ITINERARY HELP REQUIRED PLEASE
 

Criticism (constructive if possible) and suggestions for the following please. Myself, husband, 2 kids aged 10 and 5 visit India from 01/11/09 (only I have been before)
Day 1 arrive Delhi 2.45pm stay at Hotel Tara Palace need car/driver to pick at airport.
Day 2 sightsee some of Delhi, on foot if we can bear it. Believe Fort near to Hotel.
Day 3 get Bus to Jaipur, not sure which hotel to stay at?
Day 4 Elephant ride to Amber Fort - suggestions please. Train to Ranthambhore NP
Day 5 Stay where at Ranthambhore? am & pm safari
Day 6 As above
Day 7 Leave by train for Agra via Fatepur Sikr /and or ? which train? (am using Seat61)
Day 8 see Taj early am. Train from Agra Fort 9.15pm for Varanasi
Day 9 arrive Varanasi stay where? kids will cope in the thick of it (hard luck if not!)
Day 10 enjoy shock of Varanasi - have a walk about/boat trip. Train overnight to Kolkata
Day 11 arrive Kolkata.Stay where? handy for Airport if poss.
Day 12 Fly from Kolkata to Port Blair - ferry from PB to Neil or Havelock. Need Hotel rec.
Days 13 to Day 24/25 enjoy Andamans. Leave PB for Kolkata
Day 27 fly back to UK.
Flexible-ish and very open to suggestions. Kids are easily occupied (and disciplined if not!) We need to do the overnight trains, flying too expensive. I know the Andamans are a pain to get to, but worth it I think. I went by bunk class years ago from Madras - now that was a tough journey but good fun too.
Thanks for your tip Dogster, looking forward to hearing your comments good and bad.

For train timetables see www.indianrail.gov.in/inet_metro_trns.html - any special reason you're taking the bus to Jaipur?

Delhi is very big and crowded. I would not plan to sight-see on foot, especially not the first day. there are plenty of auto-rickshaws around, you don't have to spring for a taxi. But you do need to bargain (check Lonely Planet for the going rate).

I haven't been to Ranthambhore, but the reports I've read aren't particularly enticing. Dropping Ranthambhore would let you slow this down a bit, which it really needs. Even in November you will find travel in India pretty overwhelming.

You could visit the bird park at Bharatpur in combo with Fetehpur Sikri from Agra. You have to check the trains carefully, they don't all stop there. I haven't checked your dates, but you do know that the Taj is closed on Fridays, right?

For places to stay in Varanasi (definitely stay on the river) do a search here - there is a recent thread. Consider a half day trip to Sarnath while you're in Varanasi, and the longer you can stay there the better.

For places to stay check www.sawdays.co.uk . For a less expensive place in Kolkata I'd suggest the Fairlawn, but it isn't near the airport.

Hiya Mrs. Marge! Much better, eh? It's kinda late here right now, so I'll peruse your plan tomorrow. Just hope that Cicerone replies in the meantime.

Random late nite thoughts to keep you going:

While you're waiting, check the little 'view by country' box just up and to your left, click on India, then go search for Varanasi, Kolkata etc.

Your kids will be fine in Varanasi. The only question is: will you be? As you know, it's not easy getting around at the best of times in India so IMHO everything has to be predicated around their abilities to cope. IMHO - not what you think they SHOULD be able to cope with - but what they actually CAN. [with respect, blah blah]

You'll get better suggestions if you can tell us roughly how much $$ you'd like to spend on accomodation. I guess you're gonna be after a room for 4? Well, three and a half. What were your thoughts there?

Andamans is never discussed in here. Try Indiamike for that. Very interesting choice. Kinda odd but I like it. Report back on that. I've been looking at a BKK/ Port Blair/ Kolkata flight.Are you determined to stay there ten days? [At first glance, I'd say you were rushing the first half of the trip - particularly with kids, India, trains, gasp...

Go check out spassvogel's recent post about tiger trip for info on Ranthambore. Sounds horrible to me - but I can't see life thru the eyes of a ten and five year old. The world is a different place through that wonderful kaleidoscope.

I'll bet you get some nice suggestions while I'm sleeping. cheers.

I've been thinking: I guess I need someone to come in with more experience of 10 and 5 year olds than me - but I do have to say that I find just getting ONE of me around in India is pretty damn difficult. Two adults, luggage AND two children looking for our seat on a crowded Indian train sounds pretty close to hell, to me.

