Border Closing Ceremony

Captain Beaky · Sep 14th, 2009, 17:59

Can anybody advise the best place to catch a taxi in Amritsar for the border closing ceremony and best time to catch one.

Also can anybody advise of a reasonable price including waiting time.

thanks

delhiwala · Sep 15th, 2009, 19:19

Ask any hotel in Amritsar to arrange a taxi for this trip, they'll gladly do it.

We were staying at Khurana Guest house very close to the golden Temple, who arranged a Qualis for Rs. 500/- , This included waiting time too.

india is in me · Sep 15th, 2009, 19:41

We were approached by many men who were organizing 4WDs to Atari along the main road to the Golden Temple (can't remember the name of it)... we asked around and booked through a guy who charged us Rs 400. The going price offered on the streets was btw Rs 350-500.. but we went with this guy because he'd helped us find a doctor earlier when we needed it, so we liked him.

We left from outside a shop in the same street, and left an hour before the ceremony was supposed to start - it was starting at 4. We were cautious as we were heading towards our meeting place, but after seeing dozens of others, indians and westerners, we realised that this was going to be a 'legitimate' excursion!

We travelled for about 45 minutes in hellish traffic, with far too many of us squashed into the back of a 4WD.. Once we got there we parked in a random car park, and with little explanation were told to go to see 'it', and be back by 5. We had no idea where we were supposed to go, but it's easy enough, follow all the other indians.. there are SO many who go every night. There's a real buzz.

A few things to keep in mind:
-Don't take much with you - you are NOT allowed to take bags inside the border ceremony, and you are physically searched at least once! You could keep your bag in the car, but wihtout anyone protcting it, I think it's best to leave your valuables at your guesthouse!! Just take a bottle of water, and a camera, and maybe a few rupees for some chai.

-Remember where your 'guide' parked. Our guide didn't speak to us really, and of course didn't come with us to the ceremony - he just drove us.. which was perfectly fine. BUT - it just means that the onus is on YOU to remember where to find the taxi for the return journey!!

-Ask how many people are going to be in the taxi - our guide had TEN people in ONE 4WD - this was terribly unfomforable. TEN 'tourists' plus the driver and the guide. Four people in the back, and six in the boot/trunk. While two of the six in the trunk/boot were kids who sit on their parents laps, the four of us in the back were adults.. and with a normal sized indian couple and me (young female) and my friend (young 6 FOOT female), we simply couldn't fit. So.. I had to spend the whole 45 minutes on my friends lap.. my head was at the roof of the taxi, and both of us were very uncomfortable. If we were larger (we are fairly thin) and with a larger couple (who were a rather thin indian couple) then it would've been impossible to fit, and I don't know what would've happened. Moral: ask how many people they are taking!

Don't get me wrong, it was a wonderful experience, interesting to see, and the taxi ride was quite amusing for the first fifteen minutes... but.. there were a few small things that could've been done better.

I wouldn't pay any more than 500! 400 is a good price for Westerners. Make sure you go to the toilet BEFORE the journey.

Enjoy!

india is in me · Sep 15th, 2009, 19:45

p.s.

I heard that there's a free bus from the Golden Temple, but not sure of this rumour's legitimacy!! If you are on a budget, maybe check it out, or even just keep it in mind.

xintian · Sep 17th, 2009, 14:44

>it was starting at 4
really? Lonely Planet says it "starts around 4:30pm in winter".

is this due to the crowd is so excited that it looks like it starts even before the official ceremony start time?

india is in me · Sep 17th, 2009, 18:45

Oh yes, probably. Sorry it officially probably started at 4:30.. but we were there early and SO much goes on before.. get there the earlier the better... the crowd dances and sings.. school girls perform.. chanting.. etc etc.. and flags are waving and fists are pumping. Also, earlier means you get a good seat. What happens before the ceremony is just as interesting as what happens during it.

delhiwala · Sep 17th, 2009, 19:30

Yes !

Both sides are very charged up.....

Since it's always crowded at Wagah, it's good to go early and get a good seat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by india is in me

...What happens before the ceremony is just as interesting as what happens during it.

Captain Beaky · Sep 17th, 2009, 23:57

Thanks guys

Can you just advise if the prices you have quoted are per person?

trvl_in · Sep 18th, 2009, 00:14

There are day tour agencies located outside the gates of the Golden Temple that offer a seat for 90 rupees, round trip. This includes a couple of sightseeing stops enroute and probably an obligatory shop visit. Well worth it and the shop stop can also be a chai stop or wash up stop instead.

