A journey through north and south India in train and car with driver.
A journey through India : Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, Periyar, Cochin, Mysore, Hampi, Goa, Mumbai.
Colors, fragrance, organized chaos, diversity, will be what come in to my mind when I reflect on India.
Each state is different. The food, the people, the language, the landscape, the history all are very very different. We have the feeling we had visited 7 countries and not just one.
The north is desertic when the south is lush. The south is much more develop and cleaner then
an the north. Tamil Nadu and Kerala are full of Universities and Hospitals.
In the north, you will find the more amazing hotel Palace while in the south the hotel are not so nice. If they are available Taj hotel group is always an excellent choice. The service is always impeccable. Vivanta and Taj Gateway are of course more simple than they heritage palace however, they are always clean and the service is very good.Going from city to city in the North by train is the best choice, book in 1 AC if it possible.
In the south, we did the travel by car with a driver. Absolutely forget about driving yourself. The road is an total chaos, no rules is the rules. The road are in very good shape, the danger come from vehicle coming in contraflow, and all the rest cows, dogs, bikes, elephants.......
We real enjoy the food and we did no experience the "Delhi belly". Some simple tips: Only go in place you feel are ok, keep away from street food, no fruits, no raw vegetable, no salad, wash your hands.
The people are very nice, lovely, helpful and curious. Women always look stunning in saries, I love the men color turban and doti in Rajastan. I am a big fan of the gypsies women looks and of course the sadous in the north.
I really enjoy the Maharaja palaces and the temples of the south and all the market
By favorite place are Varanasi for the cultural shock, overall colors and Jaisalmer for the back in time feeling.
My favorite landscape are the tea plantation in Kerala, the back water in Kerala, the beach in Goa, the arriving in car on the coast of Karnataka.
To organize our trip we use a local tour operator Service International New Delhi, they did an excellent job and I highly recommend them.
NORTH INDIA: RAJASTAN - UTTAR PRADESH
Colors, fragrance, organized chaos, diversity, will be what come in to my mind when I reflect on India.Each state is different. The food, the people, the language, the landscape, the history all are very very different. We have the feeling we had visited 7 countries and not just one.
The north is desertic when the south is lush. The south is much more develop and cleaner then
an the north. Tamil Nadu and Kerala are full of Universities and Hospitals.
In the north, you will find the more amazing hotel Palace while in the south the hotel are not so nice. If they are available Taj hotel group is always an excellent choice. The service is always impeccable. Vivanta and Taj Gateway are of course more simple than they heritage palace however, they are always clean and the service is very good.
In the south, we did the travel by car with a driver. Absolutely forget about driving yourself. The road is an total chaos, no rules is the rules. The road are in very good shape, the danger come from vehicle coming in contraflow, and all the rest cows, dogs, bikes, elephants.......
We real enjoy the food and we did no experience the "Delhi belly". Some simple tips: Only go in place you feel are ok, keep away from street food, no fruits, no raw vegetable, no salad, wash your hands.
I really enjoy the Maharaja palaces and the temples of the south and all the market
By favorite place are Varanasi for the cultural shock, overall colors and Jaisalmer for the back in time feeling.
My favorite landscape are the tea plantation in Kerala, the back water in Kerala, the beach in Goa, the arriving in car on the coast of Karnataka.
To organize our trip we use a local tour operator Service International New Delhi, they did an excellent job and I highly recommend them.
Delhi
Visit Old Delhi and the red fort and the temple, city tour, visit the park
Where to stay: Hotel Imperial Palace
Jaisalmer
Take a drive to see the Thar desert.Visit the fort, bazaars and the old mansions known as haveli's. People still live in these ancient building dating from 12th to 15th centaury. Every house has exquisite carvings and filigreed work.
Where to stay: Surya Garth Palace.
Where to eat : for lunch on the roof top of the R.B café try a Tali enjoy the view
Jodhpur
The blue city
City tour of Jodhpur. Visit the Meharangarh Fort situated on a low sandstone Hill, including Moti-Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing Marble Memorium built in 1899 and the museum located in the Umaid Public Gardens.
