India in Six Nights: A Factors-Powered Journey That Exceeded Expectations

Travelling to India has by no means been on the high of my household’s journey bucket record, although seeing the Taj Mahal has all the time been on mine. Sadly, it was not significantly excessive on my husband’s record both, so the journey stayed on the again burner for a while. That modified when my good pal and coworker Rachel talked about that India had lengthy been on her record as effectively.

Once I shared my plans with household and pals, the reactions have been combined. A number of individuals raised security considerations, influenced partially by tales and social media protection that they had seen, whereas others shared private experiences that got here with just a few cautionary notes.

With that context in thoughts, I went into the journey with pretty measured expectations however was nonetheless wanting ahead to it. I’m joyful to report that the expertise exceeded these expectations, and I genuinely loved the time we spent there.

Under is a recap of how the journey unfolded, together with how we travelled there utilizing factors and the place we stayed alongside the way in which.

The Tour

Most journeys, I take pleasure in planning myself, together with transportation, sights, and all of the small particulars in between. For India, nonetheless, there have been sufficient unknowns for me that I most well-liked to lean on somebody with native data and expertise, significantly given the extra security concerns that include travelling someplace new.

Fortunately, Anshul (from Factors, Miles and Bling) shared a contact for Vesna Occasion Crafters, a neighborhood journey and occasion firm. Whereas they have been joyful to rearrange each facet of the journey, we selected to have them deal with solely transportation and guided touring, which allowed us to e book the lodging we needed utilizing factors.

For the itinerary, we settled on the basic Golden Triangle route protecting Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, with the addition of a tiger safari at Ranthambore Nationwide Park. In whole, for 2 individuals, the associated fee for a personal driver and information over our six nights got here to $1,400 CAD. 

There are in all probability cheaper tour firms on the market, however Though decrease price choices exist, the extent of service, reliability, and ease of logistics made this a strong worth total. Certainly one of our guides had beforehand served because the tour information for President Trump and his administration throughout a go to to India a number of years in the past.

We visited fashionable sights and discovered loads about India’s historic previous, together with about Gandhi, its Mughal heritage, and life as a British colony. Memorable sights included our rickshaw journey via Chandni Chowk, one in every of India’s oldest and busiest markets, Humayun’s Tomb, Agra Fort, Amer Fort, and naturally, the Taj Mahal.

Our go to to Ranthambore Nationwide Park was effectively value it. We have been lucky sufficient to identify a three-year outdated tiger casually sunbathing proper in the midst of the street. Sightings are by no means assured, nonetheless, and one of the best time to see tigers is usually in Might and June, when the warmth tends to attract them out towards water sources.

In contrast to many safari experiences in Africa, the place sport drives are sometimes included with resort stays, safaris at Ranthambore Nationwide Park are booked individually. Motels within the space are joyful to rearrange this in your behalf, and I’d advocate going via them.

The park is split into ten zones, with Zones 1 via 5 traditionally providing the very best probability of tiger sightings. In accordance with the official reserving course of, zone assignments are dealt with on a primary come, first served foundation, so test when reserving opens.

The Flights

My pal and I didn’t take essentially the most direct or most price efficient path to India on factors. There are definitely less complicated choices, similar to flying Air India nonstop, however this journey gave me a bit extra flexibility than regular.

When travelling with my children, I usually goal to maintain issues as easy as doable and maximize worth, since household journey can add up rapidly. When travelling with my husband or a pal, nonetheless, I’m extra prepared to take a barely extra circuitous route in alternate for making an attempt airways and merchandise I’ve not skilled earlier than. It was additionally good not having to fret about award area for five passengers now and again!

We flew from Toronto to London in enterprise class on Virgin Atlantic for 33,000 Virgin Factors plus roughly $400 CAD in taxes. We have been initially excited to strive the Airbus A330-900neo scheduled for this route, however only a few weeks earlier than departure, the plane was swapped to an A330-300 that includes Virgin Atlantic’s older “coffin” type seats. I didn’t absolutely recognize what that meant till boarding.

Whereas the shortage of privateness was noticeable, the seats themselves have been nonetheless comfy. The meals was common however I did take pleasure in their snack assortment.

From London to Delhi through Muscat we flew in enterprise class on Oman Air for 60,000 Atmos Rewards factors plus $518 CAD in taxes. The lengthy haul phase from London to Muscat was operated by a Boeing 787-9 with Apex Suites, which made for a really nice flight total, though I’d nonetheless rank Emirates and Qatar Airways forward when it comes to the total enterprise class expertise.

On the return, we flew from Jaipur to Abu Dhabi in enterprise class on Etihad for 30,000 Etihad Visitor miles and $360 CAD in taxes, adopted by Abu Dhabi to Toronto in Etihad First Class Residences on the A380 for 115,000 AAdvantage miles and $50 CAD in taxes. This was simply the spotlight of the journey. From the First Class Lounge to the onboard service and eating, and the bathe within the sky, all the expertise was distinctive.

The Accomodation

India is usually an inexpensive vacation spot when paying money for accommodations, however redeeming factors can unlock even higher worth. Primarily based on our factors valuations, each resort keep on this journey represented robust to glorious worth, particularly when factoring in suite upgrades and elite advantages. 

