Tigers in India
Discussion
We are contemplating a visit to India at the start of next year - focus on Ranthambore or Bandhavgarh for Tiger / Leopards, but obviously looking to visit some cities around that - we will fly into New Delhi, so my wife would definitely want to visit Agra for the Taj Mahal.
Then maybe visit Jaipur?
Looking for advice from anyone who has done something similar!
Thanks
Then maybe visit Jaipur?
Looking for advice from anyone who has done something similar!
Thanks
If you stay at the ITC Maurya (as it is now) in New Delhi, the Bukhara restaurant is rated as possibly the finest grill/tandoori in the world. I ve been to a couple of their spin-offs around India but none matches the original, which is unforgettable
It s a day s drive from there to and ffrom Agra; the driver may want to stop at temples that are over-run with monkeys. Be careful
It s a day s drive from there to and ffrom Agra; the driver may want to stop at temples that are over-run with monkeys. Be careful
I have been to Ranthambore as part of a longer trip to India.
We started in Delhi and then to Agra. I left thinking it was the armpit of the known world ....
Other than the Taj Mahal & Agra Fort, there are no redeeming features about the city.
I would see the Taj in the morning, go to Agra Fort and then see the Taj again at sunset - and then get the dodge out of that horrid city.
We also took the opportunity to visit Fatehpur Sikri - which was an amazing place to view.
For the tigers, we stayed at https://www.khemvillas.com/
It was a a great place to relax and the guides were brilliant.
From there we also went to Jaipur - Hawa Mahal is iconic.
The food was amazing and the variety of people you will meet on the journey will be incredible.
We started in Delhi and then to Agra. I left thinking it was the armpit of the known world ....
Other than the Taj Mahal & Agra Fort, there are no redeeming features about the city.
I would see the Taj in the morning, go to Agra Fort and then see the Taj again at sunset - and then get the dodge out of that horrid city.
We also took the opportunity to visit Fatehpur Sikri - which was an amazing place to view.
For the tigers, we stayed at https://www.khemvillas.com/
It was a a great place to relax and the guides were brilliant.
From there we also went to Jaipur - Hawa Mahal is iconic.
The food was amazing and the variety of people you will meet on the journey will be incredible.
We did the Golden triangle with Goa as an add on. We went in a group organised by Distant Journeys, seen a tiger on my birthday.
We stayed at the ITC Maurya and we booked the tandoori restaurant of an evening meal. We were in Delhi and we were taken to a restaurant for a meal in the afternoon, so ended up cancelling the tandoori.
We stayed at the ITC Maurya and we booked the tandoori restaurant of an evening meal. We were in Delhi and we were taken to a restaurant for a meal in the afternoon, so ended up cancelling the tandoori.
We did Rathambor as part of a 25 day india tour - saw loads of tigers, super lucky. Walked right up to the truck and jeep. Saw more in the afternoon tour which is unusal as they tend to be asleep.
I'd go Jaipur & Udapur over Taj Mahal any day. The Taj is indeed beautiful but we both were a little underwhelemed in as much as its a very simple building. Not much to see there, certainly not when compared to all the forts in the other cities - saying that , we did go to a LOT of places! :-) Though, my Mother went a few year ago and said teh same thing about the Taj. If you get a choice - make Amritsar your number one priority - for the Golden Temple. Truly magical in many ways.
I'd go Jaipur & Udapur over Taj Mahal any day. The Taj is indeed beautiful but we both were a little underwhelemed in as much as its a very simple building. Not much to see there, certainly not when compared to all the forts in the other cities - saying that , we did go to a LOT of places! :-) Though, my Mother went a few year ago and said teh same thing about the Taj. If you get a choice - make Amritsar your number one priority - for the Golden Temple. Truly magical in many ways.
Thanks for the input - we have a BA 2-for-1 voucher that expires in March next year, so are looking for suitable long-haul trips where we can use the voucher for business (Club Suites) or First class travel. Tigers in India was on our list as we had a similar trip booked previously, but it was cancelled due to COVID, and there are loads of reward flights available to New Delhi.
Costa Rica is another option, but so far reward reserve flights are non existent!
Costa Rica is another option, but so far reward reserve flights are non existent!
I'd also pick Udaipur and / or Jaipur or Jodhpur over Agra. The most extraordinary place in Rajasthan that I visited was Jaisalmer but that's quite a bit further west. In the opposite direction Varanasi is also mind-blowing. If you're going in the winter months be warned that the air pollution in Delhi is horrific and feels like it is taking years off your life...
