India Itinerary Help
Oct 6th, 2006, 01:01 PM
#1
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India Itinerary Help
Hello,
Can someone who knows something about the area around Delhi help me out with whether this itinerary makes sense? First, we would arrive in the Delhi airport, then take an overnight train immediately to Rathambore National Park, where we will stay for two nights. After those two nights, we would then like to go to Jaipur and spend a night or two. Then, on to Agra for a night or two. Finally, we would spend our last night in Neemranda Fort Palace. Does that make sense from a logistic perspective? Would we have to hire someone to drive us after the Rathambore Park? We can book the hotels ourself, so how can we find someone to drive us and how much should that cost? Could we possibly drive ourselves or is there more of the trip that can be done with train? For example, could we take the train from Rathambore to Jaipur? Thanks in advance for your help!
Cheers!
Can someone who knows something about the area around Delhi help me out with whether this itinerary makes sense? First, we would arrive in the Delhi airport, then take an overnight train immediately to Rathambore National Park, where we will stay for two nights. After those two nights, we would then like to go to Jaipur and spend a night or two. Then, on to Agra for a night or two. Finally, we would spend our last night in Neemranda Fort Palace. Does that make sense from a logistic perspective? Would we have to hire someone to drive us after the Rathambore Park? We can book the hotels ourself, so how can we find someone to drive us and how much should that cost? Could we possibly drive ourselves or is there more of the trip that can be done with train? For example, could we take the train from Rathambore to Jaipur? Thanks in advance for your help!
Cheers!
Oct 6th, 2006, 01:49 PM
#2
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Is Neemranda Fort Palace in Delhi?
Where do you plan on staying in Ranthambore and Jaipur?
It makes sense to hire a driver from Ranthambore to Jaipur - its about a 4 hour drive. It also makes sense to hire a driver for Jaipur - Agra. You will want to stop at Fatephur Sikri (45 minutes outside of Agra) along the way.
Plan on 2, preferably 3 nights in Jaipur (you can do it in 2 nights though) and preferably 2 nights in Agra if you are coming from Jaipur. You can take the train back to Delhi or hire a driver - driving is more convenient - I don't recommend travelling by car in India at night though.
A Delhi-based travel agent can make all of the arrangements for you and save you quite a bit of money on hotels versus going direct. We used Compass Tours and were quite satisfied but there are many others. You can also arrange drivers through your hotel if you would prefer not to use an agent.
Where do you plan on staying in Ranthambore and Jaipur?
It makes sense to hire a driver from Ranthambore to Jaipur - its about a 4 hour drive. It also makes sense to hire a driver for Jaipur - Agra. You will want to stop at Fatephur Sikri (45 minutes outside of Agra) along the way.
Plan on 2, preferably 3 nights in Jaipur (you can do it in 2 nights though) and preferably 2 nights in Agra if you are coming from Jaipur. You can take the train back to Delhi or hire a driver - driving is more convenient - I don't recommend travelling by car in India at night though.
A Delhi-based travel agent can make all of the arrangements for you and save you quite a bit of money on hotels versus going direct. We used Compass Tours and were quite satisfied but there are many others. You can also arrange drivers through your hotel if you would prefer not to use an agent.
Oct 6th, 2006, 05:16 PM
#3
I never had a problem arranging a driver through my hotels. I also used travel agents after I arrived in India to arrange drivers and a few hotels - I just walked in off the street.
Do not drive yourself! And try not to be on the road at night. Much better to take a night train. There are trains from Jaipur to Agra, don't know about Rathambore. Train timetables at http://www.indianrail.gov.in/
Do not drive yourself! And try not to be on the road at night. Much better to take a night train. There are trains from Jaipur to Agra, don't know about Rathambore. Train timetables at http://www.indianrail.gov.in/
Oct 6th, 2006, 07:10 PM
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i am doing almost this same trip except i am not going to the park and i will go the whole way via car and driver....i arranged it through castle and king in delhi....
craig...neemrana is where i am staying my last nite....it is about 2 hours outside delhi...
craig...neemrana is where i am staying my last nite....it is about 2 hours outside delhi...
Oct 6th, 2006, 09:19 PM
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a. Ideally you should stay for a couple of nights in Delhi on your arrival (an absolute must for elderly couples). It is far too exhausting to immediately get on the train to Ranthambore.
b. As you wish to stay at Neemrana at the end, go to Agra first, as Neemrana is on road to Jaipur. You may take the morning train to Agra & after sightseeing in Agra, drive on to Bharatpur & overnight in Laxmi Vilas Palace(44 miles), after doing Fatehpur Sikri. Next morning visit the Bird Sanctuary at sunrise & catch the forenoon train to Ranthambore.
c. From Ranthambore you may drive on to Jaipur (115 miles). Hereon overnight at Neemrana & back to Delhi.
d. It is not advisable for you to drive on the Indian roads. A car arriving from Jaipur shall work out cheaper for you.
e. This is just a casual assessment of the plan & permits of many options.
Very best for your plans!
b. As you wish to stay at Neemrana at the end, go to Agra first, as Neemrana is on road to Jaipur. You may take the morning train to Agra & after sightseeing in Agra, drive on to Bharatpur & overnight in Laxmi Vilas Palace(44 miles), after doing Fatehpur Sikri. Next morning visit the Bird Sanctuary at sunrise & catch the forenoon train to Ranthambore.
c. From Ranthambore you may drive on to Jaipur (115 miles). Hereon overnight at Neemrana & back to Delhi.
d. It is not advisable for you to drive on the Indian roads. A car arriving from Jaipur shall work out cheaper for you.
e. This is just a casual assessment of the plan & permits of many options.
Very best for your plans!
Oct 8th, 2006, 07:54 AM
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Delhi international airport is quite far from the train station - about an hour's drive. I'm not sure getting in and leaving immediately for Ranthambore is the best idea. Esp because safaris are at sunrise and in the early afternoon so you will anyway miss the sunrise one. One option is to overnight in Delhi then take the 8 AM train to Rantahmbore which gets you there at 1 in good time for the 3 PM safari. The next day you can do 2 more safaris then the following day leave for Jaipur in the morning by road, after booking a car and driver. The car driver will take you on to Agra then can bring you back or ideally you should take the train back from Agra as it is fastest. In my mind 1 night in Agra is sufficient. Alternatively you can overnight in Delhi and take the early AM train to Agra, overnight in Agra then by road to Jaipur - either way I'd suggest a minimum 2 nights in Jaipur - then on to Ranthambore 1/2 nights depending on arrival time and how many safaris you want to do, then take the train back from Rantahmbore to Delhi.