Where to stay: Umaid Bhawan Palace. Use to be the Maharaja palace. The place is absolutly stunning when you arrive at night.Udaipur
Drive to Udaipur visiting Ranakpur Temples enroute. Ranakpur - the Jain Temples built in the 15th century are situated in the lovely valley of the Aravali. There are 1444 pillars in the temple and none of them are similar. The magic of light & shade is really awe inspiring. Surya Temple and other Jain Temples are side attractions.
Visit the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Sahelion ki Bari, Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir and drive around Fatehsagar.
do a tuck tuck tour of the old city, and walk in the market , narrow street and lake side
Shopping: 2 very nice modern shops in the City Palace on the first floor
Where to stay: Lake Palace, up to the hip. You have a
Jaipur
the pink city
Visit Amber Fort - the ancient capital of the State. Visit the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors. Afternoon tour of Jaipur- the capital of Rajasthan was given a colour coat of pink a century ago in honour of a visiting Prince. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer, this city is 260 years old. Visit Maharaja's City Palace, the Observatory . Drive past Hawa Mahal through the pink rose residential
Don't miss the market and treat your self with the best Lassi in town
Where to stay: Taj Rambagh Palace. This palace has been our favorite hotel to stay in. The service is immaculate, the place is gorgeous. It set in a park with is full of peacocks, birds and butterflies . We had a change to watch the hotel parade of elephants, camels and marwari horses .
Jodhpur
The blue city
City tour of Jodhpur. Visit the Meharangarh Fort situated on a low sandstone Hill, including Moti-Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing Marble Memorium built in 1899 and the museum located in the Umaid Public Gardens.
Udaipur
Drive to Udaipur visiting Ranakpur Temples enroute. Ranakpur - the Jain Temples built in the 15th century are situated in the lovely valley of the Aravali. There are 1444 pillars in the temple and none of them are similar. The magic of light & shade is really awe inspiring. Surya Temple and other Jain Temples are side attractions.
Visit the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Sahelion ki Bari, Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir and drive around Fatehsagar.
Where to stay: Lake Palace, up to the hip. You have a
Jaipur
Jaipur
Visit Amber Fort - the ancient capital of the State. Visit the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors. Afternoon tour of Jaipur- the capital of Rajasthan was given a colour coat of pink a century ago in honour of a visiting Prince. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer, this city is 260 years old. Visit Maharaja's City Palace, the Observatory . Drive past Hawa Mahal through the pink rose residential
Agra
visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later visit the Agra Fort containing the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
Where to stay : Oberoi. Very nice view of the Taj Mahal from the hotel
Varanasi (Banaras)
Early morning boat excursion on the river Ganges. People bathe early in the morning to offer the prayers to the rising sun. The two cremation ghats are Manikarnika Harishchandra where funeral pyre burns day and night. Every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi and to be cremated on banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death. Attend the evening ceremony at of the gath
Where to stay : Nadesar Palace
SOUTH INDIA : TAMIL NADU - KERALA - KARNATAKA - GOA - MAHARASHTRA
Chennai (Madras).
Full day tour of Mahabalipuram Kanchipuram Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai) is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks. The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture.
Where to stay : Taj Corommandel. The hotel has just been renovated. Eat at the Southern Spice
Trichy
tour of Trichy. Trichy was the citadel of the Chola dynasty in the medieval period. In the 18th century it witnessed the Carnatic wars fought between the French and the English. Lord Robert Clive's house is still there to see and so is the Danish Church. The Rock-Fort is the landmark of Trichy. A climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapati on top and a further climb to a Shiva temple.
Madurai
visiting Tanjore enroute. At Tanjore, the beautiful Chola Temple of Brihadeshwara is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken to the top with the help of a 6 km long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians for building pyramids. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a visit to South India. Visit the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes & arches. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple.Visit the flowers market in the morning and the tailors hall in from on the east door of the temple.
Agra
visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later visit the Agra Fort containing the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later visit the Agra Fort containing the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
Where to stay : Oberoi. Very nice view of the Taj Mahal from the hotel
Varanasi (Banaras)Early morning boat excursion on the river Ganges. People bathe early in the morning to offer the prayers to the rising sun. The two cremation ghats are Manikarnika Harishchandra where funeral pyre burns day and night. Every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi and to be cremated on banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death. Attend the evening ceremony at of the gath
Chennai (Madras).Full day tour of Mahabalipuram Kanchipuram Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai) is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks. The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture.
