India Trip....

[imhotep]

I'm surprised to hear about the Air India flight. I've travelled to India too many times and I always found that Air India is the best in the country for service and cleanliness. I'm comparing it with IndiGo, Jet Airways (former), Indian Airlines (former) and Spicejet. I've also done domestic flights in India and found Air India the best of the lot.

The customs officers in Indian airports generally look out for indians who carry expensive goods such as designer wear, laptops, phones, perfumes in to the country. I once traveled to Bangalore wearing a MontBlanc belt and the customs guy stopped me. He let me go after seeing my Sri Lankan passport. Indian customs are strict about Indians bringing in expensive goods.

I didn't see Red fort on your list. I'm sure you've visited it too.

Have fun!

Thanks...

I'm surprised to hear about the Air India flight. I've travelled to India too many times and I always found that Air India is the best in the country for service and cleanliness. I'm comparing it with IndiGo, Jet Airways (former), Indian Airlines (former) and Spicejet. I've also done domestic flights in India and found Air India the best of the lot.

The customs officers in Indian airports generally look out for indians who carry expensive goods such as designer wear, laptops, phones, perfumes in to the country. I once traveled to Bangalore wearing a MontBlanc belt and the customs guy stopped me. He let me go after seeing my Sri Lankan passport. Indian customs are strict about Indians bringing in expensive goods.

I didn't see Red fort on your list. I'm sure you've visited it too.

Have fun!

Thanks... I have never flown on any Indian airline before.. My primary preference is SQ. We are taking another AI flight tomorrow to SXR (SriNagar) but it's a short flight.
Our driver drove us around Red Fort but said since we have the Red Fort in Agra in our itinerary, no point in visiting both.
We just arrived back in Delhi.

---

Cant expect more from Indian Air but Indigo (which busted) and Jet were comparatively ok. Business Class in both are small and not as the same SIA or Emirates but good as SriLankan!
If you are planning to to Taj go as early as possible . Hope had watched Slum Dog Millionaire. May be hotels have buses. the only decent one I saw around the area was Redission Blu but that was 5 years ago.
I do not want to go again!

Thanks... We started at 5.30 AM. Stayed overnight at Taj View - IHL SeleQtions - Very good and clean. They upgraded us to a Suite. We hired a driver with an SUV from Delhi back to Delhi till he drops us into airport tomorrow morning on our way to Jammu/Kashmir.
------ Post added on May 31, 2023 at 4:55 PM

 

[The Chairman]

මට නම් ඉන්දියන් උන් පේන්න බැරි එහෙන් මෙහෙන් රෙදි කෑලි පොරවගෙන ඔතාගෙන ඉන්න එකට. උන්වත් දන්නැතිව ඇති ඒකේ තේරුම. කරුම ගෙවනවා. විශේෂයෙන් ඉන්දියන් ගෑනු

that's non of ours (Sri Lankans) business

 

[Miami-Vice]

Have fun!

 

[Dreko Phoenix]

(2)

 

[hasithayad]

bump

 

[imhotep]

What is this bidding mechanism you mentioned?
I was not aware.
Can you share the process? And eligibility criteria?

Indian food is good for max of 1 week, after that it's a pain to eat

Been there multiple times for various lengths

Ammo food


Only good food I had there was (which I'm dying to have again) is Kashmir naan (at Minerva grand Hyderabad)

From the Manage booking you can opt for an upgrade. The bid drops as the flight nears. I never eat Indian food but got no choice now.
The main worry is that we are not used to the bugs in India. Both of us are vaccinated against many pathogens but that's not everything.

 

[Walter White]

TC bro

 

[imhotep]

Did our Airport staff ask you to take off your shoes before the embark?

It's standard... I never wear a belt while flying. But in the US we have the TSA PreCheck and never have to go through this mess in any of the US airports.

 

[S Fetus AKA Pseudo Khan]

It's standard... I never wear a belt while flying. But in the US we have the TSA PreCheck and never have to go through this mess in any of the US airports.

Is TSA PreCheck similar to our $ilk route clearance or have u already tried it?

 

[imhotep]

Today we flew out to SXR (SriNagar) from Delhi. Staying close o Dal Lake. Quite beautiful and crowded. Starting early tomorrow morning to Pahalgam

 

[SupiriKollek]

Mageth Idea ekak thiyenawa India yanna. Set wela Yanna Mokekwath kamathi nane

 

[Alucard_SxE]

went to Goa in April
used indigo
Chennai arrivals sucks but departures & domestic pretty fine
Goa is super chill
both airports are pretty nice, & Goa is like a mixture between Colombo & Galle
Had a good time

 

[ThimalM™]

How did you arrange the air port pick up? I'm also visiting New Delhi 19th this month.

 

[imhotep]

How did you arrange the air port pick up? I'm also visiting New Delhi 19th this month.

Through a friend who visited before and used the same guy. This guy does the complete tour and not pickup only. There's no need for a pickup really. They have an Express Metro easily taking you to Delhi Central. Also there are many taxis available.

We flew into SriNagar yesterday early morning. It's the capital of Jammu/Kashmir, quite congested. Every 10 meters there is Indian CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) armed with guns. Armoured cars all around.
We stayed overnight in the Dal Lake. It's one of the largest lakes in India. Did a Shikara Boat ride. Stayed in a very large Houseboat, For the six of us we got the entire boat, 3 full sized bedrooms, Living, Dining and entertainment areas separate. Operated by an outfit named Wangnoo Sheraton Houseboats.

The view across the lake from our boat.

 

[PHBhagya]

 

[Gwynbleidd]

Nice, post photos when have spare time

Mageth Idea ekak thiyenawa India yanna. Set wela Yanna Mokekwath kamathi nane

yand?

 

[imhotep]

Nice, post photos when have spare time

Today drove to Pahalgam.. Staying at Royal Hillton - Pahalgam. Nice and cool weather. Very comfortable. Mountains around still snow-capped. Town is dusty and a bit stinky with horse droppings on the roads.
All trekking is on horseback. Treks range from 6 km upwards.

 

[Nucleardeath]

Today drove to Pahalgam.. Staying at Royal Hillton - Pahalgam. Nice and cool weather. Very comfortable. Mountains around still snow-capped.

That’s a stunning view. India should be visited with an open mind

 

[Son Goku]

What is the best time to visit Kashmir.
. I want to visit Kashmir and Vallies like Flower Valley and Himalayan Pradesh etc.

how to find good food and clean accomodations.
Did you apply visa directly through embassy?
which vaccines should we take specially for parasites
thanks in advance

 

[Anathai]

Post a thread with a photos aiya, when u back home... safe journey !