2 weeks to go, and I need help!

ace

Hi guys!

You all have been SO fantastic in helping me with every detail of my first trip to India, so first of all I wanted to say a huge THANKS!!!

Well, we have the air ticket, the itinerary has been made, I borrowed a backpack, have a book to read, bought sunscreen (still looking for the one with insect repellant WW), have most of the hotels, but . . .

I still need a hotel in Jaisalmer! Can you please put these in order from your most favorite to least favorite? Fort Rajwada, Rang Mahal, Gorbandh Palace, Narayan Niwas, Jawahar Niwas, others??? Also, for those of you who aren't travel agents, can you recommend one who would be able to help me? or perhaps better yet, how I could contact the hotels directly? (some aren't responding to the email addresses I have, can't get through by phone, etc.)

Also, we are staying at some guesthouses and some mid-range hotels, do we bring our own shampoo, conditioner, soap etc.? (Sorry if that's a stupid question, I'm just not sure . . .). We shouldn't need to bring our own toilet paper right?

Thanks again for all your help . . . I absolutely can't believe we are actually going . . . in 2 weeks!!!!

ace

Serena

For me, surely I'll bring my own toilet paper and also soap and shampoo

(of course you'll be able to find all this stuff in all the town).

Ciao!

TracyB

Bring all of your toiletries...We took toilet paper as well and glad that we did, because in all of the hotels we stayed at the rolls were so small that 1 wipe each, and it was out!! The hotels always brought us more, but sometimes, like in the middle of the night, it sure came in handy...Also used it when touring around..I'd say it is a must!!

I remember when I couldn't believe that we were going to India in 2 weeks and now we have been there and back now for over a month..

I am still dreaming of the wonderful trip we had and all the amazing things we saw and did..And possibly thinking of going back again.

Hope you have a great time.

SHIMLA

Though most of the mid-range hotels provide a towel, its better to bring your own and also a couple of napkins.

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ace

Wow! Good thing I asked!

I would have never thought to bring toilet paper and a towel!!! Anything else that one normally wouldn't carry?

Also, what do you guys think of those hotels in Jaisalmer????

Thanks so much for the help!
ace

cyberhippie

Don't bring toilet paper, it's available locally. Keep a spare on in your pack just in case but mostly you'll find toilet paper easily in India!!!
A towel is a must when you need to get a wash on the train!!

ace

Thanks! I'll bring a towel for sure! Mom was thinking we could buy towels there if neccessary??? What do you guys think? (Personally, I kinda like my own towels, but . . .)

monkgonemad

buy a cheap cotton sarong. lighter, dries faster -not stinky

dont worry about guesthouses/hotels. if you are going on a camel safari stay inside the city before the trek. go up the hill and just have a look, youll surely find something. after the trek -most likely youll not be allowed to stay in the walled city "all full". so, spend the night outside and head out next day.

never worry about putting a roof over your head save for festivals, etc...

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natasha chanda acharya

Check out hotel listings on India Mike, You will find Jaisalmer and peoples recomendations about the various hotels. Happy travelling!

ace

Thanks guys!

I am travelling with my parents, so sleeping out under the stars (although sounds nice) is not an option, and so we need something at least mid- to upper range. Hotels without each room having a bathroom with western toilets too is not an option (so much for Killa Bhawan). I checked out the hotel listings, as well as guide books etc, and came up with:
-Fort Rajwada
-Rang Mahal
-Gorbandh Palace
-Naryan Niwas
-Jagat Niwas
What I need now is a ranking of these . . . anyone got preferences?

TracyB

I don't think you need to bring any towels..They will be provided at the hotels..We stayed in mid-range hotels and towels were always provided..Towels take up a lot of space and there is so much to buy in India, I would save the extra room..

I took 2 light fleece blankets for the overnight train because I am allergic to wool...I used 1 on the first train, then left it on the train, and did the same with the second one..I am still glad I brought them because it was nice to have something I know was clean..

nessie

I'd definitely recommend a sleep sheet. We've been in Nepal and India for a month and a bit now and use the sleep sheet nearly every night rather than sleeping bare skin against some of the sheets we've seen. Also, some places (mid range included) don't provide you with a top sheet, just a blanket which can be quite old/dirty/dusty/scratchy so the sheet is very handy.

We've also brought one of those trek towels, few places give towels in the room and those that do aren't necessaily washed thoroughly before given to you.

Toilet paper you can buy anywhere, a small pack of tissues are handy for a daypack as few toilets will give loo paper.

Also very handy is dry anti-bacterial hand gel, the kind that cleans your hands without using water. Good to clean the hands after kids with mucky hands having been shaking your's or handling dirty money.

natasha chanda acharya

i see that you've enough advice on towes and tiolet paper.
i haven't been to jaisalmer, so i can't help you much, but i checked out the hotels online and all of them see to be good.
In fact you should've just gone in for the palace on wheels tour. anyway...
I think jagat niwas is in Udaipur and not jaisalmer. there is one called jawahar niwas in jaisalmer. I guess, if case no one else comes up with a rating, go for the one which suits your budget and that has a nice view. Some of them offer a view of the jaisalmer fort. That is actually a breathtaking view, specially at sunset. So go for it. Also check out Himmatgarh Palace. Try this website in case you haven't already.
http://rajasthan.tajmahalindia.net/j...els/index.html
Hope you have a wonderful time in Rajasthan and in India.

Vespar

On my trip to india last month we stayed at Deepak Rest House. This is at the back of the fort but it was clean and the meals on the roof top were excellent. I would recommend this to the budget traveller. It maybe hard to get in as Intrepid (travel group from Oz) use it, but it is worth the try.

Simeon

Hi

Myself, my partner and our 2 sons (7 & 10) are arriving in Mumbai from Australia April 1st. We need to get to Udaipur (hopefully by train) and want to travel around Rajasthan for a few weeks. We need kid friendly hotels or hotel suggestions.