We have used Lariam 3-4 times without any issue and it’s a once per week drug though it is contrindicated in people with a history of epilepsy and mental health problems.

I agree about seeing a travel MD or clinic. They would know of the latest updates and what meds are recommended.

Your current "nailed down" itinerary is perfect because you can fly nonstop between Udaipur to Delhi airport. You probably already know the, but want to make sure you don't think you have to drive back!

The itinerary allows you to make some easy and convenient countryside visits that contrast to the cities. Between Agra and Jaipur you can make a a quick and easy detour to Abhaneri village. It has a stepwell (an archaeology dig was happening while was there) , a small palace (which was in its own way more fun that the huge one in Jaipur) and a small village area. I was there 3 yrs go-- no other tourists. It will be nice way to break the 5 hour or so trip between Agra and Jaipur, and arriving into Jaipur in the evening, you'll still have two full days to explore the town. While in Jaipur, don't miss the Monkey Temple (Galta -ji) on the town's outskirts. It's not on all standard Jaipur itineraries but for me, was a highlight.

In Udaipur, perhaps make a half day to visit to the nearby villages of Delwara, which has a community program and walk. (I think they can arrange pick up from your hotel.) It will be a nice contrast to the city, which is beautiful but super-busy and full of "buy buy buy" pressure disguised under smiles. I didn't do this village visit (was at end of trip and was in a veg-out mood) but met someone who loved it.
http://www.sevamandir.org/walk

Carry-on bag: I use a standard wheeled suitcase which fits overhead, and had no problem with it on any domestic Indian flight--but, as noted above by Thursdaysd, check airline measurement requirements.

Pit stops: If you prefer a "real" (vs outdoors) area, many drivers will first assure that the loo is (at lest visibly) clean. All drivers I've had the good fortune to meet, had a knack for knowing where it's safe to stop, or checked with the facility (hotel/restaurant/fsa station) staff first. Always have tp or tissues and hand sanitizer gel, as JulieS mentions. Even the cleanest looking places (whether Western or hole-in-ground) often lack tp; barsoap, if theree at all, can look as if it has been in place for months.

Tour company possibilities; Among the proven good travel planning companies mentioned here, I've used Indian Panorama, based in India (as area all the above) for all recent trips (found them yrs ago after a bunch of dud agents.) The company has experienced travel planners, but I (and others on Fodors) have specifically used [email protected] He and other good agents will and can explain comparative advantages/disadvantages of having a company book all or just some hotels (as you discussed in your first post). If you have your heart set on particular places, any agent can book those for you, but the hotel pros and cons should be discussed.

If you decide to work with an agent, best to know in advance what your budget for hotels or homestays is. There's wide price price variation in India, and it will save you time to have a realistic idea in advance.

Good luck!!! You have a great approach to this first trip!

You are all so amazingly helpful! CaliNurse, thanks for all the extra info and yes, DH came up with plan to fly back from Udaipur to Delhi. Thursdaysd and jacketwatch, good healthcare tips but now with Zika and reading your post on the assault makes me wish we hadn't bought air fare! When we cancelled plans the last time it was because of gang rapes but we hadn't paid for anything. Now I feel like cancelling again but this time I'll lose money on air fare. Better to lose money though than to get Zika or get beat up :-(

Can't help with the Zika issue, although if you're not pregnant/planning to get pregnant I'm not sure how big a problem it is. I was surprised to see it had arrived in India.

On the assault issue, if you have a car and driver from a reputable firm, don't wander into dodgy or apparently empty areas, and are off the streets later in the evening I think you will be OK.

2butterflies, I'd be very, very surprised if you face anything at all dicey. Do you let down your guard anywhere in the world? Read several of the numerous Fodors India trip reports and seeif there are similar reports of danger.
I never have, in numerous trips to India, felt unsafe situation. I don't have my head in the sand--takes some awareness of your surroundings, as is the case anywhere in the world. I usually travel solo. Of course each person's experiences and fears differ, and life is unpredictable, but..imho it would be big mistake to cancel the trip, at least for your stated reasons.

May I ask where you live? Do you feel 100% safe there? Is there any crime you're aware of?

Zika is not a problem unless you're of childbearing age and intending to become, or are now, pregnant. There is a very slight and afaik unproven tie-in with infected people getting Guillaume Barre syndrome. There are many parts of the world --eg the Caribbean--to avoid in your travels, if it is worrying you.

If you need more opinions about canceling your trip, perhaps post your concerns as a new thread, and see how others who've been to India respond.

Bad things happen anywhere. By using common sense measures you should be able to avoid putting yourself in risky circumstances.

I would be more concerned about health. The sanitation is sub standard there so be careful. You may want to consider going all veg while you are there and use common sense in this area too so like only bottled water, eating at reputable places, etc. and getting expert medical advice from a travel clinic.

Also we always buy travel insurance just in case.

All excellent and true points, above. Thanks JW.

