India travel tales

Our customers share their travelling experiences in India. Read about first hand stories on travel tips and guides, events, entertainment,shopping, food, business and transportation. Also, you might want to read our Delhi city guide, and Mumbai/Bombay city guide.

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J Singh	31 March 2005
Stayed at Clarks Shiraz, Hotel - Agra, India.
First time visit to Taj for my kids; 2nd time for me & my wife. Took early (06.00h / 08.10h) Shabtabdi Express from New Delhi station to Agra Cantonment, which was an on-time, excellent, fast (2+ hour) including breakfast & newspaper service in Executive Class (2X2 airplane style seating). The usual mob scene on arrival in Agra, with everyone offering guide and car services. We got lucky with Kumar, who spoke excellent English, was very knowledgeable, and low-key on sales pressure. He offered Rs150 to "any hotel" and on the way offered to do a full day tour for Rs650 including the current station pick up. We accepted, and enjoyed the tour. The highlight was the Taj itself, and the place was mobbed with tourists in the late afternoon/early evening. All the gardeners/groundskeepers were trying to be very helpful by showing off good photo sites and angles (and of course soliciting tips). You must pay Rs 25 video camera fee, and you are only allowed to take video from the gate area itself, approximately 500m away. Mobile phones and tripods strictly not allowed (check in facility available.) No photography allowed inside Taj Mahal itself. The next day Kumar took us to the abandoned city of Fatepur Sikri, which was beautiful. The major difference from my last visit (20 years ago) is the commercialization of the mosque and shrine there. There are so many, highly-aggressive hawkers, con artists, guides, etc. following your every footstep inside and outside the shrine as to make the visit distinctly unenjoyable. Save your shopping for New Delhi (either Janpath or Central Cottage Emporium). Prices in Agra a severely over-inflated relative to Delhi. Returned from Agra Cantonment on Taj Express (18.55h / 22.00h). Train was 10 mins late arriving (originates in Gwalior) and it was not obvious to tourists where to find the A/C chair cars on our reservations. Seating was 2X3 airplane style; meals & water available for purchase from the steward on board. Arrived approx 15 mins late at New Delhi Nizzamudin station to the usual crowd of taxi hawkers.
C Haltom	24 March 2005
Stayed at Mughal Sheraton - Agra, India.
With regard to visiting the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort - I was traveling with two teenagers who kept wanting to grab my camera. Advice: Provide everyone with his/her own camera for recording these stunning these visual sites.
H Butcher	09 March 2005
Stayed at Ritz Plaza Hotel - Amritsar, India.
Visited Golden Temple. Terrific. And the border crossing, great fun. Very good 1 1/2 hours entertainment. Arrived and left on Shatabdi Express. No problems. Used taxi's and autorickshaws to get around.
D Sagar	09 March 2005
Stayed at Ambassador Ajanta - Aurangabad, India.
We had a car and driver from the Aurangabad Travel Syndicate for which we negotiated a price of 1600 rupees for Ajanta and a City Tour. The driver was excellent and the car of good quality. The driver knew where to take us and we had a trouble-free (and memorable) visit.
S Alder	07 March 2005
Stayed at Clarks Shiraz, Hotel - Agra, India.
We arrived in Agra by rail and picked a taxi at the station, we agreed to book the taxi for 2 days for Rs 1250 which included an excellent guide and took us to all the sights in Agra and Fatehpur Sikri, and of course a couple of factory shops making marble ornaments and jewellery, but we didn't feel pressurised to make any purchases. There is a restaurant (Riao Restaurant) to the left as you exit the hotel, about 40 metres along the road (Rs 5 if you want to take the cycle rickshaw) which is quite good, but not much cheaper than the hotel restaurant, beer is not on the menu but is available (Kingfisher Rs 150).
R Jones	04 March 2005
Stayed at Laguna Anjuna - Goa, India.
If you are wanting to avoid the usual tourist hoards, stay in and go out around Anjuna and Vagator in the north of the northern part of Goa. Go and see the waterfall in dudhsagar national park.
R Lind	26 February 2005
Stayed at Taj Mahal Palace and Tower - Mumbai (Bombay), India.
Rest Indigo just behind the Taj is a very hip bar downstairs and a great Italian inspired rest on the second floor. Ask for a table on the terrace.
D Chisholm	18 February 2005
Stayed at Bajaj Indian Home Stay - New Delhi, India.
Do research on restuarants befor visiting, generally the quality in the tourist areas is poor, whereas good in the better residential areas in the south of the city. For good quality Indian fabrics try Fabindia in Greter Kailash I. Plus a few other good Indian houseware/fabric/clothing & book shops with an upmarket indian restaurant (Zaffaron.) The shops on this little garden square don't pay rickshaw drivers commission, so prices are fixed & reasonable plus open to 7 pm.
R Baillie	10 February 2005
Stayed at Holiday Inn Khajuraho - Khajuraho, India.
Khajuaraho is not the easiest place to get to, but worth the effort. We flew from Varanasi on Jet Air. The temples are wonderful. The Western Temples the biggest, but all three sites worth a visit. The Sound and Light Show held in the evenings at the Western Temples is well worth a visit. The town is small and can be a break from the multi-populated cities of India. The hawkers here can be a bit annoying. Raja's Cafe just opposite the Western Temples is good and open later on in the evenings.
J Mehta	08 February 2005
Stayed at Ambassador, Mumbai,The - Mumbai (Bombay), India.
A good place to use as a base for a short stay in Mumbai since everywhere is easily accessible: emporiums, 'Fashion Street' (just up the road), Chowpatty Beach, the maidans, etc. We're not cricket-lovers, but the ground is opposite.