It looks like I will have 20 days from 8/1-20 in India and flying in and out of Delhi. I am not planning for an animal viewing and decide not to go further south this time. I am interested in natural beauty, historical sites, temples,
ancient sculpture and architecture, and etc. Could anyone outline an itinerary for me and also give me some tips for how to do them? Here are list of places/regions that are interesting to me: Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan, Fatepar
Sikhri, Bharatpur, Sanchi, Ajanta/Ellora caves, Himachal Pradesh, valley of
flower, Ladakh, Khajuraho Temples. Of course, I love to see everything, but it is OK not
to do them all. I just don’t know in what way that is more efficient. How many days minimum that is needed at least in each place considering traveling by
train or bus or fly in Monsoon season. how should I go about? I am open to any suggestion. By the
way, if it is necessary, I don't mind the heat and humid. by the way, I am especially interested in Valley of Flowers

Is this post different from the one you posted a few hours ago, other than a different title?

Do some basic research, eh? Your question is too large. Look at a map. Do what Jaya says.

I can't possibly make an itinerary for a blind, 90 year old lady in a wheelchair who wants to see too much. Oh? You're not 90? Not blind? Then you must be a backpacker. No?
Something in between, I guess.

Still, it's great you have $2,000 a day to spend, that makes life easier... no? Oh - you have $20 a day... no?

How would we know? How can we answer your question? We don't do mind-reading in Fodor's.

This post is similar to the other one, which I thought it was lost in tech error. Later I found the other one, but it was too late.

In any case, I am doing my research and I thought post in the forum is a part of the research and an efficient way to help people to zoom into more specifics in a limited time, since any airfare could only hold so long. In this case, I have to make a decision within few days. I like to hear some guidelines, to compare some itineraries maybe different from the tour books before booking the ticket. Once the places are chosen, I will have more time to learn about details. But I guess people can only post specific questions to get specific experts' answers here. Otherwise one may take a risk being . . .
Now I will try a specific question, had anyone done the trekking to the Valley of Flowers alone in the recent years? Any advice for that?

I did this trek in the year 2007 with my family. Our first stop was Rishikesh (Glass House). The next day we took off early & drove straight to Pipalkoti & stayed in the GMVN Rest House, which has two superior ac rooms & a restaurant. The rest house lies in an amphitheater & has marvelous views from the backyard. There are several great destinations like Chopta & Tungnath Temples, on the way. A mile short of Rudraparyag, at Golabrai you will see the obelisk where Corbett shot a notorious leopard 1926, the mango tree still stands tall in front; from the GMVN guest house at Rudraparyag you will see the confluence of the calm Mandakini with the turbulent Alaknanda, with some old pilgrim shelters in the foreground. At Karanparyag the road runs across the river, very picturesque. You could also stop overnight at Joshimath where you do have some small guest houses. With sunset no traffic is allowed beyond Joshimath for the hills are prone to landslides. The USP is to start early!
From Pipalkoti, hit Govind Ghat via Joshimath. Over the suspension bridge on river Alaknanda, either trek 13 km to Ghangria (14200 ft) or take the mules. The narrow flagstone path will witness streams of the finest peasantry of the Punjab, trudging along to the Sikh Temple at Hemkund! I would suggest mules as the gradient is steep & you will enjoy the natural scenery more, perched up. The trek goes along the Birehi Ganga with excellent but furious waterfalls, unprecedented greenery, peaks covered with snow & lammergeyers circling overhead. Ghangria has a basic Rest House / restaurant. Further 2 miles up Ghangria, one trek goes into Valley of Flowers & another leaves for Hemkund. We decided to go to Hemkund (16000ft) as we were there in early June. The Himalayan peaks were mesmerizing all along. It was very cold / wet at Ghangria even in June.
Auli is another destination close to Joshimath & the views of the eternal snow / peaks, from the temple high up the hill is a just reward.
The Hill shrine of Badrinath are but a few miles north of Govind Ghat.

HI, VP, Valley of Flowers and Hemkund certainly are amazing places to me. I have been to Tibet several years ago. I can imagine what you said about snow covered peaks. But I went in early April, so I didn't get to see any flowers. Thank you for sharing your trip with me. You mentioned about landslide. Another Indian friend also warned me recently that July/August are the seasons for landslide and road mess. But he does not know that area well. Does it affect train from Delhi to Rishikesh? or more often happen in the area beyond Joshimath?

The area from Pipalkoti onwards right up to Govindghat / Badrinath are danger zones. You will also cross a couple of ominous looking glaciers on the trek...worth every penny spent, though!

August is not a very good time to travel in India since its monsoon and the rain is very unpredictable and heavy.

So you may not be able to do a lot of what you plan. If possible you should try and go between Nov-Jan.

Hi
Maybe this links can help. Also try their travelogue section to read about them

http://www.oktatabyebye.com/TravelQu...20of%20flowers

To know what sort of flowers you can see:
http://www.oktatabyebye.com/TravelQu...20of%20flowers

Focus on Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra & Ladakh..thats about all youll be able to do in 20 days and these are the only places your trip wont be ruined by rains

I too may be in India in August. We can all roast together! This will be my first SUMMER trip to India and I'm still nervous about how I will handle the heat. I will be mostly in Delhi/UP area, although a side trip to the hill stations would be wonderful.