Trip Report: 21 days in India, Dec 16th to Jan 7th
Mar 9th, 2006, 09:40 PM
#61
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What a great report Boston Harbor. We are going there this Dec. Can you tell me approx what car, driver and guide costs per day in Delhi/Jaipur and Agra. I have heard that quality of guides and drivers are very variable? Do you have contact information for the good driver/guide? How would we book them?
Mar 12th, 2006, 03:30 PM
#62
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BostonHarbor,
excellent report.
I created a new website called
Firsthand Travel Story , where you can post your trip reports.
http://www.firsthandtravelstory.com
excellent report.
I created a new website called
Firsthand Travel Story , where you can post your trip reports.
http://www.firsthandtravelstory.com
Mar 13th, 2006, 09:06 AM
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I just returned from a 15 day tour of India. I have loved reading your report. I agree with so much of what you said...we went to most of the same places. For those wanting to travel India, I would recommend Jet Airways. Our travel agent was Compass Tours located in Delhi. Our contact was Durjay. We were a party of 4, our guides and drivers were excellent. We were met promptly at each city. I cannot say enough about the tour company. Our trip began Jan 21. We traveled to Delhi, Amritsar, Dharamshala, Varasasi, Khajuraho, Orchha, Agra, Jaipur,Udaipur and Mumbai. I agree do not go to the elephanta Caves. You will love India. Thanks for the report...it's awesome.
Mar 16th, 2006, 01:39 PM
#65
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I have just read your posting on and like many
others, I found your experiences to be of great interest and very
helpful. My wife and I are traveling to India in 1 week. It will
be our first trip there and we are very excited about what to expect.
I am particularly keen to buy some rugs in Delhi. I noticed that you
said you purchased and shipped Kashmiri rugs. You say that you
negotiated a fabulous price but would you mind telling me how much I
can expect to pay. I imagine the price varies for differing sizes but
a ball park figure would be helpful. Also, would you happen to have
the name and address of the shop where you purchased your rugs?
Any information you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
others, I found your experiences to be of great interest and very
helpful. My wife and I are traveling to India in 1 week. It will
be our first trip there and we are very excited about what to expect.
I am particularly keen to buy some rugs in Delhi. I noticed that you
said you purchased and shipped Kashmiri rugs. You say that you
negotiated a fabulous price but would you mind telling me how much I
can expect to pay. I imagine the price varies for differing sizes but
a ball park figure would be helpful. Also, would you happen to have
the name and address of the shop where you purchased your rugs?
Any information you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Mar 17th, 2006, 10:44 AM
#66
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Hi Barnetda,
You will have a great time in India. The list price on my rug which is a 5'X 7' was around $1800 (would be $4-5000 in the US. Because I wasn't looking for a rug (I seriously wasn't), I kept saying how gorgeous it was, but that I simply had no place for it. We were the only customers in the store on that Sunday and the price kept coming down despite my completely honest protest that I really didn't want a rug. Well, when it got down to $1000 (this is a seriously stunning rug in gorgeous shades of red and black in a tribal pattern), I figured I'd give my present oriental to my niece and put this new one in its place. I then bought a coordinating runner for the halway (also tribal Kashmiri)and that cost around $550 more or less.
I am not a rug expert, but my traveling companion is and she couldn't believe the buy I got on this rug. Of course, there are almost limitless variations on the quality of rugs, so it is difficult to compare without having them physically in front of you.
I was really happy with their service and the way the rugs were packed and delivered to my home.
I do have the name and address of the shop somewhere and I will find it this weekend and will post. I think I even have the name of the fellow who sold me the rug. He was much easier to deal with than many of the other rug dealers I ran into. He and his father own the concession in this cooperative building.
