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18 Reviews Despite what people think and say I believe the beach sellers are part of the holiday experience. Some of the stuff they sell is what you find at the market and its up to you whether you get it...
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BEWARE Mumbai
20 Reviews There is a guy at the Gateway of India claiming to be a holy man who will try to bless you, i got caught to this trap.... basically he will approach you and try to "bless"you, i kept saying no and a...
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Paharganj Delhi
6 Reviews Paharganj is a fun place to visit and shows you the real india. It has hundreds of hotels and small shops. There are people who will try to sell hard, give you bargain offers or even try to trick you....
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TAXIS Goa
5 Reviews You can't really blame taxi drivers for trying to take the "stupid tourists the long way around"... this happens all over the world, so Goa is no different. One our first 2-3 days in Goa we only...
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TAXI / CABBIES Mumbai
10 Reviews Rickshaws are everywhere - do take them for the experience and because they are very cheap. But ensure they 'flag down' the meter - It should read '1' before you start your journey. if it says...
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Travel agencies Delhi
6 Reviews My wife and I just got back from a 6 day golden triangle tour.Contact: "rajat bindal" . we had a car and driver for 6 days. Driver was Pandey and Guide was shabir. Do yourself a big favor get them. We...
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MISCELLANEOUS Goa
12 Reviews I had rented a Taxi Cab to take us to see some of the sights in South Goa like the St. Francis church, beaches, temples etc. As I stayed at the Park Hyaat in south Goa is was a long way off and quite...
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Beggars Delhi
4 Reviews Kids, beggars, old people, rickshaw-wallahs, shoe-cleaners - they're all there to make you feel uncomfortable, pitiful & above all embarrassed. I had a pretty rough first week in India, 'coz you just...
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Traffic Delhi
4 Reviews The transport in Delhi is horrifying. There are constructions every where because they have to finished all works for Commonwealth Game in 2010. The airport is under construction and Long queue on...
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Rickshaws Delhi
5 Reviews i wasted time and money when rickshaw drivers instead of taking me where i wanted to go, insisted on taking me to expensive shops where they probably get commission. they turned a deaf ear to my...
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Tour guides Delhi
3 Reviews While in Delhi, i went to a travel agents and booked a car and driver for my few days there so i could get a quick look around most of the major sites. I have to say, he was a nice chap who drove me...
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Obviously when in New Delhi, one must see the Taj. Do not let yourself get into a cab or a hired driver situation if you can help it for this trip. TAKE THE TRAIN out of Delhi to Agra. The car ride is 4+ hours each way and the train is about an hour. The drivers will tell you other-wise. Just trust me and do it this way. You'll be glad you did...
If you ask a cab/riksha/cicle driver to take you to a specific hotel, he might find some excuse (like the part of town is flooded, happened to me), and take you to some other hotel. Beleave me, you´ll pay twice the price, and the driver get´s a provision.It´s similar when you ask a kid, to take you to a shop, to buy water or so, he´ll guide you to the most exclusive souvenier shops. They have the most beautiful things you´ve ever seen, but not what you wanted. The kid hopes to get a provision of course... If you were brought to some expensive hotel, well, either pay, and enjoy the hot shower offered there, and maybe even tv and a clean toilet. Or tell the driver to take you to the nearest public place (like the train station new delhi) and walk the rest (if aplicable).In case of the kid taking you to an exclusive souvenier shop, you don´t have to buy a thing. But you have to had a look...
Across the road from the Sri Meenakshi Temple are a few emporiums that rely on trade from tourists. They have a great way of getting you into their shops. Read the excerpt from my travelogue below. He asked us if we would like to view the Temple complex from above, "yeah sure" we said, knowing exactly what was coming next.We had read about this scam to get people into an emporium in the Guidebook, but we wanted to see the aerial view and did not mind this man getting his commission for taking us there.The Emporium was just across the road from the Temple entrance, and we were shown into the lift to take us to the roof. Once on the roof there was another short flight of steps that took us to the viewing platform, where we took a few pictures, but it really needed to be a lot higher to get a good overall view of the Temple complex.Now this is where the scam kicks in, because you can't use...
A STORY FROM VARANASIAs we passed by the burning Ghat and headed through the wood store, we were approached by a young boy who was dressed very smartly all in white. The boy who looked like an alter boy serving in a church was standing next to a very old lady who was resting on a pile of logs. The boy explained to us that the old lady had travelled from the countryside to Varanasi in the hope she might be cremated at the holy waters.He also explained that he worked in the local hospice where the old and sick were fed and sheltered until their passing away. Then he told us that this particular old woman was very close to her death and had come to the Ghat in the hope of begging some money so as that she could afford to pay for the wood that would be used on her pyre. And would we care to give anything towards helping her achieve this. Furthermore he then went on to say if we did help out...
