DEL/Agra/Rajastan in 7 days
Feb 4th, 2010, 03:05 PM
#41
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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.
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.
Feb 4th, 2010, 10:58 PM
#42
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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.
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.
Feb 5th, 2010, 04:20 AM
#43
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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
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
Feb 5th, 2010, 05:29 AM
#44
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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.
Feb 5th, 2010, 04:27 PM
#46
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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
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
Feb 6th, 2010, 01:54 AM
#47
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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!
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!
Feb 6th, 2010, 02:00 AM
#48
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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.
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.
Feb 6th, 2010, 06:08 AM
#50
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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.
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.
Feb 6th, 2010, 07:58 AM
#52
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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.
Feb 6th, 2010, 08:35 AM
#54
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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.
Feb 9th, 2010, 05:45 PM
#55
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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
Lisa
Feb 9th, 2010, 06:10 PM
#56
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.
Feb 9th, 2010, 06:23 PM
#57
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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.
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.
Feb 9th, 2010, 07:33 PM
#58
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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.
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.
Feb 10th, 2010, 05:06 AM
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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?
