What to Do in Delhi First Day

TracyB · Oct 11th, 2004, 01:33

We are arriving in Delhi 1:00 a.m. on Oct. 16th (next Saturday)..We are joining up with a group on Oct. 17th and touring Northern India...What can you guys recommend we do in Delhi on our first day to break us in?

We are staying at the Jukaso Inn ( Sunder Nagar if anyone is familiar)

I can't believe we will be there in less than a week.!!

SHIMLA · Oct 11th, 2004, 08:51

Stroll around Connaught Place; visit India Gate, Rashtrapathi Bhavan, Sansad Bhavan and Dilli Haat.

unclelach · Oct 11th, 2004, 09:15

The Tomb of the early Moghul emperor Humayun is close to Sunder Nagar. The formal gardens, water courses and fountains have been restored recently using traditional techniques and materials. Other earlier tombs and their gardens are most atmospheric. Humayun's tomb and its gardens are an outstanding example of Persian architecture

Shannon · Oct 11th, 2004, 10:28

We took a tour with Namaste India Tours, and it was great - the driver just took us where we wanted, and it was very reasonable. We toured Jama Masjid, Ba'hai Temple, the red fort, Gandhi smriti, etc.

vinayverma · Oct 11th, 2004, 18:05

On 16th, you'll practically have just 2nd half of the day.
From Sunder Nagar, you can go to Humayun's Tomb, then moving to Cannought Place and maybe ending up at India gate and having dinner at Pandara Road market (its next to India gate) and 5mins ride to your hotel.

xebecindia · Oct 11th, 2004, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by TracyB

We are arriving in Delhi 1:00 a.m. on Oct. 16th (next Saturday)..We are joining up with a group on Oct. 17th and touring Northern India...What can you guys recommend we do in Delhi on our first day to break us in?

We are staying at the Jukaso Inn ( Sunder Nagar if anyone is familiar)

I can't believe we will be there in less than a week.!!

You can hire a tourist airconditioned car @ Rupees 550 for a sight seeing of Delhi but it has to be within 8 hours & 80 kms only, beyond that per extra km and hours will be charged extra.
Happy touring

mercedes10 · Oct 11th, 2004, 18:44

Hey! I stayed at the Jukasso Inn too! Make sure they don't give you Room 302! It's the worst room in the hotel!

I guess it depends how you feel as you might not want to do anything too hectic having just arrived. However, if you feel up to it, I would highly recommend taking an auto-rickshaw as far as the Red Fort and then getting a cycle rickshaw to take you on a tour of Old Delhi. This should take in Chadni Chowk (the main street in Old Delhi), the spice market (which is amazing! - make sure you go up to the roof for a spectacular view), Sikh Temple (beuatiful!), Jain Temple (equally beautiful), and lots of the crazy, narrow streets of Old Delhi. We did this on our first day (finishing off at the Jama Masjid), and it was one of the highlights of my whole 3 weeks in India.

The attractions in and around New Delhi are much calmer if you don't want to throw yourself into the mayhem of India straight away - but for me Old Delhi was the perfect introduction to India! I loved it!

You're not travelling with the Imaginative Traveller by any chance are you? I just know that they begin their tours from the Jukasso. If you are, then New Delhi is covered in their city tour anyway - so all the more reason to see Old Delhi in your free time. It's a travesty that some people on their tours never see Old Delhi at all as it's not part of the organised schedule.

By the way, if you go out of the Jukaso, turn left and walk a hundred yards or so you'll come to a restaurant/cafe on your left-hand side called Sweets Corner. It doesn't look like much, but it's fantastic! We ate there regularly and had full meals for the equivalent of about 50p. Also, we never got ill once so it's obviously a 'safe' place to go. Round the corner from it is 'nasus' (or something to that effect anyway!) - it is equally good! Enjoy!!!
Have fun! I'm very jealous!! and if you have any other questions about the Jukaso or surrounding area, just ask!

TracyB · Oct 11th, 2004, 23:21

Yes Mercedes we are travelling with Imag. Traveller! We arrive in the middle of the night, so we will have most of the day on the 16th...

So how was the hotel (Jukaso Inn..what was wrong with room 302?)..I will have to remember that because I usually get the worst room!! I was told that room 107 was the best.

I guess I can think of a few questions..Did you have a hard time cashing trav. cheques or cash once you got there?

Would we have time to do Old Delhi and Connaught Place? And how was cuture shock the first day?

