North Indian Highlights

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hi, we just got back from going on this tour last night!! We had a great time, although there are early mornings and long days driving down extremely bumpy roads!! I think the highlight for me was the boat ride on the Ganges, but the whole tour was an experience in itself. On our free day in Delhi before the tour we took the Tuk Tuk to Connaught Place and wondered around and did the same thing on the way back on our last day..Delhi is much more modern than the rest of India that you will visit on this tour..We were going to do Old Delhi on the last day, but we never did!! I guess we did enough of that type of India the rest of the tour, by the time we got back to Delhi, it was a treat to walk around where you weren't dodging an animal!!

The camel ride was alot of fun (although I was terrified at first). Some of the hotels are amazing, especially the one at Mandawa..

If you have any specific questions, just let me know!! After the long flight home yesterday (we had a 5 day stopover in HKG on the way back), I am not too bright this morning!

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hi,

We were in Delhi the same time as Tracy (Hi Tracy) on the opposite tour. We also went to Conaught Place by Tuk Tuk as there are loads of shop, restuarants, bars & bazars to vist. We did an organised trip around Old Delhi on the day we arrived & it was fab. [url=http://www.hotels-delhi.com/delhi-tour-package.html.]http://www.hotels-delhi.com/delhi-tour-package.html.[/url] It cost $11 each payable at the end of the tour. The guide picked us up from the hotel & she spoke great English as did the driver of the luxury air con car.

As Tracy said we had long dusty days but experienced so much. It was a privilage to see & do so much. The only thing I found was that most of the hotels offered a laundry service & that along with hand washing merant I could have packed less & bought more shopping! Also I would have packed a couple of more dressy items as we did go to some lovely locations for dinner.

Have a brill trip.

Carole

Re: North Indian Highlights

Thanks for the words of wisom! we'll definitely check out Connaught Palace (though if the tuk tuks are anything like in Bangkok i may need to bring some valium!!).

What was the food like? obviously am expecting a certain amount of curry, but dont think i could stomach it for breakfast!!! are there ever any plainer, non spicy dishes on offer?

Thanks again!
beck

Re: North Indian Highlights

I thought the same thing before we got there (i.e taking Tuk tuks..I felt safer on the tuk tuks than in a car)..Also was concerned about curry for breakfast..The first day I wouldn't even try it, and soon enough, I wanted it for breakfast..However, you will find that at most hotels you stay at you will be having omelets! And other than that, the food was excellent..Try Sweets Corner if you have the chance..It is near the hotel in Delhi..Awesome food for extremely cheap!!

Carol, if were you on the same tour when we were there, I must have seen you!! I also wish I would have brought something dressy to wear..I brought absolutely nothing thinking it was an adventure tour and it was not necessary..I had a skirt and blouse packed and last minute took it out of my suitcase thinking i was being ridiculous!

I wish we would have done Old Delhi..We arrived a day early and decided to do Connaught Place and were going to do Old Delhi on the way back, but we were just too burned out after the overnight train..Oooo, I don't want to think what we missed!! Oh well, it we ever make it back to Delhi, we will just have to check it out!!

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hey Beck

good choice of trip it has a great mix of all the different worlds in India

As for Delhi....CONnaught place is fun you can have your ears cleaned and shoes shined at the same time! after that take an auto -tuk tuk- to the Red Fort in Old Delhi. If they are still charging $5 to get in I wouldn't bother but out side you will find cycle rikkies get one of those guys to take you around the market, Chandi Chawk and the Masjid -Mosque- all in close range. Be careful, although VERY SAFE, if you do this on day one you will be jumping right into the deep end of India. You may find your self heading straight home on the next flight OR never wanting to leave. be warned it gets in your blood

Mitnak

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hi Beck

I went on the trip last year with a friend who was experiencing non-luxury travel for the first time. We had a fabulous time and I think my favourite place in some ways was Karauli because there just aren't any tourists there so everyone was so friendly and as curious about us as we were about them. We ended up hitching a ride on a camel cart and I thought I'd pass out from laughing. I don't think the villagers had seen anything like it!

As for Delhi, we did treat ourselves on our last day and went to the Taj Hotel where there is a lovely restaurant called the Haveli. We did blow around

Re: North Indian Highlights

Whatever you do, don't miss Old Delhi! For me, my first day in India - spent alone in Old Delhi was the highlight of my entire trip! Take a tuk-tuk from the hotel to the red fort. Outside the fort you'll find loads of cycle rickshaw guys offering tours. You shouldn't need to pay more than 80R an hour for their service. Chadni Chowk and the surrounding narrow streets are amazing. Make sure you go to the Spice Market which is absolutely incredible (totally pungent & intoxicating), and climb to the roof of it for an awesome view. You should stop at the Sikh Gurdwara on Chadni Chowk and there is a beautiful Jain Temple tucked away down one of the side-streets too (your cycle rickshaw-wallah will know where these are). Don't miss the Jama Masjid either which is India's largest mosque.

The North Indian Highlights Tour is great - you'll love it, but Old Delhi still remains the best in my eyes! To me it represented everything that I expected of India. If you don't visit Old Delhi you really haven't seen Delhi at all! It is vastly different to New Delhi and the tourist area around Connaught Place and Janpath.

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hi Beck,

What date is your Tour?

Paul

Re: North Indian Highlights

the tour im on starts 3/4/05, not long now!

Re: North Indian Highlights

Indeed, not long at all. I am departing 2 weeks after you. It sounds fascinating, certainly be ready for it when the time comes! Have you done any other tours?

Paul

Re: North Indian Highlights

have done a traveller tour in egypt and an adventurer tour between bangkok and singapore and even though i was on my own, i had a fantastic time on both of them. the tour leaders were always really helpful and the places we stayed and ate in were always lovely. as such, am expecting great things on this tour!

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hi Pauld,

I think we`re on the same tour. NIH from March 20th? I`ll be on my own arriving fron japan, and i`m really looking forward to it. It`s my first tour like this and my first trip to India, but i think i`m ready. Have you heard from others on this trip so far?

Re: North Indian Highlights

Hi Maribel

I'm on your tour I think (20/3). I'm coming out solo from London. I've been on 3 other Imaginative tours and they are fantastic. Looking forward to this one. Max.