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The age-old question: best time allocation in short trip?

The age-old question: best time allocation in short trip?

Old Sep 2nd, 2014, 06:29 PM
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The age-old question: best time allocation in short trip?

Hi,
We've got about a week to spend in India following a two-week cruise that disembarks in Mumbai ( Kerala and Mangalore are also cruise stops). I'd like to see the highlights rather efficiently, since DH is extremely reluctant to spend ANY extra time in India. Of course, the more I read about the place the more I want to explore it.

So, initial plan is to do a 1/2 day sightseeing trip of Mumbai then high tail it out of there and fly to Udapuir for two nights. Then, fly to New Delhi and spend the night. Next morning, drive to Jaipur for two nights, then (actually it will be Easter Sunday) drive to Agra for one night and see the Taj Mahal at night and the next dawn…that day, fly back to New Delhi for a night and depart the country late the next night. I really would like to spend 3 nights in Udapuir and Jaipur, but also would like to see Japan, as described below. The timing of the cities is dictated by when I could fly between some of them, which I'd prefer to do than all road travel. What are your thoughts concerning domestic air carriers….is Air India preferable to Jet Airways or JetLite?

We'll be flying Singapore Airlines into Singapore (LAX/NRT/SIN) for the start of the cruise, (staying 3 nights beforehand) and since the return route would be Delhi-Singapore-Narita-LAX, have decided to fly from Delhi to Osaka and visit Kyoto for 5 nights, then Tokyo 1 night so we can book the return on Singapore Air from Narita to LAX without going back through Singapore again. I've never been to Japan and it should be cherry blossom time when we'd be there April 8th. I think the cleanliness and orderliness of Kyoto in springtime will be a welcome antidote to the heat, dust and cacophony of India, however colorful it all is

Anyway, please advise as to whether I'm really short changing Jaipur, and possibly Udaipur. Don't want to spend 2 nights in Agra, and I'm not that interested in New Delhi either.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2014, 07:21 PM
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Travel in India can be heavy rowing when you want to be there, and considering your husband doesn't, I suggest you go straight to Japan. I assume he does want to go there. Trying to squeeze a number of stops into a few days with a less than enthusiastic travel partner is my idea of hell. Go to Japan, take your time, relax and see more of India another time under more auspicious circumstances.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2014, 07:47 PM
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I'd recommend visiting either Udaipur or Jaipur, not both if time is short. Actually, I'd think about skipping both in favor of a little more time in Delhi and Tokyo.

The lake in Udaipur will likely be pretty dry in April. Jaipur's Amber fort is pretty awesome, but you can see another great fort in Agra or even the Red Fort in Delhi. The astronomy site has a twin in Delhi, and I find Hanuman's tomb and Qtqab Minar in Delhi to be very interesting monuments.

I do not like Air India, and would choose most of the others before them.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 04:12 AM
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MmePerdu,
My husband laughed when he read your response…very sage advice. However, I still want to see some of India! He normally comes around once he gets there….in fact, often enjoys things more than I who tends to overanalyze or critique my earlier choices!

icuy, I was also pondering whether we should skip one of those towns to ease travel…and although I think I'd prefer Udaipur for it's relative calmness and beauty, if the lake isn't great then, and there's more to do/see in Jaipur, and it's easier to get to/from Jaipur, then guess Udapuir should be cut. I'd add a day in Delhi….should a day be added to Jaipur (3 nights) or just head to Japan a day early and add it to Tokyo?

Thanks so much for the feedback…and to all you others whose trip reports have supplied such essential background information.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 06:49 AM
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DH says he does in fact want to see India…think he's just been complaining for effect. But minimizing travel time between places and reducing the number of hotels to check in is desired.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 07:51 AM
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Well, good. If I had to choose Delhi and one more, I'd pick Jodhpur, one of my favorite cities in the world and so different from Delhi. You can fly in, save yourself a ride on the overnight train which might put you both over the edge.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 11:38 AM
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Barefoot -

Sounds like you want to move so quickly that you barely have time to see the sites. IMO - I would want at least a full day in Mumbai with a tour guide, otherwise you won't see anything. Icuy brings up a good point regarding the dry lakes in udiapur. I also agree that you should spend two days in Delhi. There is a lot to see there and we thought the sites were fascinating. Delhi was a real surprise for us.

Jaipur's amber fort was one of our favorites and we enjoyed a few days there. I would suggest driving between Jaipur and Agra With stops along the way to explore the stepping wells (Chand Baori) and the monkey temple (Galtaji) which were both fascinating. We stopped also at the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, although, if time is an issue, you could probably skip that.