Maybe apart from the camel herdes at Giza, probably the place on earth with most hawkers and stupid rickshaw drivers.No reason to believe that every single merchant in town is their brother or uncle, and don't add to the general impression that tourists are easy by following their suggestions. Be aware that none of the rickshaw drivers will take you anywhere if the shop-keeper doesn't pay commission! Of course, you have to go. Taj Mahal is a true beauty, but getting a rickshaw going straight to the mausoleum without wanting to visit a dozen carpet factories or jewelry shops is nothing but hard work. Yuck. Hard to find, but try Fatehpur Sikri, one hour away.
Shoeshine Boys in Delhi are to be found whereever tourists go. Be wary that even if your shoes are not dirty, they will insist on cleaning them. They may even make them dirty while you are not looking by throwing stuf on them.To be fair to the Shoeshine boys they made a good job of getting his shoes to look a little more respectable, and when it came to payment they said that Bobby Davro had given them ten pounds for cleaning his shoes, Nick told them he was not as rich as Bobby Davro and gave them 25 rupees! Talking to the boys they told us that they had come to Delhi from Khajuraho to work, and that it had been a good move for them as they were earning more that they ever could there. Let’s hope they ran into a few more Bobby Davro’s.I would have thought they could have earned money in Khajuraho, as this is a popular tourist destination in it’s own right, but then again, not being a...
You will find a lot of snake charmers in the more touristy spots along with dancing monkeys and bears e.t.c.Snake charming has been a part of India's folklore for as long as time itself, but the capturing of monkeys and bears is something I do not approve off. I don't know about you but I don't agree with capturing animals and making them perform for money.. The animals are treated badly and kept half starved to encourage them to perform. Don't encourage this kind of behaviour by giving money. If you like animals and want to give some money, then wht not make a donation to the World Wildlife Federation.
Beach Vendors can be found on all the beaches in South India where Tourists are likely to congrgate. They will try to sell you drinks and fruit and at times can become a little persistent. If you don't want any, be polite but firm when you tell them no. Also be aware that you will more than likely be overcharged, so try to be awre of roughly how much you should pay. You can get a feel for what is a reasonable price by simply asking those who have been there for a while. Other than that you can guage the cost by watching what others pay before you. The alternative is to bring your own refreshment to the beach, but mostly this is not required so long as you are happy with the price you are asked to pay. Even slightly expensive is quite cheap to most tourists, but I don't really advocate paying over the top as this then encourages price rises for everyone.
Let me preface my remarks by saying I am neither unmindful nor ungrateful for the wonderful courtesy and generosity of Indians or of the numerous museums, sites and monuments in India that are completely free. In October of 2000 the Indian Government increased entrance fees for foreigners to see India's most popular monuments. Foreigners will pay 50 times the rate paid by a citizen of India. This means you will pay a minimum of $5 (five dollars US) for less prestigious sites and $10 (US) for better known sites such as Khajuraho or the Ellora Caves. The Taj Mahal is $20. The Buddhist stupa at Sanchi is $10 to see the site and $10 for the museum. This adds up quickly if you are visiting historical and World Heritage Sites. Adjust your budget accordingly. There have been many objections to this rate increase. I object because the funds do not go for salaries for the guards at the sites;...
Trap No.1: Your port of entry - Airport. There will be venodrs (private taxi counters) or other persons who will approach personally to assist you. This may give you a very bad experience about India. Always ask your travel agent, hotel, friend, relative if not any one of these then a VT Member to advise you the best way to avoid any problem when you enter in a very new country.In most of the cities at airport local police has pre paid taxi counters. Prefer them if you do not have any arrangements. On payment of taxi fare in advance you will be given a reciept in duplicate a copy of which you have to handover to the driver of taxi once you are sure you've reached the place you;ve been charged for. Driver will get his money from the same counter on producing the copy of receipt taken from you.2. Avoid local auto rikshaws/taxi if they are offeing you free tours. Always arrange you tours...
Neemrana Fort-Palace State of Rajasthan
2 Reviews and 235 Opinions This is such a lovely place, whether for a couple celebrating their love or for a singleton,...
Taj Lands End Mumbai
4 Reviews and 521 Opinions 22,000 square feet of meeting space connected by pre-function areas suitable for exhibitions ...
Leela Goa
5 Reviews and 461 Opinions hallo was meeting adam pyotr mancic in the surfclub arambol. best friend at this time. every night...
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Reviews and photos of India attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for India sightseeing.
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Q: Hello folks, I am thinking to travel to India from July 28-Aug 28 2012. It includes both north and south India. I heard about...
A: 1. If you limit your travels to the plains of India during Jul 28-Aug 28, 2012, you'll experience high humidity, heat and quite a few showers. As it is, South India is...
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