India Itinerary advice
Sep 30th, 2010, 01:37 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
India Itinerary advice
We are two women in our mid 50s traveling to India January 11-25 from London to Delhi. I have a driver lined up for the trip. I have done research on several forums and I come to you with a few questions for advice. Here is what we are looking at presently--
11 Fly to Delhi, arrive 1:30 a.m. stay in Delhi (we do not want overnight flight)
12 -13 Fly to Jodhpur
14-16 Udaipur
17 Jaipur
18-19 Ranthambore
20 Agra
21-23 Delhhi
24 Fly to London noon flight
Should we eliminate Ranthambore and substitute Jaislamer? Should we eliminate Jaipur? I have read that Jaislamer is a better choice than Ranthambore, so I would like to hear from people who have been to both and might have an opinion to share. Except for the initial flight to Jodhpur (could fly to Jaislamer instead), we will have our driver transport us. I would love to know how far it is from Jaislamer to Jodhpur, Jodhpur to Udaipur, Udaipur to Jaipur.
The Fodors forums have always been of great help to me. I know Craig who posts here and he has been a huge help also. Many thanks for any replies. Thanks.
11 Fly to Delhi, arrive 1:30 a.m. stay in Delhi (we do not want overnight flight)
12 -13 Fly to Jodhpur
14-16 Udaipur
17 Jaipur
18-19 Ranthambore
20 Agra
21-23 Delhhi
24 Fly to London noon flight
Should we eliminate Ranthambore and substitute Jaislamer? Should we eliminate Jaipur? I have read that Jaislamer is a better choice than Ranthambore, so I would like to hear from people who have been to both and might have an opinion to share. Except for the initial flight to Jodhpur (could fly to Jaislamer instead), we will have our driver transport us. I would love to know how far it is from Jaislamer to Jodhpur, Jodhpur to Udaipur, Udaipur to Jaipur.
The Fodors forums have always been of great help to me. I know Craig who posts here and he has been a huge help also. Many thanks for any replies. Thanks.
Sep 30th, 2010, 08:52 AM
#4
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm going in October for the 1st time, and will be flying from Delhi to Jodhpur, then taking a train between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. You can't count on being able to fly to Jaisalmer - the political situation causes it to be closed to air travel much of the time. The train takes close to 6 hours. I'm still waitlisted for one (WL2) but am hopeful there will be last-minute shuffling of waitlisted folks up into confirmed berths. Book early! You can book 90 days out, I believe.
I've heard folks say that Jodhpur and Jaisalmer are perhaps too similar to pack both into a short itinerary, but from what I've read and seen of them in photos, they just really appeal to me.
I've heard folks say that Jodhpur and Jaisalmer are perhaps too similar to pack both into a short itinerary, but from what I've read and seen of them in photos, they just really appeal to me.
Sep 30th, 2010, 10:07 AM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Isn't Rathambore about wildlife viewing? And Jaisalmer is more about culture and history?
I'm trying to figure out how you'll get to Delhi at 1:30 a.m, then fly out. Are you arriving on the 11th - or leaving from London on the 11th?
There is a huge amount of driving in your original itinerary.
Check Google maps for driving times and remember that roads in India are not like roads in Europe. You'll encounter all manner of livestock and human modes of transportation, much of it coming at you in the wrong lane.
I'm trying to figure out how you'll get to Delhi at 1:30 a.m, then fly out. Are you arriving on the 11th - or leaving from London on the 11th?
There is a huge amount of driving in your original itinerary.
Check Google maps for driving times and remember that roads in India are not like roads in Europe. You'll encounter all manner of livestock and human modes of transportation, much of it coming at you in the wrong lane.
Sep 30th, 2010, 10:11 AM
#6
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have been to both Ranthambore & Jaisalmer & loved both but for different reasons. As indianapearl said one is a great cultural destination & the other a wildlife park. Think about which you would prefer.
Oct 1st, 2010, 08:13 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think we will go to Jaislamer rather than Ranthambore.
Now, how is best to proceed with an itinerary of Delhi, Agra,
Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Jaipur. We want to do several days at Delhi at the end of tour, one night Agra is enough. We can fly Delhi to Jodhpur (2 nights), Jaisalmer (3 nights), then how to proceed? Long drive to Udaipur--is there a one night stop in between?
Now, how is best to proceed with an itinerary of Delhi, Agra,
Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Jaipur. We want to do several days at Delhi at the end of tour, one night Agra is enough. We can fly Delhi to Jodhpur (2 nights), Jaisalmer (3 nights), then how to proceed? Long drive to Udaipur--is there a one night stop in between?
Oct 1st, 2010, 08:25 AM
#10
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Remember that you can't fly to Agra. Mucho importante! You'll have to drive from Rajasthan or else Delhi by car which is an all-day proposition.
I'd advise you to print out a map of northern India, then check Google maps to see how much driving time is involved.
I'd advise you to print out a map of northern India, then check Google maps to see how much driving time is involved.
Oct 2nd, 2010, 12:50 AM
#12
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IMHO, spend your New /Old Delhi time at the START of trip, then do the 4 or 5 hour drive from New Delhi to Agra (not an all-day proposition, when we did it-and that was in the midst of loads of traffic!) and take it from there. Fly back at end of trip on connecting flight from one of your Rajasthan destinations--probably udaipur?
My reasoning is that by end of two weeks you want to wind DOWN, not up--and Delhi is NOT the best place to"wind-down" from anywhere!! Thus, i'd plan the return flight to Delhi just as a means to the end of getting the flight back home. That is me...just my opnion based on two trips in Delhi.
