travelbaba

Hi,

I'll be in Bangalore for 3 weeks in November.
Can you suggest some place in North/South India
I can visit in 4 days ? What about Rajasthan or Himachal Pradesh ? If I would choose 1-2 places for 4 days, which cities/parks should I consider ? Thanks

rahulm

Since you're already in the south part of the country, I'd recommend a few days in Kerala or Goa.

Cicerone

I agree on staying south because you have such a limited amount of time. Will you already have been to Mysore during your 3 weeks? That would make a good trip and with 4 days you could include other areas nearby.

If you want to go further, I would take Kerala over Goa as you are already further south and with 4 days I think you would find more to do in Kerala and you can do at least 1 overnight on a houseboat which is nice and relaxing. You can fly to Trivandrum in about an hour on Kingfisher Airlines (an excellent airline). Both are going to have some rain lingering rain in October, but if you are talking about the middle to end of November, you are coming into the really good season then.

The problem with Rajasthan (and even more so with Himchal) is that Bangalore is really far south in India. It’s like being in Miami and saying you want to go to Montreal for 4 days (and imagine there is less frequent air service and very few direct flights). It would take like 4 hours just in flight time to get to a place like Jaipur and then with transit time to airports, security, check-in, etc. you are looking at like at least 6-7 hours each way, IMO, to get to an easily accessible place in north India (i.e., a place served by an airport). Any many places are not “easily accessible”. It’s another 2-3 hour drive down to Ranthambore from Jaipur. In many cases you would not want to arrive at an airport location and then do a drive night of 2-3 hours, roads are not really safe for nighttime travel, IMO. I just think for only 4 days attempting north India would not be worthwhile. If you do it, I would pick one place and just see that, IMO trying to “see” two places in 4 days is really going to be rushed.

I don’t know much about wildlife parks in the south near Bangalore, but I would suggest you look into that as a first step if you don’t want to go to Kerala or Goa.

My mantra on airlines is Kingfisher Airlines first choice, closely followed by Jet Airways, others like air Deccan and Spice Jet in a pack with Indian Airlines at the back.

hobbes

There are lovely jungle lodges very close to Bangalore - take a look at Kabini. I would also not reco Rajastha or HP - too far. If Pomdicherry interests you that is an option. Else Kerala is defi doable. Also Orange County or Conoor.

blgerber

I would suggest Hampi which is a short overnight train ride away. Munnar is also great. Nothing beats a float down the backwaters of Kerala. I think Kochi and Alleppy would be nice. The parks are nice but don't go expecting to see anything. The best time to see wildlife is at the end of the dry season in March and April. It really depends on what you like. You can find anything you want in India as a whole but also south India. You have beaches, desert, mountains, tropical and sub tropical forest, and great cities and food. If you are more specific on what you like it helps.

blgerber

Also a train ride may take as long as a flight but nothing beats traveling on a train in India. It is an experience not to be missed. Whether you are in first class or 2 non-A/C it is a great time.