ashiyana

Hi! I need lots of advice....I intend on being in india for 2 months - i want to see as much as possible and spend more time in the places that have more to see. I want absorb the depth of India and see it's beauty - If anyone has any idea on a rough itinerary that would be great..
thanks in advance

jacketwatch

Some advice;
Go in the fall or winter. India in the summer is brutally hot.

2 mos. may be too long for a first time traveler to India. You seem to be enamored by India and in some instances you will experience this. However its a terribly poor country with poverty that is stark to say the least.

Many people travel the golden triangle which is Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. These cities are in the north.

In the south Kerala for its tropical locale has become popular as a tourist destination. You can also consider Goa on the west coast for its locale, culture and food.

India is not for the faint of heart so just be aware. Its not just beauty that you will see.

As with most destinations be prudent. Be careful about what you eat and drink and be aware of your surroundings. I assume you are not a native Indian. Get used to bargaining and be aware that for some you will be a target for inflated prices.

BTW I've been there 6 times and planning a 7th in the fall for a wedding.


Cheers, Larry

MmePerdu

Larry has given you excellent advice. I, also, have been to India a number of times and suggest you might do as I did, start with a couple of weeks with arrangements made by an Indian travel agent which can be done very inexpensively if you ask for
it. It can be independent but with hotel or guesthouse and travel arrangements made for you while you get your bearings. I found it VERY helpful.

I went first to Delhi for several days, then on to Rajasthan, Jodhpur and Jaiselmer. I returned to Delhi and on to Shimla, nice and cool compared to the plains and desert.

On subsequest trips I've been to Kerala & Goa as Larry suggests and in the east to Kolkata, the area around Darjeeling and Sikkim and also to Pondicherry and Auroville which I loved. I can recommend any of these places and have ommitted those I liked less.

I strongly suggest that you don't try to do too much. Two months sounds like a long time but travel in India is best done at a slower pace than you may be used to,I believe. Travel from place to place is easier at a leisurely pace and also, most importantly, one must move slowly to take it in.

thursdaysd

My first trip to India was ten weeks traveling by train, and covering much of the country. You can read my trip report, which will give you my itinerary, here: http://wilhelmswords.com/asia2001/index.html

I recently went back for six weeks, almost entirely in the south, click on my name for my TR.

However, I do agree that India is tough traveling. With two months you may want to arrange a break in the middle. A week on a beach, perhaps, or in one of the hill towns, or an ashram if that is your interest. Personally, while I'm glad I visited Rajasthan I found it very touristy. There are plenty of other areas to visit.

rhkkmk

good advice above.. last year we spent a month in india, starting in kolkata and then travelling west visiting varanasi, delhi, jaipur, udaipur (fab), jailsmer, jodphur, bikner, jaipur and finally delhi again.

hotels tend to be very expensive... try to stay in some havelis or heritage hotels..

go slow---we like 4 days in each place..

bargain for everything...

read my trip reports, click on my name

thursdaysd

"hotels tend to be very expensive" - only if you insist on staying in expensive hotels!

MmePerdu

Indeed. Guesthouses can be clean and lovely and inexpensive. And my preference.