India only once
 

We are two healthy experienced 70 year olds who want to go to India in January. As there are still other places in the world that we have not seen, this will probably be our only trip to India. Because of this we would like to see highlights in both North and South India. We have a moderate budget (approx. $100 per night per hotel) and about 3 weeks to travel. We are more interested in cultural sights than wildlife, hiking and beaches (we live 5 miles from the So. Calif. beaches). So far we have cut down the number of sites in the North to Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Agra, Jaipur (we are in the jewelry business) and Udiapur. We have little knowledge of South India. What would you suggest?

January is the right time to travel in SouthIndia.Weather is brilliant.ranging from 11D to 18 D in the hills & 20D to 30D in the plains.The LP South India is a good guide to start with.Give you a fair insight into you places of interest.Chalk out the plan accordingly.Once you're more specific about the places you like to see(fodorite here are well travelled),you can expect accurate info.
South India is huge-Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,Andhrapredesh.Each has to offer a lot.Do research get back.we'll be happy to plan for you.

This is just to give a general idea of what you can see in the three weeks you have, wishing to see both North and South. It is from a tour planning company i've used twice 9and will use again.

http://www.indianpanorama.in/212best_nth_sth.html

There is at least one other north-south itin on the site, that lasts about 20 days

I'd say 3 weeks is a bit tight time wise, but i also understand that you want to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime trip!

Contact Faith, tell her your idea, your budget, etc, and she'll work something out for you, to your liking, with her advice if it will help you have a great trip.

There are other tour planners mentioned here. This is one i know from personal experience to be reliable and responsible.

Early January is still very foggy and can interrupt your travel (flights and trains are delayed due to poor visibility). Plan for later in January into early February. February itself is one of the best months. The nights are still cool, but the daytime is like a perfect warm and sunny California day.

As we do more and more research, I am wondering if we should go to South India at all. Is 3 weeks too short to do both? Since we will skip wildlife (Saw more moose in my husbands home town in NH than in Alaska) and beaches (live near one in So. Cal.) would much of what one goes to S. India be not so interesting as adding more time to the North?

You will find the names of some very good travel companies located in India in this Forum. They can arrange a fully escorted private tour for you at a very reasonable price and usually for less than a group tour. IMHO, this is the only way to go for you and your wife.
My wife and I (both "senior" citizens) used V P Singh (LegendsandPalaces.com) and we recommend him without reservation. Other companies, such as Castle and Cook, are also recommended in this Forum.
I would be happy to discuss our trip with you. You can reach me at [email protected].

We used Anil at Indovision. We spent around 10 days this year travelling Nepal and the Golden Triangle in India. I second going towards the beginning of February as we JUST missed big travel delays because of weather. Do not miss Khajuraho! We got an itinerary that was so well priced and included all internal air and train etc. as well as hotels and breakfast just for the two of us with private guides/driver. We were met everywhere and with just two people you can wander and stay longer wherever strikes your interest. The company was very willing to accommodate our specific requirements (for example we paid very little more for a larger, more comfortable vehicle..well worth it).

Our open dates are after the guests leave at Christmas about Dec. 28 until we must return to California for business about Jan 26. So we cannot change the dates much.
We are mostly interested in history, culture and the people. I am wondering if a dinner organized by a tour company with a family might not give you a true picture.
In researching, I would like to see Aurangabad and the caves of Mahaballipuram.

I've always thought those prearranged dinners sounded a bit..forced? BUT never having tried it, i cant knock it.
I understand very well your eagerness to see as much as you can, but you're all over the map, literally and figuratively.Every time you open a travel forum or guide book, you will see new things that justifiably entice you in INdia. There's n way to do it all in 3 months, let alone three weeks.
I LOVE the most Southern part of Indai-in the three week trip i took to parts of Kerala, Karnataka, TN. A generalization...but the "vibe" is more relaxed, less crowded, less pushy. I If you are interested in culture, yes, you could love to add a trip down the coast of Tamil Nadu, possibly flying into Chennai and continiung south from there. Are you interested in Hindu Temples and traditions ? There are maginficient and famous ones in Madurai, for example