I smile every time I open my front door now because of this stunning rug in my foyer ;-)
You will have a great time in India. The list price on my rug which is a 5'X 7' was around $1800 (would be $4-5000 in the US. Because I wasn't looking for a rug (I seriously wasn't), I kept saying how gorgeous it was, but that I simply had no place for it. We were the only customers in the store on that Sunday and the price kept coming down despite my completely honest protest that I really didn't want a rug. Well, when it got down to $1000 (this is a seriously stunning rug in gorgeous shades of red and black in a tribal pattern), I figured I'd give my present oriental to my niece and put this new one in its place. I then bought a coordinating runner for the halway (also tribal Kashmiri)and that cost around $550 more or less.
I am not a rug expert, but my traveling companion is and she couldn't believe the buy I got on this rug. Of course, there are almost limitless variations on the quality of rugs, so it is difficult to compare without having them physically in front of you.
I was really happy with their service and the way the rugs were packed and delivered to my home.
I do have the name and address of the shop somewhere and I will find it this weekend and will post. I think I even have the name of the fellow who sold me the rug. He was much easier to deal with than many of the other rug dealers I ran into. He and his father own the concession in this cooperative building.
I smile every time I open my front door now because of this stunning rug in my foyer ;-)
Mar 17th, 2006, 01:27 PM
#67
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Here are 2 of the three rugs I got in Varanasi:
http://waynehazle.com/india/Day3/Pages/s2_23.htm
http://waynehazle.com/india/Day3/Pages/s2_24.htm
The third is of a scene with the Mughals. I keep that in my office and home. My rugs constantly make me smile also. I paid $1000 for 3. I have no idea if that was a bargain or not. One of the guys that worked there came to my hotel. I had looked around at his store and didn't buy anything.
He came to my hotel, said he would give me the price I asked for if I came back that night to buy. We walked back, he reopened the shop. I paid for the rugs and wrapped them up for shipping. He told me not to tell his boss the price I paid or he would get fired.
I am sure that was part of the whole routine & the boss was all too well aware of everything
http://waynehazle.com/india/Day3/Pages/s2_23.htm
http://waynehazle.com/india/Day3/Pages/s2_24.htm
The third is of a scene with the Mughals. I keep that in my office and home. My rugs constantly make me smile also. I paid $1000 for 3. I have no idea if that was a bargain or not. One of the guys that worked there came to my hotel. I had looked around at his store and didn't buy anything.
He came to my hotel, said he would give me the price I asked for if I came back that night to buy. We walked back, he reopened the shop. I paid for the rugs and wrapped them up for shipping. He told me not to tell his boss the price I paid or he would get fired.
I am sure that was part of the whole routine & the boss was all too well aware of everything
Mar 17th, 2006, 01:52 PM
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Bostonharbor:
Many thanks for the info. i would really appreciate the name of the store and if you still have it the name of the salesman. I am certainly not a rug expert but would love to buy a large rug to make me smile when i open the door!
I read your trip report again. I really want to thank you for allowing us to share it. I almost feel like i am there reading your report.
Waynehazel: Nice rugs!! I cant wait to go next week. By the way I read your posts re Rwanda (i think they were your posts). Sounded superb. I own part of a safari lodge in Zambia. We go there quite a lot , next time I think we will take a trip to Rwanda to check out the Gorillas. They sound amazing!
Many thanks for the info. i would really appreciate the name of the store and if you still have it the name of the salesman. I am certainly not a rug expert but would love to buy a large rug to make me smile when i open the door!
I read your trip report again. I really want to thank you for allowing us to share it. I almost feel like i am there reading your report.
Waynehazel: Nice rugs!! I cant wait to go next week. By the way I read your posts re Rwanda (i think they were your posts). Sounded superb. I own part of a safari lodge in Zambia. We go there quite a lot , next time I think we will take a trip to Rwanda to check out the Gorillas. They sound amazing!
