dogster

Yup, Indian Airlines is the only one who fly it. Try this: look up a return VNS/KTM/VNS flight. That should give you the info.

You MAY have to go thru a third party to book this flight. Clark is right - not every day. [For some reason I'd thought you'd go DEL/VNS/KTM/DEL - which, and I don't know why, seems to make more sense. But it makes no more or less sense than doing it your way.]

travelaw

Last December, I flew VNS to KTM on the Indian flight ~ and yes, it does the return, KTM to VNS, but it only flies certain days as both Clarke55 and dogster point out. And dogster is also correct ~ you may need to go through a third party ~ I had to book and ticket the flight through a travel agent because I couldn't find a way to do it online.

live42day

Thanks Guys. It may be easier just to change my Varsanasi stay and do as I had ORIGINALLY planned and go from Varanasi to Nepal and then back to to Delhi
I think I will change my room from 303 to 304 if I can anyhow.

I appreciate your help.

live42day

After doing much reading and research on this site, very informative and entertaining not to mention exciting by the way, we are really starting to narrow down our trip for Jan.2010

I had wanted to take trains mostly, but find that for example, to travel by train from Udaipur to Jodphur you must go east to stations close to Jaipur, arrive at 2AM and then hang around until 5AM for the train to Jodhpur. Not what I want to do, so we will fly to some and train to others. We may hire a driver once we are there, we will see how we feel about the roads in India. I just remember fearing for my life in Asia Peru and Tanzania, and perhaps trains and planes are a bit safer. I am a bit of a chicken when it comes to driving hundreds of miles an hour on the wrong side of the road around corners....

Suggested trip as follows.....Advice and critisim invited.

Jan 19, 2010 Leave Vancouver Canada, overnite at airport hotel in London Heathrow, Arrive Delhi 130AM on Jan 22nd
We had wanted to just hang around the airport until an early AM flight to Udaipur but on this site and by all accounts it is not possible, so we will overnight at the Lemon Tree Hotel in Udyog Vihar and then fly to Udaipur in the morning.

Jan 22nd : we will book a lake view room at the Jagat Niwas Hotel for two nights.

Two or maybe three nights here and we will make our way by plane to Jodhpur and explore that area. Will book when we arrive.( we want to have a bit of flexibilty so that if we Love the area we can stay an extra night)

Jan 27th. Train from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer. Three nights at Shahi Palace, view room.
THis is during the desert festival so really excited about that.
One over night camel safari
Jan 31, overnight train to Jaipur, arrive at 6AM Feb 1.

Feb 01 -7. One week volunteering with street kids in a town just north of Jaipur. We stay with a local family for this period.

Feb 8. Fly from Jaipur to Katmandu. Nothing booked for hotels yet.
three nights in Nepal, (is this enough?)

Feb 11. Fly to varanasi. Four nights at the Palace on the river.

Feb 15. Train to Agra. Will stay one night. No hotel booked yet.
I was looking at the hotel Sheela but see as many bad reviews as good reviews. If someone has stayed there lately I would appreciate an opinion of the hotel.

Feb 16, late afternoon train to Delhi. may book Delhi bed and breakfast, (suggestions)
Will do a day trip of Delhi on Feb 17, hire a driver through the hotel no doubt, and leave on British Airways at 1AM on the 17th.

So as you can see our pockets are not quite as deep as some of the posters on this site, I would rather take two good trips every year than one every three. If I stayed in some of the hotels you folks are lucky enough to stay in I could not afford to do many trips at all. I just want a hotel that is clean and safe.

We are also not spending much time in Delhi, by choice. I am concerned that there may be too much air pollution and we would rather spend our time in smaller towns and cities.

If you see anything that I am really missing the boat on please let me know. I am very appreciative of all the wonderful advice on this site and feel that it is of such great service to those of us who have never been to India before. Thanks in advance.

live42day

I meant leave on British Airways at 130AM on Feb 18th.

Jaya

When you book your trains, it is worth the cost to go First Class. Go by train or fly if the road trip is more than a few hours. I also don't like long road trips in India. I also avoid driving after dark outside the city.

When you stay with the local family, still exercise precautions with food and drink at their house and keep your passport and valuables hidden and locked in your suitcase while out of your room (even if you're still at the house).

live42day

Thank you Jaya. Some of the trains only show 2A, not first.
Is that okay for overnight trips? I find that the 1A is not on a lot of trains.

Jaya

Relatives book my train so I only know that it's first class chair or first class sleeper. For daytime train I try to use the "Express" trains like Shatabdi because they have the fewest stops and are given priority on the tracks over slower local trains.