Sport_Turismo_GTS said:
Thanks for the input - we have a BA 2-for-1 voucher that expires in March next year, so are looking for suitable long-haul trips where we can use the voucher for business (Club Suites) or First class travel. Tigers in India was on our list as we had a similar trip booked previously, but it was cancelled due to COVID, and there are loads of reward flights available to New Delhi.
Costa Rica is another option, but so far reward reserve flights are non existent!
Have you looked at Iberia for Costa Rica? You can use the 241 voucher with them, and often seems to be availability. I was looking for July this year and there was quite a few options. But I needed 4 seats, and apparently they only ever do 2. Costa Rica is another option, but so far reward reserve flights are non existent!
The G Kid said:
Sport_Turismo_GTS said:
Thanks for the input - we have a BA 2-for-1 voucher that expires in March next year, so are looking for suitable long-haul trips where we can use the voucher for business (Club Suites) or First class travel. Tigers in India was on our list as we had a similar trip booked previously, but it was cancelled due to COVID, and there are loads of reward flights available to New Delhi.
Costa Rica is another option, but so far reward reserve flights are non existent!
Have you looked at Iberia for Costa Rica? You can use the 241 voucher with them, and often seems to be availability. I was looking for July this year and there was quite a few options. But I needed 4 seats, and apparently they only ever do 2. Costa Rica is another option, but so far reward reserve flights are non existent!
We are reviewing what else we might do alongside the tiger safari, given the comments about Agra etc!
nordboy said:
Interesting seeing some of the replies on here.
Me and the better half are thinking of doing an India trip. As much as I see the comments, I can't help but think that you almost HAVE to go see the Taj Mahal if you go to India?
You do but I would agree with Cupid Stunt above in what they say about it.Me and the better half are thinking of doing an India trip. As much as I see the comments, I can't help but think that you almost HAVE to go see the Taj Mahal if you go to India?
I also wouldnt spend loads of time in Delhi either. Go and see the red fort, qutab minar, humayans tomb, and the lotus temple and have an hour or so in the centre of old delhi to experience chandri chowk and thats about it. Maybe India gate if you have time.
nordboy said:
Interesting seeing some of the replies on here.
Me and the better half are thinking of doing an India trip. As much as I see the comments, I can't help but think that you almost HAVE to go see the Taj Mahal if you go to India?
You kind of do, BUT - if it's out the way, then don't - don't make your life hard just to see one temple (memorial) - there is so much better to see there. It was one of the less memorable days for us, and we are not alone. This actually goes some way to tell you just how amazing India is when the Taj Mahal is way down the list of amazing sights.Me and the better half are thinking of doing an India trip. As much as I see the comments, I can't help but think that you almost HAVE to go see the Taj Mahal if you go to India?
We went form North to South along the West of India - this is in contrast to the Golden Triangle that almost all 2 week tours do - so we missed Varenasi, as it's way out of the way. When we were at places within the Golden Triangle the contrast was quite obvious - LOADS of western tourist - Agra, Jaipur, Udapur (to a lesser extent) - a very different feeling from the rest of the tour where we were often the only white faces in a crowd.
We did the "Grand Tour": https://www.distantjourneys.co.uk/india-tours/gran...
I cannot recommend them highly enough. We paid extra to go private. Can't be hanging around on a coach waiting for ditherers, and we had very comnfortable private taxis - not coaches.
Griffith4ever said:
You kind of do, BUT - if it's out the way, then don't - don't make your life hard just to see one temple (memorial) - there is so much better to see there. It was one of the less memorable days for us, and we are not alone. This actually goes some way to tell you just how amazing India is when the Taj Mahal is way down the list of amazing sights.
We went form North to South along the West of India - this is in contrast to the Golden Triangle that almost all 2 week tours do - so we missed Varenasi, as it's way out of the way. When we were at places within the Golden Triangle the contrast was quite obvious - LOADS of western tourist - Agra, Jaipur, Udapur (to a lesser extent) - a very different feeling from the rest of the tour where we were often the only white faces in a crowd.
We did the "Grand Tour": https://www.distantjourneys.co.uk/india-tours/gran...
I cannot recommend them highly enough. We paid extra to go private. Can't be hanging around on a coach waiting for ditherers, and we had very comnfortable private taxis - not coaches.
That's a hell of a trip? Out of interest, did the private taxis everywhere add much cost on to the trip?We went form North to South along the West of India - this is in contrast to the Golden Triangle that almost all 2 week tours do - so we missed Varenasi, as it's way out of the way. When we were at places within the Golden Triangle the contrast was quite obvious - LOADS of western tourist - Agra, Jaipur, Udapur (to a lesser extent) - a very different feeling from the rest of the tour where we were often the only white faces in a crowd.
