Paulo, do you like luxury train journeys? You could consider a few days on the Palace on Wheels - covers a lot of the ground you want to - www.palaceonwheels.com.

roger_jonathan

I read that you were in the north of India in the month of March. Was the weather rather hot?

hi tatersalad,
yes we went in month of march and in the month of march weather is not so hot. Please book all ac room and you can also enjoy the holi festival in the month of march people play with colour. I loved that festival. everywhere you can see the colour.

Itinerary #3 looking good. I have never been to Rathambore but it would be very interesting to run a poll of people who have to see how many saw a tiger - you have to be very, very lucky, I think. Just something to bear in mind if you are not out and out wildlife people.

Kerala is beautiful but I'm glad you've dropped it - another time - Darjeeling too.

I'm just wondering about that drive Agra to Varanasi. It's a long way. Like someone else has said look into taking the overnight train (a) cos it's a better use of your time and (b) no visit to India is complete without a trip on Indian Railways.

Enjoy.

You should definitely spend at least two days in Udapur and more if you are interested in art and miniature paintin.

Also -- do NOT miss Ranakpur -- the Jain temples. I found it more breataking than the Taj and a highlight of my trip.

Paulo59, consider that you do not make more than 30 kmph by car in India. I would definitely not consider driving from Madras all the way to Kerala. Go and visit the temples of Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram near Madras and then fly to Cochin, from where you can explore the backwaters etc all the way to Coconut Lagoon, and then return to Cochin. It will give you a good idea of Kerala, and spare you many many hours on bumpy and slow roads

So what's the deal with Udaipur? One Indian travel agent just told me there was no way to get there and now reason to go there since the lake was dry this year too. Does that make sense?

If the lake is dry don't stay at the lake Palace but Udaipur is terrific-- having nothing to do with the lake.

I agree with Glorialf on Udaipur. I don't know how it developed since, but I was in Udaipur for the last time in February, and the lake was indeed dry then. Not the usual sight.

Thank you for all your feedback to date. I think I have decided on the following simpler itinerary. Can I get your feedback on the following:
1) Suggestions regarding the hotel options I mentioned below. I am trying to stay at a few great places but also control the cost a bit. Also need a suggestion for Varanasi.
2) We want to spend some time seeing the temples, forts, and palaces as tourists but also want a decent amount of time to just wander the streets and shops, sit in cafe's and soak up the culture. On our itinerary where are the best spots for that and can we do that on our own or do we need a guide or at least a driver to do this.
3) Do my travel methods make sense? Other suggestions?

Thanks again.
Day 1: Arrive Delhi evening stay overnight

Day 2: Fly to Udaipur ---stay at Devi Garh or Udai Vilas two nights

Day 3: Udaipur

Day 4: Drive Udaipur to Jodhpur see Ranakpur temples on route --- stay at Umaid Bhawan Palace or Ajit Bhawan Hotel for 1 night

Day 5: Drive Jodhpur to Jailsemer – stay at Fort Rajwada Hotel

Day 6: Jailsemer

Day 7: Jailsemer

Day 8: Drive Jailsemer to Jodhpur to get flight to Jaipur -- stay Rajvilas or Samode Palace or Samode Haveli for 2 nights

Day 9: Jaipur

Day 10: Leave morning to drive to Agra. See Fatehpur Sikri en route, check in Amar Vilas. See Taj at night?

Day 11: Morning Taj then drive to Varanasi or train? – stay 1 night at ____________

Day 12: Fly Varanasi to Delhi late in day – stay 4 nights at Imperial

Day 13: Delhi
Day 14: Delhi
Day 15: Delhi
Day 16: Depart India

Hi,

Last itinerary better. I just wanted to clarify my comment about going to Varanasi on the train. There is no train from Agra, you would have to return to Delhi. However, I still think driving is a bad idea. Have you looked at a map? Any idea how far it is? I thought I'd see if I could find out - and found mapsofindia.com (if that's not the exact URL do a google for "map india" and up it pops!)

It's 577kms. @ 60kph (haha) it's - you can do the sums - at 40kph.....
That is a lot of time in a car to spend one day in the place at the end of the road (which also happens to be one of the most fascinating places in India). And an amazing place to just wander.

If you think again and want to snip a day somewhere I would take one from Jaiselmer. It is special out there in the desert but there's not huge amounts to see and, well, it was "busy" 15 years ago. nuff said.

happy travels

This looks much better. Only suggestion I have would be to cut a day off Jailsemer or Delhi or both and add it to Udaipur or Jaipur. Udaipur is great for walking around which you say you like.

I agree, this is a far better itinerary. From Agra I would fly to Varanasi. There are no fantastic temples to be seen at Varanasi, except of the Buddhist shrine and stupa ruins of Sernath, but Varanasi is a place which you have to LIVE, the river, the atmosphere. Make sure you are there for a very very early ride on the river, and for an evening ride on the river again, when the ceremonies are taking place. I would suggest you arrive in Varanasi in the afternoon, do the river in the evening, do the early morning on the river, spend the day going to Sernath and a couple of minor temples and market areas in Varanasi, and then take a later afternoon flight to Delhi.

There is a train from Agra to Varanasi, because we took it..It is a 12 hour overnight..You arrive in Varanasi early in the morning..Varanasi is fabulous, there is nothing quite like it..We did the early morning Ganges and then in the evening when the ceremonies take place on on the main Ghat..It was amazing...Taking a rickshaw in Varanasi is a trip in itself..Sarnath is not to be missed either..Ranthambore is beautiful, but if i had to give up one part of my trip, I could have lived without it..My favorite was Mandawa, Karauli and Varanasi, but I am sure no matter where you go in India, it will be an experience..It all depends what you run into when you get there!!
I am looking forward to our second trip to India where we will visit Kerala for a couple of weeks coming up in November of 2005!! We travel with a small group tour company called Imaginative Traveller..They are awesome..Only 12 people on the tour...Have a great time!!