Using the services of a travel agent named Javed, in Delhi, and recommended by several old hands (friends) and based upon the consultations of atlases (ref. previous post) the following itinerary is presented for (urgent) confirmation or adjustment.
In this mode of transport we will 'move' as the Indians say, southward toward the famous city of the Mughal emperors, Agra. The city of Marble, The city of great music. The city of touts. The city of the Taj Bloody Mahal, so beautifully depicted in this piece of calendar art.
In Agra we will make stoppage for the evening at a nice 3-4 star (let's be flexible with our ratings; better for all concerned) called the Hotel Man Singh Palace.
Alas, but one day in this great historical city but Jaipur, the Pink City awaits us a few hundred clicks down the narrow and bumpy highway. In Jaipur (The city of Victory, literally) we stay at Hotel Mandawa Haveli. Haveli, in Hindi refers to 'palace' or stately home. As Rajasthan (literally, the land of Kings) is that part of India where the 'classic' turbaned, filthy rich maharaja used to hold sway, everyone likes to stay in a 'haveli'. The facade of the hotel is pictured below.
What to do in Jaipur? Gems, cloth, fabrics, handicrafts, forts, elephant rides. A bit of business of Nate. And yes, the local turbans really can get as big and fancy as the one above, so be sure to have your camera batteries charged and extra flash drives.
Some way down the road, into the desert are two very sacred sites. One for Hindus, Pushkar, is said to be the place where the creator Lord Brahma was born. The only temple to Lord Brahma, who is SO mighty that He is rarely worshipped, is located here. (see pic to the right)
For Muslims, there are fewer more important pilgrimage sites than Ajmer, just a few more kms down the pike from Pushkar. This is where one of the grandest and greatest of all Muslim sufi saints, Hazrat Moinuddin Chisti, is buried. In Sufism tombs of saints are more important and charming than mosques and this is virtually the Jerusalem of Indian Islam. (See the nice drawing above of the main tomb)
On the 29th or 30th (needs to be confirmed) we embark once again with Ram Singh and Innova to Delhi and back to Lutyens for a night (or two).
The total cost of Innova, Ram Singh and hotels is AUD 1500 for this leg of the journey. This does NOT include tips (for Ram Singh), food and shopping of course. AUD $250/person. PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THIS PRICE
On 30th November or 1st of December we board the night train to Varanasi one of the top 5 most important cities for Hindus in the UNIVERSE. Varanasi is for silk, music, Buddhism, handicrafts, Hinduism, freak shows, music concerts and cooking. My friend, Simon Job, who is in the carpet business is from Kerala and his wife is waiting excitedly for Jenny to enter her kitchen to exchange recipes and techniques. A bit of Aussie-India friendship.
From Varanasi, Catos head east to Calcutta. Rabes head southwest to Goa.
This leg of the journey (Delhi-Varanasi) for train and hotel costs AUD 1710 or $285/person.
PLEASE CONFIRM IF THIS PRICE IS OK.
So thus endeth this post. Please let me know if you agree or have other suggestions so we can confirm payment with Javed. Things are booking up with busy winter season coming up.
Terms are 50% up front and 50% upon arrival in India.
Catos: $1070/535
Rabes: $2140/1070
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ReplyDeleteNate you have to do better on the photo of JC
ReplyDeleteWe will head from Varanassi to Darjeeling on overnight train - The Rajdhani Express and travel first class on the overnighter...I think it arrives into New Jalpaigum. Want to know if we can hire a driver to get us to Darj or if we have to catch a bus. If we leave delhi on 30 Nov for Varanassi we would leave Varanassi on 4th Dec for Darj. If you are happy to give me contact details of the Travel agent - I can make some arrangements for this leg. We just need to get out of big cities and see some other contrasting areas of India before heading to Kolkata - so think this is the best. I assume we can fly then to Kolkatta
ReplyDeleteHi Jen,
DeleteSounds good. I don't think you can fly from Darjeeling to Calcutta...not sure but if so it would very expensive probably. Siliguri-Calcutta might be an option but not sure. Javed is the name of the travel agent. you might want to tell him you are the people travelling with Nate from Delhi-Jaipur-Varanasi so he knows where you fit in.
His email is javedbaba2005@yahoo.com.
Good luck.
Hi Jen and Kevin, (again)
ReplyDeleteI would suggest, unless you feel otherwise, that we leave Delhi on night train on 1st Dec. I think the road trip could be a bit tiring and an extra day in Rajasthan or Delhi would probably suit everyone. There is lots to see and experience etc so don't think it would be best to rush. That would give us 4 days (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th) in Varanasi. You could leave on 5th evening for Calcutta/Darjeeling and we would leave on 6th morning for Goa.
Hey Nate, does the above bookings include Lyutens in Delhi or am I to book that?
ReplyDeleteHI JEN,
DeleteHAven't included Lutyens. If you can do that that would be great.
I'll get rid of your photo!
Nate, Just a thought..why not travel Delhi/Jaipur/Agra and then train to Varanassi. Unless there is a logical reason for going the other way.....just to avoid heading back to Delhi that is all and then could spend an extra day in Jaipur and may even get there for the annual camel sale.......always wanted to buy a camel! Anyway.....just a thought
ReplyDeleteHi Jen,
DeleteI think the trains would go through Delhi anyway, but will ask Javed. Sounds fine to me. Will let you know what Javed says.
cheers
Hey Nate, let us know your recommendations for harmonnia music and we will order with our tshirts . I have confirmed the CATO's booking with Luytens and given our credit card.....please ensure you read the email with the details I sent you and ensure you highlight the children, also was not sure what time you arrive so you may need to book for night prior so you can check in early. Javed has been great and organised our onward journey from Varanassi.......now just sorting out payment process, hope all went well in Vietnam!
ReplyDeleteHi, sorry been out of town and not really keeping across the various blogs I run! I'll read the emails now and be in touch, next week as off to East Timor tomorrow for a few days.
DeleteIn terms of Harmonium, I'll let you know next week as well!
Hey, applied for Visa's Friday and should have by end of next week, all systems go....what is happening with bookings for the first leg? Back end is all finally sorted with Javed and we have to pick up tickets etc from him! Hope Mose's party went well. Catch you soon for dinner!
ReplyDeleteHi, we've got Esther's photo's that need your handiwork on them. are you around this week I could come round and have you do the needful?
ReplyDeleteI've got Javed's final quote for the first part of the trip.
Your cost for the Delhi-Jaipur-Agra part all up (except for shopping, and sightseeing and tipping) is $500 ($250/person)
Varanasi for you (including train from Agra to Varanasi and hotel in Varanasi) is $700 ($350/person).
Javed wants 50% up front and 50% upon arrival in India or at the hotels or whatever. Not sure yet. I'm hoping to pay him by CC this week so will let you know.
Cheers.
Nate
Home some nights or on Friday - but you should call out mobiles to check........I am at meetings at our office all until Friday.
ReplyDeleteHi guys,
Deletethe hotels etc are filling up in Agra so there has been a change in plans. 3 nights in Jaipur, one night in Pushkar and then we go to Agra, see the Taj and then leave the same night from Agra to Varanasi.
Just talked with Javed and this is urgent recommednation.
Hope its ok.