We did the "Grand Tour": https://www.distantjourneys.co.uk/india-tours/gran...
I cannot recommend them highly enough. We paid extra to go private. Can't be hanging around on a coach waiting for ditherers, and we had very comnfortable private taxis - not coaches.
We did this tour many years ago and it was excellent value for money:
https://www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/destinations/a...
It was a great intro to India and we have been back several times since and visited lots of different areas including, Amritsar, Shimla, Fort Cochin, Pondicherry, Malabar coast and more.
India can be quite addictive....
https://www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/destinations/a...
It was a great intro to India and we have been back several times since and visited lots of different areas including, Amritsar, Shimla, Fort Cochin, Pondicherry, Malabar coast and more.
India can be quite addictive....
my info is 30 years out of date!
But spend 3 months traveling India, pretty sure we went to the Ranthambore may of been Pench as i recall something about jungle book being based on it)
We were only there for 2 nights and got lucky, there were no sightings for 3 weeks then we got it on first day, we had the cheapest package (back packer special) with the landy rear right suspension collapsed and all the other 'posh' sets up laughing at it, however with luck on our side when the call came in we were closest to the tiger sighting area so got there first and got first dips on the elephants that took you into the bush to see them, by the time we returned and all the other trucks had turned up the tiger had buggered off again not to be seen for at least the next day were were there
Over all, India was the Jewell in all my travels, where people see 's
t hole' i saw adventure and truly loved the place, from the chaotic Paharganj in Deli to romantic Udaipur, its like nothing else, visiting temples that worship the rats (opposite the assumed birth place of Hare Krishna which in itself is 'fun' to visit.
Enjoy India and all what she offers, you cant scratch the surface even with 3 months, so just make it as long as possible and try not do do everything in air con cars and coaches, try a local 'night bus' or a sleeper train, going luxary is nice i know, but going 'local' is the real experience.
But spend 3 months traveling India, pretty sure we went to the Ranthambore may of been Pench as i recall something about jungle book being based on it)
We were only there for 2 nights and got lucky, there were no sightings for 3 weeks then we got it on first day, we had the cheapest package (back packer special) with the landy rear right suspension collapsed and all the other 'posh' sets up laughing at it, however with luck on our side when the call came in we were closest to the tiger sighting area so got there first and got first dips on the elephants that took you into the bush to see them, by the time we returned and all the other trucks had turned up the tiger had buggered off again not to be seen for at least the next day were were there
Over all, India was the Jewell in all my travels, where people see 's
t hole' i saw adventure and truly loved the place, from the chaotic Paharganj in Deli to romantic Udaipur, its like nothing else, visiting temples that worship the rats (opposite the assumed birth place of Hare Krishna which in itself is 'fun' to visit.Enjoy India and all what she offers, you cant scratch the surface even with 3 months, so just make it as long as possible and try not do do everything in air con cars and coaches, try a local 'night bus' or a sleeper train, going luxary is nice i know, but going 'local' is the real experience.
Internal flights in India are dirt cheap
Pick the bits you’d like to see, food you’d like to eat etc.
Golden Temple
Beaches & markets/night markets Goa
Hampi
Dirt & pollution is still a big thing there smells & noise can be overwhelming.
Don’t underestimate how long travel on roads/trains can take….
Pick the bits you’d like to see, food you’d like to eat etc.
Golden Temple
Beaches & markets/night markets Goa
Hampi
Dirt & pollution is still a big thing there smells & noise can be overwhelming.
Don’t underestimate how long travel on roads/trains can take….
Griffith4ever said:
You kind of do, BUT - if it's out the way, then don't - don't make your life hard just to see one temple (memorial) - there is so much better to see there.
That was our initial thought, but we are possibly moving away from that now.Griffith4ever said:
It was one of the less memorable days for us, and we are not alone. This actually goes some way to tell you just how amazing India is when the Taj Mahal is way down the list of amazing sights.
We went form North to South along the West of India - this is in contrast to the Golden Triangle that almost all 2 week tours do - so we missed Varenasi, as it's way out of the way. When we were at places within the Golden Triangle the contrast was quite obvious - LOADS of western tourist - Agra, Jaipur, Udapur (to a lesser extent) - a very different feeling from the rest of the tour where we were often the only white faces in a crowd.
We did the "Grand Tour": https://www.distantjourneys.co.uk/india-tours/gran...