On the other hand, maybe it's a cinch. I dunno. Not a lot of people take their children to India - on overnight trains - traveling every two days. I think your kids [and you] sound great, so I'm not trying to talk you out of anything. But, as I have observed - it just needs your littlies to go down with a tummy bug in Jaipur and your lovely trip can turn into a nightmare.

More random thoughts:
How long can five-year-olds be a tourist for? What happens when they get tired and you've already checked out of your hotel at midday and your train doesn't leave till nine p.m.?

Do your kids know they will be the object of extreme fascination everywhere they go? How cosmopolitan are their tastes in food?

Have you thought about getting a car and driver? Three and a half people in a tuk-tuk will get very tired, very quickly. Like your family is, if you travel as quickly as you are planning.

Who is this trip for? The family? The kids? Or you?

[I'm Australian - we talk this way - no, I'm not being blunt or rude, lol - it's late]

So: a Dog's breakfast to consider. I'll be very interested to see what ensues.

Thanks Thursdaysd. Having done some checking,the bus to Jaipur takes as long as the train(?)this will probably be the only bus ride we take in India. Yep,we will use auto rickshaws etc to get around Dehli, I suppose I really meant we won't need a guide. We fancy trying to spot a tiger,even though chances are remote so we will keep Ranthambhore in. Didn't really fancy Bharatpur as not all into birds. Current plan is to arrive Agra on Sat and see Taj first thing Sun, busier I suppose as its a weekend. THanks for suggestions,looking at the accommodation.

MrsMarge, you say you've been to India before. Where did you go then? Did you travel on buses and trains? My husband is a bit older than 5 but I know he would absolutely meltdown if I took him on such a fast paced trip. And I don't even want to think about what would happen if he was considered the adult and had two small children to amuse.

Check this site Mum.

http://www.savaari.com/user/step1.php

This will show you rates for daily or overnite car [and driver] hire - just to give you an idea. I'm not suggesting you use the company - but the website is a good price guide.

Hi Dogster. Was hoping to use porters at train stations to help get us on the trains. I know it will be hectic to say the least (last I was in India it was for 4 months with drugs and without kids and no itinerary necessary!). Don't get the wrong impression though. OK kids will eat mostly anything. It's only 2 overnighters,how bad can it be? Mmm toilets, flip flops,poo wee.. Will pay extra to stay longer at hotel before 9pm train.Books,eye-spy,Nintendo.Getting sick will be a big problem but we can't prevent that so will have to have some form of plan B. OK,if we need to use car/driver we will. Suggestions pls. Not Namaste. I have to admit this trip is for me, then the kids and last but certainly not least my lovely husband. Cos' I have been before, we are going cos' some aunt I had never even met left me a couple of grand. What bits can we slow down. Need Ranthambhore in (that is for the kids). I want the Andamans bliss, it's such a pain to get too we could do with at least, say, 8 days. OK, maybe I'm mad but I don't want it too easy. If we have car/driver, I might miss something (or someone) might I? Of course, I don't want to put our family through hell either. Sleep well and lemme have some blunt thoughts/suggestions.

If you can afford it, see the Taj at sunset as well as sunrise.

"Didn't really fancy Bharatpur as not all into birds." - me either, but I enjoyed it much more than I expected. But if you're keeping Ranthambhore, it would probably be one park too many.

The road to Jaipur may have been improved, but trains are much, much safer than road travel. Still, you should really experience at least one road trip, just to appreciate the craziness! But you might check the price for a car and driver once you are in India (it will be cheaper with a local company), or try www.rajasthantravelservice.com - they gave me a pretty good deal (just a driver with poor English, no guide) and looked after me very well.

"looking for our seat on a crowded Indian train sounds pretty close to hell, to me." - if they're in 2AC, which I would recommend, they'll have reserved bunks, and it won't be overrun - only ticketed passengers with ID will be allowed in the carriage. If they spring for 1AC, with four people they should (but not guaranteed) get a compartment to themselves. One person can stay with the kids and luggage, while the other locates the list of bunk assignments, which will be posted somewhere on the platform. If they hire a porter (not something I'd usually recommend, but maybe in this case), the porter should know where on the platform to find their carriage.

I do think, like dogster, that you are probably traveling too fast. Travel in India is like travel nowhere else!

Hi Marij, yes I travelled on buses and trains but it was at least 20 years ago! So,of course, now I only remember the really good bits. The journeys by bus being really comfortable and the music being played at a reasonal level -yeah right.
I am not kidding myself - our kids really are well behaved. We camp/caravan a lot too. I know nothing can prepare them for India but hey, kids are resiliant. My husband loves me so much - he will forgive me India and hanker to go back - eventually.

lol MrsMarge - if you read any of my trip reports on India you'll see that your behavior in a previous life seems to be my behavior in THIS life. But I'm nearly 100 years old. Tragic, eh?

