Another Needy 1st Time Traveller!
 

Visiting India Jan/Feb 07, arriving in Delhi 10.30 am. Returning to UK from Mumbai 3 weeks later and nothing arranged yet for time in between. Thinking Delhi 1/2 nights?, Agra 2 nights? by train, Jaipur 2 nights? by train/fly?, somewhere en-route to Goa for 1/2 nights (not Mumbai) train/fly?. (Would like to see Varanasi but guess distance prohibitive?)Crash out in Goa then spend last 1/2 nights? in Mumbai before return flight to UK. Would like help/feedback on planned itinary & recommended accommodation if poss. Looking for somewhere clean but relatively inexpensive as on a budget - decent guesthouses sound like my kind of thing. Have read many posts but thought I would try for some personalised feedback! Have loads more questions if someone has the time? Many thanks - VHS100

a. Your itinerary will run something like this: New Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Agra – Jaipur – Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur - Mumbai – Goa - Mumbai. This is just a skeleton & a lot of gaps, in-between, can be filled up. Eg. A visit to Ranthambore between Agra & Jaipur, with a night halt at Bharatpur etc.
b. There are a lot of wonderful properties at these destinations to suit all budgets. Infact, the itinerary can be planned keeping in view the budgetary constraints of a traveler.
Hope it helps!

Goa is a big diversion, and you would need 2 nights just to get over the journey. Just 30 kilometres outside Udaipur is a wonderfully-restored fort, Bambora, with a beautiful pool, restful surroundings and trips through local villages. Then only one journey to Mumbai.

Thanks for both responses - great help.Owen - are you suggesting miss out Goa? Also, a) am I better booking hotels in advance via web or b) getting it when I arrive? Nervous of latter as heard stories of scams (riding round in taxis all day to dodgy areas so driver can claim commission).

Hi,
I reckon that you can do better than to hike all the way down to Goa.- It is a 2 and half hour flight direct, more with 1 stop.
The hotels in India are experiencing great pressure, with most showing over 90% occupancy. They do not hold unless money has been received. a company I deal with has prices up to 50% less than walk-in rates. send your requirements either to me, (not for profit), or to [email protected]
I can recommend the actual hotels, if you do not have the names.

Hi again (Fanofindia/vp_singh)
Am currently looking at both your suggestions also wanderlustindia is proving a helpful sight. Lots to digest/plan which I guess will take a few days to re-formulate my itinerary. I'd better get my skates on as flights are booked!
No doubt this will prompt more questions (probably next week) so if you have the time, keep looking out for me please - your help (and anyone else's) is much appreciated. VHS.