Anyone?

Kathie, looks like an interesting tour but it would be at a very rushed pace with several nights sleeping on the train. Seems like some of the parts of the tour are by road (bus?). Your time in Varansasi is less than one day. The same goes for Agra/Fatephur Sikri which is worth a 2 night stay, not half of one day. For most people, a first visit to India consists of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and a fourth location - Varanasi, Jodhpur, Udaipur or a national park such as Ranthambore. Your train itinerary (at a slower pace) seems like a good one for a second trip.

My own feeling is that India is best seen with a car and driver, especially if you want to take photos. Driving is pretty much the same as what you experienced in Sri Lanka - frequent use of the horn to communicate, lots of passing, all sorts of vehicles, animals and people on the roads. Our driver was able to stop for us whenever we wanted to take a photograph. Some of the roads were "highways" (i.e. busy) and some were more rural. Interesting sites on both types.

We took a train (1st class a/c) from Sawai Madhopur after a safari at Ranthambore, about a 6-7 hour trip. We saw very little from the train mostly because the windows were very dirty and because the train was usually moving right along. In first class, we were quite isolated from the other passengers on the train. If you plan to sleep this is probably a good thing but if you trying to experience the Indian culture, it is not.

Thanks for you input Craig, that was much my impression. It seems too rushed, but the choice of Budhist sites is so good...

Go to India with an open mind - after all only 1% of the population is Buddhist with Hindus comprising 80% and Muslims comprising 13%.

Yes, I'm well aware that India is predominantly Hindu. But with the history of Buddhism so entwined in Indian hisroty and with our interest in Buddhism, the trip above (or the idea of it) seemed such a fit.

I spent a couple of weeks in Nepal years ago, the only remaining Hindu Kingdom. Did you know that the king was considered the reincarnation of Shiva? Which made the trauma of the crown prince murdering the royal family all the more traumatic and incomprehensible.

Anyway, whether we concentrate on Buddhist sites or not, India remains on our list of possibilities.

I appreciate your comments, Craig.

i agree with craig's comments...car and take your time....3-4 places max...

now i have read the tour....its not for you!!! no down time...

I agree with Bob. And while you may see a bunch of temples you won't experience anything of the culture or people.

I know you are very interested in Buddhism-- so am I. But last year I spent a year studying the culture and religions of India by reading the texts that define their culture (mostly religious ones). Which means that I read the Hindu texts -- Rig Vegas, Laws of Manu as well as Mahabharata and Ramayana as well as many Buddhist texts. The Buddhist texts became much more understandable because of my Hindu reading and some texts (Ramayana) bridge both religions as well as many cultures. So if I were you I would not discount the Hindu religion when in India.