Mar 18th, 2006, 12:50 PM
#69
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Hi Barnetda,
My rugs are quite different in terms of look to Wayne's rugs. I cannot tell you how many beautiful, different rugs you will see. Here are a couple pictures of my rug and runner. They are Kashmiri tribal patterns which I preferred over some of the other patterns I saw. (note: the rugs are more red and less orange than the camera flash made them look, but you get the general idea of how they look) http://www.photosite.com/patpom/india/KashmiriRug/
I have been looking for my receipts to get the name of the store where I bought them. I'm sure I put them somewhere that I wouldn't lose them ;-) If I find them I will certainly post them. However, what I would do if I were you is, as soon as you get to Delhi or Bombay, go immediately to a government run Cottage Industries store and have them show you the different qualities and types of rugs--and the fixed prices they go for. They will be glad to do it--they will obviously try to sell to you, but just say you want to look around a bit more. This way, you will be a smarter shopper when you go to the different rug shops. Just like the "pashminas" that range anywhere from $10 to $300, the rugs are the same. You can get very inexpensive to very expensive.
What I love about the Kashmiri rugs is that they are woven so the fibers are an an angle--so no matter how many years a piece of furniture sits on it, it will never get an indentation. I also love how different it looks depending on what end you are standing on.
Enjoy and have fun. I'm glad you found my trip report so helpful. Let us know what you bought on your trip when you return. We expect a trip report from you as well.
My rugs are quite different in terms of look to Wayne's rugs. I cannot tell you how many beautiful, different rugs you will see. Here are a couple pictures of my rug and runner. They are Kashmiri tribal patterns which I preferred over some of the other patterns I saw. (note: the rugs are more red and less orange than the camera flash made them look, but you get the general idea of how they look) http://www.photosite.com/patpom/india/KashmiriRug/
I have been looking for my receipts to get the name of the store where I bought them. I'm sure I put them somewhere that I wouldn't lose them ;-) If I find them I will certainly post them. However, what I would do if I were you is, as soon as you get to Delhi or Bombay, go immediately to a government run Cottage Industries store and have them show you the different qualities and types of rugs--and the fixed prices they go for. They will be glad to do it--they will obviously try to sell to you, but just say you want to look around a bit more. This way, you will be a smarter shopper when you go to the different rug shops. Just like the "pashminas" that range anywhere from $10 to $300, the rugs are the same. You can get very inexpensive to very expensive.
What I love about the Kashmiri rugs is that they are woven so the fibers are an an angle--so no matter how many years a piece of furniture sits on it, it will never get an indentation. I also love how different it looks depending on what end you are standing on.
Enjoy and have fun. I'm glad you found my trip report so helpful. Let us know what you bought on your trip when you return. We expect a trip report from you as well.
Mar 18th, 2006, 02:06 PM
#70
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Wow. They are nice rugs. I can see why you bought them and why you smile when you get home!!
If you do find the receipts it would be really helpful. I will keep checking here in case.
I will definately do as you suggest. We will check out the cottage govt store first and see if we can get an idea of pricing.
I will definately file a report upon our return.
Many thanks for taking the time to help us and for posting the photos. It is very much appreciated.
If you do find the receipts it would be really helpful. I will keep checking here in case.
I will definately do as you suggest. We will check out the cottage govt store first and see if we can get an idea of pricing.
I will definately file a report upon our return.
Many thanks for taking the time to help us and for posting the photos. It is very much appreciated.
Mar 18th, 2006, 04:31 PM
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OK, I combed my Mac hard drive at home and popped two pictures up:
http://www.waynehazle.com/rug1.jpg
The Mughal rugs
http://www.waynehazle.com/rug2.jpg
In this one you can see all three that I took home.
http://www.waynehazle.com/rug1.jpg
The Mughal rugs
http://www.waynehazle.com/rug2.jpg
In this one you can see all three that I took home.
Mar 18th, 2006, 05:51 PM
#72
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Barnetda, I found the address! I can't find the name of the specific fellow who sold me the carpet, but he is the son of the rug concession owner. At this multi level establishment, there are a large number of merchants on multiple floors selling everything from jewelry to pashminas to carpets. I liked the fact that they didn't charge tax or shipping fees to send the carpets to my home in Boston.
Nirula Handicraft Bazar Pvt Lt Address: 12, Doctors Lane,,Gole Market, New Delhi
Even if you don't get to this place, believe me, (as you can see in Wayne's pictures) you will not find a paucity of great carpets in India! The assortment is mindboggling--and they are everywhere. My friend bought some fabulous woven kilm rugs in a rural village outside Jodhpur--they are stunning.