If you do get to Jaipur, be sure to ask your driver to take you to the famous lassiwala shop and try a lassi.

It is a shame that you will miss my favorite city - Varanasi! There is nothing like the craziness, the colors and the characters that you will find in one of India's most holy cities. But you would need several more days to include that as well. My husband reluctantly traveled with me to india, but we found it to be one of our most amazing trips. We can't wait to return one day to visit the southern region and perhaps beyond. Whatever you do should be fabulous.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 04:55 PM
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Hi dgunbug, I know you loved Varanais but that wasn't even a consideration for us! We're much too squeamish!
Did you like the Amber Fort more than Jodhpur's? I'm beginning to think I should skip Jaipur and substitute Jodhpur….love "blue" and prefer cities a bit less hectic, and the fort sounds wonderful as well as the local handicrafts.
I agree, we probably should give Dehli a shot, especially since we have to transit through there.
From what I've read, we'll skip Fatehpur Sikri and the Monkey temple….we're not monkey fans.

Re: Udaipur, I'd really love to stay in the countryside at DeviGarh and explore Delware temple and the neighboring village….but haven't checked the rates yet…might be too high. Then, the lake levels wouldn't be a factor.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 05:51 PM
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Funny thing about husbands, I had to drag mine to India too, but now he's keen to return.

I'd agree with MmePerdu about Jodphur, we found it much easier to get around, it's a smaller city area than Jaipur. If you choose Jodphur, don't miss the market !
It's difficult to compare the two forts, they are vastly different and impressive in their own ways.
Meranghar (sp) in Jodphur has brilliant views over the blue city. Amber fort in Jaipur is away from the city and has countryside views, but it is amazing for its walls, reminiscent of the Great Wall.

Merangarh is compact, has a lift to the top, many museum type room exhibits like palanquins and weaponry, and over the top decoration from the day. It's easy to start at the top then work your way back to the ground.

Amber fort covers a lot more area, more walking less stairs. It is beautiful though, and we had a guide who transported us through time. You can get to the top by elephant or jeep. We took the ele and immediately regretted that decision. Steel hooks, opened wounds, greedy mahout, and it didn't feel very safe.

If you have time to see the fort in Agra, (which has views to the Taj and wraps some historical content) then I would skip the Red Fort in Delhi. We found them similar and liked Agra better.

We really liked Fatepuhr Sikri, but we had more time than you. Don't like monkeys either.

Happy days !
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 06:32 PM
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Regarding Jodhpur, in case you need another reason, it's the antique furniture capital of India. I'd looked for an interesting bed before I left home and determined my budget for one, if I could find one, would be $1000. After visiting warehouses full of colonial era pieces, I found a bed I loved, it was $400 plus $600 to have it flown home by FedEx, less than it would have been by sea without a container-full. I've never been sorry and sleep in it every night.

Another thing I love about Jodhpur is the fact that it has the fort looming above the city. It's lit at night and if you're lucky enough to find a place to stay in the old "blue" city with a roof terrace, the fort is glorious above you while eating or having a beer on the roof below. The first time I visited I stayed in a heritage hotel, not in the old city. I loved it, but it wasn't until I came back and tried a different sort of place, and found out what I'd missed the first time.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 06:56 PM
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Barefoot - we enjoyed jodhpur as much as Jaipur and looking back at our pictures this evening, I may even have to say that I preferred the fort in jodhpur. I don't think there is any right or wrong answer though. Wherever you end up in India, your experience will be special as it is unlike any other place I have been to.

As for the monkey temple, it is not just about monkeys running around. The grounds and temples are beautiful and it is a special place where people go to bathe and pray. The monkeys were not aggressive at all and we had a very pleasant experience there. Both this temple and the stepping wells are very unique.
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Old Sep 4th, 2014, 03:57 AM
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You all are making me want to spend more time in India to see it at a more leisurely pace. And we could, if we cut out almost the week in Kyoto afterwards. I just have the gut feeling that about a week, maybe a couple of days more, is about all we could take of the negative aspects of India. This would most likely also be the only chance we have to visit some of Japan easily.

Based on your comments, Jodhpur is winning over Jaipur….although I understand that there are a lot more things to see in Jaipur. For those of you who are going there, get the beautiful book published on hand-made paper "Love Jaipur" by Fiona Caulfield, who also did "Love Delhi"….they are full of chatty descriptions of where to stay, dine, shop, and do….felt like its written by a friend. She made me want to go to Jaipur….although my original desire was to see Jodhpur.

dgunbug, you're right, I don't think there is a bad answer….but you know how we like to obsess about planning the near-perfect trip for us.

