India's golden triangle

[mart 63]

Looking at booking a 10 day organised sightseeing tour the end of February, plus 3 nights in Goa. Has anybody on here done the same trip and have any links to any decent trip organisers.
Thanks

[mart 63]

https://www.distantjourneys.co.uk/india-tours/gold...

Ended up booking this tour for February, looking forward to it.

[simons123]

It would work out a lot cheaper if you did it all yourself.

2 nights in Delhi is more then enough (absolutely hated it personally, place is a hellhole) then catch a train to Agra to see the Taj Mahal (the trains in India are cheap as chips for first class and a pretty incredible experience), Agra is even more of a hellhole then Delhi, do not recommend staying there however the Taj Mahal is absolutely INCREDIBLE! Much better in real life then on pictures. Breathtaking.....then we booked in advance a private taxi (with obvious lots of great reviews on TripAdvisor) to drive us to Jaipur (takes 4 hours if I recall)...again 2 nights is more then enough for Jaipiur. It's much nicer then Delhi.

Then we caught a flight from Jaipur to Kerala to see the tea plantations / mountains then Sri Lanka from there but could instead just fly to Goa and spend more time there.....10 days in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur is too much imo. It's so much cheaper to book all yourself rather then a tour and it's really straight forward to do.

[shirt]

Agree it would be cheaper and far better to DIY. There are some truly fabulous hotels and experiences to be enjoyed in the region for not a lot of cash.

However I do realise that unless you know someone who can assist with arranging things, then a package is a good option. Just be aware of what the real cost of things are, use an Indian based operator if possible and haggle on their margin. Further, accept that you are on a package tour, it’ll be a procession and you won’t be going to any of the decent restaurants and watering holes.

If you aren’t a fan already, go buy some William Dalrymple books. City of Djinns and the last Mughal should give you a list of places you want to visit. Certainly made my time in Delhi much better, esp with a knowledgeable guide (the hotel manager arranged for a local history teacher to take me around).

Jaipur is lovely btw. Hoping to be back there this winter.

[gangzoom]

Unless you know locals a package trip is by far the easiest, but I personally wouldn't try and do Goa at the same trip.

As others have said the Taj is the MOST BEAUTIFUL man made structure I've ever seen in my entire life. The fact it emerges out of the madness of yet another crazy seemingly normal road add to the effect. Take your time walking through the main gate way entrance, photos don't do the experience justice.

Rajasthan is simply a different world from any where I've being to, amazing place that I'm lucky enough to have a reason to visit regularly.

Edited by gangzoom on Thursday 12th October 07:00

[gangzoom]

simons123 said:

10 days in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur is too much imo. It's so much cheaper to book all yourself rather then a tour and it's really straight forward to do.

It depends on what you are after and how much you know the country. I cannot stand Dehli, its basically London but flattened and with far worse traffic. But Agra and Jaipur, amazing, especially if you can break out of the normal tourist groups.....which I know OP cannot sadly.

[Kerniki]

gangzoom said:

Unless you know locals a package trip is by far the easiest, but I personally wouldn't try and do Goa at the same trip.

As others have said the Taj is the MOST BEAUTIFUL man made structure I've ever seen in my entire life. The fact it emerges out of the madness of yet another crazy seemingly normal road add to the effect. Take your time walking through the main gate way entrance, photos don't do the experience justice.

Rajasthan is simply a different world from any where I've being to, amazing place that I'm lucky enough to have a reason to visit regularly.

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Edited by gangzoom on Thursday 12th October 07:00

That definitely isnt selling it to me, how many people! Shri Lanka appeals but India's population puts me off.

Seen the temple in Abu Dhabim(sheik zayed?) which was very impressive, is that larger than the Taj?

Edited by Kerniki on Thursday 12th October 07:20

[Prisoner 24601]

[quote

That definitely isnt selling it to me, how many people! Shri Lanka appeals but India's population puts me off.

Seen the temple in Abu Dhabim(sheik zayed?) which was very impressive, is that larger than the Taj?

Edited by Kerniki on Thursday 12th October 07:20

[/quote]

The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi......it's a mosque! different religion.

[Kerniki]

Prisoner 24601 said:

[quote

That definitely isnt selling it to me, how many people! Shri Lanka appeals but India's population puts me off.

Seen the temple in Abu Dhabim(sheik zayed?) which was very impressive, is that larger than the Taj?

Edited by Kerniki on Thursday 12th October 07:20

The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi......it's a mosque! different religion.

Very similar architecture though and pretty impressive size wise and craftsmanship, don’t give a monkeys about the religious origins.

[nikaiyo2]

mart 63 said:

Looking at booking a 10 day organised sightseeing tour the end of February, plus 3 nights in Goa. Has anybody on here done the same trip and have any links to any decent trip organisers.
Thanks

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/search?page=1&sort=relevance&keyword=india

Are a good company with different service levels. I quite like group tours in far flung places and having a local guide is brilliant, they usually take you away from the proper tourist bits and will show you things that you might miss. I am thinking about doing their Rajasthan Experience next month

https://www.capertravelindia.com/

Have used in the past, and can tailor everything to your specification. I really wanted to get the train to Goa, and they sorted that.

You can do it yourself and save a few £, but honestly, not sure its worth it.

