3-4 Months and Approx. $5000 CND - What should I do?

Theon

Hello all,

Glad to see an active forum dedicated to travel in India!

I'm planning a trip to India for January 2005 for 3-4 months. Problem is, I don't know what to do/where to go. I don't want to do the "take pictures at every famous site" thing. I'm thinking of setting up in 1-3 major cities for at least a month in each city (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai). Basically, I want to get a taste for everyday Indian life, and perhaps do some reading, photography, and writing. I was also thinking of getting better at Hindi (or begin learning Bengali or Tamil).

Is it difficult for a non-resident to rent a place in those major cities I mentioned? How much would I be looking at per month for a simple one bedroom flat?

Any other suggestions?

TIA

Theon

maree

Suggestion... stay in smaller places... 3-4 months of Indian cities could do your head in

Theon

Anyone else? Perhaps you all could answer this question better: what would you do with 3 months in India if you had never been there before?

__________________
My First Time to India

-m2-

I'd spend around six weeks in the south, two weeks in goa, leaving by early march for the northern foothills with a couple of stops in rajathstan on the way. there'd be time to check out rishikesh, dharmsala, and kullu valley if you want and you'd be certain to come across somewhere you'd want to stay a while. same in the south. I'd avoid the cities, as well.

You can live very well for 4 months after what's left of your 5 after the 1.5 or so for the ticket.

and welcome to indiamike!

indiadreamn

where can you get a ticket to India for $1500 canadian? Everywhere I've been looking quote prices around $2800 and up

Travelingbhat

Hi theon

I sell tickets from USA to INDIA thru my wholesalers so if you are interested in gettting fare quotes from me for travel from NYC to India, feel free to send me an email with your details and I can tell you what I have to offer. It all depends on when you are traveling. December 2004 can be tricky to get cheap tickets but if you are looking at Jan 2005 post the new years time its very doable. If you are looking at only flying out of Toronto, I might not have the most competitive pricing and you would be better off talking to a travel agent who specializes in the India market in Canada. The search feature on this site might be a good idea as I think this might have already been covered before.

Most travel agents can give you quotes and I can do that without holding any space. If you like my quote and want to hold space with me I can then give you the exact price with the space confirmed.

Word of caution, if you start confirming space with the same airlines with multiple travel agents, the airlines can and generally cancel duplicate bookings. So if you are going to shop around just do that before an agent does the work of booking the space for you. Most people dont realize that the margins we make on these tickets is close to nothing and it does take time to book and hold things for clients.

and .... if I had 3 to 4 months in India, I would definitely spend time in Kerala, Karnataka (hampi, badami, aihole, nagarhole, coorg, mysore). Mysore is a GREAT small town close to Bangalore so you have access to the big city life if you wanted that but also a chill place to relax and then head up north to Rajasthan before it gets too hot (april /may is generally too hot for the average person in Rajasthan) and onward to the mountains as others described. I specially loved Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh if you are interested in wildlife and Konark in Orissa but they are not en route to the other places I mention.

cyberhippie

I agree with maree (I usually do) living in three big Indian cities would be a interesting exercise in patience but you'll get sick of it and to do this you would miss out on so much!
I suggest flying into Chennai and out of Delhi.
Along the way you can See Mahaballipuram, Pondycherry, before heading across to Kerala via Madurai and Kodiacanal.
In Kerala you can slowly sail through the magnificent back waters, kick back on a beach go see the elephants in the Periyar National park, or catch a glimps of colonialism on Cochin island!
Then slowly up through Karnataka, perhaps Mysore or Jog falls (India'a biggest) Stop off in Goa for a while and enjoy the wonderful climate and food! From here you may want to see Hampi a beautiful train trip from Goa!
Form Goa you can head north to either Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, catch the step wells in Bundi (RJ) or soak in the village life at Orcha (MP)
Both states have a lot to offer you'll have to pick one ??!!

Then via Delhi head up into the wonderful Himalaya for some fresh air and nature. Both Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal offer some wonderful destinations for mountain lovers!!
The itineries are too varied to mention but you really should try and see something other than cities, Indian life is IMHO better viewed in the smaller towns and villages miss this and you miss a lot of what makes India so special.
Whatever you decide have fun it's a wonderful country!

ashish0608

Theon

Let me try to answer you on this:

It will not be difficult to rent a place just because you are "non-resident" in any of the major cities.

You will have to contact a property dealer and negotiate on his charges before you step out with him to see.

or a good site on property listings is "www.indiaproperties.com" which is free and can give you good idea of the retal rates as well

But, there will be another problem which I foresee i.e. getting a furnished accomodation. "Furnished" in India could mean 'a Fan and a Bed'.

Ashish

rangers

Hi
if you love quite beach with temples and forest .mediatation or yoga.Then come to PURI close by is KONARK sun Temple beach they are in Orissa a state in east one night from Kolkatta.nd yes I have a place for my traveling friends backpackers close by beach cost less tahn Rs.3000.per month with breakfast.
cheers
sanjay

-m2-

sounds like you have only been looking on the internet which is not the best place for finding cheap tickets from Canada in my experience. I'm from the west coast and can fly via europe or asia for around the same price; last summer's prices for fall flights were around $1600 with a good airline and connection, but I could have flown for a bit less if I didn't mind a more awkward routing via the US, or even flying to Bangkok first and buying an onward ticket from there. From Toronto, the best prices will probably be via europe and local Indo-canadian travel agents should be able to find you the best deals. The whole issue of finding fares, and some examples members have run across, is discussed here:

Finding a good fare to India

It is a long thread and I can't recall if any specific agents in the Toronto area are mentioned.

Theon

Wow, thanks everyone for all your well-informed responses! Now, I'm leaning away from spending so much time in major cities because of your advice. The reason why I want to settle down for a long time (if 1-2 months is long) is that I don't want to get caught in the trap of rushing through India without truly "seeing" India. I guess I can avoid this trap by not leaving a place until I am satisfied with my stay, right?

I'd like to make it to UP as it is the place my ancestors are from (I'm Guyanese). Also important is visiting a major Hindi speaking city so I can have the experience of watching my favorite world cinema at it's home.

aghori

Ashish and maybe someone else.

I am going to India for a year in 2 months, and I want to settle down in Govardhan. I know some people there who could help with renting something, but I wouldn't want to trouble them much, and I would prefer to deceide the question myself.
What can be recommended in case of such a small place?

ashish0608

Aghori,

I smaller places like Govardhan etc., the best way to get a place to live is thru. referance only and sometimes the local grocery shop fellow could have some information.

The best way is to go thru. someone you know..and don't think that you will be troubling them at all..as i understand indians having lived here for 31 years."they would like to help you" and would rather feel privilaged in doing so.. Thats why we love India

The only way you would trouble them is Having lived and not paying the rent

Theon

Are there any cities in UP that you'd recommend for an extended stay (1 week - 1 month)?

akash

Hey. I live in Toronto and my family makes frequent trips to India. Cheapest airline to fly to India from Toronto would be on AeroFlot Russian Airlines via Moscow. That fare should run you between 1300 and 1500 CAD.
The most convienent way to get to India from Toronto would be on Air Canada flight 51 which flies direct to New Delhi from Toronto (14 hrs approx). That fare could run you between 1500 and 2000 CAD. You are better off getting quotes from local travel agents and not from the airlines website.
I also know of a tour group (mostly Guyanese people) leaving from Toronto for a 3/4 week tour of India (rajastan area and some major cities like mumbai and goa). If you want more details send me an email at v_akash@yahoo.com.