Where to stay : Taj Corommandel. The hotel has just been renovated. Eat at the Southern Spice
Trichy
tour of Trichy. Trichy was the citadel of the Chola dynasty in the medieval period. In the 18th century it witnessed the Carnatic wars fought between the French and the English. Lord Robert Clive's house is still there to see and so is the Danish Church. The Rock-Fort is the landmark of Trichy. A climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapati on top and a further climb to a Shiva temple.
tour of Trichy. Trichy was the citadel of the Chola dynasty in the medieval period. In the 18th century it witnessed the Carnatic wars fought between the French and the English. Lord Robert Clive's house is still there to see and so is the Danish Church. The Rock-Fort is the landmark of Trichy. A climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapati on top and a further climb to a Shiva temple.
Madurai
visiting Tanjore enroute. At Tanjore, the beautiful Chola Temple of Brihadeshwara is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken to the top with the help of a 6 km long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians for building pyramids. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a visit to South India. Visit the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes & arches. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple.Visit the flowers market in the morning and the tailors hall in from on the east door of the temple.
visiting Tanjore enroute. At Tanjore, the beautiful Chola Temple of Brihadeshwara is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken to the top with the help of a 6 km long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians for building pyramids. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a visit to South India. Visit the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes & arches. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple.Visit the flowers market in the morning and the tailors hall in from on the east door of the temple.
Where to stay : Taj Gateway . The hotel is top of the hill in a park full of Peacocks, squirrels, birds.
Where to eat for dinner: Hotel Heritage Madurai
Where to eat for dinner: Hotel Heritage Madurai
Periyar (Thekkady)
drive to Periyar National Park. game viewing. Set up in 1934,it extends to 777square kms & forms part of the high mountain ranges, the Western Ghats. Wild life can be seen while cruising on Periyar Lake in a motor boat. Amongst the animals which can be seen are elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, langur monkeys, etc.
The road from Periyar to Cochin is very nice. Just after Periyar all the lanscape in tea plantation which is amazingly beautiful.Where to stay : Spice Village
Where to stay : Taj Vivanta MalabarCochin
tour of Cochin. Cochin is the natural harbour created by the famed underwater Malabar mud-banks whose quality ensures that the rougher the seas are outside the calmer the waters are within the Harbour. Vasco-de-Gama placed it on the world map. It has a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, mosques & Hindu temples. Watch the Chinese Fishing Nets. Do a trip on a boat for couple of hours on the back water
Where to stay: a big Radison hotel is under construction this will be the place to stay want it will be finish in 3 years for the moment the Fortune Park Jp Palace is OK. The Lalitha Mahal Palace hotel is faded but this elegeant however the service is inexcitant go there for a drinkMysore
visit the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The palace is of harmonious syntheses of the hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery; drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple & a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see the Nandi Bull. For more: Visit the city market, the wholesale market and the zoo.
Where to eat: Oyster Bay
Hassen - Hampi
En route visit the Jain Temple
Belur and Halebid. The Chenna Kesava temple of Belur built 900 years ago is an exquisite example of Hoysala art. Halebid's 12th century Hoysaleswara. Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples are master pieces of Hindu art
Where to stay : Taj Gateway in Hassan, no decent place to stay in HampiVisit Hampi. The once beautiful capital city of Vijayanagar Empire - greater than Rome, had palaces, temples & sculptures, spread all over. The city was razed to the ground by the Sultanates of South in 1565. Some of the interesting ruins remaining are the Virupaksha, Vittala and Hazara Rama temples huge Ganesha and Narasimha images, the elephant stables, the Queen's Bath, carvings on the Ramachandra temple Lotus Mahal.
Relax on the beachGoa
Where to stay : Taj Exotica in South Goa, Belum beach
Where to eat: if you want to explore some other beaches go to La Plage, Asheim beach north Goa. Jade Jagger has a beach shop next to it
I have not see much of Mumbai, we just stay couples of hours between planes and have a diner at the Taj. However, my feeling is that Mumbai is a very modern city , rich, green, clean. They was a wedding at the hotel and this was a great moment to watch people at the reception all dress up in beautiful local garment and jewerliesMumbai
Where to stay : Taj Mahal Palace
