Another Itinerary Q: 14-days in India

Old Sep 26th, 2008, 06:48 PM
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Another Itinerary Q: 14-days in India

I have the chance to add 14-days in India on the "side" of a nearby business trip in November. I've visited twice before. . .a while ago. . . .but both times were for much longer, free-form trips (7 and 8 weeks).

I have a rough outline of where I want to go, but have 2 more days to "fill." I'd like advice from those of you who have done shorter trips, as to whether I can:

a) fit Varanasi in somehow
b) make a nice side-trip from one of these locations
or
c) add an extra day in one of the places listed

I am traveling with my mother and it's her first visit to India, which is why I am repeating some of the places I have been before. I should note that I do actually really enjoy Delhi, Jodhpur and Mumbai, so I am not looking to change those cities. I am undecided between Udaipur and Jaipur. . .so recommendations would be valued.

Day 0: arrive Delhi in the evening
Day 1: rest day
Day 2: Delhi
Day 3: Delhi
Day 4: daytrip (Shatabdi express) to Agra
Day 5: early flight to Udaipur or Jaipur; day there
Day 6: Udaipur or Jaipur
Day 7: early flight to Jodhpur; day there
Day 8: Jodhpur
Day 9: Jodhpur
Day 10: early flight to Mumbai; day there
Day 11: Mumbai
Day 12: Mumbai

I have a Day 13 & 14, before flying home on the 15th day.

Thanks a lot!


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Old Sep 26th, 2008, 09:36 PM
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Your mom would love to be in Jaipur & Udaipur. Find atleast two days each at these destinations. Btw, your mom & I assume she is an elderly lady, will not enjoy this hectic visit to Agra.
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Old Sep 27th, 2008, 05:54 AM
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Sounds like a great trip.
Udaipur is a better choice..smaller city than Jaipur.
More beautiful, but Jaipur has more sights to see. If you are looking to add 2 more days, why not got to both. Indian airlines used to have a flight Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai.

Varanasi is in a different direction, so more travel time involved, probably have to connect through Delhi.
You did not mention your price range....but if possible, I would try to stay at Lake Palace hotel in Udaipur. It will be a unique and enjoyable experience for your mother. The hotel is situated right in the middle of a lake. Service is extraordinary, and the dinner experience she'll enjoy as well.
Since this is your mother's first trip to India, you are wise to set an easy pace and spend some time in each city.
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Old Sep 27th, 2008, 09:17 AM
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You'd have to go to Varanasi at the beginning. On your itinerary only way to get there efficiently is fly out of Delhi. If it's mum's first time maybe I'd stick with staying and settling in Delhi eh? Unless she's an intrepid gal.

Maybe she's forty five not eighty five. Varanasi is a great place to begin an India trip - but it can be full on - but isn't that what India IS? If she's up for it then stay.

Otherwise bung on a quick flight Mumbai to Varanasi at the end, just for you, no mum - then fly home out of Delhi [?]

Otherwise your itinerary looks fine. Unless you wanna lose Agra. It's all about the Taj Mahal...

I guess you know flights out of Agra will have to be on Kingfisher and have to fly back thru Delhi to Jaipur or Udaipur. Go business class - easier for you and mum.
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Old Sep 27th, 2008, 09:38 AM
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Thanks VP. My mom is 60 and has travelled in Asia and the Middle East before, so I think she'll be able to handle Agra. I wouldn't fill the trip with daytrips like this, but I've been there twice and know I only want to spend one day. Certainly, I include the visit to the Taj and Fort for her more than me.

Thanks Magical. I think your note about Udaipur being smaller is good. Given that we are already spending "city time" in Delhi and Mumbai, that might be a good change of pace. I just checked Lake Palace and it might be worth a splurge. My frugality wouldn't allow that spending for all 14 nights, but that would be a phenomenal treat for us.

Thanks Dogster. I'm going to give some thought to including it at the start. It gives such a different experience from Rajasthan. . ."full on" is a good way of describing it. Is she up for it? Probably. . .but maybe I'll look into a guided walking tour here, to ease us in. . . I definitely wouldn't want to separate from her during the trip, so the last suggestion wouldn't work.

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Old Sep 27th, 2008, 09:50 AM
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Well I reckon she sounds like she's up for it. I'm 59 so she ain't geriatric - not in my eyes anyway lol.

