Hi Indiana! I would love to meet you! It's a date. It seems I was advised that Jai, U. and Jod were to much to do in my time frame and that I would spend all the time in the car. Sooo yes I have to decide. I wrote above about the Taj...I HAVE to go. So I can leave Sunday afternoon and fly back to DEL on Friday afternoon the 12th. Soo how to do Sun noonish til Friday is the question. I will read about Ossia.
Waiting for Dog to tell about the nature, temples and palaces I would be missing as I travel to thee bigger cities.
Sooo much to thin about.

You cannot fly from Agra to anywhere but Delhi, so I am a bit confused by your comment that you might “fly to U on Sunday”. You could not fly from Agra on Sunday to anywhere but Delhi. To get to Udaipur or Jodhpur you would have to go via Delhi, and you could not make any connections in the same day, you would have to do an overnight in Delhi, which defeats the whole purpose, IMO. At least not on Kingfisher Airlines. I have not look at Indian Airlines, as their website drives me nuts (as does the airline).

I don’t think Indianapearl was suggesting that you drive from Agra to Udaipur, I think she was perhaps suggesting that you use Ramesh for <i>other</i> portions of the trip, like the drive from Udaipur to Jodhpur. I don’t believe that Indianapearl has done the drive from Agra non-stop to Udaipur – I don’t think anyone here has – and given that it would take 10-12 hours, I think most of us on this site would advise against doing that trip by car.

Otherwise, the suggestion would be to take a night train to Udaipur or to Jodhpur, and then drive between those two and fly back to Delhi from wherever you end up last. You could of course stick with your original plan of driving from Agra to Jaipur. From there you could fly to Udaipur, or drive to Jodhpur. But if you include Jaipur, you would have to give up either Jodhpur or Udaipur, IMO. Between Jaipur and Jodhpur, I would tend to agree that Jodhpur gives the most wow! impact in terms of its fort looming over the city and the blue houses. Jaipur’s fort is quite a bit outside of town and does not dominate the city in any way. Jaipur however has the excellent City Palace museum and other interesting bits like its bazaar in the old town area.

The road between Jaipur and Jodhpur is actually almost all 4-lane highway and while it offers some nice views of the desert landscape, it’s a bit boring, IMO. (Although there will be people and animals along it of course, it is still India; you just won’t be on a small road going through villages.) And you don’t have a lot of time to take side trips off road to see small villages. It is possible to take a train in almost the same time, and perhaps a late afternoon train would work best for you, as you can take a train in the dark while you could not drive (this is if you decide to skip Udaipur and do Jaipur and Jodhpur).

The road between Jodhpur and Udaipur is a bit more interesting (although parts of it are also highway), and you can stop at Kumbhalgarh fort and the Ranakpur Jain temple complex on the way. There are some small wildlife areas as well. An overnight stop somewhere along the road in one of the more remote areas might be interesting. But again, you will have quite a limited amount of time. Read you guidebooks and look at maps. You will have to plan your time carefully. Note that it is possible to see Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur as part of a long day trip from Udaipur, so you do not have to do the drive from Jodhpur just to see them if flying between Udaipur and Jodhpur works better for you time wise, or if you want to skip Jodhpur.

Just to clarify, there is ONE lake in the city of Udaipur. While in a very lovely setting with the city and hills surrounding it, and of a decent size, it is not very large like Como or anything. The lake I think at this point is about half full, but as you would not have seen it as its fullest point, it will I am sure still look quite pretty to you. There are some much smaller lakes in the area, but not any very close to Udaipur. The Arvalli hills are indeed beautiful.

I completely agree that for most tourists on a typical 2-week trip through Rajasthan, getting to Agra can be a pain, esp as most people only want to spend one day there. So it is a lot of travel for a very short time. Whether it is “worth” it or not is up to the beholder, I would say. I happen to like Agra a lot, but many people don’t, which I think is a factor of them not spending enough time in the city. Most people in fact like the Taj Mahal itself. I find the touts funny actually.

hi lisa
here is very good plan for you
arrived in delhi march 5th
6th march take flight to jodhpur
7th march drive to udaipur on the way ranakpur
8th march udaipur
9th march drive to jaipur
10 march jaipur
11th march drive to agra
12th march drive to delhi

I agree with Cicerone about not driving from Agra to Udaipur. We drove from U. to Jaipur, but stopped the night in Shapura Bagh, about half way. The drive from Jodhpur to Udaipur is more scenic through the Aravelli Hills. The drive from U. to Jaipur is not so scenic. We flew from Amritsar (Punjab)to Delhi, then connected to Jodhpur and arrived there mid afternoon. Since you've booked Ram already, perhaps he has some suggestions of routes to take.

