New Delhi recommendations? (December, working nights)

jjmoreta

I'm going to be in New Delhi for 2 weeks in early December on business and I've been trying to figure out what I can easily do on my off hours. I will be with coworkers, so compromises will likely need to be made depending on what they want to do, as we are discouraged from going out alone.

We will be working American hours, which means around 5 pm to 2 am, so no nightlife except on weekends.

We are staying at the Taj Mahal Hotel, which I understand is centrally located. We are encouraged to patronize our workplace driver in the off-hours, although I'm not afraid of walking or public transit. I am a frugal woman, so cheaper is better. Anyone know of a good grocery store close to the hotel?

A main priority for us all is a trip to Agra for the Taj Mahal, which will have to happen on a weekend. I also really want to see Fatehpur Sikri (after reading this board), but that may be at the mercy of my group and whatever arrangements are made. I've been reading about different tours here, but we're reluctant to make solid plans before we get there. How far in advance do these plans need to be made to ensure train tickets? I really would not want to be stuck in a car.

My other priorities:

Historical places - Red Fort, Birla House, National Museum, Jantar Mantar

Bargain shopping - looking for Indian clothing (hopefully I can find at least 1 plus-size salwar kameez and/or sari), religious statuary/art objects/crafts, jewelry/accessories, and fabric (non-sari non-slubby silk and linen). What markets should I consider? The only name I'm familiar with at the moment is Chandni Chowk.

Food - I have a generous food allowance and would hate to waste any of it. I am not completely afraid of street food and would like to broaden my experience. I literally have never even had curry, although I want to try an Indian restaurant or two here at home before I leave.

Henna - I would like to have my hands and/or feet done right before we leave.

Culture - Indian dance shows I've read about so far are at night so I may miss out on that, I can go to the Bollywood theater here at home so that's not a priority, other than that I'm stumped.

In short, I'm looking for recommendations. I know my historical places list is woefully short, but instead of listing everything from the tour websites, I would love recommendations from people who've been there and can tell me what can't be missed in person. I'm not coming here to immerse myself in Generica (no McDonalds!!!)

I would appreciate recommendations of which travel book or websites you've found most useful (or none at all?). I've flipped through a Lonely Planet India book and appreciated the shopping tips but most of it didn't apply to my trip so I may go for the regional version.

I've also been trying to find books to read on culture and history, so please recommend your favorites (websites too). I had a friend recommend "Holy Cow" by Sarah McDonald and I've found a treasure trove of older India history materials at my university library.

I've been reading the boards here for hours over the last month or so but if you think I overlooked a thread, please let me know. There's so much to take in and plan for!

robinsparrow

Its great that you will be staying at the Taj Mahal Hotel; with that perk I don't think you should have any trouble eating in regular resteraunt instead of "street food". Less chance of getting sick.

What type of work is it that you do? What interests do you have in the states? That can help us make suggestions to you as to what to do in your spare time

There are some very inexpensive information magazines that come out WEEKLY to let you know what activities are going on in Delhi and the surrounding areas......get one of those right away.

You also have enough time to either bring material from the states or buy at Shankar Market and find a tailor right at Shankar Market and have clothes made---salwar khameez, whatever.
You may also find them ready made in your size,,,,I think.

Have fun..... robinsparrow

robinsparrow

December is a very BIG BIG wedding month---you will be suree to catch a wedding or two or three.

brownboy66

here's a few threads you could check out....

2 days in delhi: clueless what to do!
How to spend a day in delhi before catching the night train
Delhi Day Trip
One day in Delhi

Also, I'm sure the hotel will be able to help you out with some suggestions as well. Being December the temperature will be fine so you shouldn't have any problems being out and about during the day. My personal favourite of the tourist spots is Humayuns Tomb (in very good condition, very informative, and one of the few Delhi monuments where the water canals are working). Also in terms of Mogul history - it is one of the main historical sites in India I guess.

Old Delhi is a must - catch the metro there, hire a rickshaw and go exploring. Riding down the various streets is fantastic - especially when you get to the spice district and all the different smells hit you. Like wise when you find the food areas (mmmmmmmmm).

anyway - I'm sure there will be a few more suggestions forthcoming.

happy travelling.

