I'm planning a trip to India with 1-3 friends (ages 28-38). We all travel frequently, but this is our first time in this part of the world. One of us is a teacher so it has to be June, and we're looking at about 3 weeks in the country. We're basically interested in whatever makes India unique - architecture, wildlife, culture, scenery...

We'd love to see everything, but since that isn't going to happen I'd appreciate any help you guys can give me!

I'm trying to use timeshare points for some of the lodging to cut down costs - so I've got Corbett Hideaway June 7 - 14 http://www.corbetthideaway.com/ where hopefully I can do an elephant safari and watch for tigers, is there somewhere to book tours ahead of time?

and Fort Chanwa Luni (Jodhpur) June 19 - 26 http://www.fortchanwa.com/ not quite sure what there is to do in that area yet...

Which leaves a week in between that I'd like to use to see the Taj Mahal, Varanasi, and Darjeeling if we have time for all that - I saw a post about an overnight train from Varanasi to Siliguri followed by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway that sounded like a great way to see the country, but how would we get back to Jodhpur (without spending too much time or money)?

Thanks!
Katie

"but how would we get back to Jodhpur (without spending too much time or money)?" Can you change the dates for Jodhpur? The way to add Darjeeling to your itinerary is to fly into Delhi and out of Kolkata. Have you looked at a map? Or you could fly from Varanasi back to the east, but I doubt you could work in Darjeeling in that case. Not that spending a week in Varanasi is a bad idea.

Those are the only dates that the timeshares were available.

Hmm, they have a couple places in Kolkata - if they have an opening I could switch. I'll look into that, would that be a good place to spend a week or would Jodhpur be "better"?

Yes, the map in't a huge help since I don't know where anything is though I know the English names for the places and it's taking me awhile to figure it out since my map has the native names.

Thanks!

having been to Kolkata, I wouldn't dream of spending a week there. There's aren't really any sights to see for more than a day, it's quiet rundown (even compared to other Indian cities) and dirty. There's a reason why Mother Theresa spent so much of her life there. unfortunately, doesn't look like she made much progress.

I wouldn't plan to spend a whole week in Kolkata either, but neither would I be so dismissive of it. I spent several days there, and although part of the reason I had a good time was the Durga Puja festival, I'd be willing to go back. It was my first big Indian city, so I was fascinated. I stayed at the Fairlawn, on Sudder Street, which seemed to have its own little community.

I would spend time in Darjeeling and Sikkim, and then perhaps visit the Sunderbans and go on to Orissa, as well as visiting Kolkata, but Kate is trying to use time shares. If she can't change the dates I'd suggest several days in Varanasi, and then Khajuraho-Orccha-Gwalior on the way to Agra.

If you look closely at the dates you'll see our friend has all of 4 days free. Not a lot you can do in 4 days - they gotta get from Corbett to wherever in that time as well.

So I reckon it better be somewhere kinda on the way from A to B...

No good really talking about Varanasi and Darjeeling. Or Kolkata for that matter.. they won't go there. Drive Corbett/Agra/Jaipur, Jodhpur. Max.

ok, i was a little harsh on Kolkata. But I was mentally comparing it to so many other wonderful and interesting places in India that are much more worthwhile of someone's time. agree that staing in the area is best for 4 days.

Okay, so I'll keep the Jodhpur location rather than trying to switch to Kolkatta and forget about trying to get all the way across the country.

I'd still like to try to at least see one other area. We would be travelling on the 14th from Corbett and on the 19th to Jodhpur that leaves 4 days in between (not 4 days including the travel). Can we fly from Varanasi to Jodhpur? I tried to check the airlines but I'm at work and they are blocking the site...

Thanks!

In a word: No.

Please Kate, look on a map.

The 'native name' for Varanasi is Benares.

Even look on that nice Corbett Hideaway website. That's the place you're staying. Click on location. Do you realise you have 5 - 6 hours drive from Delhi to get to Corbett? Or an overnight train?

And 5 - 6 hours back to Delhi?

Then a flight to Varanasi from Delhi.

Then a flight back from Varanasi to Delhi.

Then a flight from Delhi to Jodhpur.

Do you know about Google search? Try using that. I'm sure your work computer hasn't blocked that.

Please Kate. Look on a map. Please.

It's India I am not familiar with, not the concept of maps and the internet -

I will be spending 22+ hours on a plane to get to India in the first place so when I get out my maps (and I did look before I asked) and see a 5-6 hour drive followed by a 1-2 hour flight for a 4 day visit it doesn't really sound all that bad.

If anyone would like to suggest that any trip of less than a year is too short to fly 22+ hours one-way you will not get any arguments from me - but for some reason work refused to give me that much paid vacation. So, this is what my calendar looks like....

June 4 - depart for India ~11 am
June 5 - arrive Delhi ~11pm
June 6 - Delhi
June 7 - drive to Corbett (6 hours)
June 8 - 13 Corbett
June 14 - drive to Delhi (6 hours)
June 15 - ?
June 16 - ?
June 17 - ?
June 18 - ?
June 19 - drive/fly to Jodhpur
June 20 - 25 Jodhpur
June 26 - ?
June 27 - ?
June 28 - depart for home ~10pm
June 29 - arrive home ~11am

I haven't booked the international flights yet, so those dates could move a bit. I assume I could leave Corbett a day or two early if it would make time for something better.