I have to disengage from this at the moment. Look at a map. Decide whether you want Ram or not. Either you do, or you don't. Choose. Everything follows from there.

Delhibelly-can't do Agra at the end (12th) because the Taj is closed on Fri so no sunrise possibility.
I think I will take the train to Agra on the 6th Sat. Taj at sunset
Sun - sunrise at the Taj then overnight train to U.
Mon/Tues U.
Wed drive to Jodphur seeing Ranakpur and Kumbahlgarh
Thurs Jodphur see the fort
Fri- 1/2 day in Jodphur then fly to Delhi.

I will use Travelaw's hotel suggestions or dog's for the mahindra's.
Questions-should I engage Ram on Monday in U. or Tuesday? Or wait til Wed for the drive to Jodphur? Would I need him in Jodphur for Thursday seeing the fort? Of course to the airport on Friday.
Dog you mentioned passing by nature, palaces and temples going to the three cities. Want to expound?

Whew- thanks you guys! Any

Lisa: just how do imagine Ram is going to get from Agra to Udaipur? Are you going to stick him and his car in the luggage rack?

Do you imagine he's a magic taxi, able to materialise from thin air in any city you choose when you want him? Do you think he'll just hang around for days, waiting for you? Maybe he will - but you'll be paying for it.

Do you understand that Ram takes tourists on 7/10/14 day trips as their designated car and driver? This is his business.

Do you understand that when you engage Ram in Agra you will be paying his daily rate from then on till Jodhpur airport, then for his return trip to the pick-up point?

Do you understand that when you use Ram as transfer for a morning flight to Delhi that you'll still be paying his daily rate? Which means, lisa, that you'll be paying 3,500 ish for a transfer that will cost you 200 in a taxi.

No, you don't. Cancel him now and give him the chance to find some proper business.

No, I'm not going to expound on 'nature, palaces and temples going to the three cities'. You'll be on a train from Delhi to Agra, you'll be on a train from Agra to Udaipur - at NIGHT. As for Udaipur to Jodhpur - well, I just can't be bothered.

I do wish you well - but you've reduced me to a gibbering wreck. I just have to jump out my 14th floor hotel window now.

Splat!

This is a message from the concierge at the Arnoma Hotel in Bangkok:

A Mr. Dogster, just before he expired on the footpath outside the hotel, whispered this single word:

'Lisa-arrr-ggg-h-h-h-h...'

Then he went into convulsions and died.

Let us hope that Glenda The Good Witch of the East will bring you back to life . . .

I had already checked with Ram. He is fine with picking me up in U. on Mon or Tues. My inquiry was if it was wise to engage Ram while in U. or find a more local driver for the drive to Jodphur. My considerastion is for him as well as myself.
Is it useful to have a driver for a couple of days in U. or while in Jodphur?
I was thinking not but wanted to ask since the most pervasive thing I read on all the posts is near death experiences in all forms and facets while traveling in India.
Dog you confuse me. At 3 am in Bangkok you wax philosophical decidedly from your heart and 24 hrs later you are decidedly not. Have you had your hormones checked? You chastised me for being anal about the first 36 hrs of my trip and then you realized WHY I was asking those questions. Exhaustion/Taj closed on Fridays. I was listening to what was said and evolving my questions per your advice.
Now I simply want to know if I need Ram or if I should look for another driver for the U. to Jod trip? I am a woman alone and all I read is that India is another planet, unlike anyplace I might have encountered in third world countries before. I like car travel for the freedom it allows but it seems that the time frame combined with the distances involved predicate a mixture of transportation modes to turn it out like the dream trip I imagine.
So now if you would like to impart your most helpful wisdom I would be grateful. Namaste.

IP--I don't think it's the rosy-cheeked forces of good that miraculously return Mr.Dogster to us...

I used two different drivers in India and Ram was the second one. I can tell you that he is a great driver and I felt very safe with him. I would use him for the entire trip as he is very respectful and helpful as well. He is used to driving all over Rajisthan and is familiar with Jodphur and Udaipur. It will save you the hassle of finding rickshaws or taxis because you will need them in both cities and travelling alone i think it will be a bonus to have a driver that you are comfortable with and can leave your things in the car with confidence.