It is so true that incidents happen everywhere (even here in the good ol US of A) and I do like your attitude, all three of you have made such valid points. In past travels we have taken appropriate precautions, eg. in Barcelona protected valuables from pickpockets (whom we never encountered but were warned of), etc.

In thinking this over after reading what you've said I realize that I am not cancelling. CaliNurse you are so brave to travel solo! By now you guys have figured out that I am a big chicken, have traveled a fair amount but never ventured east of Europe. I do have DH with me and he is very smart and so aware of his surroundings. I'm too old to worry about pregnancy so Zika won't matter - read about it after I posted.

I will turn my attention to getting the appropriate health precautions. JW - sorry for my ignorance but why do you buy travel insurance?

Hurray for you, 2Butterflies, for not canceling!! As written earlier, I'm confident you'll have a great and safe trip! You driver from any of the reputable agencies will be protective and concerned about your well-being, especially as you and DH get to know that person over the course of your trip. Speaking of drivers, pay the additional and request a Toyota Innova SUV instead of a sedan. You'll feel safer (which means a lot when you see the crazy driving) and be more comfortable in that vehicle. Despite traveling alone in the last few years, I usually request the larger vehicle despite not needing the extra room.

I hope JW doesnt mind if I also reply to your very good question,
ALWAYS buy travel insurance. LIFE is unpredictable! What if you have to cancel your trip and have already paid the the in full or partially nonrefundable plane fare, or travel company deposit? What if while you are ON the trip, you or DH gets sick or injured and can't continue the trip? What if you have to get home suddenly from India due to illness, or if one of your family members at home gets sick? etc etc.

https://www.insuremytrip.com/insuring-your-trip/
The service reps are very good at answering questions, and there are good FAQs online too. I've bought trip insurance from them for yrs--they'll help you find what you need, and explain it.

I and many of us buy travel insurance just in case things happen and they do. For example in 2013 we went to India and stopped in Bangkok for a week on the way home. However my wife was feeling ill when we left India and had to be hospitalized for 5 days in Thailand with some horrid GI bug. Our travel insurance covered the entire bill of nearly 6k.

Another time we were delayed leaving Madrid to come home due to super storm Sandy and UAL offered a return 5 days past our original date. We could not do that for work reasons so I bought separate return tickets and our insurance covered that 100%.

Then there are issues of coverage for lost luggage, travel delays and so on and you can even get emergency evacuation insurance so suppose you are sick in a place with substandard health care. You can get out.

Most people including me at one time assumed all will go well but sometimes things happen and for me its best to be prepared.

I heartily agree with CaliNurse to cover the what ifs. In addition to the website she provided try calling Allianz. We got our insurance thru them for the Bangkok trip and they were great about helping us.

I have a slightly different take on travel insurance. The question is not <i>whether</i> you need insurance, but <i>what</i> insurance.

I think that <i>everyone</i>, even the young and healthy, needs medical and medical evacuation AND repatriation. (Evacuation gets you to the nearest "suitable" hospital, repatriation gets you home - read the fine print.)

However, not everyone needs trip cancellation, interruption or baggage coverage. I expect my homeowners insurance to cover the few possessions I take with me. Unless I am taking an expensive tour that does not include insurance or a cruise (neither which have happened yet) I self insure my pre-paid expenses, which are usually just airfare, some train tickets, and maybe a couple of hotels.

However, I travel solo, I have no elderly relatives at home, and I am retired. YMMV.

I use Seven Corners. Besides insuremytrip you could check squaremouth.

That’s a good point.

Thank you.

Duh, who knew! Been on so many trips without insurance, guess we've just been darn lucky. The one time in Germany I had to see a doc he wouldn't let us pay, we had to insist - what a Gem he was!

Am definitely buying insurance for this trip - that will add a warm fuzzy as we venture into the unknown yonder.

Good input on the bigger vehicle, DH is rather tall so he will be really happy with your idea :-)

How would I ever have known all this without all of your good advice! I've been a TA contributor for years to help travelers but what you guys do here is far beyond.

Kathy--

We have been rather lax (meaning that we have never bought any other than the coverage I describe below) about insurance since we are like you and aren't paying up-front for a lot of expensive stuff like tours or cruises, and we don't have everything booked ahead of time. Our regular health insurance covers 80% of medical expenses outside the country, and we have a back-up American Express travel insurance policy we've had for years that we renew annually. Now, when reading our health insurance policy during open enrollment I see that starting next year they will only cover ground ambulance (not helicopter or air) when outside the US.

It is probably time for us to take a thorough look at our AE policy (difficult to so since they are not at all customer friendly about disclosing the exact details of the policy). With Seven Corners can we just pick the limited benefits we want without having to buy a complete package that involves everything? Basically we'd be like you and just want evacuation and repatriation coverage. And, maybe medical coverage for the 20% our normal health insurance doesn't cover. I know in the US that 20% could potentially be a horrific cost. In other countries I don't know since most of them do tend to contain their costs much better than we do in the US.