I don't have any advice as this will be my first time to India too, but as you're in the jewelry business, I'm wondering if you have any insider tips or reputable places for buying fine Rajasthani jewelry in Jaipur or Udaipur? Thanks

We buy all of our semi precious stones in Tucson businesses from all over the world come to sell. It goes from the end of January through Feb 15. There are over 40 different locations in Tucson.
That being said, we have the cards of some of the Indian businesses who sell in Tucson that are located in Jaipur. We want to spend a day in Jaipur checking to see if the prices for the same items are better there of if we should just stick to buying Tucson
We do not buy finished jewelry, but I can let you know if I see any.

Have you seen this trip report? fodors.com/community/asia/travelaw-escapes-the-iz-for-rr-in-south-india.cfm

I'd probably skip Khajuraho and minimize my time in Delhi.

Neither of us can sleep on a plane so we are absolutely wasted when we get to our destination. I figure we need at least a day of relaxing to get over the jet lag which is why I have an extra day in Delhi. My husband has his heart set on Khajuraho (sigh).
Before 9/11 we were planning a trip to Egypt and Petra. We cancelled it and went to Australia because of State Department warnings. We are getting too old to worry about such things or we will never see places we have missed.

Delhi has a lot going on, I personally like staying there for a few days each time I go.

You are correct to allow recovery time from your flight. I also cannot sleep well on a plane. The better hotels will pick you up from the airport (just arrange in advance and re-confirm before you leave here). You might spend more on your first night for a hotel that isn't too far from the airport. Delhi is huge, planning your hotel location can save you a lot of city driving time depending on where all you want to go to in Delhi.

Avoid the morning and evening commute hours in Delhi or you will be stuck in traffic with half a million workers trying to get to and from work.

With 3 weeks North India would be a good bet,probably a few flight thrown in to save time.You also say you're looking at jewellery in Jaipur,probably need some time shopping around.I did buy some jewellery for my sis-in law back home,from a fine lady.Her name is Virina.Her mobile is +919799885116.Not sure if she deals with stones though,but can vouch for the authenticity.
Khajuraho is fantastic,there are flights from Delhi,which you could consider.With Delhi as the base,look at the golden triangle,Uttaranchal,could also include Varanasi.

We traveled to the North of India last year for a month. Like you, we are Senior citizens and very healty and full of energy.
We used Mr.VP Sigh at [email protected] We absolutaly recommend this agency because they planned an extraordinay month for us. We had been traveling a lot for many years and actually used agencies only in India and on our recent trip to Jordan and Syria.
We took every day with a smile and with the question- What wondeful sight will be waiting for us today? never were we dissapointed! We traveled 1800 miles by a fine airconditioned SUV, and with a very careful and wonderful driver. uring our travel we stayed in 14 different hotels. The roads we traveled were in excellent shape and the beauty of India you can see much better when going by car. I could not stop taking pictures of all the wonders I saw on the road. The "road culture" is very unique.
We traveled by air from Delhi to Varanasi, from Varanasi to Khajuraho and from Delhi to Amristar and back.
Since we have a 10 years visa, we shall be going back to see the southern and eastern regions in 2011.
If interested, you can read my report that I posted after our return.
The ideal thing would be to concentrate on the Northern Region since you are going only for 3 weeks.
Please don't hasiatate to ask if you have any further questions.

Nalijo, I would love to read your report. How do I find it? I am hoping to spend 2 weeks in the North and 1 week in the South. I will put Mr.Sigh on my list of possible tour agencies.

Nalijo's report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...who-helped.cfm

Marija, thanks for the reference to Nalijo's report.
Nalijo, the report is a lovely summary of your impressions.Thank you for sharing your passion!
Culd add a few details (even at this late date): specific hotel,. total costs, etc? That would help us all. And i totally understand your love of India. I am currently planning trip #4 ...my head, at least!