Family Holiday to India - any tips please?

alwaysskint96

thegreenone wrote: »

I know you've decided not to go now but I'd just like to add: do NOT DIY on your first visit to India. We were considering it in 2016 for our big birthdays but my husband's work colleague advised against it and we were glad we booked a tour. Yes, a tour is busy but you can opt out of certain things. We were pleased we did it and will now DIY to the south of India with confidence. My husband has been travelling to New Delhi, three or four times a year for the past three years and only once has he had an upset stomach (not Delhi belly). I've been twice and not been affected. What about Morocco? Not to far to fly. Adventure into the Atlas Mountains and beach at Essouira?

No problem with DIY in India. Went for a month in 2016 and did everything myself- and Im a white female who was travelling alone

markandkate

We stayed in Goa and then took an internal flight to Delhi for 3 days. We stayed at a guest house just out side the city and got the train to Agra for the day. The guest houses can arrange a driver for you so you could either book the train yourself and get a taxi or pay a driver to take you to see the Taj Mahal. We paid a driver at the station and there is is a fixed price service. The train also goes to Jaipur. In Delhi the guest house driver took us around the sights of the city for the day.

The flight only takes about 3 hours and the guest house had arranged for their driver to collect us from the airport. In India people are happy to provide any paid for service. All Golden Triangle tours start off in Delhi. We stayed at the Lutyens Guest House.

In Kerala we stayed on Marari Beach and went in February which was fine. Again you could combine this with an internal flight to Delhi or fly say U.K. To Delhi, there are a number of direct flights, then Delhi to Goa or Cochin and then from there back to U.K.

If travelling to Kerala make sure to go on a rice boat

We always arrange all our own flights and travel arrangements and had no problems. I am planning another trip to India we love it. Please ask if there is anything else you want to know

TwinMum79

Hello all again,


We have taken all advice on board. After researching destinations from Japan to Cuba to Brazil to Vietnam, we turned back to researching India and have booked our holiday.



We have booked our own flights to India. We are using Intrepid family tours where there is already two families booked with children of ages 8, 10, 10, and 12, perfect for our almost 10 year old twins. [Whilst contacting Explore, I received one sentence replies via email - not enticing me to book with them]. We are on the tour for 9 days taking Delhi, Jaiper, Argra, Amber Fort and (fingers crossed) and tigers at Ranthomore National Park. The tour ends.

We have then independently added a few days on a South Goan beach - booking flights from Delhi to Goa, 3 nights in a beach shack (of decent standard, which took a huge amount of trawling!) and then flights back from Goa to Heathrow via Oman.

We have told our children (whilst on holiday in Rhodes) and they are in awe.


Thank you for all advice and thought I would update you oon what your advice has helped build :-)

Ballard

That’ll be an exciting trip and it’s good to hear that your twins are looking forward to it. India is chaotic. Driving is somewhat erratic and you’ll spend a day or two astonished by their road rules (or lack thereof).

Delhi is hectic and easily the most polluted place I’ve been but I’ve stayed there on three separate occasions so it’s not terrible. That said, I haven’t done a great deal there. The Red Fort is worth a couple of hours and I’d recommend hiring a guide once you get there. They’re cheap. Since I last visited they’ve opened an underground system so getting around should be easier.

Jaipur is much calmer and Amber Fort isn’t too far. Your guide will know far more about the city than I. Had you also been going to Johdpur you’d have seen one of the better forts in the country but it’s probably too far with the itinerary that’s been planned. Hopefully you’ll see tigers instead. That’d be pretty special.

Agra isn’t the prettiest place but you obviously get the Taj Mahal which more than makes up for it. Try to go early morning and again in the evening if you can (I couldn’t as it was closed in the evening on the day I was there).

Where are you staying in Goa?