What would a 14 day trip to India look like?
Oct 5th, 2007, 08:38 AM
#1
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What would a 14 day trip to India look like?
We just got back from a 3 week trip to France and now I "need" to start planning for our next big trip. Before we left for France, we had been tentatively planning on a trip to India. However, my husband has just changed jobs and his new employer's general policy is that vacations cannot last longer than 2 weeks without authorization from the President (of the company, that is). Understandably, he does not want to ask for an exception to be made for him so soon after starting his new job. So, is a 2 week trip to India doable? The 2 weeks would include travel time from Los Angeles. What would the itinerary of such a trip look like? Or should we just wait until a time when we can take a longer trip? Our plan has always been to try to do "harder" trips sooner rather than later since we don't know what our elderly years will be like.
Thanks in advance for any advice or thoughts you may have for us.
Thanks in advance for any advice or thoughts you may have for us.
Oct 5th, 2007, 09:16 AM
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Wj1-my suggestion to you would be to go on a tour operators' website such as Smarttours.com, Gate1travel tours or Djoserusa tours and look at their two week travel itinerary for India, then, if you didn't want to take one of their tours, you could just copy the itinerary to arrange on your own.
Oct 5th, 2007, 09:29 AM
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i would think 2 wks just perfect for an india intro in the so called golden traiangle of agra, delhi and jaipur with perhaps one other place thrown in...
we did the 3 cities leisurely last year in 11 days...we would have liked a few more days, esp. in delhi...
contact compass tours to assist you....get a driver and SUV and you are on your way....
we did the 3 cities leisurely last year in 11 days...we would have liked a few more days, esp. in delhi...
contact compass tours to assist you....get a driver and SUV and you are on your way....
Oct 5th, 2007, 11:07 AM
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Wj1,
I like the way you think
My wife and I are getting as much travel done, before we have kids, etc.
About your question whether 2 weeks is enough, I suggest waiting till you are able to take a longer trip. In addition to considering the travel time you also need to consider the airfare. For that kind of money, there are other places you can choose from closer to home.
We went for to India for a month in 2006. You can find the pics i've posted at:
http://colinspics.phanfare.com/2006
If you still decide to go to India for 2 weeks, I would do what rhkkmk suggests.
Pick 3 cities and explore them at your liesure. You can also do some day trips.
My suggestions are:
1) Udaipur - Ranakpur temples
2) Delhi-Agra
3) Jaipur
You may want to consider ending your trip by unwinding in Goa. There are some great beaches there.
I like the way you think
My wife and I are getting as much travel done, before we have kids, etc.About your question whether 2 weeks is enough, I suggest waiting till you are able to take a longer trip. In addition to considering the travel time you also need to consider the airfare. For that kind of money, there are other places you can choose from closer to home.
We went for to India for a month in 2006. You can find the pics i've posted at:
http://colinspics.phanfare.com/2006
If you still decide to go to India for 2 weeks, I would do what rhkkmk suggests.
Pick 3 cities and explore them at your liesure. You can also do some day trips.
My suggestions are:
1) Udaipur - Ranakpur temples
2) Delhi-Agra
3) Jaipur
You may want to consider ending your trip by unwinding in Goa. There are some great beaches there.
Oct 5th, 2007, 11:53 AM
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gREETINGS, NAMASTE, BONJOUR!~
hELLo there! Great to hear u are planning a 14 day trip to India, and yes, that is a wonderful slice of time and very feasible!
I am actually a American woman who lives in India and truth be told, * I lead two week tours for various Operators, namely the ones listed by Gypsy Smartours and GAte1.What a coincidence! Yes, as a tour manager! I have led tours in the region for over a decade!
Anyways, a two week trip to India can be many differnt things, really depending on your intersts, your ideas, your style of travel etc!
U can do North India, South India, mix it up, etc, etc..
However, i would probably pick one region and stick with it. U will come back, if India gets U!
For a Nice NOrth Itinerary in two weeks u can do something like this, Delhi, agra, Jaipur, Khajuraho, Varanasi and even on to Kathamndu Nepal..