For overnight, look for the name Rajdhani. That should have first class. There are some other Fodorites who have used the trains a lot. Hopefully they'll add more help here.

dogster

hi live: [in haste] I know I said 304 in Varanasi - but it might have been 303. It's the top floor room on the right facing the Ganges. Double check it in Tripadvisor.

There's still some weird stuff in your itinerary. Have you checked the flights Jaipur to Kathmandu? lol.

Why fly Udaipur to Jodhpur? Car, driver. Do it.
cheers

live42day

yes I did check the flights, have to go through Delhi, but it is do able with not too much of a layover.
I will look into a car and driver for that route. Thank you.

thursdaysd

For info and pix for Indian trains, including all the classes, see seat61.com/India.htm.

I tend to prefer 2AC to 1AC. In 1AC you will have more privacy, but also very cold AC, and you'll find you're sharing with government and corporate types who will likely ignore you. In 2AC you're more likely to be sharing with families who may be interested in talking with you. Try to avoid 3AC (used to be the only class Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, but I think that train's been upgraded) as there's not much head-room.

Since 1AC is about twice the price of 2AC, if you're on a budget I'd seriously consider going for 2AC. Take cable locks for your bags - you lock them to straps under the bottom bunks. Note that if you're using backpacks you need to put the side that doesn't go on your back on the floor!

live42day

thanks everyone for your continued help. I will look for that train Jaya.
I did hear about locking my backpack/bags on the trains and have noted that in my packing list. I will definately book 2AC and avoid 3AC.
Did you buy your tickets from a travel agent, or at the train station?

Dogster, I checked with Ramesh at Palace on the River and he said that 303 was the best room so I shall leave it at that.Thanks.

thursdaysd

I used an Indrail pass (I was in India for ten weeks), bought from www.indiarail.co.uk (there's no accredited agent in the US), along with all my reservations. I confirmed the reservations in Kolkata and Delhi. When I changed the latter part of the trip I got the new tickets at train stations, although I think I used a travel agency for one of them, and I would recommend doing that. The ticket offices can get mobbed, although in Kolkata, Delhi and I think Mumbai there are separate, AC'ed offices for foreigners.

But that was in 2001, before you could book online.

live42day

yes, that is what I have heard that buying tickets in the train stations can be a little overwhelming. Another reason that we decided to fly to Udaipur rather than take the train. I figured that the train station in Jodhpur would (maybe) be a little less overwhelming, and we will be a little more used to India by then. Thank you.

thursdaysd

I'm not sure you should wait to buy your tickets until a couple of days before you want to travel! Indian trains are very popular, and can easily sell out in the AC classes. Please read what seat61.com says about it.

live42day

good advice, thank you. I will look into it ahead of time for sure.

dogster

Ahhh, phew - I've been stressing over that room number for ages. 303 it is. Tell him the man Bruno dragged into the Ganges sent you. Who is Bruno? You'll find out.

Glad you can transit thru Delhi en route to KTM easily.

You're right to consider the initial cuture shock of India. Getting to Udaipur is easy, the drive airport to town will have you going 'What was all this drama about Indian roads...?'

Someone will tell you what a pre-paid taxi should cost into Udaipur. An easier option, day one in India, might be to get a car arranged by the hotel for this first transfer. I stayed 6 nights at Jagat Niwas in April. It's a little complicated to get to if your cab criver is not familiar so maybe...

Jagat Niwas is fine. Restaurant on the roof is good. Be aware that all those handsome young men standing around the corridor leading into the hotel may not have your best interests at heart... heh.

En route Udaipur to Jodhpur are some very interesting little boutiquey hotels and a few homestays. It would make relaxed sense to break the drive and overnite somewhere. [BTW a car and driver and overnight will cost you about 2,500 - 3,000 a day].

Did I tell you about this site?
http://www.ezeego1.co.in/

dogster

Before I forget. There's a little travel agent as part of Jagat Niwas. Literally next door. They could organise a car and driver and hotels for the next leg easily, and probably without screwing you over any more than anyone else.

live42day

Thanks Dogster, yes I read your report about Bruno, I am hoping he will be there when we arrive.
Thanks for the tip about the travel agent. I will try to get the hotel to arrange pick up at the airport on the first day.
Okay.....what do you mean about the handsome young men? You have my curiosity up. Do you mean they will be more interested in my husband than me?

live42day

I just checked out that site Dogster, have you used it before?Is it safe? It looks good, thanks. I have been using Cheaptickets.com to check prices, or the individual airlines. The prices on your site are MUCH less. Thanks.