It's 1.00 a.m. soon I'll crash. But while I'm worrying... lol.

O.k. You're da mum. You know your family. So let's make you a trip that ensures that they haven't all divorced you by day four. 'Cos the trip might be, scretly, for YOU - but if your two kids throw a wobbly [let alone your husband] then everybody's life is hard.

I am duty bound to say, as an old hippy who personally carved out the hippy trail with my sandalled feet over 300 years ago, that some travel memories are best left alone. It is just possible that bliss in the Andamans is just another beach and some rocks for your kids. You may have cause to think about the changes in YOUR life since the 'good old days' too. Heh.

That said, the Andamans is no more ridiculous a destination than anywhere else. [well - yup - it is FAIRLY ridiculous, but you seem set on it.]

Off the top of my head, purely to make family life smooth as possible, I'd say you should think of getting a car and driver to pick you up at the airport, hotel drop then stay with him next day for sightseeing [don't even think about walking] then use him to take you to Jaipur.

Tuk tuks, luggage, two young children, confused husband - Indian bus station, bus to Jaipur. Fergeddaboudit. Misery. You ain't in Kansas with a backpack, now, Dorothy.

lol lol lol.

Thanks Thursdaysd, good advice on trains. We were gonna book sleeper, I remember great characters in sleeper class. Maybe for the girl's sake so they can sleep we will book 1AC for a compartment to ourselves. We think paying a porter will take some of the stress away - maybe not. Any suggestions on which part we could slow down the trip. We could miss out Jaipur - I don't do shopping but the girls want to ride the elephant to Fort. I have told them they will get their legs crushed but they don't believe me.

OK dogster, maybe car and driver good idea. I like Savaari, can use them for pickups in Kolkata too.
Which part of the trip can we slow down do you ya reckon?
How did you know about my red shoes? lol (it's true though)

Yup, it's an easy site to operate - but there are other driver/car combos that people recommend in here that'll pop up. At least you have a yardstick for prices now.

Everything I say to you will be predicated on those kids. I'd give different advice totally if they weren't involved. Things can spin out of control in India so you need the stress points covered. I think, as you are Mama India, you kinda want your guys to have that same blow-out experience you had all those years ago. But as Mama, you know that they'll enjoy it more if you don't drop them in it at the deep end right from day one.

Let's make those first few days of acclimatization smooth so you can get your India legs. I promise you, the sight of India out the windows of your car will be quite enough for the first few days. Slowly, slowly...

thursday is, of course correct re: 1AC single berth for 4. Use it.

Why that particular Delhi hotel?
Where are you thinking of in Ranthambore? Things are expensive there, I think.

I'd stay longer in Kolkata. It's a ferret's den but there's GREAT street-life, a GREAT market and backpacker dens all around. Fairlawn. It's the blow-out Indian city experience you won't get in Delhi.

The ease of your trip will be in direct relation to the amount of time you need to spend in the Andamans. Less time Andamans, ahhh, stretch out the rest of it all. Extra days everywhere.

Now me to stretch out. Ahhh. CYa tomorrow.

Where to cut back? Well, I've already suggested skipping the tiger park, given the very low probability of seeing tigers. Second candidate would be the islands - how much beach time to you need?

Re: train classes. Suggest carefully reading the info at seat61.com/India.htm. Even if you book four tickets, getting a 4-berth compartment to yourselves is not guaranteed (the trains usually have two 4-berth and one 2-berth 1AC compartments) but you stand a good chance of arranging a change after you board, especially if you board at the beginning of a trip.

1AC tends to be the preserve of government bureaucrats and businessmen (although maybe they fly these days - I was in India in 2001). While you will have a much more peaceful trip in 1AC, you will have more fun, and a more interesting time, traveling with Indian middle class families in 2AC. I wouldn't recommend Sleeper Class with kids, though! I would check how many stops the train makes during the night - if it's a lot, go for 1AC, otherwise seriously consider 2AC.

As a health care professional and once the parent of a young child, I would take lots of pharmaceuticals, and I don't mean mind-altering substances --- from what I've read on this board, the toilets on trains are covered with unseen little creepy crawlies. Since children put their hands on faces and mouths almost constantly, those creepy crawlies can cause problems. The last thing you want is a kid with typhoid in India! Check with a travel doc to find out what kind of vaccinations are needed that you and they don't already have. Also antibiotics for respiratory infections and gut infections will come in handy. And disposable latex gloves . . .