The properties had 4 or 5-star rankings, have been effectively maintained, offered service that was persistently heat and attentive, and the place elite standing went a great distance. At each resort we stayed at, we have been upgraded from an ordinary room to a one bed room suite, and there have been no points including a complimentary rollaway mattress.

In Delhi, we stayed on the Hyatt Regency Delhi for 8,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening, changing a money charge of round $300 CAD. That works out to roughly 3.75 cents per level, effectively above our Hyatt valuation. 

The breakfast buffet featured a beneficiant unfold of each North American and Indian dishes, making it a snug and handy begin to the journey. The Regency Membership offered a heat area to have a drink and the night meals choices have been fairly good.

In Agra, we stayed on the ITC Mughal, a Luxurious Assortment Resort and Spa for 21,500 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening, changing a money charge of over $250 CAD. This redemption got here in at round 1.2 cents per level, which is strong worth for Bonvoy. 

The resort affords lush gardens, spacious rooms, and a calming environment simply minutes from the Taj Mahal. Breakfast included a mixture of conventional Indian and acquainted Western choices.

In Jaipur, we stayed on the Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar for 9,500 World of Hyatt factors per evening, with money charges exceeding $300 CAD. That interprets to only over 3.1 cents per level. 

The property incorporates a putting central courtyard and spacious, fashionable rooms, however what actually stood out was the complimentary afternoon tea. Native artisans hosted hands-on actions, giving friends the chance to strive conventional handicrafts, and Globalist members even have entry to an on-site lounge.

This resort participates within the Hyatt Privé most well-liked associate program which you’ll be able to entry via our in home journey company Prince Assortment. With low money charges, you possibly can rating a terrific deal when you think about advantages similar to a USD 100 property credit score, complimentary breakfast for 2, a one class room improve, and different perks.

In Ranthambore, there have been no good factors redemption choices, so we opted to remain on the Taj Sawai Ranthambore for $550 CAD per evening. Whereas there have been cheaper options obtainable, our rationale was easy: even when we didn’t spot a tiger, we might nonetheless be spending our time at a phenomenal property.

The posh resort included a each day breakfast buffet and afternoon tea, and the room itself was spectacular, full with an out of doors bathtub. We offset the associated fee by redeeming TD Rewards factors earned from the TD First Class Journey® Visa Infinite* Card.

Total Impression

Six nights turned out to be the proper period of time to cowl the Golden Triangle and slot in a tiger safari. Journey between cities can take a number of hours by automotive, though trains can assist cut back total journey time, and journey share choices similar to Uber, Ola, and Rapido are broadly obtainable.

That stated, when you’ve got by no means skilled visitors in a spot like Egypt or Bali earlier than, the driving situations in India can come as a little bit of a cultural shock. Lane self-discipline is unfastened, horns are used consistently, and it isn’t unusual to share the street with cows, rickshaws, mopeds, tuk tuks, and the occasional elephant.

Stray cows, these which have been launched onto the streets as a result of they’ve outgrown their milk-producing years, are in every single place. Regardless of this, we felt very protected utilizing a personal switch all through the journey.

Air high quality may be a difficulty, significantly within the mornings and in Delhi, the place smog may be noticeable. The cities are additionally very densely populated, and it isn’t unusual to obtain curious seems when travelling as ladies with no male companion. Whereas this was one thing I had been warned about upfront, we didn’t expertise any untoward behaviour throughout our journey.

That stated, we have been all the time accompanied by both our information or driver. Our guides suggested in opposition to venturing out on our personal in Delhi and Agra, whereas in Jaipur, they indicated that shifting round independently inside the principle vacationer areas would usually be tremendous.

When it got here to meals, we largely adopted the suggestions of our guides, who introduced us to eating places that have been comfy and vacationer pleasant. These spots usually served a mixture of Indian specialties alongside acquainted worldwide choices. We additionally loved just a few meals at our accommodations.

I used to be a giant fan of the naan and lentil soups all through the journey. The naan specifically tasted noticeably higher than what I’m used to in North America. Meals additionally tends to be spicier than at residence, although most eating places that cater to vacationers will mechanically tone issues down. When you enterprise into extra native spots, it’s a good suggestion to allow them to know upfront when you want a milder spice degree.

Avenue meals is vastly fashionable with locals, however we selected to skip it on this journey. We additionally caught to bottled water all through our keep. Our driver had bottles prepared for us every day, and bottled water was available at all the accommodations we stayed at.

I additionally wish to point out how simple it was to make use of bank cards all through the journey. Most institutions we visited accepted bank cards with out challenge. The primary exceptions have been avenue meals distributors and ticket places of work at vacationer sights, so it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to hold some money in rupees for these conditions.

Conclusion

This six day journey to India ended up being much more pleasant than I had anticipated. I by no means thought travelling with a colleague may very well be a lot enjoyable, and though India was by no means a vacation spot I had severely prioritized, experiencing the Taj Mahal and seeing a tiger in its pure setting firsthand have been actually awe inspiring. The journey felt full with out being rushed.

From a factors and miles perspective, India proved to be a wonderful vacation spot. Flights provided the possibility to expertise premium merchandise, whereas resort redemptions delivered robust worth, significantly when paired with elite advantages and suite upgrades.

By working with a tour firm to deal with transportation and sightseeing, the journey required little or no planning past reserving flights and accommodations, making it a surprisingly easy and rewarding use of factors.