VIDHAMAA3

We are 4 families planning to tour Rajasthan from Dec 22-30. There will be 6 kids from 1.5 years to 4 years. Pls crtique the itenary.
From South India arrive at Delhi to start the trip ( via train and flight based on convenience )
Saturday Dec 22 - early morning to agra via train and late night leave for Jaipur via train / bus
Sunday Dec 23 & Monday Dec 24 - Spend in Jaipur ( yet to decide how to spend )
Tuesday Dec 25 : arrive in Jaisalmer via overnight train - plans for desert safari
Wed Dec 25 : desert safari, local sight seeing and relax, overnight train to Jodhpur
Thursday Dec 26 - Spend in Jodhpur ( yet to decide how to spend )
Friday Dec 26 - 1 Day in Udaipur
Saturday Dec 27 - 1 Day in Mount Abu, late night train to Mumbai
Sunday Dec 28 - travel back to various destinations via flight / train.
Pls feel free to suggest changes, like we can start directly from Jaipur than Delhi and drop Agra from the itenary. Also is it ok to take small kids ron the desert safari ? Will it be very cold forh the kids during Dec if staying in the sand dunes ? If I drop Jaisalmer what else can I add to cover in 2 days ?

rhkkmk

i think it is fine, my only question is about so many overnight trains with small kids....will everyone get enough rest?

also you have no down time for yourselves and the kids??

Marija

I think it is ridiculous. What are you going to do with six children on the streets of Agra from the time you arrive in the morning until the time you leave at night? One day in Jodphur? How are you getting to Udaipur for the one day? Would you do a trip like this in your home country? Don't even try it in India with 8 adults and six children under the age of four.

JerryS

Get yourself a good agent in India. Many have been mentioned in this Forum.
My wife and I used VP Singh, LegendsandPalaces.com, and thought he was great.
You will probably find that using a good agent will save you much time and, probably, money.
Do your research and then ask questions.
Whatever you decide, have a great trip.

Elainee

Do you think the kids, or the adults will get enough sleep on the trains? All this in a week!

lcuy

Six kids under the age of four.
Overnight trains on four of the first five nights?
Sounds like a trip from hell to me:
No bathing for days at a time,
nowhere to nap during the day,
no place to park anyone who gets sick....
Plus overnight buses are not a safe method of travel in India.

progol

I agree with the others - this is realy unworkable. The dates you are giving really don't make much sense because of the way you identify the overnights, but it may fool you into thinking you have more time than you actually do. As lcuy says, overnight trains for 4 out of the first 5 nights with 6 kids?

I think you'll be happier rethinking this trip and slowing it down a bit, limiting the stops and having a place where you can all crash!

VIDHAMAA3

Thanks all, its very obvious that I replan the trip with additional details for rest for the kids and the elders too.

@Marija , I am Indian and live in South India, was planning to use overnight trains for commute within rajasthan, to increase time spent in sight seeing.

@Jerry : I never used a agent for my travel till date, I do my study and bookings on my own, but as advised I am going to read a bit more and plan this better, may be increase a day or two

@lcuy : i havent mentioned anything about stay, so its premature to assume no bathing during 22-30 Dec. We will be checking in hotels / stay homes at all places.i shud worry more about sleep in night that nap in day, so will be replanning to cut on places or incerase the travel days

@progol : Thanks I am now getting back to the board to replan

CaliNurse

Instead of all the overnight trains--which as you probalby know are NOT restful--you could enquire of a local travel agent, in your home area, about a recommendation for a good local travel company . Options are (with driver included in price) one Tata 18 seater travel bus, or two toyota Innovas (they fit 7 people each). he driver cold meet you in New Delhi or whereer you get off the train, assist with luggage, and make your lives easier in so many ways.

It will be more expensive than the overnight trains, but it might not be too much, divided between four families. And you'll have much more flexiblity to stop wherever you want, for as long as you want within reason. With so many people, you need that flexibility.

The travel agent i use and am happy with, is based in South India, in Tamil Nadu. Website is indianpanorama.in

And as others have said, consider seeing fewer places and having some relaxation time with the families and kids...or you'll be exhausted instead of refreshed after your holiday!

Whatever you decide, good luck!