jaipur based companies listed on Rajasthan Association of Tour operators website - www.ratorajasthan.org

Anoop is wonderful!!!!

Anoop won't respond to my email. Is there another way to get ahold of him?

Thanks.
taitai

Mitch, We are thinking of using Anil and Rajasthan 4-Wheel drive -- did you have any trouble with the driver taking you shopping or diverting you to his "cousin's store" etc.? We do not want to spend time fighting over that -- and unless we ask to be taken somewhere or ask for that kind of a recommendation, I do not want to spend my precious travel time doing that. Thanks!

I don't know any "Anoop" at 4-wheel drive, but I know of "Anil".

These are the email addies I have for him:

[email protected]
[email protected]

These are the telephone nhumbers:

Contact No.: +91 141 2722025,+91 141 5571122,+91 141 2546563
Mo.: +91 98297 66640, +91 98292 48899

Travelaw: We explained from the start that we didn't want to be taken to any shops and weren't intetrested in using the driver if he did! The driver agreed, and stuck to the agreement apart from the last day.

We asked him if he knew of any fabric shops and of course, he did.

We went to the shop, and weren't under any pressue to buy. It was a shop that had plenty of fabric, rugs, shirts, skirts etc etc and because of that we did actually purchase some items.

The contacts are all on the website:

http://www.rajasthanfourwheeldrive.com/contact_us.php

Mitch04

Just to clarify. Anoop is a different driver recommended by several on this site. I have contacted Anil (he was very prompt in his reply) and am reviewing his proposal.

Thanks for the suggestion. I saw his company also recommended on the India Mike site.

taitai

Try Kumar Taxi. They are out of Delhi but specialize in Rajasthan. We used them in June. We were very happy with them.

taitai- Anoop is out of Delhi. His cousin Narender is at the same anoophindustani address. Try addressing your email to him. His is incredibly thoughtful person and safe & cautious driver.

Good luck!

Lucy

Lucy

I just resent the email to Narendar at Anoop's address. I will let you know what I hear.

Thanks.

Taitai

Thanks Mitch04. FYI: Among others, we also contacted Anoop, he was very delayed in his initial response -- and when we finally did hear from him (which did not include a quote for the itinerary we sent), because he gave us what we thought was a good reason for the delay, we gave him a 2nd shot at giving us a quote. He never followed up. Anil was very responsive and we thought his prices looked quite fair. We will report on our experiences after our trip in December.

I found Anil 100% reliable. Good luck.

Lucy

Took your advice and addressed the email to Narendar and heard back from him this morning. Very fast. The price he is quoting is about $75 more than Anil from Rajasthan Four Wheel Drive. Is he really that wonderful? If so, I will go with him.

Thanks again for all your help and suggestions. I hope to return the favor some day.

Taitai

Well, I used him last October, and loved him so much we used him again in May, evne knowing that his prices are a bit on the higher side.

I don't need to use tranquilizers when I am in his car, he will not force you into shopping stops, and if you tell him where you want to go he'll devise a route that won't waste your time or his gas.

Plus, we liked him! He is a nice person who has two adorable boys that he is trying to keep in private school.

If I wanted to go on a short or long trip on India's roads, I'd hire him in an instant!