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robinsparrow

Go down Brides' Street---where you can see all the colorful makings of an Indian wedding....very colorful and interesting.


Robinsparrow

wonderwomanusa

I have not yet seen a plus-size salwar kameez in India, though I'm told they exist. I have seen them in Berkeley CA, and they are inexpensive enough to have been imported, but I suspect the shop has them specially made.

I do have these shops named in previous discussions:
But I'd also recommend asking co-workers for the name of a good tailor. The various state emporia at Baba Karak Singh Marg carry salwar kameez pieces -- already embroidered, so you just have to take them to a tailor for stitching!

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KABAARY

Taj Mahal Hotel (I assume you are talking of the one in Sardar Patel Marg as the other Taj Hotel in Delhi is commonly referred to as "Taj, Mansingh") has an excellent Indian restaurant called "Masala Art" where you must dine. Orient Express there is raved about but I have never dined there as I am not much into continental food. Tea House of the August Moon, the chinese restaurant there, gets rave reviews but is overrated IMO.

You can also walk across to the Maurya Sheraton Hotel literally next door which has the famed Bukhara restaurant but I personally prefer the "Dum Pukht" restaurant there.

Walk a bit further onto the Malcha Marg market and get a taste of Punjabi chinese in Fujiya restaurant. The Moti Mahal restaurant there seems to be rather popular with foreigners in the vicinity which I can't understand but then...

Walk some more and go to Al Kauser and have their kakori kababs - nothing fancy though - you have to stand on the road and eat (and mind the drunks there).

Walk even more and feast on NWP cuisine in "Frontier" in Ashoka hotel.

Lots of state guest houses also in the vicinity which would expose you to the cuisine of the various states of India.

Haylo

Well I hope you told them what you thought of that idae!

KABAARY

When you say Birla House, I assume you mean Birla Mandir. Red Fort is slightly further off, but the others mentioned by you are pretty close to your hotel. You can also add Teen Murti Bhawan and the cute Railway Museum to your list as they are the closest to your hotel.

Sticking to Delhi - read "City of Djinns" by William Dalrymple.

One or two roughly opposite JMC college. Go further to Malcha Marg market for a larger number of shops (though not very well stocked).

Central Cottage emporium and the State emporiums would give you assured quality though the price is higher....10 minutes drive from your hotel.

Sri Ram Kala Kendra, Kamani auditorium, etc. are pretty close (10-15 minutes drive). There are cultural performances which take place in Nehru Park pretty close by.

I could go on......

jjmoreta

Thank you for all your suggestions!

The plane tickets are booked now, but the office moved to Greater Noida so we are staying at the Radisson now (near the airport I believe?). I guess I won't have such easy access to central Delhi, but I'll find a way to make do.

Anything I shouldn't miss in the Greater Noida area?

puchoo

no.

There is a Radisson in Noida. Its located at sector 18 and will be about a 30 minute drive to greater noida....this is where u will be in all probability, not the one near the airport....that does not makes sense at all geographically.

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shashank.aggarwal

As Puchoo has said, Greater Noida is 30-40 minutes from Noida (Further off from Delhi), and you are most probably staying in Radisson, Noida. Staying at the one near Airport and commuting to Greater Noida would be a disaster.

Noida and Greater Noida are satellite towns of Delhi, nothing of historical importance there. Especially Greater Noida is pure industrial in nature, with vast manufacturing plants. In Noida you can find modern day malls, restaurants etc.

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dzibead

Definitely read William Dalrymple's book The City of Djinns before you go, and check out the Crafts Museum: http://delhi.clickindia.com/travel/craftsmuseum.html

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jjmoreta

Another update - the hotel is the Noida Radisson, not the airport one.

I'm across from Centrestage Mall, correct? Anything else of note? We may be working long hours so proximity to at least something other than the hotel will be nice. Although I don't really view malls as truly experiencing culture.

puchoo

The sector 18 market , where the mall is located and you are in itself is a fun experience - from the street vendors to the local bars there is enough to do there.