I cannot recommend them highly enough. We paid extra to go private. Can't be hanging around on a coach waiting for ditherers, and we had very comnfortable private taxis - not coaches.
That’s an epic trip, but we are looking at a 3-5 day tiger safari then working out what we should add on to make it a 10-12 day trip. I appreciate that we won’t see even a fraction of India in that timescale, but it doesn’t mean we won’t go back.We went form North to South along the West of India - this is in contrast to the Golden Triangle that almost all 2 week tours do - so we missed Varenasi, as it's way out of the way. When we were at places within the Golden Triangle the contrast was quite obvious - LOADS of western tourist - Agra, Jaipur, Udapur (to a lesser extent) - a very different feeling from the rest of the tour where we were often the only white faces in a crowd.
We did the "Grand Tour": https://www.distantjourneys.co.uk/india-tours/gran...
I cannot recommend them highly enough. We paid extra to go private. Can't be hanging around on a coach waiting for ditherers, and we had very comnfortable private taxis - not coaches.
That said, we did 15 days in Japan a couple of years ago, but would definitely want to go back there first and spend another 2 or 3 weeks exploring other places!.
nordboy said:
That's a hell of a trip? Out of interest, did the private taxis everywhere add much cost on to the trip?
from 40 quid a day for a car and driver. delhi is not a place to spend much time imo. whilst old delhi [shajahanabad] has some gems [and qutb minar is easily done going from/to the airport], the smog kills it and is near constant these days. standing at the edge of the park you can barely even see the india gate due to it.
jaipur is a delight. udaipur is perhaps nicer but missing some of the warm fuzzy chaos. i was in jodhpur for NYE just gone, nice city but much less to see and do.
budget dependent but check out raas hotels. i've stayed at devigarh and jodphur, both simply amazing and they offer deals on multi property stays with private transfers.
https://www.raashotels.com/
others i can recommend are amet haveli in udaipur, right on the water opposite the city palace
https://www.amethaveliudaipur.com/
samode haveli in jaipur. the hotel manager arranged for a friend of his, a professor of history, to act as my tour guide in delhi as i have read a fair bit on mughal/raj history and wanted something more than a tourist experience. extremely memorable day.
https://samode.com/
the johri in jaipur. slap bang in the middle of the chaos, not sure i'd stay there but the restaurant is truly world class. otherwise the nice hotels are situated quite a way out of town.
https://www.thejohrijaipur.com/
NB - apply for a 1yr visa. it's all online and usually next day issue. you will not be issued a 1yr off the bat, but if you plan to revisit then the next time you apply it's on your file and will be granted. then after that expires you can get the 5yr. i've got 4yrs 10mths left on mine so i best get some trips planned!
nordboy said:
Griffith4ever said:
You kind of do, BUT - if it's out the way, then don't - don't make your life hard just to see one temple (memorial) - there is so much better to see there. It was one of the less memorable days for us, and we are not alone. This actually goes some way to tell you just how amazing India is when the Taj Mahal is way down the list of amazing sights.
We went form North to South along the West of India - this is in contrast to the Golden Triangle that almost all 2 week tours do - so we missed Varenasi, as it's way out of the way. When we were at places within the Golden Triangle the contrast was quite obvious - LOADS of western tourist - Agra, Jaipur, Udapur (to a lesser extent) - a very different feeling from the rest of the tour where we were often the only white faces in a crowd.
We did the "Grand Tour": https://www.distantjourneys.co.uk/india-tours/gran...
I cannot recommend them highly enough. We paid extra to go private. Can't be hanging around on a coach waiting for ditherers, and we had very comnfortable private taxis - not coaches.
That's a hell of a trip? Out of interest, did the private taxis everywhere add much cost on to the trip?We went form North to South along the West of India - this is in contrast to the Golden Triangle that almost all 2 week tours do - so we missed Varenasi, as it's way out of the way. When we were at places within the Golden Triangle the contrast was quite obvious - LOADS of western tourist - Agra, Jaipur, Udapur (to a lesser extent) - a very different feeling from the rest of the tour where we were often the only white faces in a crowd.
We did the "Grand Tour": https://www.distantjourneys.co.uk/india-tours/gran...
I cannot recommend them highly enough. We paid extra to go private. Can't be hanging around on a coach waiting for ditherers, and we had very comnfortable private taxis - not coaches.
We hit the jackpot at a man made watering hole. 4 of them
Spot the Tiger.
Edited by Griffith4ever on Monday 9th February 23:10
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