I loved every minute of the week that I spent in Ladakh -- probably my favorite trip that I've taken so far. The drives to Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, and Lamayuru Monastery were amazing! I flew in to Leh because of time constraints, but I wish I could have driven there. I've heard the drive to Leh via the Manali-Leh highway is also worth doing. on my next trip to india, i'm planning on traveling around Kullu, Manali, Lahaul and Spiti. Have you been?
Heck, I have a cast iron stomach, and I was sick as hell. I recovered when I got to the Middle East and Europe, and gained the weight back, but it turned out that whatever bug I had in India flared up again right after I got home to Houston. It started on the flight from London to New York. I got sick on the plane, and I don't get sick on planes. I fainted at the airport in NYC. After making it to Houston, I got as sick as I ever was in India, sick as a dog for a week, and lost the ten pounds again. It was all too weird. Nothing like that has happened to me since.
Truly amazing, glad you enjoyed...its great to see that true Ladakhi culture preserved (For now). We drove from Srinagar-Leh-Manali. it is worth it, sights are great. You also drive through some very interesting parts of Kashmir such as Kargil, where the 1999 war with Pakistan took place. Lahaul and Spiti is def on my list to do, I also want to visit the north east (Arnuachal) and perhaps cross the border into Nepal. I highly recommend doing a 3-4 trip/drive through Himachal Pradesh. The scenic views are not as great as Kashmir or Ladakh, but you get to see the culture of mountainous Hindus, where as Kashmir is a very muslim culture and Ladakh is a very Buddhist culture. Just really cool to experience all of it. I want to go back to the Ladakh area and do all the extreme sports I did not get a chance to do
Just to reiterate, the metro is probably your best bet for transport. It's a pretty good subway system with good connections. They're continuously expanding it so I have no idea how far it goes anymore. You're going to get conned no matter what. All Government of India tourist areas will have a separate price for foreigners so just accept it for what it is. (It is also largely the basis of funding maintenance for most of these sites) You'll get swarmed by children and adults alike selling you trinkets. The tourist sites within Delhi can all be reached by the metro or you can hop on an auto from a metro stop for a short commute. For Autos, try and ask around what the price should be and try to agree on a price before you start. That will at the very least save you time, since he wont drive you in circles trying to run up the meters. The only big recommendation I have is plan ahead for Agra (Taj Mahal). To be blunt, Agra is a dump of a city. (whereas New Delhi is actually quite nice) Agra is run down, the economy has been in shambles for years, and the government hasn't bothered to do much about it. To me its worth it to pre-arrange transport to your hotel and to the tourist sites around there. Also, it helps to go to the Taj Mahal really early. (like crack of dawn early) Otherwise the lines will become painfully long. It also looks nicer at dawn. If you do want a guide, dont bother getting one at the Taj Mahal. They'll tell you nothing you can't read on a pamphlet and charge obscene amounts of money. At places like Fatehpur Sikri, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Jamma Masjid, etc.. you can pay a guide that's standing outside and bargain on a price. I've had decent success doing that and that's an option if you are willing to be patient and want to bargain.
Well I have been to South and North India, and I don't know if it was just my specific case but things were noticeably more expensive when going to Delhi and such. But that just may be the economy there, idk.
Ill be there on Saturday and Sunday.. going to see the Taj on Saturday. The drive from Dehli to Agra is apparently like 4 hours.
I'll be heading there for a week on the 21st. From what I hear, only drink and use bottled water that you opened yourself. Even when brushing your teeth..only use bottled water. I also hear that if they give you bottled water, check carefully to make sure it hasn't already been opened. Some places will refill a water bottle with tap water and even go so far as to put a little glue in the cap so that it feels like its sealed - so check closely. That being said, I'm looking forward to the trip. I'm going with a group and will be in Dehli and Mumbai for work.
If you get the chance, you should check out Akshardham http://www.akshardham.com/ http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g304551-d626913-Reviews-Swaminarayan_Akshardham-New_Delhi_National_Capital_Territory_of_Delhi.html
Delhi is just must more expensive than most other cities in India in general. Eberything in Punjab is like 1/4th the price
theyll hold onto your passports at the hotels. It's gonna be freakn hot around this time. drink bottled water or sprite. You will be overcharged if you are planning to visit Taj Mahal being a foreigner. food is great on the bright side.
I'm sorry to hear about how things are in Agra and at the Taj. It was quite different when I went there during the '60's. The skies were clear and blue, at least when I visited, and the Taj Mahal wasn't that crowded at all. We were able to return to see it at night during a bright moon, and the Taj literally glowed, seemingly from within. I'll never forget it. Easily one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
Last year, I took the train from Delhi to Amritsar, a 20-minute bus ride from Amritsar to the Pakistan border, and crossed by foot into Pakistan, followed by a 20-minute drive to Lahore. Awesome experience seeing both countries firsthand.
