Amongst the Maharajahs - Feb 18th,06

Re: Amongst the Maharajahs - Feb 18th,06

DO:
*Drink LOTS of the lovely Monk Rum (Very cheap and good stuff)
*Eat all you can, the food is amazing (not ont he street stalls).
*Keep a window seat on the bus as there is SO much to absorbe, so much colour, so much life.
*Buy some silk, lots of it, cheap and amazing designs. (No problems packing it either)
*Spend as MUCH TIME as you can, Evening and very early morning at the Tag Mahal it's outstanding by night and especially early morning.

DON'T:
*Buy Diamonds and jewels in the shops the guide takes you to. Expensive.
*Buy carpets they will be worth it but when they arrive to your home country, IF they arrive to your home country, more than likely its not the same carpet.

Re: Amongst the Maharajahs - Feb 18th,06

We took this tour in Nov/Dec 05 and LOVED it. In fact, we are still pining for India and our fellow travellers and Satya, our tour leader, and Mother Mary, our bus, and the driver and the helper. If you like the bedspreads/tablecloths for sale at the Castle Bijaipur, buy them. We didn't and did not see them anywhere else. The food is fabulous and the whole experience is amazing. Incredible India indeed.

Re: Amongst the Maharajahs - Feb 18th,06

[quote]Originally posted by :
[b] We took this tour in Nov/Dec 05 and LOVED it. In fact, we are still pining for India and our fellow travellers and Satya, our tour leader, and Mother Mary, our bus, and the driver and the helper. If you like the bedspreads/tablecloths for sale at the Castle Bijaipur, buy them. We didn't and did not see them anywhere else. The food is fabulous and the whole experience is amazing. Incredible India indeed. [/b][/quote]Thanks, Jill for the tips. We leave Canada on Feb 15th, so not long to go now!!

Hilary

Re: Amongst the Maharajahs - Feb 18th,06

Ditto the rum! Great stuff! Your tour leader will go over most "Dos and Don'ts" when you get there. Couple of extras - check the caps on water bottles to make sure they haven't been opened and refilled (happens a lot). Crush the bottles so they can't be refilled and sold to the next unsuspecting tourist. Drink lots of fresh lime soda! Yum! The only people on our tour who got sick ate Western food! I always stick to local stuff since they know how to do it! In Jodphur there's a textile place called Maharani Importers/Exporters. It's down a side street from the Clock Tower and well worth it! They have something like 5 stories of textiles and each floor is PACKED. Great traditional Rajasthani textiles as well as things they make for Western designers. Quality is amazing (much better than other places I've been) and prices are a steal. I bought a beautiful queen size bedspread made from old hand embroidered saris for about US$200 and it is STUNNING! It would have been over US$1000 at home. The best lassi I've had in India is also from a place close to the Clock Tower, so a good stop after shopping! Your guide should know about it. All of Rajasthan is amazing, but these places have been some of my favorite finds! Other than that go with an open mind and be ready for an adventure! Have fun!

Re: Amongst the Maharajahs - Feb 18th,06

we are booked on this tour Feb 4,2006.looking forward to seeing India for the first time. Taking note of all the do's and don't's. I know we will have a fabulous time.

Re: Amongst the Maharajahs - Feb 18th,06

[quote]Originally posted by Hilary:
[b] We are booked on this tour and would welcome any "do's and don't" tips from previous travelers. Also, anyone out there booked on this trip?

Thanks,

Hilary and Dave [/b][/quote]

Re: Amongst the Maharajahs - Feb 18th,06

Amongst the Maharajas was the best tour we have taken (We have been on 14 others, not Imaginative traveller). Apart from India being an incredible experience our tour guide, Sam, really made the tour special. He looked after all our needs and wants and was always there to make sure everything was as it should be. That is more than I can say for other tours.
I would go back tomorrow if I could as we only saw a small portion of India but it was enough to ensure another visit. I would recommend this particular tour to anyone, age no barrier, as long as you are active. Our group ranged in age from 25 to 75 and boy did we have fun.