Indian foray (elephant, not buffalo)

[DARISC]

My wife and I are entertaining the idea of visiting India this fall. If Europe it would be rentaFiat and B&Bs for four or six months.

However, we'd like to play it a bit safer and are considering (shudder) going on an organized tour. We're probably looking at two or more weeks since the flight from SOCAL is, what, fourteen hours or so?

Any input is welcome.

[HardDrive]

Well, it depends on your level of tolerance for 'adventure'. You can travel in India as westerners safely. Travel by rail or domestic airline is pretty modern at this point.

In India, finding the hotel and city to city transport is not the issue, its local travel that can be challenging. In large cities cabs and auto-rickshaws are plentiful. If you are at an airport or rail station, you can typically find an 'official' source for transport that will be safe. I've never had an issue just hailing a taxi off the street. Never go with anyone who is not driving an official vehicle. Guys promising you to show you a 'tour', yeah, skip that.

Once you are hooked into a hotel, they can set you up with drivers for the day or a taxi. Getting a car for the day can actually be very reasonable. Ask the hotel folks to help you get a fixed rate for the day. Tip the driver big. 99.9% of the time, your driver is not the owner of the car, is basically living off tips.

I fear I am a poor source for information about travel in India. My wife is Indian, so I travel with Tonto at my side.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Well, it depends on your level of tolerance for 'adventure'...

Ah, yes, thus the operative "organized tour". "Adventurer", as engaged in in younger years, takes second place to "tourist" in this foray.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

My wife is Indian, so I travel with Tonto at my side.

You had me laughing my ass off, I don't know why its so funny but I still have a smile on my face as I type this. Good one.

[john70t]

You haven't seen the water bison pull a plow yet?
It's quite a sight.
Four people push start it, then it takes off like a rocket.

[Seahawk]

Dari,

A trip back to India is on my list. I have not been in India since the late '80's but my week there was just terrific.

We were the first USN ship in India for 18 years, so we were pretty heavily feted by the Indian Navy, also had a few parties at the Embassy. This was in Mumbai.

But after that I had four days of leave and a friend of mine and I headed to Pune. We hired a driver for all four days. We had a blast and were welcomed everywhere we went.

I know you travel a lot but in the case of India (without Tonto), I'd look at something like this outfit: India Travel and Tours - Voyagetrek

I would start with a small group in the part of the country I am most interested in then reserve the last week or so to private travel once you get the rhythm of the travel in India set.

When I go to a major foreign city I always take one of those cheesy bus tours the first full day...while corny and conspicuous, I have found that the tours are a great shortcut to learning about the city, local history and parts of the city I want to focus on.

My 2 centavos. Have a great time!

[PorscheGAL]

I guess it all matters what you want to spend. I have always thought this would be great.

India Train Tour | National Geographic Expeditions

Of course, you could book this type of tour on the same train for less if you don't travel with Nat Geo.