Once again. Have fun.
Nirula Handicraft Bazar Pvt Lt Address: 12, Doctors Lane,,Gole Market, New Delhi
Even if you don't get to this place, believe me, (as you can see in Wayne's pictures) you will not find a paucity of great carpets in India! The assortment is mindboggling--and they are everywhere. My friend bought some fabulous woven kilm rugs in a rural village outside Jodhpur--they are stunning.
Once again. Have fun.
Mar 19th, 2006, 07:02 AM
#73
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Wayne: Fabulous rugs. Looks like I am going to be in for some fun. I can see the selection will be incredible.
Bostonharbor: Thanks so much for finding the address. I really appreciate it and will definately visit the shop. I will let you know how we get on upon our return.
Thank you both for the efforts.
Bostonharbor: Thanks so much for finding the address. I really appreciate it and will definately visit the shop. I will let you know how we get on upon our return.
Thank you both for the efforts.
Nov 9th, 2007, 10:34 AM
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BostonHarbor,
I just read your trip report and loved it. The link to your photos no longer works. Is there any way you can reactivate it as I would really like to see them?
And thanks for posting your report. It really is one of the best I've read here in quite a long while.
I just read your trip report and loved it. The link to your photos no longer works. Is there any way you can reactivate it as I would really like to see them?
And thanks for posting your report. It really is one of the best I've read here in quite a long while.
Dec 16th, 2007, 06:12 AM
#77
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Thank you for a fantastic trip report. My husband and I are heading to Udaipur and Jodhpur in late December, so your report is very valuable.
I loved hearing about the invitation to the Polo match. My husband would love that. Is there an agency that can arrange that?
Thanks again.
I loved hearing about the invitation to the Polo match. My husband would love that. Is there an agency that can arrange that?
Thanks again.
Jul 20th, 2008, 04:02 AM
#78
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I have updated my India pictures on a new photo storage site. If this one goes under, I may make a visit to headquarters
I hope you are all enjoying your journeys to this wonderful country.
http://photo-url.com/India
I hope you are all enjoying your journeys to this wonderful country.
http://photo-url.com/India
Mar 23rd, 2009, 07:35 AM
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Hello BostonHarbor,
2,5 years after your trip, I find this incredible blog! I am planning to go to India over next Christmas and New Year and your trip description really helped me to decide where I actually want to go. I only have 16 days so I cannot see as much as you did. I have a couple of questions for you, if you don't mind.
1. Which legs of the trip did you fly and which ones you had a driver? I was actually thinking of using the train to move around but a driver sounds great since he is kind of a guide in the same time and you skip the hassle of getting a taxi to take you to your hotel in each new place.
2. I am planning to go by myself. Do you think it will be safe (I'm quite travelled 28-year-old woman) to travel alone as a woman?
3. Can you give me an estimate of the total price you paid for your trip? I know you stayed in far more luxurious hotels that I plan to do but an idea of the costs would help me a lot in my planning.
Great pics too, by-the-way! Where did you get that background music? It's wonderful!
2,5 years after your trip, I find this incredible blog! I am planning to go to India over next Christmas and New Year and your trip description really helped me to decide where I actually want to go. I only have 16 days so I cannot see as much as you did. I have a couple of questions for you, if you don't mind.
1. Which legs of the trip did you fly and which ones you had a driver? I was actually thinking of using the train to move around but a driver sounds great since he is kind of a guide in the same time and you skip the hassle of getting a taxi to take you to your hotel in each new place.
2. I am planning to go by myself. Do you think it will be safe (I'm quite travelled 28-year-old woman) to travel alone as a woman?
3. Can you give me an estimate of the total price you paid for your trip? I know you stayed in far more luxurious hotels that I plan to do but an idea of the costs would help me a lot in my planning.
Great pics too, by-the-way! Where did you get that background music? It's wonderful!