How was the rest of the tour? We are doing the Northern India Highlights..
Anything else you can tell me would be great..I am a little nervous, (but excited too of course)

lobo · Oct 12th, 2004, 02:19

There is no problem cashing money or travellers cheques, loads of places in connaught place.
Old dehli is great, so is the backpacker area of paharaganj.
We will be landing on the 18th of october and then onto dharamsala.
Keep us posted on your trip, connaught place isnt much of a culture shock old dehli and paharaganj more of a shock.

phil69 · Oct 12th, 2004, 02:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by lobo

We will be landing on the 18th of october and then onto dharamsala.

are you going there by train or by bus?
dharamsala is also on my mind and i'm not sure what's the best way to get there...

phil

mindi · Oct 12th, 2004, 04:07

Warning: As you are travelling with Imaginative Traveller, watch what happens with the kitty! We were totally ripped off by our guide who pocketed the kitty himself. At places where we didn't have anything specific to do, he would suggest activities, and charge many times the price that they really cost (knew because I had done India independently previously). We eventually confronted him and he confessed. We sent an email to IT, and they offered to refund the money (to their credit). However, during our confrontation, he had said that this was common among guides with groups, and that he did it much less than others. He ended up offering me his camera if I wouldn't tell IM. My advice: Buy Lonely Planet, and find out how much you should pay for the extras your guide suggests. Don't allow him to tip alone - insist that you are present and can witness the handover of your money to the local guides. Make sure that you see an accounting of your kitty.

lobo · Oct 12th, 2004, 04:15

Phil69

We are getting an overnight train from dehli to pathaknot, then from pathaknot we are getting the kangra railway to kangra mandir which ends up after some amazing scenary (so im told) about 20km from dharamsala.

Gave this a lot of thought and its not the easiest way but we prefer train travel to coach and Im looking forward to the kangra railway.

mercedes10 · Oct 12th, 2004, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by mindi

Warning: As you are travelling with Imaginative Traveller, watch what happens with the kitty! We were totally ripped off by our guide who pocketed the kitty himself.

Our Imaginative Traveller guide couldn't have been more different! He spent all his free time doing extra things with us and never wanted an extra penny for anything. Also, he helped us to buy some things in a shop and after we'd left he handed us 200R which the shopkeeper had apparently given him as commission. He told us if we didn't take it back he would give it to the next beggar as he didn't want it.

The IT tour guides have to keep accounts of how the kitty is spent, and our guide was very open about showing these to anyone who wanted to see them.

Samsara · Oct 12th, 2004, 16:26

Forum leader, can this thread maybe be moved to Delhi section as there are some great tips here for Delhi.

mercedes10 · Oct 12th, 2004, 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by TracyB

So how was the hotel (Jukaso Inn..what was wrong with room 302?)..I will have to remember that because I usually get the worst room!! I was told that room 107 was the best.

I guess I can think of a few questions..Did you have a hard time cashing trav. cheques or cash once you got there?

Would we have time to do Old Delhi and Connaught Place? And how was cuture shock the first day?

How was the rest of the tour? We are doing the Northern India Highlights..
Anything else you can tell me would be great..I am a little nervous, (but excited too of course)

Hi Tracy! Room 302 was still adequate, but it's a bit isolated from the rest of the hotel - on a different floor to all the other rooms. Also, it had a very dodgy door/lock and the air conditioning made a complete racket and was on so strong that we lay in bed with all our clothes on shivering! (ironic in India in the middle of July!). We shifted to a different room the next day! By the way, the Jukaso has internet access if that's of interest to you. We weren't aware of it until our last day there as it didn't seem to be advertised. It was expensive though (by Indian standards anyway!).

Yes, I think you could manage Old Delhi & Connaught Place in one day easily. Depending on your tour leader, he/she might take you out in Connaught Place on Sunday night anyway. Our tour leader was keen on a a place there called 'Blues' - quite Western bar with a dance floor. We chose not to go with our group that night though as for me going to India wasn't about going to Western places. We went to 'sweets corner' (see my previous post) instead.

As for culture shock, I think it's different for everyone, and is very dependent on where else in the world you've already been. I wouldn't say I really experienced culture shock at all - simply because India was exactly how I expected it to be.

I'm sure you'll love the North Indian Highlights tour. The heritage hotel you stay in in Mandawa is just incredible. Other things that I wasn't initially looking forward to - like the overnight train - turned out to be a highlight. It was really good fun! Pity you wont have the same tour leader as me as he was great, and became a good friend who I am still in regular contact with.
Have a fantastic time! I wish I was going too!!

Oct 11th, 2004, 01:33	#1
TracyB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 349	What to Do in Delhi First Day We are arriving in Delhi 1:00 a.m. on Oct. 16th (next Saturday)..We are joining up with a group on Oct. 17th and touring Northern India...What can you guys recommend we do in Delhi on our first day to break us in? We are staying at the Jukaso Inn ( Sunder Nagar if anyone is familiar) I can't believe we will be there in less than a week.!!

Oct 11th, 2004, 08:51	#2
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,125	Stroll around Connaught Place; visit India Gate, Rashtrapathi Bhavan, Sansad Bhavan and Dilli Haat. __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

Oct 11th, 2004, 18:05	#5
vinayverma Maha Infrequent Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 1,302	On 16th, you'll practically have just 2nd half of the day. From Sunder Nagar, you can go to Humayun's Tomb, then moving to Cannought Place and maybe ending up at India gate and having dinner at Pandara Road market (its next to India gate) and 5mins ride to your hotel. __________________ If Life is a journey....travel on...and on..on..on.....