Or u can take out Kathmandu and include more of Rajasthan, such as JOdphur, Rathambore and/or Udaipur!
In two weeks u can go south too, if u are feeling more tropical!
U can do something like this..Chennai, Madurai Periyar, Kumarakom, Backwaters, Cochi, Bombay, etc..
These are just ideas! There are so many variables and ways to route a two week trip! I usually suggest at least two nites in every port of call to avoid exxuastion, although some people like to move and move and see everything and some like to sit back and smell the Jasmine..
Anyways, this is all just food/curry for thought.! Feel free to drop me a line! I am very very locally connected and wld be happy to help u plot and plan! Namaste [email protected]
hELLo there! Great to hear u are planning a 14 day trip to India, and yes, that is a wonderful slice of time and very feasible!
I am actually a American woman who lives in India and truth be told, * I lead two week tours for various Operators, namely the ones listed by Gypsy Smartours and GAte1.What a coincidence! Yes, as a tour manager! I have led tours in the region for over a decade!
Anyways, a two week trip to India can be many differnt things, really depending on your intersts, your ideas, your style of travel etc!
U can do North India, South India, mix it up, etc, etc..
However, i would probably pick one region and stick with it. U will come back, if India gets U!
For a Nice NOrth Itinerary in two weeks u can do something like this, Delhi, agra, Jaipur, Khajuraho, Varanasi and even on to Kathamndu Nepal..
Or u can take out Kathmandu and include more of Rajasthan, such as JOdphur, Rathambore and/or Udaipur!
In two weeks u can go south too, if u are feeling more tropical!
U can do something like this..Chennai, Madurai Periyar, Kumarakom, Backwaters, Cochi, Bombay, etc..
These are just ideas! There are so many variables and ways to route a two week trip! I usually suggest at least two nites in every port of call to avoid exxuastion, although some people like to move and move and see everything and some like to sit back and smell the Jasmine..
Anyways, this is all just food/curry for thought.! Feel free to drop me a line! I am very very locally connected and wld be happy to help u plot and plan! Namaste [email protected]
Oct 5th, 2007, 12:07 PM
#6
I think two weeks is a perfect time for a first trip to India.
Fly LAX to Delhi(two days)-Agra (2 days) Jaipur (two or three days)then the balance in Delhi. You could add in or substitute some time in Varanasi.
Travel by train or hire a driver for the golden triangle.
Varansi would be better to fly or take a long train ride.
Fly LAX to Delhi(two days)-Agra (2 days) Jaipur (two or three days)then the balance in Delhi. You could add in or substitute some time in Varanasi.
Travel by train or hire a driver for the golden triangle.
Varansi would be better to fly or take a long train ride.
Oct 5th, 2007, 12:58 PM
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Am thinking of India also! wonder what time of year is best to go and should one include Calcutta? Also, packing prepations and medical preparations (shots, etc) and what medicines, if any, to take! Thanks.
Oct 5th, 2007, 02:26 PM
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Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your responses. I had been beginning to believe that a trip to India wouldn't be worth it if the trip was only for two weeks, including travel time, but that clearly isn't the case. Now I can get excited again.
This trip probably won't take place until late 2008 or early 2009. But since I'll be trying to get frequent flyer award tickets in just a few months, I needed to know whether a two week trip was worthwhile. Clearly it is. Whoopee. You'll be hearing from me soon.........
Thanks again.
This trip probably won't take place until late 2008 or early 2009. But since I'll be trying to get frequent flyer award tickets in just a few months, I needed to know whether a two week trip was worthwhile. Clearly it is. Whoopee. You'll be hearing from me soon.........
Thanks again.
Oct 5th, 2007, 03:03 PM
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I'm departing in six weeks for an 18 day/16 night 4 star deluxe group tour wit Globus. The base tour is 14 days (overnights) and goes to Delhi (3), Varanasi (1), Khajuraho (1), Agra (2), Jaipur (2), Udaipur (2). The Southern extension goes to Cochin (3) and Mumbai (2). Actually I'm taking an extra day in both Delhi and Mumbai at the beginning and end of the trip. I'm lucky that I'm able to take over three weeks off this year. Since I'm flying through London, I'm staying a night there too on the way back.