MmdPerdu, don't think we need any furniture at this point in our lives (downsizing) but thanks for the recom to stay in the old city. I'm looking at Raas, in the old town with amazing views of Merangarh.

sartoric, thanks for your honest comment on the els. Along, with monkeys, I am a bit afraid of elephants….they made me more nervous in Africa than the big cats. But, everyone seems to love the ride so we were going to give it a go. I did read a report of a guide being killed by one of the elephants going up to the fort, but I think they've switched to female elephants afterwards who are less aggressive.
We'll see the Fort in Agra and skip the one in Delhi, since we'll have less time there anyway.

Gonna take another look at changing out the itinerary. Sounds like I can choose Jodhpur over Jaipur without sacrificing too much.
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Old Sep 4th, 2014, 06:12 AM
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Barefoot, my mention of furniture had nothing to do with "need". I too, am at the point of clearing out and what's left I'd like to be exactly what I've always wanted.

Regarding the "negative aspects", I found it was quite the opposite, culture shock immediately followed by a sort of accommodation, accepting how it is. My feeling is, if that process doesn't take place, one cannot stay. But a week, even a few days more, is very little time, doing neither country justice. I know you know that already. Spending what time you have in one would, I think, serve you better.
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Old Sep 4th, 2014, 10:12 AM
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Barefoot - what about adding additional time to your trip and see more of India and a bit of japan? I have to agree with MmePerdu - it doesn't sound like you are doing justice to either place. And you REALLY should reconsider adding in Varanasi. IMO I would spend all of your time in India and save japan for another trip. In the meantime, want to see beautiful cherry blossoms - go to Washington, DC!
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Old Sep 4th, 2014, 11:54 AM
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I agree with the sentiment that you are shorting both Japan and India. I'd say choose one - doesn't matter which - both are amazing destinations in very different ways.
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Old Sep 5th, 2014, 04:24 AM
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Thanks for nudging me towards more time. OK, how does this sound:

Fly BOM to UDR and arrive 3:25p…stay in Udaipur on lake for two nights…then drive to Devi Garh for two nights to enjoy surroundings, visit village of Delwara and Delwara and Eklingji temples.

Drive to Jodhpur for two nights. Drive to Jaipur for 2 nights. ( I get a full day and 1/2 in each place)

Drive to Agra for one night. Leave after viewing Taj for Delhi for 1 night. Leave at 10:45p the next night for Osaka….so get about a day and half in Delhi.

Stay in Kyoto for 5 nights….then fly to NRT and LAX…..no Tokyo. I'm also cutting off a night in Singapore pre-cruise…..we arrive there at 3:30am (ouch!) and have two full days there before we leave.

I may as well see Kyoto on this trip, since we have to go through NRT and I don't expect to go to Japan on another trip.
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Old Sep 5th, 2014, 08:32 AM
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I still believe it's a mistake to move so often and spread yourself so thin. There's nothing to be gained by rushing around to see a larger number of places than seeing fewer places well. There's a pace to India which can be very pleasant when you stop long enough in a location to experience it. My feeling is, if you pick an interesting place to be, whatever your criteria, the experience of India is there and moving to get to 3 places in the allotted time is seeing less, not more because you never settle into the pace and mind-set that comes when you relax into a location.

If the Taj Mahal is a must, go on an overnight from Delhi, do Delhi justice with several days then choose 1 place for the rest. I guarantee, you will not regret it. Unless you never get a feel for the country and then it doesn't matter anyway, no offense intended. Sometimes we just don't. But do give it chance.
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Old Sep 5th, 2014, 09:08 AM
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Thinking about what I wrote above, maybe the feelings one gets from spending time in India are the result of months there. Maybe the best one can hope for from the sort of visit you'll be having is an inkling that you'll want to return. Or, alternatively, that you won't.

I'm not a "monuments" sort of person, although I do enjoy a wander around a beautiful building or museum on occasion. Slowing down, settling in, hanging out are what I do and India is a particularly good place to do them. A quick visit can certainly be reconnaissance for something more. If your itinerary remains as it is in your post above, while I believe you can do it better by slowing down, you may get the urge to do just that on a later trip. It's my firm belief that we find our way by doing it, not by asking someone else what we should do. I think that's a pretty hopeless approach because travel is so personal.
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Old Sep 5th, 2014, 11:30 AM
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thanks Mme Perdu…..I still may combine Jodhpur and Jaipur into one longer visit of 4 nights….or 3 nights and add a night to New Delhi. You're right…I'm the one who has to decide but I do value the input of those who have gone before. I too am not interested in running to see all the 'sights' …I'll probably do one major one per area and then stroll/photograph/eat and shop….mostly, I love beautiful views and atmospheric/artful accommodations.
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