Need help creating 14-16 day trip
Jan 5th, 2007, 12:24 PM
#1
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Need help creating 14-16 day trip
Hello. My wife and I are planning a trip to India in October. I'm just getting started with the itinerary and I'm a bit overwhelmed with the choices. We will be flying into and out of Delhi, and will likely stay 14-16 days. We would really like to see the following, but I don't know if it is feasible or not:
Delhi
Agra
Jaipur
Jodhpur
Jaisalmer
Varanasi
Any tips on how to organize the progression of our trip? Are we trying to do to much?
Thanks a bunch for your help.
Delhi
Agra
Jaipur
Jodhpur
Jaisalmer
Varanasi
Any tips on how to organize the progression of our trip? Are we trying to do to much?
Thanks a bunch for your help.
Jan 5th, 2007, 02:19 PM
#2
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I am a real novice to independant travelling and after deciding to make India my maiden trip, I made my first post enquiry to the Fodor's community in November. What an invaluable resource this has turned out to be - you have come to the right place for advice!
You are planning to visit 4 of the 6 places I have on my itinerary (we depart for Inadia in 3 weeks) so I can share with you my progress to date if you are interested for Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Varanasi - let me know.
I have not gone through a travel agency but relied mainly on the advice from fodor's and booked flights, accommodation, drivers etc direct via the web. The proof of course will be in the pudding but I am confident of a successful and interesting trip. I'm already enjoying it before I get there!
You are sensible in thinking about your trip some time ahead - although 9 months may be a little premature for some bookings. I on the other hand feel I have left things rather late not realising the time delays in getting responses to e-mails etc - up to a week in some cases and I am now under some pressure to finalise bookings.
Whatever the lead time though, there are some experienced members who will be very helpful - thursdaysd, fuzzylogic, cicerone, vp singh, fanofindia, rhkkmk, bostonharbour, gourmet2go, craig, fanofindia to name but a few (thanks guys!!) Look out for their posts - click on their threads for backdated advise to other enquirers. VHS.
You are planning to visit 4 of the 6 places I have on my itinerary (we depart for Inadia in 3 weeks) so I can share with you my progress to date if you are interested for Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Varanasi - let me know.
I have not gone through a travel agency but relied mainly on the advice from fodor's and booked flights, accommodation, drivers etc direct via the web. The proof of course will be in the pudding but I am confident of a successful and interesting trip. I'm already enjoying it before I get there!
You are sensible in thinking about your trip some time ahead - although 9 months may be a little premature for some bookings. I on the other hand feel I have left things rather late not realising the time delays in getting responses to e-mails etc - up to a week in some cases and I am now under some pressure to finalise bookings.
Whatever the lead time though, there are some experienced members who will be very helpful - thursdaysd, fuzzylogic, cicerone, vp singh, fanofindia, rhkkmk, bostonharbour, gourmet2go, craig, fanofindia to name but a few (thanks guys!!) Look out for their posts - click on their threads for backdated advise to other enquirers. VHS.
Jan 5th, 2007, 06:57 PM
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for a first trip, i felt it necessary to rely on a delhi tour operator to set things up for me....i was very glad i had once i got there and saw the chaos that is everyday india....
don't get me wrong, it (india) is interesting, but without a driver and the agency to back him up i think i would have encountered many problems which may have ruined the trip for me...
we are seasoned travellers, i should note, but this just seemed too much for a first trip....
we travelled only by car and with the same driver for the entire time...he made the trip perfect for us...make sure you have a suv, like a toyota qualis for your cars...
i used castle and king in [email protected]
for all of my arrangements save a couple of private hotels i booked myself..
anoop was our driver and he was fantastic as i mentioned above...anything we wanted or needed he arranged...
he is available on a private basis as well...he is not a guide but can arrange those things seperately for you...
we only visited delhi, agra and jaipur in 11 days of travel...you may have too many places on your list to really get to know or see them well...??
we did not stay in the super lux hotels but rather stayed in the 4 star places, like sheratons and nikko...
hotel costs are your major cost...everything else is far less....food is #2 or at least it was for us as we ate at really good places, often in the 5* hotels...better safe than sorry was our motto...
ask specific questions if you wish
bob
don't get me wrong, it (india) is interesting, but without a driver and the agency to back him up i think i would have encountered many problems which may have ruined the trip for me...
we are seasoned travellers, i should note, but this just seemed too much for a first trip....
we travelled only by car and with the same driver for the entire time...he made the trip perfect for us...make sure you have a suv, like a toyota qualis for your cars...