The connoisseurs way to do Varanasi is to go stay at Rashmi Guest House right on the ghats. Room 304. Get Rashi to do everything, transfers, tours, walking, blah, you can eat there, safe, it's a one stop shop. Just lotsa stairs. This ain't 5 star, but it's Varanasi. Other hotels in VNS are outta the zone you want to be in.
www.palaceonriver.com

So think about it. Just juggle a little and you can fit it? But its a trade off given your time - bang for buck I'd say Varanasi over Delhi any time. Fly Kingfisher there and back. Just psyche Mum up.
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Old Sep 27th, 2008, 10:01 AM
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And I note the cheapest room in November at the Lake Palace is a mere US$588 - a night. [that's including the 10% taxes]

Mmmmm. That's a lot.
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Old Sep 27th, 2008, 10:31 PM
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Your plan to include the Taj Mahal is invaluable. Your Mom would love it. To go to India and come away without seeing the Taj is unthinkable!! Shatabdi express to & from Delhi to Agra is set up to do exactly that....visit the Taj on a one day trip.

Just a word of caution....flights in/ out of Delhi in the winter can get delayed, especially in the AM due to heavy fog. This happens more so in late December than in November, so you should be OK.
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Old Sep 28th, 2008, 07:00 AM
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Check the daily Taj Express also. I think it returns from Agra a little later, so gives you a little more time, not so rushed. Or you could go by Shatabdi, and return by Taj or vice versa.
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Old Sep 28th, 2008, 12:44 PM
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So, mom has read a little in the guidebooks and is very interested in Varanasi! Dogster, Rashmi Guest House looks terrific. . .I'm going to e-mail them about availability now. . .adding in Varanasi makes the first part of the trip a little bit "back and forth". . .but here's what the revised itinerary looks like:

Day 0: arrive Delhi in afternoon
Day 1: rest day
Day 2: Delhi
Day 3: early flight to Varanasi; day there
Day 4: Varanasi
Day 5: afternoon flight to Delhi
Day 6: daytrip (Shatabdi express) to Agra
Day 7: Delhi
Day 8: early flight to Jodhpur; day there
Day 9: Jodhpur
Day 10: Jodhpur
Day 11: early flight to Mumbai; day there
Day 12: Mumbai
Day 13: Mumbai

The inclusion of Varanasi does mean dropping a second Rajasthani town. . .but I hesitate to shorten days anywhere else. I technically can fit one more day in the visit, but am not sure where to do that.

Is a day-trip to Shekhawati worth investigating?
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Old Sep 28th, 2008, 12:47 PM
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Thanks magical. . .I'll check out both trains, to see which schedule works best.

I actually enjoyed my second trip to Agra better than my first. . .the Taj and Fort are splendid. . .and once you know what to expect from the rest of the city, it's surprisingly easy to deal with.
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Old Sep 28th, 2008, 03:59 PM
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Have a look at this option Ms Canadienne... think flying to Agra.

go here:
www.flykingfisher.com
Check out Varanasi - Agra flights. Most days out of VNS 13.30 - and in to Agra 17.20

That's got rid of one unnecessary overniter in Delhi.
Ideally you'd think of getting Agra to Jodhpur without overniting in Delhi?
Think about going thru Jaipur. You could do the drive Agra /Jaipur via Fetepur Sikri and then fly Kingfisher 7.00 a.m. Jaipur to Jodhpur.

hey - you got another place and cut two nights you don't need out of Delhi. Am I right? or has the wine kicked in?

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Old Sep 28th, 2008, 04:11 PM
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So:
Day 0: arrive Delhi in afternoon
Day 1: rest day
Day 2: Delhi
Day 3: early flight to Varanasi; day there
Day 4: Varanasi
Day 5: afternoon flight: VNS/via Delhi to AGRA overnight Agra
Day 6: Agra
Day 7: Drive to Jaipur: overnight Jaipur
Day 8: early flight to Jodhpur; day there
Day 9: Jodhpur
Day 10: Jodhpur
Day 11: early flight to Mumbai; day there
Day 12: Mumbai
Day 13: Mumbai

juggle your days you might even get another night in Jaipur.
This is actually less actual travel - lol
do this on Kingfisher. Go First class.
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