India Itinterary Help Needed
 

Hello!

I'm a single mid-30s female traveler looking to take my first trip to India. I've traveled a lot by myself in Western countries; but this will be a significant step up in terms of challenge for solo travel.

I'm looking to have a trip that will wow me, get me out of my comfort zone(while still being fully safe) and letting me clear my head. I'm trying to see some of the main "first timer" sights, but limiting my destinations so that I have time to rest, see, and experience - not just check a list of places off my list.
I'm also trying to get a bet of serenity in - which is why I have 3 days in Udaipur - does this make sense - is there somewhere else along the way that I should take a side trip instead to get out of the hustle and bustle?

This would be late Feb/early March.

That said, how does this look:
1 Arrive Delhi; 1:30 am --Sleep Delhi
2 Tour New Delhi -Sleep Delhi
3 Tour Old Delhi -Sleep Delhi
4 6am train to Agra; visit Fort; Taj in evening -Sleep Agra
5 Early morning Taj; Drive to Jaipur - See Fatehpur Sikri along the way -Sleep Jaipur
6 Tour Jaipur; Visit Galta JI -Sleep Jaipur
7 Drive to Udaipur -Sleep Udaipur
8 Udaipur/Eklingi and Nagda -Sleep Udaipur
9 Udaipur -Sleep Udaipur
10 Fly to Delhi, during day; fly home evening

Additional questions:
In Udaipur, I'm thinking of doing one of the following: 2 nights in the Taj Lake Palace (not sure I want to pay for a 3rd - potentially put that 3rd night somewhere else in the itinerary?)
OR 2 nights at Devi Garh and 1 night in Udaipur at a moderate hotel.
Any thoughts on which of these is a better idea? I like luxury and rest - but since I'll be alone - is one of these better for a solo traveler?

I'd love to do a bit of yoga/meditation. Is there somewhere along this itinerary that would be a good add for this? Or a specific ashram/practice area to visit?

Am I fool to not visit Varanasi?

Any solo women travelers who have recommendations on a travel agent who made you feel very safe and taken care of?

Thanks!

The trip from Udaipur to Jaipur is long - we broke up the trip by staying at Shapura Bagh. Check a map for travel times. Remember that distances in India are deceiving - it will take you much longer to travel because of the condition of the road and the abundance of animal life as you travel.

Your itin looks fine up though the trip to Jaipur (yo will lov galta ji--it is jsut BEFORE you arrive into Jaipur center, so you can see it on the way from Agra.
I haevnt been to Udaipur yet so cannot comment.

My last three trips to India have been booked with Faith Pandian of Indian Panorama. The first two with my daughter, the most recent solo. I (and my daughter) felt VERy well taken care of on all the trips.

udaipur is fab... i would not waste the extra $$ on the lake palace but would rather stay in one of the havali's at lake's edge.

the drive will take you most of the day ..

I am doing a very similar itinerary except one less day in Delhi, and adding in 2 nights in Jodhpur in between Jaipur and Udaipur. We're spending 4 nights in Devi Garth, plenty of time to both explore and relax at the end of our trip (I hope!)

>>Am I fool to not visit Varanasi?<

I think you'll have enough to see and do with your current schedule that you won't miss Varanasi. Just save it for next time :)

We stayed at Jagat Niwas in Udaipur, a favorite of our dear departed Dogster. It's an old haveli on the edge of the lake.

>>Am I fool to not visit Varanasi?<

We had a similar amount of time and substituted Varanasi for Jaipur - a highlight of the trip. Our guesthouse Suryauday Haveli would be fine for a solo traveler.

>>OR 2 nights at Devi Garh and 1 night in Udaipur at a moderate hotel.<<

I like this combo. DG has yoga and meditation, but is mostly couples and families - Udaipur is a great city, but not nearly as serene as rural Rajasthan. You might want to include one of the other "garhs." Maybe find one between Jaipur and Udaipur.