My reasoning is that by end of two weeks you want to wind DOWN, not up--and Delhi is NOT the best place to"wind-down" from anywhere!! Thus, i'd plan the return flight to Delhi just as a means to the end of getting the flight back home. That is me...just my opnion based on two trips in Delhi.
Oct 2nd, 2010, 01:06 PM
#14
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmmm...that was in June...so memory of exact times is a bit dulled. We arrived into DEL in the a.m., were picked up by driver, and straight to Agra. We arrived at about 2:00pm. I recall it took 5 hours. I had thought it would be 4 (based on research) but it took longer. We ran into a sort of morning "rush hour" of workers going to their jobs, while we were still in New Delhi, leaving the airport.
(people going to work in busses, trucks, etc).
Also, there was lots of construction on the highways We frequently heard"Getting ready for Commonwealth Games, Madame" but our driver laughed at this rationale-he said it is ALWAYS unpredictable
For the drive back, we left at about noon from Agra, and got back INTO New Delhi at about 4:30 or 5:00--no stops. The traffic was worst between Faridabad and into New Delhi-- construction delays. (I have some funny photos of the resigned looks on neighboring drivers' faces, next to the sign with words something like "building for a better future" )
Hopefully, the major infrastructure construction delays will be gone...but remember what our driver said--don't count on it, or anything else, where drive times are concerned.
DId you book your driver via a website? Hopefully it is someone who is very familiar with your chosen route, and who has been highly recommended. Having the right makes a huge difference in the quality of your trip.
(people going to work in busses, trucks, etc).
Also, there was lots of construction on the highways We frequently heard"Getting ready for Commonwealth Games, Madame" but our driver laughed at this rationale-he said it is ALWAYS unpredictable
For the drive back, we left at about noon from Agra, and got back INTO New Delhi at about 4:30 or 5:00--no stops. The traffic was worst between Faridabad and into New Delhi-- construction delays. (I have some funny photos of the resigned looks on neighboring drivers' faces, next to the sign with words something like "building for a better future" )
Hopefully, the major infrastructure construction delays will be gone...but remember what our driver said--don't count on it, or anything else, where drive times are concerned.
DId you book your driver via a website? Hopefully it is someone who is very familiar with your chosen route, and who has been highly recommended. Having the right makes a huge difference in the quality of your trip.
Oct 2nd, 2010, 01:07 PM
#15
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
p.s. By the way, I am older than you ladies! I traveled the last two trips with my young adult daughter. Having concerned and gently protective drivers who spoke excellent English made a big difference to us.
Oct 3rd, 2010, 10:55 AM
#17
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LOL Indianapearl! Actually, we looked at the drive from DEL to Agra as a chance to sleep--air-conditioned, roomy, reclining seats Innova.
Well, you know how it is...those intentions went astray as there is immediately so much to see and marvel at, scenes from daily life that are so different from what is seen anywhere else. Even the highways, with their ox carts, overfilled trucks, crazy honking drivers, cows, funny road signs, etc etc.
Our brief nap was in the fantastically comfortable ITC Mughal, but we were too excited to sleep for long, and were soon off to see the Fort, and then evening Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River. Back to hotel for dinner and sleep, and after a terrific breakfast, off we went , bright and perky, very early to Taj Mahal.
CTCathy, I envy you the excitement and awe of that first trip!
Well, you know how it is...those intentions went astray as there is immediately so much to see and marvel at, scenes from daily life that are so different from what is seen anywhere else. Even the highways, with their ox carts, overfilled trucks, crazy honking drivers, cows, funny road signs, etc etc.
Our brief nap was in the fantastically comfortable ITC Mughal, but we were too excited to sleep for long, and were soon off to see the Fort, and then evening Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River. Back to hotel for dinner and sleep, and after a terrific breakfast, off we went , bright and perky, very early to Taj Mahal.
CTCathy, I envy you the excitement and awe of that first trip!
Oct 3rd, 2010, 02:35 PM
#18
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We came from Jaipur through Fatehpur Sikri with a "scene" in UP. See my trip report at fodors.com/community/asia/east-meets-west-indiana-to-india.cfm
Not all trips are serene. One should plan accordingly. My spouse is a make-it-up-as we-go-along kinda guy and I'm a plan-everything-ahead-of-time sort of person. How does this marriage survive?
Not all trips are serene. One should plan accordingly. My spouse is a make-it-up-as we-go-along kinda guy and I'm a plan-everything-ahead-of-time sort of person. How does this marriage survive?
Oct 6th, 2010, 10:53 AM
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry I cut myself off.
11. Arrive Delhi/ overnight Delhi
12. Delhi
13. Delhi am/ drive to Agra /overnight Agra
14. Agra a.m./ drive to Ranthambore
15. Ranthambore
16. train or drive to Udaipur
17. Udaipur
18. Udaipur
19. drive to Jodhpur
20. Jodhpur
21. drive to Jaisalmer
22. Jaisalmer
23. Jaisalmer am/ overnight train to Delhi
24. Delhi
25. fly to London midday
I have eliminated Jaipur upon recommendations on another site and I am ok with that. Do you see any pitfalls in this itinerary?
11. Arrive Delhi/ overnight Delhi
12. Delhi
13. Delhi am/ drive to Agra /overnight Agra
14. Agra a.m./ drive to Ranthambore
15. Ranthambore
16. train or drive to Udaipur
17. Udaipur
18. Udaipur
19. drive to Jodhpur
20. Jodhpur
21. drive to Jaisalmer
22. Jaisalmer
23. Jaisalmer am/ overnight train to Delhi
24. Delhi
25. fly to London midday
I have eliminated Jaipur upon recommendations on another site and I am ok with that. Do you see any pitfalls in this itinerary?