Having spent the past three months researching escorted tours (being single and traveling alone) I can tell you there are a lot of choices at the low and high end (in terms of cost/price). In the end, I decided traveling with a group (as oppposed to escorted independent) is best for me, having traveled alone to China and Vietnam. There are small (6-15 people) tour and large tours (15-40) at both ends of the spectrum. Having read dozens of itineraries, in the end, you basically see the same highlights in most of the major tourist destinations. There are also some pretty unique itineraries based on religious pilgramage, cuisine, vounteering, luxury spas, cultural/heritage sightseeing (the latter of course bing the most common).
If you're interested, email me or reply and I can provide a long list of links.
Having spent the past three months researching escorted tours (being single and traveling alone) I can tell you there are a lot of choices at the low and high end (in terms of cost/price). In the end, I decided traveling with a group (as oppposed to escorted independent) is best for me, having traveled alone to China and Vietnam. There are small (6-15 people) tour and large tours (15-40) at both ends of the spectrum. Having read dozens of itineraries, in the end, you basically see the same highlights in most of the major tourist destinations. There are also some pretty unique itineraries based on religious pilgramage, cuisine, vounteering, luxury spas, cultural/heritage sightseeing (the latter of course bing the most common).
If you're interested, email me or reply and I can provide a long list of links.
Oct 6th, 2007, 04:08 AM
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The best time to travel in INdia really depends on where u plan to Go!
But for the most part, if you are planing a North India circuit like(delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi, etc) or (Delhi, Udaipur, Jodphur, Jaipur, Agra, etc )*the good months for travel are what is called the peak travel season October-March, when the weather is more temperate! This is the high season for prices too!
That said, in the high season the hotel prices are at its peak, with a "superPeak", usually clustered around the Xmas and New years HOlidays(of which many hotels require u take a supplement for their dinner and festivities)! *Do note this usually occurs at the high end hotels!
Also, among the high season of travel Oct-March, there are still weather variations, as it can get a bit chilly in December/Januray relatively speaking and the FOG sets in which can run havoc with flite and train schedules!
Overall, my fave months in India are NOvember and Febuary, things just right and temperate! October can still be a bit warm as well as March the heat is building..April is HOT!
That said, i do led tours thru the whole high season which is October-thru March!! All these months are do-able! These months are also very good if you are interested in South India, Goa, Kerala, Tamil, etc!
Take care, Happy travels and feel free to drop me a line. Happy to help! [email protected]
But for the most part, if you are planing a North India circuit like(delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi, etc) or (Delhi, Udaipur, Jodphur, Jaipur, Agra, etc )*the good months for travel are what is called the peak travel season October-March, when the weather is more temperate! This is the high season for prices too!
That said, in the high season the hotel prices are at its peak, with a "superPeak", usually clustered around the Xmas and New years HOlidays(of which many hotels require u take a supplement for their dinner and festivities)! *Do note this usually occurs at the high end hotels!
Also, among the high season of travel Oct-March, there are still weather variations, as it can get a bit chilly in December/Januray relatively speaking and the FOG sets in which can run havoc with flite and train schedules!
Overall, my fave months in India are NOvember and Febuary, things just right and temperate! October can still be a bit warm as well as March the heat is building..April is HOT!
That said, i do led tours thru the whole high season which is October-thru March!! All these months are do-able! These months are also very good if you are interested in South India, Goa, Kerala, Tamil, etc!
Take care, Happy travels and feel free to drop me a line. Happy to help! [email protected]
Oct 6th, 2007, 11:32 AM
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2 wks. is fine but where you go depends on the season. The north and summer are out. Its just too hot. I mean Delhi is up to 115 F. If your time is summer perhaps other here can give you a better locale in India for that time of yr. Kerala maybe? BTW there is a vast difference from north to south. The latter is lush and tropical, esp. in Kerala. The norther regions mentioned, the famous golden triangle region are dry and very warm. Again what season is critical. Good luck with your planning.
