http://www.indiamike.com/india/ India travel discussion forum for advice, sharing photos, chatting, and tips for those traveling to or within India. en Fri, 24 May 2013 03:45:59 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.indiamike.com/india/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.indiamike.com/india/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/himachal-pradesh-f29/kerala-to-himalayas-alone-t196425/ Fri, 24 May 2013 02:55:21 GMT Hey i have a written test to attend at roorkee,uttarakhand on june 2nd. So im thinking of traveling alone to himachal pradesh and visit places like... Hey i have a written test to attend at roorkee,uttarakhand on june 2nd. So im thinking of traveling alone to himachal pradesh and visit places like shimla and malana. Apart from the tourist hotels which are very expensive are there any cheap lodges or rooms to rent to stay for a night or two in shimla and manali . The dates are getting closer and i havnt even checked on the train schedule properly, im kinda worried about the trip since im traveling alone. So any help regarding the place and stay will be truly appreciated . Thanks in advance :) ]]> Himachal Pradesh Vimal V http://www.indiamike.com/india/himachal-pradesh-f29/kerala-to-himalayas-alone-t196425/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/delhi-f19/weekend-trips-from-delhi-t196424/ Fri, 24 May 2013 01:04:50 GMT Hey guys, been viewing the forum for awhile now and gathering up info. Great place you got here.

I'm a 21 year-old student volunteering in Delhi for June and July. I'll be staying in Delhi during the week and visiting someplace each weekend. I've already planned trips to Jaipur and Agra and a long weekend to Varanasi, but I'm still looking for 3 or so weekends to fill.

What are some places you'd recommend that can be done from a weekend in Delhi, leaving on a Friday and coming back on a Sunday. No specific interest or specification for the place, just a city or a sight I should check out for a day or two. Thanks in advance for any help. ]]> India Travel Itinerary Advice jgator http://www.indiamike.com/india/delhi-f19/weekend-trips-from-delhi-t196424/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/indian-visa-and-passport-questions-f9/citizenship-options-for-an-aspiring-renunciate-t196423/ Fri, 24 May 2013 00:17:30 GMT I'm South African, Caucasian male, and I have no family ties to India, nor have I ever been to India. I'm 29, finishing a PhD in engineering here in South Africa, I have good career prospects if I needed to exercise that option.

Yet, my heart burns to run free in the Land of the Devas, to witness the glorious ascents of the Himalayas, smell the ocean air of the Bay of Bengal. There is a flourishing yoga ashram near Puri, and I have a mind to become a monk there. They offer official training and encourage monkhood.

If I want to live in India for the rest of my life, without monetary income, would it be possible and what would be the best approach?

Considering the 12 years out of 14 years of living in India, for citizenship by naturalization, and the fact that I would not meet the requirements for an employment visa, leaves me only with a 6 month tourist visa, if I'm lucky.

I would need to renew this tourist visa at least 27 times to stay in India full time, before I can apply for naturalization, which is a catch-22 since I must have lived in India for 12 months uninterrupted prior to applying for citizenship.

One could do it in half the time according to this:
"A person who is married to a citizen of India and is ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making an application for registration;"

I would not want to consider the marriage route at all, and to have a tourist visa renewed 27 times seems like a stretch, even with money which I would have in short supply.

If I put my monkhood on hold, I could possibly get employment in India.