Check with your hotel to find out if they have a pick up service at the airport. The fee might be included in your room rate.

Thanks indianapearl. We will take no health risks as far as the children are concerned. All vaccinations will be in place for all of us. |The girls have been brought up to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before meals in addition to the obvious times. We have already begun teaching them how important regular handwashing is in India. We will take the handwash for use without water too.

imo, way too much to do in a short period....i will re look at it later in the day....i am exhausted just from reading the schedule....slow down and see less...

thursdaysd, thanks again. We can cut back some time in the Andamans. It's well worth the journey though and has the most beautiful beaches I have ever, ever visited. I'm sure we will love the tranquility of the place after hectic mainland India. The girls are looking forward to snorkelling too.
Seat61 is a great site. I may just book the tickets through make my trip to make life easier!

rhkkmk - looking forward to your suggestions. We could miss out Jaipur?

BTW - don't rely on hand-washing on the trains - only cold water on Indian trains. Take your own TP (take the center cardboard out of the roll and squish it) and Purell or equivalent. Ditto public toilets.

Re: rail tickets - it might be worth considering an Indrail pass. I bought mine from www.indiarail.co.uk - there's no agent in the US. But I hear it's easier to buy through the Indian Rail website than when I traveled (see wilhelmswords.com/asia2001/index.html for my train trip round India).

Don't know where you live - I'm in NC and use the Duke Travel Clinic for inoculations etc. - see if there's an equivalent near you.

I don't think I'd skip Jaipur, both the fort and the palace are worth seeing, and it will give you a good taste of Rajasthan, then next time you can go to a different area.

I have two kinds of travel packs with hand wipes: (1) is by Clorox and is a disinfectant; and (2) the other by Playtex (yes, the underwear folks) which is just for cleaning one's hands after a messy thali. They're both in self contained, nifty little packets that are flat and fit inside a fanny pack or other pack. I got mine at Target, which has a section in their cosmetics/drugs section for travel sized goodies, but don't know where you're from, so don't know if that's a possibility for you. Trust me, I've seen lots of patients through the years, smart people who thought they were immune and found out to their dismay that they weren't.

I apologize if I missed these points as I just scanned the replies, but auto rickshaws are not advisable in my opinion. They are no match for the huge trucks and busses and other fast moving traffic on Delhi streets.

Hire a car and driver for the day(s). Make sure the driver speaks an acceptable level of English.

If the girls are interested, there is a doll museum (Shankar's International Doll Museum) in Delhi. I haven't been to it in about 15 years so I can't attest to how it is now, but it's quite large.

Also, take the girls to one of the bangle shops and get bangles in their size. Tons of colors and designs to choose from. They'll have fun. Get bangles made of metal or "laakh" (hard gum resin), not the glass ones that will break.

There is a toy section at the Cottage Industries Emporium too they might enjoy.

jaipur was one of my best indian experiences....i loved it there and stayed 4 nites.....plenty to do...and shop...

one day in delhi is almost a waste.... won't you be dog tired from the trip there and the kids....yikes, i can't imagine...

you have no down time until the end of the trip....you need more in between...

sheraton is nice in jaipur and has a nice pool for the kids...

i'm afraid that this is all i can offer....i need to take another nap after thinking about this whirl-wind tour...

Actually, maybe you should do the trip in reverse, and start on the islands? That way you'll be well over jet lag and rested up before tackling the main travel. Fly into Kolkata and out of Delhi.

Morning Marge.

When I was in Gujarat last I was staying at the House of M.G. I watched as a car pulled up. Out of the car clambered a family; mum, dad, three children, all under ten. Smart, intelligent, European - all having the most miserable time you could possibly imagine.

Daddy was carrying two sleeping children while Mummy supervised the remaining child. He was sulky and exhausted. Mummy was frayed. Daddy was stoic and grim.

They stood in the foyer, surrounded by comatose kids, a pile of luggage and blank-eyed staff, having The Trip Of A Lifetime.

The driver shook his head.'Two children sick,' he said, 'Daddy won't talk. We've been in the car all day. They're all exhausted. The kids aren't interested in buildings! They don't care.'

I saw them driving off the next morning. I thought they were on the trip from Hell.

So Marge...

We'll all have to make sure this doesn't happen to you.