i used castle and king in [email protected]
for all of my arrangements save a couple of private hotels i booked myself..
anoop was our driver and he was fantastic as i mentioned above...anything we wanted or needed he arranged...
he is available on a private basis as well...he is not a guide but can arrange those things seperately for you...
we only visited delhi, agra and jaipur in 11 days of travel...you may have too many places on your list to really get to know or see them well...??
we did not stay in the super lux hotels but rather stayed in the 4 star places, like sheratons and nikko...
hotel costs are your major cost...everything else is far less....food is #2 or at least it was for us as we ate at really good places, often in the 5* hotels...better safe than sorry was our motto...
ask specific questions if you wish
bob
Jan 5th, 2007, 08:54 PM
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My suggestion would also get someone to help you arrange your trip. My guess would be to fly to some of your destnations and also travel by train.
My vote for travel agent in Abhilash at
http://www.indiasinvitation.com/
I returned on Dec. 28 after a 17 day fantastic trip. We have traveled to India 2 other times and this was my favorite. I worked with him for months with almost daily emails which he always answerd promptly and efficent. He is definetly a lot less than other agencies as he has a small company.
You will have a wonderful time who ever you go with and will leave wanting more!
My vote for travel agent in Abhilash at
http://www.indiasinvitation.com/
I returned on Dec. 28 after a 17 day fantastic trip. We have traveled to India 2 other times and this was my favorite. I worked with him for months with almost daily emails which he always answerd promptly and efficent. He is definetly a lot less than other agencies as he has a small company.
You will have a wonderful time who ever you go with and will leave wanting more!
Jan 5th, 2007, 10:05 PM
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India will fascinate both of you. Your itinerary will run something like this: Delhi-Varanasi-Agra-Jaipur-Jodhpur-Jaisalmer. You may use all the three modes of transport, air, train & by road. Travelling by road is a great way, when possible, that will give you a glimplse of colourful Rajasthan. Keep the distances short between various destinations by choosing places, in between & accordant to your interests. For example, travelling by road between Jaipur & Jodhpur, you may overnight at the luxury campsite at Nimaj, situated right on a expansive lake, teeming with birdlife. There are nth number of possibilities. Every destination on your prospective plan has great properties to choose from...like Taj Benares in varanasi at one end & a few beautifully located smaller hotels on the Ganges!
Best Wishes!
Best Wishes!
Jan 6th, 2007, 07:31 AM
#6
With only two weeks I might drop either Jaisalmer or Varanasi. In that case I'd recommend dropping Jaisalmer, although I loved the town - it's a long haul from Jodhpur, and would be more Rajasthan when you're already seeing Jaipur and Jodhpur. Varanasi is quite a different experience. I'd suggest doing what I think VHS is planning - fly Delhi-Varanasi, train Varanasi-Agra, either car and driver or train Agra-Jaipur. Then I'd suggest taking a car and driver for an overnight visit to the painted havelis in the Shekawati region (I arranged my driver when I arrived in Jaipur with www.rajasthantravelservice.com who were very reasonable and had great customer service) before finishing in Jodhpur. Have you tried laying this out with the number of days for each place?
Also, do you necessarily have to fly both in and out of Delhi? You could start in Kolkata and take the train (or plane) on to Varanasi.
Also, do you necessarily have to fly both in and out of Delhi? You could start in Kolkata and take the train (or plane) on to Varanasi.
Jan 6th, 2007, 09:05 AM
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Josh, take a look at my trip report for a suggestion on getting a driver for Rajasthan. You don't have a lot of time, and we were faced with the same issues as you and we wound up dropping Jaisalmer and Varanasi. Varanasi is really in a completely different part of India from the rest of your destinations, and is expensive to get to by air....check the schedule for Jet Airways. The rest you can do by car from Delhi, and then fly back from Jodphur to Delhi and return, but check the driving time to Jaisalmer. IndiaMike.com has some useful tips on driving times. Our plan is to go back to Jaisalmer and take a camel safari into the desert when we have more time.
Jan 7th, 2007, 06:21 AM
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Both Varanasi and Jaisalmer are out on a limb, and I agree that a choice of the two has to be made. Fly into Varanasi, and take a night train on the return, then do the remainder, minus Jaisalmer in the order you have written. Good luck
Jan 7th, 2007, 10:52 AM
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Thanks everyone for your help. I may get in touch with a few of you the closer I get to the trip regarding more questions. Just a quick question - What is the average cost to hire a driver to take you to and from cities?