Are my ambitions doomed to failure, or is there another route I have not considered? ]]> Indian Visa and Passport Questions candycane http://www.indiamike.com/india/indian-visa-and-passport-questions-f9/citizenship-options-for-an-aspiring-renunciate-t196423/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/india-travel-itinerary-advice-f91/itinerary-help-july-2013-a-t196422/ Thu, 23 May 2013 21:32:41 GMT I have two options: 1. Jul 6 Srinagar July 7-14 KGL trek July 15 Srinagar July 16 Phalagam July 17 Phalagam July 18-23 Srinagar to Delhi,... I have two options:
1.
Jul 6 Srinagar
July 7-14 KGL trek
July 15 Srinagar
July 16 Phalagam
July 17 Phalagam
July 18-23 Srinagar to Delhi, Delhi to Kerala (flight obviously)
**What to do here?? Is it worth it?
July 23 to Mumbai and take a car to Malshej Ghat
July 24 Malshej Ghat, evening travel to… for KP
July 25 kalavantin pinnacle
Then travel to murud janjira
July 26 Murud Janjira and back to Mumbai to sleep (New Mumbai or Panvel)
July 27 Travel around Mumbai
July 28 leave for Cairo at 09:00

or

2.
July 5 → fly Udaipur to New Delhi to Srinagar
July 6 Srinagar Dal lake then 1h bus ride to gulmarg sleep in gulmarg
July 7 Sonanmarg
July 8 Pahalgam
July 9 Phalagam
July 10 morning bus back to Srinagar, then fly to Delhi, then flight to Dehardun (DED) then bus to Rishikesh
July 11 Rishikesh
July 12 Rishikesh
July 13-18 Valley of the Flowers
rest the same...


I am leaning more towards option 1. Also I think at that time of year, Kerala is a better option than Goa. But I really want to see the south. ]]> India Travel Itinerary Advice afcjl12 http://www.indiamike.com/india/india-travel-itinerary-advice-f91/itinerary-help-july-2013-a-t196422/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/health-and-well-being-in-india-f2/swimming-in-delhi-t196421/ Thu, 23 May 2013 21:26:05 GMT Hi All, I am interested to learning swimming in Delhi. I have recently shifted to Delhi and I am working here, 22 years of age. I live in Rajouri... Hi All,

I am interested to learning swimming in Delhi. I have recently shifted to Delhi and I am working here, 22 years of age. I live in Rajouri Garden so wouldn't want to travel too much. I checked out on the internet and learned about hotel shangri-la offering swimming classes for 15k for 16 days i.e. mon-thurs every week and there's another 'aqua swimming institute' which offers to but in a minimal price for two months.

Can anybody suggest me which would be good in delhi provided it's not too crowded and is open after 6pm and hygienic and has got good trainers.

Thanks! ]]> Health and Well Being in India Raktim http://www.indiamike.com/india/health-and-well-being-in-india-f2/swimming-in-delhi-t196421/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/goa-f23/walking-from-goa-to-gokarna-t196419/ Thu, 23 May 2013 19:18:10 GMT any keen walkers done it?im thinking about walking the full coast of goa to gokarna on my next trip to india.it looks quite possible to keep walking... any keen walkers done it?im thinking about walking the full coast of goa to gokarna on my next trip to india.it looks quite possible to keep walking along the coastline n maybe getting tuk tuk to next beach if need be.is it possible to do walking down the coast? ]]> Goa chrismoh http://www.indiamike.com/india/goa-f23/walking-from-goa-to-gokarna-t196419/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/himachal-pradesh-f29/dharamkot-for-a-single-woman-loads-of-questions-t196418/ Thu, 23 May 2013 19:10:36 GMT Hello people of Indiamike!

(Just realised what the "single woman" sounds like - not a personal ad, folks, just a lone woman traveller here. Oops. >>; )

I was planning a 10 day trip to McLeodganj (timed around a 2 day meditation workshop at the Tushita center) and found that most of the "old reliable" hotels I know of in McLeodganj are booked through July... So have now elected to stay in Dharamkot in the Kamal Guesthouse. Never having been to Dharamkot, I have a lot of questions.

So first of, safety - Is this place safe as it sounds or am I being silly? Should I be armed with pepper spray or something? What should I be avoiding or not avoiding?

Secondly, about the Buddha Hall and Amit Reiki centers -- does anyone have experiences with their first level courses? I am really interested, but want to be sure they're ... good at their courses. So if anyone has some perspective on this, that would be awesome.