'yes I travelled on buses and trains but it was at least 20 years ago! So,of course, now I only remember the really good bits...'

Pollyanna... I think you've said everything in your comment above. lol lol lol. But I so admire your spirit in wanting to show your family the things you loved so I think it's all fine - just not very practical. The most practical part is the Andamans - although, the average 5 and 10 year old may not be able to tell the difference between the Andamans and, well, pretty much anywhere with a beach.

At the moment, this trip is hoist on the petard of your own old memories. It's not twenty years ago.

I think you may well be deliberately choosing the transport options you are because you want to chuck them in the deep end and meet kazillions of people and have that 'real deal India' thing... not just because of money. All well and good. One is ten, one is five. They may not yet have eyes to see.

Your poor mute husband loves you. I'm happy. Just what does HE think of all this? Given my knowledge of British men on holiday in India HE'S likely to the one that gets sick FIRST, moans the most and sinks into a sullen torpor. Lol lol lol.

'OK, maybe I'm mad but I don't want it too easy. If we have car/driver, I might miss something (or someone) might I? Of course, I don't want to put our family through hell either.'

Here's the nub.

Like an army, you can travel as fast as your slowest recruit. So predicate it all on your children. Or do you have a deal on who carries the sleeping 5 year old around Delhi, Jaipur, Varanasi...?

Like an army, you need support services. No, I'm not talking a suitcase full of pharmaceuticals. Your children won't get typhoid, plague, rabies or leprosy - but they are far more likely to pick up the squits, or just feel kinda crappy or don't understand that this is jetlag...
they may not be very interested in soldiering on.

You need a traveling pod that can change, shrink or grow, stop or start when you need it to. So think car and driver. On that nice savaari site you'll see the different types of cars and vans. Don't get the littlest, cheapest and crappiest one. Then, if things go pear-shaped, you always have your life-raft.

You can be the boss. You tell him where you want to go. Check this for inspiration [it's a great read, too]:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-travelawg.cfm

Check this out:
http://www.mahindrahomestays.com/Pages/home.aspx

and this:
http://www.palaceonriver.com/

Before you make assumptions that flights are just TOO expensive go here:
http://www.flykingfisher.com/

and here:
http://www.jetairways.com/

and check.

an excellent idea to do things in reverse

Thanks for all of the above. I especially like the army quote. Our youngest, robust as she is does tend to flag at 5pm.
Will give all of the above some serious thought as hubby and I sit down tonight to sort out itinerary. Flights are booked though into Dehli and home from Kolkata.We chose these flights since the times were so sensible. Leave UK at 8pm arrive next day Dehli 3pm. Maybe children will sleep on plane - maybe not.
Indianapearl, I am gonna search for these wipes in UK as I haven't heard of them.
Good tips Jaya, the girls will especially love the bangles. An Indian lady has been into school recently and the girls want an "Indian dress".
Back with car and driver sounds the best option, I have emailed two of the suggested companies.
Would have done more research but spent loadsa time reading the fantastic trip reports and other stuff.
Thanks to everyone taking the time to help. Off to work and school now - all of us.

Emerald Gecko/Wild Orchid or Barefoot at Havelock,splendid places.
Links:
http://www.barefootindia.com/
http://www.emerald-gecko.com/ & Wild Orchid.
Book in advance as its season in November.

You also better practice answers to questions like "Why is that ragged boy without an arm banging on the car window..." Did you ever think that when a travel agent who stands to make money off of you says "Don't bring the kids," he or she may be onto something?

Marija. Note your comments; not sure what you mean about husband having to "amuse kids". This will not need to happen, husband ready for fast paced trip, if it's too fast for girls, we will slow down. We will be as prepared as can be for all going t*** up.
The travel agent simply recommended not to take the girls to Varanasi - not India and, she did have a more costly alternative plan!
We will answer questions re beggars etc as we see fit. Just like we do in the local cities regarding the sights we see. Whilst beggars aren't often maimed nor are they children, the addicts begging on our streets are often young amputees. Even the girls' school are happy about the trip! it has become an enjoyable project for them at home too. If they hate India, then so be it. They can take their own children to Disneyland.

Thanks Inquest - really fancy gecko.

Good for you. Just make sure to give us a trip report when you get back. Pretty please!

