Reply to: Taj Mahal

[SimonMac]

I have some unclues in Delhi who are running agency in the vicinity of main rail station.

If you will allow me I will pass your details to them so they may be assistaing your travel itineraries. They will suggest procurement of a sedan to take you from the airport directly to Agra and will include guide of Taj Mahal in price.

I can guarantee faster journey, better price and quality experience for you if you will allow me to be of assistance please.

HTH Joshi

I think the term is much quickness and plenty cheapness

[Hill Station Murthy]

I have some unclues in Delhi who are running agency in the vicinity of main rail station.

If you will allow me I will pass your details to them so they may be assistaing your travel itineraries. They will suggest procurement of a sedan to take you from the airport directly to Agra and will include guide of Taj Mahal in price.

I can guarantee faster journey, better price and quality experience for you if you will allow me to be of assistance please.

HTH Joshi

[Paddy]

Was talking to somebody the other day who confirmed what I'd heard before and that is that out of all the must see things in the world, this is top of the list.

I've always wanted to go but don't have a lot of time on my hands so was wondering in how short a time it could be done. I'm guessing 2 days for flights to Delhi & back and 2days travelling up to Agra & back.

Anyone been there? Does this sound realistic? I've heard that getting seats on Indian trains can be a nightmare & there are often real long delays.

Save your money and instead visit Brighton Pavilion and to make even more authentic, take some laxative tablets

[vetran]

Apparently the golden temple is a must see.

Places of Peace and Power - The Golden Temple, Amritsar

India is quite busy for great buildings

Places of Peace and Power - Sacred Sites Map of India

take a few weeks!


Maybe worth going to Hydrebad and see where most of the big money is going.

[ChimpMaster]

Having been there years ago, I really didn't see what the fuss was about. Maybe I was mistaken, but certainly I wouldn't recommend going all the way to India only to see the Taj.

I would perhaps suggest going to India for 7 to 10 days and seeing other sites as well as the Taj. Delhi has much to offer and there are many places within a few hours train or taxi journey. They even have supercar parades, a truly historical sight to behold!

India's flashy new rich drive luxury car boom - Yahoo!

[TiroFijo]

Was talking to somebody the other day who confirmed what I'd heard before and that is that out of all the must see things in the world, this is top of the list.

I've always wanted to go but don't have a lot of time on my hands so was wondering in how short a time it could be done. I'm guessing 2 days for flights to Delhi & back and 2days travelling up to Agra & back.

Anyone been there? Does this sound realistic? I've heard that getting seats on Indian trains can be a nightmare & there are often real long delays.

Don't forget to add in a few days for a good dose of the trots.

[hugebrain]

Anyone been there? Does this sound realistic? I've heard that getting seats on Indian trains can be a nightmare & there are often real long delays.

There are a bunch of "travel agents" near the station who will pretend to look up the trains for you, find them all busy, and sell you a ticket on a bus instead.

Alternatively you can walk into the station, buy a ticket and ride the half-empty modern train.

Not worth it for the time you want to spend though, Fatepur Sikri (sp?) is also worth a look. You won't feel like you have gone away, since the people are more or less the same as you find working in a modern IT dept.

[ASB]

Was talking to somebody the other day who confirmed what I'd heard before and that is that out of all the must see things in the world, this is top of the list.

I've always wanted to go but don't have a lot of time on my hands so was wondering in how short a time it could be done. I'm guessing 2 days for flights to Delhi & back and 2days travelling up to Agra & back.

Anyone been there? Does this sound realistic? I've heard that getting seats on Indian trains can be a nightmare & there are often real long delays.

It is worth a look. Well worth seeing sunrise and sunset over the Taj Mahal, excellent from the far side of the river behind it. In Delhi the red fort is worth seeing at sunrise.

[darmstadt]

Better go soon or even sooner

[Spacecadet]

Rest of family had both ends going.

Only time I've ever had that happen to me as an adult was in Switzerland, one of the cleanest countries in the world and I was staying/eating at the Movenpick hotel so hardly slumming it!

[mudskipper]

The worst thing I found in India was the air pollution, even as a smoker I was struggling!

10 days there and didn't once have anything that could be described as a loose stool and I wasn't being overly cautious about what I ate/drank.
However, as with all trips to the east - I was craving for a cheese sandwich by the end

Didn't get the squits, but did throw up. Rest of family had both ends going.

[Spacecadet]

How much time did you spend on the Karzi?

The worst thing I found in India was the air pollution, even as a smoker I was struggling!

10 days there and didn't once have anything that could be described as a loose stool and I wasn't being overly cautious about what I ate/drank.
However, as with all trips to the east - I was craving for a cheese sandwich by the end

[wurzel]

Can be done in theory in 3 days

Excellent, will only lose 1 days invoicing Unless I get Delhi Belly.

Don't recall the food being up to much mind you.

How much time did you spend on the Karzi?

The Taj Mahal itself is worth seeing, but if you go in summer like we did (June), you will find that your feet fry on the scorching marble as you have to remove your shoes before entering and place them in metal boxes (presumably so they are piping hot when you later replace them on your feet!)

If I go alone I'll go in March but if I can persuade the missus to come, we'll go for a longer break in August (or whenever Olympics are on ).

[mudskipper]

I've been - it was ace. Very hot though - early morning visit is best.

[shaunbhoy]

It truly is a wonder to behold. Visited there in 1995 with the missus and kids. We hired an Ambassador car for the day with driver. It was a 4-5 hour drive each way from Delhi, which all added to the "spectacle" and "adventure".
What passed for a service station had some interesting asides too, namely camel rides and a snake-charmer complete with bedazzled cobra.
Don't recall the food being up to much mind you.
When you get to Agra you will be plagued with hooky folks trying to coax you round the local factory shops, where they make silk carpets and inlaid marble coasters etc. I seem to recall that they claimed to be getting some subsidy from the Indian government to help preserve these "ancient arts". It was a little pricey but what the heck, I don't intend ever going back.
The Taj Mahal itself is worth seeing, but if you go in summer like we did (June), you will find that your feet fry on the scorching marble as you have to remove your shoes before entering and place them in metal boxes (presumably so they are piping hot when you later replace them on your feet!)
It is much more impressive when you get up close as it is not simply white marble, but is inlaid with thousands of precious and semi-precious stones. Although it is difficult to discern, the 4 pillars actually lean ever so slightly away from the main building in case they should ever fall over too.
Anyway, enough of my rambling. Go for it, you only live once.
FWIW, the sound and light show at the Giza Pyramids was more impressive IMHO, even if they were a disappointment in daylight.