Which Cities in India if Only Have 8 days on Land?
 

It'll be our family's first trip to India. 6 in our group -- my parents (in their 60s), my sister and me, and our husbands (all in our early 30s). We know this is hardly enough time to see all there is to see in India, but for a first time trip, what do you recommend? Stick to the Golden Triangle? Anything you'd add or subtract? Are the tiger safaris worth the time? We love nature, good food, culture, shopping, and history (but do not need to see every castle or fort). We'd be very grateful for your insight!

I should've added that we'll be traveling in December!

8 days is hardly enough to see the Golden Triangle. And forget the tiger safari. Choose a golden Triangle itinerary that makes sense for you - not more than three stops. Use a good local agent like Castle and King or Legends and Palaces.

Delhi - Agra - Jaipur is probably your best option, given your time constraint.

I had 9 days 2 days in Delhi, 2 in Agra, 1 Bharatpur (bird sanctuary), 2 in Jaipur and then back to Delhi, quick but doable.

I mentioned the Golden Triangle, but should we go to southern India instead? Or is that better for a second-time trip?

Thank you Kathie, Craig, and Needmorevacation!

I am quite looking forward to going back to India to see the south, but I am glad my first experience had me seeing the Taj :)

The most logical trip would be, two to three days in Delhi, then have a driver take you to Agra, and then have him take you to Jaipur, where you can catch a flight back to Delhi, and connect directly out of India. However, I found Varanasi much more fascinating than Jaipur, so here is what I would do:

Two to three days in Delhi (we counted 23 sites that we saw in three days, and we were busy the whole time), then I would have a driver with a large van take you to Agra, where you can meet up with a specialist guide there. Then, I would have the driver take you directly back to the Delhi airport, where you can catch a flight to Varanasi (no airport in Agra). The city is so fascinating and spiritual--I have never seen anything like it--people singing and chanting by the river, then dancing at night. Also, the city of Sarnath is right next to Varanasi. Read Herman Hess's Siddartha before you go.

We considered the safari, but I read that you may not see any tigers. Also, save south India for another trip--maybe combine with Sri Lanka.

Oh, and India is so inexpensive, that you can use guides and drivers everywhere. We had fabulous guides in Varanasi, Agra, and Jaipur. I can list them here if you like.

Oops--I meant Herman Hesse's "Siddartha."

I also wanted to mention that our wonderful Varanasi guide took us to a wedding, and my son and I made speeches to the bride and groom. Then my son danced with all the guys. I felt like I was in a Bollywood movie.

I like the suggestion to include Varanasi, our favorite sight in India. It is a shame though that you won't have more time for the golden triangle as well. You will find India intriguing.

The first suggestion that come to my mind is:
Delhi (2 Nights) well one day is enough for Delhi but Jet lag needs to be considered
Agra (1 Night)
Ranthambore (2 Nights) for tiger safaris
Jaipur (2 Nights)

However from your point interests( love nature, good food, culture, shopping, and history) I feel that South India (Kerala) would be a better option for you. Following places you can check:

Kochi- (2 nights)
Munnar-(1 Night) Hill station
Thekkady- (1 Night)
Madurai- (1 Night)
Alleppey- (1 Night) on houseboat on backwaters
Mararikullam (1 night) just to rest on beach

I will suggest at least 2 nights on beach but it seems you do not have enough days. Or you can think of removing Madurai and that night you can add in Marrarikullam

We might have a couple more days than we thought. In addition to the Golden Triangle, would you add Varanasi or Udaipur?

We had 11 nights/12 days on the ground and thought we had the perfect first-time itinerary, nice mash-up of rural and urban, concentrating on culture. Skipped Jaipur because we were more interested in Udaipur and Varanasi. Stayed just one night/one day in Delhi, which was enough for a taste. Helps to stay at a beautiful, relaxing place at the beginning to get over jet lag, and Devi Ghar was just the ticket. Here is what we did:

Mumbai - 1 night (near airport)
Udaipur - 4 nights (stayed at Devi Ghar, 45 minutes from town)
Varanasi - 2 nights
Khajuraho - 1 night (the road trip through rural area, including Orchha)
Agra - 2 nights
Delhi - 1 night

Hi MBCB,

Regarding Varanasi vs. Udaipur, I would choose Varanasi, hands down. Here is the reason: If you are proceeding with your Delhi-Agra-Jaipur itinerary, then Varanasi will give more spice or variety to your trip. We actually went to Udaipur and Varanasi on the same trip, but I liked Varanasi better. The logistics in Varanasi are easier--the sites are all close by, and it seemed like one big movie set. With our guide, we walked the entire length of the ghats.

Udaipur is certainly pretty, but the palace is still privately owned, hence the treasures there are not as interesteing as the palace in Jaipur. We took two fascinating day trips from Udaipur, one day to Chittaurgaurh, and another to Ranukpur/Kaumbalgarh, but both involved much schlepping, even with a car and driver. The puppet show in Udaipur is a must-see.

Maybe you can honor your parents, and show them you tube videos of both Varanasi and Udaipur, and let them decide.

I think that either Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Udaipur, or Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Varanasi will be fabulous. We had three weeks, and we did: Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Udaipur-Mumbai-Varanasi. Jet Airways is very cheap, and good for your internal flights. Our logistics went perfectly on this trip (guides and drivers always waiting, flights on time), so your itinerary is reasonable for the time that your have.

And lastly, I respectfully disagree with the last poster about Delhi. If you are interested in history, then the city deserves at least two full days. It is relatively compact, so you can get around quickly by taxi, even changing your routing at the last minute. The historical sites were so varied, that we were never bored.

I just looked back at my trip report and was reminded that we did in fact have two full days in Delhi. We saw the top sights (as a well as a Bollywood movie) and enjoyed our time there, although the traffic and pollution were horrific and we prefer walkable cities. Also it was there we witnessed the most obvious divide between wealth and poverty. We just didn't feel the exotic magic of the the smaller cities and rural areas.

With limited time, I wouldn't make Delhi a priority and if I went back, I would spend as little time there as possible. I stand by my vote for both Varanasi and Udaipur.

I found Delhi easy to get around quickly (traffic was not a problem), and I saw horrible poverty everywhere in India. The OP said that the group was interested in history and culture, so Delhi is a top city for sites. We enjoyed, among other sites, the Sikh temples, Gandhi's house and memorial, and the craft museum. I usually find gritty big cities a bore, but for me, Delhi was the wonderful exception. And where else can you find cows marching down the middle of the street? We spent three full jam-packed days there, and we were busy every minute.

In any case, the OP has some great options, too much to see in too little time. What a nice problem!

Thank you! Yes, I agree. Amazing options, not enough time! That's why your advice is so important and appreciated! Crosscheck, I'm curious which you would choose between Varanasi and Udaipur, if you could only visit one on your first trip to India!

For me, I would choose Varanasi, hands down. But I am far from Type A and I relish surreal, disorienting, otherworldly travel experiences. If you think you will be bothered by unrelenting chaos, crumbling infrastructure, mounds of trash, immense crowds of chanters/grievers, nonstop horn blowing, and the sacred life/death continuum in your face, Varanasi is not the place for you. It is the oldest city on earth and perhaps the craziest - fascinating and inspiring, but not for the fainthearted.

Given your additional time, I would also suggest you consider Varanasi and Udaipur in that order. Udaipur would also be my preference over Jaipur, if you can work that into your plan. Varanasi is not to be missed, in spite of what others may say.