dgunbug

Here's the revised itinerary which omits Bikaner and allows us to get to see the Taj at sunrise. Please let me know what you all think of the mix of train, car and plane and if we have enough time or too much allocated anywhere. Thanks.

Sept 14 – Lv Fort Lauderdale 2:05 p.m. – arrive Delhi 10:35 p.m. on Sept 15
Oct 10 – Lv Delhi 12:50 a.m. – arrive FL 10:08 p.m. -


Sept 15 (thursday) —arrive Delhi late – to hotel near airport

16- (friday) fly to Udiapur -- afternoon/night in Udiapur
17 –(saturday) Udiapur – day/night in udiapur
18 – (sunday) Udiapur – day/night in udiapur

19 -(monday) – Early departure from Udiapur - drive to Jodhpur –night in Jodphur
(Stop along the way at Kumbalgarh Fort & Ranakpur)
20 – (tuesday) Jodhpur – day/night in Jodhpur
21 (wednesday) Jodhpur – day/night in jodhpur

22 – (thursday) to Jaisalmer – Train departs 6:10 AM – Arrives 11:45 (5:35 hrs) – 1st class A/C
23 – (friday) Jaisalmer – day/night in Jaisalmer
24 – (saturday) Jaisalmer – day/night in Jaisalmer
25– (sunday) Jaisalmer to Jaipur – (sleeper lv 16:20 – arr 4:50)

26 – (monday) Jaipur (arrive 4:50)
27 – (tuesday) Jaipur

28 – (wednesday) to Agra – [235 km] Early departure from Jaipur by car – tour Fatehpur Sikri along way. ½ day in Agra, evening sunset from across river
29 (thursday) Agra - Taj at sunrise -- take train at 12:25 – arrive Jhansi 15:25 NOTE – many trains – Car to Orchha

30 – (friday) Orchha –

1 – (saturday) car to Khajuraho
2 – (sunday) – Khajuraho

3 - (monday) -- fly Khajuraho to Varanasi
4 – (tuesday)– Varanasi
5 – (wednesday) Varanasi
6 – (thursday) Varanasi tour during day – train to delhi (19:15 – 7:40) or Fly???

7 - Delhi
8 - Delhi
9 - Delhi – tour until 6 p.m. – go to airport
10 – 1 AM fly

althom1122

Ah, this looks great! As you know, I haven't been to a lot of those places, but based on my limited experience, I think you've planned this really well. You'll have a blast.

I haven't taken any night trains, but you may be "trained-out" by this time. I was glad we flew from Varanasi back to Delhi.

Can't wait for the trip report!

live42day

Looks great. Just make sure that you do leave Udaipur early and be aware of your time. I stopped to take too many pictures or spent too much time at the fort and we ended up driving in the dark for the last hour. You dont want to drive in the dark! Be very clear with your driver about that.

dgunbug

Live42day - What time do you suggest leaving Udaipur by?
Althom - My sentiments - I am leaning towards flying back to Delhi.

live42day

I just checked my blog and we were picked up at 8AM, and I think he was pretty much on time. One thing I thought that might have saved time was to pack a picnic lunch to have at the fort so that your didnt have to stop for lunch anywhere. I would push it to 7 or 730AM to give yourself lots of time.

I think that Craig did this too so maybe he can tell us what time he left.

CaliNurse

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/airli...-time-etc.html

Dgunbug, in case you are looking for ideas about the time interval between arrival into DEL and departure early the next morning.

How many hours do you have?

We stayed at Hotel Saptagiri, which we thought was fine for our needs--clean, 5 minutes from airport, and not expensive as the Radisson. But someone else on FF said a friend paid way too much for the hotel's cab (we had our own driver). Wehn i was there lats June, the new terminal wasnt open yet, and there was no place for a 6 our rest. Maybe e that has changed now.

dgunbug

CaliNurse - interesting. I'm wondering though, now that the new airport is open, is check in as difficult. Does the new airport have international and domestic flights or are there still separate airports? Has anyone had recent experience with check in for domestic flights? How long ahead of time would we have to be at the airport?

