FDX: DEL - Taj Mahal tour
01-22-2008, 05:59 PM
#1
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Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 519
FDX: DEL - Taj Mahal tour
Sorry for posting here but there wasn't any info in the layover gouge section.
I have a long DEL layover in Feb and wanted to do the Taj Mahal tour. I know many FDX pilots have taken the tour and I am hoping to get some good info on how and who to book the trip. Please include as much detail on times, costs, comfort, etc. There will be three of going.
You can either post here or send me a PM. THANKS in advance!
I have a long DEL layover in Feb and wanted to do the Taj Mahal tour. I know many FDX pilots have taken the tour and I am hoping to get some good info on how and who to book the trip. Please include as much detail on times, costs, comfort, etc. There will be three of going.
You can either post here or send me a PM. THANKS in advance!
01-22-2008, 06:22 PM
#2
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Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: MD-11 Captain
Posts: 1,395
01-22-2008, 06:24 PM
#3
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Joined APC: Apr 2006
Posts: 398
Here is a lot of detail, hope you don't fall asleep by the end...
I did the tour through the Travel House, they have a desk right there in the hotel lobby. Opposite side of the front doors as the registration desk. Food, your guide, and transport included, maybe was around $60-70??
It starts early, like at 6:30 am. And you get back at 10 pm. Looong day. Bus is ok, but no bathroom. And in between the braking and the honking, hard to sleep.
You stop at one other hotel, and then about a two hour ride to the breakfast stop, about halfway to Agra. Ok food, though some locals press hard for you to buy their things.
You stop a little further down at a Maharajah's tomb. Big park like area and big structures. Ok landscape, good architecture, etc. I guess the garden depends on the time of year.
A little more ways down is the Taj- about two hours past the breakfast place. You park, and take the electric tram to the entrance. That is required, motorized stuff not allowed near the Taj. DO NOT bring your cell, even if it is your camera. You will go through security at the Taj, and cells are not allowed, cameras are ok.
I liked the fact that we had a guide, to tell you the history and info.
Then it is off to the local Sheraton for the lunch buffet.
Next is the Red Fort, a little down river from the Taj. I liked this part, great views, neat architecture. DO NOT give anything to beggars. I know they look really pathetic, but once you start, no one will leave you or the group alone!
By now you are tired, but next they drive you to a craft center. You see a video about how they weave rugs and make the marble inlay stuff. They really try to sell you here. The info was cool, but the prices are steep.
Ride back to DEL, stop at the breakfast place for a bathroom break only.
I have heard about guys that rented their own cars and drivers and went direct. But then you get no guide, and I have heard the cars are small and not comfortable.
For me, it was a one time only event! But glad I did it once.
I did the tour through the Travel House, they have a desk right there in the hotel lobby. Opposite side of the front doors as the registration desk. Food, your guide, and transport included, maybe was around $60-70??
It starts early, like at 6:30 am. And you get back at 10 pm. Looong day. Bus is ok, but no bathroom. And in between the braking and the honking, hard to sleep.
You stop at one other hotel, and then about a two hour ride to the breakfast stop, about halfway to Agra. Ok food, though some locals press hard for you to buy their things.
You stop a little further down at a Maharajah's tomb. Big park like area and big structures. Ok landscape, good architecture, etc. I guess the garden depends on the time of year.
A little more ways down is the Taj- about two hours past the breakfast place. You park, and take the electric tram to the entrance. That is required, motorized stuff not allowed near the Taj. DO NOT bring your cell, even if it is your camera. You will go through security at the Taj, and cells are not allowed, cameras are ok.
I liked the fact that we had a guide, to tell you the history and info.
Then it is off to the local Sheraton for the lunch buffet.
Next is the Red Fort, a little down river from the Taj. I liked this part, great views, neat architecture. DO NOT give anything to beggars. I know they look really pathetic, but once you start, no one will leave you or the group alone!
By now you are tired, but next they drive you to a craft center. You see a video about how they weave rugs and make the marble inlay stuff. They really try to sell you here. The info was cool, but the prices are steep.
Ride back to DEL, stop at the breakfast place for a bathroom break only.
I have heard about guys that rented their own cars and drivers and went direct. But then you get no guide, and I have heard the cars are small and not comfortable.
For me, it was a one time only event! But glad I did it once.
Last edited by Fedex999999; 01-23-2008 at 05:25 AM.
01-22-2008, 07:38 PM
#8
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Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: 767 FO
Posts: 8,047
Originally Posted by Albief15
You know, if you are is Sioux Falls and leave the hotel, walk west across the bridge, then south for a spell you'll find a nice biking/hiking trail along the river.
...guess that's where I will be the next 5 years....
...guess that's where I will be the next 5 years....
At least they didn't take your window seat.
01-22-2008, 07:38 PM
#9
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Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Petting Zoo
Posts: 2,073
It's been years but pick up a guide book, the book we liked the most was 'the rough guide'. Hired a car and driver, you can specify an air conditioned car (at a much higher price, but still not too bad). They go where you tell them and don't have to deal with bus schedule. On the other hand the roads there are the most terrifying I've ever seen, and a bus has mass. Not to be ignored.
On that line, if you wander around Delhi they used to have a daily death toll board, digital sign board that kept track of how many people were killed on the roads there in the past 24 hours, and year to date. These weren't small numbers.
That said, really liked having the car and driver, I hate organized tours. No worry on the guides, there will be many around for you to hire, and many more for you to push away. You can always find some guy with decent English to explain stuff to you. Truthfully I found the Taj and Red Fort pretty self explanatory.
Enjoy the trip, it's well worth it. Easily one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life. I just stood there and stared at it for hours.
On that line, if you wander around Delhi they used to have a daily death toll board, digital sign board that kept track of how many people were killed on the roads there in the past 24 hours, and year to date. These weren't small numbers.
That said, really liked having the car and driver, I hate organized tours. No worry on the guides, there will be many around for you to hire, and many more for you to push away. You can always find some guy with decent English to explain stuff to you. Truthfully I found the Taj and Red Fort pretty self explanatory.
Enjoy the trip, it's well worth it. Easily one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life. I just stood there and stared at it for hours.
01-22-2008, 08:37 PM
#10
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 77
If you do go on the bus, sit in the back(away from the horn) by the end of the day it will drive you insane. If you have already got 3 of you going, hire a car. It will be way quicker to get there, and you can hire a guide there if you need one...
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