If you want to strictly economize you can take a bus from outside the train station that will drop you one kilometre from the border (15 rupees). From the bus drop you can walk or take a bicycle rickshaw for 20 rupees.

From the border the taxi wallahs are an unsentimental lot and will cite you inflated prices. If you walk away without harsh words they will call out better prices -- I got offered down to 300 rupees. Or you can bargain more quickly by spelling out that you can take the bus for 15 rupees or pay them 300 if they accept. One of them usually will, as the drivers often get one fare only on a day, or no fare at all.

goodfriend · Sep 18th, 2009, 00:21

i went to amritsar last year, we took a taxi for one full day and that included a trip to wagah border, it was an exciting experiance, we liked it so much that we wanted to be there ahgain on the next day, so i approached one of the border safety officer and requested him to make us sit in VIP area and it was so nice of him to agree and said come 30 mins prior to ceremony time, and next day we were there much ahead of sheduled timing, the officer incharged appointed an escort who guided us till VIP are in a very very classy ARMY style, JAI HIND

my advice to you will be, go 1 hr before the sheduled time, cos its a long walk from car park to the ceremony area, choose your place so you could get a nice view of the ceremony, it gets very very crowded later ...

enjoy

JAI HIND

delhiwala · Sep 18th, 2009, 00:26

We paid Rs. 500 but they were for a Qualis as we were a big group...

But trvl_in is right bargain hard... I've heard from other people too that they got it for Rs. 400....

Captain Beaky · Sep 19th, 2009, 05:40

Thanks everybody this has been so helpful.

My issue was that I was quoted 1250INR for a trip in a private toyota Innova by my hotel (there will be four of us).
Anyway I wondered if that was too expensive but if you guys are paying 4-500INR per person to travel in a 4WD then it looks as if the hotel are charging me a reasonable amount for us four in a private car.

Thanks again.

india is in me · Sep 20th, 2009, 11:28

Yes, looks like you have gotten a very good deal! Lucky you

Enjoy

delhiwala · Sep 22nd, 2009, 14:25

Captain Beaky,

Oh No.....

We paid Rs. 500 for the entire vehicle.....

india is in me · Sep 22nd, 2009, 15:21

Whoops! Sorry I realised I misread your post Captain.. I skimmed over it and thought you said Rs 250.. we paid 400 for the whole vehicle too... NOT per person!!

No wonder I was amazed at your quote.

Sep 14th, 2009, 17:59	#1
Captain Beaky Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: England Posts: 14	Border Closing Ceremony Can anybody advise the best place to catch a taxi in Amritsar for the border closing ceremony and best time to catch one. Also can anybody advise of a reasonable price including waiting time. thanks

Sep 15th, 2009, 19:19	#2
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,813	Ask any hotel in Amritsar to arrange a taxi for this trip, they'll gladly do it. We were staying at Khurana Guest house very close to the golden Temple, who arranged a Qualis for Rs. 500/- , This included waiting time too. __________________ Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone. - The Dhammapada

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Sep 15th, 2009, 19:41	#3
india is in me Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 65	We were approached by many men who were organizing 4WDs to Atari along the main road to the Golden Temple (can't remember the name of it)... we asked around and booked through a guy who charged us Rs 400. The going price offered on the streets was btw Rs 350-500.. but we went with this guy because he'd helped us find a doctor earlier when we needed it, so we liked him. We left from outside a shop in the same street, and left an hour before the ceremony was supposed to start - it was starting at 4. We were cautious as we were heading towards our meeting place, but after seeing dozens of others, indians and westerners, we realised that this was going to be a 'legitimate' excursion! We travelled for about 45 minutes in hellish traffic, with far too many of us squashed into the back of a 4WD.. Once we got there we parked in a random car park, and with little explanation were told to go to see 'it', and be back by 5. We had no idea where we were supposed to go, but it's easy enough, follow all the other indians.. there are SO many who go every night. There's a real buzz. A few things to keep in mind: -Don't take much with you - you are NOT allowed to take bags inside the border ceremony, and you are physically searched at least once! You could keep your bag in the car, but wihtout anyone protcting it, I think it's best to leave your valuables at your guesthouse!! Just take a bottle of water, and a camera, and maybe a few rupees for some chai. -Remember where your 'guide' parked. Our guide didn't speak to us really, and of course didn't come with us to the ceremony - he just drove us.. which was perfectly fine. BUT - it just means that the onus is on YOU to remember where to find the taxi for the return journey!! -Ask how many people are going to be in the taxi - our guide had TEN people in ONE 4WD - this was terribly unfomforable. TEN 'tourists' plus the driver and the guide. Four people in the back, and six in the boot/trunk. While two of the six in the trunk/boot were kids who sit on their parents laps, the four of us in the back were adults.. and with a normal sized indian couple and me (young female) and my friend (young 6 FOOT female), we simply couldn't fit. So.. I had to spend the whole 45 minutes on my friends lap.. my head was at the roof of the taxi, and both of us were very uncomfortable. If we were larger (we are fairly thin) and with a larger couple (who were a rather thin indian couple) then it would've been impossible to fit, and I don't know what would've happened. Moral: ask how many people they are taking! Don't get me wrong, it was a wonderful experience, interesting to see, and the taxi ride was quite amusing for the first fifteen minutes... but.. there were a few small things that could've been done better. I wouldn't pay any more than 500! 400 is a good price for Westerners. Make sure you go to the toilet BEFORE the journey. Enjoy!