CaliNurse

http://www.newdelhiairport.in/traveller.aspx

Dgunbug, I just learned, via the official DEL website (above) that there are sleep areas that you can rent for $7/hour...right AT the airport! Hurray!! That will be so much more convenient!! the site will also answer your questions about location of terminals, etc.

Last June, before the new airport opened, check in for int'l flight was a breeze--but don't have any info on new airport. Hope someone here can give info. I am curious too, as will be doing the same (transfer int'l to domestic) next yr.

CaliNurse

Here's a thread from Indiamike. Look for the last few entries from 2011. Apparently some domestic flights will connect from the same terminal as where you arrive on int'l flight; some won't, depending on which domestic airline.

http://www.indiamike.com/india/delhi...rminal-t69574/

CaliNurse

http://www.newdelhiairport.in/catego...ory=Cafe%20Bar

in case you need a good cuppa coffee before your onward flight

I ws hoping there'd be an Illy Cafe (like the one at BLR) but any of these should work as fatigue-busters! Cafe Coffee Day is like Indian version of S'bux. Their masala chai is ok, but you will get better from local places during your trip.

dgunbug

Thanks CaliNurse - this is good info.

dgunbug

So, the best flight is at 5:40 AM from terminal 3. The next direct flight to Udiapur is at 14:30. If we arrive at 10:30 PM from the USA and we sleep at airport, do we still have to go through security? How far in advance do you have to check in to be at the gate? Does anyone know how long it takes to get from the International area to the Domestic area of the airport? Is this crazy? Looks like we will get, at best 5 hours of sleep and maybe a shower. Doesn't sound that horrible - we will likely awaken early anyway due to the time zone changes. We can collapse in Udaipur. Thoughts?

rhkkmk

i would want to have some first hand reports of the sleeping situation and quiet areas in any delhi airport before i would count on it...

when we were at the old airport at midnight there were not even chairs to sit in----way tooooo crowded... remember many many flights arrive and take off from 11PM-4AM....

thursdaysd

http://www.sleepinginairports.net/li...i&terminal=DEL

dgunbug

Thanks for the info.

rhkkmk

based on the first dozen of these first hand reviews, i think you have your answer...??

dgunbug

They look clean and acceptable, although they look to be for just one person - would have liked a room for two. We will think about it as it may be our best option if we want to make the early morning flight. Still wondering how far they are from the domestic gates and how long it will take to get through security to fly to Udaipur.

CaliNurse

Rhkkmk, if you check the dates of those reviews, you'll see that they are not relevant as an answer to Dgunbug's question. The new terminal, where she'll land and transfer (and possibly sleep) was not in use until i think July or August. it had nt yet opened for business when we were at DEL there in June.

They are sleeping "pods" with a TV and desk and bed, but somewhere (cant recall where) i read they're fine for their purpose: several hours kip between flights.

Re; the time and convenience and help during transfers, as you can see below--reviews since the new terminal (where you arrive) opened--there's quite a mixed set of experiences!

http://www.airlinequality.com/Airpor..._forum/del.htm

IMHO, try to get sopme shuteye for 3 hours, then take the earlier flight to Udaipur.

dgunbug

CaliNurse - think we are going to go with the flow and stay at the airport. We will tough it out and take the early flight to Udaipur. This just makes the most sense to us.

dgunbug

Has anyone gone to Gwalior and is it worth stopping at either for a few hours or overnight on the way to Orchha? If we do this, does anyone know how the drive is from Gwalior to Orchha? Someone suggested on another forum to stop at Datia. Is anyone familiar with that town which is North of Jhansi.

If we decide to do Gwalior & Datia, we will likely try to take a night flight out of Khajuraho to Varanasi. Do we have too much time in Varanasi or Delhi?