Thirdly, are there other short healing courses? Or even a practitioner of accupuncture or something?

Fourth, the trek to Triund - am dying to do it, but I have all these stories in my head about travelling and trekking alone... are there groups that go up and come down which are known to be safe? Can anyone recommend anything along these lines? I am open to trekking further too - but just need confirmation of safety.

And ... yeah, any recommendations or thoughts or warnings... or celebrations about the place (it SOUNDS beautiful and I am seeking assurance that it is)... please do comment and feel free!

Thanks a lot in advance!
~Bean Sprout ]]> Himachal Pradesh whatbeanbelieved http://www.indiamike.com/india/himachal-pradesh-f29/dharamkot-for-a-single-woman-loads-of-questions-t196418/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/electronics-in-india-f15/unlocked-iphone-and-data-plan-in-india-t196417/ Thu, 23 May 2013 18:56:19 GMT I have an unlocked iPhone 4S and I want to get a data plan on it for skype. Where can I go, what should I do? Thanks. AFCJL12 I have an unlocked iPhone 4S and I want to get a data plan on it for skype. Where can I go, what should I do?

Thanks.

AFCJL12 ]]> Electronics in India afcjl12 http://www.indiamike.com/india/electronics-in-india-f15/unlocked-iphone-and-data-plan-in-india-t196417/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/india-travel-itinerary-advice-f91/advice-on-golden-triangle-tours-when-visiting-new-delhi-t196416/ Thu, 23 May 2013 18:47:16 GMT Hi. Myself and my wife are flying into New Delhi in March 2014. We want to spend a few days exploring but then want to go on a six or seven day tour... Hi. Myself and my wife are flying into New Delhi in March 2014. We want to spend a few days exploring but then want to go on a six or seven day tour around the "Golden Triangle".




Is it best to pre book this tour before we arrive or wait until we get there? Is there any danger of the tours all being fully booked if we wait until we are there are or are they readily available?




Any advice would be greatly appreciated ]]> India Travel Itinerary Advice Canary boy http://www.indiamike.com/india/india-travel-itinerary-advice-f91/advice-on-golden-triangle-tours-when-visiting-new-delhi-t196416/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/moving-to-mumbai-f101/where-to-play-soccer-football-games-in-mumbai-t196412/ Thu, 23 May 2013 18:04:03 GMT I will be in Mumbai for a month and I was wondering if there are any soccer games in Mumbai that I can go and play. I tried meetup.com but to no... I will be in Mumbai for a month and I was wondering if there are any soccer games in Mumbai that I can go and play.
I tried meetup.com but to no avail.

I can travel anywhere in Mumbai since I am given a car/driver. Its just matter of showing up now. ]]> Moving to Mumbai syerram http://www.indiamike.com/india/moving-to-mumbai-f101/where-to-play-soccer-football-games-in-mumbai-t196412/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/goa-f23/car-rental-in-goa-t196410/ Thu, 23 May 2013 17:11:50 GMT Hello, I wanted a cheap place for car rental in Goa!! I have searched the internet and found goacars.in but they are asking about 1500 per day for... Hello,
I wanted a cheap place for car rental in Goa!!
I have searched the internet and found goacars.in but they are asking about 1500 per day for Santro
I wanted it for around 1000 per day
Anybody knows any cheap places for car rental!!
Your response would be much appreciated!
Thanks!! ]]> Goa Abhi Sharma http://www.indiamike.com/india/goa-f23/car-rental-in-goa-t196410/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/delhi-f19/help-regarding-hotels-lodges-guest-houses-in-noida-t196397/ Thu, 23 May 2013 14:15:46 GMT Hey, hello all. I want to query about lodges in Noida.
I'll be visiting Noida, at this month end. I wanted to know, are there any cheap ladges lodges, hotels or restaurants in Noida sec-32, near staff training college, Bank of India (preferred) or Fortis Hospital.