OK, I looked at the map (lol) and having seen where Corbett is, and given that you wanted to ride a toy train to a hill station, I'd suggest that instead of going back to Delhi you head further north and go up to Simla. You could maybe fit Amritsar in as well. I'd forget Varanasi this time - it's a magical place, but just doesn't fit well with the rest of this trip. You can fit in Agra at the end.

I know what you mean about long flights. It takes me nearly 35 hours to get to New Delhi, and my trips are usually 2 weeks. I find that 2 weeks is not a bad time for India though, especially if you aren't going in the cool season.

Shimla (aka Simla) would be a good choice. I was there myself last October. It is VERY popular in June though, so book early if you do go. All the hill stations are popular with the Indians to escape the heat of May and June.

Speaking of June, you really need to allow extra time everywhere. It is just so brutally hot ( I was just there two weeks ago at the end of May) that you really can't "go" all day. We would go out for a while, then come back to our hotel for a shower and rest, then back out again. You end up moving really slowly too.

I'd also sugesst Agra at the end, but would also give myself a day or two in Delhi after that. , and Delhi is a good place to do your shopping, and you don't want to be stuck somewhere and miss your flight home.

I've had flights cancelled, the 4 hour Agra-Delhi drive take 7+ hours, and trains arrive hours late.

So should I just drop Jodhpur because of the heat & stick with the Himachal Pradesh
area? Is a week in Shimla or Manali too much? I think there was some availablilty up there with the timeshare but I thought a different area might be better....

I've got a couple hours still to change my reservations.

When all else fails, start over right? So, I'm giving up the idea of the second week of timeshare - seems like that is what really doesn't fit...

June 4 - depart for India ~11 am
June 5 - arrive Delhi ~11pm
June 6 - Delhi
June 7 - drive (6 hours) or overnight train to Corbett
June 8 - 13 Corbett
June 14 - 27 ???
June 28 - depart for home
June 29 - arrive home


Now does Varanasi fit?

Back to reading trip reports & guide books - if anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

Thanks to everyone that already provided feedback - as you could tell I definitely need help on this trip!

Well, now you can go anywhere you like...

And I can't think of a better place than Varanasi to get a feel for India. Do a search in here to get an idea of where to stay.

www.flykingfisher.com for flights.

You could even fly Varanasi - Kathmandu and still end up in Delhi with time for an easy side trip to Agra.

if you haven't been to delhi before, i think it can easily take up more than 1 day to see even the highlights. it has very old history and lots that is preserved. At least one more day, but you can fill 2 more days easily. plus shopping is great (of any kind - crafts or designer). if you are going to jodhpur, take a look at jaisalmer. I really enjoyed seeing it and spending a few days there. very different from jodhpur. the traditional trip is delhi-agra-jaipur-jodhpur-jaisalmer (or udaipur). that can easily take up 3 weeks and is very rich with history, architecture, culture of many periods. Since you will already have a "nature" part of your trip, perhaps going to another "nature" area (such as himalayas) may not be as interesting for contrast as a more historical/cultural area. Agra is an absolute must!

a. Three or four nights at Corbett should be fine. You may drive from Delhi & stay at Infinity Resorts, village Dhikuli. They have a great setup right on the river Kosi, with the biggest water front. You must spend atleast two nights inside the park. The idea is to give you a feel of the Indian jungle, it's sounds & alarm calls during the night are some of my happiest memories. However, June shall be very warm, though Corbett does have air-coolers at Dhikala. Dhikala & surrounding forests is infact 'the' place to stay, for it is in the core area. Wildlife sightings are very good. (My favourite has been the Sarpduli FRH). Taking a safari from outside the park to other areas is a waste of time for a keen enthusiast. Corbett closes down on 15 June.
b. You may now drive to Rishikesh & spend a couple of nights at Neemrana Glass House. It is right on the river bank, with private beach. However, be careful & choose a room away from the road to Badrinath, for the traffic is heavy at night. Do witness the 6:00pm aarti ceremony on the Ganges. The Bazaar is surprisingly very clean indeed!
c. From Rishikesh you may now drive to Mussourie & subsequently to Simla.
d. One of my favourite haunts have been Dharamsala. It is a beautiful hill station at about 4500 ft asl. The Udechee Huts at nearly 7500 ft affords some great views of the Dhauladhar mountains & fine food. The Norbulingka Institute, Dolls Museum, Mcleod Ganj offer good sight seeing. A walk to Dharamkot from the main bazaar is quite rewarding & Triund at about 12500 ft is well appreciated by a habitual trekker. The small road from Dharamkot to Udechee Huts pass through delightful Deodar forests. The church of John in the wilderness has some poignant obelisks. Dharamsala still retains an excellent forest cover & is not yet commercialised. Amritsar is about seven hours by car from here.
Happy Travels!