Sep 15th, 2009, 19:45	#4
india is in me Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 65	p.s. I heard that there's a free bus from the Golden Temple, but not sure of this rumour's legitimacy!! If you are on a budget, maybe check it out, or even just keep it in mind.

Sep 17th, 2009, 14:44	#5
xintian Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: China Posts: 13	>it was starting at 4 really? Lonely Planet says it "starts around 4:30pm in winter". is this due to the crowd is so excited that it looks like it starts even before the official ceremony start time?

Sep 17th, 2009, 18:45	#6
india is in me Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 65	Oh yes, probably. Sorry it officially probably started at 4:30.. but we were there early and SO much goes on before.. get there the earlier the better... the crowd dances and sings.. school girls perform.. chanting.. etc etc.. and flags are waving and fists are pumping. Also, earlier means you get a good seat. What happens before the ceremony is just as interesting as what happens during it.

Sep 17th, 2009, 23:57	#8
Captain Beaky Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: England Posts: 14	Thanks guys Can you just advise if the prices you have quoted are per person?

Sep 18th, 2009, 00:14	#9
trvl_in Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 120	There are day tour agencies located outside the gates of the Golden Temple that offer a seat for 90 rupees, round trip. This includes a couple of sightseeing stops enroute and probably an obligatory shop visit. Well worth it and the shop stop can also be a chai stop or wash up stop instead. If you want to strictly economize you can take a bus from outside the train station that will drop you one kilometre from the border (15 rupees). From the bus drop you can walk or take a bicycle rickshaw for 20 rupees. From the border the taxi wallahs are an unsentimental lot and will cite you inflated prices. If you walk away without harsh words they will call out better prices -- I got offered down to 300 rupees. Or you can bargain more quickly by spelling out that you can take the bus for 15 rupees or pay them 300 if they accept. One of them usually will, as the drivers often get one fare only on a day, or no fare at all.

Sep 18th, 2009, 00:21	#10
goodfriend Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: mumbai Posts: 124	i went to amritsar last year, we took a taxi for one full day and that included a trip to wagah border, it was an exciting experiance, we liked it so much that we wanted to be there ahgain on the next day, so i approached one of the border safety officer and requested him to make us sit in VIP area and it was so nice of him to agree and said come 30 mins prior to ceremony time, and next day we were there much ahead of sheduled timing, the officer incharged appointed an escort who guided us till VIP are in a very very classy ARMY style, JAI HIND my advice to you will be, go 1 hr before the sheduled time, cos its a long walk from car park to the ceremony area, choose your place so you could get a nice view of the ceremony, it gets very very crowded later ... enjoy JAI HIND

Sep 18th, 2009, 00:26	#11
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,813	We paid Rs. 500 but they were for a Qualis as we were a big group... But trvl_in is right bargain hard... I've heard from other people too that they got it for Rs. 400....

Sep 19th, 2009, 05:40	#12
Captain Beaky Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: England Posts: 14	Thanks everybody this has been so helpful. My issue was that I was quoted 1250INR for a trip in a private toyota Innova by my hotel (there will be four of us). Anyway I wondered if that was too expensive but if you guys are paying 4-500INR per person to travel in a 4WD then it looks as if the hotel are charging me a reasonable amount for us four in a private car. Thanks again.

Sep 20th, 2009, 11:28	#13
india is in me Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 65	Yes, looks like you have gotten a very good deal! Lucky you Enjoy

Sep 22nd, 2009, 14:25	#14
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,813	Captain Beaky, Oh No..... We paid Rs. 500 for the entire vehicle.....

Sep 22nd, 2009, 15:21	#15
india is in me Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 65	Whoops! Sorry I realised I misread your post Captain.. I skimmed over it and thought you said Rs 250.. we paid 400 for the whole vehicle too... NOT per person!! No wonder I was amazed at your quote.