tripplanner001

Thanks for the comments about the visa and for the suggested reading materials.

Kathie, I don't know about the India Mike Forum, but will search for it.

Sartoric, appreciate your information about Kolkata. Kathie's report about her visit there piqued my interest, and given the proximity to Bodhagaya, I thought it could be a logical entry or exit point.

Thursdayd, you're welcome. I'm looking forward to Iguazu along with some hikes at Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. 100 days and counting...

progol

I agree with Sartoric's recommendation for William Dalrymple's books -- I read Nine Lives shortly after our return and loved it.

I can't compare Rajasthan to other parts of India, but we found it to be a wonderful place to explore. Yes, it has a great deal of tourism, but I don't agree that it's overrated -- it is amazing to visit, whether seeing the forts, palaces or places in-between.

I mentioned in an earlier post that we enjoyed seeing the smaller towns -- one of our favorite places was Bundi, where we stopped on our way to Udaipur. A beautiful town with a remarkable palace, fresco paintings that seem as fresh as new, and virtually no other tourists.

I know that I mentioned my trip report from India on your Central Java thread, so if you're thinking more about Rajasthan, you might find it helpful.

By the way, I've moved Central Java (and Bali) up to the top of my list for our next Asian trip, thanks to your trip report!

Paule

Treepol

I mentioned Kolkata as you had listed it as one of your entry points. Where are you flying from? I don't recall Kolkata as being worth a lot of time, and at this stage I don't have it in my 2016 itinerary.

We only had a day there, saw Victoria Monument, spent a pleasant morning at the Botanical Gardens with a 'garden guide' and went to the Hooghly and Howrah Bridge. Spent some time watching families on the maidan before catching the overnight sleeper to Varanasi.

India is a very big country and moving around takes quite a lot of time. In order to cut travel time you might choose Kolkata, Varanasi, tiger reserves, Khajuraho, Gwalior, Agra and Delhi or Delhi, Agra, Gwalior, Rajasthan. Trying to cover the main points between Kolkata and Mumbai under your own steam will be time consuming and tiring.

tripplanner001

Paule, thank you. I did read your report on India and found the information helpful. Bundi sounds like a great place to spend a couple of days, to unwind a bit and to break things up. Glad you found my report on Java and Bali helpful.

Treepol, I hear what you mean about India being a large country. I'm not trying to do half the places I've listed here for my trip, given that I only have three weeks, let alone all. Just trying to get feedback and suggestions to go along with my research to help me narrow down. I will be flying from the U.S. East Coast, either NYC or DC.

Kathie

If you do decide in favor a stop in Kolkata, contact Calcutta Walks. Our two days with them really "made" that stop.

tripplanner001

Thanks Kathie. I will keep Calcutta Walks in mind. Right now, I'm really trying to decide whether to concentrate on West India (Rajasthan) or East India (perhaps Sikkim or Orissa as Thursdaysd suggested) and how it would piece together with the must-dos of Agra and Bodhgaya, and make sure I'm not doing too much as India seems like the place where I would need the time to absorb it all in.

tripplanner001

After batting around ideas, reading and rereading additional trip reports here, and further research, we're leaning more towards some of the more visited parts of India, in part for the sights but also for an easier introduction to the country. Although we're still open to changes, here's what we currently have in mind:

fly into Delhi
4 nights in Delhi
fly to Gaya
4 nights in Bodhgaya, including time for day trips to Nalanda and Rajgir (also thinking about Vaishali but not sure if we'll have enough time)
train to Varanasi
2-3 nights in Varanasi (would 3 be too much?)
fly to Agra
2 nights in Agra
2 nights at Ranthambore
2 nights in Bundi
3-4 nights in Udaipur
fly to Mumbai
3 nights in Mumbai
fly out of Mumbai

It seems like hiring a car with driver could be the way to go between Agra and Udaipur, although we're open to taking the train if it makes more sense.

The overall idea is to hit some of the major highlights, Bodhgaya and the Taj being priorities, and to combine it with places like Ranthambore and Bundi where we will be able to get away from the urban areas.

What are your thoughts? Does this sound reasonable or too rushed?

Thanks.

thursdaysd

I can't speak to the Rajasthan piece, as I went to different places there. I might take time from Mumbai and/or Delhi to slow that part down.

WRT to Varanasi I don't think that's too long. That's what I had, and I could have stayed longer. It will allow you a peaceful afternoon at Sarnath.

For trains, I think I already recommended seat61.com. For planning purposes use cleartrip.com, which is where you will want to buy tickets, for schedules, and also the Indian Railways own website, which should have a route map.

uhoh_busted

That all looks pretty do-able, although I've put away my map to see the drive-ableness between Bundi and Udaipur. You may be at a point where you want to start talking with Indian TAs who can help you with some of those specifics.

progol

We traveled from Bundi to Udaipur last year, and made several stops along the way, taking most of a day for the sights. My notes indicate that the road leaving Bundi was not the greatest, making the trip longer than the mileage would indicate. I'm guessing that without stops, the trip would be 4-5 hours.

One lovely stop we made was at Menal, a small 12th century Shiva temple complex. Really good condition, no tourists around. We were told that there were some erotic carvings but we couldn't find them here. Maybe you'll have better luck. Highly recommend a stop here.

We also stopped at Chittorgarh fort-- a sprawling structure, and one needs to drive from section to section, making it a very long touring experience. Unless you're really committed to exploring every fort, I'd pass on this one.

tripplanner001

Thursdaysd, I would have no problem cutting back on Mumbai; it's included here as it's an international gateway. My thinking behind allocating four nights in Delhi is to help me acclimate to India if needed. Did check out train options although there seems to be limited options between Bundi and Udaipur.

Uhoh, I plan to contact a TA after I return from South America this summer. Castle and King and Legends and Palaces seem to be the recommended vendors here so I'll likely reach out to those.

Progol, thanks for your suggestion of Menal and caution against Chittorgarh. Both you and Uhoh turned me on to Bundi; having a less demanding stop between Agra and Udaipur really appealed to me.