Delhi is amazing if dirty and hectic. Old Delhi is another world, if you can go to Karim's Hotel the food is out of this world.
Humayun's tomb is epic abit like the Taj Mahal but without the rugby scrum atmosphere. I would like to spend more time there, with a good local, there are so many places that you would never see without.

Agra I did not like at all, have been twice and honestly would not hurry back. I include the Taj in that!!!

Rajasthan is epic, just amazing, beautiful. See if you can extend to visit one of the other places, Udaipur, Jodhpur etc all are amazing.


Goa, well what can I say, I was an illegal over stayer in Goa when I was 19-20, do you want to sit cross legged smoking ganja with some old (very old by now) hippies? Or a nice beach resort ?
I like Taj Fort Aguada in Candolim , but have not been for years lol.

Anjuna, Baga, Vagator are more lively and still a bit hippy Calangute is a bit "benidorm." Again not been for 7 years so might be a bit out of date.

Candolim is kind of mixture of both, some great shacks on the beach and the markets and night life are a short taxi away.

[gangzoom]

Kerniki said:

That definitely isnt selling it to me, how many people! Shri Lanka appeals but India's population puts me off.

Seen the temple in Abu Dhabim(sheik zayed?) which was very impressive, is that larger than the Taj?

Plenty of places larger than the Taj, but the chaos of the street versus the Taj is part of the 'magic'. I've been lucky enough to travel around a reasonable amount before family life stopped it, the Taj is the only man made thing that comes close to what nature can offer, but even than nature still beats every thing else by country mile.

I wish I was a climber, the Everest thread on here is simply amazing.

Gantok is closest I've come to Everest, off topic, but still the same country. I've not been on a plane since COVID, this thread reminds me I do miss not going back 'home'. Must sort that out for 2024 .

Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 21st October 06:33

[GT03ROB]

Too much negativity on here towards India in my humble opinion.

I lived in Delhi for a few years & I've also lived in Mumbai for 6 months. Its a wonderful place to visit in all it's chaos To some the place overwhelms the senses. A combination of the smells, noise, mass of people & climate depending on time of the year. The food is not of your local Indian restaurant variety.

The history & historical sites are amazing. I've been to the Taj many times & would happily go again. In Agra you need to see Agra fort & Fatepuh Sikkri. The Taj aside I always preferred Jaipur.

10 days including Goa is cramming a lot in, but it will either wet your interest to go back or be enough to tell you India is not for you. The country is vast you will barely scratch the surface. But enjoy it

[Kerniki]

gangzoom said:

Kerniki said:

That definitely isnt selling it to me, how many people! Shri Lanka appeals but India's population puts me off.

Seen the temple in Abu Dhabim(sheik zayed?) which was very impressive, is that larger than the Taj?

Plenty of places larger than the Taj, but the chaos of the street versus the Taj is part of the 'magic'. I've been lucky enough to travel around a reasonable amount before family life stopped it, the Taj is the only man made thing that comes close to what nature can offer, but even than nature still beats every thing else by country mile.

I wish I was a climber, the Everest thread on here is simply amazing.

Gantok is closest I've come to Everest, off topic, but still the same country. I've not been on a plane since COVID, this thread reminds me I do miss not going back 'home'. Must sort that out for 2024 .

Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 21st October 06:33

Chaos of streets is not a magic i gravitate to but do understand others intrigue, Marrakech is the busiest ive been thus far and will do tokyo etc as i wouldnt let the masses put me off the splendour of the lights, for me india (apart from shri lanka) has never appealed on any level as the amount of reports stating people density beggars & smell is enough to say no.

I’m in construction so size and complexity of structures captures me, more so with ancient buildings due to ingenuity around lifting etc seen and read the stories of most major structures around the world, just not the Taj..

Shri Lanka is very high on our ‘next’ list though.

[gangzoom]

Kerniki said:

for me india (apart from shri lanka) has never appealed on any level as the amount of reports stating people density beggars & smell is enough to say no.

Sounds like you are trying to experience the world from preconceptions versus the real life.

The fact the Taj emerges like magic, amounst the general life of the streets is frankly one of the few moments in my life I've been left speechless.

'Variety is the spice of life', India provides so much spice physically and metaphorically as someone else has said it can over whelm you, but that the 'fun' in life isn't it? This thread has reminded me I probably should make an effort to get back on one of those aeroplane thingys .

Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 21st October 21:55

[Kerniki]

gangzoom said:

Kerniki said:

for me india (apart from shri lanka) has never appealed on any level as the amount of reports stating people density beggars & smell is enough to say no.

Sounds like you are trying to experience the world from preconceptions versus the real life.

The fact the Taj emerges like magic, amounst the general life of the streets is frankly one of the few moments in my life I've been left speechless.

'Variety is the spice of life', India provides so much spice physically and metaphorically as someone else has said it can over whelm you, but that the 'fun' in life isn't it? This thread has reminded me I probably should make an effort to get back on one of those aeroplane thingys .

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[Img]https://live.staticflickr.com/8673/15995245566_b6b9cf550c_k_d.jpg[/thumb]

Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 21st October 21:55

God no, travel loads and have done through and since covid (unlike yourself)

As i said, all round the world and have seen many of the wonders of the world that have left me speechless, i will most likely see India through shrilankan eyes i may pass through india itself at some point to get elsewhere but i dont think it will ever be a main destination, even when back packing as teenagers we didnt like squalor tbh.