Hi MrsMarge -- having traveled for years with my daughter (granted you have 2 while I only had one), I am sure you will all do fine. It sounds like you have the right attitude and will respond appropriately to any issues that come up with the girls. If you are going in heads up (I won't use your particular phrase, lol!) to possible problems, and are willing to be flexible, everything will work out. If you haven't read it, I recently posted a trip report on our recent travels through India, it could be helpful -- we went to a few of the places you are planning to go. http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-travelawg.cfm
You might consider hiring Ramesh Meena to drive for you ~ he did a fabulous job for us (his contact info: phone numbers - 919829807074 and 91925246594; email addresses - [email protected] and [email protected]). bonnieheather of this forum also used him and she is in the process of posting her trip report (http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ttaranchal.cfm). Like others, I think your itinerary sounds rushed, but I don't know what to tell you to cut. We opted not to do the tigers, since we read that spotting them is pretty rare and we had seen them up close and personal in Thailand. BTW, no bid deal on riding the elephants up to the Amber Fort. You just hire them at the bottom and ride up -- I think 2 person per elephant will work for you. You will be hounded by photo wallahs who will chase you down to sell you the pictures later, but it was fun. The girls will enjoy it. Hope you all have a blast on your trip!

travelaw, thanks for such a positive, heartwarming response. Just today I printed your report off and left it at work. I find it easier to read paper than a screen; especially 65 pages! I am looking forward to reading it all though. We are still trying "trim it down". The girls want to try the safari even though we have stressed how remote the chance is of actually spotting a tiger! I won't drop the Taj and we all want to go snorkelling in the Andamans. Maybe Varanasi will have to go and we just fly to Kolkata. We are definitely going to contact Ramesh. I think dogster's point of having a car/driver to fall back on will really help. Thanks again for your response.

Ramesh will drive for us in mid-Nov-mid-Dec for about 3000 INR/day, all inclusive (fuel, fees, tolls, etc.).

Mrs marge- Have you taken the girls to third world countries before?

We started traveling with our two daughters when they were 2 months old. elder DD made her first foreign trip to japan at 4 mos. By 18 they'd been all over Asia, US, Mexico, Australia, fiji, Europe, etc., adn they were excellent travelers. I've been to India 5 times in the last four years- on four of those trips I had one DD with me.

So. as a mom who has both traveled on my thumb as a 17yr old and one who has dragged 2 daughters all over the world ovet the last 24 years, I'd have to say that this is not an itinerary that I would do if I wanted my kids to enjoy it. You have no relaxing time built into your days, and you don't even have a hotel at all on many days. Bathrooms on India trains are gross, and India is not only dirty, but hot. while I have nothing against honest sweat, you have many days where you will be unable to bathe or use a sink for brushing your teeth. You can bet that at least one of you will be needing to spend quality time on a toilet at some point, and if you have no hotel, that's pretty darn hard in India.

As a 20 year old traveler, you did what you wanted, and no one else was depending on you. If you felt crummy you just adjusted accordingly since you had no itinerary. Even if the girls can figure out why they are so stresssed, It's a rare five year olds who can articulate that she needs the family to slow down, especially knowing you've go so many places to see.

I am not suggesting you don't take the kids. What I am suggesting is that you slow this trip down a bit. No, slow it down a lot.

Doing the Andamans first might be a good idea ..Do the long hard voyage, then relax. Hit India being somewhat accustomed to the food, culture and time zones. Do your boat rides in the Andamans and then save Varanasi until another trip.

Buses in India are a miserable way to travel, and have lousy safety records in India. Delhi to Jaipur is 5-7 hours by highway. Can you sit that long if the AC doesn't work? If the music is at 100 decibels? Get a driver or take a day train.

I like Ranthambore, but the game drives are each 3 hours - either in a bumpy Jeep or on an open top cantor with 15 or so other people and no shelter from the sun and dust. Never saw a tiger and we did about 4 rides. It was bearable only because we had a lovely tent to return to each morning and evening. Skip it and promise a trip to Africa in a few years.

Don't bother with Delhi Fort. You can go to a better fort in Agra or the Amber Fort in Jaipur is cooler, more scenic and the elephant ride is fun. Build in time to wathc them bathing the elephants below the fort in the river too. In Delhi take a cycle rickshaw through Cadni Chouk or go to Qtab minar, Akshardham temple or the Jama Mashid instead. Go outside Haunuman temple and have their hands decorated with mendhi. (NO more that 50 RS a palm, but remember, you cant touch anything till it dries about an hour later!)

Kids can always cope, but it takes a lot of the fun out of things. India is best savored slowly.

Well, Io hit submit, then had to edit in my mind! Sorry for all the typos....

lcuy gives you REALLY good advice, Marge.
I wonder if you'll listen.

Report back with your plans.