Hello everyone!
My family (wife, 2 kids (9&8), and myself) are going to India over Christmas Holiday this year. I think I've a good handle on things (as much as possible for India), but would like some feedback on my itinerary and any other thoughts. I know I'm running the gauntlet for lodging (5 star to 1 star)but I think it's the experience we are looking for. Also, the kids are good travelers so I am not worried about the pace.

Dec 17 - arrive Mumbai 11:30 pm on Air India. Stay @ Taj Mahal
Dec 18 - acclimate and see a little of Mumbai
Dec 19 - fly to Bhavnager (Jet Airways)and meet up some friends family. Stay @ families house.
Dec 20 - fly to Udaipur (Jet airways through Mumbai) for a nice all day trip. Stay @ Kankarwa
Dec 21 - Udaipur
Dec 22 - Udaipur. Early evening flight on Indian Airlines (40 minutes) to Jodhpur. Stay @ Haveli Guest House (for a view of the Ft.)
Dec 23 - Jodhpur
Dec 24 - car & driver to Jaisalmer. Stay @ Killa Bhawan
Dec 25 - Jaisalmer
Dec 26 - Jaisalmer
Dec 27 - Jaisalmer. Overnight train to Jaipur, pick up car & driver and head to Pushkar
Dec 28 - Pushkar. Stay @ Pushkar Palace.
Dec 29 - Car & driver to Jaiper. Stay @ Jasvilas.
Dec 30 - Car & driver to Ranthambhore National Park. Stay @ Ranthambhore Regency.
Dec 31 - Car and driver to Agra in afternoon. Stay @ hotel Sheela (wanted to stay at Amarvillas but it's booked).
Jan 1 - Agra, then overnight train to Varanasi
Jan 2- Varanasi. Stay @ Scindhia Guest House
Jan 3 - Varanasi
Jan 4 - fly to Mumbai (Air Sahara airlines). Stay @ Taj Mahal.
Jan 5 - Mumbai
Jan 6 - 7:30 am flight on Air India

Thanks for any input.

looks like a lot of travelling around with not much time to relax and enjoy the surroundings??

Though I have not been to much of your itinerary, I can tell that you are trying to do too much even if kids were not involved. For example, you need 3 nights in Jaipur (two full days) and 2 nights in Agra (a full day plus time for Fatephur Sikri).

hi mossie bait-hope you don't expect 1 star even, at Hotel Sheela. It is clean but VERY basic accommodation. It's about as basic as I'd ever consider and I'm an avid camper & caravanner. We loved it for the location. Can't be beat! Food & service was good too and nothing is a trouble to the owners. If you've stayed in hostels, then you will be OK. For US10 a night for two it is a bargain!

I agree with all the other Fodorites here that you are trying to rush it too much. Stay a bit longer in fewer places and you will enjoy India better. Do not plan too narrowly either, so that a plane delayed by 90 minutes does not create havoc in your programme. You need a margin of flexibility

as you've been advised repeatedly, you are taking on a bit too much, mate. and i speak as the father of an eight-year-old reasonable traveller myself. knock off a couple of places; your jaisalmer itinerary is just about right. that's the template!
cheers

My suggestion for starters in knocking off a couple of places: forget about Pushkar unless you go during the Festival (you are not), and do not bother about Ranthambore, where you are bound to look in vain for elusive tigers. They are there all right, but there are all the time fewer of them and their sightings are really becoming a bit scarce to justify much time in a generally intense itinerary. I agree your Jaisalmer rythm is the right pace of visit. You can't visit all India in one trip anyway. So, if you like the country, you will have to come back for more anyway.