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Oct 11th, 2004, 09:15	#3
unclelach Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: melbourne, australia Posts: 222	The Tomb of the early Moghul emperor Humayun is close to Sunder Nagar. The formal gardens, water courses and fountains have been restored recently using traditional techniques and materials. Other earlier tombs and their gardens are most atmospheric. Humayun's tomb and its gardens are an outstanding example of Persian architecture

Oct 11th, 2004, 10:28	#4
Shannon bunder Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN, US Posts: 152	We took a tour with Namaste India Tours, and it was great - the driver just took us where we wanted, and it was very reasonable. We toured Jama Masjid, Ba'hai Temple, the red fort, Gandhi smriti, etc.

Oct 11th, 2004, 18:44	#7
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	Hey! I stayed at the Jukasso Inn too! Make sure they don't give you Room 302! It's the worst room in the hotel! I guess it depends how you feel as you might not want to do anything too hectic having just arrived. However, if you feel up to it, I would highly recommend taking an auto-rickshaw as far as the Red Fort and then getting a cycle rickshaw to take you on a tour of Old Delhi. This should take in Chadni Chowk (the main street in Old Delhi), the spice market (which is amazing! - make sure you go up to the roof for a spectacular view), Sikh Temple (beuatiful!), Jain Temple (equally beautiful), and lots of the crazy, narrow streets of Old Delhi. We did this on our first day (finishing off at the Jama Masjid), and it was one of the highlights of my whole 3 weeks in India. The attractions in and around New Delhi are much calmer if you don't want to throw yourself into the mayhem of India straight away - but for me Old Delhi was the perfect introduction to India! I loved it! You're not travelling with the Imaginative Traveller by any chance are you? I just know that they begin their tours from the Jukasso. If you are, then New Delhi is covered in their city tour anyway - so all the more reason to see Old Delhi in your free time. It's a travesty that some people on their tours never see Old Delhi at all as it's not part of the organised schedule. By the way, if you go out of the Jukaso, turn left and walk a hundred yards or so you'll come to a restaurant/cafe on your left-hand side called Sweets Corner. It doesn't look like much, but it's fantastic! We ate there regularly and had full meals for the equivalent of about 50p. Also, we never got ill once so it's obviously a 'safe' place to go. Round the corner from it is 'nasus' (or something to that effect anyway!) - it is equally good! Enjoy!!! Have fun! I'm very jealous!! and if you have any other questions about the Jukaso or surrounding area, just ask!

Oct 11th, 2004, 23:21	#8
TracyB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 349	Yes Mercedes we are travelling with Imag. Traveller! We arrive in the middle of the night, so we will have most of the day on the 16th... So how was the hotel (Jukaso Inn..what was wrong with room 302?)..I will have to remember that because I usually get the worst room!! I was told that room 107 was the best. I guess I can think of a few questions..Did you have a hard time cashing trav. cheques or cash once you got there? Would we have time to do Old Delhi and Connaught Place? And how was cuture shock the first day? How was the rest of the tour? We are doing the Northern India Highlights.. Anything else you can tell me would be great..I am a little nervous, (but excited too of course)

Oct 12th, 2004, 02:19	#9
lobo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: london Posts: 431	There is no problem cashing money or travellers cheques, loads of places in connaught place. Old dehli is great, so is the backpacker area of paharaganj. We will be landing on the 18th of october and then onto dharamsala. Keep us posted on your trip, connaught place isnt much of a culture shock old dehli and paharaganj more of a shock.

Oct 12th, 2004, 04:07	#11
mindi Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 55	Warning: As you are travelling with Imaginative Traveller, watch what happens with the kitty! We were totally ripped off by our guide who pocketed the kitty himself. At places where we didn't have anything specific to do, he would suggest activities, and charge many times the price that they really cost (knew because I had done India independently previously). We eventually confronted him and he confessed. We sent an email to IT, and they offered to refund the money (to their credit). However, during our confrontation, he had said that this was common among guides with groups, and that he did it much less than others. He ended up offering me his camera if I wouldn't tell IM. My advice: Buy Lonely Planet, and find out how much you should pay for the extras your guide suggests. Don't allow him to tip alone - insist that you are present and can witness the handover of your money to the local guides. Make sure that you see an accounting of your kitty.

Oct 12th, 2004, 04:15	#12
lobo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: london Posts: 431	Phil69 We are getting an overnight train from dehli to pathaknot, then from pathaknot we are getting the kangra railway to kangra mandir which ends up after some amazing scenary (so im told) about 20km from dharamsala. Gave this a lot of thought and its not the easiest way but we prefer train travel to coach and Im looking forward to the kangra railway.

Oct 12th, 2004, 16:26	#14
Samsara Sentient Being Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 507	Forum leader, can this thread maybe be moved to Delhi section as there are some great tips here for Delhi.

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