I searched for this but all are costly, I am searching for one under Rs. 500.

What are alternatives, if not this, staying at Nizamuddin?? ]]> Delhi AK_Pandey http://www.indiamike.com/india/delhi-f19/help-regarding-hotels-lodges-guest-houses-in-noida-t196397/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/uttarakhand-f135/haridwar-badarinath-kedarnath-haridwar-trip-advice-needed-t196390/ Thu, 23 May 2013 12:11:53 GMT Hi I have a plan to travel Haridwar-Badarinath-Kedarnath-Haridwar in 3 days. Please let me know cheap and best plan. I prefer local buses+ budget... Hi

I have a plan to travel Haridwar-Badarinath-Kedarnath-Haridwar in 3 days. Please let me know cheap and best plan. I prefer local buses+ budget hotels.

Thank You,
Sudhir ]]> Uttarakhand Dinkar_Sirsi http://www.indiamike.com/india/uttarakhand-f135/haridwar-badarinath-kedarnath-haridwar-trip-advice-needed-t196390/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/kerala-f39/cochin-places-to-see-t196375/ Thu, 23 May 2013 11:06:18 GMT Hello Friends, We are going to Alleppey and Cochin for 3 days. Along with our family, 2 more friends families are coming. On 30th May we will... Hello Friends,

We are going to Alleppey and Cochin for 3 days. Along with our family, 2 more friends families are coming.

On 30th May we will reach Alleppey and travel in Alleppey House boat (Stay 30th night in Houseboat) ; May 31st morning we will get dropped at Kumarakom. From there we intend to travel to Cochin and see places around Cochin and return back on June 1st night.

So we will be in Cochin from May 31st afternoon to June 1st night. What are the places that you would suggest to see around Cochin?

We have seen Athirapally, Guruvayoor and Munnar. So we intend to see the places in and around Cochin and its suburban only.

Kindly advise the places that can be seen near Cochin.

Thanks in advance for your help and support

Mohan ]]> Kerala mohan2010 http://www.indiamike.com/india/kerala-f39/cochin-places-to-see-t196375/ http://www.indiamike.com/india/ladakh-and-zanskar-f31/need-help-with-the-itinerary-for-ladakh-trip-in-august-t196372/ Thu, 23 May 2013 10:51:16 GMT Hi, We are 5 of us planning to visit Ladakh in August. Following is the itinerary we have thought of:- 10th Aug- Flight to Srinagar 11th Aug-... Hi,
We are 5 of us planning to visit Ladakh in August. Following is the itinerary we have thought of:-

10th Aug- Flight to Srinagar
11th Aug- Srinagar – Kargil
12th Aug- Kargil – Lamayuru+Sham Valley Tour including Magnetic Hills, Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Alchi, Likir, Basgo, Confluence at Nimmu. Nightstay at Leh
13th Aug- Leh Local Sightseeing(Around the city) + Inner Line Permits
14th Aug-Leh – Khardung La – Sumur-Panamik-Hunder. Nightstay at Hunder
15th Aug- Leh – Hunder-Turtuk-Diskit-Leh. Stay in Leh
16th Aug- Buffer Day
17th Aug- Leh – Hemis – Pangong Lake
18th Aug- Pangong Tso – Thicksey – Shey Palace – Leh
19th Aug- Leh-Jammu-Kolkata(By flight)

1. Is this plan feasible? Please suggest any changes if necessary.
2. How can we utilize the buffer day in a better way?
3. If we hire a car from Srinagar to leh, will it be allowed to access all the places mentioned for 12th Aug?
4. Is there any risk in staying overnight near Pangong lake, it being at such a high altitude?

Kindly help me with the answers.
Thanks in advance,
Rahul
:) ]]> rhlknd7 http://www.indiamike.com/india/ladakh-and-zanskar-f31/need-help-with-the-itinerary-for-ladakh-trip-in-august-t196372/