Golden Triangle DIY

[slinkycat]

Thinking of doing the Golden Triangle next year and would love to hear from anyone on here who has done it.
We would be on quite a tight budget, so I'm wondering how easy it would be to book flights then arrange accommodation, driver, trains etc ourselves.
Any input appreciated.

[tamborine]

I did it though Jules Verne. Hilton in Delhi (nr airport) is offering 33% discount at present. 3 days in Delhi should whip you round some sites (hotel can advise). Taxi to Agra (3hrs) Marriott hotel is near Taj Mahal. Lovely to stand on hotel terrace & watch the Taj marble change color throughout the day. Dont forget a tonga ride down to the Jumna river. More sites to visit like Shah Jahans castle. Play golf in swish Agra golf club (I dont wanna spoil the surprise but its memorable). Taxi to Jaipur (2hrs) border crossing needing passport. Botanical gardens with elephant ride to view tigers or boat ride to view exotic cranes. Watch out for tree snakes. Back to explore more of Delhi.

Get some rupees before entering Delhi & lots of indian change for beggars; approx 75rupees to £1. Only eat fruit that needs peeling. Canned drinks for safety or only cooled boiled water you've prepared yourself. Most curries & rice are boiled & are safe so long as its fresh. Careful of salads due to washing in soiled water. Cover skin in evening to avoid mossies. Get all your jabs before you go. Have a great time, wish I could come.

[slinkycat]

Ta for that Tambo, sounds great, but had a look at Jules Verne earlier and its way out of our budget, as I said, I'm prepared to organise transport etc myself, just want to know how easy that is.

[tamborine]

Jules Verne are prohibitive now, I was their guinea pig. Most travel agents would fly you over. You should book the first hotel from here & book more once your there. Dont use local recommendations unless through hotels. If you're young back-packers you could rough it but its risky. Have you money in travel cheques.

[Buenchico]

Air India, BA , Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and Virgin Atlantic fly from Heathrow to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. There are no other direct flights from the UK but KLM (via Amsterdam), Air France (via Paris CDG) and Lufthansa (via Frankfurt or possibly Munich) are other possible carriers.

Air India, Kingfisher Airlines and SpiceJet serve Jaipur from Delhi.

Delhi is the closest airport to Agra (excluding the air base in Agra which doesn't currently handle commercial flights). It's around a 4 hour train ride away.

For information on rail travel in India, start here:
http://www.seat61.com/India.htm

Chris

[jno]

VJV do offer some cheaper trips now, from £895, but you might do it for less yourselves if you don't mind a bit of haggling and hassling.

http://www.vjv.com/de...s-of-india/index.html

[tamborine]

Only use taxis from hotels - you dont wanna be dumped in some village. Try & fit in a train to Simla for overnight stay.

Beware thieves are rampant as they are very poor, so dont tempt them by neglecting your property.

[slinkycat]

Ta Chris for your as always excellent info, but I've already found cheap flights, what i'm after is some insider info from someone who has actually done the trip and organised it themselves:-)

[tamborine]

My son did it back packing. All his money was stolen within 3days. Had gastro enteritis, bitten to death. He followed the Lonely Planet with a friend. He did see the sites & met the locals incl the Dalia Lama (whom he'd never heard of). Their point of interest was the Dalia Omega watch, the same as son's grandad - kids !

[Cathyhuns]

Train travel is easy to book online and is ridiculously cheap even in the top class. Use the link from seat61. If you're not in a hurry just relax and take it as it comes. If you're on a schedule book two or three trains because they are notorious for being very late.

Homestays are cheap accomodation in people's houses. Google indian homestay will give you several websites.

If you eat in places recommended by Lonely Planet you should be Ok for cleanliness.

[jd_here]

Not done this particular tour, but have used Trailfinders for 2 long haul bespoke trips and found their service 1st class, try them.