Marija: Perhaps a good neurologist???

ok. so I will book Ram to pick me up in U. after the overnight train from Agra and have him drive me to sightsee in U. Mon and Tues then drive to Jodphur on Wed. sightsee there and drive to the airport on Friday.

I am trying to find a train from DEL to Agra mid to late morning 3/6. The schedules I have found only leave in the pm except the very early am trains. I know I have seen others comment on leaving later in the am. Also, I have looked for advice on how to use the train website. Thanks,
Lisa

Are you using http://www.indianrail.gov.in ? If I go to "Trains Between Important Stations" and chose New Delhi, Agra Cantt and "all classes" I see plenty of trains throughout the day.

I agree that the India railway site is a pain to use. Here are some trains I have found. I only listed the faster trains, there are some that take like 5 hours or more, I don’t think you really want those. Most of these go out of Nizamuddin Station in southeast Delhi, so perhaps you were searching using New Delhi station as the departure station:

2648 Kongu Express, departs Nizamuddin at 8:40 am arrives Agra Cantt 11:30 am
2808 Samata Express, departs Nizamuddin at 8:40 am arrives Agra Cantt 11:30 am
0478 Nizamuddin Pune Winter Special, departs Nizamuddin at 8:55 am arrives Agra Cantt 11:50 am
2618 Mangala Lakshadweep Express, departs Nizamuddin at 9:20 am arrives Agra Cantt 12:20 pm
1078 Jhelum Express, departs New Delhi 10:25 am arrive Agra Cant 1:50 pm
2626 Kerala Express, departs Nizamuddin 11:30 am, arrives Agra Cantt 2:25 pm

You might also see if Indiamike.com gives train times, I know it is pretty helpful with advice on using the India railway site. If you want to book, then you may have no choice then to use the official railway site. I often try to get my hotel to buy me a ticket, so if you are overnighting at a hotel in Delhi first, you might try that.

My logic was to find which train I would leave on and then ask for referrals for hotels nearby. The 2626 from Nizamuddin looks good so does anyone know of a decent hotel near Niza station? One that has airport transfers would be good. I will only be sleeping there and heading out first thing so a good 3 star should be alright. I will look back at the posts and start looking for a hotel in Agra.
I have been reading Indiamike but he links to india rail site.
When I tried Thursdays suggestion I only came up with two trains early am and the rest later pm. What am I doing wrong? I had tried the same thing before.
Is there a big difference in hotels near New Delhi or Niza stations? Thanks.

Did you tell it "any class"?

Thursday- thank you. It says first class is not available. Does that typically mean it is full or the train does not have 1st class cars? I'll take the 2808 Samta Express (11:30 am). Do you know how early should one plan to arrive at the train station before departure?

No, on that screen it means that the train doesn't have it. You're taking a day train, you don't need first class (and 2AC is actually fine for night trains) - see seat61.com for loads of info on Indian trains and classes, including pix.

The things you need to do at the station are to find the right platform, and the seating chart for your train, which should help you know where to stand. I'd probably get there about 15 minutes ahead for the train to Agra, but for a first timer 30 minutes might be safer. If you're too early you can enjoy the chaos around you.

Any hotel suggestion near Nizamuddin station for just overnight 11:30pm til 10 am before I catch the train?

I booked all my trains on 'Cleartrip.com' and it worked out really well for about the same price. You just have to remember that you cant book until the train stations are open, India time.
I had no problem just showing the conductor my cleartip print out of my reservations.

At Cleartrip the classes 1A,2A and 3A say General waitlist for the overnight from Agra to Udaipur on March 7. I wouldn't want SL class right?
Ugh...it'll throw my timing off if I can't take the overnight train on the 7th.

you are not spending the night on the train so it wont be that long of a trip. am i reading it right that you are going March 4? I see lots of space on cleartrip for March 4th.
Are you sure you are looking when India rail is open? not sure where you are located but google what time is it in India and try your search between 7Am and 6PM or something India time.

sorry, I was looking at your earlier post and thinking you wanted Delhi to Agra.

Well, tourists do ride SL, but they tend to be backpackers. Did you read what seat61.com had to say about it? I didn't do SL, but if it really messed up my schedule I'd might go for it - but I don't stay in posh hotels, either. From www.indianrail.gov.in it looks like there's only one person on the wait list for 1AC, so it might be worth going for SL with 1AC as backup and hoping to move up. You may also be able to avoid the wait list by using the tourist quota - see seat61.com for info on that.

