India arrangements

My wife, Lynda, and I took a wonderful, 14-day independent tour of the state of Rajasthan, India, plus the cities of Delhi, Agra and Varanasi beginning in late February 2010.

We had come across Top Travel & Tours (L-6, Samrat Bhawan, Ranjeet Nagar Commercial Complex, New Delhi 110 008, India; phone +[91] [11] 2570 9228) on the Internet and could not have been more satisfied with the communication and planning they did to prepare our customized itinerary.

We found their pricing reasonable: $2,800, or less than $200 per day for the two of us for our hotels (with breakfast), drivers and guides. International and domestic airfare cost extra.

Upon our arrival and departure in Delhi and for two internal flights, there was always a representative to meet and guide us. The driver of our air-conditioned Toyota was kind and considerate, the city guides were excellent and our lodgings were wonderful. Three of the hotels were modern and five were delightfully atmospheric, with Indian architecture and design.

The most memorable stay was two nights at the converted hunting lodge of the maharajahs of Jodhpur in the tiny village of Rawla Narlai. The candlelight dinners there on the roof and a walking tour of the village, where we entered into modest but welcoming homes, will never be forgotten.

I would not recommend visiting Rajasthan any later than mid March, as it was starting to heat up then.

The Indian people we met were friendly and welcoming to us. This was humorously demonstrated at the Bahá’i House of worship (Lotus Temple) in Delhi. As we were putting on our shoes, several Indian teenagers in beautiful saris asked us if we would allow them to take a photo with us. Soon a whole group of Indian families was enjoying the scene and photographing us with our silver hair, straw hats and big American smiles.

I will answer any ITN readers’ questions e-mailed c/o ITN.

TOM HOPKINS
Scottsdale, AZ