I want to take the train from Del to Agra leaves at 11:30. It does not come up with first class seats but has 2A second class seats. Seat61 says those are benches that fold out to sleeper.
The photo doesn't look very comfortable.
Any idea if this is the class to choose?
Thanks

If it doesn't have 1AC, 2AC is the best there is. I don't remember it being particularly uncomfortable, and how long is the ride, anyway? And you're going to be too busy checking out the view outside, and your fellow-passengers inside, to notice.

Hi Lisa, For a place to stay near Nizamuddin Railway Stn:
www.elevendelhi.com
Only 1/2 kilometer from the Station. I havent stayed there-- read about it on the about.com India website i the discussion of Delhi Bed and Breakfasts.

Thanks Cali. Now cleartrip says there is only 3A seat available on the train I want. Is that pretty awful?

It's only for three hours. When 3AC is configured for sleeping it's a bit short on head room, and a bit bleak. But you're going to be traveling in the middle of the day. You'll have a reserved seat on a rather hard leather bench.

You may want to take your own food and water - I ate the veggie thali served on the trains with no ill effects, but I'd been traveling in Asia for a while by then.

I managed to get a 2A seat. Yeah. Do you know a hotel to recommend?
I will arrive 9:45 pm so will only be sleeping in the hotel then leaving for Agra the next morning.
Would I book airport pick up through the hotel? Should I get the hotel to book transport to New Delhi station for the train?
All I have left to plan now is the hotel in Udaipur. Any recomendations?

I don't remember where I stayed in Agra - you might want to start a new thread with a more specific title for hotel recs. I believe you should book pick up through your hotel, but I doubt you'll have any trouble getting a taxi to the train station.

You don't have to stay in a hotel. You may be better off staying in a homestay in East Nizammudin - close to the station. Try Eleven Guesthouse- 11, Nizamuddin (East), New Delhi 110013, India (Owner Ajay) Quiet guesthouse had excellent, clean and well-appointed rooms and bathrooms. Directly opposite Khan Khanna’s tomb. Good reviewson Tripadvisor. Provides rate sheets for rickshaws to various places. Free internet, TV and bottled water. A shared kitchen for guests to read, use the internet or to make a cup of tea at any time of the day. Taxi to airport Rs400.

I have my trip all booked now. Thanks for all the help. My question now is if it is advisable for me to sightsee in Udaipur for the first day on my own or get a guide from the hotel (Mewar Haveli). I plan to do City Palace and in town sights.

I've lost track of where you're staying in Udaipur, but City Palace is right on the lake front and there's a Hindu temple a short walk away from it. There's a ghat right adjacent to the Jagat Niwas where you can get a boat to toodle around Lake Pichola. You'll need a car to go to the Monsoon Palace.

In U. I am staying at Mewar Haveli which is on the lake. Is it advisable to grab a taxi to the palace and walk to the temple or is it better to get a guide at the hotel before venturing out for the day. It's my 1st trip to India.
I am going to have some salwar kameez made for my trip. Any suggestions on tailors in U.?
Also, I am staying at the Gateway in Agra. Should I arrange for a guide to go to the Taj from here or wait until I check in at the hotel? I will check in and head straight over to the Taj for sunset and want to go back for sunrise the next day.

Why do you want a guide for the Taj? If you do really want one, there are loads waiting outside, and you'll also find people inside wanting to tell you where to stand for the best photos.

Mewar Haveli is on which part of the lake -- east, west, north, south? The majority of sites are on the east end of the lake. If you have a guidebook, check a map to see the locations. The tourist area around the lake is relatively small.

Don't know tailors in U. I got my salwar kameez in Jaipur. Whomever you choose, go first thing, select the fabric, get measured, then pick them up before you leave. If Ram is your driver, ask him to recommend someone. I'm trying to figure out where he joins you in your trip. He's an excellent resource, so don't hesitate to ask him for advice.

You should be able to get a guide at the Gateway or you can pick one up at the Taj itself. The place is swarming with them. If it will reassure you, tell the Gateway in advance that you want a guide pronto when you arrive. By the time we got to Agra, we were tired of guides, so didn't use one. Everything you need to know about the Taj has been written about extensively in guidebooks. It's a beautiful, but uncomplicated in its function.

Remember that there are no gas powered vehicles within a certain distance of the Taj. If you get a guide and driver at the hotel, the guide will stand in line and get your ticket for you, then find an autorickshaw to take you (and him) to the gate.